Calculating RAW Costs

[Crazy-Cat-Lover]

I buy all of my fish already frozen. I haven't bought any fresh fish yet, but I will definately take a look at the local butcher - their fish is always really fresh. Would canned salmon be better/safer?

[k9krazee]

Okay this is along the same lines...not trying to hijack your thread too much Jess

How much do you RAW feeders think you spend every week?? The kibble is running low and I'd like to start them on raw within the next week or so. I've been doing a lot of research lately...I'm just concerned about the cost. I've calculated that they would need about 5lbs of food a day (for one 95lb dog, two 20-25lb dogs, one 45lb, and one 8lb!) And it seems like it would get quite costly My mom is willing to give me only $10 a week (since thats what we're currently paying for kibble) and I'm sure I could chip in since I do have a job now, I was just curious the average amount you spend...

I think I'll visit the local butchers tomorrow asking for organs, chicken carcasses, necks and feet and see what I can do. We have a freezer packed with venison, but I really wanted to start them on chicken...but now I'm just thinking out loud, sorry

[Aspen and Misty]

Kind of along the same lines as this thread...

How many pounds should my dogs eat per day?

Konnor is a very Active 55 pound Golden/Shepherd mix

Nova is a lazy 65 pound Shiba Inu/Lab mix

Also, could I buy a pack of meat, like Chicken legs or some kind of Chicken and feed that for a week or so then buy another kind of meat and feed that for a week or so? If I do this, does anyone know if I could keep this kind of meat in a fridge? We have a mini fridge that we don't use that I know I could put the dog's meat in it. How long can meat stay good if kept in a fridge?

Thanks!

Ashley

[lv4dogs]

How much do you RAW feeders think you spend every week??

When I was feeding nothing but raw with my 3 (which wasn't too long ago either) I spent on the average about $10/week (every once in a while I spent up to about $25, usually only if I had extra money & wanted to get them some different kinds of meat).

But that was also when I had at least 3/4 of my freezer space just for them so I could buy more in bulk. At that time I was also getting a lot of venison for free, so I guess if I were to buy all my meat it would probably cost me about $5 extra a week.

Nanook & Raustyk weighed the same, 98lbs & 75 lbs and Kaige was a growing puppy so he ate a lot.



I will be feeding all raw once again in the near future and I think I have researched enough to know what I will be spending once again. I have less freezer space now & 1 more dog, Indy, weighing in at about 62lbs, Kaige weighs about 52lbs now. Granted I found a butcher who is saving me some "scraps" for free, possibly 25cents/lb. But I still have to buy just about everything else.
I will be spending about $15-$20/week. Once my friend & her daughter move out I will have more freezer space saving me about $5/week.

[bckrazy]

For Gonzo, who eats all raw, and Fozzie, who eats half raw, I spend about $20-30 per month. Gonzo gets about .5 lbs a day, and Fozzie gets slightly less plus kibble. I don't buy anything over $1/lb that will make up a big part of their food intake, like Sarah. The most expensive meat that I buy is pre-made raw, Farmore, which costs less than $2/lb for me.

The best stores for good products with low prices are Albertson's, Costco, and the local butcher. The butcher sells a mix of RMB's at suuuper low prices, and all of the specialty stuff like tongue, feet, esophagus, etc.