Trust When a manufacturer adheres to a fixed-formula policy, you can trust that the company values your pet’s health and safety, even over monetary considerations. So when the economy takes a nosedive, you don’t have to worry about what you’re feeding your canine friend.

In the long run, choosing a fixed-formula food helps to maintain your dog’s health too. “As an emergency veterinarian, I think that having a fixed formula is essential,” says Nelson, who mentions that the chance of having a GI upset from different ratios of ingredients is greatly increased with variable formulas. The digestive enzymes and the normal flora of the GI tract are able to adjust to new things, but they need time to do so. This wouldn’t be such a concern with a fixed-formula food.

Making the Right Choice
Run an Internet search to see if your manufacturer adheres to a fixed-formula policy. Rose also strongly recommends reading the information posted on the bags of pet food and comparing the lower-cost foods to the premium foods. The process takes just seconds and could make a difference in your pet’s life.