Warming up the refrigerated cat food doesn’t necessarily mean heating it to a great extent. Simply, we can take the cat food out of the refrigerator and leave it at normal room temperature to become warm.
In some cases, we can heat cat food in the microwave since cats prefer slightly warm food. However, we must ensure that the microwave’s temperature is kept as low as possible. When removing the food from the microwave, stir it thoroughly to ensure that no parts of the food are overheated.
I understand that all pet parents want to learn more about it so that their adorable cats can eat their meals without difficulty. So, let’s know more about it.
Is Cat Food Supposed To Be Refrigerated?
We can freely store the cat food in the refrigerator and it wouldn’t be a threat to the health of our cats. In fact, many people store cat food in refrigerators. The myth that cats will get sick from eating refrigerated wet cat food is largely based on cats’ unwillingness or intolerance to eating cold food. For this reason, many people assume that cats’ health is affected by cold foods.
However, that is not the case. Of course, cats prefer to eat warm foods in general. This has been proven in numerous studies. However, this in no way implies that wet cold food is harmful to their stomach or overall health.
The majority of pet parents believe cats should eat warm food to simulate the body temperature of the prey they would eat in the wild. While cold food is generally safe for cats’ health and many would cheerfully consume it, it can cause some cats to vomit after eating because the cold food irritates their stomach.
So, if a cat is likely to eat the food that has just come out of the fridge, there is no reason to deny him/her. But, when he/she is not keen enough to consume it, we should heat it for a couple of seconds, say 6 or 7, in the microwave, swirl thoroughly, and check the temperature using our fingers before offering it to our pet.
Remember that hot areas in the meal can hurt the cat’s mouth if we warm it for longer or do not stir and examine it. Warm food smells nicer, and sick cats are more sensitive to smell. Therefore they prefer to eat warmed food.
In What Temperature Should I Serve My Cat’s Wet Food?
Cats are loners who hunt and feed alone. The only cat species that hunts and feeds together is the lion. In the wild, cats will eat as many as ten meals a day. Cats like food that is close to their body temperature (about 101° F/ 38° C) as a hunter. If you’re pulling canned food out of the fridge, warm it up in the microwave and stir it well.
Feeding a cat meets his/her high energy needs while also providing the nutrition he/she needs to stay healthy and strong. Therefore, you need to store the foods in a proper way so that they do not lose their micronutrients. Please keep in mind that storing vitamins at temperatures above 120°F (48°C) for more than 48 hours will hasten their regular depreciation or destruction.
- Does Canned Cat Food Go Bad In Heat?
Yes, there are high chances of canned foods being spoiled by overheating. Many people assume that canned meal is invincible and cannot be ruined under any circumstances.
Nevertheless, we’ve all heard of canned food staying for months, and we all know that canned food is sterilized by being warmed to elevated heat while in the can. Overexposure to heat can alter the nutrients in food, cause the container to explode, encourage microbial growth, and cook the meal.
When a can expands or deforms, it should be discarded. This is most likely an indication that the can is no longer sealed correctly, enabling bacteria to enter the food. Cans, meanwhile, should not bulge, as this indicates an issue with the can or its ingredients. And you should definitely avoid feeding food to your cat.
- Can You Heat Up Canned Cat Food In The Microwave?
Yes, of course, you can. But keep in mind that food should never be overheated. That can cause losing the qualities of the food and also transform the nutritional elements. So always try to heat it just for a few seconds.
Also, the smell of heated food is often entertaining for a cat and they want to eat the food immediately. Thus, you should be aware of these facts while serving food to your cat.
How Do You Warm Up Cat Food From The Fridge?
If you have a fastidious cat, I would suggest you feed him slightly warm food. Just like you and me, cats do not generally want to eat cold food directly served from the fridge.
Therefore, there are two things we can consider:
- Firstly, we can take the wet food out of the refrigerator, and keep it at the normal room temperature for some time in order for it to be normal. Then you can serve that to your pet and it will accept that food happily.
- Otherwise, we can use the microwave to heat up the food. But it must not be excessively heated. When cats eat smallish warm food, it also gets the nice flavorful aroma of the food, which it tends to enjoy a lot.
Wet food should be stored and served in this manner if you feed it to your cat. Many people prefer dry foods instead of wet foods. However, many vets suggest using a combination of both dry and wet food.
