8 Tips to Save Money Preparing Your Dog’s Food

One of the biggest myths that I encounter is that preparing fresh food for your dog will drain your wallet. I was also concerned about this many years ago when I started cooking for Chase. But the fact was that his health depended upon it, and so I put cost aside and dove full steam ahead into home-prepping his meals. Over the years, I have learned many important lessons about canine nutrition, and a big one is that if you are a savvy consumer, then you can give your dog the nutrition of fresh food and save a ton of money at the same time. Now, that’s what I call a win-win scenario!

I believe that every dog deserves to enjoy fresh and nutritious food to support a healthy body, just as we humans deserve. I also believe that it doesn’t have to come at a huge cost, so let’s dive in to how you can save money on making your dog’s food starting today.

8 Tips to Save Money Preparing Your Dog’s Food

#1 Buy in Bulk:

Just as buying your own food in large quantities saves you money, the same concept applies to purchasing food for your dog. Consider investing in an inexpensive extra freezer so that you can stock up on meats when they are on sale. This practice alone can save you a ton of money! Shopping at a store like Costco can also save you money as bulk items are usually priced at a discounted rate.

#2 Buy in Season:

Have you ever noticed that seasonal foods are cheaper? When berries are in season, stock up. When green beans are in season, stock up. You get the gist of it. Buying dog-friendly foods in season is a great way to save money and provide a high dose of nutrition to your dog’s diet.

#3 Buy Locally:

Just like buying in season can save you money, buying locally can do the same. Purchasing your meats, eggs and vegetables from local purveyors is not only typically less expensive, but you will also be supporting local farmers — and you know just where the food is coming from.

#4 Join a Co-Op or Buying Club:

Pooling your purchasing power with other like-minded consumers is a great way to save on fresh food. If you can’t find such a club in your area, consider starting one!

#5 Check Out the Bulk Section:

We already discussed buying bulk — as in “large quantities.” In addition, many stores have bulk sections with loose items such as buckwheat groats and oats that you can buy at a cheaper rate than if they were pre-packaged.

#6 Make Your Own Stock:

I recommend making your own stock not only for the added health benefits, but also because it can save you money. You can make homemade bone broth by using every last part of the chicken or by using beef bones. This prevents any waste when you are making your dog’s food and serves two purposes. Your dog can enjoy the meat from the chicken or beef and then enjoy the stock once cooked.

#7 Choose Snacks Wisely:

If you enjoy giving your dog a healthy snack during the day, you can do so without breaking the bank. Not only will making your own snacks save you money (see my recipes for healthy, delicious ideas!), but you can do so by using many of the ingredients you already have on hand, such as gluten-free flour, canned pumpkin, coconut oil or applesauce. Plus, YOU control where the ingredients in your dog’s treats come from, which provides peace of mind.

#8 Don’t Waste:

If you are making dinner for your family and there are leftover dog-safe items such as green beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts or lean meat, you can save them and add them to your dog’s meal the following day. If we are really mindful of the amount of food we toss each day, you would be amazed at how much money you could save. Just be sure that the leftover food is safe for your dog and does not contain unsafe ingredients such as onions or onion powder and that it is not high in oil or fat.

Adding even 20% more homemade food versus commercial pet food to your dog’s diet is an excellent step in the right direction. If you are ready to cook for your dog on a regular basis and want to save money, try implementing some of these tips and see just how much you can save each week.

If you use any these tips, let me know how they work for you, and please feel free to share your own money-saving ideas in the comments below!

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