Purina Dog Chow vs Pedigree: Budget Dog Food Showdown
Two of the cheapest name-brand dog foods on the market. Purina Dog Chow costs $5.60/kg and Pedigree is $5.10/kg. At these prices, is either one actually good enough for your dog?
Quick Comparison
Factor Purina Dog Chow Pedigree Price per kg $5.60 $5.10 Monthly cost (70lb dog) $35 $32 First ingredient Corn meal Ground yellow corn Protein % 21% 20% AAFCO compliance Yes Yes Best for Budget feeding, healthy dogs Short-term feeding only
Between these two, Purina Dog Chow is the better choice despite costing slightly more. Purina has better quality control, more research backing (the Purina brand has 96 years of pet nutrition research), and slightly higher protein content. The $3/month savings from Pedigree isn't worth the drop in ingredient quality. That said, both are grain-heavy, low-protein foods. If your budget allows even $10-15 more per month, upgrading to Iams ProActive Health ($7.20/kg, $45/month) gives you chicken as the first ingredient and significantly better nutrition. If you're on a tight budget, choose Purina Dog Chow over Pedigree.Our Take
Use our calculator to see exact monthly costs for your dog across all brands, including budget options.Compare Costs Side-by-Side