How Do You Keep Roaches Out of Dog Food?

Dog food might not seem like a major pest attractant, but for cockroaches, it’s an open buffet. Packed with protein, fats, and carbohydrates, dry kibble and even wet food are incredibly appealing to roaches—especially if left out overnight or stored in bags that aren’t sealed properly. Keeping roaches out of dog food means addressing both how you feed your pet and how you store their food.

The first step is only feeding your dog as much as they’ll eat in one sitting. Leaving food out, especially overnight, gives roaches plenty of time to crawl into the bowl, feed, and carry bacteria with them. Once they’ve found a consistent food source, they’ll keep coming back and may even start nesting nearby. After each meal, pick up any uneaten food and clean the area around your pet’s bowl to remove crumbs or residue.

Equally important is how the food is stored. Dog food bags are often made of paper or thin plastic that cockroaches can chew through. Instead, transfer kibble into airtight containers made of hard plastic, metal, or glass. These not only keep roaches out but also preserve freshness and prevent moisture contamination. Make sure the lids fit tightly and are latched after every use. Don’t forget to clean scoops and lids regularly to avoid residue buildup.

More Cockroach Prevention Tips

Next, cleaning your home thoroughly helps make your home unattractive to roaches. These cleaning practices include:

• Decluttering your home and discarding cardboard boxes that you’ve collected in your attic.
• Vacuuming and sweeping floors on a regular basis.
• Wiping down countertops and vacuuming or sweeping food preparation and dining areas after each meal or snack.
• Storing open food packages in the fridge or in glass, metal, or perfect for dog food, in hard plastic containers with tight-fitting lids.
• Wiping up all spills in your pantry.
• Storing dry goods in glass, metal, or hard plastic containers.
• Washing all dishes immediately after snacks and meals and removing all food scraps from your sink into a trash receptacle with a tight-fitting lid.
• Removing trash with food scraps to a sanitized outdoor receptacle every day.
• Keep your grass cut short.
• Trimming branches away from your house to prevent pests from using them as bridges to enter your home.
• Eliminating areas of dense vegetation in your yard.
• Decluttering your yard, cleaning up leftover construction materials and debris.
• Keeping gutters clean and making sure downspouts are draining properly.
• Eliminating areas and items where water can collect, such as kids’ toys, leftover planters, and patio furniture.