10 Best Affordable Dog Foods in 2020
With the rising cost of living, one thing that doesn’t need to skyrocket is the price of the upkeep of your pet. There are plenty of affordable dog foods on the market that offer your pooch the nutrition they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle without breaking the bank. Some of the products we have selected are grain-free, others high in protein but all of them are good value.
There are even dog foods from big brands and we always look for things such as whole-proteins and added vitamins and supplements to help keep their coat nice and healthy. Whatever you are looking for in particular, our top ten affordable dog foods have you covered.
Here are our top 10 picks for the best Affordable Dog Foods:
#10 Pedigree Adult Dry Dog Food
Whilst this doesn’t have the same quality as some of the other products on our list, it is arguably one of the most affordable dog foods available. The huge 33lb bag is half the price of some of the other brands and when you see some of the plus points it has such as omega-6 for healthy skin, and whole grains for healthy digestion you can see there is a lot of good going for it. Not everyone has the budget for grain-free formulas but this is free-from artificial colors, and with no added sugar, it represents very good value.
Pros: Great price
Omega-6 for healthy skin
Cons: Not as high-quality as other products
#9 Iams Proactive Health Large Breed Adult
A big 30lb bag at a reasonable price, this trusted brand has started well by making real chicken the number one ingredient for a quality source of protein. The formula has been tailored to support a healthy immune system and even contains Glucosamine to treat Osteoarthritis. With wholesome grains, it is particularly good for active dogs who need the added energy support and has beet pulp for healthy digestion. Many people feel assured by the fact that it is recommended by vets and with no filler or artificial preservatives, it ticks a lot of the boxes you only usually see from more expensive foods.
Pros: Big bag for a good price
Glucosamine for joint support
Cons: Has a strong smell
#8 Taste of the Wild
Taste of the Wild has an excellent reputation making some of the finest dog foods on the market. They are also surpassingly affordable. Although this might be more expensive than some, the 28lb bags last a long time. This recipe contains real trout as the number 1 ingredient but they don’t stop there, also including smoked salmon for lean muscles. There is everything from antioxidants to fatty acids to make sure your dog’s coat and skin are healthy. Grain-free and high digestible it is worth the investment as there are no artificial colors, corn, wheat, or filler to be seen.
Pros: 28lb bag offers good value
Quality proteins
Cons: Need to buy the big bags to get the value
#7 Chicken Soup for the Soul Adult Dog Food
In this huge 28lb bag you get some serious value considering the price, but also, the ingredients combine to make a great tasting formula that a lot of people praise. We like the fact that the number one and two ingredients are both real proteins. With real chicken and real turkey in there, you feel confident knowing your pooch is getting muscle support. There are no by-products or corn, instead, there is brown rice, and dried chicory root to help encourage healthy digestion. Prepared in the USA, it strikes the right balance and is. a favorite for many dogs.
Pros: Great value
Real chicken and real turkey
Cons: Not grain-free
#6 Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Dry Dog Food
Pound for pound this is one of the best value dog foods you can find. The grain-free formula has been tailored to offer a good blend of quality ingredients at an affordable price. With real salmon as the #1 ingredient, you get a sense of the quality it has and when you see there are no poultry by-products or unnecessary additives it should please a lot of conscious dog owners. What many people comment on is the fact that there is no filler included to bulk it out, including sweet potato for the added vitamins – every ingredient is there on merit.
Pros: Real salmon number 1 ingredient
No additives
Great value
Cons: Does have a fishy smell – some dogs love that though
#5 Diamond Naturals Grain Free Dog Food
When you see pasture-raised beef as the number one ingredient, you might think this is going to be too expensive to be considered affordable, but the opposite is true. This massive 28lb bag is less than a lot of smaller bags from some of the biggest brands meaning this is one of the most affordable dog foods, especially considering its quality. It contains fruits and vegetables for added antioxidants and is made in the USA from sustainable ingredients. You will find no wheat or filler in there, just the likes of sweet potatoes for added vitamins.
Pros: High quality protein
Sustainable ingredients
Affordable
Cons: Picky dogs might take a while to get used to it
#4 Purina Beyond Simply 9 Natural Limited Ingredient
One of the more affordable products on our list, this quality food has just 9 ingredients in the 24lb bag which offers excellent value. With real chicken as the number one ingredient, it starts as well as some of the more expensive brands but also remains free-from potatoes, peas, and lentils to make it easily digestible. The nutritional profile is impressive as the company has in-house nutritionists to oversee every process and step. This is a complete meal that supports a healthy immune system that won’t break the bank.
Pros: Great value
Only 9 ingredients
Real chicken is the number one ingredient
Cons: Can be quite crumbly
#3 Whole Earth Farms Grain Free, Natural Dry Dog Food
A high-quality dog food with a high-quality protein as the number one ingredient, this is a product that your dog will keep returning for. You can get a 25lb bag of this grain-free recipe for what most people would deem a very affordable price and when you read about how highly digestible it is, any dogs with sensitive stomachs will be thankful for it. For a shinier coat, and a formula free-from corn, artificial colors, wheat, and a lot more, you can see why it is so popular.
