Simple, practical tips to keep your dog’s favourite treats fresh, safe, and delicious.
Natural dog treats are wonderfully simple — no additives, no preservatives, no mystery ingredients. Just real, single‑protein goodness. But because they’re so natural, they also need to be stored properly to keep them fresh and safe.
The good news? With a few easy habits, you can extend the life of your treats, prevent spoilage, and make sure every chew, ear, foot, or fishy snack stays as tasty as the day you bought it.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know to store natural treats confidently and correctly.
🧺 Why Proper Storage Matters
Natural treats behave differently from processed ones. They’re dehydrated, not cooked. They don’t contain artificial preservatives. And they’re made from real, whole ingredients.
Because of this, they’re more sensitive to:
- Humidity
- Heat
- Air exposure
- Cross‑contamination
- Improper sealing
Storing them correctly helps you:
- Keep treats fresher for longer
- Prevent mould caused by moisture
- Maintain flavour and texture
- Avoid waste
- Keep your dog safe
- Save money by reducing spoilage
🏡 1. Store Treats in a Cool, Dry Place
Moisture is the enemy of dehydrated treats. Even a small amount of humidity can cause mould, especially on treats like rabbit ears, chicken feet, or fish.
Best places to store treats:
- A kitchen cupboard
- A pantry
- A dry utility room
- A sealed treat jar kept away from heat sources
Avoid storing treats:
- Next to the kettle (steam = moisture)
- Near the oven or hob
- In steamy bathrooms
- On windowsills with direct sunlight
- In warm conservatories
Heat + humidity = the fastest route to spoilage.
If your home tends to get humid (especially in winter with drying clothes indoors), airtight containers become even more important.
🫙 2. Use Airtight Containers (But Not Too Soon!)
Once a treat bag is opened, it’s best to move the contents into an airtight container — but only after the treats have fully cooled and aired.
Why? Freshly dehydrated treats can still release tiny amounts of natural oils. If sealed too quickly, this can trap moisture and create the perfect environment for mould.
Best practice:
- Open the bag
- Let treats breathe for a few minutes
- Then store in an airtight jar or tub
Great container options:
- Glass jars with rubber seals
- Clip‑top jars
- BPA‑free plastic tubs
- Stainless steel treat tins
Avoid:
- Fabric bags for long‑term storage
- Containers that don’t fully seal
- Storing treats in their original bag once opened (unless it reseals tightly)
🌬️ 3. Don’t Refrigerate Dehydrated Treats
This surprises a lot of owners, but refrigeration can actually introduce moisture and cause mould.
Dehydrated treats should be stored at room temperature, not in the fridge.
The only exception is if you’ve filled something (like a cow hoof or Kong) with wet ingredients — in that case, refrigerate or freeze after filling.
Refrigeration is great for wet food, cooked leftovers, and fresh meat — but not for dehydrated natural treats.
❄️ 4. Freezing Treats for Longer Storage
Freezing is a brilliant way to extend the life of natural treats, especially if you buy in bulk or rotate proteins for variety.
Great treats to freeze:
- Cow hooves (especially when filled with peanut butter, soft cheese, or dog‑safe pâté)
- Beef trachea
- Buffalo flat gullet
- Rabbit ears
- Chicken feet
- Duck feet
- Fish treats
- Single‑protein sticks
- Larger chews like goat ears or pig ears
How to freeze properly:
- Place treats in a freezer‑safe bag or tub
- Remove as much air as possible
- Label with the date
- Defrost naturally at room temperature
Tip: Frozen treats are fantastic for teething puppies and dogs who need help settling.
🐶 5. Keep Treats Separate by Type
Different proteins have different natural oils and moisture levels. Storing them together can cause cross‑odour, faster spoilage, and flavour transfer.
Best practice:
- Fish treats in one container
- Chews (ears, feet, tracheas) in another
- Training treats in their own tub
- Bones stored separately
- Filled items (like hooves) kept apart from dry treats
This keeps everything fresher and stops strong scents from taking over your cupboard.
🧳 6. Storing Treats on the Go
If you take treats out for walks, training, or market days, storage matters just as much outside the house.
Use:
- A breathable treat pouch
- A silicone training bag
- A small airtight tub for high‑value treats
Avoid:
- Leaving treats in warm cars
- Storing them in coat pockets long‑term
- Using fabric pouches for oily treats (they absorb smells!)
Top tip: If you’re out all day, only take what you need — don’t carry the whole bag.
👃 7. How to Tell If a Treat Has Gone Off
Natural treats rarely “go bad” if stored correctly, but here’s what to look for:
- Visible mould
- A sour or unusual smell
- A sticky or damp texture
- Discolouration that wasn’t there before
- Treats becoming unusually soft
- A “musty” scent
- Condensation inside the container
If in doubt, throw it out — better safe than sorry.
🐾 8. How Long Do Natural Treats Last?
Shelf life varies depending on the treat and how it’s stored.
General guidelines:
- Dehydrated ears, feet, and tracheas: 6–12 months
- Fish treats: 3–6 months
- Single‑protein sticks: 3–6 months
- Bones: 6–12 months
- Filled hooves (unfrozen): up to 3 days in the fridge
- Frozen treats: up to 6 months
Always check the packaging for specific dates — and remember that natural treats don’t contain preservatives, so freshness depends heavily on storage.
🛒 Everything We Sell Is Designed to Store Well
At Biscuits & Bakes Barkery, all our treats are:
- Single‑protein
- Dehydrated or Air-dried
- Free from additives and preservatives
- Made to last when stored correctly
- Sourced with quality and safety in mind
From rabbit ears to beef tracheas, sprats to goat ears, single‑protein sticks to giant paddywack — every treat is chosen because it’s safe, nutritious, and easy to store with the right care.
With proper storage, your dog can enjoy them at their absolute best.