Kibble vs. cost of fresh food. Who wins?

By Beth Leermakers

“Eating the same kibble every day isn’t very exciting,” says the actress in the Farmer’s Dog commercial. I feed three or four big dogs (including fosters), so fresh dog food is out of my budget. I can’t help but wonder — are my dogs missing out?

Should you feed fresh dog food? Is it worth the higher cost? Keep reading. 

What is Fresh Dog Food?

Fresh dog food is minimally processed and preservative-free, made with human-grade ingredients like lean meats, vegetables and whole grains. Some brands add vitamins and minerals for a complete, balanced diet, but not all do — so supplementation may be needed. Fresh foods may be gently cooked, high-pressure processed, air-dried, dehydrated or freeze-dried.

Fresh dog food may offer several advantages over traditional dry or canned options:

• Easier to digest. Many dogs tolerate fresh food better than kibble or canned varieties.

• More appealing. Picky eaters are often drawn to the taste of fresh meals.

• Potential long-term health benefits. In humans, highly processed foods have been linked to higher risks of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. While more research is needed for pets, some experts believe less-processed diets may support better overall health in dogs.

• Recognizable ingredients. Pet parents may feel more confident about what they’re feeding — and enjoy treating their dogs to wholesome meals.

On the flip side, fresh dog food may not be the best fit for every pup — or dog parent:

• Higher cost. Fresh dog food is typically more expensive than both canned and dry food options. Fresh food typically costs about $1.40 per 100 calories of food, compared to dry dog food (about 25 cents per 100 calories) and canned food (about $1.10 per 100 calories). According to Dr. Sara-Louise Newcomer of Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, “The cost of the pet food does not consistently correlate with the quality of the food; the marketing can be very misleading.” 

• Possible nutrient gaps. Without the right supplementation, fresh diets may lack essential vitamins and minerals — posing risks for dogs with chronic health issues such as kidney disease.

• Foodborne illness risk. Unlike dry or canned food, which is processed at higher temperatures to kill bacteria, fresh food is cooked more lightly and often not shelf stable. This increases the chance of spoilage and may not be ideal for very young, elderly, pregnant or immunocompromised dogs.

• Shorter shelf life. Fresh meals must be eaten within days, making storage and meal planning more complicated compared to dry or canned food.

• Hard to transition away from. Because fresh food is highly palatable, dogs may resist switching to other diets, including prescription foods needed for weight management or medical conditions. I hesitate to feed canned food for the same reason. My dogs turn up their noses at plain old kibble after enjoying the tastier wet food.

Does your dog need 

fresh food?

Is fresh food better for your dog? Not necessarily, according to Dr. Newcomer, who says that every dog is an individual with unique needs. The answer depends on your dog’s lifestyle, allergies or preferences. Vets may recommend fresh food for dogs who have:

• A sensitive stomach and need an easily digestible diet.  

• Skin conditions associated with food allergies. Dr. Newcomer believes that these dogs might benefit from a diet that is homemade with fresh ingredients. Eliminating problematic ingredients such as chicken can be easier with fresh food (that may offer beef or fish as the only protein).  

• Picky appetites. Dogs who have a decreased appetite may prefer the taste of fresh food. 

What Should You Look for in a Fresh Food?

Choose a fresh food that:

Is complete and balanced and appropriate for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult or senior). Puppies have higher nutritional needs than adult dogs and are at greater risk for nutritional deficiency because they’re growing. Look for an Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutritional adequacy statement on the pet food label. The label should state that the food is complete and balanced for your dog’s life stage, meaning it includes the minimum amounts of recommended nutrients, vitamins and minerals. The food label should include a guaranteed analysis, listing the minimum percentage of essential nutrients like protein and fat present in the food. The AAFCO minimums for protein are 22.5 percent for puppies and 18 percent for adult dogs. For fat, the minimums are 8.5 percent for puppies and 5.5 percent for adults. If you want to make your own fresh food, the American College of Veterinary Nutritionists has board-certified nutritionists who are willing to work with pet parents to formulate a home-cooked, fresh diet that is safe and balanced. 

Includes a good source of highly digestible lean protein such as chicken, fish or beef. 

Is made by a reputable company. Ideally, the company should have veterinary nutritionists on staff to ensure that diets are complete and balanced. 

These three brands meet these criteria, according to a PetMD article [Note: PetMD is sponsored by Chewy]: JustFoodForDogs (JustFresh), FreshPet Homestyle Creations and Nom Nom Freshly-Made.  

If you’re not interested in switching to fresh food, you may want to check out dogfoodadvisor.com for ratings of canned and dry food. The Kirkland (Costco brand) pet food is high quality at a great price.