6 Best Horse Treat Storage Containers For Freshness That Keep Pests Out
Keep horse treats fresh and safe from pests. Our guide reviews the 6 best storage containers with airtight, rodent-proof designs for ultimate protection.
You reach into the treat bag and pull out a handful of dusty, stale bits that your horse sniffs and then pointedly ignores. Or worse, you find tiny chew marks on the corner of the bag and know the barn mice have been feasting all week. Protecting your horse’s treats isn’t just about avoiding waste; it’s about safeguarding their health and keeping your feed room secure.
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Why Proper Treat Storage Protects Your Horse
The wrong storage container is an open invitation to problems. A simple plastic bag or open bin allows moisture in, which is the perfect breeding ground for mold and mycotoxins that can be incredibly harmful to a horse’s digestive and respiratory systems. Stale, unpalatable treats are the least of your worries when you’re dealing with potential colic or other health issues.
Pests are the other major threat. Mice, rats, and even raccoons are drawn to the sweet smell of horse treats and can chew through thin plastic or paper bags in minutes. Once they’re in, they contaminate the food with droppings and urine, spreading disease and making the entire supply unsafe. A secure container is your first and best line of defense against unwanted visitors in the feed room.
Proper storage also preserves the nutritional value and flavor of the treats. Exposure to air, light, and humidity breaks down vitamins and causes fats to go rancid, reducing the quality of what you’re feeding. An airtight, pest-proof container ensures that every treat you give is as fresh and safe as the day you bought it. This isn’t just about being tidy; it’s a fundamental part of responsible horse care.
Behrens Galvanized Can: Classic Rodent-Proof Pick
Get durable, rust-proof trash disposal with this 6-gallon steel can. It features a locking lid and is proudly made in the USA.
When your primary enemy is a rodent, nothing beats galvanized steel. The Behrens can is a barn classic for a reason: mice and rats simply can’t chew through it. Its simple, durable design with a tight-fitting lid makes it a fortress against pests.
The main advantage here is its sheer impenetrability. You can store a large bag of treats in one of these cans and have complete peace of mind that it’s safe from critters. The offset bottom keeps the can off the damp concrete floor, helping to prevent rust and condensation from forming underneath.
However, it’s important to understand its limitation: it is rodent-proof, but not airtight. The lid fits snugly but doesn’t create a vacuum seal. This means it won’t protect treats from humidity as effectively as other options, so it’s best for drier climates or for treats that will be used up relatively quickly. Think of it as a security vault, not a freshness preserver.
Vittles Vault: Top Choice for Airtight Freshness
![Gamma2 Vittles Vault Pet Food Storage Containers - Sealed Dog and Cat Food Storage Container, Fits up to 50lbs, Made in the USA - [14"L x 20"H]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41GP3rs5AzL._SL500_.jpg "6 Best Horse Treat Storage Containers For Freshness That Keep Pests Out 3")
If keeping treats perfectly fresh is your top priority, the Vittles Vault is the gold standard. These heavy-duty, food-grade plastic containers use a simple but brilliant screw-on lid with a gasket. You just spin the lid, and it locks down to create a completely airtight and watertight seal.
This airtight seal does two things exceptionally well. First, it locks out all moisture, preventing mold and keeping crunchy treats from getting soft and chewy. Second, it locks in the aroma, which not only preserves freshness but also makes the container less of a temptation for pests that hunt by smell. While a determined rat could eventually chew through plastic, the lack of scent makes it far less likely to try.
Vittles Vaults come in a huge range of stackable sizes, from small countertop versions to massive ones that can hold a 50-pound bag of feed. They are perfect for storing high-value pelleted treats, soft chews that can dry out, or anything you want to keep in peak condition for months. For anyone battling humidity in the barn, this is the definitive solution.
Tuff Stuff Muck Bucket with Lid for Bulk Storage
Sometimes you just need a big, tough, affordable container for a massive bag of carrot nuggets or hay cubes. The Tuff Stuff muck bucket, when paired with its heavy-duty lid, is a surprisingly effective solution for bulk storage inside a secure feed room. It’s not fancy, but it’s practical and incredibly durable.
