Where can I get cheap dog food?

Aayush97

Hi,

I'm getting a dog in a couple of days. Could someone please tell me where you normally buy food and other things from?

Are the online sites any good or should I just stick to local shops? I have heard that Amazon has some products and I also read about zooplus. How are they? And where do you normally get the cheapest stuff from?

Thanks

uck51js9zml2yt

Get a good quality dog biscuit.
Lots are filled with cereals and preservatives with little meat content.
I usually get from Amazon.

shopper2011

Dont get a big dog if you cant afford the food.
"Cheap stuff" is full of fillers and salt. Better quality often means smaller quantity feed. I buy from Zooplus and I buy once every 3-4 months. You'll find its very good value, if you spend some money and buy in bulk for free delivery.
Consider what you would spend (time&money) yoyoing back and forth spending minimum amounts on "cheap stuff"

cocker5

Aayush97 wrote: »

Hi,

I'm getting a dog in a couple of days. Could someone please tell me where you normally buy food and other things from?

Are the online sites any good or should I just stick to local shops? I have heard that Amazon has some products and I also read about zooplus. How are they? And where do you normally get the cheapest stuff from?

Thanks

Zooplus is good / delivery can take some time though so order when you have 2 weeks ish left

In terms of cheap dog food you Kay for what u get here OP - cheap food will lead to all sorts of issues - behavior issues, hyperness, cost / skin issues and other long term health problems

Start off as u mean to go on and purchase a decent quality dog food

Squall Leonhart

Anybody care to throw out some brand names, or is that allowed?

2 dogs here, 13 + 16kg, have tried all sorts of food for them and they eat it all for a few days/weeks and then give up.

Had started with the 7 Grain Free stuff at 70eur a 12kg bag, that was fine for months. Changed flavours a few times when they bored of it. Then they more or less stopped eating it.

Then I tried the Gain Grain Free, same result. About 40 a 12kg bag. Then redmills 40eur bag of 12kg stuff. Same.

I don't want to keep changing their food, and have tried the "if they're hungry they'll eat" approach but don't want to see them not eating. They're a healthy weight, have had regular worming, vet is happy out with them.

They were sick a few months back and vet gave them Royal Canin tins of wet food for gastro problems. They loved this, but at 3eur a can, that's 250 a month, which I don't have! Also I think it's prescription only stuff?

I have tried mixing tins of wet food in with nuts, and they love it, but results in diarrhea and mess. Is it something to persevere with, their bowels adapt, or what can I do?

They're only 1 year old. Walked daily, healthy happy fellas, maybe I'm worrying over nothing.

Aayush97

I'm ready to buy the good quality food. What I was trying to ask was where can I find the lowest prices while I'm looking for it? Might as well save where you can.

uck51js9zml2yt

eubakanuba from Amazon can be good value.

scudzilla

My dogs love Pedigree Jumbones, they cost around 2.49 for a pack of 2 in the shops, sometimes on offer at 2euro

I now buy from Amazon, free delivery with prime, works out around 29euro for 2 boxes (24 packs), amazing price difference

cocker5

Aayush97 wrote: »

I'm ready to buy the good quality food. What I was trying to ask was where can I find the lowest prices while I'm looking for it? Might as well save where you can.

Ahh ok OP well firstly is ur new dog coming from breeder / recuse center as they may supply with you some food for a week or so.

Can I ask what age is the dog ? Breed? Please this will help with food selection

tedpan

I use zooplus monthly. 3 or 4 day delivery and can't find the dog or cat supplies cheaper.

Jane1012

Not sure if it’s an option for anyone but I drive up to Newry every few weeks. There’s a pet food store there called Jolleys, the UK prices are much cheaper and they do 95p to the € if you pay in cash.
They also price match competitors within a 5 mile radius and have a loyalty card with regular savings - 15% off at sign up, last week was £20 off £100 pound spend.

