
Dogs need a balanced diet that includes high-quality protein from meat. You can save money on meat for your dog by choosing cheaper cuts.
One way to save is by buying meat in bulk, such as a whole chicken or a large pack of ground beef.
This can help reduce costs by up to 30% compared to buying smaller portions.
You can also consider buying meat that's nearing its expiration date or using a cashback app to earn rewards on your meat purchases.
Cheap Dog Food Options
Feeding your dog a raw diet can be a cost-effective option, but it requires some planning.
Royal Canin Golden Retriever Junior costs around $100 per bag, which equals $2.80 per meal for a 26kg dog.
Chicken breast fillet is the cheapest pure meat option at $7 a kg, but it's not the most affordable choice for a raw diet.
A 26kg dog would need around 750gms of raw feed per day, which can be broken down into 80% meat, 10% bones, and 10% offal.
For your interest: All Meat Diet for Dogs
Using the cheapest options, such as liver/kidney at $5 a kg and minced chicken frame at $2 a kg, the daily cost would be around $6.40.
Beef mince can be cheaper, but it's high in fat unless you choose the more expensive premium option.
Chicken wings are another affordable option, but they're also high in fat and may not be the best choice.
For your interest: Is Meat Fat Good for Dogs
Dog Food on a Budget
Feeding your dog a raw diet can be expensive, but it's not impossible to find affordable options. According to one owner, the cheapest pure meat available is chicken breast fillet at $7 a kilogram.
Chicken breast is a great option, but it's not the cheapest. Beef mince can be cheaper, but it's high in fat unless you choose the more expensive premium option.
To reduce costs, consider using other parts of the chicken. However, be aware that wings, for example, can be high in fat and may not be the best choice.
If you're looking to save money on dog food, consider making your own. One owner uses table scraps and freezes them, then adds shredded chicken and other ingredients to make a healthy meal for their dog.
You can also use a food processor to grind up leftover meat and add vegetables and other ingredients. One owner uses leftover chicken breast, turkey, and pot roast, and adds frozen carrots and peas with some chicken broth.
When making your own dog food, be sure to add a powdered vitamin to ensure your dog is getting all the necessary nutrients.
Suggestion: Is Chicken Meat Good for Dogs
Understanding Dog Food Processing
Meat by-products can be sourced from any animal, including cows, pigs, and chickens, but they're often low-quality and may contain bones, hair, and other inedible parts.
Dog food manufacturers use various processing methods to make meat by-products more palatable and shelf-stable. Some common methods include rendering, which involves heating the by-products to a high temperature to remove excess moisture and create a concentrated paste.
The rendering process can also involve the addition of preservatives and other additives to extend the shelf life of the final product. This is done to prevent spoilage and ensure the dog food remains fresh for a longer period.
Meat meal, another common ingredient in dog food, is made by drying and grinding animal tissue. It's often used as a protein source in dog food recipes.
Sources
- https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/all-about-pets-120/where-find-cheapest-meat-my-dogs-food-300453/
- https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/447499
- https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3397302/cheap-cuts-of-meat-for-the-dog
- https://www.dogster.com/dog-nutrition/lean-meats-for-dogs
- https://thedollarstretcher.com/family-finances/affordable-homemade-dog-food-recipes-and-tips/
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