I have a difficult decision to make

[IslandPaws4Raw]

You had better not disappear missy, I, for one, will be really, really annoyed if you do.
To be honest, I often wondered how you could afford to feed raw, but decided you must be independently wealthy. Or, you were a rich mans plaything. :D
But, I'd give up almost anything to live where you do, it's as close to paradise as you can get.
Whenever we were meant to leave Fl and go over, friends there were always asking us to bring vast quantities of mainly paper towels and beer, it's a price sticker shock for us spoilt so and so's back here, thats for sure.
So what, you have to go back to kibble, your pup's are still being fed better than 95% of the dogs in the world, I wouldn't stress about it at all. Now, if you had decided to go with Pedigree, there would have been a posse sent out to hunt you down, but you are safe for now!
Just make sure you still stick around, with periodic photo's, ok?

OMG Penny! You just made my day.......rich man's plaything don't I wish....... then I would have a couple horses as well as a freezer full of buffalo. Pedigree indeed.......I would fully expect a lynch mob for that one

[wolfsnaps88]

Sorry to hear but I totally understand. I made the decision to only feed my smallest raw. I have been getting guilt tripped by my other dogs. Doesn't mean in the future, we can't go back to raw. Times are just tough right now and we have to manage until things get a little better, that's all. The kibble you have looks excellent though. Let us know how they do on it. Just because someone doesn't feed their dogs raw doesn't mean the dog will keel over dead.

The bahamas.....oh one can dream...... ;)

[rannmiller]

I know many of us have been in this position unfortunately. I know I went through a period where I couldn't afford to feed the dogs more than chicken leg quarters and liver every other week. I'm lucky now that I've got a better-paying job and am more stable in my life, but I would've gone back to kibble if I had to so I don't blame you in the slightest, especially with prices like that! You will do the best you can for your pets and that's all they ask of us

That kibble looks pretty darn good, I think your pups will do great on it!

[JayJayisme]

If I were in your shoes, I'd feed "chicken, ground turkey, sardines and eggs" as you stated. I still think that is better than any kibble by far. Add some offal now and then, and maybe a beef rib or pork every once in awhile when you can score a deal.

I think a lot of folks here confuse "balanced diet" with "variety". It's a natural human thing to do, after all, "variety is the spice of life", right? But in reality, most dogs in the wild don't get much variety at all. They live in certain areas where the prey they have access to is usually predominate, so that is what they usually eat (such as rabbits). Even primitive humans had a similar situation. They ate what was available where they were, which rarely afforded much variety. There were no supermarkets full of exotic or imported foods. That is a modern concept. Still, they somehow achieved balance.

The whole "balanced diet" thing that everyone worries about is a product of the pet food manufacturing consortium, and is designed to allow them to justify the myriad of useless ingredients in their products all in the name of a "balanced diet". But the reality is that carnivores need very little variety to achieve balance in their diet. There are many raw feeders who are successful on nothing other than chicken. I say stick with "chicken, ground turkey, sardines and eggs" and enjoy your dog's good health!

[Dude and Bucks Mamma]

Really, my guys only get chicken, beef heart, liver and kidney. We go for variety when we can but there aren't things on sale very often. I can't imagine feeding kibble again but if I were to face your decision I would do the same as you. Don't feel bad. They will still be getting one raw meal every day!

[Cliffdog]

I'm sorry you're going through this tough time. :( If I was you I'd switch to kibble and just add RMBs once a week or so for dental health. You do what you can... nobody can expect more than that.

[IslandPaws4Raw]

If I were in your shoes, I'd feed "chicken, ground turkey, sardines and eggs" as you stated. I still think that is better than any kibble by far. Add some offal now and then, and maybe a beef rib or pork every once in awhile when you can score a deal.

I think a lot of folks here confuse "balanced diet" with "variety". It's a natural human thing to do, after all, "variety is the spice of life", right? But in reality, most dogs in the wild don't get much variety at all. They live in certain areas where the prey they have access to is usually predominate, so that is what they usually eat (such as rabbits). Even primitive humans had a similar situation. They ate what was available where they were, which rarely afforded much variety. There were no supermarkets full of exotic or imported foods. That is a modern concept. Still, they somehow achieved balance.

The whole "balanced diet" thing that everyone worries about is a product of the pet food manufacturing consortium, and is designed to allow them to justify the myriad of useless ingredients in their products all in the name of a "balanced diet". But the reality is that carnivores need very little variety to achieve balance in their diet. There are many raw feeders who are successful on nothing other than chicken. I say stick with "chicken, ground turkey, sardines and eggs" and enjoy your dog's good health!

So true JayJay. I wasn't at all worried about the "balanced diet thing" until those pork prices went through the roof. I need at least one main meat choice other than poultry, because Ari will start to get itchy eating chicken every day. I am looking into working with a meat supplier in Miami to bring in my own cheap cuts of meat. Stuff like cushion pork roasts, heart, beef heart, cheek meat etc. If I could get bulk items at under $1 lb over there I think I could ship it in myself at a cost I can manage. I just have to get that freezer now if I can make this option attractive to the hubby.

[MollyWoppy]

Shipping in meat did cross my mind, but you'd have to get it a a really low base price to make it work. Hopefully you can......good luck!

[Bluey]

My dog did just fine doing 1/2 raw and 1/2 high end kibble. Even if you can do some RMB every once in awhile, you are still giving them a treat. You do what you can. Things may change 6 months to a year from now. Ba gillions of dogs have done just great w/ kibble all these years. It is what it is.