The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has great food and drug safety tips for humans, but did you know they also have a whole section on pets?  It’s important to store your pet’s medications in a secure place to avoid the hazards of an accidental overdose.  Your pet’s food and treats should also be stored properly to avoid spoilage and contamination.

Here are a few practical tips on pet food and drug storage from the FDA:

Pet Medications

• Keep pet medications in their original containers with their original labels. This is important for drug dosage and identification information, as well as pet ID in a multi-pet household.
• Keep pet medications safely out of reach. Remember that cats can jump onto high places and dogs have a good nose for flavored meds.
• Child-proof drug containers are not necessarily pet-proof, especially if your dog is a chewer.
• Store pet meds in a completely different place than human meds to avoid an accidental mix-up.
• Keep medications for other animals such as horses and pocket pets away from dogs and cats.
• Dispose of expired or unused pet medications in the same way you dispose of human drugs. Mix them with an unappealing substance (used kitty litter or coffee grounds), and place in the trash in a sealed bag.

Pet Food and Treats

• Store your pet food in the original container. You will need the information on the container in the event of a pet food recall.  Having the lot number is especially important in a recall.
• If you use plastic containers to store kibble or treats, it’s a good idea to store it in the bag, or at least keep the bag around so that you have the important information on the label.
• Storage containers for pet food should be clean and dry, with a tightly-fitting lid.
• Wash and dry the container before you add another bag of food. Fat residue can become rancid.
• Store all pet food in a cool, dry place. The temperature should be under 80 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid spoilage.
• Refrigerate or throw out uneaten wet food.
• Wash and dry pet food and water bowls (and utensils) daily.
• Keep food and treats in a safe location so your pet won’t get into it and binge.