How to Find High-Quality Inexpensive Dog Food
by Carol Bryant
Published on January 13, 2025
Dogs deserve a nutritious diet that supports their needs without breaking the bank. Finding high-quality, inexpensive dog food may seem daunting. With a little research and savvy shopping, we uncovered affordable options that don’t compromise quality.
High-quality dog food should contain named protein sources as the primary ingredient(s). It should have a balance of complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals. It’s a common misconception that higher price points mean better quality.
By focusing on what’s inside the bag rather than the adorable dog on the front, you can find hidden gems that suit your dog’s palate without overspending.
All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Top High-Quality Inexpensive Dog Food Selections
Here are our top budget-friendly selections to help you make confident, cost-effective decisions in feeding your canine family members. There’s something for everyone on this list.
- Top Overall High-Quality Inexpensive Dog Food: VICTOR Classic Hi-Pro Plus Formula
- Most Affordable High-Quality Canned Dog Food: Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy
- Best High-Quality Inexpensive Dry Food for Dogs: Diamond Naturals Lamb and Rice
- Most Affordable Food For Puppies: Purina Puppy Chow Complete with Real Chicken
- Best Inexpensive Dog Food for Senior Dogs: Purina ONE SmartBlend Vibrant Maturity 7+ Chicken Formula Adult Premium Dog Food
- Most Inexpensive Grain-Free Food for Dogs: Blue Buffalo Freedom Complete & Balanced
- Most Affordable Picky Eater Dog Food: Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Real Beef, Pea, and Brown Rice Dry Dog Food
- Best Inexpensive Large Breed Dog Food: Pedigree Big Dogs Adult Complete Nutrition
- Most Affordable Small Breed Dog Food: Nutro Natural Choice Adult Small Breed Dog Food
- Best Sensitive Stomach Affordable Dog Food: Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin
Inexpensive Dog Food Choices That Are High Quality
Choosing the right dog food can be challenging but not impossible. Finding an inexpensive dog food that suits your budget while meeting your dog’s nutritional needs is key. Here are some selections to consider to ensure your dog eats a good diet without breaking the bank.
Top Overall High-Quality Inexpensive Dog Food
Our Pick: VICTOR Classic Hi-Pro Plus Formula
Sourced and made in the United States, VICTOR Classic Hi-Pro Plus Formula dog food comprises 88 percent meat protein. It is best for dogs with high physical demands and active sporting dogs. It can be fed throughout all life stages, including lactating and pregnant females. Made with gluten-free grains, this VICTOR formula is available in various sizes to accommodate all budgets and households.
Highlights
- Ideal for all life stages from puppyhood to senior
- Made with gluten-free grains for sensitive tummies
- Each bag contains selenium yeast for metabolic function
- It contains prebiotics and probiotics to support gut health and immune defense
- Made in the United States
- High-protein multi-meat formula dogs love
- Provides sustained energy for active and sporting dogs
Things to Consider
- Dogs with sensitivities to certain proteins may not be able to eat this food
- Main ingredient is beef meal, not pure beef
- Formula is best for more active, sporting dogs
Most Affordable High-Quality Canned Dog Food
Our Pick: Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy
If you prefer to give your dog a canned dog food that contains no added sugar, no fructose corn syrup, and no artificial flavors, consider Pedigree’s Choice Cuts in Gravy. Made with real beef, this wet food can be served alone or mixed with kibble. This variety pack is made in the United States and allows dogs to indulge with choice cuts. Each pack contains six cans of Choice Cuts in Gravy with Beef and six cans of Choice Cuts in Gravy Country Stew.
Highlights
- Made for all life stages and all breeds
- Made in America
- Cans can be covered and refrigerated once opened
- Beef recipe contains real beef as its first ingredient
- Completed and balanced formula
Things to Consider
- Each formula also contains other proteins (chicken) which may not be conducive to dogs with food sensitivities
- Only available in 12-pack or 24-pack of cans
Best High-Quality Inexpensive Dry Food for Dogs
Our Pick: Diamond Naturals Lamb and Rice
When it comes to high quality, Diamond Naturals is a family-owned company that manufactures dog food in the United States. Created with real pasture-raised lamb as the first ingredient, this dry dog food also contains proprietary antibiotics to support digestion. The recipe contains no corn, wheat, or artificial flavors or colors.
