How can you not fall instantly in love with adorable, roly-poly puppies? But puppies and of course, dogs, end up being expensive to take care of, so it’s always helpful to find ways to save money. Considering that one of the most significant expenses is dog food, it can make owning a puppy more manageable if you can find good puppy food that won’t empty your wallet too much.
But looking for good, affordable puppy food is time-consuming, so we did the work for you and wrote reviews of 10 of the best cheap puppy food. Hopefully, you’ll find the perfect food for your perfect new puppy!
A Glance at Our Top Picks (2023 Update)
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Purina ONE Natural +Plus Healthy Puppy Formula
Two sizes
28% protein and 17% fat
Real chicken as main ingredient
Check Price
Best Value
Puppy Chow Tender & Crunchy Dog Food
Calcium for strong bones and teeth
Added vitamins and minerals found in mother dog’s milk
Water and puppy formula can be added
Check Price
Rachel Ray Nutrish Bright Puppy
Affordable with quality ingredients
Omega-6 and -3 for healthy skin and coat
Real chicken as main ingredient
Check Price
Whole Earth Farms Puppy
Contains chicken, salmon, apples, and sweet potatoes
Includes DHA and probiotics
Doesn’t contain fillers
Check Price
Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Food
No fillers
Antioxidants for the immune system
Includes omega-3 fatty acids and DHA
Check Price
The 10 Best Affordable Puppy Foods
The overall best affordable puppy food is Purina ONE Natural +Plus Healthy Puppy Formula. It’s available in two sizes and falls perfectly in the range of protein and fat that a puppy needs. It’s designed for breeds of all sizes, with real chicken as the first and main ingredient, and includes rice and oatmeal for easy digestion. It has DHA for developing the brain and vision and four different antioxidant sources for a strong immune system. There are omega-6 fatty acids for healthy coats and skin and natural sources of glucosamine for healthy joints. All of this is part of a mix of crunchy kibble and softer meaty bits that should appeal to most puppies.
Flavor: Chicken
Size: 8 or 16.5 lbs.
Type: Dry
Fat: 17%
Protein: 28%
Check Price on Chewy
The main flaw with this food is that on occasion, some bags might contain tender morsels that aren’t so tender. Sometimes they are rubbery or hard, and puppies might avoid them.
Pros
Two sizes
28% protein and 17% fat
Real chicken is the main ingredient
Four sources of antioxidants and DHA
Natural sources of glucosamine
Crunchy kibble combined with tender bits
Cons
Sometimes the tender bits are hard and rubbery
The best affordable puppy food for the money is Puppy Chow Tender & Crunchy Dog Food. It contains 100% of the nutrients that all puppies need and DHA for brain and vision development. It includes calcium for healthy teeth and bones, and the added vitamins and minerals are all found in a mother dog’s milk. You have the option of adding water and puppy formula milk to this food for really young puppies.
Two sizes
28% protein and 17% fat
Real chicken is the main ingredient
Four sources of antioxidants and DHA
Natural sources of glucosamine
Crunchy kibble combined with tender bits
- Two sizes
- 28% protein and 17% fat
- Real chicken is the main ingredient
- Four sources of antioxidants and DHA
- Natural sources of glucosamine
- Crunchy kibble combined with tender bits
Sometimes the tender bits are hard and rubbery
- Sometimes the tender bits are hard and rubbery
Flavor: Beef
Size: 5 or 32 lbs.
Type: Dry
Fat: 12%
Protein: 5%
However, it does contain ingredients that aren’t the greatest, such as dyes, grains, and by-products. Plus, it’s only dry kibble, and the bites might be too big for small puppies.
Pros
Contains 100% essential nutrients, including DHA
Calcium for strong bones and teeth
Added vitamins and minerals found in mother dog’s milk
Water and puppy formula can be added
Cons
Contains dyes, by-products, and grains
Kibble might be too big for tiny puppies
Rachel Ray’s Nutrish Bright Puppy Natural Dog Food is our premium choice pick. It’s affordable food that comes with quality ingredients. Real chicken is the main ingredient, and it includes peas, carrots, and brown rice to support healthy digestion. It has omega-3 and -6 fatty acids from chicken fat for healthy skin and coat and doesn’t contain any fillers — no by-products, wheat, artificial flavors, or preservatives. It also includes DHA, EPA, and calcium for strong bones and teeth and brain and vision support.
