From a tank of gasoline to a gallon of milk, prices across the board are climbing. The expense of caring for our animal companions hasn’t escaped the effects of inflation.
Indeed, a survey conducted by Total Vet reveals that 34% of pet owners who responded have switched to cheaper pet food options.
So how can you make sure your pet receives wholesome nutrition without draining your bank account? We’ve compiled several simple strategies to lower your pet food costs while still providing quality meals for your furry friend.
9 Ways to Save Money on Dog Food
- Consult your veterinarian about alternatives
- Prepare dog food at home
- Blend different dog food brands
- Avoid overfeeding
- Purchase larger quantities
- Enroll in store loyalty programs
- Use autoship subscriptions
- Clip coupons
- Pay with a cash back rewards card
Dog food can be pricey, especially premium formulas marketed as superior for your dog’s wellbeing. If you’re feeding a dog on a tighter budget, you’ll want practical ways to trim pet food costs. Here are nine effective tactics:
1. Consult Your Veterinarian About Alternatives
The pet food aisle can be intimidating — dozens of choices, many carrying steep price tags. You might be inclined to assume that the priciest organic brand is the healthiest, but that isn’t always accurate.
Talk with your veterinarian about pet food options that fit within your budget. They can suggest brands and formulations appropriate for your dog’s breed, coat, age, weight or medical issues.
You don’t have to wait for an appointment to ask; call the clinic and see if the vet can share recommendations over the phone or via email.
2. Prepare Dog Food at Home
Making your dog’s meals can be less expensive, but it’s essential to coordinate with your vet to ensure homemade recipes meet nutritional needs.
High-protein ingredients like meat and fish should be central. Fillers such as rice, oats, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans and peas can stretch the mix, but carnivores need substantial meat content.
Meat prices are high, yet you can hunt for sales or choose cuts that are less sought after by humans, like chicken liver or lean ground turkey.
Ensure the diet is balanced with proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and minerals. You might need supplements to round out nutrients; if supplements are costly, consider blending in some commercial dry food that supplies necessary minerals and fats.
3. Blend Dog Food Brands
If your vet approves a nutrient-rich, high-protein formula that’s a bit pricey, ask whether you can mix it with a more economical brand to make the premium food last longer.
Just verify the budget-friendly option is still good quality (a helpful sign is seeing meat listed as the first ingredient).
4. Avoid Overfeeding
Recent AKC figures indicate 56% of dogs are overweight or obese, meaning many pets get more food than necessary.
Addressing excess weight starts with cutting out table scraps and extra treats and making sure your dog gets sufficient exercise.
Also consult your vet for your dog’s ideal weight, then feed the correct amount of dry food for that weight — check the feeding chart on the bag for guidance.
5. Purchase Larger Quantities
Buying bigger bags usually reduces the cost per ounce. If you have multiple pets (or a large dog), a large bag is often the most economical choice.
Even with a small dog, a larger bag can pay off over time—just store it in an airtight container.
Wholesale clubs like Costco and Sam’s often have excellent prices on large bags. Before buying from these outlets, research the brands and ask your vet for input.
6. Enroll in a Store Loyalty Program
Many national pet retailers and independent shops offer rewards programs. Chains like PetSmart let you accrue points with purchases.
7. Save With Autoship
Shopping in-store helps you compare products and ask questions — and you can bring your pet along — but in-person purchases can be pricier. Ordering online and choosing a subscription or autoship plan often yields savings and added convenience.
Chewy, for instance, advertises up to 35% off on your first autoship (up to $20), then 5% off eligible items on future shipments. You can schedule deliveries to match how often you need a new bag and adjust timing as needed.
PetFlow is another option. Even brick-and-mortar chains like PetSmart, Pet Supplies Plus and Petco provide autoship services online.
Amazon also sells pet food, and Prime members may find it a convenient, cost-effective choice. Brands available on the platform include Purina, Blue Buffalo, Pedigree, Iams, Taste of the Wild, CANIDAE and Nature’s Recipe.
8. Clip Coupons
Joining a store’s rewards program usually gets you emailed coupons, but you can also search online for discounts and ask for any available coupons at checkout.
Savings might be modest — perhaps a few dollars off — but small discounts add up.
