Where To Find Cheapest Meat for My Dog's Food

[CFrance]

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?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

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 think we're missing some information here. What I read:
1. Your vet wants your dog to eat a variety of food which includes grain.
2. Two specific brands, Hill's and Science Diet, are not options for your pup.

That leaves me with the knowledge of several dozen other options, many of which are reasonably priced.

Do you feed your dog home-made exclusively, or is this a supplement to commercial food?

Can your dog eat kibble? If so, why not buy kibble from a brand other than Hills or Science Diet? Instinct "Be Natural", Canidae "all life stages". Orijen has a couple of really good high-quality foods that include fibrous vegetables (such as kale and spinach) but no grain.

But even with the grain-free stuff, you can always ADD grain. Make some rice and add a few teaspoons of natural beef or chicken juice (not broth unless there's no onion or garlic in the broth, which are bad for dogs), let him have a couple tablespoons of that every day.

Otherwise, your pup is likely going to be eating a lot more expensively than you are if it requires only home-made food.

[CFrance]

I think we're missing some information here. What I read:
1. Your vet wants your dog to eat a variety of food which includes grain.
2. Two specific brands, Hill's and Science Diet, are not options for your pup.

That leaves me with the knowledge of several dozen other options, many of which are reasonably priced.

Do you feed your dog home-made exclusively, or is this a supplement to commercial food?

Can your dog eat kibble? If so, why not buy kibble from a brand other than Hills or Science Diet? Instinct "Be Natural", Canidae "all life stages". Orijen has a couple of really good high-quality foods that include fibrous vegetables (such as kale and spinach) but no grain.

But even with the grain-free stuff, you can always ADD grain. Make some rice and add a few teaspoons of natural beef or chicken juice (not broth unless there's no onion or garlic in the broth, which are bad for dogs), let him have a couple tablespoons of that every day.

Otherwise, your pup is likely going to be eating a lot more expensively than you are if it requires only home-made food.
My vet wants me not to feed my dog grain-free kibble because of his particular breed vis-a-vis the FDA's warning that the lentils and peas used in grain-free food are blocking the absorption of taurine, which can result in heart problems in certain breeds. She states that Hills, Royal Canin, and Purina are three brands that include grain and have done field trials of their pet food.



That is fine, but the last thing that gains benefit from a dog's food is the coat, and my dog's coat turned from silk to straw when I took him off of Orijen and Nature's Logic. Until further studies are done about the taurine/grain-free food causation, I'm not taking the chance of putting him back on grain-free food.


Because we travel so much, I cannot feed him 100% Hills/RC. I am supplementing with half homemade so that when we do travel his digestive system is okay with just kibble. Otherwise it would be 100% homemade.


I have this all figured out--with my dog and with my vet. We have been doing this for 7 months, but in a location with less expensive meat products available.



All I am asking is if anyone knows of a less expensive place to obtain the meet and organ meat than Publix or Winn-Dixie or even Walmart.

[JSR22]

There is a meat market on 301 North in downtown Wildwood. I have not been there but been told that their prices are reasonable.

[tophcfa]

Go to Publix or Winn Dixie and buy the already cooked oven roasted whole chickens. Let the chicken cool off and strip all of the meat from it. It’s hard to beat the price of the chickens. Most grocery stores sell them at break even or at a small loss as a way to get people into the stores to buy other more profitable items.

[Carla B]

Go to Publix or Winn Dixie and buy the already cooked oven roasted whole chickens. Let the chicken cool off and strip all of the meat from it. It’s hard to beat the price of the chickens. Most grocery stores sell them at break even or at a small loss as a way to get people into the stores to buy other more profitable items.

Yes, but she is looking for only dark-meat chicken. That would require a WHOLE LOT of chickens!

[MIskra]

My vet wants me not to feed my dog grain-free kibble because of his particular breed vis-a-vis the FDA's warning that the lentils and peas used in grain-free food are blocking the absorption of taurine, which can result in heart problems in certain breeds..

