Last Updated: 14/01/2026
Cheap Pet Food: Is it Actually Saving You Money?
Is your budget pet food actually a bargain? We explore why premium diets are more cost-effective due to higher digestibility, fixed recipes, and smaller feeding portions. Learn how to provide high-quality nutrition without breaking the bank.
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 4 minutes - short read
Choosing the right food for a furry family member is one of the most important decisions a pet parent can make. While many look for the most budget-friendly bag on the shelf, looking beyond the initial price tag reveals that premium pet food offers significant advantages. By understanding the true value of nutrition, it becomes clear that investing in quality can be the savviest move for a household budget.
Quality over quantity: the digestibility difference
One of the primary reasons premium pet foods are superior is their high digestibility. These formulas are crafted with high-quality proteins and fats that a pet's body can easily break down and absorb.
When a pet can extract more nutrients from every bite, they actually need to eat less to feel satisfied and stay healthy. This high absorption rate also means less waste passes through their system, and leaves them feeling more satisfied. For pet parents, this results in smaller, firmer, and less frequent stools to clean up in the backyard or litter tray.
Lower quality foods can leave your pet feeling hungry which can impact their behaviour. Dull coats, low energy, and behavioural problems such as food aggression can occur in pets fed on a diet which is low in nutritional value.
Why 'cheap' food isn't always the best deal for your pet's tummy
Budget-friendly foods often contain more "fillers" - ingredients like cereals or by-products that add bulk but offer limited nutritional value. Because these foods are less nutrient-dense, pets often need to consume much larger portions to meet their daily requirements.
Premium diets focus on concentrated nutrition. This density helps pets feel fuller for longer, which can prevent "food seeking" behaviours and begging between meals. A diet rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals also manifests outwardly, leading to a shinier coat, clearer skin, and stable energy levels.
The "and/or" ingredient loophole
When reading a pet food label, the wording matters. Many budget products use "open formulations," listing ingredients as "meat and/or poultry and/or lamb." This allows manufacturers to switch proteins based on what is cheapest at the time of production.
These constant, subtle changes in a recipe can wreak havoc on a pet's stomach, leading to flatulence, bloating, or bouts of diarrhoea. Premium brands, such as Pro Plan, Royal Canin, or Hills Science Diet, use fixed formulations. This means the recipe stays the same in every single bag, providing the consistency required for healthy digestion.
How to feed a premium diet on a budget
While premium food has a higher upfront cost, there are smart ways to make it the most cost-effective choice:
Buy in bulk
Choosing the largest bag size (often 15kg to 20kg) typically offers the best value per kilogram.
Store for freshness
To keep bulk food at its best, store the original bag inside an airtight container in a cool, dry place. This preserves essential fats and keeps the kibble crunchy.
Follow the feeding guide
Because premium food is nutrient dense, the daily amount required is often smaller than the portions suggested for budget brands.
Invest in Australian-made
Choosing Australian-made premium brands like Instinctive Bite, Black Hawk, or Ivory Coat provides additional benefits. Locally produced food doesn't have to endure long shipping times or intense heat during international transport, ensuring the vitamins and antioxidants remain fresh. Supporting local also helps avoid the additional costs associated with importing, allowing more of the investment to go toward high-quality ingredients rather than freight.
FAQs
Choosing a premium diet is a proactive investment in your pet’s future. By focusing on high-quality ingredients and better digestibility, you can ensure they receive the nutrients they need to thrive while avoiding the hidden costs of fillers and inconsistent recipes. Ultimately, providing nutrition that supports a long, happy life is the best value of all.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Thu 15 Jan 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Carla graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland. While Carla enjoys most facets of clinical veterinary work, she holds a special passion for feline medicine, pocket pets, and nutrition.
