Does the expiration date on cat food actually matter?

Yes, more than owners tend to assume. Past its labeled date, dry food’s fats can go rancid even in a sealed bag, and canned food risks bacterial growth once the seal is compromised, neither of which is reliably obvious from a quick look or sniff. The FDA’s own storage guidance is to keep dry food in a cool, dry place under 80 degrees Fahrenheit in its original bag and to promptly refrigerate or discard opened canned or pouched food. Buying large bags because they’re cheaper only pays off if you can realistically finish the bag well within its shelf life, not just before it looks obviously bad.