Prey Model Raw

One of the most popular comments we get when we explain we feed raw to our dogs is “that must cost you a LOT”.  If you’re resourceful and smart about how you feed raw it can be done MUCH cheaper than any quality kibble.  We pay, on average, about $0.60/pound for all of the meat we feed our dogs (and cats).  This include the more exotic meats like Elk, Deer, Anetlope, and other game meat.

If getting started on RAW, breaking down your cost of meat and freezer space is VERY important especially if you have big dogs or multiple dogs.
Here is our breakdown for our dogs (we don’t include the cost of the cat…she gets the scraps LOL)

Finding a freezer is easier than you think, free ones are posted on craigslist all the time so I would say that cost is neglegible.

Here is a guide for determining how much freezer space you will need:

28 cu. ft. of freezer space for ~500 lbs. of meat
14 cu. ft. of freezer space for ~250 lbs. of meat
7 c u. ft. of freezer space for ~125 lbs. of meat

We have an upright freezer that is about 24 cu. ft. and we routinely buy ~300# of meat at a time. We could fit much more considering we package our meat into containers that hold 2-3 days worth of meat.

300# of meat usually will last about a month and a half or two.

We have 4 dogs that weigh:

Shiloh: 65
Emmy: 65
Akasha (currently growing): 65
Bailey: 115

We buy meat that is on average (adding up all the costs of the different meats we buy and dividing by the # of meats) 60-75 cents per pound

Shiloh, Emmy and Akasha all cost us ~ $1 per day to feed

Bailey costs us ~$2 per day to feed

The meats we buy on a regular basis:

chicken backs, turkey necks, beef heart, pork ribs, pork roasts, whole tilapia, pollock fillets, lamb ribs, beef liver, chicken liver, beef kidneys, etc.

This breakdown does not include all the free meat that we have found to come in contact with (trust me its out there, ya just gotta know where and how to look for it

So, looking at the breakdown, is RAW worth it???

Our beloved mutt eating the carcass from a turkey we carved up and served the dogs the past 2 days

Contrary to popular belief, raw fowl bones (turkey, chicken, etc) are perfectly fine for your dogs to eat.  Only cooked bones have the potential to splinter and cause issues.