Top Five Healthiest and Affordable Kibble Brands for Your Pet

Bea here, your friendly nutritionist, pet food industry worker, and creator of the PetsFI blog. Today I will share five of my favorite kibble brands with you. I love these brands not only because they provide healthy options for our furry friends, but also because they don't break the bank. If you stick around until the end, I will also share some easy tricks to make any bowl of kibble healthier for your pet. Follow my blog PetsFI for more amazing posts about pet care!

1. Spot and Tango

Let's start with Spot and Tango. They provide a unique kibble option called "UnKibble." What makes UnKibble stand out is its use of real, whole food ingredients cooked at lower temperatures. Most commercially made kibbles are cooked at extremely high temperatures, which can deplete the food of its nutrients and denature the protein. But not UnKibble. In addition, it uses 100% human-grade ingredients and is vet-formulated. The convenience of Spot and Tango is another advantage, as they deliver the food straight to your doorstep based on your pet’s dietary needs. A few downsides to note are that it's available online only, and currently, they offer just three flavors.

2. Open Farm

Next up is Open Farm, a brand you've likely heard of. It is standard in most pet stores. Open Farm is notable for its high-protein options, made with real, whole meat. Its sourcing is certified humane, meaning they take excellent care of their animals during rearing and ensure traceability of all their ingredients. However, Open Farm’s products are cooked at high temperatures and their unique proteins may cost a bit more.

3. My Ollie

Our third recommendation is for My Ollie, which delivers kibbles directly to your door, just like Spot and Tango. The uniqueness of My Ollie lies in its slow baked kibbles. This process preserves the moisture that dogs need for their diet. Currently, My Ollie offers only two flavor options but is relatively more affordable than some other brands.

4. Carna4

The fourth kibble brand that makes our list comes from Carna4. This brand stands out because it abstains from using synthetic vitamin packs and is baked at very low and slow temperatures. Despite its excellent quality and family-owned nature, it is relatively expensive and harder to find.

5. Stella and Chewy

Finally, there’s Stella and Chewy. Their Raw Blend line includes high protein percentage kibbles with added freeze-dried nuggets. While they use vitamin synthetics and cook their products at high temperatures, they have a variety of options to add more moisture and provide 100% organic produce.

Now, onto some tips to improve your pet’s kibble meals! Firstly, keep in mind that all kibbles are processed, so it's essential to add some extra moisture. You can do this by using raw goat milk or homemade bone broth. Secondly, ditch the traditional bowl and use meal times as an opportunity to engage and stimulate your pet’s mind. Lastly, consider adding fresh foods to the bowl. A few examples could be sustainably-sourced canned sardines, watermelon, and apples. Just remember, no salt or seasoning!

Remember that the ultimate goal is your pet’s health and happiness. By keeping these points in mind and making an informed decision about your pet’s diet, you're setting them up for a healthier and happier life.

To learn more about great pet care and the pet food industry, follow my blog, PetsFI. Let's ensure our pets receive the best care they deserve together!