If you are anything like us, you buy large bags of dog food to feed your pup. Storing your dog’s food properly is important to ensure its freshness and nutritional value. Opting for the right dog food storage container not only helps in preserving the quality of the food but also helps in preventing pests and spoilage.
This post will look at the types of food storage containers available, what to look for when choosing a dog food storage container, and some containers that are available for you to store your dog’s food.
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Related: Best Dog Food For Weight Loss, Elevate Your Pup’s Food With Kibble Toppers For Dogs, Senior Dog Food For A Sensitive Stomach
What Is A Dog Food Storage Container?
A dog food storage container is a canister that holds your dog’s dry kibble. They are designed to keep your dog’s food fresh while ensuring pests are not able to access the food.
There are a range of dog food storage containers available, varying in size, material, and functionality.
They also come in various styles and colors to complement your home décor.
Whether you buy kibble in bulk or prefer to keep only a small amount on hand, there is a storage container that can meet your needs. The key to picking the right one lies in balancing your dog’s food storage requirements with your preferences.
What Are The Types of Dog Food Storage Containers Available?
Selecting the right type of storage container can significantly extend the freshness of your dog’s food. Containers vary not only in materials and sizes but also in features that maintain food quality. There are airtight containers, rolling storage bins, decorative canisters, and stackable containers.
Airtight Containers
Airtight containers are designed to keep pet food fresh and protect it from moisture and pests. They are typically made from plastic or metal, and they feature seals that lock out air, ensuring the dry dog food retains its crunch and nutritional value.
Rolling Storage Bins
Rolling storage bins offer convenience with their built-in wheels for easy movement. These bins are ideal if you purchase dog food in bulk and need to maneuver the container without heavy lifting.
Decorative Canisters
Decorative canisters serve a dual purpose: keeping your dog’s food fresh while blending with your home décor. They are available in materials like ceramic or stylized metal, they add an aesthetic touch to your space, and are great for storing smaller quantities of dry food or treats.
Stackable Canisters
Stackable canisters maximize storage efficiency, especially in tight spaces. They usually come in different sizes that fit neatly on top of each other. These containers can be useful for organizing different types of food or separating food from treats, and they make the most of vertical storage space.
What Should I Look For When Choosing A Dog Food Storage Container?
When choosing a dog food storage container, some things you will want to look at include the material it is made from, durability, ease of cleaning, locking mechanisms, food scoops, and wheel and handle design.
Material
Material selection is important for protecting your dog’s food and ensuring it remains fresh. Dog food storage containers are usually made of plastic or metal, each with its own pros and cons.
Plastic Containers
- Pros: Lightweight and often come with an airtight seal.
- Cons: Some may contain BPA (Bishphenol A), a chemical found in plastics; ensure the plastic is food-grade and BPA-free.
Metal Containers
- Pros: Durable, pest-resistant, and typically have a longer lifespan.
- Cons: Heavier than plastic and may not always provide an airtight seal.
Durability and Safety
- Sturdy materials resist wear and tear, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
- Food-safe materials guarantee that no harmful chemicals will leak into the dog food, i.e. BPA free.
Ease of Cleaning
You will want to wash your food storage containers after every bag of dog food is finished, due to any oils that may build up from the food.
- Look for containers with smooth interior surfaces to simplify cleaning.
- Airtight seals should be easy to remove and reattach after washing.
Locking Mechanisms
Locking mechanisms play an important role in maintaining the freshness of your dog’s food. Containers with effective sealing capabilities can prevent air, moisture, and pests from compromising the contents. Look for options with multi-point locking systems or airtight seals, as they provide superior protection against spoilage and infestation.
Built-In Food Scoops
Having a built-in food scoop can simplify your feeding routine. It’s a convenient way to ensure consistent portion sizes for your pet. Some containers come with scoops that clip onto the inside of the lid or are integrated into the design, ensuring you never misplace it.
Wheel and Handle Designs
Wheel and handle designs contribute to the portability of a container, making it easier to move, even when full. If you need to transport the dog food storage container between locations, look for features like:
- Durable Wheels: Helps in smooth transportation over various surfaces.
- Sturdy Handles: Provides a comfortable grip for lifting and maneuvering.
