Why does KatKin need to be stored in the freezer?
Our trays need to be stored in the freezer (defrosted in the fridge for serving) because our recipes are crafted from gently-steam-cooked, 100% human-quality meat and then frozen fresh to preserve their full nutritional value.
Unlike many cat foods designed to sit on shelves (which are cooked at high temperatures, laden with preservatives and engineered for long shelf life), our freezing process locks in flavour and nutrients without resorting to harsh processing.
We recommend keeping the meals frozen (they’ll stay fresh for up to six months) and defrosting only the needed amount in the fridge, so that each serving remains at peak quality when you feed it.
When your delivery arrives
Your KatKin trays will arrive frozen or cold to the touch. The wool insulation and ice packs mean that if the trays start to defrost en route, as long as they’re cold to the touch when you unpack them they’ll be safe to put straight into the freezer. We recommend popping 5 trays into your fridge to defrost.
Once you're home, double check that the trays are cold to the touch, as this indicates they remained at a safe temperature during transit. Each box is designed to keep the trays cold for up to 48 hours from when they're packed at our kitchen in Suffolk, ensuring food safety even if there are minor delivery delays.
Our boxes are packed the day before your delivery is due, and our boxes are designed to keep the trays cold until you arrive home.
How long can the trays be safely stored in the fridge and freezer?
The trays will be safe to keep in your freezer for up to 9 months (double check the best before date printed on the evening portion) or up to 5 days in the fridge. Once defrosted, an open tray will be fresh for up to 2 days. If any trays are slightly thawed upon arrival but are still cold, they can be safely refrozen because the food inside is already cooked. However, trays that are warm or at room temperature should be discarded - please always get in touch with our Cat Experts if you've received any thawed trays.
If your cat prefers smaller portions: If you open a tray and only feed a small amount, an open tray or plate of KatKin will be okay to keep in your fridge for up to 2 days.
Once thawed, we don't recommend putting trays back into the freezer. Additionally, thawed trays that have been warmed should not be refrozen, as this could compromise food safety.
Remember to transfer frozen trays from your freezer to the fridge as you use them up, so you always have a portion ready to serve to your cat. Trays take around 24 hours to defrost in the fridge, or less if you place them separately around your fridge (not stacked together, as this keeps them frozen for longer.)
Tip! If you’ve forgotten to defrost a tray and your cat is starting to sharpen their claws, don’t panic. Just pop an unopened portion in a bowl of hot water. The food will be completely soft and ready to serve to your cat in 15 minutes.
Once defrosted and ready to serve, you can warm the food slightly to around 37°C by microwaving it for about 15 seconds or adding some teaspoons of hot water. This enhances the natural smell of the meat, making it even more appealing to your cat.
Freezer space
A standard monthly plan of KatKin contains 28 trays, which takes up the same amount of space as around 2 loaves of bread.
If you’re short on freezer space and you won’t have enough room to store our standard monthly plan of 28 trays, you can switch to our Freezer Plan.This specialised plan reduces freezer storage needs by delivering 14 trays every 14 days. However, note that it may cost slightly more per tray due to increased packaging and delivery frequency.
To choose the Freezer Plan, navigate to your KatKin account settings and update your subscription preferences or read more about our different plans here. This plan is ideal for households with limited freezer space.
I've cancelled my subscription, but I have leftover trays - what can I do with them?
If you've cancelled your KatKin subscription but have leftover food, there are several options for you.
If you have unopened food still in the freezer:
Store the trays for later: Leftover KatKin trays can be frozen for up to 9 months. Double check the best-before date written on the 'evening' portion.
Pass on unwanted recipes to friends or family members with a cat - your cat's least favourite recipe could be your friend's cat's favourite! If they love the food, remember to share your referral link with them too.
Donate to a Shelter or Rescue centre: If you don't have the freezer space to store leftover trays, please consider donating unopened food to local cat shelters or rescue centres. Double check the shelter has freezer space to store the food beforehand.
Using Opened or Leftover Food
Transition Slowly for Your Cat: Trays in the fridge can be stored for up to 5 days. If your cat is struggling to transition, place a small amount of KatKin alongside their preferred food to introduce the smell and taste gradually.
Refrigeration Tips: Opened trays can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Dividing food into smaller portions at each mealtime can help reduce the amount that gets throw into the bin.