How Much Does Dog Food Cost per Month?

Updated October 13, 2026 · 3 min read · 4 sources

Short answer

Dog food typically costs about $47 to $343 a month. Rover's 2024 survey of US dog owners put annual food spending between $560 and $4,115, depending mostly on the dog's size and the type of food: budget dry kibble for a small dog sits at the low end, while fresh or premium food for a large dog sits at the top.

Food is the biggest regular expense of owning a dog. In Rover's 2025 survey of 1,000 US pet parents, 69% said food and treats take up most of their pet budget. APPA's 2026 Dog Report put food at 27% of all dog-related spending in 2025.

Monthly dog food cost: the range

Per year Per month
Ongoing dog food spending (Rover, 2024) $560–$4,115 about $47–$343
One-time upfront food purchase for a new dog $45–$345 —

Monthly figures are the annual range divided by 12. Source: Rover's True Cost of Pet Parenthood report, as reported by Kiplinger.

What puts you at the low or high end

  • Your dog's size. A large dog eats several times as much as a small one. Calorie needs rise with weight, though not in a straight line: a 60-pound dog needs less than three times what a 20-pound dog needs.
  • Food type. Dry kibble is the cheapest per calorie, canned food costs more, and fresh, refrigerated or freeze-dried diets cost the most.
  • Brand tier. Store brands and grocery brands are cheaper than premium and veterinary prescription diets.
  • Treats and chews. These can add a surprising amount each month.
  • Where and how you buy. Large bags, warehouse clubs and auto-ship subscriptions usually lower the price per pound.

How to estimate your own dog's food cost

  1. Find your dog's daily calories. Veterinarians start with the resting energy requirement (RER): 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75, then multiply by a life-stage factor, such as 1.6 for a typical spayed or neutered adult. See how much to feed your dog.
  2. Check the calories per cup printed on the bag (often listed as kcal/cup).
  3. Calculate cups per month: daily calories ÷ kcal per cup × 30.
  4. Divide the bag price by cups per bag (bag weight × cups per pound, also on many labels) to get cost per cup, then multiply.

Example: a 30-pound dog that is prone to weight gain may need about 595 calories a day (PetHealthMD's example). With a food at about 300 kcal per cup, that's about 2 cups a day, or roughly 60 cups a month.

How to save on dog food without cutting quality

  • Choose a complete and balanced food (look for an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement) at a price tier you can sustain.
  • Buy the largest bag your dog can finish while it's fresh; vet-reviewed guidance says an opened bag of kibble is best used within about two weeks. See does dog food expire.
  • Measure meals with a cup or scale instead of free-feeding; overfeeding costs money and causes weight gain.
  • Use auto-ship discounts and store loyalty programs.
  • Count treats in the daily calories.

How much does dog food cost at Walmart, Costco or Dollar General?

Prices change constantly and vary by brand and bag size, so compare the price per pound and calories per cup rather than the bag price. A cheaper bag with fewer calories per cup can cost more per day to feed.

Browse pet stores near you to compare prices.

Sources

  1. Kiplinger: What it really costs to own a dog or cat (Rover 2024 data)
  2. Rover: The true cost of pet parenthood 2025
  3. Pet Food Industry: Dog owners embrace value-driven spending (APPA 2026 Dog Report)
  4. PetHealthMD: How many calories does my dog need per day?

Find pet stores near you

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This article is general information for pet owners, not veterinary, legal or financial advice. Prices vary by city and clinic; always ask your veterinarian or provider about your own pet.

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