Who is your dog's veterinarian? She sounds phenomenal. I have read the same warning about grain free products, but other than a Holistic Veterinary Clinic, there are very few vets who are trained on nutrition and supplements in the overall care of their patients.

[Toymeister]

We make our dog's food.

Aldi leads the pack on pricing. If you have time note the quantity of product and the dates.

Large quantities and expiration one day away equals mark down of already cheap meats. Cook in an instapot using the steamer spacer. Place warm boned chicken including skin with the dripipings in your blender and pulse twice. Freeze the leftovers.

[debbelles1]

I have been feeding raw to my cat and dog for over 15 years. there are many different avenues you can look into. Best meats in wildwood carries a good choice. they also have grind meats, sold exclusively for pets , once in a while. you can look at Raw Feeding Miami online and shop their sales, but watch the shipping costs. go to mercola pets and google feeding for ideas how to supplement kibble, Dr Karen Becker has a few great articles. also Dogs Naturally Magazine has many articles. Adding Answers pet food Raw fermented goats milk and fish stock also adds many beneifits to kibble. the answers products can be purchased at whole earth over near Spanish springs or wolfgangs. as far as the dog foods causing DCM .all the data is not in yet!

[Spike27502]

I have a small dog and amend his food with pre-cooked frozen burgers that I buy at Costco. I only use about a third of each burger per meal. I believe the price per burger patty is less than a dollar each.

[CtButterfly]

Can you try adding an Omega-3 supplement for dogs daily to your dog’s food for a healthy coat?

[Rzepecki]

Try Aldi and Save A Lot.

[CFrance]

Who is your dog's veterinarian? She sounds phenomenal. I have read the same warning about grain free products, but other than a Holistic Veterinary Clinic, there are very few vets who are trained on nutrition and supplements in the overall care of their patients.
Our vet is Dr. Candice Manganaro, and yes, she is phenomenal. She has brought our guy through a number of issues down through the years, and she is very good on nutrition.

[Cranford61]

Aren’t those $7 barbecued chicken brined? They sure seem salty. May cause your dog to have a hypertensive event...which is not good and will cost more than you saved from buying more expensive cuts.

[Nucky]

Our vet is Dr. Candice Manganaro, and yes, she is phenomenal. She has brought our guy through a number of issues down through the years, and she is very good on nutrition.

What a lucky Pup to have a Mommy like you. I can't remember what I did an hour ago but I remember your dog's name. LOL
I hope things work out well for you CFrance but I have a feeling if the food was $500 a pound that beautiful animal would have it. :pray:

What a Great complement for your Vet. Does she accept people as patients? Maybe I'll change! :1rotfl:

[Madelaine Amee]

Cyndy: Try the meat market in Wildwood on 301. Tell the owner exactly what you are looking for and I think they will help you. One word of warning, the shop kinda, sorta smells .... a bit like an abattoir. He is real butcher, not just a meat cutter.

Aldi's is good too. I get my grass fed meats in Ald'is

[Velvet]

Can you try adding an Omega-3 supplement for dogs daily to your dog’s food for a healthy coat?

I used to add Omega-3 for my Welshie and it really did help his coat.

What a lucky pup to have such a loving person!

[CFrance]

Aren’t those $7 barbecued chicken brined? They sure seem salty. May cause your dog to have a hypertensive event...which is not good and will cost more than you saved from buying more expensive cuts.
No worries! I wouldn't go the cooked chicken route.

[CFrance]

Cyndy: Try the meat market in Wildwood on 301. Tell the owner exactly what you are looking for and I think they will help you. One word of warning, the shop kinda, sorta smells .... a bit like an abattoir. He is real butcher, not just a meat cutter.

Aldi's is good too. I get my grass fed meats in Ald'is
Thanks, Madeline. I'm familiar with the "aroma" as every supermarket in SW France smells similar. I will try them plus Aldi's.

