Most dog parents think vet bills are just part of life. But what if one of the biggest drivers of those costs is hiding in plain sight, right in your dog’s food bowl? The connection between what dogs eat and how often they see the vet is stronger than most people realize.
Pet food marketing makes everything look healthy and irresistible. Bright bags. Big promises. Great prices. Every vet visit with my dog Henry seemed to circle back to the same topic about food, and that was my wake-up call.
Once I changed how I thought about dog food, everything else got easier, including my wallet. Let’s dig in and uncover the simple food strategy dog parents use to keep their dogs healthier and their vet bills lower.
Budget tip:
Cheap dog food can make your dog eat more and increase the amount you need to buy. It also can increasing the health risk of your dog to such issues as diabetes and even cancer along with feeding more. That means qualtiy dog food (the best you can afford) is a great win-win for your pup and your wallet!
NOTE: This post doesn’t endorse specific food as the so-called best dog food. Rather the goal is to show you what ingredients should be included in your pup’s diet and how it helps lower your overall expenses.
How do I know if my pup is eating good quality dog food?
Of course, you can always ask your vet for a nutritional evaluation. However, there are a few things to look for when it comes to dog food. It doesn’t matter if you feed dry dog food, wet food, fresh food homemade, or raw dog food. All these attributes should be adhered to in order to gain the biggest benefits from your dog’s diet.
Foremost, pure meat (no by-product) should be the largest ingredient and listed first if you feed a store-bought brand.
Additionally, peas and legumes in high quantities, often with grain-free diets, have been linked to heart disease. Moreover, my vet warned me about a grain-free diet with peas and legumes several years ago.
Since Henry is a smaller dog and a mixed breed he can be more prone to heart issues. Additionally, he already has a heart murmur. Thus, I don’t want to aggravate what he’s been dealt.
However, it should be noted that all dogs, not just small or large breed dogs, can be genetically predisposed to health issues such as heart disease.
With this said, I do know it can be confusing to try to analyze if your dog’s food is good or not. However, there is a great online tool by Pet Food Sherpa that will analyze store-bought and even fresh food homemade diets. It’s a very helpful tool! You can check it out here.
Are there ingredients I should avoid with my dog’s food?
Yes, there are a few ingredients you’ll want to steer clear of, especially if you are buying a store-brand dog food. These include:
| Ingredient | Damage to the liver, lungs, kidneys, blood, and reproductive system |
| BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) | Cancer |
| BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) | Damage the liver, lungs, kidneys, blood, and reproductive system |
| Ethoxyquin | Cancer, autoimmune issues, reproductive problems, and behavioral issues |
| Nitrates and nitrites (preservatives) | Vomiting and diarrhea as well as increases the risk of cancer |
| Propyl Gallate | Endocrine issues along with increasing cancer risks |
| Carrageenan | Inflammation and cell damage |
| MSG | Seizures |
| Sodium Hexametaphosphate | Heart issues |
| Sodium Tripolyphosphate | Brain damage |
| Corn Syrup | Diabetes and obesity |
| Xylitol | Fatal and terminal liver failure |
| Food dyes | Cell and brain damage along with cancer-inducing |
| Field peas, lentils, chickpeas, and legumes | May contribute to heart disease |
| Sweeteners | Diabetes and obesity |
| Meat meal and meat by-products (leftover bits and pieces of an animal) | Digestive issues |
| Propylene glycol | Toxic to pets |
| Rendered fats (melted-down animal fats) | Pancreatitis and obesity |
| Vegetable oil | Not really harmful, but not as beneficial as other oils, such as fish oil |
| Melamine (a type of plastic used as filler) | Fatal |
Is a grain-free dog food best for my dog?
Of course, always talk with your vet. However, a grain-free diet with a higher quantity of field peas, lentils, or chickpeas may cause heart disease. As I stated above, my vet steered away from a grain-free diet on Henry’s first visit.
What should I look for in good high quality dog food?
