I don't think you can really compare $/pound for raw food vs kibble. I think you should more compare cost per meal than cost per pound. And at that price when you compare the higher quality foods vs raw foods or home prepared meals the cost averages to damn near with I believe the home prepared meals being slightly cheaper.
High Protein Diets
- Thread starter Ann
- Start date
ClantyreSheltie
Forums Sage
You are right, to some extent. I actually did a spreadsheet before I started feeding raw (geek!
). I figured on cost per day, per dog. I figured out that if the cost of meat was less than $1.25 per pound, the cost of raw meat v. Orijens is the same. So as long as I keep under that, I am ahead of the kibble cost.Here is what I usually pay:
$ .49/lb - Chicken leg quarters (on sale)
$ .69/lb - Pork, usually shoulders (on Fridays)
$ 1.49/lb - Beef hearts (only about $25 per month, which is like 3 hearts)
$ 5.99/tub - Beef Tripe, two-ish per month
Free! - Venison meat and organs from hunter friends
Sometimes I splurge on strange things. Last month I found Tilapia steaks "previously frozen" for $2.50 per pound. People don't like freezer burn, but the dogs don't care. So I think half the fun is in finding the deals. It's like a scavenger hunt.
Could you please post the website that medically and scientifically shows you/me that Science Diet and the like have carcinogens in it? Those are extreme statements to make and rather offensive to be quite "politely frank" with you!
I don't believe everything I read from those dog food analysis websites, one could make themselves completely OCD with them. Therefore I take those websites with a grain of salt!
, I said grain and salt, oh no, 
.
, that is so funny...I am actually from Cali, and boy am I ever so toxic and full of chemicals, hehe!
take4roll10
Moderator
I don't believe everything I read from those dog food analysis websites, one could make themselves completely OCD with them. Therefore I take those websites with a grain of salt!
You are right and when choosing a dog food, I do search other sites for the pros and cons of ingredients. I take it all into consideration. For me personally, I do not like most of the ingredients in hill's prescription diet. It does not meet my standards for my puppy. Only if I have no other choice and can not find any other food to help my dog's problem, would I consider feeding it to my dog. Sometimes you have no other choice. Luckily for Bailey, california natural helped her sensitive stomach, so I was able to take her off of prescription diet I/D. It also is very expensive. I was paying over $2 for a can and she was eating a can a day. Now I pay $12 for CN and a bag lasts her over a month.
Anyway, to each his own. The great thing is we do have resources and can decide individually what is best for our pets.
The Quahog
Forums Enthusiast
Many of the 'Internet Axioms ' - That Rimadyl=death, that cortisone is poison, that Omega 3s cure atopy, that Hills' foods- Science Diet and prescription, are poor quality, that we still overvaccinate- are worthy of discussion and are good questions for your veterinarian that we are happy to address.
(Others, such as that alternative medicine is good and caring and that traditional medicine is all only about the money, or that veterinarians recommend kibble over BARF because they make more money off sick dogs(yes, that last is a common mantra on BARF boards) well, not so much.
)The problem occurs when people toss around these statements as if they were fully accepted common knowledge. Something doesn't become true because you heard it hundreds of times. And harm is done. When I see things like ' I'm so glad I found this board - I will take my dog off of S/D and use that natural diet,' I wonder which of those anonymous experts is going to show up to do the emergency surgery at midnight for the obstruction.
Advice from these type boards is well intentioned and often knowledgeable, and can certainly be excellent fodder for discussion - yes, we do prefer informed, educated clients, but much is agenda driven and should not be accepted as 'revealed truth.' - Dr. Mac
Ann
Moderator
Uncle!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Dr. Mac! We have done the food discussion to death on this Forum (see numerous threads under Food); it's something everyone is very passionate about, and everyone knows (or thinks they do) what is best for their dogs.
This thread was opened as an avenue for our esteemed vets, Dr. Mac and Dr. Shelly, and members, to discuss high protein diets and it has now gone far afield. It was not meant to discuss the virtues or failings of Hills vs. Science Diet vs. Raw vs. holistic foods.
Please stay on topic, people.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Dr. Mac! We have done the food discussion to death on this Forum (see numerous threads under Food); it's something everyone is very passionate about, and everyone knows (or thinks they do) what is best for their dogs.
This thread was opened as an avenue for our esteemed vets, Dr. Mac and Dr. Shelly, and members, to discuss high protein diets and it has now gone far afield. It was not meant to discuss the virtues or failings of Hills vs. Science Diet vs. Raw vs. holistic foods.
Please stay on topic, people.