Final Thoughts On 25 Best Cheap Dog Foods In 2022
So, whether you are looking for the best cheap dog food that is high in quality or one that is specifically designed for your pup’s age and activity level, there is sure to be something on this list that will fit the bill.
Just keep in mind that when it comes to feeding your furry friend, quality should always be your top priority. And if you have any questions, be sure to consult with your veterinarian. They are always the best source of information when it comes to your dog’s health and nutrition.
Spot Farms Human Grade Dog Food Grain
Price: $48.37 / 8lbs. to make 32lbs. foodGet It Here
If you prefer to stay away from more traditional kibble options and feed your dog a dehydrated diet, we recommend checking out Spot Farms dehydrated grain-free chicken food. Made with human grade ingredients and using antibiotic-free chicken, we cant say enough good things about a dehydrated dog food option, especially if youre on the road and dont have much space to accommodate a huge bag of kibble.
How Will I Know If My Dog Likes His Food
The best way to know if your dog likes his food is to watch him eat. If he seems enthusiastic and eats all of his food, then chances are good that he likes it.
If he turns his nose up at it or leaves a lot of food in his bowl, then you may want to try a different brand. Dogs can be picky eaters, so it may take some trial and error to find a food that he really loves.
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Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain
Price: $51.99 / 28lbs.Get It Here
One of our most recommended brands of kibble, Earthborn receives far fewer kudos than they deserve for never having to recall one of their foods. When it comes to best grain free dog food options, we like Earthborns Coastal Catch recipe because its loaded with joint and heart healthy omega fatty acids which are ideal for seniors and active dogs alike.
Ps For Dogs 100% Hypoallergenic Dog Food Lamb Flavor
Price: $27.95 / 2lbs.Get It Here
PS For Dogs is one of the best grain free dog food brands that few average pet parents are familiar with, but if you have a dog prone to itching and licking, youll be glad you tried their lamb formula. This food is designed specifically for dogs with allergy concerns and uses grass-fed free-range lamb as its the main source of protein. This is an air-dried dog food which some pet parents feel uncomfortable with, but we cant recommend it enough if your dog is currently loaded up on allergy medications!
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Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Turkey & Potato Dog Food
Best Grain-Free Meal
Ratings:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Turkey, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Whole Dried Potato, 4. Chicken Fat, 5. Whole Flaxseed
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, Medium, Large Breeds
- Caloric content : 3,370 kcal
- Analysis: Protein 26% | Fat 14% | Fiber 5% | Moisture 10%
If you want to feed your allergic pup a grain-free diet on a budget, Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Dog Food is a top choice. Turkey is the main ingredient in the recipe that provides your dog with amino acids required for lean muscle growth. Instead of grains, the food uses potatoes and peas for carbs and chicken fat to fulfill your dogs fat requirements.
Besides that, the recipe offers numerous micronutrients, including prebiotics that improve gut health. Omega fatty acids enhance coat health and prevent your dogs skin from becoming irritated. Some sensitive pups can be allergic to artificial additives, so the food is free from artificial flavors, preservatives, and colors.
Best Affordable Dog Foods
Dr. Tims Pursuit gains the majority of its animal protein from chicken meal. Our dry matter label study reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 22% fat and 36% estimated carbs which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
Typical buyer reviewI poured some in her bowl and she ate it IMMEDIATELY! This is a dog that I believed just wasnt into food. I have given her raw foods, very expensive foods, bougie brand dry foods and she expressed little to no interest. Dr. Tims food is quality at a fair price! Great, thoughtful ingredients that my dog cant get enough of!
American Journey Grain-Free gets most of its animal protein from fresh salmon as well as chicken and turkey meals. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 16% fat and 41% estimated carbs which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 44%.
Typical buyer reviewFor dogs with sensitivities, especially to grain and chicken, this is hands down the best and most affordable option on the market. Weve shopped around and tried other limited ingredient foods, including pro plan, and this has been the only food we can trust for our dog. Wouldnt know what to do without american journey!
We note the inclusion of salmon oil, which is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. Compared to plant based oils, these two top-quality fats provide the highest bio-availability to dogs.
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Which Life Stage Is This Member’s Mark Dog Food Recommended For
This grain-free dry dog food is intended for adult dogs that are at a healthy weight. If you’re switching from another food to this one, it’s best to do it slowly by mixing the two foods together over several days until your pet is used to the new diet. In between feedings, you can store this dog food in an airtight container in a dry location to keep it fresh and tasty.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Meal , Menhaden Fish Meal, Chickpeas, Dried Potatoes, Pea Protein, Animal Fat , Dried Peas, Natural Flavor, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Potato Starch, Ground Flaxseed, Dried Sweet Potato, Dried Apples, Dried Tomato Pomace, Dried Spinach, Brewers Dried Yeast, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols , Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate , Zinc Oxide, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Biotin, Sodium Selenite, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Manganous Oxide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex , Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Cobalt Carbonate.
