We’ve Compared 30 Popular Dog Food Brands

With so many dog food brands on the market, what is the best dog food the money can buy? Comparing dog food prices is simple, but trying to figure out which pet food brand offers the best value for your money is much more difficult.

Unless you’re loaded with money, cost-to-value ratio is just as important to consider as the quality of ingredients in a pet food brand. Most of us pet owners are on a tight budget, so for this article, we’ve picked 30 most popular dog food brands of high quality, and compared these dog food prices using the cost for value factor.

Picking the Best Dog Food for the Price

When it comes to choosing the best dog food for the money, there will be several factors to consider, but the most important three things you should look at are:

• Your dog’s specific dietary needs
• Dog food brands quality, sourcing, price
• Your personal budget

Among dog owners on a budget, cheap dog food brands are very popular, and we all want to select a good quality dog food the money can buy while also staying within a budget. When comparing dog food prices, quantity isn’t the only factor (or even the main one). It’s more about the quality of nutrients and calories the dog will get from a specific brand.

This is where Dog Food Ratings come in and can be very useful to refer to.

When dogs are healthy, vetting dog food prices and picking the optimal price-for-value choice is easy. If, however, your dog has special dietary needs, you will need to do a little more digging to see which pet food brand will fit best. Of those foods that do meet your dog’s needs, you will have to choose the highest rated food within your budget.

Note that among the popular dog food brands in the below comparison, each kibble bag size is as close to 30 lbs as possible. This allows for a better comparison of pet food pricing to value ratio of each brand in comparison to other foods in the same category.

MORE INFO: The Best Dog Food for the Money (17 Brands Worth Their Price)

2020’s Dog Food Prices Compared

10 Popular Premium Dog Food Brands

The below premium pet food brands land at the highest end of the dog food prices spectrum. Premium dog foods are those which are rated four to five stars out of five stars on the Dog Food Rating scale. These foods contain high quality ingredients, few fillers and are generally only available from specialty dog food stores or online retailers. The pet food prices of these types of products are higher than lower quality brands.

1. Acana Dog Food

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Formula: Grasslands
Price: $95.67
Bag: 25 lbs
$/lb: $2.40 – $4 per pound
Rating: 5-star

Acana Heritage dry dog food ranges from $60 – $100 for a 25-pound bag. It’s one of the most popular dog foods out there, often ranked among the best puppy foods and adult dog foods with highest quality ingredients. This is an average cost of $2.40 – $4 per pound. It is a 5-star food with an above-average protein level, an above-average fat content, and below-average carbohydrate content.

2. Annamaet Salcha

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Formula: Salcha
Price: $84.59
Bag: 30 lbs
$/lb: $2.30 – $3.27 per pound
Rating: 5-star

Annamaet grain free dry dog food ranges from $69 – $98 for a 30-pound bag. This is an average cost of $2.30 – $3.27 per pound. It is a 5-star food with an above-average protein level, an average fat content, and below-average carbohydrate content.

3. Canidae PURE

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Formula: PURE
Price: $59.84
Bag: 24 lbs
$/lb: $2.25 – $2.50 per pound
Rating: 5-star

Canidae grain free dry dog food ranges from $54 – $60 for a 24-pound bag. This is an average cost of $2.25 – $2.50 per pound. It is a 4-and-a-half-star food with an average protein level, average fat content, and average carbohydrate content.

4. Castor and Pollux Organix

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Formula: Chicken & Brown Rice
Price: $51.40
Bag: 25 lbs
$/lb: $1.60 – $2.00 per pound
Rating: 5-star

Castor and Pollux Organix dog food ranges from $40 – $50 for a 25-pound bag. This is an average cost of $1.60 – $2.00 per pound. Castor and Pollux Organix is a 4-and-a-half-star food with an average protein level, below average fat content, and average carbohydrate content.