Pros: Cooked in the USA
High quality protein
Affordable when purchasing the bigger bags
Cons: Not all dogs love it
#2 Nutro Max Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
This 25lb bag is more affordable than most, and the ingredient profile speaks for itself. With farm-raised chicken as the number one protein, there is no poultry by-product to worry about and it is corn-free and made without artificial colours or preservatives. The whole grain are there as a source of fibre and the Nutro Max range of products are all made in the USA in their own facilities which is something that can’t always be said about pet food producers. Made with non-GMO ingredients it is great value, and many people comment on how much their dogs love it.
Pros: Great value
Corn-free
High quality poultry protein
Cons: Large breed formula so not suitable for smaller dogs
#1 Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Shredded Blend
A reputable brand that is known for offering good value, Purina has created a quality product that dogs love, and customers can afford it. With real chicken as the first ingredient, it gives support for healthy muscles and contains live probiotics that are there to support immune health. There are two different types of textures as the crunchy kibble and chewy meat pieces make this an intriguing and enjoyable dinner for your pet. With fatty acids for a shiny coat, and a balanced nutritional profile.
Pros: Two textures
Quality protein ingredient
Affordable and good value
Cons: Pieces might be a bit big for smaller dogs
More products also worth checking out:
Affordable Dog Food Buyer’s Guide
The price of dog food seems to have been creeping up for some time now, and anyone with multiple dogs or just one can tell that keeping a pooch fit and healthy comes at an expensive. Still, when you know how to tell a reasonable dog food worth buying and something to avoid, there are definitely brands worth purchasing.
It all starts with a bit of know-how, which is why we have created the following buyer’s guide. By the end of it, you will be able to se which is right for you and your four-legged friends, without breaking the bank.
What To Look For In Affordable Dog Food
Added Vitamins and Minerals
To maintain a healthy immune system, affordable dog food still needs to contain a reasonable amount of quality ingredients for vitamins. These can help boost their resistance to the illness so it is worth searching for better products. These also help a dog to absorb the nutrition from the other ingredients so they are important for a balanced diet.
Quality Protein As The First Ingredient
It is often a topic of conversation among vets and other experts, but it is often the sign of good dog food. It can be difficult to get hold of a product with a quality protein source when on a budget but it is possible. Look for the likes of beef, chicken, and fish as they are highly digestible for most breeds. The protein content is also significant. As long as it has around 20% and above, it should be fine for supporting lean muscle mass.
Joint Support
The nutrients to support a healthy lifestyle also include that for joint support. This can help an aging or active dog to move in comfort and is an important part of balanced nutrition. Look out for the likes of Glucosamine on the label, although there are other common choices that brands favor.
Calcium
This is great for maintaining healthy bones. Just like big, furry kids, dogs need some calcium in their diet. A lot of products are enriched with calcium, even affordable dog foods.
Digestive Aid
Although many breeds don’t need any additional help with this, some require some help for the food to pass comfortably. Dogs will generally gulp anything down as fast as possible but these ingredients will help to make sure it moves through their system easily.
Antioxidants
Not every affordable dog food is so good when it comes to antioxidants, but some include them which is great for protection against diseases. Getting some vitamin E and C into a dog’s system can help protect them from cancers which many breeds are vulnerable to, particularly later in life. Anything that will provide a boost for their immune system is very welcome.
No Animal By-Products
This is the sign of low-quality dog food and something to look out for when trying to find something that is less expensive. Because it can bulk out a formula, it is a common sight with sub-par brands but is the sort of ingredients we do not recommend as it can be an unspecified source and is generally low quality.
Are Grain Free Dog Foods Good?
These are some of the most popular types of dog food with holistic pet owners and for good reason. Because of the lack of grain, there is more meat and protein in the formula, making it closer to what a dog would eat in the wild. Some dogs need a hypoallergenic diet which means a grain-free recipe is best. There are also fewer filler ingredients in these formulas which is another reason why they are higher quality than a lot of the alternatives.
What Is The Best Affordable Dog Food?
After reviewing a variety of options, we found Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Shredded Blend to be the best affordable dog food available. Its mix of real chicken as the first ingredient and live probiotics to support a healthy immune system makes it a quality choice at a low price. This is why it is often favored above a lot of more expensive brands.
The fatty acids also help produce a healthy, shiny coat that helps a pooch look his best, topping off a product that is seriously worth considering for anyone on a budget.
Where Can You Find Affordable Dog Food?
Although a lot of supermarkets sell cheap dog food, they are often low on quality and it is hard to find products that tick all the important boxes without costing a lot. This is where the likes fio Amazon comes in. Ordering online is affordable and there are plenty of options in terms of flavor and different brands.
Will A Dog Have A Negative Reaction To Affordable Dog Food?
There is no guarantee that a dog will not have an allergic reaction to a certain brand of dog food, but also there is no reason why a dog will have a negative reaction to an affordable food if there is enough quality in there. Any pooch with allergies may be better off with a grain-free recipe, and some brands are more affordable than others in this area.
How Do I Introduce My Dog To A New Food?
This is a common question, with many dog owners asking the same thing. The easiest way to make a switch to a new food is to introduce them to it gradually. By including a small amount mixed in with their old food, you can disguise the new food. Over the coming days, introduce more until you get to half old and half new, then tip the balance in favor of the new food before they are eating only the food.
How Much Does Affordable Dog Food Cost?
We have detailed a variety of brands above and there is something for every budget. Although you can pick up decent dog food for under $10, this might not get you much of a supply. Also, there is better value to be had when buying in bulk.