Fit as a butcher's dog...

[IsisOhIsis]

Odd one but I was wondering if I could go to my local butchers and ask for some bones or offal for my boy? I don't want to look stupid if this is something that's Not Done, but it would be great if I could get some for free or for pennies. Anyone do this?

Bones definitely, but offal? I wouldn't have thought the butcher would be willing to give away anything he could sell such as liver or kidneys. Do butchers still have things such as the lights (lungs) or are all the things humans don't generally eat taken away in the abattoir?

That's probably not terribly helpful Isis. Think it also depends on how well you know the butcher and if you are a regular customer. I think most butcher will give bones to their regulars, not sure walking into a shop you've never been into before and asking for freebies is going to work though, unless you're very brave :).

I get all my bones from the local butcher for free but I buy chicken from him in bulk for my dogs. Most butchers will sell them really cheap as they have to pay to get rid of them.You can get bones really cheap in Morrisons. Offal such as hearts are also cheap. If you have a local meat market you can get some really cheap offal the one in Sheffield also sells chicken lungs.

My butcher, gives me bones, but I also buy heart and liver from him.
He can't get me green tripe as they are only allowed foods fit for human consumption.....would lungs fall in the same category as green tripe?

I get my bones and offal cheaply from Morrisons. Last week I got enough to feed my dog for nearly 3 weeks for about £4 including some mince.

I buy bones and chicken carcasses mostly...bones I get for a pound a bad and chicken for a pound a kg.

They sell liver and kidney anyway - and I can't see why heart would be an issue, Morrison's sells it. I don't buy it because my dog won't eat it, lol.

Thanks all, I will buy some other things and then ask if he has any bones going cheap! He might chuck them in for free :D Will also check out Morrisons.

I been to two different local butchers and got chicken carcasses, other bits and pieces of chicken, also hearts. One butcher also had beef ribs - but no lamb or pork ribs. Need to visit again tomorrow so fingers crossed. Also charged about a £1 per lb weight. Another butcher I visited had run out of stuff - he said he can't keep up with demand!

Wish we had a Morrison's around here (one coming soon hopefully not too far away) cos everyone says they have "bones for stock" on sale v cheaply which are good for dogs.

50p for frozen chicken livers in Waitrose, cheaper than butchers, frozen Nature's Menu 100% tripe from Pets@Home 2kg for £4.99 (I think), also bought from P@H 400g frozen packs of turkey, rabbit and lamb (also around a £1 per pack), cheap chicken wings/drumsticks when on offer in Sainsbury's.

All our local butchers will give bones away to customers who ask for them. Think you need to be buying other stuff though. Our main one offers a selection based on the size of dog and how fussy they are. They're our favourite butcher.

My local butcher lets me have a bag of bones for 50p. I'm building up to asking him about other grisly bits for the hounds.

You can ask, but he may not give them out free. I would offer to buy them if I were you. They get loads of people asking this, and they tend to save them for the good customers who actually buy their meat regularly, rather than non-customers just wanting something for nothing.

My butcher collects up all his offcuts,scrap etc & makes pet mince so you get human grade food for pennies (under £3 for a fortnights worth) Ialso get free bags of chicken bones from him.

oops meant to add my dog loves the mince as it varies in content week on week so good variety.