Dog Food Bins?

[DisneyAprilFool]

So ya'll are quite the handy bunch, so I thought you might help me out...

I want a dog food bin that I can store outdoors that will keep bugs out- the cheapest one I know of is at Petsmart for $50 (*SIGH*). Does anyone know of any other places that carry bins for cheaper OR a bin that would work (doesn't have to be pet specific)? The one at PM has a lid that spins and locks into place to keep gross things out.

 

[C_leen]

Hi-

I got 3 plastic Tidy Cat Litter Pails with Lids from my neighbor with a cat. I wasn't sure the lids would hold up with daily use, but I've had them for more than 3 years now! I buy up to 50 pounds of dog food, so I stack all the pails up and rotate them as they empty out.

Cost: FREE

 

[DisneyAprilFool]

How many do you need to hold a 50 pound bag? I'd imagine quite a few? Otherwise, I could easily do that

 

[TrolleyGirl]

We use recycle bins from menards. They are a very heavy grade plastic. The top is a sort of clipped on, has a angled hinged opening to get to the food and can be stacked at least 4 high. It holds well over 40lbs. We keep our in the garage. It keeps the food fresh for well over 2 months. Inside I use a smaller container that I fill weekly. It is a sterlite file folder container from Dollar General. The top is clipped on. The Menards containers are on sale till 4/6 for $7.98 and the Dollar General container was $4.

We use the Menards containers for all our bird seed, cracked corn, cat food, dog food and recyclables! They're great. (so far the Raccoon that occasionally stops by the garage via the dog door hasn't figured out how to get the conatiners open!)

 

[labdogs42]

I use a big rubbermaid tote to hold mine. Mine is stored in the garage, but i think it would hold up fine to outdoor use. It was way cheaper than $50!

 

[HappyTrouble]

Rubbermaid container with the "locking" handles on each end. Got it at Target for around $10!!! Works great!!!!

 

[disneyfreakk]

if you do not feed natural or organic dog food, the ones at target are great.

 

[ceecee]

I use a big rubbermaid tote to hold mine. Mine is stored in the garage, but i think it would hold up fine to outdoor use. It was way cheaper than $50!

Great idea! We just switched food and the guy at the store told us to make sure it's in an airtight storage if we don't use it fast. Probably with 2 Labs one 33# bag it won't last long. Good old Iams, cheap and no storage needed....DH jokes about the Solid Gold price and we need a storage bin (theirs were $50) and suppliments to go with it!

 

[Mamatoaprincess]

We use a plastic trash can with a tight fitting lid. It has two hinge brackets that clip over the lid. We keep ours in the garage, but it would be fine outside.

 

[tinan]

We were lucky and one day while in PetSmart I was lucky enough to talk the manager into giving me one of the bins that Pedigree was giving away with a particular purchase. It holds a 44 lb. bag nicely. I would also suggest just buying one of the plastic rubbermaid type bins that the lid locks on. Just to keep the icky creepy things out Out at the barn we board at, they have bins for the nursing mares special food and treats. For the rest of the horses we store their food in an old broken freezer.

Yea with 2 labs that 33 lb. bag won't be lasting you long. LOL With a Newf, a lab and 2 Shelties we go through that 44 lber in about a week and a half and yes it is a premium food (Nutro) What's sad is the lab eats more than the Newf!

 

[Califgirl]

I always use metal containers for dog food and horse food. I've used plastic in the past, but those pesky ground squirrels can eat right through the toughest Rubbermaid plastic! For dog food, I use the metal Pedigree containers (quite cute, too!) and for horse food, I use small metal trash cans that you can sometimes find at Home Depot, Lowes or Ace Hardware. Metal trash cans are getting difficult to find. Good luck!

We have had ant problems in the past with the dog food, but have never had a problem when we close the lid of the metal containers.

 

[rockyroad]

We have to be careful because if it doesn't seal, then ants can get in.

Ants fit through very small openings.

I save those plastic kitty litter buckets too,
They are really excellent quality.
Great for dog water buckets, mop buckets, and they look like they would be great for things like legos too.

 

[disneyfreakk]

"Proper Storage and Handling
How should pet food be stored?

Remember that the major sources of damage to pet food are oxygen, heat, humidity, and light. Exposure to oxygen and heat leads to oxidation of the fat in foods. Oxidation is a chemical process that makes food taste rancid, depletes vitamins and other nutrients, and can eventually lead to serious disease. Proper storage should limit the exposure of the food to these environmental factors.

Store foods at proper temperatures. Room temperature is ideal for both canned and dry foods, but neither should be stored above 90°F. Storing canned food at temperatures below 50°F for long periods of time may lead to some changes in appearance, texture, and palatability, but should not alter the nutritional value. Once canned food is opened, it should be covered with a tight-fitting lid, refrigerated, and used within 3 days.

Avoid storing dry food in damp basements, bathrooms or laundry rooms, since moisture encourages the growth of mold. If possible, keep dry food in its original bag and place inside another clean, dry, container with a snug lid to keep out light, air, rodents, and insects."


from http://www.flint-river-dog-food.com/proper-storage-and-handling.htm

 

[DisneyAprilFool]

Yeah, I feed a Dane, a Borzoi, a Bernese, and a Chinese Crested- we go through the food so fast, I'm not worried about mold or other issues settling in. Ants and bugs though- they are fast, NASTY critters and I'd prefer to avoid them at all costs! LOL!

We're lucky- we have no squirrels or raccoons or other wildlife to worry about- ah, scratch that- unlucky because I'd trade dealing with the little boogers just to be able to watch them.

 

[jenm2878]

What about a large tupperware container? I use a small one for my cats and it easily holds a 20 lb bag. (20qt container maybe?) I imagine a larger one would hold a 50lb bag fine.