I accidentally bought dog food. Can my cat eat the dog food?
Our dinners for dogs are not harmful to cats, and vice versa. You may choose to feed them to your cat if necessary. However, we recommend using our cat dinners on a full-time basis because they are designed to be complete and balanced to meet a cat’s nutritional needs. The nutritional needs of cats and dogs vary, so we always recommend feeding them food specifically designed for their needs. We do offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you’re always welcome to return or exchange the bag you purchased at the retailer.
How long is the bag good for?
Stella & Chewy’s raw and kibble products have an expiration date of 14-18 months past the date of production, and our wet foods have a 24-month shelf life. We suggest using our products by this date (stamped on the bag), or within a month after. Much past that, and we would recommend discarding the bag. Freezing or refrigerating will not extend the listed shelf life. The expiration date remains the same regardless of whether the bag is opened or not.
Once opened, the product is freshest within the first few weeks, and safest within the first few months. We also suggest that the product be stored in the original packaging.
Why is there a packet in some bags and not others--is it harmful to my pet?
An oxygen absorber (the packet you see in some bags) is designed to keep the product fresh prior to opening – once the package is opened, the absorber has no further effect. While the oxygen absorbers should not be consumed, we also know that they’re food-safe. The packets contain iron powder, salt, clay mineral, and sodium sulfite —if your pet is sensitive to any of these ingredients, or if you notice any health concerns, you should consult with your vet. Please inquire with our Pet Parent Support team with any questions or concerns.
Additionally, since we also use nitrogen flushing on our products, not all products will have the oxygen absorber. Nitrogen is a harmless, tasteless, and odorless gas used to help remove oxygen from the bag; it does not affect the food in any way.
The new bag I bought smells different, and the pieces are harder to break. Is this safe?
We make everything in small batches using natural ingredients. Due to this process, it is common to observe some variability from batch to batch. This typically manifests in aspects such as color, scent, and texture. Please don't worry, the product formulation and quality of ingredients remain consistent and safe. Please inquire with our Pet Parent Support team with any questions or concerns. If you are ever uncomfortable with a particular bag, we do offer a satisfaction guarantee.
Are your products human-grade?
Our raw and kibble diets are not considered human-grade. This is due to several factors, including the fact that we include ingredients such as ground bone and organs, which are not human-grade ingredients. Also, our non-wet products are manufactured in pet food facilities – this means they cannot be considered human-grade. Stella & Chewy’s is committed to using safe ingredients that meet our highest standards. We are most focused on delivering safe, best-in-class nutrition that will allow all pets to thrive. All our ingredients come from suppliers we know and trust, and all our meats come from USDA-inspected facilities (or similar inspection agencies outside the United States) that do not allow floor waste, sick or euthanized animals. The animal proteins used in our food recipes are responsibly sourced. The fruits and vegetables we use in our raw food are all certified organic and provide strong vitamin and mineral nutrition. Our cat and dog wet foods, Broth Toppers, and FreshMade gently-cooked dog food products are human-grade and made in a human-grade facility in Wisconsin.
Can I store your kibble in the fridge or freezer?
Stella & Chewy’s kibble should be stored in its original packaging at room temperature. Refrigerating or freezing does not extend the shelf life and our QA team advises against this as it could introduce moisture into the product and potentially mold.
Can I store my product in an alternative container?
Stella & Chewy’s products should always be stored in the original packaging and resealed with the zip closure between uses. This preserves the lot information in case it’s ever needed and allows us to continue to offer our guarantee.
How many cups/patties are in each bag?
We package all our products by weight, not by patty quantity so that the amount may vary slightly per bag. If you'd like to know the approximate number of patties or cups on a bag, please refer to the below articles: