As a first-time dog owner, I really wish someone would have warned me about the hidden costs of dog ownership. I knew full well that vet bills would be expensive, but keeping my dog’s belly full? That came as a huge surprise. I’m sure many of you will agree with me when I say that dog food isn’t cheap. In fact, if you are on a tight budget, feeding your dog can feel like this.
Each piece of kibble. Each chunk of wet dog food. It’s all paid for with your hard-earned money. But your doggy doesn’t care. They just stare at you with those gorgeous, loving eyes. Yeah, that’s the look. Cute as they may be, your dog is oblivious to the fact that they are eating away your money.
But if your furry friend stopped to do some quick doggy math, they would soon realize that their eating habits are quickly adding up. According to a recent survey by USAToday of over 1,000 dog owners nationwide, high-quality dog food typically costs between $200 and $700 per year, depending on your dog’s size and dietary needs. If you have a large dog or one with specific nutritional or prescription needs, you can expect to spend a lot more than this.
You also must consider the long-term cost. The average dog lives for 10 years, so if we multiply this number by 10, you will spend between $2,000 and $7,000 on dog food over the course of your dog’s life! And if you have two dogs like I do, double the food and double the cost. I shudder to think about how much you would spend if you had more than two dogs – I’d have to take out a second mortgage!
If you are staring at these numbers in disbelief, don’t worry. I did the exact same thing. It still surprises me just how much I spend on dog food. Even more worryingly, this cost is before you consider other doggy essentials such as poop bags, grooming, medication, and pet insurance. Not to mention the treats I spoil them with.
While I’m on the topic of saving money, you need to consider pet insurance for your dog. Emergency medical care can be astronomical. So, for a small amount of money each month, you can ensure that if something bad was to happen to Fido, you can rest easy knowing the financial side of things are covered. All you have to do is concentrate on getting your dog better. Our pet insurance expert offers tips on how to save money on pet insurance.
So, with frugal practices, like keeping an eye on bargains, using coupon codes, and buying in bulk, purchasing dog food doesn’t have to blow your budget. By following these tips, I reduced my monthly bill significantly. And best of all, you can do it too! Here are my hand-picked dog food deals as well as my secrets to saving BIG on your dog food bill.
My Hand-Picked Dog Food Deals
| Retriever Hi Protein | Ol’ Roy | Purina Dog Chow | Kibbles n’ Bits | Pedigree Complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |
| View on Tractor Supply | View on Walmart | View on Walmart | View on Walmart | View on Chewy |
Before you look at my doggy discounts, I want to explain how I determine which dog food is cheapest. For dry dog food, I use the cost-per-pound method. Calculating the cost based on the price paid per pound allows you to easily compare 6-pound bags to 50-pound bags and everything in between.
5 All-Around Cheapest Dog Food
If you want the best value for your money, dry dog food is the cheapest option. If that’s what you’re after, one of these dry dog foods that are suitable for all life stages is for you. They are cheap, and you can expect them to remain so. You don’t need coupons, and there are no limited-time offers – just darn affordable dog food. While the price of these selections should remain constant, suppliers can change the price without notice.
| Product | Cost Per Pound |
|---|---|
| Retriever Hi Protein (50lb) | $0.60/lb |
| Ol’ Roy (46lb) | $0.60/lb |
| Purina Dog Chow Complete (44lb) | $0.66/lb |
| Kibbles n’ Bits (44lb) | $0.67/lb |
| Pedigree Complete Nutrition (44lb) | $0.69/lb |
Note: these dog foods are cheap because they contain cheaper ingredients, including fillers, artificial preservatives, colors, and other less-desirable ingredients. They also don’t contain as many healthy fatty acids or whole grains. However, they are all highly rated by customers and compliant with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). AAFCO sets standards for food quality and safety for animal feed and pets in the United States.
12 Tips To Save On Dog Food
What if your dog doesn’t like any of the above brands? Let’s look at other ways to save money on brand-name dog food. Here are 13 tips and tricks I use to find the best-value dog food.
1. Swap The Food For Quick Savings
First, try to buy a cheaper brand of dog food (our top picks above). If you currently use canned food, consider switching to dry food. It is substantially more affordable. If you have tried to make the switch before, use these handy tricks to convince your dog to gobble down a more affordable meal.
1. Same But Different. Buy a similar flavor to your current brand. A familiar taste is more likely to see your dog eat the food.
