Feeding Your Pets A Raw Diet Is Too Expensive: Ten Ways To Feed Raw On A Budget

You're here because you want to provide the best food to your beloved furriends, but feeding your pets a raw diet is too expensive!  Before we get to the ten ways to feed raw on a budget, there are a couple things to consider when it comes to selecting budget friendly proteins.

First, know that feeding your pets a fresh bowl of raw food is the very best way to provide them with nutrients that will keep their immune system functioning at peak form, allowing their body to move freely without perpetual inflammation, and keeping their skin and coat soft and moisturized from the inside out.  

Second, there are varying degrees of quality when it comes to selecting raw proteins.  When shopping on a budget, you'll likely have to make a choice between purchasing grain fed/feed lot raised proteins and grass fed/pasture raised proteins.

Let's discuss the differences between those proteins now.

Grain Fed Proteins: This type of protein is widely available in every supermarket, butcher shop and restaurant supply store.  The cost of grain fed protein is often significantly less, making this a more budget friendly option - especially for those feeding  many pets or large breed pets.  

Grain Fed Protein: The Inferior Choice

Over time, our soil has become depleted in natural nutrients from heavy farming.  The crops we're growing on repeat (corn, soy, wheat and other carbohydrates that are fed to grain fed and feed lot animals) have sucked nutrients out, without allowing beneficial microbes, vegetation decomposition and other natural cycles of replenishment within the soil to take place.  When we grow grains this way, and then feed them to the animals that will be butchered for consumption, the meat from these animals is depleted in natural nutrients, as well.  Specifically, trace minerals and omega fatty acids are wildly imbalanced.  When our carnivorous pets consume this meat, they too will receive less than what they need, in addition to receiving an unhealthy amount of omega 6 fatty acid.  This is when it would be worthwhile to include a trace mineral supplement and/or additional omega 3 fatty acids into the diet.  

Pasture Raised & Grass Fed Protein: The Ultimate Choice

Selecting protein that comes from animals raised on pasture provides more nutrients - trace minerals and higher ratio of omega 3 fatty acids.  This is the ultimate choice when feeding pets with skin and joint concerns especially.  Choosing a protein that has been fed an appropriate diet of natural grasses (not pellets created from over-farming) means that our carnivorous pets receive the abundance of trace minerals and a healthy ratio of omega fatty acids that simply is not present in grain fed proteins.  

Now that there's some clarity there, let's discuss how to shop for your carnivorous pets on a budget!  Remember - variety is your best friend.  Choose a wide range of proteins and change this up regularly!

1. Visit your local ethnic supermarket.  Check the fresh fish section, the fresh meat section and the freezer section!  You'll likely find all sorts of unique secreting proteins, like brain, eyes, spleen and more!  Most often, these will come from grain fed animals.  If it isn't mentioned, assume grain fed.  
2. Visit your local farmers market.  Tell the farmer what you're looking for, how much you'll need and how often.  Ask them what the BEST price is that they can do and tell them you'll come back regularly.  Let them know this isn't a one-off and they'll gladly provide what you need.  This is your best bet for finding grass fed/pasture raised proteins at a good price.  And it comes with the security of knowing your farmer and potentially even visiting the farm to see how the animals are raised!
3. Join local raw feeding groups on social media.  This can be a great source for those looking to buy from a co-op.  Often, raw feeding groups will organize a bulk pickup from a farm or raw food producer, saving money for all involved.
4. Explore classified ads!  Pop onto good old Craigslist or the FB Marketplace and type in the word "meat" and see what pops up.  (Caution!  Sometimes people aren't selling actual meat... just be advised!  Craigslist is a bit like the Wild West these days!)  You might find farmers clearing out old stock or even farms just looking for a customer base!
5. Post in these classified ads!  Create a post, keep it simple and direct.  Tell people what you're looking for - and if you're on a strict budget, you might opt to specifically say you're looking for freezer burnt meat or meat from last season's hunting.  People will often gladly GIVE this away to make space and prevent it from going to waste!  
6. Connect with a local soup kitchen or charitable donation center.  There is likely "old" meat in their freezer, or packages that have arrived to them in damaged condition.  You might consider donating time to their cause in exchange for excess donated meat.
7. Contact your local hunting club.  Even if you're not a hunter yourself, there are many out there who enjoy hunting and would be glad to provide various parts to you, often for free!  Let the club know you're a raw feeder and looking for a way to honor the whole animal while providing your pets with the best quality protein.  You might consider making a donation of your time to help them in exchange.
8. Shop at restaurant supply stores.  This is great for those not worried about the source of the proteins, but looking to buy in larger quantities without the hassle of making relationships, posting on social media or volunteering.  The cost here will be a little higher than the other mentioned options.
9. Visit your local butcher shop and let them know what you're doing, what you'll need and how often.  Ask them what the very best price is that they can offer you.  
10. Visit your local fish monger and let them know what you're doing, what you'll need and how often.  As them what the very best price is that they can offer to you.  They might even be willing to give things to you if you can pick up regularly.  This is where you'll receive things like fish heads, trim meat and skins.  Choose wild caught over farm raised whenever possible when it comes to fish.

There you have it, ten ways to feed raw on a budget.  Whether you're new to raw feeding or a seasoned professional, these ten ways to feed raw on a budget will help you when times get tough.  

Have you found yourself in a position where you've considered going back to kibble before?  What did you do to avoid that?  Share your favorite tips with us in the comments!