What is the best budget dog food?

[lttlmc3]

Husband just lost his job again. Gotta cut corners where we can.

 

[Jen12573]

I'm sorry to hear about your husband losing his job. Good luck to him.

What do you feed now? Some of the slightly more expensive natural brands are great because you use so much less to feed them. We use California Natural, but I hear Blue Buffalo from PetSmart is great too. Also there is a brand at Costco that is good to, I think it's called Kirkland. My brother feeds Beneful, he's on the just out of college, living on his own budget.

 

[fakereadhed]

Costco's house brand...I think it's Kirkland.

 

[Colleen27]

We liked Dad's because it is cheap but still American made. When my son's cat at his father's house died in that whole Chinese pet food mess we thanked our stars that his dog here at home eats American.

Unfortunately, that beloved mutt has since developed a gluten intolerance so cheap food is no longer an option!

 

[Alexander]

I would recommend introducing the new dog food slowly. Mix it into what you've been giving him/her gradually working up to giving only the new brand. You want to make sure that your dog doesn't have issues with the new food.

 

[mom2val]

!

 

[gracie1]

I use Beneful. I get a 37lb bag at Bj's for $30

It lasts 2-3 weeks in my house.

 

[SUSIEQ]

Costco's house brand...I think it's Kirkland.

This is what we use. It's about $25 for 40 lbs.

 

[java]

This is what we use. It's about $25 for 40 lbs.

Price went up a bit and we go with the slightly more expensive lamb and rice- (less gas for our lab) But can't beat that price and the quality!

 

[bigmama67]

Beneful here. Used to get Wellness but, well, I've been unemployed for 13 months plus...we may try Kirkland though, good to know it's good.

 

[DisneyWalle]

Tractor Supply Company sells Retreiver dog food..high protein...50lb bag for $18.99....My 200lb mastiff loves this and one bag lasts 1 month - so this is a great deal

 

[cbg1027]

Costco's Kirkland brand Dog Food is very decent for the price.
Also, I like PetsMart's house brand, Authority.
Purine ONE products are decent and sold in most supermarkets.

The thing to look for is that real meat or _____ (ex. chicken) meal is the first ingredient. Also, corn products aren't great. So if you read labels you can get a feel for how the quality is.

And I second the PP who said to make sure you introduce the new stuff slowly. Mix it with the old and add a little more new and less of the old each day.

Don't buy the Wal Mart house brand, 'Ol Roy. That stuff is awful. The Humane Society I volunteer at won't feed any of our animals that if we get it as a donation.

 

[4mickey2]

i know you want to save money. but, please be careful with the food you buy. you could end up with your dog developing food allergies because of the fillers added to the cheap foods. once allergies develop it is difficult to treat-can be done but it is just hard to find what is triggering the reaction. it also ends up costing more than just staying with the food you have not had any issues with.

 

[Disneyliscious]

I really like Dad's. Its half the price of the others and their cat food is great too.

 

[eatatmidnight]

I would recommend introducing the new dog food slowly. Mix it into what you've been giving him/her gradually working up to giving only the new brand. You want to make sure that your dog doesn't have issues with the new food.

I agree with this.

We use Exceed Chicken and Rice formula from Sams Club. The first ingredient is chicken. Our dog has some allergies and this is the only food we have tried (from cheap to super expensive) that does not make him chew and scratch his skin.

 

[TeamDisney1984]

Am I the ONLY one irritated by this post? Not trying to start a debate but Your dog deserves good food just like you do. Surely there are other things you can cut out of your budget to keep from feeding your dog crap dog food. Cheap dog food can lead to health problems, allergies, poor coat, intestinal issues, Weak immune system etc.......We have a English bulldog and I wouldn't dream of feeding her cheap dog food. Not just because of her breed, but because she's a part of our family and we love her. High quality dog food doesn't have to be expensive, use coupons, shop sales, call manuf and ask for coupons for the products. Whatever dog food you pick, please don't feed beneful. It's garbage for dogs.

 

[Jen12573]

Am I the ONLY one irritated by this post? Not trying to start a debate but Your dog deserves good food just like you do. Surely there are other things you can cut out of your budget to keep from feeding your dog crap dog food. Cheap dog food can lead to health problems, allergies, poor coat, intestinal issues, Weak immune system etc.......We have a English bulldog and I wouldn't dream of feeding her cheap dog food. Not just because of her breed, but because she's a part of our family and we love her. High quality dog food doesn't have to be expensive, use coupons, shop sales, call manuf and ask for coupons for the products. Whatever dog food you pick, please don't feed beneful. It's garbage for dogs.

I'm absolutely with you on this, which is why I suggested sticking with a better, less junky, more pricey brand that gets at least 4 stars like California Natural, Blue Buffalo and/or Kirkland. I don't care if we are financially struggling, Jack will always have good food that we know keeps him healthy and satisfied. I'm still trying to get by brother to switch from Beneful but it has been a struggle.

If we had kids we wouldn't cut back on the healthy foods, nor will we with our dog (CA Natural) or cat (Wellness).

Thank you for posting this!!

 

[Delphinidae]

Yeah, Beneful is not a good food. What are you currently feeding? That would help with recommendations.

 

[daniele_ut]

Am I the ONLY one irritated by this post? Not trying to start a debate but Your dog deserves good food just like you do. Surely there are other things you can cut out of your budget to keep from feeding your dog crap dog food.

The OP didn't ask "What's the cheapest food I can feed my dog. OP asked for the BEST budget dog food. She never said she was planning to feed her dog "crap dog food".

OP, I'm sorry to hear about your dh losing his job. I don't have a dog so I don't have any advice on that front. I just wanted to send good wishes for a short job search!

 

[lovehoney]

I love this post. I was just thinking the same thing - I can't find a job and need to really start cutting costs more drastically.

I want to give my dog the highest quality food I can afford. I do the same things with my children. I looked up the ratings of the dog foods from a pp and found out that the food I was feeding got a much lower rating than the Kirkland brand and is more expensive. Thanks to this post I can save some money and give my dog a better product.