Food lists / Best value

The cheapest dog foods that meet WSAVA criteria

Updated June 15, 2026 · 35 foods · every value sourced

The most budget-friendly foods that still meet the WSAVA criteria. The foods that meet vets' criteria aren't always the expensive ones.

The most budget-friendly foods that still meet the WSAVA criteria.

Filtered to Meets WSAVA criteriaRanked by cost
lb
Updates cost per day below. Hover any value for its source.
lb
PedigreePast recall (contaminant, 2024)Kibble
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
Partial / non-standard
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$0.43
$0.42 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Pedigree
KibblePast recall (contaminant, 2024)
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialPartial / non-standard
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive
Cost / day · 50 lb
$0.43
$0.42 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
Purina ONEKibble
WSAVA
Exceeds
Feeding trial
Enhanced AAFCO trial (larger cohort)
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$0.89
$0.87 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Purina ONE
Kibble
WSAVAExceeds
Feeding trialEnhanced AAFCO trial (larger cohort)
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$0.89
$0.87 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
Purina Pro PlanPast recall (nutrient imbalance, 2019)Kibble
WSAVA
Exceeds
Feeding trial
Enhanced AAFCO trial (larger cohort)
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$1.26
$1.24 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Purina Pro Plan
KibblePast recall (nutrient imbalance, 2019)
WSAVAExceeds
Feeding trialEnhanced AAFCO trial (larger cohort)
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$1.26
$1.24 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
Eukanuba / IamsKibble
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
Formulation only
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$1.29
$1.27 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Eukanuba / Iams
Kibble
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialFormulation only
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive
Cost / day · 50 lb
$1.29
$1.27 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
WellnessKibble
Complete Health (Wholesome Grains)
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
Partial / non-standard
Nutritionist
PhD / MS nutritionist
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$1.46
$1.43 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Wellness
Complete Health (Wholesome Grains)
Kibble
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialPartial / non-standard
NutritionistPhD / MS nutritionist
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$1.46
$1.43 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
AnnamaetKibble
Original Adult Formula
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
AAFCO feeding trial
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$1.50
$1.47 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Annamaet
Original Adult Formula
Kibble
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialAAFCO feeding trial
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive
Cost / day · 50 lb
$1.50
$1.47 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
Hill's Science DietPast recall (nutrient imbalance, 2019)Kibble
WSAVA
Exceeds
Feeding trial
Enhanced AAFCO trial (larger cohort)
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$1.52
$1.49 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Hill's Science Diet
KibblePast recall (nutrient imbalance, 2019)
WSAVAExceeds
Feeding trialEnhanced AAFCO trial (larger cohort)
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$1.52
$1.49 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
InstinctDCM reports (FDA 2019, unproven)Kibble
Original grain-free kibble
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
Partial / non-standard
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$1.76
$1.73 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Instinct
Original grain-free kibble
KibbleDCM reports (FDA 2019, unproven)
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialPartial / non-standard
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$1.76
$1.73 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
MerrickKibble
Healthy Grains
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
Partial / non-standard
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$1.83
$1.80 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Merrick
Healthy Grains
Kibble
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialPartial / non-standard
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$1.83
$1.80 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
Royal CaninKibble
Size Health Nutrition
WSAVA
Exceeds
Feeding trial
Partial / non-standard
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$2.07
$2.03 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Royal Canin
Size Health Nutrition
Kibble
WSAVAExceeds
Feeding trialPartial / non-standard
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$2.07
$2.03 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
AcanaDCM reports (FDA 2019, unproven)Kibble
Heritage
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
Enhanced AAFCO trial (extra health metrics)
Nutritionist
PhD / MS nutritionist
Grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$2.07
$2.03 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Acana
Heritage
KibbleDCM reports (FDA 2019, unproven)
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialEnhanced AAFCO trial (extra health metrics)
NutritionistPhD / MS nutritionist
Grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$2.07
$2.03 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
Open FarmKibble
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
Partial / non-standard
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$2.27
