At Bored Panda , we believe that safe and nutritious dog food should be accessible to everyone, which is what inspired us to go the extra mile to find recipes with the most value per pound.
There’s a lot to consider when choosing between wet or dry food for your canine. To help us with a task, we asked our expert vet, Dr. Linda Simon , to evaluate a variety of affordable dog food options. When comparing different brands, we considered cost, life stage, breed, and recipe formulation.
Our research has yielded some fruitful results. In this guide, you’ll find puppy and adult dog food products that offer reasonable quality at a low price point; of course, without forgetting our senior companions — we’ve included some budget options to help them age gracefully, too.
Best Value Puppy Foods
Your puppy’s first few months are crucial for their growth and development. Providing the best dog food for your budget will set your puppy up for success, supporting healthy digestion, a robust immune system, and a well-built skeletal mass.
Cost per Pound: $0.94 | First Three Ingredients: Ground whole grain corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal | Flavor: Chicken and vegetables While the ingredients in this Pedigree Growth and Protection formula aren’t exactly perfect, we believe it still deserves a spot on our list. It provides complete nutrition and contains all the essential vitamins and minerals for a growing pup. What we love about this dog food is its low price point, making it perfect for pet owners looking to save on dog food costs. However, it’s not a premium diet, with corn as the primary ingredient and chicken by-product meal instead of real chicken. The Pedigree puppy recipe comes in smaller kibble or mini chunks, a nice touch for smaller breeds that sometimes struggle to eat larger pieces when transitioning from nursing. What We Like: • No high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, or sugar • Enriched with DHA for brain development • Made in the US • Excellent price What We Don’t Like: • The first ingredient isn’t high-quality meat
chewy.com Report
Cost per Pound: $1.51 | First Three Ingredients: Chicken, ground whole grain corn, chicken by-product meal | Flavor: Chicken Iams Proactive Healthy Puppy formula is ideal for larger-breed pups. It contains glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which promote collagen growth and reduce joint inflammation. Furthermore, the mix of prebiotics and fiber helps promote a healthy digestive tract, which is especially crucial in this age group. Puppies often suffer from diarrhea and bloating in the first few months of life, so this formula can help alleviate those issues. Iams formula contains some flavourings and chicken by-product meal alongside the whole chicken. While adding the by-product meal isn’t ideal, it makes the formula more affordable. What We Like: • Chicken is the first ingredient • Enriched with antioxidants • Prebiotics for gut health What We Don’t Like: • Contains by-product meal
chewy.com Report
Cost per Pound: $1.79 | First Three Ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, sweet potatoes | Flavor: Chicken and sweet potato Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain is delicious, nutritious, and free of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. Plus, the formula does not contain wheat, so dogs with wheat allergies can safely eat it without any adverse reactions. The prebiotics in this food act as a food source for gut bacteria, promoting a healthier gut microbiome. This, in turn, can improve stool consistency and reduce skin itchiness. This recipe uses natural ingredients, including whole chicken, peas, flaxseed, sweet potato, and chicken fat. Sweet potato is an excellent source of slow-releasing carbohydrates, perfect for active dogs who need a steady energy supply. What We Like: • Grain-free formula • Plenty of protein • Quality is on par with that of more expensive brands • Includes prebiotics What We Don’t Like: • Contains chicken meal
chewy.com Report
Cost per Pound: $ 1.86 | First Three Ingredients: Beef, lamb meal, sweet potatoes | Flavor: Beef The Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Recipe is an exceptional-quality kibble made with some of the best ingredients, including pasture-fed beef, sweet potatoes, peas, and salmon oil . It’s the highest-rated dog food on our list, and customers praise it for how much their dogs seem to enjoy it. Despite its premium ingredients, this kibble is surprisingly affordable. It’s packed with superfoods like blueberries, raspberries, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium probiotics, making it a complete and balanced meal for your furry friend. What We Like: • Fruits and vegetables • No cheap fillers • Highly rated by many dog owners • Suitable for all life stages and all breed sizes • Good blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids What We Don’t Like: • It’s on the pricier side
