8 Best Budget Friendly Dog Food for 2024
Everyone is looking for budget friendly dog food for their pets but managing your budget with quality dog food is necessary. So finding the best budget friendly dog food & balancing it with quality become harder nowadays. A lot of variations and brands are available in the market.
Different brands’ products are famous for different qualities but nutrition would be the main reason you choose something for a lovely pet, which is essential for their health, happiness, and energy levels.
Your pet’s age and life stage are essential when selecting dog food. Because puppies and kittens have different nutritional needs than middle-aged or senior pets. You need to ensure that the chosen food meets the minimum nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is essential. By reading below, you know the expert recommendations to confidently select one of the top-quality dog foods available to keep your dog healthy and content.
Purina ONE Dry Dog Food
Purina ONE Dry Dog Food is a highly recommended choice for adult dogs if there are no specific dietary requirements. Purina ONE’s is the best budget-friendly dog food which is suitable for dogs of all sizes.
This food stands out as a top choice with a stellar 4.9 rating. It focuses on real meat as its primary ingredient, ensuring your dog gets quality protein. Purina brand offers many advantages similar to their premium line, making it a cost-effective option. It contains prebiotic fiber, supports healthy gut microbiota, and boasts a unique multi-textured blend. It includes chewy and crunchy textures, appealing to dogs with varying tastes.
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Purina ONE does not include probiotics found in the Purina Pro Plan. This food has various flavors, including Chicken & Rice, Beef & Rice, and Lamb & Rice. It also offers tailored formulas for puppies, senior dogs, large breeds, sensitive stomachs, and more, including wet food options. This dog food is suitable for adult dogs and provides 26 percent protein, 16 percent crude fat, and 12 percent moisture.
One of its popular varieties is the chicken and rice formula. Real chicken is the primary ingredient that ensures high-quality protein. This kibble is fortified with omega-6 fatty acids, prebiotic fiber, vitamins, and four different antioxidant sources to promote overall health.
Purina ONE Dry Dog Food
Pros
- It is suitable for adult dogs of all sizes.
- It is made with high-quality proteins and vitamins.
- It is affordable.
Cons
- The size of the food may be too large for smaller dogs.
Purina Pro Plan Dry Puppy Food
Purina Pro Plan High Protein Dry Puppy Food is an excellent choice if you own a growing puppy. Puppies have unique nutritional needs, requiring more energy and specific nutrients for proper development. Puppy food typically contains higher fat and protein levels to support their rapid growth.
Purina Pro Plan Puppy is available in various formulations, catering to different age ranges and specific needs of young dogs.
This dry formula is rich in protein, promoting healthy growth and strength. It also contains DHA sourced from fish oil, which is essential for brain and vision development. The kibble includes live probiotics to support your puppy’s digestive and immune health.
This food features regular dry kibble and tender “shredded” pieces, providing a tasty and varied texture. Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Dry Puppy Food may be a more suitable choice for large breed puppies requiring specific protein levels to prevent excessive growth.
Purina Pro Plan Dry Puppy Food
Pros
- It is specially formulated to meet the needs of young dogs.
- It is available in formulas for regular and large-breed puppies.
- This food includes shredded kibble pieces for an appealing texture.
Cons
- Only one flavor is available.
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Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Dog Food
Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition is the best budget-friendly dog food choice for those who have large and hungry dogs. You can purchase this dog food in bulk, with bags available in sizes up to 44 pounds.
This food is designed for adult dogs and provides complete and balanced nutrition without artificial flavors or added sugar. It’s available in two flavors, including grilled steak and vegetable flavor and chicken flavor, catering to different tastes.
It offers budget-friendly convenience, and it’s essential to note that the first listed ingredient is corn, which may only be ideal for some dogs, especially for those with specific dietary requirements. The kibble size might be too large for tiny dogs.
Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Dog Food
Pros
- It is readily available in bulk.
- It is a budget-friendly option.
Cons
- The first ingredient listed is corn.
- Kibble size may not be suitable for tiny dogs.
