Out of date cat food

Pollycat

I wasn't sure whether to post here or on the Pets & Pet Care board.

I lost my last cat over 3 years ago and have just discovered 36 large tins of good quality (Felix, Whiskas etc) cat food.

I've looked at the date on the top pack of 6 and it says Dec 2013.

If it were tinned soup,tomatoes etc, I'd still use it without a second thought but would it still be OK for cats?
I had thought of taking them to our local supermarket who have a box for RSPCA but don't want to do that if they wouldn't use it.

What does anybody else think?

Thanks

notjustlaura

Is it a best before date or a use by date?

I'd be inclined to use it, especially if the date's best before. Cats are less prone to food poisoning than humans as their digestive process is faster than ours.

You could give the RSPCA a phone and see if they'd like it or not?

Pollycat

It only gives the date, no 'BBE' or 'use by'.

I've looked at some of my tins in the cupboard, most just have a date, corned beef & chopped tomatoes say 'BBE'.

I will ring before donating, I just wanted to get them out of the way as I'm clearing the garage out.

Thanks

marco1dog

Eh no. Would you be asking if it was your three year old.
I would take no chances with my cats. They do have problems with kidneys. Xx

Pollycat

marco1dog wrote: »

Eh no. Would you be asking if it was your three year old.
I would take no chances with my cats. They do have problems with kidneys. Xx

I don't have a 3 year old - but thanks anyway.
I did say I'd use it for myself:

Pollycat wrote: »

If it were tinned soup,tomatoes etc, I'd still use it without a second thought but would it still be OK for cats?

so it's not as though I'm just feeding it to my cat willy-nilly.

I'll ring and ask, it seems a shame to throw it away if it could be used.

GwylimT

Tinned food lasta for years, it only had a date on as it is a legal requirement, the food will be perfectly fine.

Pollycat

That was my reasoning, GwylimT, and why I would have used an out-of-date tin of stuff myself.

peachyprice

If the tins haven't 'blown' it will be safe for cats to eat. The only thing is that the vitamins may start to lose their effectiveness over time.

Tinned food lasts for years, they didn't even used to put dates on them, it's only a recent thing because they have to. And yes, if were a can of spaghetti hoops I would give it to my 3yo! In fact I don't even check dates on tins, as long as they look good they get used.

It might be better if you contact a smaller local charity, they're usually more grateful than RSPCA.

mydogcantalk

you cannot call felix and whiskas good quality. they are about standard for supermarket products, but contain very little proper meat. good quality tins will contain at least 50% meat.

Farway

Ring and ask a small local cat rescue charity

liney

I'd pop it in the donation box and let them make the decision - if they don't want it, they'll bin it.


I'd use it if it was my cat, just as I would use tinned human food as long as it looked/smelled OK when opened.