An example a 12KG of Royal Canin Labrador retriever is €70+ in stores in Dublin but £42 up north and then take your better sterling rate and multiple discount offers they have. In other words, I could have bought 3 x 12KG bags last week for approx €110.

cocker5

Jane1012 wrote: »

Not sure if it’s an option for anyone but I drive up to Newry every few weeks. There’s a pet food store there called Jolleys, the UK prices are much cheaper and they do 95p to the € if you pay in cash.
They also price match competitors within a 5 mile radius and have a loyalty card with regular savings - 15% off at sign up, last week was £20 off £100 pound spend.

An example a 12KG of Royal Canin Labrador retriever is €70+ in stores in Dublin but £42 up north and then take your better sterling rate and multiple discount offers they have. In other words, I could have bought 3 x 12KG bags last week for approx €110.

Sorry not trying to be negative etc but Royal canin is pretty crappy dog food at crazy prices .. you can get a far better quality food for cheaper

D3V!L

Please dont opt for the cheapest stuff. Give this a try - https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dry_dog_food/markus_muehle/14524

We went through several off the shelf brands with our dog and settled on this. It was the only one that didn't have fillers, binders and didn't mess with his coat.

Aayush97

cocker5 wrote: »

Ahh ok OP well firstly is ur new dog coming from breeder / recuse center as they may supply with you some food for a week or so.

Can I ask what age is the dog ? Breed? Please this will help with food selection

Getting a 3 month old beagle from a breeder. He hasn't mentioned anything about free food.

cocker5

Aayush97 wrote: »

cocker5 wrote: »

Ahh ok OP well firstly is ur new dog coming from breeder / recuse center as they may supply with you some food for a week or so.

Can I ask what age is the dog ? Breed? Please this will help with food selection

Getting a 3 month old beagle from a breeder. He hasn't mentioned anything about free food.

They won’t mention it OP but the should give you some when u collect your dog.

Probably a stupid question but is this your first dog or have you had dog before?

doc1023

We got a pup last November and she was on Red Mills at the beginning, it wasn't agreeing with her. We switched to Royal Canin but after finding this website and reading up on ingredients etc, she's now on Canagan which she devours
https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk

Aayush97

cocker5 wrote: »

They won’t mention it OP but the should give you some when u collect your dog.

Probably a stupid question but is this your first dog or have you had dog before?

First. That's why I'm trying to figure out the good places for pet products!

cocker5

Aayush97 wrote: »

cocker5 wrote: »

They won’t mention it OP but the should give you some when u collect your dog.

Probably a stupid question but is this your first dog or have you had dog before?

First. That's why I'm trying to figure out the good places for pet products!

As I posted above zooplus.ie is excellent

Reason I ask is ... a beagle isn’t for the faint hearted they are full of energy and mischief not the easiest first dog that’s all

Doctors room ghost

We used to feed a good quality nut out of a pet shop mixed with cans before.
Dogs were over fed and fat.lazy with exercise too.
Changed them to a james well beloved lamb nut only now the past year and the weight fell off them and they are in great form walking.no more sh1te hawking with cans either.
Get a good quality complete nut op.better for the dog and you.its false economy buying cheap

eldamo

Beagles are great fun, full of energy, but usually very good natured.

My wife used to feed her dogs the cheapest auld nonsense when we first met.

Her border collie was, we thought a fussy eater and at one point just point blank refused to eat any more.

We shopped around a few other foods but ended up settling on Burns.

The dogs loved it and correcting their portion size remedied a lot of their health woes.

Cheap dog food is a false economy, they will eat more of it and will just end up unwell.

The internet is full of extremes and there are plenty of people out there who will tell you that if you arent feeding them raw hand caught salmon 3 times a day you should just give them back to where you got them, but the reality is that if you shop around and try them with a few different things you will find something good in the higher-middle part of the market.

As I say, we found burns very good.

Nody

eldamo wrote: »

Beagles are great fun, full of energy, but usually very good natured.

My wife used to feed her dogs the cheapest auld nonsense when we first met.

Her border collie was, we thought a fussy eater and at one point just point blank refused to eat any more.

We shopped around a few other foods but ended up settling on Burns.

