I recently switched my 9 1/2 year-old dog to the BARF diet, cold turkey I might add with no problems. I've ordered 2 Billinghurst books from Ed and have read the K. Schultz one.
My question is....should I freeze the meat patties I make up with or without the veggies? I've been grinding my own backs and wings etc. I prefer to pre-grind the meat/bones/organs, etc. for convenience. But I pulp the fruit/veggies every 1 1/2 to 2 weeks. The first batch I mixed everything together, but now I'm thinking that I'll just freeze meat patties and add the other stuff later.
If anyone else makes patties or has suggestions please let me know.
Thanks a lot.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
P.S. A friend of mine is getting her first dog, a golden, from a BARF breeder. She is aiming to continue the BARF feeding program and just spent $200 on a fancy food processor. I guess BARF is really gaining popularity.

I freeze my stuff seperately. I don't grind though, so it isn't really an option. I have made "mini-meals" and frozen all the ingredients together for travel and they held up quite alright.

My mom makes patties for her dog-grinds meat and veggies separate, then mixes together and freezes. I mix mine right at mealtime. I don't think the dogs care much either way...
Here's my best reason for mixing last minute:
If I run out of dinner for ME, I don't have to eat a patty made out of organs, backs, and ground veggies and meat. I can just take out a nice piece of meat and a veggie from the selection at hand.
I can see that it's very convenient for my mom though, and much less hassle on trips.

So I am not the only one who eats the dog hamburger!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

What does it cost to feed a mature GSD per month?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I may change to BARF if it is cost effective.

Butch, it really depends on the dog and how cheap you can find the meat sources. For me it has worked out to be cheaper(I think) but I don't track every purchase and every supplement.

For me Chicken necks or backs are $.29/lb
Turkey Necks or Pork necks are $.49/lb
Chicken Livers $.69/lb

I buy sardines and tuna when it is on sale. Veggies aren't a huge portion of the diet and I just pick up HB when I see it marked down or when I hit Sam's club.

Most all of your "better" commercial dog foods are at least a $1.00/lb and the majority of that is filler.

Not to mention I know EXACTLY what is in my dogs bowl on any given day. Can't say that for dog food!

Deanna, try hamburger with gravy on rice and peas. Auster has learned to share <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> .

Melissa, I mix my veggies w/patties to make it more delectable for my pup (she's not that keen on veggies). My sister made the switch with her two dogs, one the same age as your dog. She also has done great. Unless your dog is missing teeth, don't take her fun away and grind the bones, she will love crunching them and it will clean her teeth. (my working dog who gets 'recreational bones' got a clean bill of health and excellent teeth at his yearly, while 3 of his 'collegues' all needed a dental!)

Butch, IMO the barf is cheaper, if you shop around. I ditto what Deanna stated, I know exactly what is in my dog's food. Telephone your local butchers and see who will give you the best deal on chix necks and backs in bulk. And shop the sales and reduced items. I just picked up 40 lbs. of whole chix leg quarters for 29cents a lb., ground pork for 59 cents and kingfish for 1.50 a lb. Variety! You will also find your dogs will be eating less due to their nutritonal
requirements being met.

I wish we had an album to post photos here (hint hint) so I could show off the positive influence of the diet.

Oh yeah, sometimes those leg quarters find their way to the BBQ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

A couple of tips on saving money on BARF diet- look in your yellow pages for meat wholesalers that supply restaurants etc. I can get 40lbs of chicken backs, necks whatever for 11.00 a box. It is one frozen chunk and kind of a pain to deal with but the price is right. They also have big boxes of meaty ribs at .29/lb., chicken heads (!) cheap of course. I mix ground veggies, garlic,ground meat, fruit whatever I have- sometimes a little rolled oats to hold it together- a week's worth at a time. Form it into meatballs and freeze. Each 'meatball' is about 1/2 c. so it's easy to divide up. One or two a day with the meaty bones and vitamins, oil etc. and it's easy to do. I spend less than when I bought premium dog food and the dogs are healthier.Someone else was asking about calcium-bone meal can be used or 1 dried eggshell equals 1 1/2 tsp.bone meal. Save all those eggshells!

Thanks for the replies.
As far as cost value goes....
I pay $35.00 with tax Cdn. for a 15lb. bag of Wellness kibble. Right now there is a store around the block that is selling chicken leg quarters at .59 cents lb (Cdn.). If the "bruised and battered" shelf in the produce isle has something that looks relatively appealing I'll buy that, but basically for veggies and fruits I just buy extra of what I buy for the house. I try to keep to seasonal produce, but in winter prices are more $$$ anyways in Ontario. Even local hothouse produce is pricey. Apples, carrots, root veggies and members of the cabbage family are relatively inexpensive here as they keep well. For greens kale or collards is great because you get a lot of "green" for the $$$, parsley is also great. I have my own rhubarb patch, plus I grow veggies and we have great farmer's markets here in the spring, summer, and fall.
I'm working out a deal with my friend who's getting the BARF fed golden puppy soon. We'll probably go in on a bigger order together.
All in all I believe it is cheaper to feed BARF than a commercial diet. And the health benefits are great too.
P.S. Rhubarb is very high in Vitamin C. It's very available in the spring, but NEVER feed the leaves. They're poisonous.