For everyone who feeds raw

jaspersfam416 · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:00 pm Post subject: For everyone who feeds raw

Just out of curiosity, about how much do you spend a week on ingredients? What exactly do you feed your weims? I have been thinking about going raw but wanted to get an idea of what I would be getting myself into.

anne · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject:

This site has a lot of info
http://dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html

Price depends on how good of a shopper you are and what you have available near you, such as a raw feeding co-op. (Co-ops are listed on the site above). Since I don't really have time to pursue all the deals I'd say I spend about twice of what I'd spend on premium kibble.

You can find menus on the site (or linked from it) on that site as well. Most people feed chicken backs, necks or wings as a staple because of price.

BEANSnBERRY · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:47 pm Post subject:

I feed raw and found butchers are WAY more expensive than a cut priced grocery store.

I buy, pretty much anything under about $3.00 a pound. But, I try to stay between $1 - $2 a pound for the bulk of their food and go up to $3 for variety. Over that, and forget it lol that's what i've learned!

I buy:

Turkey, wings, neck, quarters, thighs, backs, gizzards... etc.
Chicken, wings, neck, breast, legs, backs, hearts/gizzards... etc.
Entire cornish game hens (the ones that way 16-24oz)
Beef, anything, EXCEPT Tripe, Me and tripe had a falling out not too long ago and I'm not ready to try again!
Pork, anything, 'cept feet, they don't like feet.

I buy that stuff regularly, recently I found mountain oyesters for a good price, and couldn't help but buy them. They were a hit.

I also buy broccoli, carrots, zucchini, squash, peas, apples, pears, peaches, bananas, etc, and allow them to get overripe and feed those (tho most raw feeders blender or juice them, I do not.)

I also give fish oil/vit e, plain yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs and oatmeal on a regular basis.

I've calculated I spend about $3 a day for 2 dogs (one little mutty) That's 12 oz 2x's a day for logan and 3oz 2x's a day for Nikki.

Hope that helps!

anne · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:01 pm Post subject:

Yikes less than $3 a pound?
I stick to staples that are less than $1 a pound. Chicken backs from a local organic processor runs me about $0.59 a pound. Local grocery store charges about $1.29 a pound for turkey necks. Whole Foods Market is now selling preground stuff at around $1.99 a pound. I pay way more for other meats that provide variety. I also buy more expensive stuff for ease of travel (pre-ground commercial stuff)

BEANSnBERRY · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:39 pm Post subject:

Yep, maybe it's pricier here? Turkey necks/wings are $1.19 a pound and that's as cheap as i found it yet. I do pork loin which is $1.99 a pound. I've recently found it at these prices. When i went to the butcher I was spending well over this! lol

I've been finding organ meat and some other undesirable meat parts for under a buck a pound, but it's not as cheap as $.59 a pound! AT ALL! I was thrilled when I recently found chicken legs at $.79!

Man, i'm getting ripped!

Banshee13 · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject: How about a MIXED DIET?

I have been thinking about raw diets since I started reading the posts on here. Do you think it would be fine to supplement their kibble diet (Canidae) with raw once a day or several times a week? What would the drawback be if I did that? Any advice?

Peri

kjnewk · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:22 pm Post subject:

Banshee13, I am glad you asked that question because I have been thinking about doing the same thing...

kjnewk · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:45 pm Post subject:

Banshee13, I am glad you asked that question because I have been thinking about doing the same thing...

2kids2weims · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:38 am Post subject:

I can get 40 lbs of chicken necks for $32 from a poultry wholesaler (try looking up the brand of chicken you see in the grocery - they may have a processing plant nearby or ask the butcher in a grocery store to bring a box in for you - offer to pay in advance, chicken necks do not have a big market in alot of places). That's about 80 meals. (2 meals each day = 20 days)

Organic chicken backs cost $20 for about 30 meals from a pet food place nearby. The ground whole chicken patties cost $15 for 8. Organic beef & bison marrow bones are about $2 each. Supermarket frozen chicken backs cost about $3 for 4. Live culture yogurt is about $3 a quart. I usually add in ground beef which I buy in bulk on sale for less than $2 a pound.

I think if I feed the organic, it costs about $3 per day per dog if I factor in all ingredients plus 1 marrow bone per week.

It's been actually cheaper for me to feed them this than the Medi-cal gastro the vet wanted that was $100 for 94 cups. Cooper ate 5 cups a day, Indy 4.