Caring for our pups is not at all cheap, but there are ways to make some cutbacks here and there. Let’s talk about snacks. Should they stay or should they go? In theory, if your dog is getting all the nutrients he needs from meals, he won’t go looking for snacks. But to be honest, pups take pleasure in them. Just look at the wagging tails! And snacks can be useful for training purposes, too. So if we couldn’t let go of these treats, time to settle for decently priced yet still healthy ones.
Here are our top recommendations for budget-friendly dog food brands that also offer high nutritional value. After all, choosing healthy is choosing more savings in the long run. Let’s dive in!
15. Full Moon Natural Essentials Beef Recipe Savory Bites
Made with all-natural ingredients, with ranch-raised beef as the star, this treat is impossible to ignore. It’s a great option for training rewards as each treat only contains two calories. The natural sugars used in the product also keep each treat soft and chewy. If your pup isn’t a fan of beef, these savory bites are also available in chicken flavor. The 14-oz Full Moon Savory Bites is sold for less than $10.
14. Wellness Soft Puppy Bites
This treat is rich in animal protein from lamb and salmon as well as DHA, which are both necessary for muscle and brain development in puppies. Each treat is soft, and easily breakable into smaller pieces; I bet your pup will have a good time munching on them!
The Wellness Soft Puppy Bites also have other healthy ingredients, including apples, sweet potatoes, rosemary extract, and green tea extract. These should also help in boosting your pup’s immune system and digestive health.
13. Eukanuba Adult Small Bites
This dry dog food claims to have complete nutrition that would help small and medium-sized dog breeds perform their best. It promotes muscle and joint support, thanks to the combination of glucosamine, animal protein, and chondroitin sulfate. The presence of DHA supports brain health, while the 3D DentaDefense helps reduce tartar buildup. Consider Eukanuba Adult Small Bites as an affordable dog food option if your dog is 12 months old or older.
12. Avoderm Large Breed Chicken Meal & Brown Rice
Of course, we also have something for large dog breeds. Aside from providing balanced nutrition, Avoderm Large Breed Chicken Meal & Brown Rice is known to promote healthy skin and a beautiful coat. This is thanks in part to the omega-rich avocados included in the ingredient list.
What we love about this dog food is that it doesn’t contain corn, wheat, and artificial flavors, making it safe for pups picky with food or those who have intolerances.
11. Eagle Pack Natural Dog Food – Original
Eagle Pack Original is made for dogs in all life stages. Yup, even the senior ones are included! This product is specifically sought by pet owners who want to ensure good digestion and healthy skin and coat for their furry family. It even has a Reduced Fat variation if you’re looking for a healthier dog food option.
Eagle Pack Original also comes with Taurine, which is helpful in improving blood flow and preventing heart and eye diseases. One pound or 16 ounces of this dog food costs around $2.31. A 30-pound bag is available for roughly $70.
10. Whole Earth Farms Red Meat Recipe
Picky eaters would prefer wet dog food over dry kibbles when looking for a snack. So if you’re searching for a decently priced wet dog food, this might be it. This item features real beef, blended with lamb, and field-grown apples, potatoes, and carrots. As a product from Merrick, a known producer of natural recipes, you can expect that your pup is getting real food ingredients with the necessary vitamins and minerals.
9. American Journey Grain-Free Chicken and Turkey Recipe
Here’s another option to consider for wet dog food. The American Journey Grain-Free Chicken and Turkey Recipe has real chicken as its first ingredient, ensuring that your pup gets that tasty source of protein. The savory and smooth loaf also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which help in making your dog’s coat shine. This item is available in 12.50 oz, priced under $20 for a case of 12.
8. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy Dry Food
A brand that lives up to its name, Taste of the Wild offers a recipe that packs healthy fats, proteins, and natural antioxidants. The Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream Smoked Salmon Puppy Dry Food has smoked salmon, oceanfish, and grain-free carbs, designed to mimic an ancestral diet for optimal health. If you’re looking for an option that works for dogs in all life stages, check out the brand’s PREY Angus Beef formula.