The dogs loved it and correcting their portion size remedied a lot of their health woes.

Cheap dog food is a false economy, they will eat more of it and will just end up unwell.

The internet is full of extremes and there are plenty of people out there who will tell you that if you arent feeding them raw hand caught salmon 3 times a day you should just give them back to where you got them, but the reality is that if you shop around and try them with a few different things you will find something good in the higher-middle part of the market.

As I say, we found burns very good.

Hand caught? You should have a bloody own organic growing pond you fool or you'll never know what went into them! And besides Salmon is sooooo 2018 advice; you should feed them on tuna with 1/4 of quail eggs (raised by yourself of course) along with a spoon of boiled kelp water from the Icelandic glaciers to ensure that the water is appropriate to their system. Amateurs...

:P

Graces7

Raw or part raw? Is what I fed my 2 dogs and what I still feed my five cats, Raw chicken in the morning then a tin mixed with oats and egg at night... never bored and teeth are great

Springwell

doc1023 wrote: »

We got a pup last November and she was on Red Mills at the beginning, it wasn't agreeing with her. We switched to Royal Canin but after finding this website and reading up on ingredients etc, she's now on Canagan which she devours
https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk

That website is run by someone with no formal nutritional qualifications - wouldn't take it as gospel

Acey10

Hi I would be interested in people's opinion of this from aldi....

https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/dog-food-reviews/1756/langhams-complete

Acey10

Any advice on the aldi dog food I posted above?

tedpan

Acey10 wrote:

Any advice on the aldi dog food I posted above?

I wouldn't recommend it, average nutrition?

Acey10

tedpan wrote: »

I wouldn't recommend it, average nutrition?

Really, I thought it looked good, all natural ingredients?

Nody

Acey10 wrote: »

Really, I thought it looked good, all natural ingredients?

It's all natural ingredients in a chocolate bar as well but would you recommend that as your main food on a daily basis? What you want to look at is to ensure it's not mainly filled with cheap carbs (rice, wheat etc.).

MayoSalmon

Nody wrote:

It's all natural ingredients in a chocolate bar as well but would you recommend that as your main food on a daily basis? What you want to look at is to ensure it's not mainly filled with cheap carbs (rice, wheat etc.).

Cheap or expensive Carbs who cares...Dogs can't process them and the commercial pet food are taking the piss by loading up their bags of kibble. Feed Raw.

tk123

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Cheap or expensive Carbs who cares...Dogs can't process them and the commercial pet food are taking the piss by loading up their bags of kibble. Feed Raw.

Well raw is the same these days in some cases. Some of it is crap with more filler fat than meat..some of it is overpriced crap..you have brands paying somebody to promote them the same way vets offices might promote a food they sell. etc etc Then you have randommers selling buckets of mince from god knows where on FB jumping on the bandwagon...

MayoSalmon

tk123 wrote: »

Well raw is the same these days in some cases. Some of it is crap with more filler fat than meat..some of it is overpriced crap..you have brands paying somebody to promote them the same way vets offices might promote a food they sell. etc etc Then you have randommers selling buckets of mince from god knows where on FB jumping on the bandwagon...

Raw as in buying cuts of meats and organs not the minced up bollix I am talking about here.

This chap is a good lad to follow.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL01qaZ66lpIQIZnA3jQVrZg3COfi9BSHg

Rechuchote

Perhaps work out what the food is going to cost per week or month. My reckoning on the grain-free, fish-based food I get my dog is around €65 a month, and I budget for that.
Amazon has lots of good brands cheaper than you'll get it in your local place; on the other hand, the local place will close down leaving Amazon the only option if everyone reckons on saving those few quid. Then Amazon will raise the price anyway.

Bawnmore

D3V!L wrote: »

Please dont opt for the cheapest stuff. Give this a try - https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dry_dog_food/markus_muehle/14524

We went through several off the shelf brands with our dog and settled on this. It was the only one that didn't have fillers, binders and didn't mess with his coat.