5. Earthborn Holistic Dog Food

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Formula: Coastal Catch
Price: $51.99
Bag: 28 lbs
$/lb: $1.86 per pound
Rating: 5-star

Earthborn Holistic Grain-Free dog food averages around $52 for a 28-pound bag. This is an average cost of $1.86 per pound. It is a 4-and-a-half-star food with an above average protein level, average fat content, and below average carbohydrate content.

6. Crave Dog Food (EVO)

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Formula: Herring/Salmon
Price: $80.61
Bag: 28.6 lbs
$/lb: $2.27 – $2.52 per pound
Rating: 5-star

Crave dry dog food (used to be EVO dog food) averages around $65 – $75 for a 28.6-pound bag. This is an average cost of $2.27 – $2.52 per pound. It is a 5-star food with an above average protein level, above average fat content, and below average carbohydrate content.

7. Farmina N&D Dog Food

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Formula: Lamb
Price: $86.99
Bag: 26.4 lbs
$/lb: $2.65 – $3.11 per pound
Rating: 5-star

Farmina N&D Grain-Free food averages around $70 – $82 for a 26.4-pound bag. This is an average cost of $2.65 – $3.11 per pound. It is a 5-star food with an above average protein level, above average fat content, and below average carbohydrate content.

8. Petcurean Pet Food

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Formula: Go Daily Defense Lamb
Price: $64.99
Bag: 25 lbs
$/lb: $2.40 – $2.60 per pound
Rating: 4-star

Go! Daily Defence averages around $60 – $65 for a 25-pound bag. This is an average cost of $2.40 – $2.60 per pound. It is a 4-star food with an average protein level, average fat content, and average carbohydrate content.

9. Solid Gold

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Formula: Hund-N-Flocken
Price: $52.24
Bag: 24 lbs
$/lb: $2.29 – $2.58 per pound
Rating: 4-star

Solid Gold dog food averages around $55 – $62 for a 24-pound bag. This is an average cost of $2.29 – $2.58 per pound. It is a 4-star food with an average protein level, below average fat content, and above average carbohydrate content.

10. Wellness Complete Health

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Formula: Chicken & Oatmeal
Price: $47.01
Bag: 30 lbs
$/lb: $1.57 – $1.83 per pound
Rating: 4-star

Wellness Complete Health dog food averages around $47 – $55 for a 30-pound bag. This is an average cost of $1.57 – $1.83 per pound. It is a 4-star food with an average protein level, average fat content, and average carbohydrate content.

 

12 Popular Mid-range Dog Food Brands

There should be no surprise that midrange pet food brands fall into the middle of the spectrum of dog food prices. These brands are those which are rated at around three stars out of five stars on the Dog Food Rating scale. These foods have less high-quality ingredients than premium brands and may contain some filler ingredients.

Some of these foods can be purchased through chain pet stores, grocery stores, or mega-stores, but some may only be available from specialty dog food stores or online retailers. In the range of dog food prices, these brands fall somewhere in the middle.

1. Authority

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Formula: Large Breed, Adult
Price: $35
Bag: 34 lbs
$/lb: $0.88 – $1.03 per pound
Rating: 3-star

Authority dry dog food averages around $30 – $35 for a 34-pound bag. This is an average cost of $0.88 – $1.03 per pound. It is a 3-and-a-half-star food with an average protein level, below average fat content, and above average carbohydrate content.

2. Avoderm Natural Dog Food

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Formula: Red Meat Meal and Potato
Price: $48.99
Bag: 24 lbs
$/lb: $1.92 – $2.08 per pound
Rating: 3-star

Avoderm Natural Grain-Free dog food averages around $46 – $50 for a 24-pound bag. This is an average cost of $1.92 – $2.08 per pound. It is a 3-and-a-half-star food with a below average protein level, below average fat content, and above average carbohydrate content.