7. Nature’s Recipe Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Pumpkin Recipe
Meanwhile, here’s a budget-friendly snack containing three of the most loved ingredients of dogs: chicken, sweet potato, and pumpkin. The chicken is an excellent source of protein, while the sweet potato and pumpkin support weight management and your pup’s digestive health. The Nature’s Recipe Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Pumpkin Recipe is also ideal for all life stages and breeds, available under $30 for a 12-lb bag.
RELATED: Top 10 Healthiest Dog Food Brands Your Dog Must Try
6. Buddy Biscuits Teeny Treats with Roasted Chicken
Perfect for small or toy breeds, these crunchy whole-grain oven-baked treats are healthy, tasty, and fun to eat. They’re made with only five ingredients that you can actually pronounce, so you know you’re not letting your pup ingest anything that might be harmful. This specific item comes with natural roasted chicken, and there’s another variation with natural bacon and cheese. Want to mix it up? Buddy Biscuits also has a bag of treats with assorted flavors!
5. Canidae All Life Stages Chicken Meal and Rice
This specific formula is loved by lots of pet parents because of the wholesome grains offering a good source of amino acids. They’re essential in boosting the immune system and muscle mobility of your dog.
Canidae also takes pride in offering a “one bag fits all” dog food, perfect for households with multiple furry members. Choosing this item means eliminating the need to switch dog food based on breed, size, and age of pups. Won’t that give you loads of savings?
RELATED: Top 10 Dog Breeds With The Shortest Life Spans
4. Merrick Oven Baked Pumpkin Patch with Real Pumpkin Dog Treats
If you look at different restaurants, you’d think that fall-themed food items are just for humans. But, no. These pumpkin dog treats from Merrick prove otherwise. Your pup will enjoy the cozy flavor of real pumpkin, plus the fun shapes and crunch with each bite. Another important thing to note is that this product is meat-free, making it a perfect option if you want your dog to get started on a plant-based journey. You can get this item in an 11-oz bag for less than $10.
3. Newman’s Own Organic Snack Bites – Chicken Recipe
These snack bites from Newman’s Own can be enjoyed by pups who love the chicken flavor. Its top ingredient is organic-farm raised chicken combined with organic molasses, apple cider vinegar, and other fresh ingredients to deliver a tasty treat. The molasses can give an extra energy boost to your pup, while the apple cider vinegar can help promote healthy skin.
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2. Jinx Beef & Bone Broth Biscuits
With a starting price of $5 to $7 (depending on your location), these oven-baked biscuits are made to boost nutrition during your dog’s snack time. It features real beef for lean protein, superfoods that are rich in nutrients, and bone broth for a delicious savory flavor. The combination of all ingredients promotes muscle development and gut health, while the crunchy texture offers a satisfying bite. Jinx Beef & Bone Broth Biscuits is available in 4-packs and 16-oz value bags.
1. Old Mother Hubbard Classic – P. Nuttier
Taking the number one spot on this list is a dog treat that has a classic flavor that even humans love: peanut butter! Now, this is something that your pup will love catching, chewing, and eating. Old Mother Hubbard Classic P-Nuttier by Wellness are oven-baked treats, offering that crunchy texture that helps clean your furry friend’s teeth. Even better, they also come with other wholesome ingredients like apples, molasses, and carrots.
There’s more good news: you have way more flavor options than P. Nuttier! There’s Savory Mix, Chicken Pot Pie, Just Vegg’N, and Bac’N’Cheez, to name a few. This means you can switch things up, and your pup won’t get bored with the same ‘ol treats. As for the price, it varies by location but starts around $12.50. The product comes in a 6-lb value box with over 50 large biscuits!
RELATED: 10 Healthy Dog Treats You Can Make At Home
From The Club
When finding the best snacks for dogs, there are two important factors to consider: nutrition and cost. And no, you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. These are the same factors we considered to complete this roundup, and if you’re in a hurry to find what’s best for your dog, give the top 5 items a try. They’re among the most affordable but can still meet your dog’s nutritional needs in terms of protein, carbs, and fats. Also, their reasonable cost lets you give something special to your dog, even on days they least expect it. Because they, too, deserve to receive sweet surprises!