2. Slow Introduction. Slowly introduce the new brand to your dog’s food by adding it a little at a time to its current meal. Gradually increase the ratio each feeding time until your dog eats nothing but the new brand.
Dogs are creatures of habit and often prefer to eat what they have eaten before. For this reason, if you are budget-conscious, start your dog on moderately priced foods from the beginning. If you start your dog on premium brands, they may not willingly switch to low-priced varieties.
2. Ask Your Vet About Dog Food Bargains
The next time you visit your vet, ask if they have any coupons or samples lying around. You might be surprised by what you can score! Asking for cheaper alternatives is nothing to be ashamed of. Your vet should be happy to help. A second opinion never hurts if your usual vet offers no alternatives.
Does your dog have special dietary requirements? If so, you should seek an expert opinion before switching to cheaper food. Sure, that discounted dog food might look tempting, but if it messes with your dog’s health, you could end up with vet bills costing a lot more than your savings.
So, ask your vet if there are any affordable alternatives. If necessary, emphasize your financial situation, stressing that you are at risk of being unable to afford dog food at these prices. You may discover that they only recommended super-expensive dog food because they assumed you could bear the cost.
3. Look At The Ingredients
Take a look at the ingredients in your dog’s food. The list of ingredients can be found on the packaging. Compare your dog food brand to cheaper brands with the same flavor. You might find that the difference between the two does not justify the cost.
Some higher quality food contains actual chunks of meat, not just meat meal. They often also contain fatty acids and glucosamine, which may assist with joint health. The way my dog gobbles down her food, she doesn’t seem to notice if there are meat chunks or not. And as for the glucosamine, my vet said that it’s not particularly important for my young dog currently.
However, if I ever need glucosamine added, I could buy glucosamine tablets, like these ProSense tablets, separately and still be ahead on cost. In my situation, the added cost of these ingredients does not justify the added expense. There is value in checking the ingredients and comparing them to cheaper brands. If, like me, you find that there isn’t a good reason to pay for the premium food, make the swap and save.
4. Buy Dog Food In Bulk & Save
Did you just find your dog’s go-to meal at a dirt-cheap price? Stock up! When PetSmart had a sale on my dog’s favorite canned food, I bought the entire shelf. After returning home and realizing just how much money I had saved, I also went to the other stores in my local area.
You could buy enough food to cover this month. But if you buy the same brand at a higher price in a month, it makes sense to buy in bulk. Given that dry dog food generally stays good for a year and canned food keeps for two (unopened, of course!), there really isn’t a good excuse not to hoard cheap dog food when you stumble across it. Sure, it may be an increased cost upfront, but there are long-term savings to be made.
Remember to check the expiration dates. Sure, those 10 bags might seem like a great deal now, but not if the food expires before you feed it to your dog.
5. Sign Up For Email Newsletters
If there is one thing that pet brands love to do, it’s spam your email with weekly ads, flyers, and limited-time sales. Are you cringing at the thought of just how fast your inbox will fill up? Create a new email. One just for your doggy specials. This way, you don’t have to worry about pet stores clogging up your inbox with spam.
6. Check Social Media
Check your favorite dog food brand’s social media accounts to see if they are offering any special sales. Plus, you might just get to see a bunch of cute dog photos while you’re at it! Over time, the algorithms will start targeting you with ads (which can save you time from searching them out).
While you’re here, why not follow us on our socials, where we often share sales from our favorite food brands?
7. Subscribe For Savings
Once you have your dog’s diet figured out, chances are you will be routinely buying the same brands. If you find yourself buying the same brands, why not take advantage of a dog food subscription? Many big websites like Amazon and Chewy offer further discounts as a reward. Simply place your order, choose a repeating delivery schedule, and forget about it. Not only will dog food be delivered directly to your door, saving you fuel costs, but also at a reduced price.
Here are the most popular dog food subscription services and their discounts.
When deciding on a subscription program, it’s always better to choose one that offers a monetary discount on the price rather than rewards points. Rewards points can only be used at that store. If you buy the largest-sized bags of dog food, online subscriptions have an added bonus – the delivery person does all the heavy lifting. With online delivery, the heavy bag is unloaded at my doorstep, and I only have to drag it a short distance to my dog’s food container.
