We know that owning a pet is expensive. And we want to give our pets the best life possible, but also not spend more than necessary. Getting the right pet food for our beloved animals can be a challenge, because just like everything else we go shopping for, price doesn't tell the whole story. With this Q&A with Dr. Q. session, I hope to help clear some of that confusion.
In terms of pricing, I would separate pet foods into three categories. There are the high-end, premium foods (at a premium price), you'll usually find at vet offices and specialty pet supply stores. At most major pet supply retail chains, you'll find the mid-range pet foods, generally both in price and in quality. Then there are the cheaper brands, off-brands, or generic store brands you find at grocery stores or discount chain stores.
What makes for the difference in price? A big part of it is the ingredients. The proteins and nutrients in the food need to be digestible for your pet, so their bodies can process it and get the nutrition they need. Many higher-end foods will have higher quality ingredients and your animal will have less trouble digesting it. You may find they go to the bathroom a little less, because the food has more nutrient-packed ingredients and less filler. Lower-quality, cheaper pet food may have filler ingredients, that the animal will eat and feel full from, but they won't get the nutrition they need. Their coats may lack shine, and their bowel movements could be softer and more frequent, because the ingredients are less digestible and cause some distress.
To make things more confusing, unfortunately, ingredient quality is only part of the price equation. The rest is marketing! Popular brands may be more expensive solely because they're more in demand. You can only get so much from your own research though. If you have any concerns or confusion about what food is best for your pet, your vet will be able to give you more information about what food your furry loved ones need to thrive!