Best Budget Pet Foods at UK Supermarkets in 2026: A Practical Guide

My spreadsheet phase hit rock bottom last March when I found myself at 11pm comparing the price-per-gram of seventeen different dog foods. My partner walked in, saw the colour-coded cells, and just backed slowly out of the room. But here's the thing—that obsessive research actually paid off. I've since cut our pet food bill by nearly 40% without my Labrador, Biscuit, noticing the slightest difference.

If you're feeling the squeeze on your pet food budget (and let's be honest, who isn't in January 2026?), you've come to the right place. I've spent months testing supermarket pet foods, reading ingredient labels until my eyes crossed, and talking to vets about what actually matters when it comes to feeding our four-legged friends on a budget.

Why Supermarket Pet Food Gets a Bad Rap (And Whether It's Deserved)

There's a certain snobbery around supermarket pet food that I used to buy into completely. Premium brands with their sleek packaging and "ancestral diet" claims had me convinced I was somehow failing my pets by even looking at the Tesco aisle.

But here's what I've learned: the UK has over 50 pieces of legislation governing pet food manufacturing. Whether you're buying a £2 pouch from Aldi or a £5 one from a boutique brand, it's been rigorously tested for safety. That doesn't mean all foods are equal nutritionally—far from it—but the notion that cheap automatically means dangerous? That's simply not true.

What does matter is understanding the difference between "complete" and "complementary" foods. A complete food provides everything your pet needs nutritionally. Complementary foods are designed to be fed alongside other foods. This distinction matters more than price when it comes to your pet's health.

The Best Budget Dog Foods: A Supermarket-by-Supermarket Breakdown

Tesco: The Middle Ground

Tesco dog food options span from their own-brand basics to premium names like Lily's Kitchen and Harringtons.

Best Tesco Budget Pick: Harringtons Complete Dry Dog Food

• Price: Around £10 for 10kg (roughly £1 per kg)
• Rating: 73% on AllAboutDogFood
• What I liked: No artificial colours, wholesome ingredients, great for dogs with sensitive stomachs
• The catch: You'll need to buy online or commit to larger bags for the best value

My mum swears by Harringtons for her Cocker Spaniel and has done for years. When I started properly tracking prices, I realised she was right—it offers genuinely good value for a mid-tier food. Tesco often runs Clubcard deals that bring it down even further.

Aldi: The Budget King

Aldi's pet food range deserves more attention than it gets. Their Earl's brand offers some of the cheapest complete dog food in the UK.

Best Aldi Budget Pick: Earl's Premium Dog Food

• Price: Approximately £10 for 12kg (under 85p per kg)
• What I liked: Genuinely affordable, available in most stores
• The honest truth: Lower meat content than premium brands, higher in cereals

I'll be straight with you—Aldi dog food won't win any awards for premium ingredients. But for pet owners on extremely tight budgets, it provides a complete diet that will keep healthy dogs adequately nourished. My neighbour has fed her Staffie on Earl's for eight years with no issues whatsoever.

Lidl: Similar Story, Different Brand

Lidl's Orlando range sits at roughly the same price point and quality level as Aldi's offerings.

Best Lidl Budget Pick: Orlando Complete Dry Dog Food

• Price: Around £12-15 for 15kg
• What I liked: Remarkable affordability, protein levels meet basic requirements
• What I didn't love: Vague ingredient labelling ("meat and animal derivatives") that lacks transparency

Some dogs do brilliantly on Orlando; others experience digestive issues. It really is trial and error, which is frustrating when you're trying to save money.

Asda: Worth a Look

Asda stocks Tilly And Ted, which has become my unexpected favourite discovery. It's positioned as an own-brand style option but with slightly better credentials than the ultra-budget choices.

Best Asda Budget Pick: Tilly And Ted Adult Dry Dog Food

• Price: Mid-range, competitive with Harringtons
• Rating: 64% on AllAboutDogFood
• What I liked: "No nasties" philosophy, decent meat content for the price
• Interesting fact: It's actually a white-label product—pre-formulated recipes that Asda sells under their chosen branding

If you're a fan of Harringtons, you might enjoy a small saving of about 10p a day by switching to Tilly And Ted, according to AllAboutDogFood's comparison.

