Mold and dry dog food?

Question

This isn't a question, just wanted to pass on some info. A lot of you will know this but I didn't. My dog has chronic diarrhea, and we're trying to find out why. The vet says dry dog food tends to mold. You shouldn't buy more than a month's supply, should only buy at a place with good product turnover, and keep the food in its bag, not in a bin. Bulk foods at the pet store tend to be exposed to mold, and rawhides too. Stay away from anything that has peanut butter in it, because pet-grade peanut butter is godawful. Use human grade and make your own treats if you want to.

I thought I'd pass this on because my first vet, who I thought was really good, never once asked me about how I store the food or warned me about mold. So I might not be the only responsible pet owner who somehow missed out on all this...

Answer 1

Downsview Secondary School

Answer 2

My dog got terrible poisoning from eating some dry food that had been in the bag of the 'pet food cupboard'.  I found out after she ate some that there were some mice nesting in the bag.  They had eaten their way through the bottom and were living in there.

My poor dog ate about a cup full after I spilled it taking it to the bin.  That night she vomitted all  night, had diarrhoea for three day and the worst farts for the next week.  The biggest worry was that she was feeding three week old puppies at the time.

I felt terrible, especially as it had been there for about a year and I had been too tight fisted to throw it out (over $100 a bag here) even though I don't feed commercial food anymore.

Answer 3

This is something everyone should hear about, I keep my dog food in a plastic, air tight bin, and my food supply is a 50 lb bag that lasts about 2 weeks or so.  No diarrhea problems here.

Answer 4

Here's something I found out a few weeks ago that has totally changed my concept of how to feed dogs. It.s a bit lengthy, but worth the read It could mean the difference in a long or a short life for your dog.

http://www.thedogfoodconspiracy.com/dog-...

Regardless of what you do, if you sty with a "good" brand of dry dog food, keep it in a dry, sealed container.

Answer 5

I have a 6 pound Chihuahua and noticed his food was molding in the bag.  Thank God I noticed it.  5lb bags can last me a month or more so I started storing his food in tupperware containers and have not had a problem.  One of the biggest signs of mold even if you can not see it is that the food actually breaks down and is almost soft to the touch.  For example a dry piece will crumble much easier than normal.  I think this is a important thing that you brought up.  thanks