I’ve spent weeks researching the cheapest dog foods available in the UK, comparing ingredient lists, working out daily feeding costs, and actually reading the small print on hundreds of bags. Why? Because most “budget” dog food guides you’ll find online aren’t budget at all. They’ll recommend foods costing £2 to £4 a day and call that affordable. That’s not helpful if you’re watching every penny.
I run Dog Foods UK, a site I built because I got tired of misleading dog food advice. There’s no corporate sponsor behind this. No affiliate commission driving my picks. Just honest research for UK dog owners who want to feed their dogs well without going broke.
Here’s what I actually found: you can feed a medium dog (roughly 20kg) a decent, nutritionally complete diet for under £1 a day. Some options come in well under 50p. You just need to know which brands to look for and, more importantly, which ones to avoid.
Why I Wrote This Guide
Let me be straight with you. The UK dog food market is a mess. Walk into any pet shop and you’re hit with shelves of colourful bags, each one claiming to be the best thing since sliced bread. Prices range from 30p a day to well over £5. Most of the difference comes down to marketing, not nutrition.
I started dogfoodsuk.com because I couldn’t find a single UK resource that told the truth about dog food pricing. Every site either pushed expensive premium brands or gave vague advice like “choose a food that meets your dog’s needs.” That’s useless when you’re standing in Aldi trying to decide between Earls and Wagg.
According to the PDSA, the average cost of owning a dog in the UK sits at between £30 and £60 per month, and food makes up a massive chunk of that. The PDSA’s own feeding guide estimates food costs between £20 and £50 monthly depending on the size of your dog and what you feed them.
My goal with this guide is simple. I want to show you the genuinely cheapest options that still give your dog proper nutrition. I’m not going to pretend a 40p-a-day supermarket brand is as good as a £3-a-day grain-free food. But I will tell you which budget foods are decent and which ones are a waste of money, even at their low price.
Check out our full list of dog food reviews if you want to compare these budget picks against premium options. And if you’re looking for a broader overview, our best dog food UK guide covers every price range.
What Does “Budget” Actually Mean in Dog Food?
Budget means different things to different people, so let me define the tiers I’ll be using throughout this guide. I’ve calculated these based on feeding a medium dog weighing around 20kg, which covers breeds like border collies, English springer spaniels, and Staffordshire bull terriers.
| Tier | Daily Cost (20kg dog) | What You Get | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra-budget | Under 50p/day | Supermarket own-brands, basic working dog food, high cereal content | Aldi Earls, Wagg, Bakers |
| Value tier | 50p to £1/day | Decent dry food with named meat ingredients, some working dog foods | Harringtons, Skinner’s, Autarky, Chappie |
| Budget premium | £1 to £1.50/day | Better ingredients, grain-free options, hypoallergenic formulas | Burns, Barking Heads, Forthglade, James Wellbeloved |
For context, a 20kg dog needs roughly 250-300g of dry food per day, give or take depending on the specific food’s calorie density and your dog’s activity level.
Cost-per-day matters far more than cost-per-bag. A 15kg bag of Harringtons might cost £34, while a 2kg bag of a premium brand costs £16. The Harringtons works out at about 70p a day for a medium dog. The premium stuff? Around £2.50. The bag looks cheaper on the small one, but you’re paying through the nose per day.
There’s one uncomfortable truth about budget dog food I have to mention. Cheaper foods tend to contain more filler ingredients (cereals, derivatives, plant proteins). Your dog absorbs less of what they eat. That means bigger, more frequent poos. I’m not joking. If you switch from a 70p-a-day food to a £1.30-a-day food with better ingredients, you’ll likely notice the difference in your garden almost immediately.
The PDSA feeding guide is a good starting point for understanding how much to feed and roughly what it should cost.
The VAT-Free Working Dog Food Trick Most Owners Don’t Know About
This is probably the single most useful tip in this entire guide. In the UK, dog food is normally subject to 20% VAT. But “working dog food” is zero-rated for VAT, meaning you don’t pay that tax. That’s roughly a 20% saving right there, and it applies to some genuinely decent foods.
The UK government’s VAT guidance on animal feed states that dog food can be zero-rated if it’s marketed and sold specifically for working dogs. In practice, this means foods labelled as “working dog” or “field and trial” that are sold in quantities of 15kg or more.
Here’s the thing most pet owners don’t realise. These foods are widely available to buy. No one asks for proof that your dog is a working gundog. I’m not encouraging anyone to misrepresent their situation, but this is how the market works in practice. Pet shops, country stores, and online retailers sell these foods to thousands of ordinary dog owners every day.
