Freshness Rotation

Freshness rotation is the practice of buying smaller bags of dog food more frequently rather than buying one large bag that sits open for months. Once a bag of kibble is opened, the fats begin to oxidize, the vitamins begin to degrade, and the palatability declines. Most kibble manufacturers recommend using a bag within 4 to 6 weeks of opening. For small dogs that consume slowly, a 5-pound bag may be the right size even though a 30-pound bag costs less per pound. Freshness rotation matters more for premium brands using natural preservatives because the shelf life is shorter than budget brands using BHA and BHT.