$2.23 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Direct
Open Farm
Kibble
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialPartial / non-standard
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive
Cost / day · 50 lb
$2.27
$2.23 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
OrijenDCM reports (FDA 2019, unproven)Kibble
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
Enhanced AAFCO trial (extra health metrics)
Nutritionist
PhD / MS nutritionist
Grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$2.60
$2.55 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Orijen
KibbleDCM reports (FDA 2019, unproven)
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialEnhanced AAFCO trial (extra health metrics)
NutritionistPhD / MS nutritionist
Grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$2.60
$2.55 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
Wild EarthKibble
Maintenance Formula (plant-based)
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
AAFCO feeding trial
Nutritionist
PhD / MS nutritionist
Grain-freeDTC / subscription
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$3.82
$3.75 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Direct
Wild Earth
Maintenance Formula (plant-based)
Kibble
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialAAFCO feeding trial
NutritionistPhD / MS nutritionist
Grain-freeDTC
Cost / day · 50 lb
$3.82
$3.75 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
The Honest KitchenDehydrated
Chicken dehydrated lines (GAP certified)
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
AAFCO feeding trial
Nutritionist
Unnamed / consultant
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$4.12
$4.05 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
The Honest Kitchen
Chicken dehydrated lines (GAP certified)
Dehydrated
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialAAFCO feeding trial
NutritionistUnnamed / consultant
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$4.12
$4.05 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
FreshpetFresh
Select / Deli lines
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
AAFCO feeding trial
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$4.69
$4.60 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Freshpet
Select / Deli lines
Fresh
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialAAFCO feeding trial
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$4.69
$4.60 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
PedigreePast recall (contaminant, 2024)Wet
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
Partial / non-standard
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$5.13
$5.04 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Pedigree
WetPast recall (contaminant, 2024)
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialPartial / non-standard
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive
Cost / day · 50 lb
$5.13
$5.04 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
OllieKibble
Baked kibble
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
Partial / non-standard
Nutritionist
Unnamed / consultant
Grain-inclusive
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$5.25
$5.15 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Direct
Ollie
Baked kibble
Kibble
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialPartial / non-standard
NutritionistUnnamed / consultant
Grain-inclusive
Cost / day · 50 lb
$5.25
$5.15 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
Purina ONEWet
WSAVA
Exceeds
Feeding trial
Enhanced AAFCO trial (larger cohort)
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$5.73
$5.63 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Purina ONE
Wet
WSAVAExceeds
Feeding trialEnhanced AAFCO trial (larger cohort)
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$5.73
$5.63 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
The Honest KitchenDehydrated
Beef / turkey / fish dehydrated + Clusters + wet
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
AAFCO feeding trial
Nutritionist
Unnamed / consultant
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$6.44
$6.32 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
The Honest Kitchen
Beef / turkey / fish dehydrated + Clusters + wet
Dehydrated
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialAAFCO feeding trial
NutritionistUnnamed / consultant
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$6.44
$6.32 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
FreshpetFresh
Nature's Fresh line
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
AAFCO feeding trial
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$6.74
$6.62 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Direct
Freshpet
Nature's Fresh line
Fresh
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialAAFCO feeding trial
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$6.74
$6.62 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
Sundays for DogsAir-dried
Everyday
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
Formulation only
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-freeDTC / subscription
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$8.17
$8.02 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Direct
Sundays for Dogs
Everyday
Air-dried
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialFormulation only
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-freeDTC
Cost / day · 50 lb
$8.17
$8.02 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
Purina Pro PlanPast recall (nutrient imbalance, 2019)Wet
WSAVA
Exceeds
Feeding trial
Enhanced AAFCO trial (larger cohort)
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$8.37
$8.22 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Purina Pro Plan
WetPast recall (nutrient imbalance, 2019)
WSAVAExceeds
Feeding trialEnhanced AAFCO trial (larger cohort)
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$8.37
$8.22 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
