Woman batch cooks her dog's meals for less than £10 a week

tanya, her dog ember and the food
Tanya didn’t realise how easy it was to make her own dog food (Picture: @ember_and_rufus / CATERS NEWS)

We’re all looking for ways we can cut back at the moment – especially with Christmas just around the corner .

One savvy dog owner has come up with a thrifty way to save the pennies.

In the same way you can batch cook human food, Tanya Lowe cuts the cost of her dog food by making it from scratch.

The 26-year-old boils different vegetables and blends them with cooked meat, before freezing it.

Each of Tanya’s batches last for two weeks and cost around £17.95 – a huge saving from the £126 per fortnight she was spending before.

The vegetables and meat cost around £8.95 and they are mixed with the dry dog biscuits (£9 for 15kg).

Tanya and Ember
One happy doggo (Picture: @ember_and_rufus / CATERS NEWS)
Tanya decided to make her own dog food due to one of her canine’s fussy eating. She said: ‘Every three months, I was having to try new brands because Ember, who is a Labrador cross, would turn her nose up.

‘She is so fussy which is strange for a Labrador as they love food.

‘I didn’t even know it was possible to cook your own dog food until my husband Stuart researched it.’

INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOUR PET: Have you ever wondered why your dog curls up in a ball when they sleep? It’s actually an age-old instinct to keep themselves warm and to protect vital organs while they sleep.

Since March this year, Tanya has been boiling broccoli, sweet potato, asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, potatoes and carrots in a huge pot each week. She then adds meat, which varies every week – depending what’s in the reduced section.

The mix is blended and divided into 14 containers and one is used every two days to feed the dogs three times per day.

the containers
One is used every two days (Picture: @ember_and_rufus / CATERS NEWS)
She said: ‘We’ve not had a problem with Ember at all. For the first time in three years, she actually sits next to me and wags her tail when I am plating up their food.

‘Whereas before, she was not fazed and would often sniff the tinned food and walk off.

‘I am so happy to have found a food that Ember likes and save £220 per month.

‘With the uncertainty of this year, every bit of saving helps.’

Tanya hopes to educate other people about the benefits of home-cooked dog food.

She added: ‘A lot of people – like myself – didn’t even know it was possible. The dogs are still getting their protein, carbohydrates and vegetables – but for less.

Ember’s weight previously fluctuated and we had to increase her walks. But now she maintains a healthy weight and always wipes her bowl clean.’

Teach Your Children to Ask Permission Before Petting a Strange Dog. There are 4.5 million dog bites in America each year, half of which happen to children. Make sure to teach your children to ask permission before petting any strange dogs.

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