The True Cost of Cheap Pet Food: What You're Really Paying For

Šapice Pet Wellness
2026-04-05T08:10:04-04:00

The cheapest pet food on the shelf isn't really cheap — the savings show up later as vet bills. Here's what low-quality pet food actually contains, what it does to your pet over time, and how to make better choices without spending a fortune.
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The bag of dog food at the bottom of the shelf is tempting. It's a fraction of the price of the premium options beside it, the dog on the packaging looks healthy and happy, and the label says "complete and balanced nutrition." So what's the difference?

Quite a lot, as it turns out. And the gap between cheap pet food and quality pet food isn't just about ingredients — it shows up in your pet's health over time, and eventually in your vet bills.

Why Is Cheap Pet Food So Cheap?

Pet food pricing reflects ingredient cost, and ingredient cost reflects quality. Budget pet foods achieve their price point through a combination of:

Low-grade protein sources — "meat by-products," "poultry meal," and "animal digest" are legal pet food ingredients that can include beaks, feet, feathers, and other parts with minimal nutritional value. They're cheap because they're the parts of the animal that can't be sold for anything else.

High cereal and grain filler content — corn, wheat, and soy are inexpensive calorie sources that bulk out the food without providing meaningful nutrition for a carnivore. They also contribute to the high carbohydrate content that is increasingly linked to obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory conditions in dogs and cats.

Artificial preservatives, colours, and flavours — used to extend shelf life and make the food palatable enough that animals will eat it despite the low-quality base ingredients. Some of these additives — BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin — have raised welfare concerns in multiple jurisdictions.

Minimal quality control — budget manufacturers typically source ingredients from the cheapest available supplier at any given time, meaning the formulation can vary significantly between batches.

None of this is hidden. It's all on the label — if you know how to read it.

What Does Poor Nutrition Actually Do to a Pet?

The effects of a low-quality diet don't usually show up immediately. They accumulate over months and years, and by the time they're visible, they've often been developing for a long time:

Skin and coat problems — dull coat, excessive shedding, dry or flaky skin, and chronic itching are among the most common signs of nutritional deficiency. The skin is the body's largest organ and one of the first to reflect dietary quality.

Digestive issues — loose stools, excessive gas, and inconsistent digestion are often directly linked to low-digestibility ingredients and high grain content. A pet producing large volumes of stool is a pet that isn't absorbing much of what it's eating.

Low energy and poor muscle condition — inadequate protein quality leads to muscle loss over time, particularly in senior pets. A dog that seems "slowing down with age" may simply be undernourished.

Dental disease — high-sugar, high-starch diets accelerate plaque and tartar buildup, contributing to dental disease that affects the majority of dogs and cats over three years old.

Obesity — calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods leave pets hungry despite adequate caloric intake, driving overeating. Obesity in pets is directly linked to joint disease, diabetes, heart disease, and shortened lifespan.

Immune dysfunction — the gut microbiome, which is central to immune function, is directly shaped by diet. A diet high in fillers and low in quality protein and fibre produces a less diverse, less resilient microbiome.

The Vet Bill Calculation

This is where the economics of cheap pet food become clearer. The money saved on food doesn't disappear — it often reappears as veterinary costs.

Dental cleanings, skin and allergy consultations, digestive investigations, weight management programs, joint supplements for obesity-related arthritis — these are among the most common reasons Canadian pet owners visit the vet, and all of them have a meaningful dietary component. A pet eating a high-quality diet from puppyhood or kittenhood is statistically less likely to need many of these interventions.

This isn't a guarantee. Genetics, environment, and luck all play a role. But diet is one of the few variables you can control directly, every single day. For more on managing the financial side of pet ownership, see: Is Pet Insurance Worth It for Canadian Pet Owners?

How to Evaluate Pet Food Quality

You don't need to be a nutritionist to make better choices. A few simple rules cover most of the ground:

Named protein sources first — "chicken," "salmon," or "lamb" as the first ingredient is a good sign. "Meat by-products" or "poultry meal" as the first ingredient is not.

Short, recognizable ingredient lists — the fewer ingredients you can't pronounce or identify, the better.

No artificial preservatives — look for natural preservation (mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract) rather than BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin.

Appropriate protein percentage — dogs are omnivores with a strong carnivore bias; cats are obligate carnivores. Both need protein as the primary macronutrient, not carbohydrates.

Country of manufacture — Canadian-made pet food is subject to Canadian Food Inspection Agency oversight. Knowing where your pet's food is made matters.

The Role of Treats and Supplements

Diet isn't just the main meal. Treats, chews, and supplements are part of the nutritional picture, too — and the same quality principles apply. A single-ingredient natural chew made from Canadian-sourced protein is a fundamentally different product from a brightly coloured treat made from corn starch and artificial flavouring, even if both are marketed as "dog treats."

The cumulative effect of daily treat choices adds up over a pet's lifetime in the same way that daily food choices do. Choosing treats that contribute something — dental benefit, joint support, gut health, protein — rather than just calories, is a straightforward way to improve your pet's overall nutritional intake without changing their main diet.

Our Nutritional Care collection is built around exactly this principle — every product chosen because it contributes something meaningful to your pet's health, not just because it's palatable.

Does Quality Pet Food Have to Be Expensive?

Not necessarily. The most expensive option isn't always the best, and there are quality foods at a range of price points. The key is understanding what you're paying for — and recognising that the cheapest option almost always achieves its price point by cutting corners that matter.

Feeding a slightly smaller quantity of a higher-quality, more digestible food often costs less than it appears, because your pet is actually absorbing more of what they eat. A pet that's well-nourished also tends to eat more consistently and predictably, without the constant hunger that drives overeating on low-quality diets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cheap dog food bad for dogs?

Not immediately harmful in most cases, but consistently poor nutrition accumulates over time. The effects — coat quality, digestive health, weight, dental health, and immune function — tend to become visible over months and years rather than days. The long-term cost in veterinary care often exceeds the short-term savings on food.

What ingredients should I avoid in pet food?

The main ones to watch for are generic "meat by-products" or "animal digest" as primary protein sources, artificial preservatives (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin), artificial colours and flavours, and high proportions of corn, wheat, or soy as primary ingredients in a food marketed for carnivores.

How do I know if my pet's food is good quality?

Start with the ingredient list. Named protein sources (chicken, salmon, beef) should appear first. The list should be relatively short and composed of recognizable ingredients. Check the country of manufacture and look for natural rather than artificial preservation. If the first five ingredients are grains and by-products, it's worth reconsidering.

Can I improve my pet's diet without changing their main food?

Yes — significantly. High-quality treats, natural chews, and targeted supplements can meaningfully improve your pet's overall nutritional intake even if you're not ready to switch their main food. Single-ingredient treats, omega-3 supplements, and probiotic support are all practical starting points.