The top 5 best affordable dog foods on the market
With all of the choices out there it’s easy to get lost trying to decipher a balance between cheap healthy dog and something that still satisfies the nutritional needs of our fury little friends. Well lucky for you, we made our top picks for the best affordable dog foods while keeping your budget and pets health in mind.
Here at Best Dog Food, if the budget permits, we prefer a grain & gluten free formula, but not all dogs require that. Also, the grain free formulas are generally not the cheapest dog foods on the market. So this write up will focus on the affordable but yet still healthy dog foods.
Besides price, what else do you want to consider? The top 5 ingredients in descending order, protein content, carb source, and if there are any added vitamins and nutrients. You want to avoid the budget foods found at some of the big box stores like Walmart – these typically contain filler type ingredients and the main ingredient that is listed first is a starch which is the cheapest to manufacture and the least nutritious for your pet. These also have limited nutrients, and limited protein. Besides the lack of nutrition, these can also cause allergic reactions. Preferably you want to see a quality meat protein first, but if not that then a protein based meal followed by a grain free carb.
Below you will find the top 5 affordable / cheap dog foods on the market today that are still a quality product. These are listed in descending order by price, and below the chart is an even further breakdown of what makes up their ingredients, protein and carb source, along with their analysis. So, whether you’re strictly looking for the most affordable dog food, you can refer to the chart below, or for a more in depth break down, refer to the information below to see what sets these brands a part, and makes up their price difference. If you would like a more in depth break down, continue reading for what sets these brands apart, and makes up for their price difference.
| Best Affordable / Cheap Dog Food | Price per lb | |
| 1 | Diamond Naturals | 0.64 |
| 2 | Profesional + | 1.07 |
| 3 | Premium Edge | 1.14 |
| 4 | Eagle Pack | 1.33 |
| 5 | Diamond Naturals Grain Free | 1.49 |
Best Affordable / Cheap Dog Foods:
1. Diamond Dry Dog Foods – as low as .64 per pound for a 50lb bag.
- Pros – low price, high protein, good value
- Cons – no pro biotics or joint supplements, carbs are derived from grains such as corn and wheat products.
Formulas include:
Diamond High Energy Dry Dog Food: Guaranteed Analysis – protein – 24%, fat 20%, fiber 5% moisture 10%. Other ingredients include selenium, vitamin E and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The protein is derived primarily from chicken meal and carbs from ground corn, wheat flour, and corn gluten meal.
Diamond Maintenance Dry Dog food: Guaranteed Analysis – protein – 22%, fat 20%, fiber 5% moisture 10%. Other ingredients include selenium, vitamin E and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The protein is derived from primarily chicken mean, and the carbs from wheat flour, whole grain corn, and rice bran.
Diamond Original Dry Dog Food: Guaranteed Analysis – protein – 24%, fat 20%, fiber 5% moisture 10%. Other ingredients include selenium, vitamin E and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The protein is derived from primarily meat meal and poultry by product meal and carbs from ground corn, wheat flour, and corn gluten meal.
Diamond Performance Dry Dog Food:
Guaranteed Analysis – protein – 24%, fat 20%, fiber 5% moisture 10%. Other ingredients include selenium, vitamin E and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The protein is derived from chicken, chicken by product meal, and the carbs from whole grain ground corn and wheat flour.
Diamond Premium Adult Dry Dog Food:
Guaranteed Analysis – protein – 24%, fat 20%, fiber 5% moisture 10%. Other ingredients include selenium, vitamin E and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The protein is derived from chicken by-product meal, and carbs from whole grain ground corn and wheat flour.
Diamond Puppy Dry Dog Food
Guaranteed Analysis – protein – 24%, fat 20%, fiber 5% moisture 10%. Other ingredients include selenium, vitamin E and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The protein is derived from chicken by product meal, and carbs from whole grain ground corn and wheat flour.
2. Eagle Pack Dry Dog Food – $1.33 per pound.
This brand has a variety of adult and puppy formulas, for our purposes we are going to review the dry adult dog food formulas.
- Pros – low price, high protein, good value, has probiotics and joint supplements
- Cons – carbs are sourced primarily from grains
Formulas include:
Original Adult Lamb Meal & Brown Rice – This dog food has a protein content of 23%, fat 12%, fiber 4% and moisture 10% max. Other Ingredients include calcium, phosphourous, vitamin E, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, glucosamine, and probiotics (Enterococcus faecium, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, in equal amounts). The protein source comes from lamb meal and carbs primarily from oatmeal, brown rice, and barley.