Guaranteed analysis
Crude protein , crude fat , crude fiber , moisture , calcium , phosphorus , zinc , selenium , vitamin A , vitamin D , vitamin E , alpha-linolenic acid* , ascorbic acid – source of vitamin C* , docosahexanoic acid – DHA , omega-6 fatty acid* .
*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles.
Feeding guide
What Are The Benefits Of Grain
For many dogs, whole grains are a digestible source of carbohydrate that provide energy, fiber, and essential nutrients. Unfortunately, many dogs are allergic or sensitive to grains. A dog that cant properly digest grains needs to be fed a diet free from those ingredients a grain-free diet.
A grain-free dog food doesnt contain any grains, whole grains or otherwise. This doesnt mean, however, that the recipe is free from carbohydrates altogether. There are plenty of digestible carbohydrates that dont come from grains.
The main benefit of a grain free diet for dogs is that it may be easier for some dogs to digest and it has a lower risk for triggering food allergies and sensitivities.
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Whats The Best Affordable Dog Food On The Market
Looking for a good, cheap dog food?
Although the best budget-friendly brands are not always the cheapest
You can still find many 4 and 5-star dog foods selling for as much as 40% below the cost of premium recipes.
These are quality brands offering inexpensive product lines designed to meet the needs of those who love their pets
But who also want to avoid foods made with cheap fillers and plant-based protein boosters.
What Should I Look For In Grain
Before your enter the market for grain-free dog food, there are some pointers you need to keep in mind:
- Ingredients. Always check the ingredients before your buy your dog food. Chances are that your dog might be allergic to one or two of them. It is also best to consult a vet before shifting to a grain-free recipe.
- Cost. Since your dog will require food for their entire life, it can be an expensive affair for some pet parents. Look for brands that are popular and contain premium ingredients without burning a hole in your pocket.
- Shelf Life. If the shelf life of your dog food is not great, you will find yourself buying the dog food again and again. Look for products that have a great shelf life.
- Packaging. Good packaging not only sells the brand but also keeps the dog food intact. It ensures that the food is kept in a hygienic environment.
- Type. While most grain-free dog foods are dry, you might also find some niche brands making wet dog foods. Depending on your pets preference, you can opt for a brand of your choice.
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How Much Food Should I Feed My Dog Every Day
The amount of food you should feed your dog depends on his age, activity level, and weight. Puppies and active dogs need more calories than adult dogs who are less active.
An easy way to determine how much food to feed your dog is to look at the feeding recommendations on the pet food label. This will give you an idea of how much to feed based on your dog’s weight.
Keep in mind that these are only guidelines and you may need to adjust the amount of food you feed based on your dog’s individual needs.
When it comes to feeding your dog, quality is more important than quantity. It’s better to feed your dog a high-quality, nutritionally balanced diet than to worry about how much food he’s eating.
If you’re not sure if you’re feeding your dog the right amount, ask your veterinarian for help.
What Do You Need To Know About Grain
Grain-free dog food is exactly what it sounds like dog food made without grains. But what exactly does that mean? If you cant answer this question, youre not alone. There is a great deal of misinformation out there about grain-free diets for pets, and thats what we want to address.
Lets start with the FDA grain free dog food warning.
In July of 2018, the FDA began investigating consumer reports linking cases of canine dilated cardiomyopathy with certain pet foods containing peas, lentils, legumes, and potatoes as main ingredients. In their initial announcement, the FDA notes that these reports are unusual because they involve cases of DCM in dog breeds not typically prone to the disease. Well talk more about DCM in the next section, but for now, what you need to know is that this condition is typically inherited and is most common in large and giant breeds.
What is important to remember about this issue is that the underlying cause of DCM is unknown. What we do know is that reports of DCM linked to grain-free diets typically included the following foods as main ingredients:
In addition to these ingredients, the protein, starch, and fiber derivatives of such may also be implicated in the connection with DCM. In most cases, the dogs included in the report had been following a grain-free diet high in these foods for a period of months to years.
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Why Choose Mfm Grain Free Dog Food
An allergic reaction to grain can manifest itself in a number of ways and these are the most common:
- Skin problems: Dogs that have grain allergies are likely to display it through skin problems such as dry, itchy skin, red lumps, welts, over grooming and hotspots
- Common ear infections
- Low immune system and frequent visits to the vet
- Diarrhoea and other digestive issues
If your dog displays any of these symptoms, you should get them to the vet and discuss moving him/her onto grain free dog food.