Sainsbury's: Premium Without the Price Tag

Sainsbury's has actually upped their game recently with The Delicious Collection—their own premium range featuring 18 formulas with real meat.

Best Sainsbury's Budget Pick: Nature's Goodness range

• Price: Mid-tier, often on Nectar offers
• What I liked: Three-year partnership with Battersea Dogs Home adds credibility
• The catch: Not as cheap as Aldi or Lidl, but noticeably better quality

Affordable Cat Food: Because Cats Are Fussier (And More Expensive)

Right, cat owners—I haven't forgotten about you. Actually, finding budget cat food that cats will actually eat is somehow harder than the dog equivalent. My cat, Chairman Meow, has rejected foods that cost more than my own dinner.

The Budget Cat Food Breakdown

Felix (Purina) - The UK's most popular cat food for good reason

• Available everywhere from Tesco to corner shops
• Affordable and most cats genuinely like it
• Not the highest meat content, but a reliable complete food

Aldi Vitacat Range

• Remarkably cheap at roughly £3-4 for 12 pouches
• Mixed reviews—some cats love it, others turn their noses up
• Worth trying if your cat isn't particularly fussy

Breederpack Complete Crunchy Dry Cat Food

• Best for bulk buying if you have multiple cats
• Meets nutritional requirements at a great price
• The catch: You need to buy in bulk (15kg bags are common)

The One I Keep Coming Back To

Whiskas gets dismissed by pet food purists, but hear me out. It's widely available, reasonably priced (especially when Tesco runs its Whiskas mega-packs on Clubcard offers), and—this is crucial—most cats will actually eat it.

Controversial opinion: I'd rather my cat ate a "mid-tier" food consistently than rejected expensive premium food and went hungry. Cats can be stubborn creatures, and sometimes good enough really is good enough.

Is Cheap Pet Food Actually Bad? The Honest Truth

Let's address the elephant in the room. Some of the cheapest dog foods are lower in meat content, higher in cereals and carbohydrates, and use vague labelling like "meat and animal derivatives."

What the experts say:

Higher-quality foods do tend to be more expensive because they use better ingredients—higher meat percentages, simpler formulations, and transparent labelling. Vet Help Direct notes that some cheap foods may lack key nutrients, potentially leading to issues with coat condition, digestion, or development.

But here's the nuance:

A complete food from Aldi that meets nutritional standards is infinitely better than the alternative of not being able to afford pet food at all. The UK's strict regulations mean even budget options must meet minimum requirements.

I've seen dogs thrive on cheap food and dogs struggle on expensive food. Individual variation matters enormously. If your pet has good energy, a healthy coat, normal stools, and isn't constantly scratching, your current food is probably working fine.

How to Maximise Value (My Mum Would Be Proud)

After my spreadsheet obsession, here are the strategies that actually save money:

1. Buy Bigger Bags (But Not Too Big)

The price-per-kilogram drops significantly with larger bags. A 15kg bag might cost £30 compared to £7 for 2kg—that's £2/kg versus £3.50/kg.

The caveat: Only do this if your pet will eat it before it goes stale. I made this mistake once with a 15kg bag that my cat decided she suddenly hated after the first week.

2. Stack Loyalty Schemes

This is where my inner deal-hunter gets excited:

• Tesco Clubcard prices often knock 20-30% off pet food
• Sainsbury's Nectar offers similar deals
• Asda's "That's Asda Price" campaign now includes pet food

I save roughly £8 per month just by timing my pet food purchases with loyalty offers.

3. Check Discount Retailers

Butcher's dog food is consistently recommended as quality budget wet food—and it's often cheaper at B&M and Home Bargains than at supermarkets. Their 18-tin packs at Pets at Home run about £11.

4. Consider Mixing

A vet once told me that mixing a premium food with a budget food can be a good compromise. Half Wagg and half something more premium gives you better nutrition than pure budget food at a manageable price point.

What I Actually Feed My Pets (Full Transparency)

Biscuit (Labrador, 7 years old): Harringtons dry as his main food, with Butcher's wet food mixed in twice a week as a treat. Total monthly cost: about £25.

Chairman Meow (rescue moggy, age unknown): Felix pouches as her staple, with the occasional Tesco own-brand dry food when she's feeling less fussy. Monthly cost: roughly £18.

