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Quick Highlights
👉Explore cheap and healthy foods for Indian street dogs that’s tried and approved by our own pups.
👉Learn easy-to-make homemade meal recipes for stray dogs in India.
👉Know the best tips to feed street dogs safely and responsibly while keeping costs low.
Are you a community dog feeder in search of budget-friendly yet nutritious meal options for street dogs? As food prices rise daily, it’s tough to stretch a feeder’s budget. But at the same time, many commonly fed foods like roti, bread, and Parle G biscuits, though inexpensive, aren’t suitable for long-term health. That’s why balancing affordability with nutrition is so important.
I’ve been feeding street dogs for over five years now, and over time I’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and how even small additions to their meals can make a significant difference. In this post, I’ll share both affordable dog food recommendations and my recipes for the homemade dog foods that I prepare for the group of ten street dogs I feed daily.
What To feed Indian Street Dogs?
Most people feed Indian street dogs rice, roti, bread, or glucose biscuits. While these are easy on the pocket, they’re also high in carbs. Carbs alone can lead to obesity, especially in spayed or neutered dogs. Such foods also lack the protein and essential nutrients dogs require to stay healthy. On top of that, leftovers like biryani or oily curries cause digestive issues.
Streeties need balanced meals with protein, carbs, and healthy fats to stay strong, especially pups, seniors, and dogs recovering from surgery. Thankfully, several affordable dog foods in India make it easier for feeders to keep these dogs healthy and strong. Here are my personal recommendations:
3 Affordable Dog Foods for Indian Street Dogs: Product Guide
Heads Up For Tails Foundation Dog Food for Street Dogs
Price: INR 999
- Price: INR 999/ 5Kg
- Why I Like It: Unlike most low-cost kibbles that rely heavily on cereal fillers, HUFT Foundation kibble is made with clean, high-quality ingredients, starting with locally sourced chicken, liver, and wheat. It’s oven-baked for better digestibility, contains a minimum of 20% crude protein to support muscle health, and uses human-grade ingredients to craft a nutritious and safe meal for street dogs. This makes it one of the best budget-friendly dog foods for feeders who want both affordability and complete nutrition.
- Where to Buy: HUFT Foundation Dog Food
- Price: From ₹199 / 200g (Meal Powders), ₹399 / 900g (Pawfect Bites Kibble)
- Why I Like It: This is an Indian dog food brand fully dedicated to providing affordable and healthy food for street dogs. Their meal powders: Stray Meal Mix, Chicken Meal, and Mutton Meal Powder, mix easily with rice and provide a high-protein, complete meal for street dogs. In fact, I use their Mutton Meal Powder as a food topper for my own dogs. Furthermore, MOS’s kibble option called Pawfect Bites is made with chicken, salmon, rice flour, whole wheat flour, soybean, and organs – making it one of the best affordable dog foods and an ideal alternative to home-cooked meals.
- Extra Good Point: They also run a shelter for stray dogs and cats and actively participate in rescues.
- Where to Buy: Mother of Strays
Price: INR 28
- Price: ₹30–45 per 100g pack
- Why I like it: Doggy Day is a local Chennai-based brand that offers budget-friendly wet dog food packs priced between INR 30 to INR 45 for 100 g packs. They have a variety of protein-rich options like chicken, turkey, beef, liver pudding, and even chicken & cheese. These packs are convenient, portion-controlled, and easy to feed, especially for people caring for multiple street dogs. My streeties love their Turkey Twister and Liver Pudding. You can order them online through sites like OfyPets, which deliver across India.
- Where to Buy: Doggy Day on Ofypets
While these cheap dog foods make feeding street dogs a lot easier, nothing beats the comfort and nutrition of simple home-cooked meals. Over the years, I’ve found that a few basic ingredients can go a long way in keeping stray dogs healthy, strong, and happy without burning a hole in your pocket. Here are some of my go-to homemade meal recipes for Indian street dogs.
