Does This Unopened Pet Food Need the Fridge?
PARTNER Editorial TeamRead the storage line before putting an unopened package away. A label that says to keep the food refrigerated applies before opening. A different label may say to refrigerate only after opening. Both packages might look sealed and both foods might be cooked. The instruction, rather than the shape of the package or the word “fresh,” tells you where it belongs.
Find the instruction that applies now
Look near the date and lot code or beside the preparation instructions. Read the whole line, including whether it refers to an unopened or an opened package. If a box contains several trays or pouches, check an individual unit too before discarding the box. A label photo can help a sitter confirm the storage instruction later.
| Wording or format | Where the unopened package belongs |
|---|---|
| Keep refrigerated | Put it in the refrigerator promptly. |
| Keep frozen | Put it in the freezer and follow the product’s thawing directions. |
| Shelf-stable canned food with refrigeration after opening | Keep it in a cool, dry place until opened, following the label. |
| Unclear or conflicting instructions | Keep the package and ask the maker rather than guessing from the wrapper. |
The FDA’s pet food storage guidance addresses dry and unopened canned products and gives separate advice for opened wet food. As a different example, Freshpet’s own handling instructions describe food that is fully cooked but still must be kept refrigerated while unopened. Neither direction transfers automatically to another brand.
Think about the trip from the shop
When one order contains both shelf-stable and refrigerated products, unpack the chilled items first. Keep them separate from pantry stock so the next person doesn’t put a sealed chilled pack away with the cans. If a keep-refrigerated pack sat warm for an unknown period, don’t use a cold package now or a normal smell as proof that storage was safe. Ask the maker about the exact product and what is known about its temperature. Our guide to deliveries that arrive thawed addresses that separate problem. When you open an otherwise shelf-stable pouch, follow the opened-wet-food instructions.
Written by PARTNER Editorial Team for general education. Contact your veterinary team for advice about your pet’s individual health and feeding needs.