We do add an omega supplement, and it has restored his coat.

[CFrance]

What a lucky Pup to have a Mommy like you. I can't remember what I did an hour ago but I remember your dog's name. LOL
I hope things work out well for you CFrance but I have a feeling if the food was $500 a pound that beautiful animal would have it. :pray:

What a Great complement for your Vet. Does she accept people as patients? Maybe I'll change! :1rotfl:

I think she might take you on, Nucky. Can you bark? ������

[jonesro]

We get a large bag of Chicken Leg Quarters at Winn Dixie or Wal-Mart. After boiling and de-boning the chicken we take the bones and grind them in our Vitamix to add the bone-meal to our dogs food.

[ljr811]

I supplement with chicken breasts from fresh market. 2.99/lb on Tuesdays.

[CWGUY]

I supplement with chicken breasts from fresh market. 2.99/lb on Tuesdays.

:shrug: Or Sam's Club boneless/skinless chicken breasts for I think $1.88/lb. any day. Only mention because the title of thread.....
"Where To Find Cheapest Meat for My Dog's Food" :)

[lanabanana73]

In my experience, Sav-A-Lot has the cheapest meat around. Have not shopped at the meat market in Wildwood, though.

[600th Photo Sq]

I feel sorry for your Dog...why? Where can I find the cheapest meat ?... For me treat man's best friend treat him/her like would treat yourself..Publix has strip steak on sale this week $ 8.99lb. Your pet is, after all, he/she is part of your family.

Would you want to eat the " Cheapest"? Bottom line if only animals/pets could talk.

[Two Bills]

I feel sorry for your Dog...why? Where can I find the cheapest meat ?... For me treat man's best friend treat him/her like would treat yourself..Publix has strip steak on sale this week $ 8.99lb. Your pet is, after all, he/she is part of your family.

Would you want to eat the " Cheapest"? Bottom line if only animals/pets could talk.

Come on!
Most dogs would be happy with half rotten road kill given the choice.

[CFrance]

I feel sorry for your Dog...why? Where can I find the cheapest meat ?... For me treat man's best friend treat him/her like would treat yourself..Publix has strip steak on sale this week $ 8.99lb. Your pet is, after all, he/she is part of your family.

Would you want to eat the " Cheapest"? Bottom line if only animals/pets could talk.
I was afraid this thread would eventually turn ugly.


Why would I pay $10 for beef in Publix when I could get it somewhere else less expensively? A dog does not need prime cuts of meat.


I invite you to come around anytime and judge how happy and healthy my dog is.

[CFrance]

In my experience, Sav-A-Lot has the cheapest meat around. Have not shopped at the meat market in Wildwood, though.
Thanks, lanabanana. Where is Sav-A-Lot? Is that the one in a strip mall on 301?

[CFrance]

:shrug: Or Sam's Club boneless/skinless chicken breasts for I think $1.88/lb. any day. Only mention because the title of thread.....
"Where To Find Cheapest Meat for My Dog's Food" :)
Oh, I didn't think of Sam's Club. I'm told that the best source of taurine is dark meat chicken or turkey.


Looks like I have some places to check out. Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions.

[CFrance]

I have been feeding raw to my cat and dog for over 15 years. there are many different avenues you can look into. Best meats in wildwood carries a good choice. they also have grind meats, sold exclusively for pets , once in a while. you can look at Raw Feeding Miami online and shop their sales, but watch the shipping costs. go to mercola pets and google feeding for ideas how to supplement kibble, Dr Karen Becker has a few great articles. also Dogs Naturally Magazine has many articles. Adding Answers pet food Raw fermented goats milk and fish stock also adds many beneifits to kibble. the answers products can be purchased at whole earth over near Spanish springs or wolfgangs. as far as the dog foods causing DCM .all the data is not in yet!
I know all the data is not in yet, and my vet recognizes this, but she feels until further studies are completed, why take the chance on a breed that was on the top of the FDA's list to have heart problems. Although he's gone 12 years with no heart issues, I am just playing it safe.



