Make “Cents” of Your Pet Food Budget by Calculating Pet Food Costs (2024)

FAQs

How do you budget for pet food? ›

Food can be calculated per month by how much your pet eats and how often you replace the food. Most pets will require up to $50 per month in food for dogs, unless on a gourmet or special diet, which can range into the hundreds. Treats are estimated at about $10-50 per month.

$1 - $6 per day

Foods range from a little over $1 per day to over $6 per day. Note that wet foods, with their significantly higher moisture content, are relatively heavy to transport. In our higher-end example, approximately 21 cans of food are required per week (3 cans per day) for a 30 lb dog.

The 25% Rule

The named ingredient(s) must comprise at least 10% of the total product by weight and at least 25% of the product by weight not including the added water. Additional descriptors, such as “dinner,” “entrée,” “platter” and so on, appear in the name.

How much each household spends on food varies based on income and how many people need to be fed. Consider using our budget calculator if you're not sure where to start. Try allocating 10% of your income to food as a starting point and then you can increase from there.

Whilst homemade dog food can be complete and balanced, the variety of ingredients needed to make a fully balanced meal often means that the cost is often higher than the cost of ready-made food. If you're looking for ways to save money, making your own dog treats can be a cost-effective option.

This typically costs somewhere from $20 to $60 per month. Food expenses vary based on the size and energy level of your dog as well as the quality of the food. Be aware that special foods, like veterinary therapeutic diets or freshly-made special-order food, may cost $100 or more a month.

In general, feed about 2% to 3% of your pet's body weight per day, split into two meals (see chart below). Adjust as needed, under the guidance of your vet, based on the animal's activity level, age, and metabolism. Adjust the volume of food in each meal to attain an ideal weight.

Main Findings. From 2013 to 2021, average pet spending per household in the U.S. increased 67%, from $460 per year in 2013 to $770 per year in 2021. However, in 2022 pet spending dipped back down to an average of $741, thanks to older generations cutting back on spending.

Divide the per-ton price of feed by the pounds of actual nutrient contained in a ton. Example: ($340/ton)/360 lb CP in a ton = $ 0.94/ lb CP; Use this figure in your price comparisons for different feeds.

How do you calculate food portion cost? ›

Cost per serving = (food cost of ingredients x weekly sale amount) Total sales per dish = (sale per serving x weekly sale amount)

Assuming your dog has a typical activity level, toy breeds should have about ¼ cups to 1 cup, small breeds should have about 1 cup to 1 2/5 cup, medium breeds should have about 2 cups to 2 2/3 cups, and large breeds should have about 2 4/5 cups to 3 cups.

The 3-3-3 rule is a guideline for transitioning a rescue dog into its new home and helping it to settle in. It suggests that the first three days should be used for adjusting to its new surroundings, the next three weeks for training and bonding, and the first three months for continued socialization and training.

50% of your net income goes toward living expenses (i.e. needs). 30% goes toward discretionary spending (i.e. your wants). 20% goes toward savings (or paying down debt).

Our 80/20 ACTIVE range is specially prepared to meet thenutritional requirements of an activeworking dog with 80% raw meat and bone and 20% fresh vegetables and naturalherbal supplements.