Original Chicken & Pork Meal – This dog foods protein content is 26%, fat 14%, fiber 4% and moisture 10% or less. Other Ingredients include calcium, phosphourous, vitamin E, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, glucosamine, and probiotics (Enterococcus faecium, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, in equal amounts). The protein source comes from chicken and pork meal, and the primary carbohydrates come from ground brown rice, barley, oatmeal, and rice.
Reduced Fat Adult – This dog foods protein content is 24%, fat 6-9%, fiber 4% and moisture 10%. Other Ingredients include calcium, phosphourous, vitamin E, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, glucosamine, and probiotics (Enterococcus faecium, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, in equal amounts). The protein source comes from pork meal and carb source from barley, peas, brown rice, oatmeal, and white rice.
Large & Giant Breed Adult – This dog foods protein content is 25%, fat 12%, fiber 4% and moisture 10% max. Other Ingredients include calcium, phosphourous, vitamin E, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, glucosamine, and probiotics (Enterococcus faecium, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, in equal amounts). The protein source comes from chicken and pork meal, and carbs are primarily from brown rice, oatmeal, rice, and barley.
Small Breed Chicken & Pork Meal – The protein content of this dog food is 27%, fat 14%, fiber 4% and moisture 10%. Other Ingredients include calcium, phosphourous, vitamin E, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, glucosamine, and probiotics (Enterococcus faecium, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, in equal amounts). The protein source is derived from chicken and pork meal and carb source from oatmeal, barley, brown rice, peas and rice.
Power Adult – The protein content of this dog food is 30%, fat 19%, fiber 4.5%, and moisture 10% max. Other Ingredients include calcium, phosphourous, vitamin E, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, glucosamine, and probiotics (Enterococcus faecium, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, in equal amounts). The protein source is derived from chicken and pork meal and carbs from brown rice and peas.
3. Diamond Naturals Grain Free – $1.49 per pound.
There are 3 formulas to choose from here. Protein content at all 24% and carb sources all from sweet potatoes.
- Pros – grain free, low price, high protein, good value, has probiotics
- Cons – no joint supplements – although not all dog require this
Formulas include:
Diamond naturals grain free beef & sweet potatoes formula for dogs – This formula has a protein content of 24%, fat content of 14% and moisture content of 10%. Additional ingredients include DHA, Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin E, and also naturally occurring probiotics (lactobacillus, acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis, lactobacillus reuteri). The protein source comes from beef & lamb meal while the primary carb sources comes from sweet potatoes & peas.
Diamond naturals grain free chicken & sweet potatoes formula for dogs – The protein content in this formula is 24%, fat 14% crude fiber 5% and moisture 10%. Additional ingredients include DHA, Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin E, and also naturally occurring probiotics (lactobacillus, acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis, lactobacillus reuteri). The primary source is from chicken, chicken meal, and the primary carb source is from sweet potatoes, peas, and garbanzo beans.
Diamond naturals grain free whitefish & sweet potatoes formula for dogs – The protein content is 24%, fat 14%, fiber 5% and moisture 10% maximum. Additional ingredients include DHA, Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin E, and also naturally occurring probiotics (lactobacillus, acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis, lactobacillus reuteri). The primary protein source is from whitefish, fish meal, sweet potatoes, peas, and garbanzo beans.
4. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food – starting around $1.89 per pound.
- Pros – high protein sourced from real meat, no joint supplements or pro biotics
- Cons – carbs are sourced primarily from grains and this is priced at the higher end of the list
Formulas include:
Original Ultra Whole Body Chicken Meal, Duck Meal Dry Dog Food Formula: Guaranteed analysis – protein content 23%, fat 13%, fiber 3%, moisture 10%. Additional ingredients include calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E, taurine, vitamin C, EPA & DHA, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The primary protein source is from chicken, and primary carb source is from brown rice, oats, potatoes, and rice.
Original Ultra Whole Body Chicken, Chicken Meal, Duck Meal Small Breed Bites Dry Dog Food Formula: Guaranteed analysis – protein content 23%, fat 13%, fiber 3%, moisture 10%. Additional ingredients include calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E, taurine, vitamin C, EPA & DHA, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The primary protein source is from chicken, and primary carb source is from brown rice, oats, potatoes, and rice.
Original Ultra Whole Body Health Chicken Brown Rice, Duck Meal Large Breed Bites Dry Dog Food Formula: Guaranteed analysis – protein content 24%, fat 11%, fiber 4%, moisture 10%. Additional ingredients include calcium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin E, taurine, vitamin C, EPA & DHA, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The primary protein source is from chicken, and primary carb source is from brown rice, oats, potatoes, and rice.