The brands that qualify for VAT-free pricing include:
- Skinner’s Field & Trial – probably the best-known working dog food brand in the UK
- Autarky – solid nutrition, multiple recipes
- Dr John’s – available in most country stores and online
- Gilpa – budget-friendly, simple ingredients
- Alpha Feeds – wide range of recipes, easy to find online
A 15kg bag of Skinner’s Field & Trial costs around £26-28 online. A comparable non-VAT-free food with similar ingredients might cost £32-35 for the same size. That saving adds up to £50-80 a year for a medium dog. Not bad for doing absolutely nothing different.
There are a couple of catches. VAT-free working dog food usually comes in 15kg bags minimum. Some brands only sell in even larger sizes. And the recipes are designed for active dogs, so they tend to be higher in protein and fat. If your dog is a couch potato, you might need to feed slightly less than the guide suggests.
Best Supermarket Own-Brand Dog Foods
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Millions of UK dogs eat supermarket own-brand food every single day. According to Which? survey data, supermarket own-brands account for a significant share of the UK dog food market, particularly among price-conscious shoppers.
I’ve looked at the ingredient lists for every major supermarket own-brand. Here’s the honest truth about each one.
Aldi Earls (around 35p/day)
Aldi’s Earls brand is probably the best-known supermarket own-brand dog food in the UK. At roughly 35p a day for a 20kg dog, it’s genuinely cheap. The dry food lists “cereals” and “meat and animal derivatives” as the main ingredients. That’s vague, but it meets the legal requirements for a complete dog food.
The wet food trays are similarly basic. Meat content isn’t specified beyond “4% chicken” or whatever the named flavour is. That’s the minimum legal requirement to put a picture of chicken on the front of the pack. For the price, though, it’s edible and your dog won’t starve.
Lidl Orlando (around 40p/day)
Lidl’s Orlando brand is slightly pricier than Aldi’s Earls, and I’m not convinced it’s any better. The ingredient lists read almost identically: cereals first, then meat derivatives, then various additives. Online reviews are mixed. Some dogs do fine on it, others get loose stools or itchy skin.
Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose Own-Brands
Quality varies wildly here. Tesco’s own-brand dry food is surprisingly decent for the price, with named meat ingredients appearing reasonably high on the list. Asda’s is middling. Sainsbury’s has improved their recipes in recent years. Waitrose’s is the most expensive of the supermarket own-brands but also tends to have better ingredient quality.
None of these will win any nutrition awards. But if you’re truly on the tightest budget, Tesco and Waitrose own-brands are the best of a mediocre bunch.
For a more detailed comparison, All About Dog Food rates supermarket own-brands alongside named brands, which is incredibly useful.
Best Budget Dry Dog Food UK (Under £1 a Day)
This is where it gets interesting. These are the foods I’d actually recommend to someone who needs to keep costs down but still wants something reasonable. I’ve included approximate daily costs for a 20kg dog, key nutrition highlights, and honest opinions about what each brand does well and where it falls short.
1. Harringtons Lamb & Rice Dry (~70p/day)
Best for: Mainstream budget buyers who want something decent without ordering online.
Harringtons is, in my opinion, the best widely available budget dog food in the UK. I’m not the only one who thinks so. It consistently scores well on All About Dog Food‘s rating system, and it’s easy to find in Tesco, Asda, and on Amazon UK.
The ingredient list starts with lamb (a named meat, not “derivatives”), followed by rice, barley, and peas. There are no artificial colours or flavours. It’s wheat-free, which matters if your dog has sensitivities. The protein content sits around 22%, which is adequate for most adult dogs.
A 12kg bag costs roughly £25-28 depending on where you buy it. That works out to about 70p a day for a 20kg dog. If you buy larger bags (Harringtons does 15kg sizes), the per-day cost drops further.
Key nutrition: 22% protein, 10% fat, wheat-free, no artificial colours
What to consider: Not grain-free (contains rice and barley), which is fine for most dogs but worth knowing if your vet has recommended grain-free.
Where to buy: Tesco, Asda, Amazon UK, Pets at Home
2. Skinner’s Field & Trial (~50p/day)
Best for: Ultra-budget buyers who don’t mind buying in bulk.
Skinner’s is a proper UK institution. The company has been making dog food in Suffolk since the 1960s, and their Field & Trial range is the go-to for farmers, gundog owners, and anyone who knows about the VAT-free trick I mentioned earlier.
Because it’s VAT-free, a 15kg bag costs roughly £26-28. For a 20kg dog, that’s about 50p a day. The protein content varies by recipe (Lamb & Rice is around 20%, Duck & Rice around 24%, Chicken & Rice around 19%), but all recipes use named meat meals as the primary ingredient.