You want to look for an essential nutrient diet formula. These ingredients include:
| Ingredient | Benefits |
| Animal-based protein | Crucial for your dog’s growth, maintenance, reproduction, and cell repair. (This should be the biggest percentage of your dog’s food.) |
| Whole grains (such as brown rice, oatmeal, quinoa, millet, and barley) | Helps keep a dog feeling full, which helps with weight management. Additionally, whole grains also offer nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. |
| Vegetable carbohydrates (such as sweet potatoes and carrots) | Steady source of energy |
| Fruit carbohydrates (such as apples, blueberries, and cranberries) | Natural sugars along with fiber, vitamins, and minerals |
| Fats and oils (such as fish oil, canola oil, and flaxseed) | Provides energy, and also facilitates the absorption of certain vitamins, adds flavor to the food, and aids with skin and coat health. Additionally, fats such as omega fatty acids found in fish oil help joint health. |
| Fiber (such as beet pulp, pumpkin, sweet potato, and whole grains like barley, brown rice, and oats) | Aids in digestive health |
Additionally, if you are buying a store brand check, make sure there is a statement from the Association of American Feed Control Official (AAFCO) stating that it meets the nutritional needs of your dog.
Are probiotics good for my dog?
Yes! Probiotics help with digestion as well as aid with the absorption of various vitamins and minerals.
However, there are times I give Henry separate probiotics, such as when he’s sick or just not feeling good. These are the probiotics I use for Henry as needed. He LOVES the taste, and it helps to keep him healthy!
Should high quality dog food have added vitamins and minerals?
Most vitamins and minerals can be derived from natural ingredients. However, if a food is listed as “complete and balanced,” it may have added vitamins and minerals to reach this level designated by AAFCO.
What vitamins are good to have in my dog’s food?
There are several vitamins and minerals that have great benefits for dogs. These include:
| Vitamin | Benefit |
| Vitamin A | Eye health (Carrots are loaded with vitamin A.) |
| Thiamine | Energy regulation and metabolizing of carbohydrates |
| Riboflavin (B12) | Enzyme functions |
| Vitamin B6 | Glucose, red blood cells, nervous system, immune system, niacin, and gene functions |
| Pantothenic acid | Energy |
| Folic acid | Metabolic and blood functions |
| Vitamin C | Inflammation and cognitive health. Additionally, Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which helps keep your dog healthy by protecting your dog from free radicals, which can damage your dog’s health. |
| Vitamin D | Bones and muscles |
| Vitamin E | Eye, muscle, and reproductive health. This is also an antioxidant. |
| Vitamin K | Blood clotting |
| Choline | Brain and liver health as well as can help some dogs with epilepsy |
What are the links between dog nutrition and health?
As pointed out, each ingredient in your dog’s food either aids or diminishes your furry friend’s health. Thus, quality dog food is truly the foundation for your dog’s health.
Moreover, dog food rich in nutrients and good ingredients helps your pup’s digestion, heart, brain, cellular, and immunity health.
However, if you are tempted to buy that colorful bag on sale remember it’s filled with by-products, and additives can easily lead to obesity, heart disease, immunity problems, digestive issues, cancer, and even a shorter lifespan.
How does high quality dog food cut my expenses?
Basically, if you feed your dog a cheap dog food it’s equivalent to you eating HoHos, macaroni and cheese, fast food, or even ice cream for every meal. Sure, it might taste great, but the health effects are horrible! It’s the same for your dog.
Thus, great dog food will help keep your dog healthy and avoid more vet bills. Additionally, your dog won’t eat as much high quality food as junk dog food, which also decreases your food bill.
As such, consider the following for a moment:
| Health issue | Savings |
| Heart disease | $2,500 – 5,000 |
| Cancer risk | $10,000+ |
| Arthritis from obesity | $200 – 2,500+ |
| Lower yearly vet bills | BEYOND MEASURE!!! |
| Shorter lifespan | HEARTBREAKING!!! |
Related articles:
- Is A Dog Home Allergy Test Worth The Money?
- Yes! Ideal Dog Weight Shape Saves Money
- Quick Help: Benefits of Online Vet Advice
- Do You Know The Easy Way Pumpkin Can Cut Dog Costs?
- How Can Fish Oil Cut Dog Costs?
- Vet Extends A Dog’s Lifespan For Free!
Quality Dog Food Benefits: Health and Finances
I know it can be tempting to fall for a dazzling commercial, fancy bag, or good sale. But when you consider what that junk dog food actually means, it just isn’t worth it. I know for me I want Henry to live forever!
As such, I won’t feed him junk, even if he thinks he wants it. Healthy dog food helps him maintain better health and avoid more pricey vet bills. That’s all fabulous! Thus, it’s a no-brainer for me with Henry. He’ll always get good quality dog food.
