Why Steel Cans Are Still the Gold Standard for Pet Food
by Chelsea Sher
As pet parents, we all want the very best for our dogs and cats—food that’s safe, healthy, and nourishing, while also being kind to the planet. With so many new formats on the market today—fresh, frozen, pouches, and cartons—it’s easy to wonder: is canned food still the right choice for my pet?
At Evanger’s, we’ve been making pet food in steel cans for over 90 years, and here’s why we’re still confident that cans are the best option for pets, people, and the planet.
1. Steel Cans Are Infinitely Recyclable ♻️
Unlike most pouches or cartons, steel cans can be recycled again and again—forever! They’re widely accepted in curbside bins across the U.S., and thanks to magnetic sorting, they actually get recycled at much higher rates than flexible pouches or cartons. That means your pet’s empty Evanger’s can really does come back to life as something new.
2. Long Shelf Life = Less Food Waste
Canned food is naturally shelf-stable without needing refrigeration. That means fewer trips to the store, less worry about spoilage, and—most importantly—less food waste.
👉 Shop our Classic Dinners for Dogs and Classic Dinners for Cats — pantry-friendly meals that stay fresh until your pet is ready to enjoy.
3. Safety You Can Trust
While some fresh or raw foods may sound appealing, the truth is they carry higher risks of harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Listeria—for both pets and people. Canned food, on the other hand, is gently cooked inside the can (a process called “retort”), which locks in nutrition and creates a safe, sterile seal.
👉 Try our Hand-Packed Specialties — real whole meats packed by hand in cans for ultimate freshness and safety.
4. Complete & Balanced Nutrition
Every complete and balanced Evanger’s recipe is carefully formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient standards. Yes, cooking does reduce some vitamins—but we make sure to add them back in, so your pet gets everything they need for a healthy, happy life.
👉 Explore our Super Premium Dinners for dogs and cats—recipes packed with balanced nutrition.
5. Better for Everyday Life
Cans are sturdy, stack neatly in your pantry, and are easy to open and serve. No leaks, no mess, no cold storage required. Just simple, reliable nutrition for your best friend.
👉 Looking for single-protein meals? Check out our Complements Single Proteins for Allergies — the most minimally processed pet food on the market with limited ingredients.
The Bottom Line
Fresh and frozen pet foods may be trendy, but they come with energy-intensive cold chains, tricky packaging, and safety concerns. Steel cans remain the most sustainable, reliable, and pet-friendly choice available today.
At Evanger’s, we’re proud to continue Fred Evanger’s tradition of making nutritious foods in steel cans—foods that love your pets back, while caring for the world they live in.
👉 Browse all of our Dog Foods, Cat Foods, and Ferret Foods to see why pet parents have trusted Evanger’s for generations.
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