Dog food cost per month by breed size
Before getting a dog, most people underestimate food costs. Or they look at bag prices without considering how fast their particular dog will go through one. A Yorkie and a Mastiff both eat kibble, but the monthly bill could not be more different.
Here is a realistic breakdown of what dog food costs per month, based on actual calorie needs and current retail pricing across budget, mid-range, and premium tiers.
Monthly food cost by breed size
| Size Category | Example Breeds | Weight | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toy | Chihuahua, Yorkie | 5-10 lbs | $12-18 | $20-30 | $35-55 |
| Small | Frenchie, Beagle | 15-25 lbs | $18-28 | $30-45 | $50-75 |
| Medium | Cocker Spaniel, Aussie | 30-50 lbs | $28-40 | $45-65 | $70-100 |
| Large | Lab, Golden, GSD | 55-80 lbs | $40-60 | $60-85 | $90-130 |
| Giant | Great Dane, Mastiff | 100-150 lbs | $60-90 | $85-130 | $130-200 |
Budget = store brands and economy kibble ($1-1.50/lb). Mid-range = Purina Pro Plan, Diamond Naturals, Taste of the Wild ($1.50-2.50/lb). Premium = Orijen, Acana, Merrick, fresh food services ($2.50-5+/lb).
Annual totals put it in perspective
For a large breed dog on mid-range food, you are looking at $720-1,020 per year just on food. Over a 10-12 year lifespan, that is $7,200-12,240. A giant breed on premium food can run $1,560-2,400 annually — over $20,000 in a lifetime.
Toy breeds are remarkably affordable by comparison. A Chihuahua on budget food costs under $220 per year. That is less than some people spend on dog treats alone for their large breed.
Fresh food services: the premium premium
Subscription fresh food services (The Farmer’s Dog, Ollie, Nom Nom) are the most expensive option by far. They typically run:
- Small dogs: $60-120/month
- Medium dogs: $120-200/month
- Large dogs: $200-400/month
- Giant breeds: $350-600+/month
That is 3-5x the cost of premium kibble. The convenience and quality are real — these are human-grade, individually portioned meals. But for a large or giant breed, the cost is prohibitive for most households.
Where the money actually goes
The biggest factor in food cost is not brand prestige — it is calorie density. A food with 450 kcal per cup requires fewer cups per day than one with 350 kcal per cup. That 22% difference in calorie density translates directly to how fast you go through a bag.
The second factor is protein source. Chicken-based foods are almost always cheaper than beef, lamb, or fish-based formulas. If budget matters and your dog tolerates chicken well, chicken-first-ingredient foods deliver the best value.
Ways to reduce costs without sacrificing quality
- Buy the largest bag size you can store — cost per pound drops 15-25% going from 15lb to 30lb bags
- Set up autoship on Chewy or Amazon for 5-10% off every order
- Watch for Chewy buy-2-get-1 sales (they happen quarterly)
- Costco Kirkland brand is genuinely good food at budget pricing
- Avoid grain-free unless your dog has a diagnosed grain allergy — grain-free premium commands a 20-30% markup
Calculate your specific dog’s daily food cost with our price comparison tool.
For detailed pricing across specific large breed foods, check our large breed cost comparison. And if you are considering raw feeding, see what that costs in our raw vs kibble comparison.