As pet parents, especially on social media, we are constantly inundated with advertisements claiming to offer the best food, toys, and supplements for our dogs. Sorting out which products are truly trustworthy takes far more than a quick glance at packaging or scrolling through reviews. In fact, it is estimated that 30% of online reviews are fake.
So how are pet owners supposed to know what is genuinely beneficial—and what should be avoided?
Unfortunately, there is no simple or one-size-fits-all answer. A more reliable approach often involves taking a deeper look at the company itself, examining how and where products are made, and reaching out to trusted friends, professionals, or colleagues who have firsthand experience. This kind of due diligence tends to be far more informative than relying solely on online ratings and testimonials.
In this blog post, I want to explore several common beliefs about dog food that many well-intentioned pet owners follow, but that may not actually serve their dogs’ health and well-being.
Pet Food Safety
This may be one of the most important aspects of pet nutrition—and one that is talked about the least. Many pet parents assume that kibble can safely last for weeks or even months after opening. Unfortunately, that belief is a myth.
Pet food companies invest heavily in eye-catching packaging. The front of the bag often features vibrant images of fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables, encouraging us to believe we are feeding our dogs the same quality food we would give our children. Yet the most critical function of that bag has nothing to do with marketing—it’s designed to protect the food inside.
An unopened bag of kibble can typically be stored for up to a year. However, once the bag is opened, the clock starts ticking. Most kibble is best used within 2–3 weeks of opening. During this time, the food begins to lose nutritional value, and the fats are exposed to oxygen, causing them to oxidize and eventually turn rancid.
This is why we recommend purchasing only the bag size your dog can finish within that window, even though larger bags are often more cost-effective. If you do choose to buy a larger bag, a safer option is to divide the kibble into airtight freezer bags and store portions in the freezer until needed.
Proper Storage Matters
How kibble is stored once opened is another commonly misunderstood issue. Many pet parents pour kibble directly into plastic bins or containers for convenience. While this feels organized, it can actually accelerate oxidation and further degrade the food.
The best practice is to keep kibble in its original bag, which is designed to act as a protective barrier. That bag can then be placed inside a plastic or metal bin for added protection. Always seal the bag tightly after each use. Remember, every time the bag is opened, air enters—and increased air exposure increases oxidation.
The Risk of Rancid Fats
Rancid fats don’t just smell unpleasant; they can actively damage the nutritional integrity of the food. Oxidized fats can destroy fat-soluble vitamins, contributing to deficiencies over time. Vitamin D deficiency, in particular, is already common in many dogs.
Laboratory studies have shown that diets containing rancid fats can lead to vitamin, fat, and protein deficiencies in dogs and other mammals. Beyond deficiencies, rancid fats have been associated with a wide range of health concerns, including digestive upset, poor coat quality, hair loss, liver and kidney stress, malnutrition, and more serious long-term health consequences.
Avoiding Kibble with Fish Oil
One especially concerning trend is the addition of fish oil directly into kibble. Fish oil is highly unstable and prone to oxidation even before kibble begins to break down. Once exposed to heat, light, and air during processing and storage, the risk of rancidity increases significantly.
For this reason, it is generally safer to avoid kibble that already contains fish oil. If fish oil is appropriate for your dog, it is best added separately, in a fresh, properly stored supplement that you can control.
Preservatives
If you’ve been in the pet nutrition space for any length of time, you may be familiar with the concerns surrounding synthetic preservatives historically used in kibble, such as ethoxyquin, BHA, BHT, and TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone)—an antioxidant derived from butane. These additives were commonly used to extend shelf life and prevent fat oxidation.
Fortunately, many pet food companies have moved away from these synthetic preservatives in response to growing awareness and consumer demand. That said, it is still important for pet parents to read ingredient labels carefully.
When evaluating dog food, look for natural preservative options instead, such as mixed tocopherols (vitamin E), rosemary extract, and citric acid. These ingredients help slow oxidation while posing fewer concerns than their synthetic counterparts.
Summary
If you choose to feed your dog kibble, there are several key steps you can take to reduce risk and preserve nutritional quality:
- Avoid kibble that contains added fish oil
- Choose foods preserved with natural preservatives, not synthetic ones
- Purchase only the bag size your dog can finish within two to three weeks
- Store kibble in its original bag, placed inside a sealed container
- After each use, press out as much air as possible and securely reseal the bag with a clip
These small but intentional choices can make a meaningful difference in the safety, freshness, and nutritional value of your dog’s food.