Original Ultra Whole Body Chicken Brown Rice, Duck Meal, Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food Reduced Calorie Dry Dog Formula: Guaranteed analysis – protein content 28%, fat 17%, fiber 4.5%, moisture 10%. Additional ingredients include calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E, taurine, vitamin C, EPA & DHA, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The primary protein source is from chicken, and primary carb source is from brown rice, oats, potatoes, and rice.
Fat Dogs Low Calorie Dry Dog Food Formula: Guaranteed analysis – protein content 26%, fat 7.5%, fiber 10.5%, moisture 10%. Additional ingredients include omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The primary protein source is from chicken and salmon meal and primary carb source is from garbanzo beans, peas, barley and oatmeal.
5. Wellness Complete Health Dry Dog Food – from $1.96 per pound.
There are a variety of dog food formulas to choose from here.
- Pros –high protein partially sourced from real meat, has pro biotics and joint supplements
- Cons – carbs are sourced primarily from grains and this is priced at the higher end of the list
Formulas Include:
Lamb & Barley: Guaranteed analysis – protein content 24%, fat 12%, fiber 4.5% and moisture 10%. Other ingredients include calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin E, omega 3 and 6 faty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, taurine, and lactic acid microorganisms. The protein is derived from lamb & lamb meal, and carbs from oatmeal, brown rice, peas and flaxseed.
Whitefish & Sweet Potatoes: Guaranteed analysis – protein content 22%, fat 12%, fiber 4.5% and moisture 10%. Other ingredients include calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin E, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and taurine. The protein is derived from whitefish and fish meal, and carbs from peas, oatmeal and sweet potatoes.
Senior: Guaranteed analysis: protein content 22%, fat 10%, fiber 4.25% and moisture 10%. Other ingredients include calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin E, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, taurine, and lactic acid microorganisms. The protein is derived from deboned chicken & chicken meal, and carbs from oatmeal, ground barley, ground brown rice, and peas.
Deboned Chicken & Oatmeal: Guaranteed analysis – protein content 24%, fat 12%, fiber 4% and moisture 10%. Other ingredients include calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin E, omega 3 and 6 faty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, taurine, and lactic acid microorganisms. The protein is derived from deboned chicken & chicken meal, and carbs from oatmeal, ground barley, ground brown rice, and peas.
Healthy Weight: Guaranteed analysis – protein content 24%, fat 10%, fiber 4% and moisture 10%. Other ingredients include calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin E, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, taurine, and lactic acid microorganisms. The protein is derived from deboned chicken & chicken meal, and carbs from oatmeal, ground barley, ground brown rice, and peas.
Puppy: Guaranteed analysis – protein content 29%, fat 18%, fiber 4.5% and moisture 10%. Other ingredients include calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin E, omega 3 and 6 faty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, taurine, DHA and lactic acid microorganisms. The protein is derived from deboned chicken & chicken meal, and carbs from oatmeal, ground barley, ground brown rice, and peas.
Turkey & Oatmeal Small Breed: Guaranteed analysis – protein content 28%, fat 16%, fiber 4% and moisture 10%. Other ingredients include calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, E, and C, omega 3 and 6 faty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, taurine, and lactic acid microorganisms. The protein is derived from deboned turkey, chicken meal, salmon meal, and carbs from Oatmeal, ground brown rice, and barley.
Large Breed Formulas: Guaranteed analysis – protein content 25%, fat 11%, fiber 5% and moisture 11%. Other ingredients include calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin E, omega 3 and 6 faty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, taurine, DHA and lactic acid microorganisms. The protein is derived from deboned chicken & chicken meal, and carbs from oatmeal, ground barley, ground brown rice, and peas.
In summary, Diamond is by far the cheapest most affordable dog food on a per pound basis and also offers a very reasonable grain free line. You can buy in larger 40 and 50 lb. bag quantities so if you would like to buy in bulk, there is additional savings there. Diamond doesn’t however have any added glucosamine or chondroitin for joint health like the other brands do and the majority of the protein is sourced from a meat meal blend as opposed from a real meat source. So, if your dog is an active runner, or elderly, you may want to consider one of the other formulas that contain glucosamine and chondroitin. The Natural Balance Ultra Premium formulas and Wellness complete health formulas are on the more expensive end however they contain the more vitamins and nutrients than the others listed and also use real meats. We hope this information regarding the most affordable dog foods was helpful, please like & share if this helped you make a more educated buying decision!
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