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Feed supplements should not be exposed to high temperatures during the warmer months. But how do you optimally store feed supplements: in the refrigerator? In the basement? Protected from light? Today we explain where you should store the different supplements so that they stay fresh and effective for as long as possible.
Supplements are not substitutes
Feed supplements are added to your pet’s normal diet to supplement important nutrients, vitamins and minerals. These supplements can be herbs, vegetable and animal products, fibres and oils. Feed supplements are added either individually or in combination. You can find feed supplements in concentrated form, for example as tablets, capsules or as a powder and liquid, for consumption in small, exactly dosed amounts.
Notes on the packaging indicate that it the product is a feed supplement. According to their name, these products are no substitute for a balanced and varied diet. Rather, the feed supplements should provide additional support to help your dog or cat stay healthy and fit.
Our feed supplements all consist of a purely natural composition that is sensitive to light, high temperatures and moisture. That is why our products are packaged in special, airtight and light-protecting bags, cans or bottles. On each packaging you will find information on how long the product can be kept.
Correct storage is essential
AniForte® feed supplements should best be stored in their sealed original packaging. This helps to protect against sunlight, and prevents moisture from getting in. Here is an overview of correct storage depending on the type of supplement:
Herbs / herbal mixtures
Many of the ingredients in feed supplements, including essential oils and flavonoids, break down when exposed to light or UV radiation. The correct storage of herbs or herbal mixtures is crucial for their shelf life. The right containers play an important role here. These should be aroma-preserving and, above all, light-repellent, air and moisture impermeable. This is how you preserve the valuable ingredients, the aroma and the healing properties of these supplements.
Oils
The type of storage has a significant influence on the quality and shelf life of our natural oils. If the oil is not stored properly, it will become bitter or rancid even before the expiration date is reached. All our oils, especially linseed, hemp and salmon oil, should be stored in a cool and dark place and kept airtight. This way you can use it for 9-12 months.
Airtight sealing of the bottle is particularly important to preserve the valuable ingredients. Once opened, bottles of linseed, hemp and salmon oil should be used up quickly, within 6–8 weeks. During this time, store these sensitive oils in the refrigerator at 5-10°C. A special feature of salmon and linseed oil is that you can freeze them up to six months.
Evening primrose and black seed oil should be carefully sealed in a cool, dark and dry place after you have opened the bottle. Storage in the refrigerator is not necessary. After opening, you should use these oils within a few months.
Natural, virgin coconut oil can also be used as a feed supplement, and it has a very long shelf life. The oil can be kept for around two years if unopened. Once opened and properly stored, you can use it for about 12 months. Coconut oil does not belong in the refrigerator, as air gets in every time the jar is opened. Once the air cools down in the refrigerator, condensation forms on the glass, creating a base for microbes and bacteria. Coconut oil stored in the refrigerator is also quite hard and makes portioning difficult.
Coconut oil is best protected from light in a cool place, for example the pantry or kitchen cupboard. This way the oil retains a relatively creamy consistency and can be easily removed and dosed. If the temperature rises above 20°C, the oil can liquefy. This is perfectly normal and does not indicate poor quality. If you don't want the oil to be liquid, then store the product in a cool basement.
Wet food
Storing AniForte PureNature wet food for dogs and cats is easy. Thanks to the canning process, it can be kept for around three years unopened, even without preservatives. Nevertheless, it should have its place in a cooler room such as a basement or pantry. The best before date is noted on every can of wet food and always relates to sealed cans.
Opened cans should not be stored at room temperature, but should be covered with a lid or cling wrap in the refrigerator. The contents of the opened can should then be fed within two days. At mealtime, take the appropriate food ration from the can in good time so that the food can reach room temperature for your furry friend. The rest of the can remains in the refrigerator so that the cold chain is not interrupted.
Warmed up leftover food should not be given to your pet again. After the cold chain is interrupted, numerous bacteria and microorganisms can form on the feed. The growth of these microorganisms is being contained at the temperature of the refrigerator, but they are always present and some of them also multiply at temperatures that are only just above freezing point. In order to avoid gastrointestinal trouble caused by pathogenic germs, especially in dogs with sensitive stomachs, it is better to dispose of the leftovers.