How Do I Determine The Right Size and Capacity Selection?
When choosing the right dog food storage container, take into account the size of your dog food bag, the storage space you have available, and the container’s features.
Measuring Food Bag Sizes
To avoid excess air space or overflow, match the size of your dog food storage container to the volume of your dog’s food bag. A 10-pound capacity is suitable for small bags, 24-pound capacity for medium, and containers holding 50 pounds or more are ideal for large bags or multiple dogs.
Some containers are suitable for emptying the bag of food into and others recommend keeping the bag itself in the container. Choose one that suites your needs the best.
Space Efficiency
Look for containers that complement your living space. Storage bins with a stackable design maximize vertical space, while those with wheels make it easier to move, even when full. The shape is also important. Containers with a slim profile can fit into narrow spaces, ensuring a tidy feeding area.
Portion Control Features
Select containers with portion control features to streamline feeding routines. Options include containers with measured dispensers or cup markings inside the bin to ensure accurate feeding amounts. Containers with a spout or small opening can also help in dispensing controlled portions to prevent overfeeding.
If you don’t want or can’t find an option you like for portion control, you can always pre-pack small bags of food and store those in the food container.
Best Dog Food Storage Containers For Your Pup’s Food
Here are 5 types of dog food storage containers available to hold your pup’s food. Product information is according to the manufacturer.
Best With Bowls
Iris Weatherpro Airtight Elevated Pet Feeder With Food Storage
This container is both a food storage and dog feeder in one,
- Comes in various colors.
- Available in different sizes.
- Small stores 5 pounds or 18 cups of food.
- Medium stores 13 pounds or 36 cups of food.
- Large stores 47 pounds or 64 cups of food.
- Includes 2 removable stainless steel bowls.
- Bowls hold food or water.
- Small: 2 cups.
- Medium: 4 cups.
- Large: 8 cups.
- Air tight storage to keep food fresh.
- BPA free.
- Lead free.
Best For Outside Storage
Gamma2 Vittles Vault Food Storage
This container can be used to store food outside, if needed. It is recommended to hand wash container on a regular basis.
- Available in two sizes.
- Small holds 30 pounds of food.
- Large holds 50 pounds of food.
- Food grade.
- BPA Free.
- Molded handles.
- Screw top lid.
- Made of heavy duty, waterproof plastic.
- Comes with a 1 cup food scoop.
- Hand wash.
- Made in the USA.
Best For Households With Multiple Dogs
Iris 2 Piece Stackable Food Storage Container
This food storage comes with two containers of different sizes to accommodate two types of food. This is perfect if you have more than one dog, especially of varying sizes or if one needs to be on a special diet.
- Comes with two containers that can be stacked onto each other.
- Top container holds 10 pounds of food.
- Bottom container holds 25 pounds of food.
- Includes optional wheels that you can attach to the bottom container for easy movement.
- Air tight containers.
- Slim design.
- BPA free.
- Translucent plastic to see how much food is in each container.
- Has a snap-lock latch.
- Hand wash.
- Also available in a 3-piece option, which includes a scoop for the food.
- Made in the USA.
Best For Small Bags Of Food
Van Ness Pet Food Storage Container
This container is good if you buy small bags of dog food that need to be stored.
- Available in four sizes:
- 2 pounds.
- 4 pounds.
- 5 pounds.
- 10 pounds.
- Handle grip on the bottom for easy lifting.
- Made with United States Food and Drug approved food grade plastic.
- BPA free.
- Features a transparent smoke finish to see how much food is in the container.
- Made in the USA.
Best Splurge Dog Food Storage Container
Simplehuman Pet Food Storage Container
- Available in multiple colors.
- Comes in various sizes:
- Medium size holds 27 pounds.
- Large size holds 32 pound.
- X-Large size holds 40 pounds.
- Airtight seal to keep food fresh.
- Magnetic lid mounted scoop.
- Ergonomic handle locks lid shut.
- Removable inner bucket that is BPA free.
- Slim design.
- Fingerprint proof.
- Rear wheels.
There are various types of dog food storage containers available. Look for one that fits the area you wish to store it, is big enough to hold the amount of food you buy, and has an airtight seal to keep the food fresh and away from pests.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.