Is It Worth It to Feed Your Dog a Special Diet? Here’s Why Some Pet Owners Buy Expensive Dog Food

GoodRx Health

If your family got a dog in the 1950s, you likely bought a bag of Purina Dog Chow and called it a day. Today there are more than 650 brands of dog food - which can be overwhelming when it comes to deciding which one is right for your dog.

Most commercial brands meet the minimum nutritional needs for dogs, but there are plenty of specialized brands to cater to your dog's needs. Those brands are generally more expensive. But are they worth it?

We talked to three pet owners who feed their dogs a special diet to find out why - and if they think the benefits outweigh the cost.

Her dog has had a sensitive stomach since birth

Carrie Zagzebski got her 4-year-old dog, Duke, from a breeder when he was 8 weeks old. Within a week, the English cream golden retriever started having diarrhea that would go on all night for days.

"He was born on a farm. And he and the other puppies and dogs were in a barn, [so] we thought maybe he had worms from the farm. But that was quickly ruled out, and the vet told us that this was just typical puppy diarrhea," says Carrie, who is 47 and lives near Milwaukee.

Duke's stomach issues persisted, so they went back to the vet. "The vet put him on medication. Pretty early on, he was on a prescription dog food, Science Hills. It was about $97 for 27 lbs," Carrie says. "It worked pretty well, and he finally seemed to turn a corner in March of 2021."

When Duke turned 1, Carrie transitioned his diet to Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Stomach, which is about $85 for a 40-lb bag. The price has increased recently, but Carrie says it's worth it because he doesn't get diarrhea anymore.

"He is unable to have anything like a pup cup or anything fun," she says, and then hesitates. "He may be able to at this point, but I am not willing to tempt fate."

Skin issues and hair loss prompt a grain-free diet

When Margaret Anne Olecki's black Labrador-vizsla mix, Roxy, was a puppy, she was losing hair on her chest and developing other skin issues.

"The vet recommended we switch her to a grain-free diet," says Margaret Anne, 43, of Smyrna, Georgia. "We moved her to a Blue Buffalo kibble with turkey and potato." The new diet helped. Margaret Anne noticed a clear difference in the skin and coat of Roxy, now 7.

And then about a year ago, they switched dog foods again.

"After seeing all the ads for Farmer's Dog, and as our sweet girl hit middle age, we decided to try it," Margaret Anne says. "I don't know if we see visible changes since we started the food. She was a happy, active dog prior to switching. She has a beautiful coat and lots of energy. She does have very clean teeth, which I think can be attributed to the less processed food."

Margaret Anne says it's so expensive - about $180 per month - "that I have thought about switching her back to her kibble food," she says. But for now, she's sticking with Farmer's. "I would definitely recommend [it]. I feel as dogs begin to age that a healthy diet can really help extend their sweet lives."

She needed a dog diet that would help dermatitis and a sensitive stomach

Jackie Muske of Marietta, Georgia, has two Irish wheaten terriers - 14-year-old Roscoe and 7-year-old Riley - with different health issues. Roscoe has a sensitive stomach and sometimes gets sick after eating. Riley has dermatitis that irritates his skin.

"Riley had patches of skin showing where he would have scratched himself so much that there was no hair," says Jackie, 61. "He requires antibiotics, but the medications were not helping all that much."

It helped, so Jackie did the same for her dogs.

"[It's] about $50 for a large bag," Jackie says. "It is worth every cent and then some to have the dogs healthier."

As for her advice for other dog owners: "I recommend people doing their own research in addition to the recommendations from the vet."

What does the veterinarian say?

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Veterinary Reviewer

Dogs may need special diets for a variety of reasons. These include stomach and intestinal issues and skin allergies. In older age, they may have new dietary needs. Some causes of age-related diet needs include developing liver or kidney disease.

For many dogs, eating is one of their favorite pastimes. It's important to consider not only what is nutritious and necessary for their health but also what they like to eat.

When determining your dog's diet, pay attention to what happens when they eat certain foods. Does it result in frequent vomiting or diarrhea? If so, you may need to reconsider what you are feeding them.

Your dog's veterinarian is a great resource who can make recommendations about diet and nutrition and create a plan for your pet. When you select a special diet for your dog, always consult with a veterinarian to make sure the diet is complete and does not create long-term health risks. Ultimately, determining when a dog needs a special diet should be based on the dog, research into pet foods, and discussions with your veterinarian.

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