Best budget puppy food for mixed breeds

Puppy nutrition is one of the most important investments you'll make — the right food in the first year sets the foundation for joints, immunity, coat health, and weight for life. And honestly, the differences between puppy foods are more significant than most people realise. To point you in the right direction: what breed or mix is your puppy, how old are they, and what are they eating right now?

That mix sounds like she'll be a medium-sized dog — probably 15–25kg when fully grown — which is actually a sweet spot because you've got loads of good options and don't need a breed-specific formula. At 10 weeks she's in a critical growth window, so protein quality and calcium-to-phosphorus balance really matter. The good news is you absolutely can feed her well on a budget — you just need to know which affordable foods are genuinely decent and which are mostly filler. Can I ask: are you open to dry kibble, or would you prefer wet food or a mix?

That's completely workable for a medium-sized pup. My clear recommendation at your budget is Wagg Complete Puppy dry kibble. It regularly comes in at around £10–£13 for a 12kg bag on Amazon UK, which for a 10-week-old puppy eating small portions will easily last a month or more. Here's why it stands up: it leads with chicken as the first protein source, it has a decent crude protein percentage for the price, added vitamins and minerals including calcium for bone development, and it's specifically formulated for puppies rather than just being adult food rebranded. It's not a premium boutique food — it doesn't claim to be — but it has a solid nutritional profile and has been around long enough to have a genuinely good track record. Importantly, it's not the same as cheap supermarket own-brand, which often bulk out with low-quality cereals and offer very little real nutrition. Transition her gradually over 7–10 days by mixing increasing amounts with what she's currently on to avoid an upset stomach. At her age, she'll need feeding three times a day — follow the weight-based guidelines on the pack.

Good question. For a healthy mixed-breed puppy on a complete kibble like Wagg, you shouldn't need to add supplements — the formula is designed to be nutritionally complete on its own. Adding things like calcium or vitamin D without guidance can actually cause problems rather than help, especially in a growing puppy. What I would watch is her weight and body condition — you should be able to feel her ribs easily but not see them prominently. Mixed breeds with Staffie in them can be prone to putting on weight, and with collie influence she'll likely be energetic and burn calories quickly, so adjust portions to her rather than following the pack guidance rigidly. When she reaches around 12 months, switch her to an adult formula — Wagg do one that's similarly priced, so the transition will be easy on your wallet too.

You're doing the right thing by asking. Plenty of people spend a lot more and end up with food that's no better — or worse, food that's premium-marketed but poorly formulated. Wagg Complete Puppy is an honest product at an honest price, and for a growing mixed-breed pup it will give her what she needs. Good luck with her — 10 weeks is such a brilliant age.