[Brenda]

Saw a great question about how to feed dogs cheaply. I’ve the same question about cats. They are old, greedy and fussy and the food is very expensive.

[Amanda]

Purina one. 16lb bag is around $30 and last me 2 months feeding based on my cats calorie needs. I have a food obsessed cat. She gets measured servings from an automatic cat feeder.

My other cat doesn’t eat so same bag of food for her last 4 months as she has a microchip cat door programmed to only her so the fat cat can’t eat her food.

[Jane]

Just don’t get an animal if you can’t afford to take care of it properly. Cheap food is not taking good care of them.

[Shauna]

If you are making the correct food for your animals it’s more than likely not cheaper. If your home made food for your pets is cheaper then there’s a good chance you aren’t meeting their nutritional needs and doing a lot of harm.

Useful: How do I get rid of cat & dog smell in my house?

[Kristin]

Why have a pet if you can’t feed them properly?

[Blair]

Damn guys. I saw the headline and thought I would get an idea of something to supplement our hella expensive royal canin diet but instead I read a ton of hate. It doesn’t sound like the OP is trying to do any harm, just looking for ideas.

That said, OP- when one of mine was sick the vet told us boiled chicken mixed into a but of rice. It seemed a bit cheaper than the stuff we usually use & the cat thought it was a treat.

[Mi’Chelle]

I don’t skimp on my baby’s food. What goes in the body determines our health as well as theirs.

[Tiffany]

We feed our dogs and cat what we eat lots with the kibbles to make the kibble go further. Like any meat scraps, safe veg and left over rice and noodles. But be safe and do your research because some stuff isn’t safe for animals

[Elizabeth]

I may be hated for this comment since everyone on the internet has some opinion on animal food: feed the best you can reasonably afford. Make sure it follows AAFCO guidelines.

[Pauline]

Cats can be fussy with food. It’s because we pamper them. Years ago, I watched a program on cat food marketing. The reason they have so many flavors is because as soon as the cat snubs his nose at a meal, we humans give them an alternative.

My cat gets one flavor of soft food and one flavor of crunchy food. If he doesn’t eat it, it goes to the chickens.

I promise you, your cat won’t starve himself. He’ll happily eat what you put in front of him once he’s skipped a meal or two. My cat is going on 14 and has learned to eat what is served.

Hope this helps

Explore these too: What does everyone use for flea and tick protection for your animals?

[Kathleen]

Lots of people don’t even feed their cats (barn cats) they live long lives hunting and catching their food. I do feed my cats dry cat food daily even my outside only rescue cats!

And honestly if they are old feed them what they will eat! My vet has even told me this! If chicken works and is cheaper feed them chicken!

[Mary]

I once fed my dog the ole Roy wet food. It gave her pancreatic illness. She was so sick and in hospital at vet for a week. Don’t cheap out

[Sheila]

We feed whatever name brand is on sale for morning feeding and a store brand for evening feeding. Meow-Mix, Purina Cat Chow, Friskies, etc, and I watch weekly ads, coupon clip, etc.

Our kitties are fine, and our oldest is almost 20 years old, born here on our farm.

We have 12 cats and can’t afford premium food all the time. Yes, all are fixed, and most are barn cats, all fed 2x a day, and most were born to mama kitties who were dumped at our farm… sickening how often that happens, so we just do what we can to fix and feed them and they supplement with whatever they hunt.

Don’t forget to take a look at: Any advice or suggestions on healthy budget friendly dog food?

[Deb]

Cats need a primarily protein diet so they best you could do is add your leftover meat or very cheap meat.

One warning although they love it liver can be toxic to cats if they are given too much.

I think my vet told me I could give them a tablespoon or two every two weeks. I was so surprised when I found that out! But thinking about it birds and mice have very small livers and rabbits are not easily caught.

[Pamela]

There are some things that you can’t be frugal with. Pets are one of them. My cat has ‘intestinal issues’ with cheap food. So I but the healthiest food and yes it’s expensive. I would go without for myself before downgrading his food. I don’t get the ‘greedy’ part in your comment. Exactly how is a cat or a dog (or any pet) greedy?

[Donna]

Food has gotten very expensive. Problem is if you feed them cheap food it cost you in vet bills. Buy the cheapest you can find where first ingredient is meat and don’t buy grain free is what my research shows. You can make homemade “wet” food to go along with the dry. Google a recipe. It is MUCH cheaper than canned.

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