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Defrosting and Storage

How to Safely Thaw Meat

To get started, place 2 days worth of food in the refrigerator right away so you can begin feeding 2 days after that. Then simply move 2 days worth of food to the refrigerator every other day so you always have a thawed portion that’s ready to feed.

The best way: In the fridge

The safest way to defrost meat is in the refrigerator. Always place packages on a plate or in a bowl when defrosting. Allow about 24 hours per 2 lb of product. For a larger packages, this could mean a few days.

The fastest way: In cold water

Speedier defrosting of meat and can be achieved by submersion in COLD water. Make sure the meat is in a sealed, leak-proof bag, and change the water every 30 minutes or so. Small packages of meat weighing a pound or less may defrost in an hour or less. Allow about 30 minutes per pound (that is, a 2 lb bag would take about 1 hour to defrost this way.) If you are in a hurry, resist the temptation to thaw your meat using warm water. Meat that is left above 40F is in the danger zone for the proliferation of harmful bacteria.

How long can I keep thawed items in the refrigerator?

For optimal freshness and safety, your refrigerator should be 40º or below and thawed meat should be consumed within 3 days. You can learn more about defrosting and recommended feeding temperatures here.

Is it safe to refreeze meats after they have thawed?

As long as meat is cold to the touch, it is safe to refreeze.  As the USDA notes, “freshness and quality at the time of freezing affect the condition of frozen foods. If frozen at peak quality, thawed foods emerge tasting better than foods frozen near the end of their useful life."  That is to say, unlike frozen foods purchased from supermarkets or butcher shops, which may have been on the shelf for weeks before freezing, our products are frozen at peak quality, and will be ready to for your dog or cat to enjoy when you defrost and serve them.  So -- if you defrosted more than you need, or your order arrives thawed, it can be refrozen with no loss of quality.

How long can frozen meats be stored in the freezer?

Our products are frozen at peak quality to ensure your dog or cat enjoys the highest quality in thick, freezer-grade plastic, to ensure that your products will be delicious when you are ready to feed them. Packages with intact seals can be stored indefinitely; for best results, we recommend you use frozen meats within 12 months. The best place to store meat for extended time periods is in a deep freezer, or towards the back of an upright freezer. Avoid storing packages on the door of the freezer. Meat that is cold to the touch can be refrigerated for immediate use, or frozen for later use.