Neither is on the cheapest possible option, but neither is breaking the bank. They're healthy, energetic, and—importantly—actually eat what I give them.

The Brands Worth Knowing About

Beyond supermarket own-brands, these budget-friendly brands consistently get good reviews:

Butcher's The most recommended budget wet dog food. Their Tripe Loaf varieties are particularly well-regarded.

Harringtons Mid-range pricing but high street availability. Now carbon negative, if that matters to you.

Wagg Another carbon-neutral brand, available at multiple retailers. Known for good quality at reasonable prices.

Skinners Field & Trial Originally for working dogs but suitable for any activity level. Good for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Red Flags to Watch For

Even when shopping on a budget, avoid these warning signs:

• "Flavoured" vs "With": "Chicken flavoured" food doesn't need to contain any chicken. "With chicken" means at least 4% chicken content.
• Vague first ingredients: "Cereals" or "derivatives" as the first ingredient suggests a lower-quality food
• Complementary, not complete: Make sure your main food is labelled "complete" or you'll need to supplement

Final Thoughts: Good Enough Is Good Enough

Look, I'd love to tell you that feeding your pet costs nothing and they'll be healthier than ever. The reality is that pet ownership costs money, and food is one of those unavoidable expenses.

But the gap between "adequate nutrition" and "premium nutrition" isn't as wide as marketing would have you believe. A healthy adult dog or cat can do perfectly well on supermarket food—millions of UK pets prove this every day.

Start with something mid-range like Tilly And Ted or Harringtons if you can afford it. If that's too much, Aldi and Lidl options will keep your pet fed and healthy. Watch for signs of digestive upset or coat issues, and adjust from there.

And if anyone judges you for buying supermarket pet food? Send them my way. I've got a spreadsheet that'll convince them otherwise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cheap dog food bad for your dog?

Not necessarily. The UK's strict pet food regulations mean even budget options must meet minimum nutritional standards. However, cheaper foods often have lower meat content and higher cereal content. A complete food from Aldi or Lidl will keep a healthy dog adequately nourished, though you may notice differences in coat condition or energy compared to premium brands.

What is the best budget dog food in the UK?

Based on quality-to-price ratio, Harringtons and Butcher's consistently rank highest for budget-conscious pet owners. Harringtons dry food costs around £1/kg and scores 73% on AllAboutDogFood, while Butcher's wet food (particularly the Tripe Loaf) offers excellent value at discount retailers like B&M and Home Bargains.

Is Aldi dog food any good?

Aldi's Earl's range provides a complete diet at remarkably low prices (under 85p per kg). It's lower in meat content than premium brands and higher in cereals, but many dogs thrive on it. Individual results vary—some owners report excellent experiences over many years, while others notice digestive issues.

What is the best affordable cat food in the UK?

Felix by Purina remains the UK's most popular cat food, balancing affordability with widespread acceptance by fussy felines. For bulk buying, Breederpack Complete Dry Cat Food offers excellent value, though you'll need to commit to large bags.

Is expensive pet food really better than cheap?

Higher-priced foods typically contain more meat, simpler ingredients, and transparent labelling. However, the difference in actual pet health outcomes isn't always dramatic for healthy adult animals. A vet from Battersea suggests that if your pet has good energy, healthy coat, normal digestion, and isn't constantly scratching, your current food is probably working adequately.

What should I look for on pet food labels?

Check that the food is labelled "complete" (not "complementary"), look for named meat sources as early ingredients, and note the meat percentage. Avoid products where vague terms like "meat and animal derivatives" or "cereals" dominate the ingredient list.

Can I mix cheap and expensive pet food?

Yes, this is actually a sensible compromise. Mixing a budget food with a premium option gives you better overall nutrition at a manageable price point. Many vets recommend this approach for pet owners balancing cost and quality concerns.

Where can I find the cheapest pet food deals?

Beyond Aldi and Lidl, check B&M and Home Bargains for branded foods like Butcher's at reduced prices. Use supermarket loyalty cards—Tesco Clubcard and Sainsbury's Nectar regularly offer 20-30% off pet food. Buying larger bags also significantly reduces the per-kilogram cost.