Feeding a high-quality kibble can get pricey, BUT it doesn’t have to break the bank! A big selling point in cheap kibble is the low price (and it’s low for a reason). While low-quality food may seem cheaper, it contains fillers, requires larger serving sizes, increases issues like allergies, increases the risk of cancer and hip & joint issues (ETC), and results in greater waste because of the lack of nutrients. If you aren’t aware of the basics when it comes to a high-quality kibble, you can read about it here: Good vs. Bad Food.
I’ve spoken with many people that refuse to switch to higher-quality kibble due to a restricted budget. When you start to feed a food with no cheap fillers, most people assume that the price you pay skyrockets; that doesn’t have to happen. The price does vary depending on brands and proteins, but the reason for a higher price is because high-quality food has more protein and less filler, so you don’t have to feed as much, but you’ll also see better poops, less shedding/dandruff, enhanced skin and coat, and better overall health. Giving your pet a better diet can be easy and cost similar to the low-quality price points. Don’t believe me? Check out the price comparisons of some common low-quality kibble and some high-quality ones!
The Differences
Low-Quality
- Includes corn, wheat, soy, by-products, dyes, and synthetic preservatives
- Increased issues like allergies, GI, and behavior troubles, ETC.
- Lacks proper nutrition
- Requires a larger serving size
High-Quality
- No corn, wheat, soy, by-products, dyes or synthetic preservatives
- Helps to improve issues like allergies, GI, and behavior troubles, ETC.
- Meets proper nutrition needs
- Smaller serving size meaning the bag will last longer while feeding the correct amount
Price Comparisons
Here are a couple popular low-quality brands (not all of them) and their prices compared to high-quality brands. Most of these can be found on Chewy. The reason you don’t see Kibble n’ Bits, Meow Mix, Pedigree, or Ol’ Roy (and other similar cheap brands) on this list is because they should upgraded to ANY other brand, even the low-quality kibble is a step above those!
Here are 2 important things to remember! Buy the right size bag for your pet. You might think that buying a 20 lb bag for a 10 lb pet would be efficient; however, when you open the bag, the food starts to oxidize, so the nutrients slowly lose their potency. When storing the kibble, DO NOT dump the kibble into a plastic container. The plastic sucks all the nutrients out of the kibble (this is why the sides get grimy/greasy). Grab a chip clip and roll the bag down, then place it in a container. Since kibble is processed, this applies to low AND high-quality food!
Low-Quality Large Bags (Dog)
Iams – $41.99
Hills Science Diet Adult- $80.99
Taste of The Wild Fish- $58.99
Blue Buffalo Puppy – $69.99
Hill’s Science Diet Kidney/Renal (Prescription needed) – $135.99
Royal Canin Gastrointestinal (Prescription needed) – $114.99
Low-Quality Small Bags (Cat)
Royal Canin Adult – $23.99
Iams Adult – $10.99
Blue Buffalo Wilderness – $22.99
Purina Pro Plan – $16.99
Royal Canin Hairball – $28.99
Hill’s Science Diet Kidney Care (Prescription needed) – $41.99
High-Quality Large Bags (Dog)
Fromm Choice – $45.99
Nulo Adult – $84.99
Inception Fish – $59.99
NutriSource Puppy – $66.99
Square Pet Low Phosphorus (No-prescription needed) – $104.99
Square Pet Low Fat (No-prescription needed) – $94.99
High-Quality Small Bags (Cat)
Fromm 4 Star – $20.99
Fussie Cat Chicken & Turkey – $14.99
NutriSource Select – $23.99
Fromm Indoor – $19.99
Nulo Hairball – $25.99
Farmina N&D Urinary – $38.99
Other ways to boost their bowl
I’m all about meeting pet parents where they’re at, so if switching kibbles or even going raw just isn’t in the cards for you, you have more options! Enhancing their bowl is great for picky eaters, adding more protein, boosting mealtime stimulation, etc. So here are some simple additions that boost your pets’ health without changing their base food.
PS… If you want to know more about simple additions then check out my page So Simple But So Good!