Contains 100% essential nutrients, including DHA
Calcium for strong bones and teeth
Added vitamins and minerals found in mother dog’s milk
Water and puppy formula can be added
- Contains 100% essential nutrients, including DHA
- Calcium for strong bones and teeth
- Added vitamins and minerals found in mother dog’s milk
- Water and puppy formula can be added
Contains dyes, by-products, and grains
Kibble might be too big for tiny puppies
- Contains dyes, by-products, and grains
- Kibble might be too big for tiny puppies
Flavor: Chicken and brown rice
Size: 6 or 14 lbs.
Type: Dry
Fat: 16%
Protein: 28%
The issues with this food are that the kibble size is a bit small, so it might not be a good fit for large puppies (the size of the bags might also be too small for big puppies). Also, picky puppies might not like this food.
Pros
Affordable with quality ingredients
Real chicken is the main ingredient
Omega-6 and -3 for healthy skin and coat
No by-products, wheat, artificial flavors, or preservatives
Includes calcium, EPA, and DHA
Cons
Kibble is a bit small for large puppies
Picky puppies might not like it
The Whole Earth Farms Puppy Grain-Free Dog Food contains salmon, chicken, sweet potatoes, and apples for a nutritious meal for sensitive stomachs. It includes DHA for brain development and vitamins and minerals, including probiotics for immune and digestive system support. It doesn’t contain grains, wheat, corn, soy, by-products, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Affordable with quality ingredients
Real chicken is the main ingredient
Omega-6 and -3 for healthy skin and coat
No by-products, wheat, artificial flavors, or preservatives
Includes calcium, EPA, and DHA
- Affordable with quality ingredients
- Real chicken is the main ingredient
- Omega-6 and -3 for healthy skin and coat
- No by-products, wheat, artificial flavors, or preservatives
- Includes calcium, EPA, and DHA
Kibble is a bit small for large puppies
Picky puppies might not like it
- Kibble is a bit small for large puppies
- Picky puppies might not like it
Flavor: Chicken and salmon
Size: 4 lbs.
Type: Dry
Fat: 15%
Protein: 27%
The problem with this food is that some puppies don’t like it, and it can sometimes cause stomach upset.
Pros
Contains chicken, salmon, apples, and sweet potatoes
Includes DHA and probiotics
Doesn’t contain fillers
Cons
Some puppies don’t like it
Might cause stomach upset
Nutro’s Natural Choice Puppy Food lists chicken as the first ingredient and includes omega-3 fatty acids and DHA for vision and brain development. It also provides calcium for strong bones and teeth and antioxidants for immune system support. It has no GMO ingredients, by-products, soy, wheat, or corn.
Contains chicken, salmon, apples, and sweet potatoes
Includes DHA and probiotics
Doesn’t contain fillers
- Contains chicken, salmon, apples, and sweet potatoes
- Includes DHA and probiotics
- Doesn’t contain fillers
Some puppies don’t like it
Might cause stomach upset
- Some puppies don’t like it
- Might cause stomach upset
Flavor: Chicken and brown rice
Size: 5 or 13 lbs.
Type: Dry
Fat: 16%
Protein: 28%
However, this food is expensive for its size, and the kibble is on the large side for small puppies.
Pros
Chicken as the first ingredient
Includes omega-3 fatty acids and DHA
Has calcium for strong bones and teeth
No fillers
Antioxidants for the immune system
Cons
Expensive
Kibble is big for small puppies
Ultimates Puppy Food has high levels of protein and fat, which will give a puppy a good amount of nutrients to help them grow. There’s added DHA for brain and eye development and antioxidants vitamins A and C to help with digestion. Fruits and veggies such as carrots, spinach, blueberries, and apples give it a natural source of fiber. It doesn’t contain by-products, soy, wheat, corn, artificial preservatives, or ingredients.