The range is enormous. There are at least 15 different recipes covering chicken, lamb, duck, salmon, turkey, and venison. If your dog has allergies or preferences, there’s probably a Skinner’s recipe that works.
Key nutrition: 19-24% protein (varies by recipe), named meat meal first ingredient, VAT-free
What to consider: Only available in 15kg bags minimum. Some recipes contain wheat. Designed for active dogs, so watch portions if your dog is less active.
Where to buy: Skinner’s official site, Amazon UK, country stores, online pet retailers
3. Autarky Adult (~65p/day)
Best for: Another solid VAT-free option with slightly better ingredient quality than some competitors.
Autarky is made by宠物食品manufacturer CSJ (Country Sports Feeds), and it’s another VAT-free working dog food that’s widely bought by pet dog owners. The Adult recipe is their most popular, and it lists chicken meal as the first ingredient, followed by rice and maize.
Protein content sits at 24%, which is good for a food at this price point. The recipes include prebiotics (MOS) for digestive health, which is a nice touch that many budget foods skip. There’s also added glucosamine for joint support, something you rarely see in foods under £1 a day.
A 15kg bag typically costs around £27-30, working out to roughly 65p a day for a 20kg dog.
Key nutrition: 24% protein, 12% fat, added prebiotics and glucosamine
What to consider: Contains maize (corn), which some owners prefer to avoid. Only available in 15kg bags.
Where to buy: Autarky official site, Amazon UK, VioVet, country stores
4. AVA Veterinary Approved (~85p/day)
Best for: People who want accessible quality without ordering online.
AVA is Pets at Home’s own premium brand, and it’s genuinely not bad. Developed with veterinary input, the ingredient lists are more transparent than most supermarket own-brands. The Adult Chicken recipe starts with chicken, followed by rice and barley.
At roughly 85p a day for a 20kg dog, it’s more expensive than Harringtons or Skinner’s, but you’re paying for convenience. You can walk into any Pets at Home store in the country and buy it today. That matters if you’ve run out of food and need something decent fast.
Key nutrition: 26% protein, 12% fat, named meat first, veterinary-approved formulation
What to consider: You’re partly paying for the Pets at Home markup. Similar quality foods are available cheaper online.
Where to buy: Pets at Home stores and website
5. Wagg Complete (~35p/day)
Best for: The absolute cheapest recognised brand that still provides complete nutrition.
Wagg is unapologetically cheap, and I respect that. A 12kg bag costs around £16-18 on Amazon UK, making it one of the cheapest branded complete dog foods you can buy. For a 20kg dog, that’s about 35p a day.
The ingredient list starts with cereals, then meat and animal derivatives. There are named meat and bone meals further down the list, but the first ingredient is wheat. Protein content is around 19%. Wagg adds vitamins and minerals to make it nutritionally complete, and the food does meet UK pet food regulations.
Many dogs do absolutely fine on Wagg and have done for years. It won’t win awards for ingredient quality, but it keeps dogs fed and healthy. If your budget genuinely can’t stretch beyond 40p a day, Wagg is a better bet than most supermarket own-brands simply because it’s a dedicated pet food company with consistent quality control.
Key nutrition: 19% protein, 7% fat, complete nutrition, added vitamins and minerals
What to consider: High cereal content, vague meat sources, wheat-based. May cause loose stools in sensitive dogs.
Where to buy: Amazon UK, B&M, Home Bargains, Wilkinson, most supermarkets
6. Chappie (~50p/day)
Best for: Dogs with sensitive stomachs on a tight budget.
Chappie is a bit of a legend in UK dog food circles. It’s been around for decades, and vets have long recommended it for dogs with dodgy digestion. Made by Purina, it’s low in fat (around 7-9% depending on the recipe) and uses fish as its primary protein source.
The wet canned version is around 50p a day. The dry version works out similarly. Because it’s fish-based and low fat, it’s gentle on sensitive tummies. I’ve spoken to several vet nurses who say Chappie is their go-to recommendation when an owner can’t afford a prescription gastrointestinal diet.
Key nutrition: 20% protein, 9% fat, fish-based, low fat, easily digestible
What to consider: The ingredient list includes “cereals” without specifying which ones. Some dogs find the fish smell off-putting at first.
Where to buy: Purina Chappie page, most supermarkets, Amazon UK, Pets at Home
7. Bakers Complete (~40p/day)
Best for: Dogs that love the taste and owners on the tightest budgets (with caveats).
I’m going to be honest here because you deserve honesty. Bakers is the best-selling dry dog food in the UK. It’s cheap (around 40p a day), brightly coloured, and dogs absolutely wolf it down. But nutritionally, it’s one of the worst mainstream brands available.