4 Homemade Meal Recipes For Feeding Street Dogs In India
1. Homemade Rice & Chicken Meal for Indian Street Dogs
- Cook rice in a pressure cooker with chicken pieces, liver, and gizzard. You can also add vegetables like carrots or pumpkins if your street dogs are fond of veggies. Add ¼ tsp turmeric, a pinch of pepper, and 2 tsp coconut oil.
- Cool to room temperature and add curd (optional) before serving.
This simple recipe is a great source of protein, probiotics, and calcium for the street dogs.
2. Cheap Proteins for Indian Street Dogs: Chicken Feet
- Boil chicken feet (nails clipped) for 5 minutes with a pinch of turmeric.
- Cool to room temperature and serve.
Chicken feet form a collagen-rich, protein-packed chew that supports joint health.
3. Affordable Organ Meat Treat for Indian Stray Dogs: Chicken Liver & Gizzard
- Chop chicken liver and gizzard into bite-sized pieces.
- Lightly boil both ingredients with a pinch of turmeric. Cool to room temperature and serve.
Liver is especially useful for pregnant dogs or those about to be spayed/ neutered, since liver supports platelet levels. Gizzard, on the other hand, is a rich source of glucosamine (the main ingredient in hip and joint supplements for dogs). Frequent consumption of chicken gizzard helps strengthen joints in young pups and senior dogs.
4. Simple Meal Toppers for Street Dogs In India: Paneer, Curd & Eggs
- You can serve boiled or fresh raw eggs, fresh, unseasoned paneer, or homemade curd to your streeties. I often sprinkle these over their homemade meal for added taste.
These are great protein and probiotic sources and require very little preparation.
After experimenting with both ready-made dog foods and simple homemade recipes, I’ve also learned that how you feed street dogs matters just as much as what you feed. A few small practices can make a huge difference in keeping the street dogs safe, healthy, and welcome in the community.
How to Feed Indian Street Dogs Safely and Responsibly
Separate bowls: I always carry lightweight bowls so each dog gets its own share. This not only prevents fights but also ensures even the shy ones get to eat in peace. You can find cheap, durable dog bowls online (around INR 189 for 2 dog bowls on Amazon).
Pets Empire Stainless Steel, Anti-Skid Dog Bowl (700 ml)
Price: INR 189
Fixed timing: Over time, I’ve realised that dogs thrive on routine. I feed them late at night at the same spot every day. They show up only around that time, which means they don’t loiter or crowd the area during the day.
Safe spots: Choosing the right location is equally important. I stick to quiet corners like abandoned construction sites or empty stretches of road. Avoid feeding near schools, apartments, or parks. This way, the feeding doesn’t disturb residents or attract unnecessary complaints.
Here are some changes I’ve noticed in my streeties after starting them on the above-mentioned budget-friendly but nutritious meals.
Real Stories: How Affordable Dog Food Helped My Streeties
Pregnant and Spayed Dogs: As per our vet’s instructions, frequently feeding chicken liver to pregnant dogs or those about to undergo spaying/ neutering helped in maintaining a healthy platelet count. Chicken liver is rich in iron and essential vitamins, which provide strength and support overall recovery. This small addition helped reduce complications in pregnant dogs and made sure they went into surgery stronger, with a much better chance of healing smoothly afterward.
Growing Pups: Extra protein from eggs, chicken liver, and gizzard helped malnourished, rib-thin pups recover into healthy, energetic dogs. Very young pups who were yet to receive their first vaccination benefited from curd rice and Pup Start (a weaning diet or puppy serelac that’s very affordable and easily available on Amazon and local pet stores).
Price: INR 350
Overall Results: The dogs I feed have shiny coats, strong immunity, and are very friendly with people, with no bite history in the last five years.
Pawsitive Takeaway
Over the years, I’ve seen how the right meals can transform the lives of street dogs. I’ve seen malnourished pups who could barely stand grow into playful, energetic little dogs. And senior dogs regain steady energy and sport shiny, healthy coats.
It’s amazing how small efforts, such as affordable dog foods, simple homemade dog meals, and a little consistency, can make such a big difference. When done thoughtfully, feeding street dogs not only nourishes them but also strengthens bonds within the community, creating a safer, happier environment for everyone.