Chicken as the first ingredient
Includes omega-3 fatty acids and DHA
Has calcium for strong bones and teeth
No fillers
Antioxidants for the immune system
- Chicken as the first ingredient
- Includes omega-3 fatty acids and DHA
- Has calcium for strong bones and teeth
- No fillers
- Antioxidants for the immune system
Expensive
Kibble is big for small puppies
- Expensive
- Kibble is big for small puppies
Flavor: Chicken meal and brown rice
Size: 5 and 28 lbs.
Type: Dry
Fat: 20%
Protein: 30%
The flaws with this food are that not all puppies want to eat this, and it can sometimes cause stomach upset.
Pros
High protein and fat
Added DHA, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants
Includes a variety of fruit and veggies for fiber
Cons
Not all puppies will eat this
Might cause stomach upset
Chicken Soup for the Soul Puppy Food is a pâté with real chicken as the main ingredient, with the addition of duck, turkey, salmon, oatmeal, and a variety of fruits and vegetables for a nutritious meal. It doesn’t contain corn, wheat, soy, by-products, artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors.
High protein and fat
Added DHA, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants
Includes a variety of fruit and veggies for fiber
- High protein and fat
- Added DHA, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants
- Includes a variety of fruit and veggies for fiber
Not all puppies will eat this
Might cause stomach upset
- Not all puppies will eat this
- Might cause stomach upset
Flavor: Chicken, turkey, and duck
Size: 13 oz. x 12 cans.
Type: Canned pâté
Fat: 6%
Protein: 9%
The issues are that some puppies don’t seem to like this food, and the cans might arrive dented. Keep in mind that this is not soup but a typical pâté canned dog food.
Pros
Real chicken is the main ingredient
Contains oatmeal and various fruits and veggies
No fillers
Cons
Some puppies don’t like it
Sometimes the cans arrive dented
Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Original Dog Food starts with real chicken as the main ingredient and 22 nutrients that puppies need from their mother’s milk. This includes omega-3 DHA for cognitive development and antioxidants for a healthy immune system. It also has natural fibers and prebiotics for healthy digestion and enough protein to support those growing muscles.
Real chicken is the main ingredient
Contains oatmeal and various fruits and veggies
No fillers
- Real chicken is the main ingredient
- Contains oatmeal and various fruits and veggies
- No fillers
Some puppies don’t like it
Sometimes the cans arrive dented
- Some puppies don’t like it
- Sometimes the cans arrive dented
Flavor: Chicken and whole grains
Size: 7 or 15 lbs.
Type: Dry
Fat: 5%
Protein: 29%
Unfortunately, this food contains by-products, grains, and artificial colors, and some puppies might experience stomach upset.
Pros
Real chicken is the main ingredient
Includes 22 nutrients found in mother’s milk
Has omega-3 DHA and antioxidants
Contains natural fibers and prebiotics
Cons
Contains fillers and artificial color
Might experience stomach upset
- Nature’s Recipe Puppy Food
Check Latest Price
Flavor: Lamb and rice
Size: 4 or 12 lbs.
Type: Dry
Fat: 15%
Protein: 26%
Nature’s Recipe Puppy Food has real lamb as the first and primary ingredient to help grow strong muscles and DHA for eye and brain development. There’s fiber from oatmeal, rice, and barley for healthy digestion and added vitamins and minerals for a nutritionally healthy meal. It doesn’t contain any artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors or any wheat, corn, or soy.
Real chicken is the main ingredient
Includes 22 nutrients found in mother’s milk
Has omega-3 DHA and antioxidants
Contains natural fibers and prebiotics
- Real chicken is the main ingredient
- Includes 22 nutrients found in mother’s milk
- Has omega-3 DHA and antioxidants
- Contains natural fibers and prebiotics
Contains fillers and artificial color
Might experience stomach upset
- Contains fillers and artificial color
- Might experience stomach upset
Check Latest Price
Flavor: Lamb and rice
Size: 4 or 12 lbs.
Type: Dry
Fat: 15%
Protein: 26%
The flaws with this food are that some puppies won’t want to eat it, and the kibble is small and might not work for big breeds.
