Whole Cost Comparison
The cost of raw pet food can vary greatly. If you are buying pre-made small packages from a pet food store it will be a higher cost compared to sourcing food from butchers and buying in bulk. The cost you will pay depends a lot on the effort you put forth to locate affordable sources. In many instances raw food can actually cost less than a "premium" kibble.
But to gauge the true cost of a pet's diet there is more to measure than simply the price of the food. For a true picture the impact on the animal's health needs to be assessed and also how the animal's health affects their human family's: time, emotions, and financial resources.
Kibble/Can
Raw Meat/Organ/Bone
FOOD COST
DENTAL HEALTH
PARASITES
JOINT CARE
& ARTHRITIS
EAR CARE
DIARRHEA/
IBD
OBESITY
PANCREATIC
DISEASE
ALLERGIES/
SKIN
BODY ODOR
TOXINS
HYDRATION
MIND/
BEHAVIOR
OWNER
TIME
OWNER
CONVENIENCE
OWNER
MIND/
EMOTIONAL
Varies $.50 per day to $5.00 per day. Bargain grocery store brand to prescription/premium diets.
Dental cleanings yearly or bi-annually $300+ Plus the hassle of trying to brush your pet's teeth daily.
Parasites are able to thrive in/on a host with a weakened immune system. Parasite control products are $10 to $50 per month.
Pain medication to control the pain of arthritis $50-$300 monthly. Quality of life. Surgical correction of dysplasia $1500-$5000 or euthanasia.
Sedation to clean ears $200 to $500 per instance + medications
$100+ for exam and prescription drugs/products per instance. Special Prescription diet. Smelly, large stools. Chronic discomfort for the animal.
Processed foods promote obesity. Spray on flavorings encourage overeating.
Lack of enzymes found in kibble robs the body of enzymes, damaging the pancreas.
One of the most costly problems. Miscellaneous medications, exams, itching, runny eyes, listening to your pet chewing, hot spots, vomiting.
Grooming & odor eliminating products. Cleaning your clothing, upholstery, carpets & general household odors from a smelly pet.
Cancer, kidney & liver damage. Severe illness requires hospitalization, risk of death.
Lacking in moisture. Promotes chronic low level dehydration.
Dyes and additives can contribute to behavioral problems. Reluctance to eat/being picky.
Time is spent attending veterinary appointments, giving medications, brushing teeth, cleaning pet odors from the animal & the house, cleaning messy stinky stools in the yard.
Very convenient. Can be purchased at grocery store or pet store. No special storage requirements. Follow instructions on bag, no special knowledge required.
Worry & stress over recurring health issues, financial stress from veterinary fees, seeing your animal in discomfort. Reliance on pet food companies to provide healthy food.
Varies $.50 per day to $5.00 per day. Buy in bulk & source free items to keep costs down.
Consumption of raw meaty bones keep teeth clean naturally. Dental cleanings and brushing of teeth not needed.
Raw diets support a healthy immune system promoting a natural resistance to parasites.
Raw diets contain and abundance of bio-available sources of nutrients for joint health.
Raw meat and bone diets eliminate the consumption of yeast which is a major contributor to ear infections.
Raw meat and bones create a healthy gastrointestinal system, stools are well formed and have minimal odor.
Builds healthy muscle mass.
Contains an abundance of live enzymes promoting pancreatic health and optimal utilization of nutrients.
Much reduced incidence of allergies when appropriate unprocessed foods are fed.
The elimination of grain, dairy, additives, preservatives & cooked products will have a profound effect on the odor of your pet.
Significantly reduced amount of toxins are present in raw food. Organic products are preferred.
Naturally contains moisture.
Consumption of raw food and meaty bones is enjoyable and mentally stimulating for cats, dogs and ferrets.
Time is spent sourcing & preparing raw diet. Monitoring animals at feeding time is suggested.
Special trips may be required to pick up raw food. Home delivery is possible. Freezer space required for storage. Needs to be defrosted in advance of feeding. Knowledge or guidance on raw feeding required.
Content knowing you are providing an optimal diet to your pet. Happiness seeing your pet enjoying a good quality of life. Initial fear/worry when changing your pet's diet.
