This is a guest post from Betsy Rosenfeld, who writes a blog called Love Thy Dog and just published a book, The Complete Single’s Guide to Dog Ownership.
When choosing a dog food, picking the more expensive bag may actually save you money in the long run!
Cheaper dog pet food is often bulked up with fillers that do add weight but don’t add nutritional value and can even compromise your pet’s health. I’m not just talking about the poison situation from the pet food crisis in 2007. I’m also talking about things like wheat and corn gluten that while not poisonous, are not a natural or needed part of a canine diet. And just like humans don’t do well eating tons of corn or wheat- think Oprah and Dr. Oz, and other anti-inflammatory diets- an excess of these ingredients can trigger expensive canine conditions too including allergies, skin conditions, eye and eye conditions and some experts think even cancer.
So be safe, and use the first five ingredients in a pet food as an indicator of the food’s nutritive value. The primary source should be a quality animal protein and not vegetable protein or grain. Avoid foods that list 2 or more grains in the first 5 ingredients.
You’ll be spending more per bag on a nutritionally dense food, but you may actually end up spending less on a cup by cup basis because these foods are more nutritionally dense so you’ll have to feed your dog less of it. To find out even more about the issue of pet food safety and value per cup visit DogFoodProject and or visit your local pet food store, I’m talking the mom and pop shop that doesn’t sell puppies. Their primary business is food (not puppies) and they will know the most about the different food options.
If you’re a little more adventurous consider a raw diet. My rescue partner feeds her dogs a diet based around turkey necks. This often discarded part of the bird is cheap and highly nutritious. Visit BarfWorld to find out how to healthfully start your pet on a raw diet!
A few good, nutritionally dense, high quality brands include: Evo, Merrick, and Innova. There are many more out there including a few such as Life’s Abundance which is only sold online. All dogs have their preferences and whichever dog food you choose be sure of a couple more things:
1. When changing your dog’s food, transition them slowly. Otherwise you can upset their stomachs and maybe cost you a trip to the vet.
2. Always include kibble or another crunchy item in their diet. This helps keep their teeth clean and dental disease in dogs can lead to big vet bills.
3. Feed your dog the right amount. Ask your vet and take into account your dog’s age and activity level. Not that you should be starving your dog, but I do feel it’s safer to err on the low side of the recommended serving. Companies are trying to sell more product after all and like their parents, we all need to take a look at portion control.
4. Not all dogs can eat all foods. If your dog isn’t reacting well to a food (constant gas is a good indicator,) don’t force the issue. Find a food that works!
Oh, and p.s. growing up I had a dog who lived to be 16 who ate vile looking Ken-L-Ration “burgers” that were the color of a basketball. Some dogs, often mutts, just have a strong constitution and can live eating the equivalent of spam every day of their lives. But if you love your dog like I love mine, I recommend not assuming you’ll be so lucky!
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
Very few people will follow this. The best solution is to have stuffed ones & not live ones – no clean up, no vet bills, no food bills, & they can be left alone with little attention. It’s enough to have kids, let alone living pets.
Animals enrich your lives. I use two really good kibbles for my cats & dogs. One is Azmira which is available at better pet stores. The other I have delivered to my home – it’s called Life’s Abundance. Check them out of the web. For raw pet food already packaged and ready to go, Harmony Farms in La Canada/Flintridge area can’t be beat. Great organic meats for people too.
Come on John, have you ever had a pet? You will find it will give you more joy then you will expect. Take it from a mom of 4 dogs and cats, 3 children and one husband!
The cost of pet food will outweigh the love and laughter you get from your pets! try it!
I am the happy owner of two small rescues. I have been feeding the first, a pom, Evo for some time, but it did not help her scratcy skin. I invested in BARF, and while she LOVES IT, she started putting on weight with the recommended amount. After contacting BARF, they suggested feeding her less, (from 3/4 patty to 1/2), but now she’s hungry all the time…dilemma! The second pooch, (Yorkie), was uncomfortable and developed bloody stools after feeding her Evo, so she’s back on a less protien-rich dry kibble.
I guess my point is, there is no absolute with dog food. The more expensive foods are NOT always the best for ALL dogs, but I agree that wheat and corn should not be in the first three ingredients. I think table scraps can do worse damage than less expensive foods. By the way, have you noticed that price of dog food has gone up $1-$2 per 7lb bag, lately??? Yikes!
Thanks, but that’s why I like my way & you like yours. I don’t disagree with your choice, but personally find animals much less fulfilling than people. If we all had he same ideas, things would get boring. I just resent it when people feel that everyone should have them & no choice. I mind my own business, but others seem to have problems.
Thank you for the great raw food article and info.
Great looking website.
Thank you
thanks for the news. My dog Yoshi is losing hair on the base of her tail. I’ll change her diet and see if that helps. a better choice than medicine.
I had many dogs in my life but that was years ago
when these better brands were not really
known. My dogs had many health problems
and my vets never told me about better pet foods
helping their problems.
Now I have a kitty and do feed her higher quality
foods and so enjoy her glossy coat, bright eyes,
high energy and love. She won’t eat raw but
something with more high quality meat rich
food. She wouldn’t eat Evo or innova but found
one she likes. I never give her treats or people
food and consequently she never begs for them
or won’t eat her regular because of wanting them.
Cats and dogs know how to manipulate!
Don’t spoil them with food but with other things
if your the softie kind like me.
plus very low vet bills! believe me I spent up to thousands
over the years with my dogs!
As an avid dog lover, I just wanted to say thank you.