9. Use a Cash Back Rewards Card
Cash back cards help you save on dog food and everyday purchases alike. Whether it’s filling up your car, grocery shopping, or buying entertainment, using a cash back debit or credit card can earn you a percentage back (often 1%–2%), points, or travel miles.
If you’re unsure which card to pick, consider cards that reward frequent spending categories you use.
You Can Save on Cat Food, Too
Although this article focuses on dogs, many of these methods work for cats as well. You can sign up for autoship and loyalty programs for cat food, clip coupons, and monitor your cat’s weight.
Homemade cat food differs from dog recipes because felines have distinct nutritional needs. Always consult your vet when preparing home-cooked meals for cats or altering their diets. And if you plan to buy commercial food, your veterinarian can recommend appropriate options.
How to Transition Your Pet’s Diet
Switching your dog or cat from one food to another should be done gradually over about 10 days — not all at once.
Pet Food Transition Timeline
- Days 1-3: Feed 75% old food with 25% new food.
- Days 4-6: Feed a 50/50 mix of old and new food.
- Days 7-9: Feed 25% old food with 75% new food.
- Day 10: Fully switch to the new formula.
Why go slowly? An abrupt change can upset your pet’s stomach and cause gastrointestinal problems. A gradual transition also allows you to spot any adverse reactions; if your dog is allergic to the new food, the consequences are less severe when exposure is incremental.
Buy Smaller Bags During Transition
Because you can’t predict how your pet will respond to new food, buying a smaller bag when testing a new formula is wise. Bulk purchases save money per ounce, but if your pet reacts poorly and you have to discard or donate the food, a smaller purchase limits waste.
Your veterinarian may be able to provide samples, although these are often for specialized diets and tend to be pricier than store-bought food.
Other Ways to Reduce Pet Care Expenses
While pet food is often the biggest line item, other costs include veterinary care, training, grooming, enrichment, and services like pet sitting or dog walking.
Here are additional ideas to cut pet-related spending:
Consider Pet Insurance
Veterinary costs are rising, and pet parents are more willing than ever to invest in their animal’s care. A LendingTree survey found that 37% of pet owners have taken on pet-related debt.
Although pet insurance can be pricey, it can ease the financial burden of emergencies or serious illnesses. Researching providers and comparing plans can help you choose suitable coverage.
Autoship for More Than Food
Autoship isn’t just for food. Items like flea prevention, shampoos, heartworm medicine and ongoing prescriptions are candidates for subscription deliveries, often yielding discounts.
Buy Medications Online
Pet medications can be expensive. Online pet pharmacies may offer lower prices for prescriptions. Some reliable sites include:
Do It Yourself
From grooming to toys, DIY options can save money. Many non-complicated breeds can be groomed at home, and you can learn to trim nails yourself.
Instead of pricey playthings, craft DIY dog and cat toys. With proper research, basic training can also be done at home, though professional help is recommended for behavioral issues.
Trade Services With Other Pet Owners
Swap favors with friends or neighbors — pet sitting, midday let-outs, or walks — so you can avoid paid services. Observe how someone cares for their own pet before entrusting yours to them.
FAQs About Saving Money on Dog Food
Common questions about reducing dog food costs — answered briefly:
Yes, making your dog’s food can save money, particularly if you buy meat in bulk and have freezer space. Consult your vet to design a balanced homemade diet.
The “25% rule” means a named ingredient (like chicken, beef, lamb or salmon) must constitute at least 25% of the product. So a “Chicken Dinner” must have at least 25% chicken, per AAFCO guidelines.
Cheapest dog foods are typically low-quality dry kibbles and aren’t ideal for health. Homemade food can match or exceed high-quality commercial diets if properly planned; discuss options with your veterinarian.
There’s no single best brand for every dog — requirements vary by age, weight, breed and health. Dog Food Advisor helps compare ratings, but your vet is the top resource for tailored recommendations.
Mixing foods is an option to extend premium formulas. Make sure combined foods are for the same life stage (don’t mix puppy with senior formulas) and choose a moderate-quality filler that your vet approves.
Michael Hayes is a personal finance writer specializing in household budgeting and cost-saving tips. He writes about saving, spending and smart shopping for Savinly and other personal finance outlets.
