Compare dog food costs per day, month, and year. See which brand gives you the best value.
Enter your dog's details and food information
Suggested: ~2.5 cups/day for a 50 lb active dog
Compare Up to 3 Brands
Brand 1
Brand 2 (optional)
| Brand | Cost/Day | Cost/Year | $/1000 kcal |
|---|
Enter your dog's weight (we'll suggest a daily feeding amount), then adjust the daily cups to match what you actually feed. Fill in bag price, bag weight, calories per cup, and cups per bag for up to 2 brands. The calculator shows cost per day, month, and year for each brand, plus a comparison table showing cost per 1000 kcal — the truest way to compare value across brands with different calorie densities.
Most people compare dog food by bag price alone — a $55 bag must be more expensive than a $40 bag, right? Not necessarily. The $55 bag might have 400 kcal/cup while the $40 bag has 320 kcal/cup. Your dog needs a fixed number of calories per day, not a fixed number of cups. With higher-calorie food, you feed less per meal and the bag lasts longer. Here's how to compare fairly.
Divide the bag price by the total calories in the bag, then multiply by 1,000. Example: Brand A ($55 for a 30 lb bag, 400 kcal/cup, 120 cups/bag): total calories = 48,000 kcal. Cost per 1,000 kcal = (55/48,000) × 1,000 = $1.15. Brand B ($40 for a 25 lb bag, 350 kcal/cup, 100 cups/bag): total calories = 35,000 kcal. Cost per 1,000 kcal = (40/35,000) × 1,000 = $1.14. Nearly identical despite the $15 bag price difference!
Premium brands often save money at the vet — better nutrition means fewer health issues long-term. When comparing costs, consider that the cheapest food per bag may actually cost more in the long run if it leads to health problems.