The ingredient list starts with cereals, then meat and animal derivatives (minimum 4% of whatever meat is pictured on the bag). It contains added colours (the red, green, and yellow kibbles are dyed), various sugars, and the protein content comes partly from plant sources rather than meat.
A All About Dog Food review gives Bakers a very low rating (1.7 out of 10 for the Complete recipe at the time of writing). The British Veterinary Association has also raised concerns about the sugar content and artificial additives in coloured dog foods.
But here’s the nuance that most guides ignore. Millions of UK dogs eat Bakers every day and live long, apparently healthy lives. Dogs are resilient creatures. If you’re choosing between feeding your dog Bakers or not feeding your dog at all, feed the Bakers. If you can afford to spend even 10p more a day, Harringtons or Skinner’s is significantly better.
Key nutrition: 19% protein, 10% fat, artificial colours and sugars
What to consider: Low ingredient quality, controversial additives, high cereal content. Dogs love it anyway.
Where to buy: Literally everywhere in the UK
8. Butcher’s (~60p/day)
Best for: Budget wet food buyers who want British-sourced ingredients.
Butcher’s is one of the better budget wet food options in the UK. Their meat is sourced from British and Irish farms, which is more than many premium brands can say. The trays are 400g each, and a 12-pack usually costs around £8-10, depending on the recipe and where you shop.
The protein content is decent for wet food (around 8-9%), and Butcher’s has moved towards grain-free recipes for many of their products. The Tripe variety is particularly popular among dog owners because dogs go mad for it.
Key nutrition: 8-9% protein (wet food), British-farm sourced, grain-free options available
What to consider: Wet food is more expensive per day than dry. Some recipes still contain grains.
Where to buy: Amazon UK, most supermarkets, B&M
Best Value Premium Dog Food (Under £1.50 a Day)
If you can stretch your budget slightly beyond £1 a day, the quality improves noticeably. These foods have better ingredient lists, more transparent sourcing, and often include extras like joint supplements and prebiotics. They’re still genuinely affordable compared to the really expensive stuff, but they’re a clear step up from the ultra-budget tier.
1. Forthglade Cold-Pressed Dry (~£1.20/day)
Best for: Owners who want high meat content without paying premium prices.
Forthglade is a Devon-based company that makes excellent dog food. Their cold-pressed dry food contains 73% or more meat, which is genuinely impressive at this price point. Cold pressing preserves more nutrients than traditional extrusion, and the resulting kibble dissolves more easily in water, which some dogs prefer.
The chicken recipe scores highly on All About Dog Food’s rating system, and for around £1.20 a day, you’re getting meat content that rivals foods costing twice as much. A 2kg bag costs around £14, but larger bags offer better per-day value.
Key nutrition: 73%+ meat content, cold-pressed, grain-free, no artificial additives
Where to buy: Forthglade official site, Amazon UK, Pets at Home
2. James Wellbeloved (~£1.30/day)
Best for: Dogs with allergies or sensitive skin on a budget.
James Wellbeloved has been making hypoallergenic dog food in the UK since the 1990s. Their recipes are designed around single protein sources with added herbs and prebiotics. The Turkey & Rice recipe is their most popular, and it’s a solid choice for dogs that react to chicken or beef.
At around £1.30 a day, it’s not the cheapest option, but you’re getting genuinely hypoallergenic food. If your dog has itchy skin, recurring ear infections, or digestive issues, Wellbeloved might save you money on vet bills in the long run.
Key nutrition: 24% protein, single protein source, hypoallergenic, added prebiotics and herbs
Where to buy: James Wellbeloved official site, Amazon UK, Pets at Home, most pet shops
3. Burns Adult (~£1.00/day)
Best for: Simple, vet-formulated nutrition at a fair price.
Burns Pet Nutrition was founded by John Burns, a veterinary surgeon, and the company makes simple, easily digested food with minimal ingredients. The Original Chicken & Brown Rice recipe is their flagship product, and it contains exactly what it says on the bag: chicken, brown rice, oats, peas, and a few vitamins and minerals.
At roughly £1 a day for a 20kg dog, Burns sits right on the edge of the budget tier. The ingredient quality is noticeably better than Harringtons or Skinner’s, and many dogs with sensitive digestion do very well on it. Burns offers free delivery on orders over a certain amount directly from their website, which helps keep costs down.
Key nutrition: 19% protein, 7.5% fat, simple ingredients, easily digested
Where to buy: Burns official site, Amazon UK, independent pet shops
4. Barking Heads (~£1.10/day)
Best for: A more “natural” food with fun branding at a reasonable price.
