Vegetarian dog food

Question
Hi Gail,

I'm in the early stages of buying a dog (the first dog since having one as a child). I have definite budget constraints. Dry food based on soybeans or other vegetable products are inexpensive, but are they as good for the dog as canned meat, or fresh meat?

I am not a vegetarian myself, nor am I a rabid meat-eater. I'm just interested in what's best for the dog, and wondering whether to go for a smaller dog and feed it meat, or a larger dog and feed it one of those dry mixes.

Thanks for your help,

Martin

Answer
Good morning, Martin.

Kudos to you for doing  your research prior to getting a dog!

Dry foods based on soybeans or other vegetable products are inexpensive, but, as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for.

Meat based foods are most definitely better for dogs than any vegetable based products.  You can, however, find good, meat based dried mixes that will be more cost effective than canned products.  You can certainly find a great variety of nice dry foods at smaller pet food stores.  

Good quality canned foods are fine to feed as well, however, will be more expensive than feeding dry.

I do hope this has been helpful.

Gail E. Vigneault