Before You Fill the Bowl, Check Your Dog Food.

Here’s one of those reminders you probably never thought you needed: take a good look at your dog’s food before filling the bowl.

A local pet owner recently bought two bags of Purina Pro Plan from Russell Feed & Supply. About 10 days later, they noticed tiny white objects baked into the food. A closer look revealed what appeared to be larvae inside the bag.

The warning wasn’t shared to criticize Russell Feed & Supply. In fact, there’s no indication the problem started at the store. It was simply a heads-up for other pet owners to check their own bags.

The little unwanted guests appear to be pantry moth larvae, which can sometimes turn up in grain-based pet and animal feed. Heat and storage conditions somewhere along the way can contribute to the problem, and once pantry moths make their way inside your home, they can become an entirely different headache.

So before tonight’s scoop hits the bowl, give the bag a quick look. Check for larvae, webbing, or anything else that doesn’t belong. If you find something, seal the food, keep it away from your pantry, and contact the retailer or manufacturer.

It takes about 10 seconds to check. Your dog probably won’t appreciate the effort, but your pantry certainly might.