When it comes to dog food, we often choose economy brands instead of premium or natural dog food, because the higher-end brands are more expensive. However, if you look closely at the nutritional value of economy brands and consider the cost of veterinary care, premium dog food will cost less in the long run.
How can this be possible? A premium or natural dog food contains more nutrients that are beneficial to your dog than an economical brand. When you think about it, you might have to feed your dog more of the economy brand to equal the nutrition it would receive from a premium brand. The more you feed your dog, the more bags of economy food you need to buy.
On average, a natural dog food brand will have 3-5% more crude protein and fat than a cheaper bag of dog food. The premium brands also suggest servings of 1-3/4 cups of food per day, as opposed to the economy brand's suggestion of 3-1/4 cups per serving. As you can see, it takes at least three times as many servings to equal the nutrition of one serving of premium dog food.
One major benefit of choosing a better dog food for your pet is the reduction of veterinary expenses. Many dog owners report an overall improvement in their pet's health when switching to premium dog food. Not to mention, a healthier dog in optimal shape needs less medical attention. A listless dog may become full of energy, and an older dog might live a longer, happier life, just from switching to a natural dog food brand or one of the better premium dog foods.
The best advice in natural dog care is the old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." By not skimping on your dog's food, you are helping your dog stay one step ahead of debilitating illnesses. Think about it: Would you rather pay a few extra dollars on premium dog food now or pay hundreds of dollars in vet bills later?
One person reported paying close to $1,400 for surgery on his dog because of problems caused by cheap dog food. After the surgery and diet change, the dog recovered and is now leading an active life. Within a few weeks, the dog's energy levels returned, the arthritis went away, and a once-dull coat took on a whole new shine.
If you're still not convinced about the benefits of choosing natural dog food for your pet, carry out a small experiment. For a month, try mixing a premium dog food brand with your dog's regular food in increasing amounts. Then, feed your pet only the natural dog food for a full month. See if you can tell the difference in your dog's overall health. Is his coat shiner? Does he have more energy? If you can't notice a difference, you can switch back (again, slowly) to your regular brand -- but chances are, you may not want to, after seeing the results.