How to Save Money on the BARF Diet

If the only thing that stops you from completely switching your pet to the raw dog food diet is the cost, then think again. You can, in fact, save money when you feed raw meat to your pet carnivore.

Here are practical ways to save money while keeping your dog on a BARF diet.

1. Buy locally. Make arrangements with your local butcher, rancher, or meat purveyor. The deer processor in your area is the best provider of cheap and fresh meat for your dog. If you know a hunter, then ask to buy the offal in bulk. Ethnic markets, if they are available in your area, are also good sources of inexpensive meats. Moreover, if there are specialty markets like Asian markets in your area, then that’s where you can buy whole ducks, livers, kidneys, and pig or pork hearts – cheap meat parts that you do not find in a traditional market. And do not forget to check out your local farmer’s market to get the cheapest and the freshest produce.

2. Buy the cheapest cuts of meat. Organ meat and intestines can be given sparingly to your dog, and those parts are inexpensive. Buy meat that is about “to expire” or one that is already tagged as a day-old meat. Ripe meat is still healthy (not to mention delicious) for your dog.

3. Buy in bulk and put them in the freezer. Take advantage of holiday meat sales. Freeze raw meaty bones in serving size portions to make it more convenient for you when mealtime comes. All you need to do is to toss the meat. You do not even need to defrost. Dogs can eat the frozen whole meat. But if you are a cat owner, then you need to thaw the meat first.

4. Include table scraps and leftovers. Table scraps are composed of human-grade food, and they are far more nutritious than kibble. Just make sure that there is nothing there that can harm your dog. Refer to this article for food stuff that may be toxic to dogs:Fact Sheet about the Eating Habits of Dog.

5. Think of feeding raw as a form of investment. While your dog reaps the amazing health benefits of fresh dog food, trips to the vet will be few and far between. That saves you money.

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