3. California Natural

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Formula: Kangaroo & Red Lentils
Price: $62
Bag: 30 lbs
$/lb: $1.67 – $2.07 per pound
Rating: 3-star

California Natural dog food averages around $50 – $62 for a 30-pound bag. This is an average cost of $1.67 – $2.07 per pound. It is a 3-and-a-half-star food with a below average protein level, below average fat content, and above average carbohydrate content.

4. Diamond Naturals

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Formula: Whitefish and Sweet Potato
Price: $57.25
Bag: 40 lbs
$/lb: $0.75 – $1.45 per pound
Rating: 3-star

Diamond Naturals Grain-Free dog food averages around $30 – $60 for a 40-pound bag. This is an average cost of $0.75 – $1.45 per pound. It is a 3-and-a-half-star food with an average protein level, average fat content, and average carbohydrate content.

5. Eukanuba

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Formula: Excel
Price: $49.99
Bag: 25 lbs
$/lb: $1.60 – $2.00 per pound
Rating: 3-star

Eukanuba Excel dog food averages around $40 – $50 for a 25-pound bag. This is an average cost of $1.60 – $2.00 per pound. It is a 3-star food with an average protein level, below average fat content, and above average carbohydrate content.

6. Fromm Family Classics

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Formula: Adult
Price: $45
Bag: 33 lbs
$/lb: $1.03 – $1.36 per pound
Rating: 3-star

Fromm Family Classics dog food averages around $34 – $45 for a 33-pound bag. This is an average cost of $1.03 – $1.36 per pound. It is a 3-and-a-half-star food with a below average protein level, below average fat content, and above average carbohydrate content.

7. Hill’s Science Diet

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Formula: Perfect Weight
Price: $45.09
Bag: 28.5 lbs
$/lb: $1.04 – $1.17 per pound
Rating: 3-star

Hill’s Science Diet dog food averages around $40 – $45 for a 28.5-pound bag. This is an average cost of $1.04 – $1.17 per pound. It is a 3-star food with a below average protein level, below average fat content, and above average carbohydrate content.

8. Iams Naturals

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Formula: Adult Chicken and Barley
Price: $25.85
Bag: 23.2 lbs
$/lb: $0.95 – $1.21 per pound
Rating: 3-star

Iams Naturals dog food averages around $22 – $28 for a 23.2-pound bag. This is an average cost of $0.95 – $1.21 per pound. It is a 3-star food with a below average protein level, below average fat content, and above average carbohydrate content.

9. Natural Balance Limited Ingredients

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Formula: Sweet Potato & Fish
Price: $53.99
Bag: 26 lbs
$/lb: $1.92 – $2.11 per pound
Rating: 3-star

Natural Balance Limited Ingredients dry dog food averages around $50 – $55 for a 26-pound bag. This is an average cost of $1.92 – $2.11 per pound. It is a 3-star dog food with a below average protein level, below average fat content, and above average carbohydrate content.

10. Nature’s Recipe

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Formula: Adult Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe
Price: $31.49
Bag: 30 lbs
$/lb: $1.00 – $1.33 per pound
Rating: 3-star

Nature’s Recipe dog food averages around $30 – $40 for a 30-pound bag. This is an average cost of $1.00 – $1.33 per pound. It is a 3-star dog food with a below average protein level, below average fat content, and above average carbohydrate content.

11. Nutro

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Formula: Lamb, Large Breed
Price: $47.69
Bag: 30 lbs
$/lb: $1.23 – $1.50 per pound
Rating: 3-star

Nutro dog food averages around $37 – $48 for a 30-pound bag. This is an average cost of $1.23 – $1.50 per pound. It is a 3-and-a-half-star dog food with an average protein level, average fat content, and average carbohydrate content.

12. Purina Beyond Grain Free

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Formula: Tuna & Egg
Price: $36.78
Bag: 23 lbs
$/lb: $1.39 – $1.96 per pound
Rating: 3-star

Purina Beyond dog food averages around $32 – $45 for a 23-pound bag. This is an average cost of $1.39 – $1.96 per pound. It is a 3-and-a-half-star dog food with an above average protein level, above average fat content, and below average carbohydrate content.