We use this too - best quality for the cost I could find after some research and both of our 2 love it. Took a while to get used to giving them the right amount as it seems like a fairly small amount after coming from cheaper nuts, but you'd be overfeeding them with any more than that. Great food in any case. We buy 2 15kg bags and it lasts just under 2 months.

tk123

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Raw as in buying cuts of meats and organs not the minced up bollix I am talking about here.

This chap is a good lad to follow.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL01qaZ66lpIQIZnA3jQVrZg3COfi9BSHg

Yes thanks... I already feed raw. The point is some of it is cheap rubbish the same way some dry food is cheap rubbish... Some is also overpriced the same way some dry food is overpriced.

That Aldi stuff for example looks the same as any other riced based food like Burns or JWB but because it's from Aldi it seems frowned upon...

MayoSalmon

tk123 wrote: »

Yes thanks... I already feed raw. The point is some of it is cheap rubbish the same way some dry food is cheap rubbish... Some is also overpriced the same way some dry food is overpriced.

That Aldi stuff for example looks the same as any other riced based food like Burns or JWB but because it's from Aldi it seems frowned upon...

Yes I understand but my point goes back to the poster nody who suggested making sure the dog got nice and "expensive" carbs instead of the so called cheap stuff.

Dogs have zero need for carbohydrates in their diet so how far in the wrong direction have we gone here...

Rechuchote

tk123 wrote: »

Yes thanks... I already feed raw. The point is some of it is cheap rubbish the same way some dry food is cheap rubbish... Some is also overpriced the same way some dry food is overpriced.

That Aldi stuff for example looks the same as any other riced based food like Burns or JWB but because it's from Aldi it seems frowned upon...

My own experience: I bought the very cheap Lidl and Aldi nuts for my ex-dog for a little while, and then a friend remarked that her coat had lost its gloss and was dry and staring. I hastily changed her to Eukanuba and she regained her glossy form.

messrs

Squall Leonhart wrote: »

Anybody care to throw out some brand names, or is that allowed?

2 dogs here, 13 + 16kg, have tried all sorts of food for them and they eat it all for a few days/weeks and then give up.

Had started with the 7 Grain Free stuff at 70eur a 12kg bag, that was fine for months. Changed flavours a few times when they bored of it. Then they more or less stopped eating it.

Then I tried the Gain Grain Free, same result. About 40 a 12kg bag. Then redmills 40eur bag of 12kg stuff. Same.

I don't want to keep changing their food, and have tried the "if they're hungry they'll eat" approach but don't want to see them not eating. They're a healthy weight, have had regular worming, vet is happy out with them.

They were sick a few months back and vet gave them Royal Canin tins of wet food for gastro problems. They loved this, but at 3eur a can, that's 250 a month, which I don't have! Also I think it's prescription only stuff?

I have tried mixing tins of wet food in with nuts, and they love it, but results in diarrhea and mess. Is it something to persevere with, their bowels adapt, or what can I do?

They're only 1 year old. Walked daily, healthy happy fellas, maybe I'm worrying over nothing.

We use Engage for our 2 and they seem quiet happy with it

muddypaws

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Cheap or expensive Carbs who cares...Dogs can't process them and the commercial pet food are taking the piss by loading up their bags of kibble. Feed Raw.

Dogs can process carbs.

It also depends how much exercise your dog is getting, yes dogs predominantly use fat for energy but if they are very hard-working, then carbs are very useful once they have burned through their fat stores. Obviously the average family pet wouldn't get to that point.

Gloomtastic!

Haven’t read most of this thread but having fed dozens of dogs on it from terriers to boxers, I always recommend GAIN Maintenance. You can pick up a 20kg bag for about €16.00

MayoSalmon

muddypaws wrote: »

Dogs can process carbs.

It also depends how much exercise your dog is getting, yes dogs predominantly use fat for energy but if they are very hard-working, then carbs are very useful once they have burned through their fat stores. Obviously the average family pet wouldn't get to that point.

Carbs do not belong in a dog's diet. Ever. No grains, no potatoes etc

Every Canid on earth is an Carnivore.