8. Factor In Sneaky Shipping Costs
If you buy online, remember to account for the shipping cost. Sure, that 40-pound bag of dog food might seem like a bargain, but not if you have to pay an extra $15 to ship it! Some retailers hide the shipping cost, only adding it to your bill during the final stages of checkout. Fortunately, many retailers and websites offer free shipping. While some never charge, others require a minimum purchase. If buying an extra bag of dog food qualifies for free shipping, go for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know some of our readers still have questions about cheap dog food and which one to pick for their pup. If you don’t see your question below, please let us know in the comments, and we’ll find the answer for you.
What Should I Feed My Dog On A Budget?
If you’re wondering, “Which cheap dog food is best?” The answer isn’t easy, as it depends on lots of things. First, what is your budget? I always recommend spending the top end of what you can afford on dog food.
You also need to consider your long-term budget. There’s no point in spending your cash on a mid-range option one month and having to change it when dollars are running low the next. Stick to what you can afford.
Once you have a budget range, you must pick an age-appropriate option. In most cheap food cases, a kibble for all life stages is best. If your dog has allergies, choose a product without the allergen (if you know what it is!) If you don’t know for sure, check out our favorite at-home dog allergy kits. And if you know the flavor Fido prefers, stick with that.
Can Cheap Dog Food Cause Diarrhea?
Yes, cheap dog food can cause diarrhea, but remember, so can premium dog foods. Read through the ingredients list and make sure it doesn’t contain anything that’s going to set your dog off. If your dog is allergic to whole grains, avoid them. If your dog has allergies, avoid the trigger item.
Otherwise, finding a dog food for your bestie is trial and error. Like us humans, sometimes we eat something that doesn’t agree with us, and there’s no real reason. Others just have super sensitive tummies. Transitioning between foods can cause a little bit of upset tummy, but they should get used to it after a few days.
What Cheap Dog Food Is Best For Dogs With Allergies?
Again, this is pretty difficult to answer because it depends on your dog’s allergies. You might struggle to find cheap dog food if your dog is allergic to common fillers, such as corn, soy, wheat, and white rice. If you’re concerned about which food to choose, speak to your vet, who can offer you specific advice tailored to your dog’s allergies.
What Cheap Dog Food Is Best For Dogs With Sensitive Skin?
Ask yourself, what is causing your dog to have sensitive skin? If Fido has allergies, potentially linked to common fillers, you might struggle to find suitable cheap dog food. If their skin problems are linked to dry skin, you need to look for food that’s higher in fatty acids. Unfortunately, cheap dog food usually lacks healthy fatty acids, such as fish oil, which can help soothe and nourish skin. You could try adding a dietary supplement containing fatty acids, like salmon oil supplements.
How Do I Encourage My Dog To Eat Dry Dog Food?
If you’ve switched to a cheaper dog food and Fido just isn’t falling for it, there are a few things to try. Try adding a splash of warm water or low-sodium bone broth, which releases the meaty aromas and encourages them to eat it. I have to do this with my diva Dachshund.
If that doesn’t work, you could buy a few cans of wet dog food and add a spoonful to the bowl. They are more likely to eat it if they can eat chunks of moist, meaty goodness. Gradually reduce the wet addition over time. Or, even if you stick with canned dog food, you could still save money in the long run compared to the more expensive food you switched from.
Other Types Of Dog Food To Consider
If you’ve tried my above tips and your dog just isn’t falling for the cheaper food swap, check out our guide for the best dog food for picky eaters. You could also consider making homemade dog food recipes, sometimes saving you money. Learn what human foods are safe for dogs to eat, which could help you cut the cost of doggy treats. Plus, many of them are healthy, too.
Do you have a secret trick to buying cheap dog food that isn’t listed above? Or maybe you want to share your favorite bargain brand. If you come across a dog food deal that is too good to pass up, first investigate to make sure it’s not a scam. If it’s legit, please let us know in the comments below!
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Emma is a dog mom to two rescue dogs, Bonkers, a mixed breed, and Chips, a young Doxie. Bonkers was a street dog for the first year of his life, and he would happily eat table scraps and McDonalds for the rest of his days. Chips is a typical diva Dachshund who expects the finer things in life. With perseverance, Emma has managed to switch Chip’s food to a more affordable option. She works with a dedicated team at Canine Journal to provide the best, most accurate, and up-to-date information and content for their readers.
