Feeding your dog the cheapest food is not a wise thing. These usually have animal fat, soybean meal, bone meal, and even BHA which can cause cancer.On the other hand, raw food is much better but also more expensive. A cheap and healthy raw diet for my dog is something you can make yourself.
Here, we will teach you how you can do it and what you need to do. Your dog will benefit from his food and he will be happier than ever before.
Understanding the Raw Diet
The raw diet for dogs, often referred to as the BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food), is based on feeding dogs a variety of raw meats, bones, fruits, and vegetables, mimicking what they might have eaten in the wild. This diet has gained popularity among pet owners seeking a more natural feeding option for their dogs.
Components of a Raw Diet
- Raw Meaty Bones: These form the foundation of the raw diet, providing essential nutrients, including protein, fat, and calcium. Examples include chicken necks, beef ribs, and lamb shanks.
- Muscle Meat: This is the main source of protein. Common options include beef, chicken, turkey, and fish.
- Organ Meats: Organs are nutrient-dense and vital in the diet, offering vitamins and minerals. Liver, kidneys, and hearts are typical choices.
- Fruits and vegetables: While not a natural part of a carnivore’s diet, they can add fiber and additional nutrients. Commonly used are leafy greens, carrots, apples, and berries, often pureed for better digestion.
Benefits of a Raw Diet
- Improved Coat Health: Many owners report shinier and healthier coats in dogs on a raw diet.
- Better Dental Health: Chewing on raw, meaty bones can help reduce tartar and improve overall dental health.
- Enhanced Digestive Function: The raw diet can lead to smaller, firmer stools and improved digestion.
- Weight Management: A properly portioned raw diet can help maintain a healthy weight in dogs.
Drawbacks and Risks
- Nutritional Imbalances: Without careful planning, a raw diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies or excesses.
- Bacterial Contamination: Raw meats can harbor harmful bacteria, posing a risk to both pets and humans in the household.
- Cost and Convenience: Preparing a raw diet can be more expensive and time-consuming compared to commercial dog foods.
Why Is Commercial Raw Food So Expensive?
Commercial dog food is available all over the world and you can see countless options available. But it is still not better than a cheap and healthy raw diet for my dog that you can make at home. In simple terms, commercial food is expensive because it is premium and companies know that.
They will charge more for this food. A large dog can eat tons of this food, meaning you will need hundreds of dollars per month for food only.
As you can see, there are two main options. One is to get cheaper food, which is not that great and the second option is the one we are presenting here. It is to make a raw diet plan for your dog by yourself. You can do it and it is more affordable than you may believe.
Budgeting for a Raw Diet
Transitioning your dog to a raw diet requires careful financial planning to ensure it’s both sustainable and cost-effective. Budgeting for a raw diet involves understanding the costs involved and finding ways to optimize expenses without compromising on the health and nutrition of your pet.
Assessing the Cost
- Calculating Food Quantity: Start by determining how much food your dog requires. Generally, dogs eat about 2-3% of their body weight in raw food daily, but this can vary based on their age, size, and activity level.
- Comparing Costs: Compare the costs of commercial raw dog food with making your own. While commercial options offer convenience, they may be more expensive than homemade meals. Preparing meals at home allows for more control over costs and ingredients.
Effective Budgeting Strategies
- Bulk Purchases: Buying meat in bulk can significantly reduce costs. Look for sales or discounts at local butchers or grocery stores, and consider options like wholesale clubs.
- Economical Protein Sources: Incorporate more affordable protein sources into your dog’s diet. Chicken, turkey, and certain cuts of beef can be less expensive. Remember to balance with more expensive proteins like lamb or fish occasionally.
- Utilizing Less Popular Cuts: Explore less commonly used cuts of meat, which are often cheaper. These can include organ meats, which are a crucial component of a raw diet, providing essential nutrients.
Managing and Reducing Waste
- Proper Portioning: Carefully portion meals to avoid overfeeding and waste. This not only saves money but also maintains your dog’s optimal weight.
- Freezing and Storage: Utilize your freezer efficiently. Freezing meat in meal-sized portions can extend its shelf life and reduce waste.
Long-Term Cost Considerations
- Investing in Health: Consider the long-term financial benefits of a raw diet, which might include reduced veterinary bills due to improved health and fewer dietary-related illnesses.
- Budget Adjustments: Periodically review and adjust your budget as needed. As your dog ages or their health and lifestyle change, their dietary needs and the associated costs might also change.
Cheap Raw Ingredients
At the end of the day, it all comes down to ingredients. A good thing here is that you have a lot of cheap options out there that are healthy, delicious, and easily available. This is the most important part of the process. Once you know which ingredients to use, you can mix and match and also try to be original. Maybe you will make something that your pet adores. Anyway, let’s see the best and cheapest ingredients you can get.
- Pig head, pork neck, and pork intestine
- Chicken backs, chicken carcasses without breasts, chicken feet, and chicken necks You can find these at a local poultry slaughterhouse or even in your grocery store. The latter option is not that common but is possible.
- Beef lungs, beef kidneys, heart, pancreas, etc. Here, you have tons of options and they are great for dogs.
The best part is the fact that these are only a few examples. You do have a lot more options. For instance, you can find locally lamb necks or tails, whole fish, vegetable peeling, etc. One interesting option is free fruit and vegetables, which you can find easily. These are bruised and are not going to end up for sale. But you can get these cheaply for your dog. They are still healthy and delicious.
We know that some dog owners will recommend road kills as well. It is free. This is not a great idea and you should avoid it. All of the ingredients we have here are actually healthy and they are something you can eat as well. Of course, most of these don’t sound or look great but they are still healthy. In most cases, you get the same nutrients and ingredients as in raw commercial food.
Don’t Worry About AAFCO
Now you can say that these ingredients are not approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials or AAFCO. But you don’t need to worry about that.
These ingredients are not bad and they are still healthy. If you believe that they don’t have vitamins, but commercial raw food does, you are wrong. All the foods you cook at 290 degrees Fahrenheit will lose the vitamins so a dog will get the same type of food.
Additional Things You Need To Know
Once you know which ingredients are cheap but also healthy, you can mix and match. Try to find all the ingredients your dog needs. Keep in mind that meat, fruits, and vegetables are great when you mix them together. At the same time, they make a complete diet.
Don’t use just one of the two ingredients on the list. Feed your dog different meals every single day and ideally, you would like each meal to be different. By using this method, you can make sure that the dog will enjoy all the nutrients, vitamins, and more. These ingredients are still loaded with nutrients and vitamins dogs need so you don’t need to worry about anything.
The next thing you need to know is that plain foods of this kind are the best. Avoid using sauces, seasonings and spices. These can be toxic for dogs and they can cause a lot of issues. For example, onions and garlic are toxic for dogs and they can cause severe health problems.
We are adding this here because some dog owners will try to make this food look and smell better. This may be important if you want to eat it. But dogs are looking at the food in a different way so they don’t need seasoning or spices. They like plain food best and this is something they will actually prefer.
When introducing new food to a dog, start slowly. Allow him to adapt as long as he needs and always start with small portions and then increase them until you find the perfect amount. Be free to talk to your vet about this matter. Most vets will recommend this option and you can imagine why. There are no big disadvantages here.
The Final Word
There are a lot of options you have available. But a cheap and healthy raw diet for my dog is the best option. Your pet will get all the perks of expensive raw food but you will save money.
Yes, this needs some time to adapt, but it is something most dog owners and most dogs will manage. If you want the same nutritional benefits for your dog, then you need commercial, expensive raw food that will cost you thousands of dollars per month.
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