How Much Does Dog Food Cost?

Dog food costs vary greatly depending on the type of dog food and the size of the dog being fed. Dog food prices can range from $20-$100 for a 30-pound bag of dry dog food. A toy or small sized dog eats 1-2 cups of dry kibble a day, while a large or giant sized dog eats 8-10 cups of kibble daily. A 30-pound bag of dry kibble will last a toy or small dog a couple of months, while only lasting a large or giant sized dog a couple of weeks. When feeding an average quality dog food, most people spend around $200 a year to feed a toy or small dog, $300 to feed a medium sized dog, $500 a year to feed a large dog, and around $600 to feed a giant sized dog. The cost for a bag of high quality or premium dog food is more than the cost of average quality dry dog food; however, premium dog foods do not contain the fillers that average quality dog foods do, so dogs do not have to eat as much of it to meet their daily nutritional needs. Feeding a dog canned dog food generally costs more than feeding a dog dry food. Feeding a raw diet or making homemade dog food costs slightly more than feeding a dog a premium dog food.

How Much Does Dog Food Cost A Month?

The cost of dog food per month varies greatly depending on what type and brand of dog food is used and what size the dog is. When feeding an average quality dry dog food, the average cost of dog food per month is around $15 for small dogs, $25 for medium sized dogs, $40 for large dogs and $55 for giant sized dogs.

How Much Does A Bag Of Dog Food Cost?

A bag of dog food varies greatly in cost depending on the size of the bag and what brand it is. Generally, the larger the bag the lower the cost per cup of food.

• Average dog food prices for a 6 pound bag of average quality kibble are around $10 – there is approximately 27 cups of dog kibble in a 6 pound bag where each cup costs $.37.
• Average dog food prices for an 18 pound bag of average quality dog kibble are around $28 – there is approximately 81 cups of dog kibble in an 18 pound bag where each cup costs $.34.
• Average dog food prices for a 34 pound bag of average quality dog kibble are around $34 – there is approximately 153 cups of dog kibble in a 34 pound bag where each cup costs $.22.

When buying an average quality food, there is a $.15-$.20 savings per cup of dog food when buying a large bag instead of a small bag. A bag of low quality or average dog food costs less than the same size bag of premium dog food; however, premium dog food only takes 4 cups of kibble to equal a pound, while average or low quality dog food takes 4.5 cups of kibble to equal a pound. Dogs fed a premium dog food require less food so the cost of premium dog food is not as high priced as it may seem.

Compare Dog Food

The best dog food brands are ones that contain no meat by-products, no corn, no BHA, and no artificial coloring or preservatives. Some of the best dog food brands on the market are Acana, Addiction, Canidae, Buffalo Blue, GO Natural, Holistic Blend, Merrick, Nature’s Logic, Orijen and Taste of the Wild. The best dog food brands cost more than average or lower quality dog food brands; however, due to premium dog foods having higher quality ingredients and no fillers like corn, less dog food is required to feed a dog, so the dog  food lasts longer. In addition, dogs that are fed a premium dog food tend to be healthier and have less medical expenses during their lifetime.

In a cost comparison between Purina Pro Plan, Science Diet, Blue Buffalo, Pedigree, Evo and Canidae when bought in their largest bags: Pedigree has the cheapest per cup price at around $.16.  Purina Pro Plan and Science Diet are both around $.23 a cup, Canidae is $.37 per cup, Evo is $.51 a cup and Blue Buffalos costs around $.52 per cup.

How Much Does Blue Buffalo Dog Food Cost?

Blue Buffalo dog food is available in both dry and soft foods. There are four different types of Blue Buffalo dog foods: Blue Basic formula, Blue Life Protection Formula, Longevity formula and Wilderness formula. Blue Buffalo dry dog food is available in three sizes: 4-pound bag, 11-pound bag and a 24-pound bag.

• The average Blue dog food price for a 4 pound bag of dry food is around $17.
• The average Blue dog food price for an 11 pound bag of dry food is around $30.
• The average Blue dog food price for a 24 pound bag of dry food is around $50.

Blue Buffalo also sells canned soft foods. The average cost for cans of Blue dog food is around $30 for twelve 12.5 oz cans.

How Much Does Innova Dog Food Cost?

Innova dog food is available in many types, ranging from adult large and small bites, puppy food, senior and low-fat formulas. Most of the Innova dry food is available in 2.2 pounds, 6 pounds, 15 pounds and 30 pound bags.

• Average Innova dog food price for a 6 pound bag is around $15.
• Average Innova dog food price for a 15 pound bag is around $30.
• Average Innova dog food price for a 30 pound bag is around $55.

Innova dog food also offers a variety of canned dog food. The average cost for cans of Innova dog food is around $20 for twelve 13.2 oz cans.

How Much Does Canidae Dog Food Cost?

Canidae dog food is available in a variety of formulas. Most Canidae dry dog foods are available in 5-pound, 15-pound and 30-pound bags.

• Average Canidae dog food price for a 5 pound bag is around $10.
• Average Canidae dog food price for a 15 pound bag is around $25.
• Average Canidae dog food price for a 30 pound bag is around $45.

Canidae also makes canned dog food. The average cost for cans of Canidae dog food for twelve 13.2 oz cans of soft dog food is around $20.

How Much Does Evo Dog Food Cost?

Evo dog food is available in both dry and soft and comes in a wide selection of formulas. Most Evo dry dog food is available in 6.6-pounds, 13.2-pounds and 28.6-pound bags.

• Average Evo dog food price for a 6.6 pound bag of dry kibble is around $18.
• Average Evo dog food price for a 13.2 pound bag of dry kibble is around $32.
• Average Evo dog food price for a 28.6 pound bag of dry kibble is around $65.

The average Evo canned dog food price is $22 for twelve 13.2 oz cans.

Dog Food Cost According To Breed

The larger the dog is the more it costs to feed it each day. Toy dogs generally only eat about a cup of dry dog food each day, medium sized dogs eat 3-4 cups of food daily and large and giant breeds consume 6-10 cups of dry food each day.  The average price for limited ingredient dog food is about $.55 per cup. Feeding a toy dog a limited ingredient diet would cost about $16.50 a month, while feeding a medium dog a limited ingredient diet would cost about $50. Large dogs generally cost about $100 a month to feed a limited ingredient diet, while giant breeds cost about $135 a month.

An organic dog food diet for toy and small dogs costs about $15 a month, while an organic dog food diet for a medium sized dog costs around $45 a month. Feeding a large dog an organic dog food costs around $90 a month, while feeding a giant breed dog organic dog food costs about $120 a month. Hypoallergenic dog food costs are generally the same amount of organic dog food costs. A homemade dog food diet costs around $18 a month for a small or toy dog, while the same diet costs around $54 a month for a medium sized dog. Feeding a large dog homemade dog food costs about $105 a month, while a homemade diet for a giant dog costs about $140 a month.

Feeding a dog an average quality dog food or discount dog food is the cheapest. Discount dog food costs about $6 a month for toy and small dogs, about $18 a month for medium sized dogs, around $36 for large dogs and about $50 a month for giant sized dogs.

Free Dog Food Samples

Free dog food samples are a great way to try a new dog food without buying an entire bag. Free dog food samples can be obtained at many pet stores and grocery stores during promotional campaigns, fairs, dog shows and other dog-oriented events and veterinarian clinics. Free dog samples can also be obtained online by visiting freebie and pet food sites.