Cost per Pound: $3.68 | First Three Ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver | Flavor: Chicken Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe is an ideal choice for senior dogs who may need extra encouragement to eat and who prefer softer foods. This pâté is made with real deboned chicken and chicken liver, which can help prevent muscle wastage in your pet’s later years. Additionally, it contains a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as cranberries and carrots, which are excellent sources of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The Blue Buffalo formula also includes glucosamine and chondroitin to aid aging joints and to support those with chronic orthopedic conditions, including arthritis and hip dysplasia. What We Like: • The first five ingredients are natural, whole foods • Perfect choice for fussy dogs What We Don’t Like: • Many owners complain that cans often come with dents
Cost per Pound: $4.80 | First Three Ingredients: Beef, beef broth, meat by-product | Flavor: Steak Dogs absolutely adore Purina Baneful formula’s delicious taste and texture, making mealtime an absolute joy. The recipe caters to your pups’s meat cravings with delicious beef, liver, and chicken among the ingredients. A high-protein diet can work wonders for your furry friend, keeping their muscles in optimal condition. An impressive protein content at an affordable price point ensures your dog gets the best possible nutrition, even when you’re on a tight budget. What We Like: • Beef as the first ingredient • Highly palatable • No artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors • Limited ingredient diet What We Don’t Like: • Includes meat by-products
chewy.com Report
Cost per Pound: $3.75 | First Three ingredients: Beef, lentils, tomato pomace | Flavor: Beef The Taste of the Wild recipe uses high-quality Angus beef, lentils, chicken fat, and salmon oils. While it’s not the cheapest option, it offers excellent value for money, considering the exceptional ingredients. The brand is all about offering simple yet wholesome recipes and prioritizes the use of “all meat and no meal.” The savory seasoning coating the kibble makes it even more palatable. Note: Although there is a potential link between legumes in dog food and heart disease in certain breeds, there is currently no evidence that avoiding legume-containing foods is necessary. What We Like: • Real Angus beef • Suitable for all life stages, from puppies to seniors • A high amount of good bacteria (80 million CFU/pound ) What We Don’t Like: • Potential cardiomyopathy risk means owners of Doberman and Cocker Spaniel breeds may want to steer clear
Cost per Pound: $1.71 | First Three Ingredients: Corn, meat and bone meal, chicken by-product meal | Flavor: Beef and lamb While the Pedigree High-Protein diet might not win any prizes for clean eating, it still packs a punch with its 27% protein content and inclusion of real red meat — great if you’re looking for dog food on a budget with some real benefits. The omega-6 acids in the food help promote a glossy coat, while the crunchy kibble helps maintain good dental hygiene. What We Like: • A high-protein option • Contain red meat What We Don’t Like: • Low-quality ingredients overall
Cost per Pound: $2.80 | First Three Ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice | Flavor: Chicken Blue Buffalo’s signature Life Source Bits provide your furry friend with added health benefits. These bits are filled with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants and are cold-formed to preserve their potency. One of the best things about this food is its delicious poultry flavor, sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. It also includes tasty brown rice and fresh vegetables, which your dog will surely appreciate. This diet features small-bite kibble, making it easier for smaller dogs to chew. It supports joint function and mobility with added glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids. This is especially important for smaller dogs susceptible to joint issues like luxating patellas and arthritis as they age. What We Like: • Smaller kibble size • Enriched with antioxidants • Highly palatable • Fresh, real ingredients What We Don’t Like: • Some dog owners reported their pup had an upset stomach when switching to this food
Cost per Pound: $2.20 | First Three Ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, brewer rice | Flavor: Chicken Nature’s recipe offers dog food that promotes healthy digestion. It uses whole grains like barley and brown rice, which contain plenty of fiber. This helps with a more formed stool that is less smelly — always a win. Although it has no poultry by-products, chicken meal is the second ingredient. This usually means the skin, flesh, and bone of the bird. It’s affordable, and small dogs will appreciate the smaller kibble size. This is particularly useful for dogs with dental disease or oral issues like over-shot jaws. What We Like: • Supplemented with glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health • Fibre sourced from whole grains • Smaller kibble size for little mouths What We Don’t Like: • Contains meat meal and brewer’s rice
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