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Perhaps you’re preparing to adopt your first dog and wondering what to feed them. Or you might be concerned about controversies and questions involving big-name pet food manufacturers versus boutique brands. Maybe you’re just spending more than you’re comfortable with on your dog’s daily diet and you’re wondering if it’s worth it.
Any way you frame it, the core question is this: Is expensive dog food better than a budget brand? It’s a tricky subject without a definitive “right” answer. But we’re here to help you understand the issue and come to a dietary decision that works for you and your pup.
In this guide, you’ll learn whether budget food is always bad and if expensive food is always better. We’ll also cover what makes some dog food products so pricey and offer simple guidelines for choosing what to feed your pet.
Is Budget Food Bad for Dogs?
The term “budget” is subjective—what feels affordable to some dog parents might feel like a strain to others. When it comes to dog food, however, descriptors like “budget” and “cheap” are often used interchangeably. And therein lies the problem.
Calling something cheap implies that it’s not the best of the best. Just because a dog food product isn’t the best money can buy, however, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad. In fact, some of the traits associated with mass-produced “budget” foods are actually safer than those of more expensive boutique foods. But there are times when budget isn’t the right choice and specific low-cost foods that should be avoided.
Let’s explore what “budget” dog food typically involves and what that means for your dog.
Budget food is made in big batches
Many budget-friendly pet food brands from big-name manufacturers like Mars Petcare and Nestle Purina PetCare cook their foods in giant batches. They’ve got their formulas down to a science to ensure the dog food produced today is virtually indistinguishable from what hits pet store shelves six months from now.
While we humans might prefer a chef-prepared meal over a mass-produced TV dinner, our diets tend to be much more variable than our dogs’. Most dog parents feed their dogs the same thing every day—so that food needs to meet all your dog’s nutritional needs. That’s where big batches can actually make more sense nutrition-wise.
Commercial dog food companies formulate their products according to research-backed nutritional profiles established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). No matter the price point, any dog food product that carries an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy is considered “complete and balanced” by the FDA.
Budget food contains vague ingredients or by-products
Premium pet foods get the top-shelf stuff—the ingredients you wouldn’t balk at feeding your human family—while budget brands shop from the lower shelves. That’s what keeps the cost down for the manufacturer and for you as a dog parent.
Instead of boneless chicken breast, an inexpensive dog food formula might contain chicken by-product meal. Or vaguely named poultry meal. Budget brands also rely more heavily on nonspecific fat sources like fish oil or animal fat versus salmon oil or chicken fat.
In some cases, a specified source of protein or fat is important—like if your dog is allergic to a certain ingredient. But animal by-products aren’t unsafe or lacking in nutrition. They’re just what remains after the parts intended for human consumption are removed. Think meat trimmings and organs, not hooves, horns, and feathers.
Budget food is loaded with artificial additives
Pet food manufacturers often rely on additives to make budget-friendly products more appealing to pets (and their parents). Palatants like artificial flavoring make the food tastier for your dog, and artificial color makes it look more like meat, not the beige slurry it probably is. Cheap products also tend to use more preservatives.
Many additives used in pet food are considered natural and safe for pets. But some are iffy. If you opt for a budget food, it’s important to make sure it doesn’t contain those questionable additives that have been linked to negative health effects in pets.
When to avoid budget food
Just as you wouldn’t judge a book by its cover, don’t be too quick to judge a pet food by its price. Premium dog food is held to the same minimum standards for nutrition as cheap dog food. But if it doesn’t meet AAFCO standards, it’s best to keep shopping.
It’s also worth doing a little digging into the brand. Manufacturers of cheap pet food are still required to follow FDA regulations, so there’s no reason to assume they cut corners when it comes to quality or safety. An extensive history of recalls or consumer complaints, however, might reasonably influence you to choose a different brand.
Is Expensive Dog Food Better?
So if budget dog food isn’t always bad, is expensive dog food better as a rule? Not necessarily.