Barking Heads is one of those brands that’s done a brilliant job with packaging and marketing. But behind the fun branding is actually decent food. Their “Fusspot” recipe uses salmon as the main protein source, and the ingredient lists are more transparent than most budget brands.
At around £1.10 a day, it’s cheaper than James Wellbeloved and comparable to Harringtons in the 2kg bag size. If you buy the larger bags (6kg or 12kg), the per-day cost drops further.
Key nutrition: 26-32% protein (varies by recipe), named meat first, natural ingredients
Where to buy: Barking Heads official site, Amazon UK, Pets at Home
5. Tails.com (~£1.27/day)
Best for: Personalised food without the premium price tag.
Tails.com sells personalised dog food based on an online questionnaire about your dog’s age, breed, weight, and activity level. The food is delivered to your door on a subscription basis. At roughly £1.27 a day for a medium dog, it’s cheaper than many “designer” personalised brands.
The ingredient quality is decent, with named meat sources and a reasonable grain content. The personalisation aspect is useful if you have a dog with specific needs or if you want portion sizes calculated for you.
Key nutrition: Variable based on your dog’s profile, named meat sources, tailored portions
What to consider: Subscription model, first box is usually discounted then price increases. You’re paying partly for the convenience of delivery.
Where to buy: Tails.com official site
Best Budget Wet Dog Food UK
Wet food costs more per day than dry food. That’s just the reality. Water is heavy and you’re paying to ship it. But many dogs prefer wet food, some dogs need the extra moisture (especially older dogs or dogs that don’t drink enough), and mixing wet and dry is a genuinely good budget strategy that I’ll explain in a moment.
1. Butcher’s Tripe Variety Pack (~60p/day)
Best value wet food overall. Butcher’s Tripe is cheap, British-sourced, and dogs go absolutely crazy for it. A 12-pack of 400g trays costs around £8-10, and one tray per day is roughly the right amount for a 20kg dog. The grain-free tripe recipe is the best option if you want to avoid fillers.
Where to buy: Amazon UK, B&M, most supermarkets
2. Chappie Canned (~50p/day)
Best budget wet food for sensitive stomachs. As I mentioned earlier, Chappie’s low-fat fish formula is gentle on digestion. The canned version is arguably even better value than the dry. A pack of 12 cans typically costs around £10, and one can is roughly a day’s food for a medium dog.
Where to buy: Purina Chappie page, most supermarkets, Amazon UK
3. Harringtons Wet Trays (~80p/day)
Best grain-free budget wet food. Harringtons makes a solid wet food to match their dry range. The trays come in packs of 16, usually costing around £12-14. The grain-free recipes use sweet potato instead of cereals, which is better for dogs with sensitivities. Check Amazon UK for the best prices on multi-packs.
Where to buy: Amazon UK, Tesco, Asda
4. Aldi Earls Wet (~40p/day)
Cheapest wet food available in the UK. At roughly 40p a day, Aldi’s Earls wet food trays are the cheapest wet option you’ll find. The quality reflects the price, but it’s a complete food and your dog will eat it.
Where to buy: Aldi stores only
5. Pedigree Chum (~55p/day)
Widely available but not the best quality. Pedigree is everywhere, and it’s cheap. The meat content is low (the minimum 4% legal requirement for the named meat), and the ingredient list includes cereals and various derivatives. There are better budget wet foods available, but if Pedigree is all your local shop stocks, your dog will survive on it.
Where to buy: Every supermarket, convenience store, and petrol station in the UK
The Wet-and-Dry Mixing Strategy
Here’s a trick that works well for budget-conscious owners. Buy a decent dry food as the base (like Harringtons or Skinner’s at 50-70p a day), then add a small amount of wet food on top (maybe a quarter of a tray). Your dog gets the variety and tastiness of wet food, but the bulk of their calories come from the cheaper dry food. Total cost: maybe 80-90p a day instead of £1.20+ for all-wet.
Budget Dog Food for Puppies
Puppies have different nutritional needs to adult dogs. They need higher protein (around 25-30% for growth), more fat for energy, and specific nutrients like calcium and DHA for brain and bone development. You shouldn’t feed a puppy adult dog food as their staple diet, even if it’s cheaper. The British Veterinary Association recommends feeding a complete puppy food until your dog reaches adulthood (around 12 months for most breeds, longer for large breeds).