Made with real fruits and vegetables like peas, kale, coconut, and blueberries, this food is formulated to meet nutritional levels established by AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles for maintenance. All meat used by Diamond Naturals is USDA-inspected, so you can feel good serving your pup a healthy, inexpensive meal.
Highlights
- This recipe does not contain peas, legumes, or potatoes
- A whopping 23 percent protein from lamb as the main ingredient
- This food does not contain animal by-products
- Made in America
- Available in 6-pound bags and higher so you can try the food before committing long-term
- Also available in beef meal and rice.
Things to Consider
- This recipe contains chicken fat in the event your dog has allergies or sensitivities to poultry
- This is not a grain-free formula
Most Affordable Food For Puppies
Our Pick: Purina Puppy Chow Complete with Real Chicken
Puppies deserve a great start to their lives. Purina Puppy Chow is a popular, affordable puppy food that contains real farm-raised chicken and rice. The bite-sized pieces are ideal for small, developing mouths, and this blend is packed with 30 percent more protein than some other dry puppy food selections.
Purina has been around since 1926 and includes over 500 scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts in crafting their recipes. This formula contains grains and can be mixed with water if desired. Each bag contains essential nutrients puppies need, like those in their mother’s milk. It is available in multiple sizes, so you can stock up and save.
Highlights
- Made with American-raised chicken
- Highly digestible formula for puppies
- Contains DHA from fish oil for a healthy brain and vision
- Thirty percent more protein helps muscles grow
- Each bag contains antioxidants like vitamin C
- Crafted in the USA and meets AAFCO standards
Things to Consider
- Limited flavor selections
- Contains by-product meals
- Contains artificial additives
Best Inexpensive Dog Food for Senior Dogs
Our Pick: Purina ONE SmartBlend Vibrant Maturity 7+ Chicken Formula Adult Premium Dog Food
For senior dogs or those seven years of age or older, Purina offers a SmartBlend Vibrant Maturity dry dog food. With real chicken as its primary ingredient, it contains amino acids needed to support muscle maintenance in senior dogs. The formula contains MCT-rich vegetable oil, which can help with mental alertness in older dogs.
Made without unnecessary fillers and highly digestible, pet parents will appreciate the tender, meaty morsels, and crunchy kibble mixture. The added calcium in each bag helps support senior dogs’ teeth and gums, which is important as they age.
Highlights
- High protein content at 28 percent
- This food is manufactured in the United States
- Features six omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals
- Available in several sizes
- Made to support heart, immune system, skin and coat health, and muscle care
- Most dogs love the chicken flavor
Things to Consider
- It contains chicken by-product meal and corn gluten meal
- Adding caramel coloring may be a concern for pet parents who want a food without artificial additives.
- Contains no probiotics
- Only available in one flavor
Most Inexpensive Grain-Free Food for Dogs
Our Pick: Blue Buffalo Freedom Complete & Balanced
Pet parents who prefer a grain-free formula should consider Blue Buffalo’s Freedom Complete and Balanced Nutrition dry dog food. Each formula is free of grains containing gluten and is available in chicken, beef, or lamb. This particular formula (chicken and potatoes) has no by-product meals, corn, wheat, or soy. With 24 percent protein, the first ingredient is deboned chicken.
Highlights
- Limited ingredient formula which may benefit dogs with food sensitivities
- Contains no wheat, soy, corn, or grains
- Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for a shiny coat and healthy skin
- Free of chicken/poultry by-product meals
- Supports the immune system with Blue Buffalo’s proprietary LifeSource Bits
- Available in a variety of sizes
Things to Consider
- Blue Buffalo is not certified GMO-free
- No 50-pound bag for multi-dog households
Most Affordable Picky Eater Dog Food
Our Pick: Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Real Beef, Pea, and Brown Rice Dry Dog Food
If your dog is a picky eater but you are on a budget, consider Rachael Ray’s Nutrish Formula. With real beef as the first ingredient, this new recipe has been redeveloped with more nutrition and palatability for your picky eater. Each bag contains natural prebiotics to support digestion without artificial flavors or preservatives.
The fiber-rich carbs, peas, and brown rice are low in fat and high in fiber. These are included to boost energy and promote healthy digestion. A portion of the proceeds from each bag goes to help animals in need through the Rachael Ray Foundation.