Nature’s Recipe Dry Dog Food
Nature’s Recipe Dry Dog Food, Grain Free Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe is a reasonably priced option if your veterinarian has recommended a grain-free diet for your dog due to dietary sensitivities. This dog food contains real chicken, a quality protein source, as its first ingredient. Additionally, it includes sweet potato and pumpkin, which are easy to digest.
Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Acana Dog Food
It is important to note that vets typically prescribe grain-free diets for specific health reasons and are not generally recommended for all dogs. There have been associations between grain-free diets and cardiac diseases in dogs, so it’s crucial to consult your vet before making any dietary changes.
Nature's Recipe Dry Dog Food
Pros
- It is available at reasonable prices for grain-free food.
- It contains real chicken as the primary ingredient.
- It contains sweet potato and pumpkin, which can be gentle on digestion.
Cons
- Its availability can sometimes be limited.
JustFoodForDogs Fresh Dog Food
JustFoodForDogs offers a variety of flavors, such as fish and sweet potato or venison and squash. All are made from gently cooked human-grade ingredients. This brand also provides prescription foods for dogs with specific dietary needs or medical conditions. They can even create a custom formula customized to your pet’s requirements.
JustFoodForDogs package their food in 18-ounce pouches, which can be stored in the freezer for up to a year until you’re ready to use them.
JustFoodForDogs Fresh Dog Food
Pros
- It is made from fresh, human-grade ingredients.
- It is available in various flavors and variety packs.
Cons
- It is generally more expensive than dry or canned dog food.
- Once thawed, the food should be used within three or four days.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Wet Dog Food
Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Canned Food is an excellent choice for dogs to help maintain their health. This wet dog food is available in 12-packs of 13-ounce cans. It is tailor-made for dogs aged seven and older.
It’s designed to accommodate the needs of older dogs by providing them with a diet that’s not only soft enough for them to chew. It is also packed with high-quality ingredients to ensure adequate nutrient absorption.
Each flavor, whether beef and barley or another variety, contains a well-balanced blend of minerals that promote heart and kidney health and antioxidants that support their immune system.
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Wet Dog Food
Pros
- It is specifically designed for senior dogs.
- The soft consistency makes it easy for older dogs to chew.
- Flavor and texture that picky eaters often find appealing.
Cons
- Larger dogs may require multiple cans per day to meet their dietary needs.
Purina Dog Chow
Purina Dog Chow Complete Adult Dry Dog Food is economical for dog owners, priced at less than $1 per pound. Purina makes this dry dog food with beef and chicken flavors. It’s strengthened with 23 essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support your dog’s immune system. This kibble provides a complete and balanced source of nutrition for adult dogs of all sizes. It is higher in calories than other options, so you may need to adjust your dog’s portions to maintain a healthy weight.
Purina Dog Chow
Pros
- It is affordable, costing less than $1 per pound.
- It is suitable for adult dogs of all sizes.
Cons
- It is higher in calories compared to many other dog foods.
Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed
Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Dog Food is the best choice for larger dogs weighing 50 pounds or more as adults. This dry dog food has enticing flavors like chicken, barley, lamb, and rice.
It’s designed to address the energy requirements of bigger dogs and promote joint health, as larger breeds are more susceptible to issues like hip dysplasia and arthritis.
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This food boasts high-quality protein to support lean muscle development, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin E to maintain healthy skin and a lustrous coat. And here’s the best part for your big buddy – the large kibble makes it the perfect size for larger dogs.
Hill's Science Diet Large Breed
Pros
- It is formulated to keep large dogs healthy and thriving.
- It is comprised of high-quality, easily digestible ingredients.
- It promotes joint health, a crucial consideration for larger breeds.
Cons
- It is currently available in 15- and 35-pound bags only.
Conclusion
The top 8 best budget friendly dog foods listed here offer a balance between affordability and nutrition. These choices cater to different dog needs, ensuring their health and well-being. However, individual preferences and sensitivities should guide your selection.
Consultation with a veterinarian is recommended to meet your dog’s dietary requirements. By making thoughtful choices about your dog’s food, you can provide them with affordable and nutritious meals that promote their overall health and happiness.
