Dogs are wonderful furry friends and great family members, but all of the equipment and supplies they need can become unruly and contribute to a disorganized home.
But one area of living with dogs that often gets overlooked, and can quickly become a source of clutter and even wasted money, is dog food storage.
We all want the best for our furry friends, and that includes keeping their feed supplies and meals fresh and accessible.
Today, I’m sharing some top tips for smart and creative dog food storage ideas, catering to both large and small dogs.
The Importance of Proper Dog Food Storage
Beyond just keeping your home tidy, proper dog food storage is crucial for several reasons:
- Freshness: Exposure to air, light, and moisture can degrade the quality of your dog’s food, leading to a loss of nutrients and a less palatable meal for your pet.
A good container is key to keeping it fresh. - Pest Control: Open bags of food are an open invitation to unwanted guests like insects and rodents.
Insets like flies and moths like to lay eggs in pet food, so be sure to keep the bag tightly closed to prevent bugs from getting in. - Safety: Keeping food sealed in a container helps prevent your dog from getting into the food outside of mealtimes.
- Organization: A designated dog food storage solution makes mealtime smoother and keeps your dog feeding area neat.
Where to Store Dog Food in Your House?
The best place to store dog food in your house is close to where your pet’s feeding area is.
Doing so saves time when feeding your pet and can cut down on the potential for spills and messy situations.
If you prefer to buy dog food in bulk, carve out some space for a few days worth of food close to the feeding area and put the rest in an area further away.
This is a smart way to have the convenience of buying in bulk but not having the entire amount in your way each day.
Keeping just what you need in the immediate future leave room for other things you also need on a daily basis.
This is also a smart strategy for effective dog food storage in small spaces.
What’s the best way to store wet dog food?
The best place to store wet food containers depends on if the containers have been opened or not.
Open containers of wet pet food should be stored in the refrigerator, not left on the counter.
Use a pet food lid to seal the open can to prevent a messy situation.
It’ll keep both the can’s contents and smells inside the can.
Unopened cans of dog food can be stored in the pantry or in a dedicated pet drawer.
Large Dog Food Storage Ideas
If you have a large dog, you know the struggle of buying those giant bags of dry dog kibble.
Here’s a few large dog food storage ideas for managing bulky food efficiently:
![Gamma2 Vittles Vault Pet Food Storage Containers - Sealed Dog and Cat Food Storage Container, Fits up to 50lbs, Made in the USA - [14"L x 20"H]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41GP3rs5AzL._SL500_.jpg "Gamma2 Vittles Vault Pet Food Storage Containers - Sealed Dog and Cat Food Storage Container, Fits up to 50lbs, Made in the USA - [14\"L x 20\"H]")
Large, Airtight Containers
Invest in a heavy-duty, airtight storage container, ideally with wheels for easy movement.
Look for food-grade plastic or even metal options.
This can serve as the primary storage for the bulk of the food, if not all of it.
Original Bag Inside
For maximum freshness, consider keeping the dog food in its original bag and placing the entire bag inside the large airtight container.
The original bag often provides an extra barrier against air and helps retain essential oils.
If you opt to keep the food in its original packaging, be sure to roll down the top of the bag to keep air out and prevent moisture, air and insects from getting into the food.
The one downside to keeping the food in the original packaging and putting it in a plastic bin is that the side walls of the bin may bend from the weight of the food.
A metal can with a step lid may be a better choice for the bag in a bin storage approach.
Scoop Management
Keep your dog food scoop easily accessible, perhaps clipped to the inside of the container if not inside the container itself.
This will help prevent overfeeding and ensures your dog gets the right amount at each meal.
Dedicated Pantry Space
If possible, dedicate a section of your pantry or utility room for your dog’s food.
This keeps it out of sight and mind until mealtime.
Since the food bags are often large and a bit unwieldy, store the bag on the floor of the pantry or a lower shelf for easier access.
Dog Food Station: Elevated Feeders
Some elevated dog feeding stations come with built-in storage compartments, which can be a fantastic two-in-one solution for large breeds.
They make for instant dog food stations and can be tucked into a corner to keep it out of the way.
The interior storage space available for the dog food in the elevated dog feeders is probably not enough for larger bags of dog food.
You’ll need to put the balance of the dog food in a different storage container or keep it in the original bag.
For elevated dog feeders to have a hinged top, you’ll need to remove the bowls first.
This can be an annoying step to take each time, especially when it comes to the water bowl.