To think that a commercial pet food with 20% protein and 50% carb is biological appropriate food once I exercise Fifi enough is ignorant

irish_goat

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Carbs do not belong in a dog's diet. Ever. No grains, no potatoes etc

Every Canid on earth is an absolute Carnivore.

Dogs are omnivores. They didn't evolve alongside human beings eating nothing but meat. https://www.nature.com/articles/nature11837

MayoSalmon

irish_goat wrote: »

Dogs are omnivores. They didn't evolve alongside human beings eating nothing but meat. https://www.nature.com/articles/nature11837

Their digestive system hasn't changed in the time they have "evolved" alongside humans.

They have omnivorous ability which is largely keeping them alive today since Pet food companies are loading up their food with 50%+ carbs, who in turn will also tell you their are omnivores.

Cats are obligate carnivores, whereas dogs are scavenging carnivores.

Look taxonomically, dogs are in the Order Carnivora and the family Canidae along with other carnivorous mammals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13EQ6__ftWw

irish_goat

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Their digestive system hasn't changed in the time they have "evolved" alongside humans.

They have omnivorous ability which is largely keeping them alive today since Pet food companies are loading up their food with 50%+ carbs, who in turn will also tell you their are omnivores.

Cats are obligate carnivores, whereas dogs are scavenging carnivores.

Look taxonomically, dogs are in the Order Carnivora and the family Canidae along with other carnivorous mammals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13EQ6__ftWw

That study I linked to literally says they evolved and shows comparisons to wolves (and other Canidae) are not accurate

Your youtube link is from someone who sells dog food and supplements so just as you and others have said you can't trust pet food companies when they talk about what a dog needs I think we can take his guidance with a pinch of salt as well. The fact that he's pushing apple cider vinegar on dogs says it all really.

OP - Talk to your vet next time you're in with them. Even if they are pushing a certain brand in their clinic tell them you can't afford it and they will offer alternatives.

micks_address

We use burns sensitive dry food for our jack Russel been on it years. Fed twice a day. 12 euro bag lasts few weeks

cocker5

irish_goat wrote: »

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Their digestive system hasn't changed in the time they have "evolved" alongside humans.

They have omnivorous ability which is largely keeping them alive today since Pet food companies are loading up their food with 50%+ carbs, who in turn will also tell you their are omnivores.

Cats are obligate carnivores, whereas dogs are scavenging carnivores.

Look taxonomically, dogs are in the Order Carnivora and the family Canidae along with other carnivorous mammals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13EQ6__ftWw

That study I linked to literally says they evolved and shows comparisons to wolves (and other Canidae) are not accurate

Your youtube link is from someone who sells dog food and supplements so just as you and others have said you can't trust pet food companies when they talk about what a dog needs I think we can take his guidance with a pinch of salt as well. The fact that he's pushing apple cider vinegar on dogs says it all really.

OP - Talk to your vet next time you're in with them. Even if they are pushing a certain brand in their clinic tell them you can't afford it and they will offer alternatives.

To be honest my vet is the Last person I would ask for nutrition advice!!

The Royal canin etc they sell in the vets is crap , poor quality and expensive.. they sell that food for a profit (like every retail establishment which is fine) not for nutritional value! .., most vets are trained nutritionally via workshops sponsored by the likes of royal canin..

irish_goat

cocker5 wrote: »

To be honest my vet is the Last person I would ask for nutrition advice!!

The Royal canin etc they sell in the vets is crap , poor quality and expensive.. they sell that food for a profit (like every retail establishment which is fine) not for nutritional value! .., most vets are trained nutritionally via workshops sponsored by the likes of royal canin..

Vets don't make profit on the food, the clinic owners do. They learn nutrition at uni and also via CPD, not just from food company reps. And all this still makes them more qualified to discuss pet diets than randomers on a message board.

I've 2 dogs who are very healthy and happy when eating Royal Canin too, though we switched to a cheaper brand a while ago.