That said, puppy food doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here are the best budget puppy options.
| Brand | Daily Cost (estimate) | Key Features | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harringtons Puppy | ~£0.70/day | 28% protein, wheat-free, calcium/phosphorus balanced | Best mainstream budget puppy food |
| Skinner’s Puppy | ~£0.55/day | VAT-free, 28% protein, high in chicken | Best ultra-budget puppy option |
| Bakers Puppy | ~£0.40/day | 28% protein but includes artificial colours and sugars | Cheap but low quality |
| AVA Puppy | ~£0.90/day | 30% protein, DHA included, veterinary-approved | Best quality budget puppy food |
My pick for most people would be Harringtons Puppy. It’s affordable, widely available, and avoids the worst ingredients. If you want to save even more and don’t mind the 15kg bag size, Skinner’s Puppy is excellent value thanks to the VAT-free pricing. For more guidance on puppy feeding, the BVA’s puppy advice is worth reading.
Budget Dog Food for Senior Dogs
Senior dogs typically need fewer calories than younger dogs, but they benefit from joint support ingredients (glucosamine, chondroitin), easily digestible protein, and sometimes higher fibre. The right senior food can make a real difference to an older dog’s quality of life. The PDSA’s senior dog advice covers the full picture of caring for an older dog, including nutrition.
Here are the best budget senior options.
| Brand | Daily Cost (estimate) | Key Features | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wagg Senior | ~£0.35/day | 16% protein (lower for seniors), added glucosamine, lower calorie | Cheapest senior-specific food |
| Harringtons Senior | ~£0.75/day | 20% protein, joint support, wheat-free | Best mainstream budget senior food |
| Barking Heads Golden Years | ~£1.10/day | 25% protein, prebiotics, joint supplements, salmon-based | Best quality budget senior food |
| Chappie Senior | ~£0.50/day | Low fat, fish-based, gentle on older digestion (wet food) | Best budget senior wet food |
I’d lean towards Harringtons Senior for most older dogs on a budget. If your senior dog has a sensitive stomach, Chappie wet food is a safe bet. For dogs that are slowing down but still active, Barking Heads Golden Years is worth the extra cost.
How to Read a Budget Dog Food Label
Understanding dog food labels is one of the most useful skills you can develop as a dog owner. The Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) sets labelling standards in the UK, and they have a useful labelling guide on their website. But here’s the practical breakdown of what you need to know.
“Meat and animal derivatives”
This is the vaguest, most frustrating term in dog food labelling, and it appears on almost every budget food. Legally, “meat and animal derivatives” can include any part of any animal, including organs, blood, and rendered tissue from any species. The quality can vary enormously. Some manufacturers use decent quality derivatives. Others use the lowest grade material available.
It’s impossible to know exactly what’s in the bag when you see this term. The PFMA requires that any animal derivatives come from animals passed fit for human consumption, but that doesn’t mean much when you consider what gets rejected from the human food chain.
A food that lists “chicken meal” or “lamb” (a named meat) as the first ingredient is always preferable to one that starts with “meat and animal derivatives.” Named ingredients are traceable and specific. The vague term tells you nothing useful.
“Cereals” vs Named Grains
“Cereals” is another catch-all term that can include wheat, maize, rice, barley, oats, or any combination thereof. A food that lists “rice” or “barley” specifically is giving you more information than one that just says “cereals.” For dogs with grain sensitivities, this distinction matters enormously.
Wheat is the most common allergen among grains used in dog food. Rice and barley are generally better tolerated. If your dog has itchy skin or digestive issues, try switching from a wheat-based food to a rice-based one before jumping to grain-free.
“Complete” vs “Complementary”
This matters. A “complete” dog food is designed to be your dog’s entire diet. It contains all the nutrients they need in the right proportions. A “complementary” food (like most treats, mixer biscuits, and some wet foods) is meant to be fed alongside a complete food.
Never feed a complementary food as your dog’s sole diet. The packaging should clearly state whether the food is complete or complementary. If it doesn’t say “complete,” assume it’s complementary.
The First 5 Ingredients Rule
Ingredients are listed in order of weight. The first five ingredients make up the vast majority of the food. If the first ingredient is a named meat and the next few are whole grains or vegetables, you’re looking at a reasonably good food. If the first three ingredients are cereals, derivatives, and more cereals, the food is mostly filler.
Artificial Colours and Preservatives
Artificial colours in dog food serve absolutely no nutritional purpose. They exist to make the food look appealing to humans. Dogs don’t care what colour their kibble is. The BVA has expressed concerns about certain artificial additives, particularly the colourings used in some budget foods like Bakers.
Preservatives are more complicated. Some natural preservatives (like tocopherols, which are vitamin E derivatives) are perfectly fine. Some artificial preservatives (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin) are more controversial. If you can avoid them, do. But if you’re on the tightest budget, preservatives shouldn’t be your top concern compared to getting enough protein and named meat into your dog’s diet.
