Tightening the Belt

In today's economy, finding the best diet at the best price is no easy task. Especially if you are limited to dry dog foods (kibble).

To find an economic solution, one needs to figure out how much food your dog should eat. There are many equations, this will give you a rough estimate (based on a moderately active adult dog)
Desired Weight/2.2 x 30 + 70 = calories per day

So, for instance Tsuki's ideal weight is approximately 18lbs:
18/2.2 = 8.182
8.182 x 30 = 245.455
245.455 + 70 = approx 316 calories per day

Now let’s break down the price of foods. I picked one of the most expensive foods, mid priced foods and one of the cheapest foods just to show how there isn’t that big of a difference in price once you break it down. The prices are regular prices at Petfooddirect.com

Orijen Adult 29.7 lb bag costs $60.49

Blue Buffalo Wilderness 26lb bag costs $50.99

Canidae All Life Stages 35lb bag costs $39.99

Iams Lamb and Rice 40lb bag costs $51.29

Beneful Orignal Adult 35.2 lb bag costs $37.99

Find the amount of calories per pound of the food.

Orijen has 1909 calories per pound.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness has 1702 calories per pound.

Canidae ALS has 1875 calories per pound.

Iams has 1614 calories per pound.

Beneful has 1674 calories per pound.

Okay, now break it down into price per calorie.

Orijen Adult: 1909 x 29.7 = 56697.3
60.49 / 56697.3 = 0.0010669.
Orijen costs $0.0010669 per calorie

BB Wilderness: 1702 x 26 = 44252
50.99/44252 = 0.0011523

Canidae ALS: 1875 x 35 = 65625
39.99/65625 = 0.00060937

Iams: 1614 x 40 = 64560
51.29/64560 = 0.0007945

Beneful Original: 1674 x 35.2 = 58960
37.99 / 58960 = 0.00064434

Okay, now take how many calories per day your dog needs.

Tsuki needs 316.

Orijen: 316 * 0.0010669 = $0.33701404 per day
0.7229944 * 365 (one year) = $123.06

Beneful: 316 * 0.00064434 = $0.20361144 per day
0.44517882 * 365 (one year) = $74.32

Orijen – Beneful
123.06 - 74.32 = $48.74 per year, or $4.06 per month.

To feed my dog one of the MOST EXPENSIVE FOODS it’ll only cost me an extra $4.06 per month. I understand that some people do not have an extra $4 bucks a month, but those people don’t have to feed one of the most expensive foods either. You can find a great food without ugly chemicals that you can afford!

Use the formula above to find the calorie cost per day/month/year for your dog using foods you currently feed and/or are considering to feed. If you need any help - leave a comment and I'll be glad to assist where I can!