The following guide will help you manage your dog's food and transport it safely so you can keep your head at peace and your dog...fed!
What does science say?
The increase in temperature has a decisive impact on food safety. Our foods are freshly cooked and do not use preservatives. For this reason, they are particularly sensitive and deteriorate quickly at ambient temperature. A necessary condition is to keep them until they are consumed at a refrigerator temperature (no higher than 5°C) or freezer temperature (no higher than -15°C).
Transport with a portable isothermal container (cooler/water bottle/thermos)
To maintain the cold chain of food as best as possible, especially perishable foods (< 5°C) must be transported in food-safe packaging that can be closed well, ideally in isothermal containers using ice packs (portable cooler).
The isothermal container is constructed to prevent heat exchange with the environment and therefore maintain a constant temperature inside.
Handling
The insulated container must be clean and free of unpleasant odors before use, which could affect the quality of the food.
In the event that there are food residues and dust due to previous use, cleaning with green soap and plenty of water is recommended.
Other non-food products, such as sunscreen, insect repellent, facial creams, and skin ointments, should not be stored with our dog's food, because they contain chemicals that are particularly dangerous to the health of our little friends.
Shelf life
We must make sure that the packaging of our food is hermetically sealed and has no openings. The maximum duration that we can transport our food in the above conditions is one day and depending on the temperature we have managed to maintain inside the container, we store it either in the refrigerator (if it is not higher than 5°C) or in the freezer (if it is not higher than -15°C).
If the package has been opened, any leftovers should not be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for re-freezing, they should be consumed immediately. The same applies if the temperature of the container at the end of the journey is greater than 5°C, it is recommended to consume the food immediately.
Our proposal
An insulated container is the ideal choice for transporting food. Our insulated bag , which you can find on our site in the Hiking Accessories category, is a type of insulated container.
Steps for proper use of isothermal packaging:
- Use ice packs or ice gel that you have previously placed in a horizontal position for one day in the freezer.
- Place the packs together with the ice packs/ice gel in the bag, ideally as close together as possible. The less air between the packs, the better. Depending on the cooling need, use two or more pieces of ice packs/ice gel.
- Do not open the bag unnecessarily and when in use, keep it in a cool and shady place as much as possible.
This increases the storage time at the desired temperature and keeps the food "extra cold" (ideal for short trips or a day at the beach).