Highlights
- The exclusion of wheat ingredients can be beneficial for dogs with ingredient sensitivities
- Real beef helps support healthy organs and maintain lean muscle mass
- At 25 percent protein, this is a comparable amount to other foods on our list
- Can be fed to all adult dogs
- Made in the United States
Things to Consider
- It contains annatto extract, a natural colorant
- Contains plant-based ingredients of soybean meal, whole corn, and grain sorghum
- Contains beef meal
Best Inexpensive Large Breed Dog Food
Our Pick: Pedigree Big Dogs Adult Complete Nutrition
Calling all big dogs–this one’s for you. Larger dogs need higher protein levels to sustain their muscle mass and level of activity. Pedigree’s Big Dogs Adult Complete Nutrition features beef-based protein in a caloric-dense formula. This 100 percent balanced food for adult dogs also contains naturally sourced glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy bones and joints.
Free of ingredients like high fructose corn syrup and added sugars, this dry food formula contains whole grains, protein, and vegetable accents. Coupled with the 36 vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, consider filling your big dog’s bowl with the Pedigree Big Dogs formula.
Highlights
- It contains omega-6 fatty acids and zinc for healthy skin and coat
- Priced competitively compared to other premium dry dog foods
- Includes vitamin E to support a strong immune system
- Free of artificial flavors
- Ideal fiber content thanks to beet pulp and other fiber sources
- Available in larger bag sizes for bigger dogs
Things to Consider
- Ground whole-grain corn is the first ingredient
- Contains chicken by-product
- Limited protein variety, relying on meat and bone meal
Most Affordable Small Breed Dog Food
Our Pick: Nutro Natural Choice Adult Small Breed Dog Food
Small dogs deserve affordable dog food, too. Nutro offers Natural Choice Adult Small Breed Dog Food in adult or senior formulas. Featuring chicken and brown rice, each batch is made in the USA with high-quality ingredients from around the world. Fortunately, it contains no chicken by-product meal, artificial colors, or flavors.
Nutro has been making dog food for over 90 years, and this formula features real chicken as its first ingredient. The pieces of kibble are designed for small mouths. The ingredients are similar to that of the Nutro puppy food, which makes transitioning easy.
Highlights
- It is ideal for extra small and small breeds
- Contains no corn, soy, wheat, or molasses
- Made in the USA, featuring ingredients from around the world
- Contains non-GMO ingredients
- Two sizes options available
- Crunchy kibble texture helps dental health
Things to Consider
- One flavor option
- The second ingredient is chicken meal
Best Sensitive Stomach Affordable Dog Food
Our Pick: Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin
Dogs who have sensitive tummies and skin deserve affordable, quality food. Hill’s offers a chicken recipe dry food for adult dogs who need a sensitive formula. Made in the USA with meat as the first ingredient, Hill’s has been making pet products for over 70 years.
This formula contains prebiotic fiber to help fuel beneficial gut bacteria and support a balanced microbiome. The recipe contains vitamins C and E antioxidants to support a healthy immune system. It features complete and balanced nutrition that exceeds AAFCO nutrition standards.
Highlights
- It contains no artificial color, preservatives, or flavors
- All of Hill’s recipes are made following FDA guidelines
- American-made with worldwide-sourced ingredients
- Also available in a canned formula to mix and match if preferred
- Recommended by veterinarians
Things to Consider
- This food is not intended to help with seasonal allergies.
- Only one protein option is available
- Contains grains
Considerations of Inexpensive High-Quality Food For Dogs
Here’s what to look for when evaluating a lower-priced dog food. Always talk to your veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist if you have questions about affordable food to serve your dog.
Define inexpensive.
Low cost does not mean cheap in terms of quality. Lower cost means a lower price point. Inexpensive dog food may skip flashy marketing.
Shop smart.
Look for dog food from our list that best suits your budget. Comparing ingredient lists and prices will ensure the best value for you and your dog.
AAFCO certification.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) establishes nutritional guidelines for dog food. Look for their certification and “complete and balanced.”
Essential nutrients.
Ensure the food provides essential nutrients your dog needs. Less expensive dog food can still offer what your dog needs to thrive, but double-check the ingredient list.
Recognizable ingredients.
Read the label to ensure you recognize and understand what your dog will be eating.
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