The Best Dog Food Storage Containers
Chances are that mealtime is your dog's favorite time of the day. Aside from wanting to serve them tasty, fresh food, we also want our dogs' food to be sanitary and free of harmful microbes. To provide that kind of protection, we recommend investing in a quality dog food storage container. Not only do these containers retain moisture and keep out the elements, but they also come with all kinds of design features to make it easier to serve your pooch's food. We know that with so many options to choose from, it can be hard to choose the right one for you and your dog's needs. That's why we've done the work for you and found the best of the best. Throughout our search, we asked ourselves what the most important factors were when deciding on a storage container. What did we decide on? Simple: storage capacity, material quality, and portability. We fell in love with Iris USA's stackable containers, which are large, transparent, airtight, and slim — not to mention their nifty wheels. But we also found the design of Simplehuman's storage can to be quite clever, with its sleek finish and its magnetic lid-mounted scoop. The Gamma2 Vittles Vault also left an impression, as it's the best pick for those who plan on traveling. To learn more about our favorite dog food storage containers, simply read on.
Iris USA 3- Piece Airtight Pet Food Storage Container
Convenience is the name of the game
Our top pick comes from Iris USA and has all the best features that we look for in a dog food storage container. With four durable wheels, it can be rolled out during mealtime so there’s no carrying involved. Completely airtight when closed, this container sports a sturdy seal that’s easy to open for humans and impossible for canines. Plus, the included scoop has measurement lines for keeping track of Fido’s caloric intake. Made out of BPA-free plastic, these containers are clear to help you monitor your kibble supply. Best of all, it’s actually two conveniently sized, stackable containers. The smaller 12-quart container sits neatly on top of the 33-quart container, so you can keep a weekly supply ready to go without having to dive arm-deep into the depths of your dog food.
Pros
- We love that the stackable design feature lives up to its promise.
- Since there are two containers here, you can separate different types of food or treats.
Cons
- The wheels require downward pressure to roll, which can be a little bit of a hassle.
Iris Premium Airtight Pet Food Storage Container
Bigger is better
Iris USA has made it onto our list yet again with another great storage container. Ideal for dog owners with several pooches to feed, this extra-large dog food receptacle can hold up to 55 pounds of chow. It’s also a great option for those that prefer to buy dog food in bulk since the airtight seal will keep kibble fresh for a long time. Plus, you don’t need to worry about lugging around a 55-pound behemoth of a container every time Buster wants to eat. This sturdy plastic receptacle has four nifty wheels that make carting it around a breeze. Even the shape is convenient, with a tapered width that makes scooping a breeze.
Pros
- Thanks to its tall design, it doesn’t hog up critical horizontal space in your kitchen or pantry.
- It’s not as ugly as other storage containers on the market, so if you do have it situated in your kitchen, it won’t be such an eyesore.
Cons
- It’s a bit difficult to see through the opaque plastic. This can make it a bit harder to monitor how much food is left in the container at a glance.
Simplehuman Stainless Steel Medium Pet Food Storage Can
Premium price for premium quality
This dog food storage container from Simplehuman sets the standard for convenience and quality. Plus, it looks like it was designed by NASA. The stainless steel design is sleek and modern, making for a stylish addition to your kitchen aesthetic. Of course, we wouldn’t include this as an option based on appearances alone. Every feature on this premium container is designed for optimal convenience. For example, the inner bucket can be lifted out of the can, so you can wash it and fill it in a snap. Plus, you can bring the food to Poochy with ease using the hip-high handle and the smooth-rolling wheels. Best of all, you won’t have to dig around in the kibble to find the scoop come mealtime, because this premium pick features a magnetic scoop mount in the lid.
Pros
- The magnetic lid-mounded scoop may sound like a gimmick, but it’s quite convenient. No more need to dig around through mounds of kibble to find the buried scoop.
- It boasts a sleek design that could actually complement the rest of your kitchen’s decor.
Cons
- Disengaging the handle can be tricky, but you’ll likely get the hang of it pretty quickly.
Buddeez Large Dog & Cat Food Storage Container with Pour Spout
Ditch the scooper
With this large storage container from Buddeez, feeding your furry friend has never been easier. Effective and affordable, this option is our top pick for those that desire a scoop-free mealtime. Capable of storing as much as 22 pounds of dog food at a time, it features a spout to simplify feeding time. Simply pop up the pour spout, grip the sturdy handle on the side, and tilt the entire container to send a steady flow of kibbles into Fido’s food bowl. The other side of the lid also flips up for wider access to please those family members that prefer to scoop. For even greater convenience, this storage container features a bag-in feature, so you can place the entire bag right into the unit and still pour away.
Pros
- The handle makes the container much easier to handle, especially when the container is heavy from being filled with food.
- It shuts very tightly, yet it’s really easy to open.
Cons
- The seal isn’t as reliable with this container as with some of the competition. And if you plan on keeping this container outdoors, think again — it certainly isn’t waterproof.
Gamma2 Vittles Vault Outback Stackable Pet Food Storage Container
Like a bank vault for your dog food
If you have a destructive dog that can chew its way through standard containers, you may want to consider the Vittles Vault from Gamma2. This super heavy-duty container is made out of an opaque BPA-free plastic that’s tough and shatter-proof. Because of its renowned durability and high food capacity, the Vittles Vault is a popular choice among farmers with a lot of mouths to feed. You can keep it outside on the porch or in the barn, as the materials are rated to last in all sorts of temperatures and weather conditions. Plus, if you do keep it outside, the twist-off lid requires the dexterity of the human hand to be removed, so you won’t need to worry about any hungry critters finding their way in.
Pros
- Adventurers who plan on traveling or camping with their pooch will love how portable and reliable this container is.
- If you really love this container, you’ll be happy to know that they’re designed to stack. Thanks to that you can order more than one and neatly store them together.
Cons
- The lid’s smooth texture makes it difficult to open when it’s on tight. This is especially true if your hands are moist or if you’re dealing with arthritis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I need to clean my dog food container?
It’s a good idea to rinse out your dog food container every time you refill it. Wiping it down with a light dish detergent will ensure that no nasty molds or bacteria grow on the walls of the container. Once it’s clean, rinse it out and dry it well before refilling.
Another option is to put the dog bag directly into the container. Besides saving you the hassle of having to pour your dog’s chow into the container every time you open a fresh bag, you won’t have to clean it so often. Plus, the bags that dog food comes in are designed to absorb excess moisture, meaning your dog’s kibbles will stay fresher for a longer time.
How long can food be stored in a dog food container?
As a general rule of thumb, you can usually store dry dog food in an airtight container for up to six weeks. However, the length of time it takes to expire will vary with different brands. If you notice a change in the smell or the color of your dog food, play it safe and throw it out.
The quality of the container will also affect the shelf life of dry dog food. If you can still smell the food when the lid is shut, your container’s seal isn’t doing its job. A food container should be completely airtight and made out of food-grade materials, like BPA-free plastics.
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