Buying groceries for all your two-legged family members can already feel like a burden. And some dog food is pricey — very pricey. You could feasibly spend more feeding Fido than you do to feed yourself.
People have dramatically different takes on what’s appropriate.
Some pet parents wouldn’t consider giving their beloved fur baby anything but the hyped-up best: premium, organic, grain-free, the full works.
Others follow a simpler philosophy — more like “If he’ll eat it, it’s dog food.”
Personally, I fall somewhere in between. Although my greyhound, Odin, doesn’t get Cheetos (unless he’s at my parents’ place — STOP IT, DAD), his kibble is mid-range and reasonably priced at about $20 for a 15-pound bag.
But this raises the question: How much should you invest in dog food?
Is pricey dog food justified?
As Savinliers, we aim to spend as little as possible on dog food (and our own) while not sacrificing safety or quality. After all, living well is the whole idea of being thrifty, and that extends to our four-legged pals, too.
So how inexpensive can you go while still feeling confident you’re doing what’s best for Shadow?
“There’s no single easy answer,” said Dr. Susan Wynn of BluePearl Veterinary Partners.
“Like people, dogs are genetically unique, so what’s fine for one might not be suitable for another.”
When choosing food for your dog, Wynn advises checking the label for a statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which informs owners about the product’s intended use.
“If the label includes the phrase ‘complete and balanced nutrition’ and matches your dog’s life stage, it’s probably a reasonable starting pick, regardless of price,” Wynn said.
She also pointed out that, generally, higher-end — and pricier — foods tend to contain more essential fatty acids and other nutrients.
But even reputable, premium brands have experienced safety recalls.
Kelly Smith, a former intern at Savinly, was feeding her dog Wrigley a well-regarded brand when he fell seriously ill. Her veterinarian suspected the food could have at least partly contributed — despite the steep price.
If you look into it, it’s not all that surprising, sadly.
Although a major pet food safety catastrophe in 2007 essentially sparked the premium pet food movement, even these newer, costly brands — promoted to reassure owners willing to pay extra — often failed to deliver on their promises.
And this concern about pet food safety doesn’t appear to be disappearing anytime soon.
New companies keep emerging, attempting to soothe anxious fur-parents’ worries. But pet food ultimately falls under FDA oversight, an agency whose limited funding is well-known. With ongoing safety problems in even human foods in the U.S., it’s tough to expect pet owners to enjoy complete peace of mind.
You can consult resources like Dog Food Advisor to review the full nutrition facts and ingredients of your dog’s food, and to check how many recalls a given brand and formula has had.
Given that safety problems in pet — and human — food may not be entirely avoidable at the moment, it might not be sensible to blow a large chunk of your budget on one bag of kibble.
Wynn recommends observing your dog rather than obsessing over packaging and ingredient lists.
“The clue is in the coat and skin,” she said. “If the coat looks dull, greasy or your dog has flaky skin, it’s time to switch.”
But if your pet’s coat looks healthy and his behavior and activity level haven’t shifted, you’re probably fine. Even lower-tier dog foods that include fillers still tend to be more nourishing than the junk food we sometimes eat, she noted.
“It’s not like a Twinkie,” Wynn added. “These foods are still complete and balanced.”
Buy the best you can afford — but don’t panic if it’s not premium
The bottom line? Purchase the best dog food you can reasonably afford, but don’t assume a higher price tag automatically means a superior product.
The industry’s track record doesn’t support a straightforward dollars-to-quality relationship, which is disappointing in one respect, but liberating in another. Pet food choices can be confusing and fraught, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to feel confident you’re nourishing your companion well!
Of course, monitor your dog and be willing to reassess. His nutritional needs may evolve as he gets older, Wynn notes.
That part shouldn’t be difficult, since spending time with your pet is the whole point!
Just keep an eye on his coat, appetite and energy, and make sure to keep those annual vet visits, which are a great time to raise any diet-related questions.
One thing that’s certain? You probably want to keep your dog out of the trash — if only to save yourself the cleanup.
Jamie Cattanach’s work has also appeared at The Write Life, Word Riot, Nashville Review and elsewhere. Say hi to @JamieCattanach on Twitter.
