If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve probably stood in the pet food aisle at your local store, staring at bags of kibble, wet food, and freeze-dried treats, wondering how to keep that food fresh for as long as possible. Maybe you’re a pet parent who’s tried every trick—airtight containers, cool pantries, even the old “transfer to mason jars” hack. Or maybe you’re someone who buys pet food in bulk to save money, which means you’re on a mission to find a storage solution that doesn’t let nutrition go to waste. As a supplier of Mylar bags, I get this question all the time: Can I use Mylar bags for storing pet food? The short answer is yes, but there’s a lot more to it than just grabbing a bag and tossing in a bag of dog food. Let’s break this down, because when it comes to your pet’s food, cutting corners isn’t an option. Mylar Bags
First, let’s talk about why pet food goes bad in the first place. Most commercial pet foods—kibble in particular—are loaded with fats, proteins, and vitamins that are essential for your pet’s health. But those same nutrients are what make the food susceptible to spoilage. Oxygen, moisture, light, and temperature are the four biggest enemies here. Oxygen causes fats to go rancid, which not only makes the food taste bad but can also create harmful compounds. Moisture is a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and pests—think tiny weevils or even rodents finding their way into an unsealed bag. Light, especially UV light from the sun, breaks down vitamins like A and D, and can also speed up fat rancidity. High temperatures, like a hot garage or a pantry near an oven, accelerate all of these processes, cutting the shelf life of pet food in half or more.
Now, Mylar bags are made from a thin, flexible polyester film that’s been metallized (usually with aluminum) to create a barrier. That barrier is key. Unlike regular plastic bags, which are porous and let oxygen and moisture seep through, Mylar acts as a shield. Let’s get specific: Mylar bags have an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) that’s extremely low—way lower than even the thickest plastic storage bins. Some of our Mylar bags have an OTR of less than 0.5 cc per 100 square inches per day, which means almost no oxygen can get in or out. They’re also moisture-resistant, so even if you live in a humid climate, the food inside stays dry. And they block light, especially when paired with an opaque outer bag or a dark storage container. That’s a triple win when it comes to preserving pet food.
But here’s where I see a lot of pet parents (and even some smaller pet food brands) make a mistake: they use Mylar bags incorrectly, and then wonder why their pet food goes bad. Let’s walk through the right way to do this. First, you need to choose the right size Mylar bag. If you’re storing a 20-pound bag of kibble, don’t use a tiny 1-gallon bag—you’ll have way too much empty space, which means more oxygen inside the bag, and it’ll be harder to seal tightly. We offer sizes from 1-gallon up to 5-gallon Mylar bags, which are perfect for bulk pet food. A good rule of thumb is to leave about 10-15% headspace in the bag when you fill it—enough to squeeze out excess air, but not so much that there’s too much oxygen trapped.
Next, sealing the bag properly is non-negotiable. Mylar bags need a heat sealer to create a permanent, airtight seal. If you just fold the top over and use a clip, that’s not going to work long-term. I’ve seen pet parents try this, and within a week, pests have chewed through the clip or the fold has come loose, and the food is ruined. A heat sealer doesn’t have to be expensive—you can get a basic handheld heat sealer for under $20, and it’ll make a seal that’s strong enough to keep oxygen and moisture out for years. If you’re storing larger quantities, like 50 pounds of pet food, you might also want to use oxygen absorbers. Wait—oxygen absorbers? Do you need those for pet food? That’s a common question too.
Here’s the science behind it: when you seal a Mylar bag with pet food, there’s still a small amount of oxygen inside. Over time, that oxygen can react with the fats in the food, leading to rancidity. Oxygen absorbers are small sachets that contain iron powder, which binds to oxygen molecules, removing them from the bag. For most dry pet foods (kibble, freeze-dried raw, treats), we recommend using one 300cc oxygen absorber per gallon of bag size. So a 5-gallon bag would need five 300cc absorbers. Wet pet food, on the other hand, is higher in moisture, so oxygen absorbers aren’t necessary—they can actually make the food too dry, which is bad for texture and nutrition. For wet food, just make sure you portion it into smaller Mylar bags, squeeze out as much air as possible, and seal tightly, then store in the freezer.
Pests are another big concern, and Mylar bags are a great defense against that. Rodents and insects can chew through most plastic bags, but Mylar is tough enough to resist their teeth—especially when you use a thick-gauge Mylar bag (we offer 5-mil and 7-mil options, with 7-mil being more durable for heavy use). That means no more finding weevils in your bulk kibble bag, which is a huge win for both pet parents and anyone running a small pet food business.
But let’s talk about the drawbacks, because I’m not here to sell you something without being honest. Mylar bags aren’t perfect. They can puncture if you’re not careful—if you’re shoveling kibble into the bag with a sharp scoop, you might tear the Mylar, which ruins the barrier. So you need to use a gentle, plastic or metal scoop with rounded edges. Also, Mylar is not freezer-safe for long periods if it’s in direct contact with sharp items, but when paired with a thicker outer bag, it works great for freezing pet food. Another thing: if you store Mylar bags in a place that gets too cold (like a basement in a cold climate), the Mylar can become brittle over time, which might make it more likely to tear. So a cool, dry pantry is ideal, not a freezing garage.