This isn’t your first line of defense in a barn with a serious rodent problem. A determined pest could potentially chew through the plastic lid over time. However, if your feed room is already well-secured, a Tuff Stuff bucket provides excellent protection from dust, moisture, and casual pests. The sheer volume makes it ideal for horse owners who buy treats in bulk to save money.
The key is using it in the right context. It’s perfect for holding the 40-pound bag of treats you just bought from the feed store, keeping it contained and protected from barn grime. You can then scoop from it to refill smaller, more accessible containers. Think of it as a budget-friendly mini-silo for your treat supply.
OXO Good Grips POP: Easy Access Show-Day Treats
Not all treat storage needs to be a fortress. For the tack room, grooming stall, or travel trailer, you need something convenient, clean, and easy to use with one hand. The OXO Good Grips POP containers are a fantastic choice for this scenario.
Their defining feature is the push-button airtight seal. You press the button on the lid, and it pops up to serve as a handle; press it again, and it engages the silicone gasket to create an airtight seal. This design is incredibly convenient when you’re holding a lead rope in one hand and reaching for a reward with the other. The clear, BPA-free plastic lets you see exactly what’s inside and how much is left.
These are not meant for the main feed room. They are plastic and not designed to withstand a determined pest. But for keeping a smaller supply of "high-value" treats clean and fresh in a secure area like a tack trunk or trailer, they are perfect. They bring kitchen-level organization and freshness to your daily grooming and training routine.
IRIS USA Combo: Best for Multiple Treat Types
If you’re the kind of owner who keeps different treats for training, stretching, and just for fun, the IRIS USA storage combos are a game-changer. These systems typically feature a larger rolling bin on the bottom and one or two smaller, stackable, airtight containers on top. This setup is all about organization.
The beauty of this system is separation. You can keep your horse’s favorite peppermint-flavored treats in one container and alfalfa cubes in another, without the smells mingling. The snap-lock lids on the smaller containers are airtight, keeping everything fresh, while the larger bin is great for a bulk supply of a single type of treat or even a small bag of grain.
The included scoop and wheels on the larger bin are thoughtful, practical touches. You can easily roll the entire unit out for feeding time and have everything you need in one place. This is the ideal solution for the highly organized equestrian who likes to have a variety of rewards on hand.
Little Giant Steel Feed Bin for Large Quantities
For the ultimate in security and bulk storage, the Little Giant Steel Feed Bin is unmatched. This is a step up from a simple galvanized can, designed as a permanent, heavy-duty storage fixture. Made from tough, 20-gauge galvanized steel, it’s completely impervious to rodents, raccoons, and any other pest you can imagine.
What sets it apart is the design. A slanted, hinged lid with a latching mechanism makes it easy to scoop from, and the design helps keep moisture and pests out. These bins are designed to hold multiple 50-pound bags of feed or treats, making them perfect for a multi-horse barn or for someone who buys supplies for the entire season at once.
This is an investment, not a casual purchase. It’s heavy, requires a dedicated spot in your feed room, and is more than most people need for just treats. But if you store large quantities of expensive supplements or treats, or have a persistent and severe pest problem, this bin provides absolute, worry-free security.
Storing Homemade vs. Store-Bought Horse Treats
How you store your treats depends heavily on where they came from. Store-bought treats are commercially prepared with preservatives and are dehydrated to be shelf-stable. For these, your main goals are keeping out moisture and pests. An airtight container like a Vittles Vault or a pest-proof one like a Behrens can is usually sufficient.
Homemade treats are an entirely different story. They contain no preservatives and often have a much higher moisture content from ingredients like molasses, applesauce, or shredded carrots. Leaving homemade treats in a sealed, airtight container at room temperature is a recipe for mold. They will spoil in a matter of days.
For short-term storage (a few days), a container that allows for some air circulation, like a cookie tin with a loose lid, is better. For anything longer than that, homemade treats must be refrigerated in an airtight container or frozen. Always treat them like you would fresh baked goods for humans—they have a very short shelf life.
Ultimately, the best container is the one that solves your specific problem, whether it’s relentless mice, suffocating humidity, or the chaos of managing five different kinds of treats. Assess your barn’s environment and your horse’s needs, and invest in a storage solution that keeps treats fresh, safe, and ready for a well-deserved reward. Your horse, and your wallet, will thank you.
