Pet Food Storage Containers
When it comes to pet food storage containers there is no one-size-fits-all. After all, pets don't come in one standard size. So when it comes to picking pet food storage containers there are a few things you must consider.
First, consider the size of your pet. If your pet is a hamster or a gerbil then a 50 gallon drum is obviously not the food storage container for your pet. Now, if you're a pet store owner with 1000 hamsters...
second, consider how often you buy pet food. If you are a warehouse or bulk pet food buyer who likes to save money by shopping only when there are real bargains or once every 3 to 4 months than the size of the container you will store your pet food in will differ radically from the size you would choose if you buy pet food every two weeks or monthly.
Third, consider where you will store the pet food storage container. Is it in the same general area as the pet? Will it be in the garage? Will your pet have access to the container? Will the container be stored where there are extremes of temperature? Is the pet food dry?
After, determining these factors you should consider other factors. The ideal pet food storage containers are airtight, water tight, resistant to pests, child resistant or stored where small children cannot get to them, easily accessed by the owner, and not so far from where you will feed the pet that it is a major hassle to feed them. You might want to consider having a scoop or some way to measure out the pet food so you don't overfill the pet feeder.
Some general guidelines for pet food storage containers:
Extra small pets such as gerbils, hamsters and rats probably only need a storage container that can hold 1-3 pounds of kibble or pellets. If you are a bulk food buyer or warehouse shopper consider a 5 gallon or larger container.
Small pets such as a cat or a pomeranian are good with a 5-10 gallon storage container.
Medium to large pets such as Australian shepards, German Shepards and Chou's will probably require a container that holds 20-50 pounds of kibble.
Pet food storage containers should be made from materials that are rated for food storage. Do not use commercial garbage cans as many brands use a pesticide treated plastic that prevents insect infestation but may be hazardous to your pet. Smaller animals are more vulnerable to small amounts of toxins.
Larger pet food storage bins should have wheels or some way to move them easily. a 50 pound bag of kibble is not easy to move.
Keep in mind that larger storage containers, if they are tall, may present a challenge when you are getting to the bottom of the container.
Consider using a see through container to make it easy to see how close you are to needing to make a run to the store for more food.