Talk of The Villages Florida - Where To Find Cheapest Meat for My Dog's Food

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gobolts (Post 1699110)

I've been making our dogs' food for many years, it's one of the best things you can do for their health. I know of places to get better prices but you'll have to make a drive to get them. Hopkins meat market in Sanford has very good prices on cases of chicken quarters if that's what you're looking for. Sometimes they get fantastic deals on boneless chicken breast too, you can just watch their Facebook page to see. Also Costco has whole chicken for 99 cents a pound or they did last time I checked. They also have organic whole chickens for $1.99 per pound which is a really good price for that. For the veggies I find the produce stands/stores to have better prices than grocery but I normally just buy at Publix for convenience. Publix also had whole turkeys for 49 cents a pound for weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and they will probably have them again before Christmas. I bought a bunch of them for the freezer and will cut them up and use them for my dogs' food recipe, I make food once a week for them and one whole turkey works perfectly for my recipe. Cutting it up is the only difficult part.

Thanks! Where is the nearest Costco? Sam's is such a zoo I try to avoid it.

I saw those turkeys at Publix. I'll look for them again, and look at Hopkins FB page.

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Originally Posted by CFrance (Post 1699183)

Thanks! Where is the nearest Costco? Sam's is such a zoo I try to avoid it.

I saw those turkeys at Publix. I'll look for them again, and look at Hopkins FB page.

There is a Costco in Orlando by Millenia Mall and in Altamonte Springs.

I wouldn't obsess too much about the "quality" of the food. Dogs sometimes eat their own feces. A healthy dog can eat alllmost anything, with certain exceptions (no onion or garlic, certain other plants are toxic to them). A dog with diagnosed medical conditions might require adjustments, but swapping out Walmart crap for a 4-year-old steer freshly slaughtered by 26 virgins on their wedding day, using knives made of elven steel - is not a necessarily adjustment.

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Originally Posted by JSR22 (Post 1699186)

There is a Costco in Orlando by Millenia Mall and in Altamonte Springs.

:) I like the Costco at Wesley Chapel too. Right down I-75 at 2225 Grand Cypress Dr, Lutz, FL 33559

Sam's and Costco

Unfortunately Costco can be as much of a zoo as Sam's. I've gone to Altamonte Springs as well as Tampa. It's almost easier to go at an off time to Sam's and save the gas, especially if you are already a member. Dec. is always a zoo but usually right at the dinner time is not too bad. So between 5:30 and 7:30p can be a little more sane.

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Originally Posted by Darield (Post 1699547)

Sam's is open til 8:30 every night except Sunday, so there's no reason to worry about crowds. Just go at 7:30, which still gives you an hour to do all your other Sam's shopping.

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Originally Posted by CFrance (Post 1698636)

I've been making my dog's food as my vet wants him off of grain-free, and I don't like what Hills & Royal Canin do to his coat--it had turned to straw.

I need dark-meat chicken, beef, liver (beef or chicken) gizzards and/or hearts (chicken or turkey). I add veggies and supplements to that and make "pup loaf." I have a grinder.

I usually shop at Publix, Winn-Dixie, and Walmart. I look for specials, but I haven't been finding many lately. And the boneless/skinless chicken thighs are pricey.

Would I be better off at a meat market somewhere, or Aldi's?

I would speak to the meat managers/butchers in the stores where you shop. In telling them your issue I can't help but think that at least one of them would work with you on what your needs are and with some decent pricing.