The Real Cost of Cheap Pet Food

A Simple Look at Why “Cheaper” Isn’t Always Better

We’ve all heard the saying, “You get what you pay for.” And while that’s not always true in every situation, when it comes to pet food, it tends to hit pretty close to home.

There’s a quote by John Ruskin that I come back to often:

“It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.”

When you apply that to pet food, it raises an important question:

Is your dog’s food actually doing the job it’s supposed to do—supporting their health?

Why are so many dogs struggling today?

More and more dogs are dealing with issues like weight gain, digestive problems, itchy skin, allergies, and chronic inflammation. And while there’s rarely one single cause, diet plays a much bigger role than most people realize.

Many dogs are eating highly processed foods every single day. These foods are designed to be affordable, shelf-stable, and convenient—but not necessarily to support long-term health.

In fact, many ultra-processed pet foods are formulated to meet only a dog’s minimum nutrient requirements. And sometimes, they don’t even consistently achieve that. Meeting minimum standards on paper doesn’t always mean nutrients are well absorbed, biologically appropriate, or supportive of optimal health.

What’s the difference between cheap food and nourishing food?

Most budget pet foods are ultra-processed. They’re cooked at very high temperatures, often multiple times, which strips away natural nutrients. To compensate for these losses, synthetic vitamins and minerals are added back in.

High-heat processing can also create compounds called advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which are linked to inflammation in the body. Some low-cost ingredients—such as poorly sourced grains—can also come with concerns like mycotoxins.

On the other hand, minimally processed diets—like raw, freeze-dried, air-dried, or gently cooked foods—tend to keep more of their natural goodness intact. These diets are often:

• Easier to digest
• Rich in natural phytonutrients
• Better sources of omega-3 fats
• More supportive of gut, skin, and immune health

Many pet parents notice improvements in stool quality, skin and coat health, energy levels, and overall well-being when they switch to higher-quality food.

The “cheap food” trap

One reason ultra-processed pet food is so appealing is the price. Some foods can feed a medium-sized dog for less than a dollar a day.

But let’s pause for a moment.

Would we be comfortable feeding ourselves on food that costs less than a cup of coffee per week?

While cheaper food may save money upfront, it often leads to higher costs down the road—more vet visits, long-term medications, and the emotional stress of managing chronic health issues that might have been preventable.

Think of food as health care, not a bill

Pet food isn’t just another household expense. It’s one of the most powerful tools we have to support our dog’s health every single day.

Paying a little more for better-quality nutrition can mean:

• Fewer digestive issues
• Healthier skin and coat
• Better weight management
• A stronger immune system
• Fewer health problems later in life

As John Ruskin warned, paying too little often ends up costing more in the long run.

How to choose wisely

You don’t have to feed the most expensive food on the shelf to do right by your dog. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s making informed choices.

Look for:

• Better-quality ingredients
• Less aggressive processing
• Nutritional balance that suits your dog’s individual needs

Even small upgrades—like mixing in fresher foods or choosing a less processed option—can make a meaningful difference over time.

Final thoughts

Cheap pet food can look like a bargain, but the true cost often shows up later in your dog’s health.

Choosing better food is an investment in your dog’s comfort, vitality, and quality of life. And in the end, most pet parents agree—it’s worth it to give our dogs the healthiest, happiest life we can.