Cost of feeding a raw diet? - Page 1

I have been feeding raw for about 2 years and am very happy with the results.  I was wondering if some of the other people on the forum could comment on what it costs them to feed raw.  I have a 2 yr old male who eats about 2 1/2 to 3 lbs a day.  My 9 year old female eats about 1 1/2 lbs per day.  Both dogs are high end, high drive  working line dogs and I do work the male regularly.  The female is retired although I still track and do obedience with her. 

I feed chopmeat 80/20, 20% being fat, which I buy by the 80lb case at Sam's.  The chopmeat costs @ $1.40 a lb.  I also use chicken wings, @ $1.20 a lb by the case.  I add raw eggs with the shell 2-3 times a week, yogurt, cottage cheese and a vegetable puree.  I mixed in organ meat, raw mear\ty bones, & chicken necks.  I also add rice or oatmeal, less than 20% of the total weight of the meal.  Meat is at least 60% of the entire meal.  I am trying to find a local source of green tripe, any suggestions?  I am figuring it costs me about $1 to $1.25 per lb on average.  So this is costing almost $  5 to 6 dollars per day for two dogs on the low side. 

I would appreciate any suggestions on what other raw diets people feed and what it costs.

Jim

I sent you a pm

I was feeding raw for a while and LOVED it, but since being laid off of my job, I had to switch back to Royal Canin.

Willi Ortner got me started on K-9 Kraving www.k9kraving.com and he started using it because the cost is less than having to mix everything yourself, and it is fully balanced, he does add some extra meat some days, like hamburger, and an egg couple of times a week.

This is shipped from the mid-west and after shipping we are paying about $1.45 a pound.  My male was eating 2 pounds a day plus big meaty beef rib back bones from the grocery store at .99 a pound which they have now gone up to $1.20 a pound!

Anyhow you may to check them out, there are several people here in Nor Cal who feed it and are very happy with the results.

For me, it averages ~$100/dog.  Yes, this is pricey--the trade-off is no vet bills.

Now, if I were feeding largely chicken leg quarters (from Walmart), I could save a mint. However, because I have one dog that does not tolerated chicken well, it's easier for me to feed everyone the same protein sources (turkey, beef, pork--occasionally, fish). I vary the total amount fed according to the caloric needs of each dog.

I also feed Oma's Pride frozen meats purchased from a dealer in my town. In additon to the beef/veggie mix, I love the Performance Dog (actually made by Bravos): beef, green tripe, trachea, ground bone.

I also mix in a little of the Honest Kitchen "Embark" and EVO "Red Meat" small bite kibble in the morning meal along with a raw egg.

Just a small correction to the K-9 Kraving link  www.k-9kraving.com/

Hello Louise, I have held off feeding the drumsticks and leg quarters.  Your dogs have no problem eating those larger bones?  I have fed turkey necks and turkey wings which are large bones without any problems in the past.  I was hesitant to feed the quarters.  Heck, I could buy whole chickens for .69 cents a lb.  and feed my male 1/2 a chicken.  That would certainly be cheaper.  I would like to get the cost to around a $1 a lb. 

Jim

It costs me about $90. mo. to mix myself and feed Jed's raw diet recipe. I musr say, he looks & feels wonderful on it.

SS

 This is my first post so excuse my ignorance. I know that feeding a raw diet is supposed to be superior to dog food but how about cooked (human) food? The reason I ask is because I have access to a lot of left-over chicken cutlets. roast beef, cheese burgers, ham, bacon etc... I also have access to cooked vegetables, potatoes, rice etc... I am not looking to stop using dry dog food but to supplement it.  Is this a good idea and if so in what amount?

I have been feeding raw for almost 10 years now and have worked hard to find the deals on prices while still feeding good quality meats.  I would look to see if there are an raw feeding co op's in your area.  I joined one about 2 hours from me and am able to get some really good deals on some types of meat, tripe, etc... Even with the occassional drive to pick up food, the price is cheap.  Also check with any butchers, hotel/restaurant suppliers in your area, wholesalers, etc...  We pay $.14/lb for chicken backs/necks, $.10/lb for turkey meat chunks, and anywhere from $.15-1.99/lb for organ meats, muscle meats, other cuts, etc....

We actually save a lot of money by feeding raw.  We would be spending much more to feed a decent quality kibble.

You also feed LESS raw as there is no filler in the food like there is with kibble.

I think prices also vary from area to area.  I have spoken with some raw feeders in CA who are jealous of the prices I pay and say they cannot find anything near that cheap.

 a side question but I think on topic. Why can't you just shoot a deer,elk, bear, whatever you have handy, cut it up, freeze what's not eaten right away and feed from that? throw in some meat, some bones each day or two  and call it good?

Will the dog get sick if it's done this way?

If I should go start a topic on this tell me and I will. I'm not sure why raw feeding is complicated and expensive.