Less-expensive Acana alternative?

[Jordan & Daisy]

I am hoping for a suggestion for an alternative food for Daisy. I have read all of the recommended foods but there are so many I'm not sure where to start. She eats Acana grasslands now but with a baby on the way we are taking a much closer look at our finances (I will be leaving my job) and I'm not sure we can continue to afford Acana. Is there a less expensive food that anyone might recommend that is still high quality with comparable nutritional value, calories/cup, grain-free, etc? I would appreciate any help! Thanks in advance.

[Jordan & Daisy]

I really appreciate it Karen! I am going to look into these, thanks for taking the time!

[sandy b]

Here is my opinion regarding the better dog foods. You might pay more for the food but your dog will be healthier so you'll save on vet bills which can be very expensive!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is so true. And considering how prone these guys are to digestive issues and allergies, this is a very significant consideration. 

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

Maybe you can keep the food, but cut "daisy" expenses overall with something different? For George's treats we use a lot of "cheap" stuff. She thinks that frozen carrots, green beans, or bananas are the BEST. They're also all a LOT cheaper than the freeze dried orijen treats that I work so hard to provide. I've also heard a lot of people use kibble as treats. I buy almost all of george's toys in the clearance aisle of tj maxx or homegoods. You would never know, and she doesn't care. Have you thought about trying to do some of her grooming yourself? I use to spend a LOT of money on george's "spa" trips, but recently started doing some grooming on my own because I was tired of not always getting what I wanted when I sent her to the groomer. Luckily George doesn't know how to tear up or shred things like her bed or toys, but if she did I wouldn't be so hurt because her dog bed cost a whole $15 (tj maxx). I know food is a BIG expense, but maybe daisy expenses can be cut down just enough in a different department. 

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

I have saved alot of $$ by buying Acana online. I have used multiple sites in the past, petfooddirect.com, petflow, wag...many of these companies have free shipping and around 20% off.
Grooming at home will def save alot of money in the long run, but it does take time... so I cant imagine with a little one on the way how that would work! lol, but I guess like anything else, you find a way! Good luck! :)

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

A couple years ago I did a little price comparison for a 40lb dog. I used the goldendoodles calculator which determines the cost per calorie to get the cost per day. Because Orijen is so nutrient dense, it was actually less expensive than other brands. Additionally, the savings in feeding Wellness over Acana is only $.30 per day which only amounts to $9 per month. It seems that if you're looking to cut back, dog food just doesn't offer a whole lot of savings overall. Just something to think about. Personally, we've saved a lot of money not buying a new toy or chew at each visit to the store.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/food-co...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I was looking for this discussion! Now it's in the "Featured Discussions" section so i can find it the next time! 

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

Thank you! I really need to update it and add more but I think it gives a general idea of the real price of food!

[Shari Becker]

I just want to agree with everything everyone has written so far. I'll wear a 10-year-old shirt with holes and stains but I won't skimp on food. Our vet says that when it comes to feeding your pets you either pay now or pay later. The better quality food you serve, the healthier the dog will be, the less you'll spend on medication. I also totally agree that you need to look at the cost per serving and not at the cost per bag. You need so much less Acana and Orijen than you do of other dog foods for one serving. We buy dog treats at TJ Maxx if there's a brand Lexi's not allergic to, and I stock up. I also cut all my treats into little pieces to make them go farther. We use peas, apples, little bits of cheese, cooked carrots and green beans, too. I've even sliced up left over meat and frozen it on a cookie tray to use as treats. We stopped buying chew treats except for the occasional trachea (which are cheap). Another way to cut expenses would be to try and groom Daisy yourself. I know this is not easy, but that is my biggest dog expense right now. We have also started swapping dog sitting with our neighbors to try and save money for those times we need someone else to watch our dog. I wrote an article a few years ago about a family that needed to cut costs with a new baby and they found that they saved thousands of dollars using cloth diapers. It's not for everyone, but I never forgot their calculations... Good luck figuring this out. Lots of big changes coming your way, and I'm sure it feels overwhelming.

[Jordan & Daisy]

Thank you everyone for your help and input! I have lots to think about. :)