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Frozen canned dog food #924060

Asked January 30, 2026, 8:31 AM EST

Fed Ex delivered my canned dog food frozen. 48 cans so that should last 48 days. It has thawed. I’m afraid it will be spoiled and poison my dog. So I need your advice. Is thawed previously frozen canned dog food safe to eat.

Columbia County Oregon

Expert Response

I'm sorry to hear about the shipping problem with your dog food. My first recommendation would be to contact the seller and ask for their advice; however, generally, we want to avoid freezing canned food because the water in the can/food will expand as ice forms. If it expands too much, it can damage the seal on the container. If the seal is still intact, then the cans should be fine. 

If the food was canned in glass jars, then here is a video to help you check the seal: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PGIBY73D2xk

These are USDA's recommendations for canned foods that freeze accidentally:

Cans of food that freeze accidentally, such as those left in a car or basement in sub-zero temperatures, can present health problems. Frozen cans could swell because the food inside expanded when frozen. However, cans can be swollen because of contamination with Clostridium botulinum or spoilage-causing organisms. Do not use any swollen cans; discard them.

Also, discard frozen cans that are not swollen but have been allowed to thaw at 40 degrees F or higher. Cans that have thawed and refrozen are not safe.

A frozen can that has not thawed can be safely defrosted in the refrigerator and used. If the canned food is still frozen, let the intact can thaw in the refrigerator before opening. If the product doesn't look and/or smell normal, throw it out. Do not taste it!

If the product does look and/or smell normal, thoroughly cook the contents right away by boiling for 10 to 20 minutes. At altitudes below 1,000 feet, boil foods for 10 minutes. Add an additional minute of boiling time for each additional 1,000 feet elevation (for example, at 3,000 feet, boil for 12 minutes). Spinach and corn should be boiled for 20 minutes at all altitudes. This is due to the high density of these vegetables. Products can then be refrigerated or frozen for later use.

Thanks for using Ask Extension!
Joy
Joy Waite-Cusic Replied February 04, 2026, 12:25 PM EST

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