Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

Is it cheaper to make your own dog food? What you need to consider before making the switch

PawTracks
By

Nothing is more comforting than a home-cooked meal, so why should humans get to have all the fun? If you’ve been looking into all the facts regarding homemade dog food, you need to consider each crucial factor before you transition your dog from a store-bought to a home-cooked diet. You might have been wondering whether you can actually create a healthier, more personalized concoction for your dog. And the answer is yes. Yes, you can assemble your very own dog food at home, saving you trips to the store in lieu of healthier, fresher food. But is making dog food cheaper than buying it? Let’s find out about preparing dog food at home and how costs compare.

British Bull Dog Eating from Dog Bowl
Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock

How do you make your own dog food?

Before making a choice as to whether making your own dog food is cheaper than buying it, it’s important to know what ingredients and supplies are needed to make dog food. What’s great about homemade dog food is that it can be personalized just to you and your dog’s needs. So, while exact ingredients will vary, dog food made at home typically contains some combination of cooked protein, vegetables, and whole grains.

Recommended Videos

Note that just like commercially-produced dog food, homemade dog food must have certain nutrients in order for your dog to maintain a healthy, balanced diet.

  • Popular, nutrient-dense proteins often used in homemade dog foods are ground lean beef, turkey, and lentils.
  • Among the vegetables you might use are broccoli, carrots, and sweet potatoes.
  • And some of the whole grains that are commonly found in dog food made at home are brown rice, oatmeal, and quinoa.
  • Fruits, herbs, and healthy fats should also be added in moderation in dog food.

No matter what foods you cook together to make meals for your dog, there are a few health and safety guidelines you should keep in mind. Dogs have different nutritional requirements than humans do. But similar to humans, junk foods are also unhealthy for dogs and should not be fed to them. It is important that your dog is only ever fed unseasoned, thoroughly-cooked, boneless meats. Many spices that are fine for humans can be dangerous or even deadly to dogs. The same goes for a variety of other human foods, so before throwing any random ingredient into home-cooked dog food, do your research as to whether it is safe for dogs to consume. Bones might splinter inside of a dog, causing internal injury. Uncooked or undercooked meats may carry bacteria or viruses that can cause illness.

If you want to obtain more facts in relation to dog food concerns, do check out our guide regarding your dog’s tolerance for spicy food — just so you’re better informed before chucking that chili his way.

dog eating out of dog food bowl
Kabo/Unsplash

How do the costs of homemade and commercial dog food compare?

There is a wide range of costs associated with both home-cooked and mass-produced dog foods, largely based on quality. A 40-pound bag of dry kibble could run you $15, while that same sized bag of high-quality food could cost closer to $75. Wet dog food costs more, with the cheapest single-serving cans costing less than $1 and higher-end cans costing up to $3 each. However, this is excluding the cost of bones, treats, dental sticks, vitamin supplements, and other types of food you might give your dog throughout the day.

And the price of homemade dog food is also dependent on where you shop, as well as if you buy organic or not. But, generally, you can get the cost of it down to lower than $2 a day, which is far beneath the cost of feeding your dog a mixture of high-quality wet and dry foods.

Woman buying dog food
VLG/Getty Images

How do I decide whether to make the switch to homemade dog food or not?

As with any choice, you should weigh the pros and cons of each option. Commercial dog foods are required by law to meet certain nutrition standards, so when you purchase commercial dog food, you know your dog is getting all of the vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients they need.

Conversely, commercial dog food often contains preservatives and fillers that aren’t needed in freshly-prepared dog food. Plus, if your dog has health conditions, they may need particular combinations of nutrients or ingredients that just can’t be found in a commercial product. And if your dog has allergies to any common dog food ingredients, it might be easier for you to make dog food for them. But before making a decision, consult with your veterinarian as to your pet’s health and what types of homemade dog food, if any, are suitable to feed them.

Keeping your dog healthy doesn’t have to be frustrating. It is possible to feed them nutritious, delicious, home-cooked meals at a fraction of the price of commercially-made foods. Enjoy experimenting with the many recipes you can use if you go that route!

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
PawTracks
PawTracks
Seizures in dogs can be scary – this is what you need to do
How to help your dog if they have a seizure
Australian shepherd by brick wall

Witnessing a seizure can be jarring, especially if you never have before. You may feel scared and helpless if the person is a stranger at a restaurant or a friend or family member. What if that friend or family member is of the furry variety? The experience can take on new layers — you're supposed to care for and help a dog, but you have no idea what to do.

Your best bet is to call the vet if your dog has never had a seizure. Should the veterinarian's office be closed, an emergency hospital is equipped to handle seizures in dogs. If your dog is prone to seizures, your vet likely gave you instructions on what to do — follow them. However, perhaps you're in the lobby waiting for answers, trying to make sense of what happened. Alternatively, maybe you're a pet parent-to-be who wants to be prepared for anything and everything. This guide to seizures in dogs can help.

Read more
What can I give my dog for diarrhea? 5 simple remedies to treat an upset stomach
These are the ingredients and techniques you'll want to know if your dog has diarrhea
A golden retriever rests under a blanket, looking bored

Whether your pup suffers from chronic stomach upset or the occasional bout of irritation, diarrhea is never fun to deal with. There’s no good time for it, but unfortunately, it happens to us all every now and again — your dog included. You may notice your pup eating grass or other nonfood items if this is the case, but there's a good chance you'll notice loose and irregular bowel movements before anything else.
If you’ve been wondering, "What can I give my dog for diarrhea?" this one is for you. Read on for all the answers you wish you’d found earlier, from DIY remedies to helpful foods you may already have in your cabinet. Here’s how to treat canine diarrhea at home.

What can I give my dog for diarrhea? Foods and ingredients that can make a difference
No one wants to make an unnecessary trip to the vet’s office, especially your pup. Luckily, diarrhea on its own probably won’t need a checkup. Still, you should inform your vet before taking on some of these at-home remedies. Others, however, are as safe and simple as preparing a bland meal or two. Whatever you choose, be sure to keep an eye on your furry friend until they're back to normal.

Read more
Hot spots on dogs: What you need to know
This is how to get rid of hot spots and keep them away
Puppy scratches his ear on the sand

Finding hot spots on dogs can lead to outright panic. These sores can look — and feel — painful, not to mention scary. They also spread frequently until the underlying condition is properly addressed, sometimes with the aid of your vet and medication.

But don't stress too much if you find itchy hot spots on your canine's skin, since they're almost always fixable. With a little help from you and the dog doc, you'll have your pup back to 100% in no time.

Read more