Money-Saving Tips for Dog Food
These are the practical tips that actually save money, not the generic “buy in bulk” advice you see everywhere.
Buy the biggest bag you can store
The price-per-kilogram drops significantly as bag size increases. A 2kg bag of Harringtons might cost £2.80/kg. The 12kg bag drops to about £2.10/kg. The 15kg bag can be under £2/kg. That’s a 30% saving just by buying a bigger bag. If you have the storage space (a cool, dry place is essential), bigger is always cheaper.
Keep dry food in an airtight container once opened. A £15 airtight container from any home shop will pay for itself within a couple of months by keeping food fresh and preventing waste. Mouldy or stale food is wasted money.
Compare Amazon Subscribe & Save against direct purchase
Amazon UK‘s Subscribe & Save programme gives you 5-15% off recurring deliveries, on top of whatever the listed price is. For some brands (Harringtons, Wagg, Barking Heads), this is genuinely the cheapest way to buy. For others (Skinner’s, Burns, Autarky), buying direct from the manufacturer with free delivery works out cheaper, especially on 15kg bags.
Always compare both options before you buy. Prices fluctuate on Amazon, and the Subscribe & Save discount percentage varies. Set a reminder to check prices every few months.
Use supermarket loyalty schemes
If you’re buying food from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, or Pets at Home anyway, sign up for their loyalty programmes. Tesco Clubcard prices are often 10-20% cheaper than standard prices. Pets at Home’s VIP club gives you points on every purchase. These savings are small individually but they add up over a year.
Don’t overfeed
This sounds obvious, but it’s the single easiest way to waste money on dog food. Every scoop of food you put in the bowl beyond what your dog needs is literally money in the bin. Follow the feeding guide on the bag, adjust for your dog’s body condition, and weigh the food with a cheap digital kitchen scale. Eyeballing it always leads to overfeeding.
If your dog is gaining weight, reduce the portion slightly rather than switching to an expensive “light” food. Most dogs need less food than their owners think they do.
The VAT-free reminder
I’ve said it already, but it’s worth repeating. If you buy Skinner’s, Autarky, Dr John’s, Gilpa, or Alpha Feeds in 15kg+ bags, you’re saving roughly 20% compared to equivalent non-VAT-free foods. Over a year, that’s £50-100 for a medium dog.
Check All About Dog Food before switching
All About Dog Food is a genuinely independent UK resource that rates hundreds of dog foods on a 1-5 star system based on ingredient quality, protein sources, and additives. It’s free to use and invaluable for comparing foods before you buy. I’ve referenced it throughout this guide because it’s the most honest dog food resource available in the UK.
Where to Buy Budget Dog Food for the Best Price
Where you buy matters almost as much as what you buy. Here’s my honest breakdown of the best places to shop for budget dog food in the UK.
| Retailer | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon UK | Subscribe & Save deals, bulk dry food | Subscribe & Save discounts, fast delivery, huge range | Prices fluctuate, not always cheapest |
| Pets at Home | AVA brand, in-store convenience | Physical stores everywhere, loyalty card, AVA exclusives | Premium pricing on non-own brands |
| Aldi / Lidl | Cheapest food available, period | Unbeatable prices on own-brands | Limited range, lower ingredient quality |
| Zooplus / VioVet | Wide brand range, specialist foods | Huge selection, often cheaper than pet shops, bulk deals | Delivery times, some brands not stocked |
| Pet Drugs Online | Budget prices on named brands | Often the cheapest for specific brands, good customer service | Smaller range than Zooplus |
| Direct from manufacturer | Bulk purchases, free delivery | Skinner’s, Burns, Forthglade offer free delivery on large orders | Usually only for 15kg+ bags |
My usual approach is this. Check Amazon’s Subscribe & Save price first. Then check the manufacturer’s direct price. Then check Zooplus or Pet Drugs Online. Buy from whoever is cheapest for that specific product. It takes five minutes and can save you £20-30 a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cheap dog food bad for my dog?
Not necessarily. “Cheap” and “bad” aren’t the same thing. A food that costs 50p a day but meets all UK nutritional requirements is perfectly adequate for most dogs. The issue is that the cheapest foods tend to use lower-quality ingredients (vague “derivatives,” high cereal content, artificial additives). Your dog can survive on them, but they might not thrive. I’ve covered the specific foods I’d recommend (and avoid) throughout this guide.
What is the cheapest dog food that is still good quality?
In my opinion, Skinner’s Field & Trial at roughly 50p a day is the cheapest food I’d call “good quality.” Named meat meal as the first ingredient, VAT-free pricing, and made by a reputable UK company. If you want something available in supermarkets, Harringtons at around 70p a day is the cheapest mainstream food with genuinely decent ingredients.
