Pet Food & Pests: How to Keep Pests Out of Pet Food

Have you found bugs in your dog food? It’s actually pretty common!

All types of household pests, from tiny ants to larger rodents, can be attracted to pet food, creating potential health risks for both your pets and your family. Left unattended, your pet's kibble can become a hotbed for pests like ants, beetles, and roaches, drawn to its nutritional value.

In this guide, we’ll explore how you can deal with mice and dog food, as well as talk about some of the other common pests that are drawn to pet food and what you can do to protect your furry friends.

Why Pet Food Attracts Pests

Pet food is rich in nutrients—a trait that not only benefits your pets but also makes it a tasty target for various pests.

High carbohydrate content in dry kibble, especially, can attract ants, while the fats in pet food appeal to roaches and rodents. Seasonal variations can also impact pest activity; during warmer months like spring and summer, pests are more active, increasing the likelihood of infestations.

To make matters worse, the scent of pet food is strong and can travel, drawing pests in from outside the home. Properly storing your pets’ food will help prevent bugs from getting into cat food and other treats.

Common Pests In Dog and Cat Food

Do rats eat dog food? They sure do! But they aren’t the only pests with a taste for kibble. Let’s discuss some of the other common bugs you might find in your pet’s food bowl.

Dry Food Invaders

• Pantry Moths - These persistent pests lay eggs directly in dry pet food. Once hatched, larvae create webs throughout the food, making entire bags unusable.
• Grain Beetles - You'll likely find beetles and other grain insects (like weevils) infesting dry kibble, especially in humid conditions. These insects can easily burrow their way into pet food bags.
• Ants - Particularly troublesome during warm months, ants create trails to food sources and can infiltrate even sealed containers through tiny gaps. They're especially attracted to cat food due to its high protein content.
• Mice and Rats - Rodents also love dry food because it’s easy for them to grab and store in their nests.

Wet Food Pests

Wet pet food creates different challenges and attracts its own set of pests.

• House Flies - Quick to find exposed wet food, flies can spread bacteria from other surfaces to your pet's food bowl.
• Cockroaches - These nocturnal nuisances are drawn to both wet and dry pet food residue. What's worse is that they often go undetected until their numbers have grown considerably.

The Dangers of Pet Food Pests

Insects like pantry moths, ants, and beetles can contaminate food with bacteria, feces, or eggs, potentially leading to digestive issues or infections in pets. Mice and dog food also don’t mix because mice and other rodents also carry several diseases in their urine and feces, as well as on their feet.

Some pests may carry pathogens like E. coli or Salmonella. This can spread to humans through contact with contaminated surfaces or pet bowls.

Can Cat or Dog Food Attract Rodents?

Mice and rats are opportunistic feeders, and pet food offers a high-protein, calorie-rich meal that’s easy to access. Whether it’s dry kibble left in a bowl or bags stored in the garage, rodents will find it.

They don’t just contaminate food with droppings and urine. They can also chew through packaging and create nests nearby. Prevent this by storing pet food in thick plastic or metal containers with tight-fitting lids, and avoid leaving food out overnight.

How to Keep Pests Away from Pet Food

The last thing any pet owner wants is to see cat food bugs or find that they have mice and dog food problems. Here are some tips to prevent insects from infesting pet food around your home: 

1. Inspect new packages of pet food. A common way for stored product pests to be introduced is through new bags of pet food that you bring home from the store. Thoroughly inspect your pet food for pests before bringing it inside your home. If pests are detected, immediately return the product. If you can’t, place it in a container and store it separately until it can be returned to avoid an infestation. 
2. Clean up spills. Promptly clean up pet food spills to avoid attracting pests to the area. 
3. Place pet food in a sealed plastic container. Store pet food in a non-penetrable plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. This can help prevent pests from detecting the pet food odor and infesting the food. 
4. Store pet food properly. It is recommended that pet food be stored on shelves, off the ground, and away from walls where pests may reside. 
5. Rotate your pet food stock. For the sake of pests and to ensure freshness, always serve pets the oldest food in inventory first. 
6. Clean often. Regularly clean the food storage area and inspect for signs of pests. 
7. Monitor for pests. Be alerted early on to a pest infestation with the use of insect monitors. Place these discreet monitors in and around pet food areas. Check monitors regularly to detect pest infestations and take action promptly. If you’re addressing an existing infestation, place multiple Pantry Pest & Moth Glue Traps around the infested area to disrupt breeding cycles. If the problem continues, contact your pest management professional.

Protect Your Pet Food From Pests with Catchmaster

Keep Fido’s food bowl safe with Catchmaster™’s help! If you happen to spot some bugs in dog food, our professional-strength, family and pet-safe glue traps will help you put an end to the infestation – quickly and easily.

Our pre-scented glue traps can be folded into tunnels to protect the glue (and your pets!) or laid flat to maximize your catch. We also offer Mouse and Insect Glue Boards and Pro Strength Mouse & Insect Glue Boards to help you put an end to even the biggest infestations.

The next time you’re dealing with unwanted insects, rodents, or other pests, turn to the people who pest control professionals have trusted for over 70 years. Become a Catchmaster!