Quote:

Originally posted by Butch Crabtree:
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.

When I first looked into feeding a barf diet I learned very quickly that the saying "Pay Now OR Pay Later" applied when it comes to feeding your dog the best diet possible. I had a gsd for 9-1/2 years; not including food and regular vet bills and the bills for all the allergy problems I spent over $10k in that time in major vet bills. I now have 4 gsd's all on the barf diet and each of them has been since at least 8 weeks of age (some from the time they were weened) and I have yet to have any major vet bills (well, with the exception of one eating a ball that had to be retrieved out of his gut); but NO bills have been incurred due to health problems related to diet.

Currently I purchase a pre-made barf diet, and supplement with Buffalo bones (which are softer then beef bones and less likely to break teeth, not to mention that the eat the whole thing), chicken backs and necks, raw carrots (great for the teeth). I will also add meals of cottage cheese, yogurt or cooked eggs. I figure my total cost per day, per dog is about $1.25 - which is cheaper then if I went and purchased a premium dry dog food. And just too spoil them I train with popcorn! ;-)