You have plenty of options when it comes to feeding your dog, so how do you choose? Do you shop by price or quality? Can you find the perfect combination of both? Canned dog food has a few benefits over dry kibble, which is typically considered a more convenient and savvy option.
Canned dog food has a limited shelf life once opened it’s in many cases higher in moisture and protein but lower in carbohydrates than its dry counterpart. However, before you default to dry, we encourage you to consider the benefits of canned food for dogs we’ve outlined a few pieces of nutrition information here and picked out a few high-quality and affordable options.
Why Canned Dog Food?
While there is certainly a great deal of low-quality canned dog food out there, products that are properly formulated and made from quality ingredients offer a few significant benefits.
Here are a portion of the benefits of canned dog food:
- Higher concentration of meat ingredients than most dry foods
- Lower concentration of grains and other carbohydrates
- Less preservatives — ingredients are naturally preserved through the canning process
- More palatable and closer to the surface of a dog’s natural diet
- Higher moisture content to support hydration and healthy digestion
- Easier to chew for puppies and senior dogs
Whether canned or dry, dog food gets more expensive as you increase the quality, however, that doesn’t mean there aren’t affordable options available. Before we get into our list of the best affordable canned dog food options, let’s take a second to talk about how to tell the good from the bad.
What Makes Dog Food Good?
All dogs have the same basic requirements for protein, fat, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. Protein provides the foundation for solid muscles and lean mass while fats provide a concentrated wellspring of energy as well as essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. Fiber and moisture support regular digestion while vitamins and minerals keep your dog’s body working properly.
High-quality dog food will contain whole-food hotspots for these essential nutrients with minimal processing and no artificial additives. Here are some critical things to look for on a dog food label:
- Identifiable animal proteins like chicken, eggs, hamburgers, and fish
- Easily digestible carbohydrates like whole grains and vegetables
- Healthy wellsprings of an animal-based fat like chicken fat and salmon oil
- Fresh fruits and vegetables provide natural wellsprings of key micronutrients
Avoid any dog food that doesn’t list a quality wellspring of animal protein as the main ingredient, or that has a high concentration of carbohydrates (especially grains like corn and wheat). Dog foods made with side effects, fillers, and artificial additives should be left on the shelf, and you should purchase the highest quality dog food you can consistently afford — your dog deserves it! For more information about choosing a high-quality dog food brand, check out Dog Food Advisor. We also recommend checking with your vet before making major changes to your dog’s diet.
Read on to learn about the absolute best affordable canned dog foods on the market.
Most Affordable Canned Dog Food Options
Below you’ll find a list of our top 5 picks for the most affordable canned dog food brands. These products are priced at or under $0.20 per ounce and have received at least a four-star rating from Dog Food Advisor. Please note that prices are averaged and dependent upon future developments.
Wag Chicken and Vegetable Stew
Amazon’s brand of dog food, Wag, utilizes real meat as the first ingredient in each recipe with no grains or artificial additives.
Newman’s Dinner for Dogs
Created in 1993, Newman’s Own offers holistic dog food formulas made with a unique blend of organic ingredients including premium proteins, digestible whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Hearty Lamb Stew
Whole Earth Farms provides goodness from the earth with its all-natural, protein-rich recipes available in traditional and grain-free formulas.
Natural Balance Original Ultra Premium Canned Dog Food
To support your dog’s healthy digestion and maximum nutrient absorption, Natural Balance Original Ultra Premium canned foods are formulated with high-quality proteins, digestible carbohydrates, and key nutrients.
I and Love and You Grain-Free Lambarama Stew
Made with real meat as the first ingredient in each recipe, this canned brand offers a wide variety of protein options for your dog in hearty, flavorful stews that include tender vegetables.
Read also: Top 7 Best Indoor Cat Foods for Your Furry Housemate