Breakdown of Cost

[DaneMama]

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???

[Lynn In Tenn]

That is some fine information Natalie. Thanks alot.

[DaneMama]

Thanks. I was just thinking about how many people ask me how much it costs us to feed our troops raw. They are taken aback when we tell them that we feed them all for so cheap.

And that breakdown is is based on the high end of our cost

[spookychick13]

More than worth it!

Saved money on vet bills!

[GoldenGirl]

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???

WOW - what a great post. It's an eye opener and a definite reason to switch. Where do you typically buy all the meat?

Thanks for the great info.

- Jean

[jdatwood]

WOW - what a great post. It's an eye opener and a definite reason to switch. Where do you typically buy all the meat?

Thanks for the great info.

- Jean

We buy from a company called Harvest Meat Company here in Denver
Welcome to Harvest Meat Company!

They have locations across the US

San Diego
Sacramento
Phoenix
Denver
Dallas/Fort Worth
Kansas City
Sioux City
Orlando
Portland
Los Angeles

You can try looking for a similar distributor or find a co-op in your area

[harrkim120]

We buy from a company called Harvest Meat Company here in Denver
Welcome to Harvest Meat Company!

They have locations across the US

San Diego
Sacramento
Phoenix
Denver
Dallas/Fort Worth
Kansas City
Sioux City
Orlando
Portland
Los Angeles

You can try looking for a similar distributor or find a co-op in your area

I'm picking up my order from them tomorrow. So excited!!! lol

[danesandhorses]

Wow, thanks! I am looking in to switching to raw for at least one of my Danes. After I saw your cost I might switch them all! I spend way more per day per dog. They are currently eating Solid Gold kibble and Merrick and Evangers canned.

Diesel is having some skin issues, they lady I purchase my food from recommended the honest kitchen, Its really a great food but he doesnt like it. I have been adding raw chicken and giving him a turkey neck which he loves but still wont eat the other food! I am going to try raw and see how he does on that. He is a 10 month old Dane. He is just over 34", I havent weighed him for awhile. He has lost a bit of weight since he doesnt like his food. Any recomendations?

[DaneMama]

Nice to see you post up!!! Hope all the Danes and horses are all doing well!

I highly, highly recommend following this guide to get him started. You will really need to use the tough love approach to get him used to raw foods.

How to get started feeding a Prey Model Raw Diet | Prey Model Raw

[RCTRIPLEFRESH5]

We have 4 dogs that weigh:

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

are those numbers in kilograms or are your dogs puppies?

ETA-10/2009