A species appropriate diet gives the body ideal fuel so the innate functions of all body systems can be carried out efficiently. Only when all systems are running in peak condition does health blossom. Infections can be halted, viruses are resisted, toxins are expelled, bones mend, cuts heal & parasites are unable to flourish.
But to gauge the true cost of a pet's diet there is more to measure than simply the price of the food. For a true picture the impact on the animal's health needs to be assessed and also how the animal's health affects their human family's: time, emotions, and financial resources.
Kibble/Can
Raw Meat/Organ/Bone
FOOD COST
DENTAL HEALTH
PARASITES
JOINT CARE
& ARTHRITIS
EAR CARE
DIARRHEA/
IBD
OBESITY
PANCREATIC
DISEASE
ALLERGIES/
SKIN
BODY ODOR
TOXINS
HYDRATION
MIND/
BEHAVIOR
OWNER
TIME
OWNER
CONVENIENCE
OWNER
MIND/
EMOTIONAL
Varies $.50 per day to $5.00 per day. Bargain grocery store brand to prescription/premium diets.
Dental cleanings yearly or bi-annually $300+ Plus the hassle of trying to brush your pet's teeth daily.
Parasites are able to thrive in/on a host with a weakened immune system. Parasite control products are $10 to $50 per month.
Pain medication to control the pain of arthritis $50-$300 monthly. Quality of life. Surgical correction of dysplasia $1500-$5000 or euthanasia.
Sedation to clean ears $200 to $500 per instance + medications
$100+ for exam and prescription drugs/products per instance. Special Prescription diet. Smelly, large stools. Chronic discomfort for the animal.
Processed foods promote obesity. Spray on flavorings encourage overeating.
Lack of enzymes found in kibble robs the body of enzymes, damaging the pancreas.
One of the most costly problems. Miscellaneous medications, exams, itching, runny eyes, listening to your pet chewing, hot spots, vomiting.
Grooming & odor eliminating products. Cleaning your clothing, upholstery, carpets & general household odors from a smelly pet.
Cancer, kidney & liver damage. Severe illness requires hospitalization, risk of death.
Lacking in moisture. Promotes chronic low level dehydration.
Dyes and additives can contribute to behavioral problems. Reluctance to eat/being picky.
Time is spent attending veterinary appointments, giving medications, brushing teeth, cleaning pet odors from the animal & the house, cleaning messy stinky stools in the yard.
Very convenient. Can be purchased at grocery store or pet store. No special storage requirements. Follow instructions on bag, no special knowledge required.
Worry & stress over recurring health issues, financial stress from veterinary fees, seeing your animal in discomfort. Reliance on pet food companies to provide healthy food.
Varies $.50 per day to $5.00 per day. Buy in bulk & source free items to keep costs down.
Consumption of raw meaty bones keep teeth clean naturally. Dental cleanings and brushing of teeth not needed.
Raw diets support a healthy immune system promoting a natural resistance to parasites.
Raw diets contain and abundance of bio-available sources of nutrients for joint health.
Raw meat and bone diets eliminate the consumption of yeast which is a major contributor to ear infections.
Raw meat and bones create a healthy gastrointestinal system, stools are well formed and have minimal odor.
Builds healthy muscle mass.
Contains an abundance of live enzymes promoting pancreatic health and optimal utilization of nutrients.
Much reduced incidence of allergies when appropriate unprocessed foods are fed.
The elimination of grain, dairy, additives, preservatives & cooked products will have a profound effect on the odor of your pet.
Significantly reduced amount of toxins are present in raw food. Organic products are preferred.
Naturally contains moisture.
Consumption of raw food and meaty bones is enjoyable and mentally stimulating for cats, dogs and ferrets.
Time is spent sourcing & preparing raw diet. Monitoring animals at feeding time is suggested.
Special trips may be required to pick up raw food. Home delivery is possible. Freezer space required for storage. Needs to be defrosted in advance of feeding. Knowledge or guidance on raw feeding required.
Content knowing you are providing an optimal diet to your pet. Happiness seeing your pet enjoying a good quality of life. Initial fear/worry when changing your pet's diet.
A species appropriate diet gives the body ideal fuel so the innate functions of all body systems can be carried out efficiently. Only when all systems are running in peak condition does health blossom. Infections can be halted, viruses are resisted, toxins are expelled, bones mend, cuts heal & parasites are unable to flourish.
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