Can I mix cheap dry food with wet food?
Yes, and it’s a great strategy. Use a decent dry food as the main meal and add a small amount of wet food for taste. Your dog gets the nutritional completeness of dry food with the palatability of wet. Just make sure you adjust the total portions so you’re not overfeeding. Mixing foods from different brands is fine as long as both are “complete.”
Is Bakers or Pedigree actually bad for dogs?
“Bad” is a strong word. Bakers and Pedigree meet UK pet food regulations, so they won’t actively harm your dog in the short term. But they contain artificial colours (Bakers), low meat content (both), and more cereal-based protein than meat-based protein. Long-term, these aren’t the best choices for your dog’s health. If you can afford literally anything better, choose something else. If you genuinely can’t, your dog will survive on them.
What is working dog food and why is it VAT-free?
Working dog food is dog food marketed specifically for working dogs (gundogs, herding dogs, assistance dogs). Under UK VAT law, animal feed for working animals is zero-rated, meaning no 20% VAT is charged. This makes working dog food roughly 20% cheaper than equivalent pet food. Brands like Skinner’s, Autarky, and Dr John’s fall into this category. The food itself is nutritionally complete and suitable for any dog.
How much should I feed my dog on a budget?
Follow the feeding guide on the bag. Every complete dog food has one. The guide gives you a daily amount based on your dog’s weight and sometimes activity level. Weigh the food with kitchen scales rather than guessing. If your dog is gaining weight, feed slightly less. If they’re losing weight or look thin, feed slightly more. Budget dog food isn’t inherently more or less calorie-dense than expensive food, so the same principles apply.
Are supermarket own-brand dog foods any good?
They’re adequate. Most supermarket own-brands meet the legal requirements for complete dog food, and millions of dogs eat them without obvious problems. That said, the ingredient quality is generally lower than dedicated pet food brands like Harringtons or Skinner’s. If budget is your absolute priority, Aldi Earls and Lidl Orlando are the cheapest options. If you can spend a tiny bit more, Tesco’s own-brand is better quality than the discounters.
Can puppies eat adult budget dog food?
I wouldn’t recommend it. Puppies need higher protein, more calories, and specific nutrients like calcium and DHA for proper growth. Feeding a puppy adult food long-term can lead to developmental problems. Budget puppy food from Harringtons or Skinner’s is cheap enough that there’s no real reason to risk it. The BVA advises feeding a complete puppy food until your dog reaches adulthood.
How do I know if my budget dog food is complete and balanced?
Check the label. It should clearly state “complete” somewhere prominent. “Complementary” means it’s not a complete diet. If it says “complete and balanced” or just “complete,” it meets the nutritional standards set by the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF), which the PFMA follows in the UK. You can also look for the statement “This food is nutritionally complete” or “formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by FEDIAF.”
Where is the cheapest place to buy dog food online?
It depends on the brand. For Harringtons and Wagg, Amazon UK with Subscribe & Save is often cheapest. For Skinner’s and Burns, buying direct from the manufacturer usually wins because of free delivery on bulk orders. For a wide range comparison, check Zooplus and Pet Drugs Online. I’d recommend checking all four options before you buy.
Conclusion
Feeding your dog well on a budget isn’t about finding one magic cheap brand. It’s about understanding what you’re buying, knowing where the real savings are (VAT-free working dog food is the big one), and making informed choices based on your dog’s actual needs.
If I had to pick just one recommendation for someone on a tight budget, it would be Skinner’s Field & Trial at around 50p a day. The VAT-free saving makes it genuinely cheap, the ingredient quality is reasonable, and you can buy it in bulk to bring the cost down further.
If you can stretch to 70p a day, Harringtons is my top mainstream pick. Named meat, wheat-free, and available in virtually every Tesco and Asda in the country.
And if you can push to £1 a day or slightly beyond, foods like Burns, Barking Heads, and Forthglade offer a noticeable step up in ingredient quality without breaking the bank.
Even small upgrades make a difference. Moving from Bakers to Harringtons costs about 30p extra a day but dramatically improves the quality of what your dog eats. Moving from Harringtons to Skinner’s saves you 20p a day. These aren’t trivial amounts when you’re feeding a dog every day for 10-15 years.
Check out the rest of Dog Foods UK for more honest dog food reviews. Our dog foods category page covers brands at every price point, and our best dog food UK guide is the most comprehensive comparison of UK dog foods available online.
Your dog doesn’t need a £3-a-day grain-free food to be healthy. They need complete nutrition, a reasonable amount of protein, and an owner who pays attention to how they look and feel. Everything beyond that is a bonus.