Now, why would a pet parent or pet business choose Mylar bags over other storage options like airtight plastic bins? Let’s compare. Plastic bins are bulky, take up more space, and they’re not as effective at blocking light or oxygen. Some plastic bins have “airtight” lids, but in reality, they still let a small amount of oxygen in over time. Mylar bags are lightweight, stackable, and take up less space than bins—perfect for small pantries or storage areas. For bulk buyers, Mylar bags also cut down on waste compared to single-use plastic bins that you have to replace every few years. And for pet food brands, Mylar bags are a cost-effective way to package products for bulk sales, without sacrificing quality.
As someone who’s been in the Mylar bag supply business for years, I’ve heard so many success stories. A customer recently told me they buy 50 pounds of kibble every three months, and using our 5-gallon Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers has cut their food waste by 80%—before, they’d throw away half the bag because it went rancid. Another customer, a small pet treat maker, uses 1-gallon Mylar bags to package their homemade freeze-dried chicken, and their customers rave about how fresh the treats stay for up to a year. But I’ve also heard horror stories from people who used the wrong method: one pet parent tried using thin Mylar bags without a heat sealer, and a mouse chewed through the bag, leaving their $50 bag of food full of holes. That’s why I always emphasize using the right supplies and the right technique.
Now, if you’re a pet parent looking to store your own pet food, here’s a step-by-step guide to doing it right: First, measure how much pet food you need to store, and pick the corresponding Mylar bag size. For example, a 1-gallon bag holds about 4 pounds of kibble, a 2-gallon holds 8 pounds, and so on. Next, gather your supplies: Mylar bag, heat sealer, oxygen absorbers (for dry food only), a clean scoop. Make sure your pet food is at room temperature—don’t put warm food into a Mylar bag, because condensation can form inside, which leads to moisture. Fill the bag, leaving 10-15% headspace. Add the appropriate number of oxygen absorbers (if using) quickly—don’t leave the absorbers out exposed to air for more than a minute, because they’ll start working before you seal the bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible from the top of the bag, then use the heat sealer to seal the top, making sure the seal is at least an inch wide to be strong. Label the bag with the date you sealed it, so you can track how long the food has been stored. Store in a cool, dark, dry place—avoid garages, attics, or near heat sources.
If you’re a small business in the pet food industry, Mylar bags are also a great option for packaging your products. They’re customizable with printing, so you can add your brand logo, nutrition information, and storage instructions. They’re also lightweight, which reduces shipping costs compared to rigid containers. And since they’re so effective at preserving freshness, your customers will notice a difference in the quality of your product.
Now, let’s address a common myth: some people think Mylar bags are toxic, especially for pet food. Is that true? No, not when they’re used correctly. Our Mylar bags are made from food-grade materials, so they don’t leach harmful chemicals into the food. The metallized layer is a thin aluminum coating, but it’s sealed between two layers of polyester, so it never comes into direct contact with the food. That means it’s safe for both dry and wet pet food, as long as you follow storage guidelines. We test all our bags for food safety, so you don’t have to worry about that.
Another question: how long does pet food last in Mylar bags? For dry kibble, if stored properly, it can last up to 1-2 years, compared to 3-6 months in the original bag. For freeze-dried raw pet food, it can last up to 18 months. Wet pet food, when portioned into small Mylar bags and frozen, can last up to 6 months. That’s a huge extension, which means you can buy in bulk, save money, and never have to toss a bag of spoiled food again.
I know this might seem like a lot of information, but the key takeaway is this: yes, you can absolutely use Mylar bags for storing pet food, but it’s important to use the right size, seal them properly with a heat sealer, use oxygen absorbers for dry food, and store them in a cool, dark place. When done correctly, Mylar bags are one of the most effective, affordable ways to keep your pet’s food fresh, nutritious, and free from pests.
Whether you’re a pet parent looking to cut down on food waste, a small pet food brand wanting to improve your product’s shelf life, or someone who just loves finding smart storage solutions for their furry friends, Mylar bags are a game-changer. If you’re ready to stock up on Mylar bags for your pet food storage needs, reach out to our team to discuss your requirements. We can help you pick the right size, gauge, and supplies to make your pet food storage as effective as possible.
Tobacco Leaf Bags References
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. (2018). Food Storage Basics: Preserving Freshness and Quality.
- American Veterinary Medical Association. (2020). Pet Food Storage Guidelines for Healthy Pets.
- Packaging Association of America. (2021). Barrier Properties of Flexible Packaging for Food and Pet Food Products.
- National Pesticide Information Center. (2019). Rodent and Insect Control for Food Storage: Effective Barriers and Deterrents.
- Journal of Animal Science. (2017). Effects of Storage Conditions on Nutrient Stability of Dry Pet Food.
Shenzhen Qiancaisheng Packing Co., Ltd.
Shenzhen Qiancaisheng Packing Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional mylar bags manufacturers and suppliers in China, specialized in providing high quality customized products. We warmly welcome you to wholesale mylar bags for sale here and get quotation from our factory.
Address: No.2, Line 7, Wuhe Road, Bantian, Longgang, Shenzhen, 518129, China
E-mail: sales@qcspacking.com
WebSite: https://www.qcspackingpouches.com/
