When it comes to buying dog food, a lot of pet owners choose the economy brand over premium dog food because the latter is definitely more expensive. But did you know that buying premium dog food will actually save you more money in the long run?
Nutritional Value
Premium dog food has more essential nutrients than the economy brands. So for your dog to receive the equal amount of nutrition using economy dog food, you’ll have to spend more money to get more bags of food. Typically, a premium dog food brand contains about 3-5% more fat and crude protein than a cheap bag of dog food. The suggested servings of premium brands are about 1 and 3/4ths cup per day, whereas an economy brand suggests three and 3/4ths cup each day.
Lower Vet Bills
A major benefit your dog will receive from eating premium dog food is that your veterinary bills drastically drop. The food your dog eats will show in his overall health, and dog owners report that their pets showed more energy and higher resistance to disease and health problems when they switched to premium dog food. A healthier dog will also need less medical attention. A dog owner reported paying around $1,400 in veterinary bills because his dog developed problems from eating cheap dog food. After surgery and a switch to premium dog food, the dog’s energy levels increased, his arthritis was given relief, and his formerly dull coat became shiny and healthy. As the old proverb goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth the pound of cure.” By not being thrifty about your dog’s food, you’re actually protecting your dog from debilitating illnesses. It’s better to spend a couple more dollars on expensive dog food than to pay for hundreds in vet bills later on.
Let Your Pet Decide
If you’re still undecided about switching dog food brands, you could try a little experiment. Get a small bag of premium dog food and mix it together with your dog’s older brand in increments. Afterwards, feed your dog only the premium dog food and observe his overall health. Does he run around and play more than he used to? Is his coat shinier and more luxurious? If you don’t notice a significant change, you can slowly switch back to his former brand—but you might not want to do that after seeing positive results.