Introduction
When it comes to feeding our canine companions, pet parents want to provide the healthiest diet possible while staying within their budget. The two most common options are commercial kibble or homemade dog food. Kibble is convenient, affordable, and comes in many formulations to meet a dog’s nutritional needs. However, some pet owners prefer the control and customization of homemade dog food. While homemade recipes allow you to choose quality ingredients, they can also be time-consuming and more expensive per serving compared to kibble.
In this article, we’ll break down the costs of both homemade and kibble dog food to understand the differences in ingredients, storage, and preparation time. We’ll factor in how much you can expect to budget monthly for feeding a medium-sized dog with either diet. You’ll get a clear picture of the costs and benefits of homemade meals versus commercial kibble. With this information, you can determine the best food option for your dog and wallet.
Ingredients for Homemade Food
The main ingredients for homemade dog food are meat, vegetables, and supplements. Meat is generally the most expensive part. According to https://worldofdogz.com/is-it-cheaper-to-make-your-own-dog-food/, the cost of meat can range from $2-4 per pound depending on the cut. Chicken and turkey are generally the cheapest meats for homemade dog food. More expensive meats like bison or venison can cost $6-10 per pound.
Vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach and kale usually cost $1-2 per pound. These provide important vitamins and minerals in homemade dog food recipes.
Supplements like oils, eggs, and bone meal are also necessary to create a nutritionally balanced diet. These can add another $0.50-1 per pound of food. Multivitamins and calcium supplements are also recommended by vets for homemade dog food.
So the total cost per pound of homemade dog food is usually $3-7 depending on the ingredients. More expensive meat and produce will be on the higher end of this range.
Time Cost for Homemade
When making homemade dog food, you need to factor in the time it takes to prepare ingredients and cook the food. This includes:
- Chopping, blending or grinding ingredients
- Measuring and mixing ingredients
- Cooking time – most homemade dog food recipes require cooking meat and vegetables before mixing into the full recipe.
- Cooling time – cooked food needs time to cool down to a safe temperature before serving.
- Packaging and storing – homemade food usually needs to be portioned out and packed into containers for freezing or refrigeration.
In total, expect homemade dog food recipes to take at least 1-2 hours from start to finish. The hands-on prep and cooking time may be 30-60 minutes, with additional time for ingredient prep, cooling, and storage. This time investment can be a major consideration for owners weighing homemade vs kibble.
Kibble Costs
The average price per pound of high-quality kibble ranges from $1.50 to $2.50 (https://woofwhiskers.com/2020-cost-of-dog-food/). However, prices can vary greatly depending on the brand, recipe, protein source, and bag size. For example, a 5lb bag of Blue Buffalo chicken and brown rice adult dog food costs around $2.50 per pound. In contrast, a 28lb bag of Purina Pro Plan sensitive skin and stomach formula costs approximately $1.72 per pound (https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2022/03/pet-food-costs-by-type/).
Some premium brands like Royal Canin can cost over $3 per pound, with an average cost of $3.15 per pound across recipes and sizes. Mass market brands like Pedigree tend to be far cheaper at around $0.80 per pound (https://www.petfoodindustry.com/pet-food-market/article/15465425/chewy-dog-food-price-per-pound-analyzed-royal-canin-tops).
Homemade Storage
Storing large batches of homemade dog food requires having the proper containers. Some good options are:
- Plastic containers with lids
- Glass jars or containers
- Reusable freezer bags
According to The Wildest, when making dog food in bulk, you need “a food-storage strategy.” Plastic containers and glass jars allow you to store servings of food in the refrigerator for a few days. For longer term storage, reusable freezer bags or plastic containers are necessary to freeze meals and prevent freezer burn.
Freezing homemade dog food requires sufficient freezer space. Depending on the size of your dog and how much food you make at once, you may need to dedicate a decent amount of freezer space to contain the meals. Some people prefer to use a separate freezer just for dog food storage. Properly freezing in sealed containers can allow the homemade food to last for a few months.