Pros
Real lamb is the main ingredient
DHA for eye and brain development
Rice, barley, and oatmeal for natural fiber
No fillers
Cons
Picky puppies won’t eat it
Small kibble might not suit large puppies
Pedigree’s Puppy Chopped Ground Dinner Dog Food is canned food with a ground meat texture in chicken and beef flavor. It contains the right balance of vitamins, minerals, and oils for a balanced diet and healthy skin and coat. Puppies love the taste and texture of this food.
Real lamb is the main ingredient
DHA for eye and brain development
Rice, barley, and oatmeal for natural fiber
No fillers
- Real lamb is the main ingredient
- DHA for eye and brain development
- Rice, barley, and oatmeal for natural fiber
- No fillers
Picky puppies won’t eat it
Small kibble might not suit large puppies
- Picky puppies won’t eat it
- Small kibble might not suit large puppies
Flavor: Chicken and beef
Size: 2 oz. x 12 cans
Type: Canned chopped texture
Fat: 7%
Protein: 9%
However, it is full of fillers like animal by-products and artificial flavors, preservatives, and colors. Additionally, the texture seems to be closer to a pâté, and sometimes it’s on the dry side.
Pros
Canned food in a chopped texture
Oils, vitamins, and minerals for a healthy diet
Puppies love the texture and flavor of this food
Cons
Full of fillers
The texture is more like pâté
Tends to be dry
Canned food in a chopped texture
Oils, vitamins, and minerals for a healthy diet
Puppies love the texture and flavor of this food
- Canned food in a chopped texture
- Oils, vitamins, and minerals for a healthy diet
- Puppies love the texture and flavor of this food
Full of fillers
The texture is more like pâté
Tends to be dry
- Full of fillers
- The texture is more like pâté
- Tends to be dry
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Affordable Puppy Food
Now that you’ve had a chance to consider the variety of puppy food available, be sure to check out this buyer’s guide. We go through a few important points that could impact your decision.
Nutritional Requirements
Puppies need specific nutrition to help them grow and develop into healthy adult dogs. Protein and fat are particularly important. The required nutritional values for puppies are that protein should be between 22% and 32% and fat should be 10% to 25%. So, when you’re shopping for food for your puppy, double-check these levels.
Canned vs. Dry
Dry food is usually recommended for puppies because this type of food generally has the right balance of nutrients, including protein and fat. You’ll notice that most dry food is always within the recommended amount, while canned is well below.
You can combine canned food with dry or add puppy formula or water to kibble to soften it, but either food is acceptable as long as the overall diet is balanced.
- Related Read: 10 Best Affordable Canned and Wet Dog Food
Size of the Dog
You should always choose the right kind of food for your breed of puppy. So, if you have a toy breed, you need food designed for toy breeds, and you’ll need giant breed food for your giant breed puppy. Everything about the food from the size of the kibble to its specific ingredients should help support each breed’s energy requirements.
Changing Food
If you need to change your puppy’s usual food to something new, be sure to do this gradually. Start by adding a small amount of the new food to the old, and gradually, continue to add more new food until it has completely replaced the old.
If you rush the process, you risk causing stomach upset in your puppy. Any dog of any age needs this process, but puppies in particular do because they have sensitive stomachs and digestive systems.
Final Thoughts
Our pick for the best overall affordable puppy food is Purina ONE’s Natural +Plus Healthy Puppy Formula. It falls perfectly in the middle of the range of protein and fat that a puppy needs and has real chicken as the main ingredient. Puppy Chow’s Tender & Crunchy Dog Food is well-priced and contains 100% of the nutrients that puppies need, including the all-important DHA. Lastly, Rachel Ray’s Nutrish Bright Puppy Natural Dog Food is our pick for premium choice because it’s affordable yet comes with high-quality ingredients.
Hopefully, our reviews will help you find the food that your puppy will love and that you can afford. Keep in mind, however, that your puppy’s health is the most important factor when choosing food for them.
See also:
- 10 Best Puppy Milk Replacers – Reviews & Top Picks
- 8 Best Puppy Foods for Sensitive Stomachs – Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Gladskikh Tatiana, Shutterstock
