Unlike many popular beliefs, not everything prepared at home is cheap or affordable. The same theory applies to dog food, where the homemade version is not usually more affordable than store-bought dog food. On the contrary, cooking at home for your pet may be more expensive than commercial maintenance diets, according to research from the NIH. 

While pet owners can consider using affordable ingredients to generate cost savings when comparing homemade vs. store-bought dog food, they must understand that preparing the food requires significant time and careful formulation to ensure the dog’s diet is complete and balanced. When achieving this goal, the costs of homemade dog food can increase overall. 

Cost Factors of Homemade Vs. Store-Bought Dog Food 

Ingredient Costs: The cost of homemade dog food relies heavily on the type and quality of ingredients used. While some specialized ingredients are expensive, purchasing in bulk is not always a cost-effective solution for a single dog. 

Commercial Dog Food Quality: When comparing homemade dog food to the most inexpensive commercial kibble, the homemade version may seem more expensive. However, if you compare the food to the mid-range or therapeutic variety, homemade dog food becomes more affordable in terms of ingredients. 

Time and Effort: Preparing home-cooked food for dogs requires time for shopping for ingredients, preparation, cooking, portioning, and storage. On the contrary, purchasing commercial dog food only requires a visit to the nearest supermarket or grocery store. 

Nutritional Completeness: To prevent health issues in your pet, you must ensure the homemade food is nutritionally complete and balanced. To achieve your goal, you must add specific supplements and vitamins that add to the overall cost. 

Therapeutic Vs. Maintenance Diets: Homemade dog foods appear to be more affordable than specialized commercial therapeutic diets but are often more expensive than regularly available for commercial dog foods. 

Understanding Your Pet’s Nutritional Needs 

Before focusing on cost savings, it is helpful if you understand what your dog needs nutritionally. Dogs are omnivores, meaning they thrive on a balanced diet with proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fats, and minerals. Their specific requirements vary according to their size, age, activity level, health conditions, and other factors. Below are some crucial components of your dog’s diet. 

1. Proteins: Proteins are essential for muscle development and overall health. High-quality meat such as chicken, beef, and fish should be staples of a dog’s diet. 

2. Carbohydrates: for energy, dogs need carbohydrates provided by sources like grains, brown rice, oats, and vegetables such as sweet potatoes. 

3. Fats are essential for healthy skin and coating, as well as for nutrient absorption. Fish or flaxseed oil provides a source of healthy fats. 

4. Vitamins and Minerals: These are critical for various bodily functions. Dogs specifically need calcium for bone health because they do not absorb it from the food efficiently as humans do. 

When comparing the costs between homemade vs. store-bought dog food, we must consider the nutritional requirements of dogs before comparing them with kibble. 

Cost Analysis: Homemade Vs. Store-Bought Dog Food 

Here, we break down the cost of homemade dog food vs. kibble to determine the costs of feeding both options to your dog. 

Homemade Dog Food Costs 

Preparing dog food at home for your pet undoubtedly offers flexibility in ingredients and is also more economical than purchasing commercial premium dog food. Below is a rough breakdown of the costs associated with making a simple, homemade, affordable dog food recipe for a 30-pound dog. 

• ¼ Pound skinless chicken $ 0.79 

• 1 cup cooked brown rice $ 0.14 

• 1 piece and carrots $ 0.23 

• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil gel $ 0.03 

• Calcium Supplements $ 0.50 per serving; also, prices may vary. 

The total cost for the meal per serving works out to $ 1.69. If you provide your dog with the same feed daily, the monthly cost would be around $50.70 per month. 

Cost of kibble 

In contrast, the prices of kibbutzle can vary significantly depending on the brand chosen. Below is a quick comparison. 

Low-end kibble costs approximately $15 for a 15-pound bag, which works out to $ 1 per pound. 

Mid-range kibble costs about $25 per bag or $1.60 per pound. 

Higher-range kibble costs $40 per 15 pounds, resulting in a cost of $2.67 per pound. 

With a thirty-pound dog consuming 1.5 cups of kibble daily, the monthly costs could range from $ 45-$80 based on the quality of kibble selected. 

Feeding method	Summary of costs	Monthly costs
Homemade dog food	$ 1.69 per day	$ 50.70 per month
Low-end kibble	$1.00 per day	$30.00 per month
Midrange kibble	$ 1.67 per day	$50.00 per month
High range kibble	$ 2.67 per day	$80.00 per month

The analysis above might indicate that homemade dog food is much cheaper than high-end kibble, especially if you manage to purchase ingredients at reasonable prices and prepare the food in bulk. 

Pros and Cons of Homemade Dog Food Vs. Commercial Dog Foods 

While costs are significant factors that help decide between homemade and commercial brands, it is equally essential to consider the advantages and downsides of both options. 

Pros of Homemade Dog Food 

1. Ingredient Control: You are aware of what precisely goes into your dog’s food, making it easy for you to avoid fillers, preservatives, and other harmful ingredients. 

2. Customization: You can tailor homemade dog food to your pet’s specific requirements, accommodating allergies or dietary restrictions. 

3. Ingredient quality: You have the option to select fresh, high-quality ingredients that are often nutritious, unlike some commercial brands. 

4. Cost savings in the long run: while there are upfront costs to budget homemade dog food recipes, you save bills related to diet-induced health issues over time. 

Cons of Homemade Dog Food 

1. Time-Consuming: preparing homemade dog food needs time for planning, cooking, cleaning, and shopping. 

2. Nutritional imbalance: You may encounter challenges in ensuring a balanced diet that avoids deficiencies or excesses if not done correctly. Consultations with a veterinarian or pet nutritionist are recommended. 

3. Storage: The affordable dog food recipes you prepare have a short shelf life, indicating they require proper storage to prevent spoilage and become more expensive than you imagine. 

Transitioning: Tips for Pet Owners 

When considering a transition from commercial dog foods to budget-friendly homemade dog food recipes, pet owners must be careful. Below are some tips they must follow for a smooth transition. 

1. Veterinarian Consultation: Before changing a dog  diet, it is crucial to consult with a veterinarian or a pet nutritionist to ensure you satisfy all your dog’s dietary needs. 

2. Starting slowly: gradually combine homemade dog food with your dog’s existing diet to avoid digestive problems. It allows your pet to adjust to the new diet. 

3. Balance: balance the meal by using various protein sources, carbohydrates, and vegetables to deliver a well-rounded meal. Supplements become necessary to fill any nutritional gaps. 

4. Prepare in batches: It’s helpful to consider preparing meals in batches and freezing them after dividing them into individual portions as a time-saver. 

5. Dog health monitoring: Keep an eye on your dog’s energy levels, weight, and overall health during the transition period. Adjust the ingredients and quantities as required. 

Final thoughts… 

Do you still think homemade dog food is more affordable than kibble or various other brands available on the market? The answer varies depending on several factors such as ingredient choices, your dog’s size, and dietary requirements. While homemade dog food recipes appear more economical than the higher-end kibble or other dog food versions, you must commit time to careful planning and ensure nutritional balance for your dog. By understanding the pros and cons of both options, you can make an informed decision by prioritizing your dog’s health and well-being over cost savings.