Kibble Storage
Kibble is easy to store, as it comes pre-packaged in bags or boxes from the manufacturer. Pet owners simply need containers or bins to store the kibble once opened. Good options for kibble storage include:
- Plastic pet food containers – These seal tightly to keep kibble fresh. Look for BPA-free containers.
- Metal pet food containers – Stainless steel is durable, pest-proof, and stylish for the kitchen.
- Pet food storage bins – Choose bins made specifically for pet food storage. Look for airtight lids and large capacities.
When transferring kibble from the bag into a storage container, be sure to check the expiration date and keep track of it. Kibble can last around 6 weeks in the container once opened. Keep containers in a cool, dry place and check regularly for signs of spoilage or insects.
The right kibble storage helps keep the food fresh and makes it easy for owners to scoop out daily portions. Just a few large containers can hold a full supply of kibble for one or more pets.
Homemade vs Kibble Per Serving
When comparing the cost of homemade dog food versus kibble, looking at the price per serving is an important metric. According to The Real Cost of Homemade Dog Food, homemade dog food costs approximately $1.00-$2.50 per serving for a large dog and $0.75-$1.25 for a medium dog. This varies based on the ingredients used and dog’s size.
The cost per serving for kibble also depends on the brand, formula, and bag size. According to The Canine Health Nut, the average cost per day for feeding kibble to a 50lb dog is about $2.20 when feeding a premium brand like Orijen. For a 30lb dog, the cost is closer to $1.10 per day. When calculated per serving instead of per day, premium kibbles often cost $0.50-$1.00 per serving.
Based on these estimates, homemade food costs about the same or slightly more per serving as premium kibble. However, homemade can potentially be cheaper than low-quality grocery store kibble. The convenience and storage factors also impact the real cost difference between homemade and kibble when determining what is affordable long-term.
Dog Health
Homemade dog food provides many nutritional benefits compared to commercial kibble. According to research from The Pawsitively Healthy Benefits of Homemade Dog Food, homemade meals allow you to control the ingredients and quality of the food. You can select high-quality sources of protein, healthy fats, vegetables, and supplements tailored to your dog’s needs. This results in better skin and coat health, improved energy levels, better weight maintenance, and reduced risk for many diseases.
Homemade food also lacks the preservatives, artificial colors, and fillers found in many commercial kibbles. Dogs with food sensitivities or allergies often improve dramatically when switched to a homemade diet free of common triggers like corn, wheat, and soy. Overall, the tailored and natural nutritional profile of homemade food simply supports better health and vitality in dogs compared to processed kibble.
Convenience Factor
When it comes to convenience, most commercial kibbles provide a huge advantage over homemade dog food. Kibble can be easily portioned into a bowl and requires no preparation. Homemade dog food recipes need to be carefully measured, combined, and cooked before being served. This takes a significant amount of time compared to simply scooping some kibble into a bowl.
As noted in an article by The Science of Raw, “The popularity and convenience of commercial dog food means we’ve grown accustomed to feeding our dogs a diet of dried kibble, canned food or some variation of pre-made food.” (https://www.aslipup.com/the-science)
Kibble is ready to eat at any time, while homemade dog food requires planning and preparation. For busy owners short on time, kibble provides a major convenience advantage over preparing homemade meals. The time savings difference could amount to over an hour per week for owners feeding homemade food.
Conclusion
In summary, both homemade dog food and kibble have their pros and cons in terms of cost, nutrition, and convenience:
- Homemade food can be customized for your dog’s dietary needs and generally has less processed ingredients, but requires more time and planning.
- Kibble is convenient and budget-friendly but may not have all the nutrients your dog needs and can contain fillers.
- Per serving, homemade food is often more expensive than kibble, but you can control the ingredients.
- Kibble lasts longer than homemade food and requires less prep work.
- The healthiest option depends on your dog’s specific needs and your budget.
Do your research and consult your vet to determine if homemade, kibble, or a combination is best for your pup. Just make sure they are getting balanced nutrition to support their health and happiness.