Some of the assumptions pet parents make about cheap pet food are valid. That said, some are less problematic than manufacturers of expensive dog food would have you believe. The pet food industry is like any other—manufacturers rely on marketing tactics to encourage consumers to choose their pricier product over a cheaper one.
The question is whether you’re really getting a better product when you spend more. Let’s explore some common assumptions about expensive dog food versus budget brands:
- More expensive dog food is made with higher-quality ingredients.
- It’s less processed or made in smaller batches.
- It spends less time in storage or is sent directly to the consumer.
- It contains nutrients or ingredients that promote specific health benefits.
- It’s formulated by an expert in veterinary nutrition.
Assuming a premium product checks all these boxes, the premium price tag might be justified. It’s wise to take marketing claims with a grain of salt, however. Learn how to read dog food labels and check out manufacturer websites to verify those claims.
If the brand advertises high-quality ingredients, for example, it’s reasonable to expect a certain degree of transparency about ingredient sourcing and processing methods from the manufacturers. If you like the home-cooked feel of a fresh dog food delivery service, find out how the food is processed and how quickly it goes from the manufacturing plant to your door.
Expensive dog food can be great when the price is reflected by research-backed recipe formulation, responsible ingredient sourcing, and a history of safety and customer satisfaction. That said, expensive dog food isn’t always the best choice and sometimes it can be dangerous.
Boutique brands, for example, often appeal to customers looking for novel proteins or unique formulations. If the recipes aren’t nutritionally balanced, however, or the products aren’t manufactured according to FDA standards, they could be harmful to your pup.
Plus, some dogs just prefer the taste of inexpensive dog food. Expensive dog food doesn’t do you or your dog any good if they won’t eat it or if their body can’t tolerate it.
Why Is Some Dog Food So Expensive?
It’s unwise to assume one dog food product is better than another simply because it’s more expensive. To do your due diligence, you must understand the factors that make premium dog foods pricey. With this knowledge in hand, you’ll be able to decide whether a top-shelf product is worth the price for you.
The following factors are key factors in dog food pricing:
Ingredients
Dog food made primarily with whole food ingredients rather than by-products cost more. Expensive dog food may include nutrient-dense whole grains instead of highly processed grains. Or it may rely on fruits and vegetables instead of synthetic nutrient supplements. Sustainably sourced and traceable ingredients are expensive, as are novel proteins like lamb and venison versus chicken and fish.
Processing methods
The easier the product is to make in large quantities, the cheaper it will be. Extruded kibble and canned dog food can be made quickly, but freeze-drying and air-drying processes take longer and require special equipment. Certain premium products, like raw dog food, may necessitate more rigorous safety and quality control standards than cooked products.
Shipping and storage
When a type of pet food has specific storage requirements, the cost of shipping and handling adds to the retail price of the product. For example, raw dog food and fresh cooked dog food need to be kept frozen or refrigerated. Products shipped directly to the consumer may be less expensive than products sold in stores—the retailer may increase the price to account for the cost of storing the product properly.
Therapeutic formulas
Prescription pet foods are formulated to address specific health problems ranging from diabetes mellitus to urinary health issues. In addition to following AAFCO minimum standards for nutrition, manufacturers are required to demonstrate the product’s effectiveness through extensive testing. This process is expensive, which is reflected in the price of the product.
Bottom Line: Do You Have To Feed Your Dog Expensive Food If You Want Them To Be Healthy?
What it really comes down to is whether your dog’s diet provides for their basic nutritional needs. As long as you’re feeding a product that meets AAFCO standards and your vet agrees it’s an appropriate option for your dog, there’s no reason to beat yourself up about choosing a dog food that fits your budget.
If your dog’s current diet is no longer affordable, it’s reasonable to consider a change. You might also need to switch things up if your dog no longer enjoys their food, if they’ve developed a health problem, or if they’re transitioning into a different life stage.
While the decision of what to feed your dog is ultimately up to you, keep your veterinarian in the loop. Your vet can help you determine when a dietary change might be needed. They can also suggest features to look for in a new dog food.