Best Refrigerated Cat Food
Fresh pet food mimics the costly, chunky versions of canned food, as opposed to basic kibble pet food. It contains minimal or no preservatives and is kept refrigerated between serves to retain freshness.
There are dozens of brands accessible today, and many of them provide subscription services that work in the same way: It’s as simple as creating a profile, filling out a questionnaire, and customizing your delivery frequency. The next thing you know, dry ice-packed pet chow arrives at your home.
However, check our list of some top refrigerated cat foods below:
- Instinct Raw Meals Freeze-Dried Cat Food: This cat food contains three times the amount of actual meat and nutrient-rich organs found in kibble, as well as more animal-based protein in each bite for improved nutrition and mealtime excitement.
It’s a 100% complete and balanced diet for your cat. For better digestion and nutritional absorption, the recipes are freeze-dried rather than prepared kibble.
Raw food for cats promotes good digestion, lean muscles, strong bones, healthy skin and coat, and overall energy and vitality. Grain, corn, wheat, soy, legumes, artificial colors, or preservatives are not used.
This raw cat food is made with the purest, most natural nutrition available. Raw is unprocessed, prepared from real meat and entire food ingredients, and is high in protein.
- Best Overall: Stella & Chewy’s Yummy Lickin’ Salmon & Chicken: Cats have a natural desire for meat, which is similar to what they ate in the wild. With 98 percent turkey, organs, and bone, as well as taurine and probiotics, Tummy Ticklin’ Turkey Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels cat food offers dietary health and eating as nature intended. All of the ingredients are sourced ethically.
The all-natural formula for Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Tummy Ticklin’ Turkey Dinner is handcrafted in small batches in Stella & Chewy’s own USA kitchen to give your cat the greatest levels of protein-rich meat and superior nourishment.
There are no additional hormones, antibiotics, grains, or fillers in any of Stella & Chewy’s Dinner Morsels recipes. It’s also 100 percent complete and balanced for all phases of life.
- PureBites Freeze-Dried Cat Treats: Looking to change your cat’s diet but not sure if freeze-dried cat food will appeal to them? Consider purchasing a few packets of PureBites Freeze-Dried Cat Treats.
These nutritious treats, like freeze-dried cat chow, provide all-natural nutrients without fillers or extra sugar and are a fantastic way to gauge your cat’s interest in more natural food.
You can begin by substituting it for treats or putting it on top of their regular kibble or wet food.
- Feline Natural Freeze-Dried Cat Food: Feline Natural, established in New Zealand, is designed with both sustainability and wellness in mind. They use sustainably sourced and free-range products such as New Zealand green-lipped mussels and grass-fed lamb in their recipes to provide a fantastic taste that your cats will love and an environmentally friendly alternative to store-bought cat food.
While this product isn’t intended expressly for senior cats, the producer claims that it is suitable for cats of all ages and stages, including seniors.
Chicken, lamb, mussels, flaxseed flakes, vitamins, and supplements are used to make the cuisine. There are no artificial chemicals, additives, or preservatives in this product. Cats love it when it’s dry and when it’s reconstituted with water.
FAQ
- Does unopened wet cat food need to be refrigerated?
Cans of wet cat food that have not been opened can typically be kept for quite some time. Store it in a cool and dry place where the temperature doesn’t exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 28 degrees Celsius. Preferably, a cupboard or pantry is probably the best.
- Does opened canned cat food need to be refrigerated?
Yes, you probably would want to refrigerate the unused foods of an opened can. But ideally, you should not store it for more than five days.
- Does freeze-dried cat food need to be refrigerated?
Refrigerating freeze-dried cat food that has not been opened is not necessary. However, because of the potential of food illness, most freeze-dried foods should be refrigerated immediately opened and should not be left out for longer than an hour.
Finally
To wrap up, you can warm up refrigerated canned food before serving it to the cat. But, warming cat food does not usually mean cooking it to a high temperature. Overheating has a significant probability of spoiling canned foods. Since warm food smells better, cats are more likely to eat that. You can use a microwave or slightly warm water to heat up canned foods.
Some canned wet cat food is available, but you may also buy refrigerated cat food. No sooner do you bring this type of food home, than it must be refrigerated. Once opened, this type of cat food can be stored in the fridge for a maximum of 5 days.
You can choose any refrigerated cat foot from our list as per your preference. These products are have been used by people for decades and are safe for pets. So, next time you go to feed your amiable cat, keep our guides in mind for the well-being of your darling pet.