MayoSalmon

irish_goat wrote: »

That study I linked to literally says they evolved and shows comparisons to wolves (and other Canidae) are not accurate

Your youtube link is from someone who sells dog food and supplements so just as you and others have said you can't trust pet food companies when they talk about what a dog needs I think we can take his guidance with a pinch of salt as well. The fact that he's pushing apple cider vinegar on dogs says it all really.

OP - Talk to your vet next time you're in with them. Even if they are pushing a certain brand in their clinic tell them you can't afford it and they will offer alternatives.

That study has been completely de-bunked

For example "They found higher levels in dogs. They admit that the difference in enzyme levels could be due to diet, and once again, the more carbs in the diet the higher the enzyme levels are likely to be. Since wolves eat a low carb diet compared to most dogs, the researchers really did not prove anything conclusively about of starch digestion.

I could go on.

Look by all means continue to feeding carb rich, salty, synthetic vitamins to your dog(s) best of luck

MayoSalmon

irish_goat wrote: »

Vets don't make profit on the food, the clinic owners do. They learn nutrition at uni and also via CPD, not just from food company reps. And all this still makes them more qualified to discuss pet diets than randomers on a message board.

I've 2 dogs who are very healthy and happy when eating Royal Canin too, though we switched to a cheaper brand a while ago.

They are eating high carbs, rendered meat for protein and tons of synthetic vitamins.

These pet companies are laughing..

cocker5

irish_goat wrote: »

cocker5 wrote: »

To be honest my vet is the Last person I would ask for nutrition advice!!

The Royal canin etc they sell in the vets is crap , poor quality and expensive.. they sell that food for a profit (like every retail establishment which is fine) not for nutritional value! .., most vets are trained nutritionally via workshops sponsored by the likes of royal canin..

Vets don't make profit on the food, the clinic owners do. They learn nutrition at uni and also via CPD, not just from food company reps. And all this still makes them more qualified to discuss pet diets than randomers on a message board.

I've 2 dogs who are very healthy and happy when eating Royal Canin too, though we switched to a cheaper brand a while ago.

Emm a lot of the times vets own their own clinics.. hence the reason they make the profit!

Anyway over the years with my dog I’ve received better advice from ‘ramdoners’ online with regard to my dogs issues and diet.. he is 14 now, flying around, and in great nick .. which is directly attributed to this advice

no advice except Royal canin and anti inflammatories from my vet .. neither of which I followed

I’m not saying vets aren’t good I’m saying I don’t take their advice when it comes to nutrition and some other bits n pieces ..

Vets are like GP’s in all honesty .. general medicine .. they wouldn’t and couldn’t know everything .. which is fair enough..

that’s why there are nutritionists for humans etc - specialized knowledge ..

Same should be the case for animals.. as in my guy has a heart murmur.. my vet recommended daily medication .. I got a second opinion from a vet / cardiologist he said def not and advised different course of action.. again specialized training for a specific condition! After following his advice over the last 3 years the murmur hasn’t deteriorated.. if I followed my vets advice and gave medication for the last 3 years what side effects would that have had?

Anyway best of luck with ur decision OP

B0jangles

I've had mine on this for the last 3 years:
https://www.zooplus.ie/shop/dogs/dry_dog_food/lukullus
And it suits him very well - we tried a few different food when he was a pup and he tended to get a sick stomach from most of them but the lukullus keeps him fit and well, good digestion, great coat (he's a lhasa apso and he's very hairy )



When it's on special it's pretty inexpensive too, and like someone else said, it's free delivery when you buy over 50 euros worth.

irish_goat

cocker5 wrote: »

Emm a lot of the times vets own their own clinics..

Most don't.

cocker5 wrote: »

Vets are like GP’s in all honesty .. general medicine .. they wouldn’t and couldn’t know everything .. which is fair enough..

that’s why there are nutritionists for humans etc - specialized knowledge ..

Same should be the case for animals...

100%, but if you couldn't see a nutritionist you should take your GP's advice over that of people on the internet...same should be the case for animal health.