 

8 Popular Cheap Dog Food Brands

The brands that fall at the bottom of the dog food prices spectrum are referred to as less than premium. Less than premium dog food brands are those which are rated one to two stars out of five stars on the Dog Food Rating scale. These pet foods have poor(er) quality ingredients, high(er) filler ingredient content, and can usually be purchased from chain pet stores, grocery stores, or megastores. Prices of these brands are usually cheap(er).

1. Alpo

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Formula: Come N Get It
Price: $28
Bag: 37 lbs
$/lb: $0.65 – $0.76 per pound
Rating: 1-star

Alpo dry dog food averages around $24 – $28 for a 37-pound bag. This is an average cost of $0.65 – $0.76 per pound. It is a 1-star dog food with a below average protein level, below average fat content, and above average carbohydrate content.

2. Beneful

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Formula: Healthy Weight With Real Chicken
Price: $27
Bag: 31.1 lbs
$/lb: $0.64 – $0.87 per pound
Rating: 2-star

Beneful dog food averages around $20 – $27 for a 31.1-pound bag. This is an average cost of $0.64 – $0.87 per pound. It is a 2-star dog food with an average protein level, below average fat content, and average carbohydrate content.

3. Kibbles ‘n Bits

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Formula: Beef & Chicken
Price: $29.84
Bag: 31 lbs
$/lb: $0.64 – $1.02 per pound
Rating: 1-star

Kibbles ‘n Bits dog food averages around $20 – $30 for a 31-pound bag. This is an average cost of $0.64 – $1.02 per pound. It is a 1-star dog food with a below average protein level, below average fat content, and above average carbohydrate content.

4. Ol’ Roy

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Formula: 100% Complete And Balanced
Price: $15
Bag: 30 lbs
$/lb: $0.50 per pound
Rating: 1-star

Ol’ Roy dog food averages around $15 for a 30-pound bag. This is an average cost of $0.50 per pound. It is a 1-star dog food with a below average protein level, below average fat content, and above average carbohydrate content.

5. Pedigree Dry Dog Food

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Formula: Chicken
Price: $19.96
Bag: 30 lbs
$/lb: $0.67 – $1.17 per pound
Rating: 2-star

Pedigree dog food averages around $20 – $35 for a 30-pound bag. This is an average cost of $0.67 – $1.17 per pound. It is a 2-star dog food with a below average protein level, below average fat content, and above average carbohydrate content.

6. Purina Dog Chow

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Formula: Dog Chow Natural
Price: $35
Bag: 32 lbs
$/lb: $0.78 – $1.09 per pound
Rating: 1-star

Purina Dog Chow averages around $25 – $35 for a 32-pound bag. This is an average cost of $0.78 – $1.09 per pound. It is a 1-star dog food with an average protein level, below average fat content, and above average carbohydrate content.

7. Purina One Smartblend

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Formula: Chicken & Rice
Price: $29.96
Bag: 31.1 lbs
$/lb: $0.64 – $0.96 per pound
Rating: 2-star

Purina One Smartblend averages around $20 t0 $30 for a 31.1-pound bag. This is an average cost of $0.64 – $0.96 per pound. It is a 2-star dog food with an average protein level, average fat content, and below average carbohydrate content.

8. Purina Pro Plan Focus

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Formula: Adult, Large Breed
Price: $41.98
Bag: 34 lbs
$/lb: $1.20 per pound
Rating: 2-star

Purina Pro Plan Focus averages around $42 for a 34-pound bag. This is an average cost of $1.20 per pound. It is a 2-and-a-half-star dog food with an above average protein level, above average fat content, and below average carbohydrate content.

READ NEXT: 10 Vet Recommended Dog Food Brands That Are Inexpensive

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