Castor & Pollux Pristine Grass
Price: $73.67 / 18lbs.Get It Here
Made with grass-fed beef, Castor and Pollux grass-fed beef and chickpea food uses responsibly sourced ingredients, is cooked in the USA, and uses no artificial preservatives or flavors. We love the variety of protein that is available in this line of food grass-fed beef, wild-caught salmon, grass-fed lamb, and free-range chicken and turkey all of which provide high-quality protein that you can rotate to provide plenty of variety in your dogs daily diet.
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Wild Earth Rich Umami And Roasted Superfood Recipe
Image courtesy Wild Earth
Feed your dog the high-quality nutrients of Wild Earth’s Clean Protein Formula Plant Based Dry Dog Food!
This dish is nutritionally complete and contains prebiotic fibers to promote a healthy gut microbiota and resistance against ailments. It’s brimming with delicious umami flavor thanks on whole-food components like chickpeas, pumpkin, oats, spinach, and sweet potato!
This affordable dog food is made with real ingredients, This food is 100% vegan and contains no meat. You may also be certain that your dog will not eat any fillers, additives, animal by-products, or artificial preservatives since they do not contain any of these things.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain
Best Grain-Free Dog Food for Puppies: Your puppy needs a high-quality, nutritious diet to grow up strong. This Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Puppy Food is a great option because it features fresh chicken as the main ingredient and a lean source of protein. It also contains chicken meal, turkey meal, and egg for supplemental protein to support your puppys healthy growth and development. This recipe contains an optimal blend of calcium, phosphorus, and other essential nutrients for healthy bone growth with DHA for brain health. It is loaded with omega fatty acids in the optimal blend for skin and coat health, plus it contains Blue Buffalos LifeSource Bits to provide antioxidants for healthy immunity. All in all, this recipe provides a total of 36% protein, 16% fat, and 5% fiber with 423 calories per cup.
Pros: Fresh chicken first ingredient, rich in protein and fat, several supplemental proteins, rich in omega fatty acids, highly digestible, fresh fruits and vegetables, chelated minerals, probiotic supplements
Cons: Pea protein as the third ingredient
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How Much Member’s Mark Grain
This dry dog food can be fed to adult dogs of any size. To make it easy to measure out, you can use an 8-oz container for each cup of food. There is a handy guide on the back of the bag with feeding suggestions by weight. Please note that you should adjust these guidelines as you need to in order to reach and maintain your dog’s ideal weight.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dog Food Potato & Duck Formula
Price: $59.49 / 26lbs.Get It Here
Another limited ingredient formula food, Natural Balance Limited Ingredient foods have made quite a few of our food recommendation lists because of their unique formulation. This is an easily available food at most pet stores which is always a plus and its not a calorie rich food choice which makes it a great choice for your more sedentary pups too. However, it might be too expensive for people looking for cheap grain free dog food brands, and there are more affordable alternatives.
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Halo Holistic Grain Free Natural Dry Dog Food Surf And Turf
Price: $73.74Get It Here
This isnt the most affordable among the best grain free dog food options listed, but its a high-quality food that made with whole fish and poultry rather than rendered meat products. We love Halo brand for that fact as well as for the fact that they source ingredients from farms that humanely raise their animals and they only use non-GMO fruits and vegetables. This may seem a little excessive to some pet parents, but as a pet parent who has fed an allergy-prone dog with hemangiosarcoma, I can tell you that every little thing in your dogs diet can make a positive difference!
What To Look For In Cheap Quality Dog Food
To be honest, look for exactly what you would look for in any dog food. The lower price should not be a reason to compromise on the quality. So, no matter how cheap the product, you should always look for the following.
Animal-based Proteins The primary source of protein should always be real animal meat. Id recommend avoiding any product that has a meal or by-product as the primary source of protein.
Fatty Acids Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are essential for a lot of things, including coat, skin, and joints. While they are abundant in fish-based recipes, look for other sources such as flaxseed and canola oil.
Mineral and Vitamins These micronutrients do a lot for your dog. From keeping their vision sharp to helping their cognition, micronutrients are what your baby needs.
Antioxidants I recommend food with antioxidants because it is part of preventative care for your pet. Antioxidants play a vital role in strengthening your pals immune system.
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Canidae Grain Free Pure Dry Dog Food Lamb
Price: $64.99 / 24lbs.Get It Here
Canidae offers a large range of grain-free food options and they are all relatively affordable and made with high-quality ingredients. We prefer the PURE lamb formula which is made with limited ingredients and a better choice for dogs overall because it doesnt have an ingredients list as long as your arm. We also love that Canidae brand is available in at least one of the two big name pet stores so its readily available