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Examples of RAW diet on a budget

Discussion in 'Health & Nutrition' started by Michael., Apr 12, 2016.

  1. Michael.

    Michael. Big Dog

    I read a lot of stories and people make it sound as if feeding raw is not as expensive, or just as expensive as feeding premium kibble. But not everyone knows a butcher or has a butcher shop that will sell scraps nearby.

    So I have two dogs. One Bully who is 90lbs and an APBT who is about 33lbs.

    Does anyone have any examples, or a list of what I would need to make enough food to last a month? I buy a 30lb bag of food probably once every 3 weeks i'd say and it is about 60$. I would like to see examples or a "how to" of sorts when it comes to creating this meal plan. Thanks!
     
  2. Mop Master

    Mop Master Yard Boi AKA MopMaster, Gutter Boy & LWG

    Pm me ill get back to you....no tim rite now...
     
  3. slim12

    slim12 Super Moderator Staff Member

    Lots of topics on here. Use the search feature for some good points.


    I feed a modified raw diet. I have done so for a number of years. RAW can be fed along the same lines as premium bag food. The issue for most with raw feeding is the time and pre-work that is involved. A bag can sit in the corner and scooped out at your discretion. Really convenient.


    RAW has extra costs that do not always get factored in, such as seeing a killer sale across town that you did not have any plans on making that run. Time and gas costs. Next is storage. Freezer space is a must to make it anywhere close to being along the lines as premium bag food.


    This is what I do. It is not perfect but it is better than straight bag feeding, but still offers the conveniences of dry food as I work a lot of long days.


    A leg quarter or two, or a couple three chicken backs
    a veggie mix of greens (sometimes I juice them, the juice for me, the pulp for them)
    a heaping spoon of lard
    twice cooked brown rice
    a oil pill (fish/krill)
    a 1/2 multivitamin


    In the winter months I make the veggie mix, the lard, fish grease, rice combination with dry food into a wet warm soup mix. This is the feeding at night. The chicken parts in the morning.


    if one just factors in the cost of the food being fed it is in alignment with premium bag food. Factor in hitting different spots to take advantage of sales, constantly being on alert for the next great deal, pre-mixing food on Sunday to last thru the long work days coming up, and then storing the food for the week. Refrigerators cost and also cost to run. All the while that bag of food sits in the corner all by its lonesome.


    All that is easy with one or two dogs. Get three and then four and more and more and the inconveniences of RAW begin to challenge going the other way. Most either lower the number of dogs or switch back to feeding from a bag.


    Best of luck.


    S
     
  4. GK1

    GK1 Big Dog

    Post above via slim12 is sensible and a confirmation of my opinion on this important topic.

    ---
    You can find whole prey model diets online you can experiment with. Each dog is different in caloric requirements and digestive ability. Difficult to calculate cost, in my experience. Yesterday's bony, fatty chicken parts, canned mackerel and greasy pork neck bones may be relatively cheap per pound at the market, but are these as nutritious per pound as bison or salmon… If I had to bet, probably not.

    - No bagged/processed dog food or supplement comes close in nutritional value to fresh, raw meat (muscle, organ, bone); poultry, fish, eggs. But I am not against a quality kibble.

    I have only two dogs (67lb GSD, 44lb APBT), and I am a raw feeder. Partially anyhow. These girls are active, well exercised and man they eat. I have kibble (Orijen) on hand, and I add to it: raw eggs, raw meat, cooked meat, veggies, yogurt and lots of other stuff. Whatever is available/affordable to me. I’ll finish their 24 hour fast today with a meaty raw beef knuckle bone for both of them. I got a big bag of these pretty cheap at an Asian market.

    My dogs are healthy, fit and energetic. They are family members and I feed them likewise. It's not an inexpensive proposition - no matter which way you go.
     
  5. frogs

    frogs Big Dog

    78 lb. Dog, split into two feedings a day.

    1lb. ground chuck
    1/2 lb. chicken necks
    1/2 lb. chicken hearts
    1/2 cup beef liver
    1 soft boiled egg.
    1tbls. yogurt
    2 tbsp olive oil

    I add Vionate (vitamins/minerals) at random, and withhold it every week for a couple days so certain things in it don't build up over time.

    Money wise, it equals out to almost the same as high dollar kibble.
     
  6. slim12

    slim12 Super Moderator Staff Member

    Very true, but the fat content is important was well. Sometimes the fattier cuts serve better than the leaner more expensive cuts. A lean cut of Bison is awesome, but a slab of cow cheek will serve the dog better when working.


    But I agree the dogs diet has to be a good fit for the owner as well. Anyone can type on here what is perfect for the dog, but fitting that into real life is sometimes not feasible.


    Like for me, I feed as much raw type as I can. Factor in the number of dogs, the work schedule and time for prep work dictates how I feed.


    My dogs do best during the winter months. I get 'left over freezer stuff' from last hunting season, and then lots of deer parts during hunting season. I can let the deer meat be the protein source and then use my cash to ramp the oils and fats. I can also up the quality of the dry food by saving with the deer meat.


    it is not perfect by any means. It works for me and at the same time I understand it may not be a good fit for the next guy. I then look/read at what the next guy is doing and see how it can help me. Like a constant evolvement.


    S
     
  7. frogs

    frogs Big Dog

    Edit to my post above, that's ground beef, not chuck.
     
  8. slim12

    slim12 Super Moderator Staff Member

    I was thinking 'bump the dogs', let's fire up the grill. LOL.


    S






     
  9. frogs

    frogs Big Dog

    Funny you say that, that's exactly what I do. Just so happens I feed my fish shrimp (lg. peacock bass/red tail cat), so when in a pinch when I'm hungry, I can always make a burger and a side of shrimp.
     
  10. Michael.

    Michael. Big Dog

    Wow, great information! I really appreciate the feedback!
     
  11. Michael.

    Michael. Big Dog

    Thanks, I figured it ain't cheap lol but I do buy high quality kibble so I would imagine that the cost may be comparable.
     
  12. slim12

    slim12 Super Moderator Staff Member

    Short story long it takes a lot of time and effort to make the price comparable. Stopping by the store and picking up a bag, and storage at best is dumping in a bin of sorts. Some just set the bag in the corner. Factor that convenience in and high end kibble is hard to beat based on money and time. Toss out the time and effort factor and raw is the way to go, hands down.


    There is a fine line where personal preference swings the pendulum.


    S
     

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