Hill's Science DietPast recall (nutrient imbalance, 2019)Wet
WSAVA
Exceeds
Feeding trial
Enhanced AAFCO trial (larger cohort)
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$9.63
$9.46 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Hill's Science Diet
WetPast recall (nutrient imbalance, 2019)
WSAVAExceeds
Feeding trialEnhanced AAFCO trial (larger cohort)
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$9.63
$9.46 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
MerrickWet
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
Partial / non-standard
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$10.13
$9.95 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Merrick
Wet
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialPartial / non-standard
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$10.13
$9.95 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
The Farmer's DogFresh
WSAVA
Exceeds
Feeding trial
Enhanced AAFCO trial (longer trial, larger cohort, extra health metrics)
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusiveDTC / subscription
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$10.17
$9.99 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Direct
The Farmer's Dog
Fresh
WSAVAExceeds
Feeding trialEnhanced AAFCO trial (longer trial, larger cohort, extra health metrics)
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusiveDTC
Cost / day · 50 lb
$10.17
$9.99 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
Royal CaninWet
WSAVA
Exceeds
Feeding trial
Partial / non-standard
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$10.27
$10.08 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Royal Canin
Wet
WSAVAExceeds
Feeding trialPartial / non-standard
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$10.27
$10.08 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
WellnessWet
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
Partial / non-standard
Nutritionist
PhD / MS nutritionist
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$10.42
$10.23 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Wellness
Wet
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialPartial / non-standard
NutritionistPhD / MS nutritionist
Grain-inclusive + grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$10.42
$10.23 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
Open FarmWet
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
Partial / non-standard
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$11.44
$11.23 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Direct
Open Farm
Wet
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialPartial / non-standard
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$11.44
$11.23 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
Nom NomFresh
WSAVA
Exceeds
Feeding trial
AAFCO feeding trial
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-freeDTC / subscription
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$12.66
$12.43 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Direct
Nom Nom
Fresh
WSAVAExceeds
Feeding trialAAFCO feeding trial
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-freeDTC
Cost / day · 50 lb
$12.66
$12.43 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
OllieFresh
Fresh (gently cooked)
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
Partial / non-standard
Nutritionist
Unnamed / consultant
Grain-inclusiveDTC / subscription
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$12.72
$12.49 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Direct
Ollie
Fresh (gently cooked)
Fresh
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialPartial / non-standard
NutritionistUnnamed / consultant
Grain-inclusiveDTC
Cost / day · 50 lb
$12.72
$12.49 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
JustFoodForDogsFresh
Fresh Frozen
WSAVA
Exceeds
Feeding trial
Enhanced AAFCO trial (longer trial, larger cohort)
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusiveDTC / subscription
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$13.85
$13.60 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Direct
JustFoodForDogs
Fresh Frozen
Fresh
WSAVAExceeds
Feeding trialEnhanced AAFCO trial (longer trial, larger cohort)
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusiveDTC
Cost / day · 50 lb
$13.85
$13.60 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
InstinctDCM reports (FDA 2019, unproven)Freeze-dried
FreshDried Bites (freeze-dried raw)
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
Partial / non-standard
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$17.44
$17.12 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
Instinct
FreshDried Bites (freeze-dried raw)
Freeze-driedDCM reports (FDA 2019, unproven)
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialPartial / non-standard
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$17.44
$17.12 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
JustFoodForDogsWet
Pantry Fresh
WSAVA
Exceeds
Feeding trial
Enhanced AAFCO trial (longer trial, larger cohort)
Nutritionist
DACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$19.70
$19.34 / 1,000 kcal
Check price at Chewy
JustFoodForDogs
Pantry Fresh
Wet
WSAVAExceeds
Feeding trialEnhanced AAFCO trial (longer trial, larger cohort)
NutritionistDACVN on staff
Grain-inclusive
Cost / day · 50 lb
$19.70
$19.34 / 1,000 kcal
Check price
OrijenDCM reports (FDA 2019, unproven)Freeze-dried
Freeze-Dried (Epic Bites)
WSAVA
Meets
Feeding trial
Enhanced AAFCO trial (extra health metrics)
Nutritionist
PhD / MS nutritionist
Grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb dog
$24.04
$23.60 / 1,000 kcal
Chewy
Orijen
Freeze-Dried (Epic Bites)
Freeze-driedDCM reports (FDA 2019, unproven)
WSAVAMeets
Feeding trialEnhanced AAFCO trial (extra health metrics)
NutritionistPhD / MS nutritionist
Grain-free
Cost / day · 50 lb
$24.04
$23.60 / 1,000 kcal
Chewy
Showing 35 of 35 foods that match these filtersSee all in the comparison tool →