expired meat

[littleweasels]

My mom might be able to sometimes get expired meat from work. They usually throw it out so I dont see why they wouldnt let her take it. Anyway, how long can it be expired before it becomes inedible to ferrets and cats? The meat is kept in the fridge.

[luci]

If the meat is and has been FROZEN, then it's very likely going to be fine past the expiration date. If it's just been in the refrigerator you probably have less than a week before it'll go bad. When I take meat out of the freezer for my critters it needs to be eaten within 2-3 days or they won't touch it.

If you don't already know, always read the labels to make sure that the meat you are feeding is not enhanced with sodium, broth, salt, smoke, spices... whatever. Just plain old, unadulterated meat only.

[littleweasels]

It is kept in the fridge but they usually find it about 2-3 days after it has expired. Meat doesnt expire often, they usually eat ity before it does, but when it does expire there is 40-80 pounds of meat.

[Heather]

Expiration dates are for us....I quite often get meat that goes past expiration dates for the dog. Ferrets won't eat bad meat, at least none of my furbrats will and most people will tell you that theirs won't either. That doesn't stop them from creating fertjerky....which they cherish. I wonder sometimes if ferrets know approx how much bacteria they can tolerate and if some meats once dried drop in bacteria. Dogs will anything, in fact will bury it and let it age . I find that if the meat doesn't carry a strong odour or is slimy (gross) the ferrets will usually eat it. If it's not bad then they're allowed to give it a try. I rarely care about dates.
ciao

[sherrylynne]

Pretty much the same here If it smells rank, they won't touch it anyway. If it smells reasonably ok, they are normally fine with it.