What's the shelf life of the Hill's food my pet eats? How can I store the food?

Shelf life varies by food type. Please refer to the best before date stamped on the bottom of all canned products. The datecode on our bags is located on the left gusset, near the four-digit SKU number, toward the bottom of the bag. The datecode on our medium and large bags will be located on the top of the bag, generally the front flap. The information below details the shelf life and storing methods for canned and dry foods.

Storing Hill's dry food

We do not recommend freezing your pet's foods. Freezing dry food may attract moisture, resulting in mold.

Dry food can be left in the feeding bowl indefinitely if the bowl is kept in an area that is cool, out of direct sunlight and not subject to contamination by insects and vermin.

Store the bag of food in a cool and dry environment. It is best to store the bag off the floor to reduce potential infestation. The food will retain its best flavor if stored in the original bag. We do not suggest storing your pet's food in an uncontrolled environment such as a garage or outdoors.

Storing Hill's canned food

We do not recommend freezing your pet's foods. Freezing canned pet food dramatically changes the texture of products and may adversely affect palatability.

Your pet's feeding bowl should be emptied of moist or moistened food not consumed by the pet within four hours if the ambient temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Prior to opening, store cans in a place where the temperature is between 50-100 degrees Fahrenheit. We do not suggest storing your pet's food in an uncontrolled environment such as a garage or outdoors.

After opening, canned products should be covered and stored in a refrigerator at 40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. In general, refrigerated canned foods should be used within five to seven days after opening. Canned products with high amounts of rice often have separation of water from the other canned product (free water will be seen at the bottom or around the side of the can) within a few days. This separation of water is called syneresis and does not change the nutritional characteristics of the food, but will affect food texture and possibly palatability. Since freezing dramatically changes the texture of canned products and adversely affects palatability, freezing canned pet food is not recommended either before or after opening.