IF and that is a big HUGE "IF" there is any leftover dry it goes back in the storage bin. The only food I waste (and I hate it too) Is the food that is dry mixed with canned (Fern and Willow eat their food this way, and they tend to leave leftovers). But I found a new way to make use of it........the fosters are allowed to clean up their bowls......no waste. But before that I threw out a little food EVERY day. They won't eat it the next day. and the others don't need the extra calories after they finish their bowls.