In this case, keeping the dog eating area clean and spill free may be easier with a drawer style dog food station.
Small Dog Food Storage Ideas
Small dogs often eat smaller portions, meaning big food bags last longer.
This makes keeping the dog food fresh even more critical since it has a greater chance of going stale or getting infested with bugs or other pests before your dog has a chance to eat it.
Here are a few ideas for small dog food storage:
Smaller, Stackable Containers
Opt for smaller, airtight containers that can fit neatly on a shelf or in a cupboard.
Stackable designs efficiently use vertical space, ultimately making better use of space overall.
Using smaller containers makes it easier to handle the containers themselves, minimizing the possibility of dropping the container and having food spill.
Clear containers makes it easy to see how much food is left without needing to open the container itself to check.
Daily Dispenser
Consider a smaller, decorative container to keep a few days’ worth of food near their feeding area.
This avoids constantly opening the main storage container and keeps the bulk of the food super fresh.
Double check that the decorative dog food container is airtight.
Heat and humidity can degrade the quality of the dog food stored in containers that don’t seal out the elements.
Some pet food containers have an integrated spout to pour out small quantities of food.
Keep the container near the dog bowl area to make feeding times easy and convenient.
Airtight Cereal Containers
Many airtight cereal containers work wonderfully for small dog kibble storage.
They’re designed for easy pouring and keeping contents fresh.
You may already have an extra cereal container on hand, making use of what you have for another purpose to keep your kitchen clutter free.
Freezer-Safe Options (for wet food)
If your small dog eats wet food, consider freezing individual portions in silicone molds or small containers.
Thaw as needed to ensure maximum freshness and prevent waste.
Dog Food Storage Cabinet
If you have room in your kitchen, mud room or dining room, you may want to install a dog food storage cabinet.
This is a larger piece of furniture but its high function is worth the space it takes up since you can store dog food and other equipment and tools like toys, harnesses, leashes and grooming supplies in the same place.
Here are a few options for stand alone dog cabinets with an integrated feeding area:
This large dog feeding station cabinet features a full out drawer on the bottom with loads of storage space above.
If you have a smaller stash of dog supplies or more limited space, look for a more compact dog feeding station, like the one pictured above.
DIY Dog Food Storage Cabinet
Another option is to build a DIY dog food storage cabinet.
When I renovated my kitchen, I reserved one cabinet specifically for dog food storage.
Here’s how we made the custom DIY dog food storage cabinet:
We purchased heavy duty drawer slides and cut a shelf that matched the cabinet interior to fashion the drawer with three high walls for the drawer base.
The slide our drawer walls are nothing more than a pieces of extra cabinet shelving, held together with pocket screws and L brackets.
I measured the space and found an airtight storage container that would fit in the interior dimensions of the cabinet with the drawer installed.
When it comes time to refill the storage container, we lift it out, pour in the 40 or 50 pounds of dog food and then lift the container back into place on the rolling shelf.
The storage container is heavy enough that it doesn’t slide around in the drawer, but the walls help ensure a near empty container stays put.
I tried the bag in a container storage method for the food, but the storage container is too narrow to accommodate the bag.
The bag pushed the walls of the container out enough to break the seal of the lid, meaning the container wouldn’t be airtight.
So I went back to pouring the entire 45 lbs of food right into the container.
Before renovating the kitchen, we’d previously been keeping a large dog food storage container in the laundry room closet, about 8 feet away.
It was convenient enough, but having the dog food right next to the feeding area was better!
We also built a custom elevated dog feeding station:
There was enough room to the right of the dog food cabinet for a shelf to hold our dog’s food and water bowls (notice the countertop extending beyond the cabinet in the pictures above?).
The shelf is also supported with large L brackets that are mostly invisible from all angles except floor level.
The top of the shelf is protected with a pet food mat cut down to fit.
Over to You
Setting up a system to keep your dog’s food organized and effectively managed is the worth boost to overall organization for your home.
Storing dog food efficiently means a cleaner, tidier space.
And when dog food is stored effectively, the potential for the food to go stale is lessened, making for happier pup!
Your wallet also stays fuller since there’s no need to spend money to replace food that’s gone bad.
Happy organizing!
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates, the Container Store and Etsy Affiliate Programs, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, ContainerStore.com, and Etsy.com. This means that when you click and make a purchase at a site via a link I have provided, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Regardless of whether or not I receive a commission, I only recommend products that I personally use and genuinely recommend.
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