I have several recipes of Dr. Beckers--I like the pup loaf--plus supplements she has recommended. Plus Omegas, and joint supplement. Plus either Kefir or fermented goat's milk. I have one of her books on Kindle.



Thanks for the suggestions. I will check out mercola for sure, and the magazine.

[tophcfa]

CFrance, I applaud you for taking such good care of your beautiful 12 year old furry companion. Keep up the good work, our dogs are totally worth it.

[CFrance]

CFrance, I applaud you for taking such good care of your beautiful 12 year old furry companion. Keep up the good work, our dogs are totally worth it.
Aw shucks. Thanks!:mademyday:

[Rsenholzi]

Hi, my dogs needed more grain in their food also. If you look none of the higher priced foods have grain in them( I have tried them all ) or if they do the percentage is low. After searching every food on the market , the food with the highest percentage of grain is Kibble and bits. It has the maximum percentage that is allowed in a dogs food. I have tried this food and for the first time the dogs stopped scooting and were able to move their bowels. I have had them both on it for over 5 years now and both look healthy . The one has the energy of a pup and no one can believe how old he is. One is 10 and the other is 12 . They are big dogs so this is actually a long life for both . I suggest you try this Food before making your own and see how your dog makes out. I think you will be pleasantly surprised

[rondvu2]

Lucky dog. Hope nothing ever happens to you, it will be a shock to the dog not to have homemade food anymore

[PugMom]

if i were you, i'd stay away from cheaper cuts. if you;re going thru all that work to make a decent food, id stay with a decent cut of meat. we don't know the conditions/storage of how cheaper cuts are handled

[CFrance]

Lucky dog. Hope nothing ever happens to you, it will be a shock to the dog not to have homemade food anymore
I have him totally covered from all angles if anything happens to us. He will be staying in the family.

[Darield]

If your looking for better prices on dark chicken, I get large packages at Sam's which is cheaper than Walmart. I also give our dog fish oil and that helps her coat noticeably as it did with our last dog. One of the responses mentioned Orijin which is what we use but it is a pricey dog food. We chose that because our last little girl died of cancer at 10yrs and so this is what we are trying. We also mix kibble with hamburger, dark chicken, ground turkey, etc as well as some fresh veggies. If you need more grain than I would research dog foods that have grain in them. Good Earth Pet Supply and Woof Gang both can be a good source of info.

There is so much info and opinions that you really have to find what works best for your dog.

[CFrance]

if i were you, i'd stay away from cheaper cuts. if you;re going thru all that work to make a decent food, id stay with a decent cut of meat. we don't know the conditions/storage of how cheaper cuts are handled
Agreed. I'm not looking for poor-quality meat. I'm looking for less expensive price. The chicken leg quarter from Sam's, for instance, as opposed to from Whole Foods.


If you read where some of the kibble ingredients come from in some brands, you'd wonder how those dogs survived.

[CFrance]

The reason the taurine people are saying no grain-free is not because dogs need grain, particularly. It is because the grain-free kibbles use lentils and peas as fillers, sometimes beets, and those ingredients--esp. the first two--block the absorption of taurine. This can lead to heart problems in dogs and especially cats.

So he doesn't need grain; he needs to not have lentils & peas found in grain-free foods.

We give Grizzly Salmon Oil, a joint supplement, and a supplement of vitamins and minerals (vet approved brand), plus pumpkin and kefir, plus some Hills or Royal Canin (not grain free) plus the homemade. He needs to stay used to some kibble for travel purposes when I cannot make his food.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

[gobolts]

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.

[CFrance]

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.

[JSR22]

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.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

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.

[CWGUY]

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

[Darield]

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.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

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.

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.

[Rosebud2020]

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.