Sometimes “cheap” does not mean bad quality. Here we are filtering some quite affordable dog food that still could give a complete nutrient profile for your dog’s daily requirements. So let scroll down to see the best cheap dog foods but healthy enough for dogs in the current competitive dog food market.
Contents
- 1 Top 5 Best Cheap Dog Food Update 2021
- 1.1 Top 1: Iams Proactive Health Minichunks Dry Dog Food, Chicken
- 1.2 Top 2: Pedigree Adult Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Steak
- 1.3 Top 3: Tuffy’S Pet Food 131530 Nutrisource Weight Management Dog Food
- 1.4 Top 4: Amazon Brand – Solimo Basic Dry Dog Food with Grains (Chicken or Beef Flavor)
- 1.5 Top 5: Nutro Wholesome Essentials Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
- 2 Why cheap dog food?
- 3 How should we choose cheap dog food?
- 4 FAQs
- 5 Conclusion
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Top 5 Best Cheap Dog Food Update 2021
Top 1: Iams Proactive Health Minichunks Dry Dog Food, Chicken
Brand popularity: this brand is shown on Amazon with only $0.1/ounce for 7 lb. pack and $0.07/ounce, which is roughly 40% cheaper than other premium brands. However, it could still cover the nutritious needs of your mate.
Ingredients: Chicken, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken By-Product Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Dried Egg Product, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Caramel Color, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate (source of Vitamin B1), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin, Riboflavin Supplement (source of Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of Vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Potassium Iodide), Potassium Chloride, Carrot, Choline Chloride, Fructooligosaccharides, Calcium Carbonate, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Rosemary Extract.
Pros:
This food features smaller kibble size or mini chunks, which is especially suitable for your small breeds or toy breeds.
Made with real farm-raised chicken which is very nutritious and could help your buddy build lean and strong muscle.
The blend of fiber and prebiotics from beet pulp supports a highly digestive system. It also contains antioxidants for immune support.
Precautions:
The packing quality may be affected on delivery. Just check if any tears upon receipt.
Top 2: Pedigree Adult Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Steak
Brand popularity: this brand is currently being sold on Amazon at a very, very affordable price at $0.04/ounce. With it is also well-known for stable quality and complete nutrient basis, which could satisfy your dog’s daily requirements at a great price.
Ingredients: Ground Whole Grain Corn, Meat And Bone Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Animal Fat (Source Of Omega 6 Fatty Acids [Preserved With Bha & Citric Acid]), Soybean Meal, Natural Flavor, Chicken By-Product Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Brewers Rice, Ground Whole Grain Wheat, Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Dried Peas, Dl-Methionine, Natural Grilled Steak Flavor, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Monocalcium Phosphate, L-Tryptophan, Red 40, Yellow 6, Dried Carrots, Niacin [Vitamin B3], Blue 2, Yellow 5, D-Calcium Pantothenate [Source Of Vitamin B5], Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement [Vitamin B2], Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride [Vitamin B6], Folic Acid.
Pros:
This food is featured with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants from fresh fruit and veggies. It is also full of flavors together with meaty steak flavor to support your dog a healthy and happy life.
Made in the USA with the global finest ingredients. Contain wholesome grains without artificial flavors, and no added sugar.
Prebiotics from beet pulp help support the digestive system.
Omega-6 fatty acids help promote skin and coat.
Precautions:
This food is a little bit low on the protein (21%). If your dog loves it, give him some more protein packs as well.
Top 3: Tuffy’S Pet Food 131530 Nutrisource Weight Management Dog Food
Brand popularity: it is only 20% lower than other premium brands but it aims for overweight dogs and the efficiency has been proven over time.
Ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, pea fiber, brown rice, barley, natural turkey and chicken flavor, pea starch, menhaden fish meal (a source of fish oil), oatmeal, plain dried beet pulp, chicken fat (preserved with tocopherols and citric acid), rice bran, potassium chloride, flax seed, brewers dried yeast, dried tomato pomace, salt, DL methionine, choline chloride, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, cobalt proteinate, selenium yeast), vitamins (vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), lactic acid, glucosamine hydrochloride, L-carnitine, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), chondroitin sulfate, yucca schidigera extract, taurine, calcium iodate, rosemary extract, yeast culture, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract.
Pros:
Feature with low high protein & fiber and low-fat formula, this food really makes your dog feel full of energy while actually reduce fat from his body and then reduce weight.
Include probiotics and prebiotics to fuel dogs’ gut and promote the digestive system.
Balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help promote healthy skin and coat, with the supports of L-Carnitine, taurine, choline chloride, and DL-Methionine supplementation will promote strong heart condition for your pet.
Precautions:
Put fresh water around your pet all the time.
Consult with your vet to make sure if your pet is overweight.
Top 4: Amazon Brand – Solimo Basic Dry Dog Food with Grains (Chicken or Beef Flavor)
Brand popularity: it is sold at the rate of Pedigree on Amazon at $0.04 per ounce. If your dog likes Purina or Pedigree’s products, this could be a good choice.
Main ingredients: ground corn, meat and bone meal, soybean meal, wheat middling’s, poultry fat, dried cheese product.
Pros:
Crafted in the USA with complete and balanced nutrients of carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals.
Ground corn is the first ingredient, this food fuels your dog with the most energy from carbohydrates.
Made with American raised beef without any artificial flavors.
Precautions:
This is a low protein and low-fat diet. Thus, you should provide more protein packs to your dog to keep their lean and strong muscle.
To avoid dietary upset, allow 7 – 10 days of transition before full usage.
Be careful if your dog is allergic to any ingredients like beef or corn.
Top 5: Nutro Wholesome Essentials Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
Brand popularity: this dog food brand is going the same price rate as Tuffy with $0.11 per ounce which is not surprisingly cheap but it could be considered as quite more affordable than usual.
Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal (Source Of Glucosamine And Chondroitin Sulfate), Whole Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Split Peas, Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Sweet Potato, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Lamb Meal (Source Of Glucosamine And Chondroitin Sulfate), Whole Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid (Preservatives), Pea Fiber, Zinc Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Carbonate, Biotin, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Selenium Yeast, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.
Pros:
This food is based on farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient so it will provide a source of healthy protein, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate for lean, strong muscle and joints for your dogs’ active life.
It is made without chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, soy protein, or any GMO ingredient. No artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
It also contains antioxidants and supplements of vitamins and minerals to make it become a complete and balanced nutrient profile.
Precautions:
The protein level is rather low (21%) so you may have to add some protein packs to the daily diet if your pet is a highly active dog.
A transition course of 6 days should be introduced before full usage.
Why cheap dog food?
In this blog, we have tried to define cheap dog foods as complete and balanced while still be affordable compared to the premium food in the current market.
The reason for choosing cheap dog food may arise from your wallet. Whether you are taking care of so many adopted pets or you are working at an animal saving center, cheap dog foods should be a great choice.
Furthermore, if your pet loves cheap things, so why do you have to try to take risks with the expensive ones? Cheap dog foods are normally featured by lower protein levels and lower calorie levels. If your dogs love it, just add some protein packs. In some cases, you do not have to worry about low protein and calorie levels at the same time if your dog is an inactive one or if it is being restricted protein and calories by veterinary prescription.
How should we choose cheap dog food?
Carefully reading the label, nutrient analysis table, feeding instructions is the first and the most important step.
Less expensive dog foods usually contain a lower animal protein rate. This could cause lean body mass loss if being used for a long time and even obesity. Thus, a lower protein diet should go with a lower fat diet to reduce the possibility of obesity. You could check this based on the nutrient analysis table. A reduced-fat diet should contain lower than 15% of fat.
The cheap or affordable food should also contain enough ingredients with a complete and balanced nutrient profile according to AFFCO’s instructions. The food should also contain no filler or preservatives.
The cheap food should also be manufactured by trusted brands which necessary certificates and clear instructions/information outside the package.
If those above requirements are met, the cheap food diet could also be a happy choice until your dog changes and finally needs another one.
FAQs
What are the downsides of cheap dog food?
Cheap but good foods usually have fewer options. Going on a cheap food diet for a long time also takes your dog to the risk of losing a bit of weight. If not, maybe he has to eat more than usual. At that point, sometimes cheap foods become expensive.
A low protein diet also raises the possibility of reducing lean body mass and increase obesity. Considering some add-ins if your dog has already been attracted to one of the cheap but good enough foods.
What are the best add-ins for cheap dog food?
Forget about table scraps or cut meat buns at home. Those things do no good to adding protein to your dog but making obesity more serious. If you also have no budget for some kinds of protein packs, think about some additional home-cooked protein-rich recipes.
Conclusion
There is no perfect formula in your way of choosing a suitable diet for your dog mate. If either your wallet or your dog makes you choose cheap foods, sticking to the basic standards of choosing the food wisely. Make sure you understand well the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Dog Food Nutrient Profiles and choose the brands which go well with US Food and Drug Administration inspection according to the Pure Food and Drug Act or the Meat Inspection Act.
