Can I Leave Wet Cat Food Out Overnight – Storage Tips & More

Many people enjoy having cats as pets because of their relatively low maintenance. They don’t have to be taken outside to use the bathroom or play throughout the day. You can help them exercise just by sitting on your couch and swinging a toy around for them. Cats also tend to prefer to graze throughout the day instead of having regimented meal times. This usually means that you can leave food out periodically and refresh it once it has been eaten. Is there any risk of leaving cat food out for long periods? Especially with wet food, can I leave wet cat food out overnight?

No, you should not leave wet cat food out overnight. Wet food that is left out can develop bacteria and cause cats to be sick, vomit and have other complications. Wet foods should always be properly stored and refrigerated.

Wet cat food will develop bacteria faster than dry food, especially the longer it is exposed to open air. If you leave wet cat food out overnight, then you will run the risk of bacteria developing on it, and if your cat eats it, they could become sick. 

How Long Can Wet Cat Food Sit Out Before Going Bad

The expiration for wet cat food will vary depending on the brand and type of food that it is. Most wet cat food is good for months, up to a year, if it is appropriately kept sealed. Once the can or sachet is opened, it is exposed to bacteria. You can keep it fresh in your refrigerator by keeping it in an air-tight container for up to five days.

If you regularly feed your cat wet food, try to have them eat it all in one sitting. This will be easier to establish as a routine if you have them when they are a kitten. While most cats do prefer to graze throughout the day, they can still be trained to have a regular routine. If you can train them to always eat the whole portion at once when you set it down, then you never have to worry about keeping it out for long.

If your cat cannot be persuaded to eat all of it in one sitting, you should take it away and clean the bowl after a maximum of four hours.

Sometimes your cat may eat part of it when you first put it down, and then they become distracted or disinterested and walk away from it. If it only takes them another hour or so to become interested in visiting their food bowl, then it is okay for it to remain out for that period. Just pay attention to how long the bowl has been out, and once four hours have passed, thoroughly clean the bowl to ensure there is not any bacteria in it. 

How Do You Keep Wet Cat Food Fresh Overnight 

Honestly, there is not a way to keep wet cat food fresh overnight. It doesn’t matter how you prepare the food; once it is exposed to air, it can begin to develop bacteria. Some wet cat foods will start to mold after a certain period of being left out. It is always best not to leave wet cat food out overnight to protect your cat.

If you know you are truly only going to sleep four hours that night, then you could technically leave wet food out for your cat. After those four hours, you have to disinfect the bowl and give them something fresh.

If you know your cat’s routine and you know they will go eat the bowl of food before it has been out for four hours, then you could leave food out overnight because technically, it will be gone before the night is over. However, this is risky to guarantee your cat is eating all of its food before the four-hour mark, so the safest thing to do would be not to leave wet cat food out overnight.

If you have a cat who likes to snack throughout the night and want to guarantee its safety, you can leave dry food out for them. Dry food is safer to leave out for longer periods. Dry food is less likely to develop bacteria because the cooking process kills off any bacteria that can develop on raw ingredients.

Technically dry food can be left out for a couple of days, and it will not spoil, but after about a day, it does start to get stale. To give your kitty the freshest food, you should only leave dry food out for about one day before tossing it and cleaning the bowl.

Can You Warm Up Wet Cat Food

If you want to warm up your cat’s food, it is entirely up to your discretion. Just keep in mind that warming up your cat’s wet food will not extend how long it can be left out. You will still need to throw it away and disinfect the bowl after it has been out for four hours. 

If your cat is a picky eater and you encourage them to eat all of their wet food in one sitting, warming it up might be a nice way to convince them. Some kitties prefer warmer food instead of wet food straight out of the cold fridge, so it is worth a try.

To warm it up, you can microwave it up only for a couple of seconds; otherwise, the microwave can start to dry out the food, and your cat will not get the moisture they need from their wet food. You can put the food in a glass bowl and microwave for 5-10 seconds before serving to them. To add moisture to their food, you can stir in warm water to their wet food. 

Should Cats Eat Wet Food Everyday

Your veterinarian is going to be the best person to consult to determine how frequently your cat should be eating wet food and what kind they should eat. For the most part, veterinarians recommend a diet of primarily wet food. This is because cats are carnivores and are not meant to digest many carbohydrates.

Since dry food is more processed, it tends to contain more carbohydrates. The other reason is that cats are notoriously bad at drinking water and frequently keep themselves on the verge of dehydration. By giving them wet food every day, you help to guarantee they are always getting enough moisture in their diet. 

Should I Feed My Cat Wet Food In The Morning Or At Night

To ensure your cat is eating their food when it is as fresh as possible, you should feed them wet food in the morning. You can make it a part of your morning routine, which will help establish a routine for your cat. This routine will make it more likely that they will eat all of their wet food in one sitting. Either way, you can make it a habit to always clean their bowl before you leave for the day, so you never have to worry about them eating food that has been left out for too long.

If you are worried about them getting hungry throughout the day or overnight, you can leave dry food out for them at the start of the day. Then, toss the stale, dry food, clean the bowl, and leave them some fresh food. This way, they can graze as they please. Plus, they will be more likely to eat all of their wet food in one sitting in the morning because they will be so excited for it.

Things To Consider

Consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your cat’s diet. Your cat’s diet will also have different needs as they age and their bodies change, so your veterinarian will be able to help guide you through that process as well. Your cat will require wet food in their diet throughout their entire lives, but the nutrients they need from it will vary depending on their weight and age.