Is Raw Feeding Expensive?

Let us elaborate…

If we look at one of the best selling budget dry dog foods from a well know conglomerate we find that the list of ingredients is more akin to a vegan diet than a carnivorous one.

Wholegrain Cereals 55%, Meat and Animal Derivatives 20% (Including 4% Beef), Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Oils and Fats, Glycerol, Vegetables (1% Dried Spinach, 0.3% Dried Pea, 0.3% Dried Carrot), Minerals, Vegetable Protein Extracts, Spirulina (0.2%)

Lets look at the main ingredients in turn.

Wholegrain Cereals – Whilst cereals in small quantities can provide some health benefits a dogs’ digestive system is not evolved or equipped to process them at this level. Studies show the high levels of cereals in a dog’s diet can lead to excessive weight gain and promote the development of allergies. Cereals are used by the big dog food companies simply as cheap fillers and not to promote the health and wellbeing of your best friend.

Meat and Animal Derivatives – This is intentionally vague for reasons that will become apparent. Here’s ChatGBTs definition “Meat and animal derivatives” in dog food is a broad, non-specific term for leftovers from the human food industry, including carcasses, organs, and tissues. While they provide essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals, they often indicate lower-quality, variable ingredients and are used to keep costs down, making them less ideal for dogs with sensitivities.” This can include tendons, ligaments, eye balls, other connective tissue as well as by products from the diary and poultry industries. All very yucky!

This is of course an extreme example so lets take a look at what’s in a premium kibble which is closer in nutritional value to a raw food diet.

Freshly Prepared Chicken (19%), Dried Chicken (18%), Freshly Prepared Salmon (15%), Dried Herring (12%), Dried Sweet Potato (11%), Chicken Fat (4.5%), Dried Duck (4%), Tapioca, Dried Whole Eggs (2.5%), Chicken Liver (2.5%), Freshly Prepared White Fish (2.5%), Pea Fibre, Lucerne, Chickpea Flour, Minerals, Dried Carrot, Dried Spinach, Dried Apple, Dried Rosehips, Camomile Powder, Burdock Root Powder, Dried Seaweed, Dried Cranberries, Dried Chicory Root Extract (0.04%), Glucosamine (0.03%), Methylsulphonylmethane (0.03%), Chondroitin Sulphate (0.02%), Aniseed, Fenugreek, Thyme, Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley, Sage.

Sounds better yes? Indeed it does but much of the nutritional value of the ingredients is lost in the manufacturing process of all commercial kibbles.

Before we come onto cost lets take a look at the ingredients in our best selling raw dog food from the Naturaw Real Simple range.

Free Range British Turkey with bone, Grass Fed British Beef Tripe, Whole Oily Fish, Butternut Squash, Grass Fed British Beef Liver, Broccoli, Free Range British Egg, Sustainably Hand Harvested Organic Scottish Seaweed, Wheatgerm oil (Vitamin E)

I think the difference is obvious, high meat content from traceable sources with lots of supplements and superfoods. Not a cereal or animal derivative in sight!

Now lets move onto a cost comparison, for simplicity we will compare the manufacturers recommended feeding guidelines for a 15kg dog.

Budget kibble £0.75 per day based on 350g per day

Premium kibble £1.60 per day based on 250g per day

Our best selling raw food £1.71 based on 300g per day

Our best value raw food £1.12 based on 300g per day.

So there you have it, on a basic pound note comparison you can feed you dog on a great value raw food diet for less than kibble. As with any market there are cheaper alternatives in the raw food space but we don’t recommend them. They will generally have much higher fat and bone content and the sources of the meat is not disclosed and certainly not fit for human consumption.

We talked earlier about the definition of “expensive” in regard to the cost of raw feeding, perhaps we should look at the health and in turn financial benefits of raw feeding your dog.

Veterinarian Dr Lea Stogdale recently published a report in The Canadian Veterinary Journal:

“Generally, raw pet diets are made from high-quality food sources and aimed at the informed, discerning pet owner. They’re more expensive than regular dog or cat kibble.  Nevertheless, solving a problem with diet is better for the pet and cheaper than repeated veterinary visits and expensive medications.”

Here’s how feeding raw could benefit your bank balance and – more importantly – your dog’s health in the long term:

1. Fewer gut problems

A recent study by the University of Helsinki found that puppies and adolescent dogs fed raw food were less likely to have gut health problems later in life.

Another similar study found that puppies fed kibble were 61-85% more likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as adults – compared to puppies fed raw.

Experts think this might be because raw feeding teaches a dog’s young immune system to form a healthy microbiome. This can help to protect against environmental allergens and generally strengthens the immune system.

2. Reduced allergies

Talking of the immune system, raw food might also minimise the chance of your dog developing a skin condition called canine atopic dermatitis – often called ‘environmental allergies’.

It’s caused by an allergic reaction to anything from dust mites to pollen and causes itching, ear infections, flaky skin, hair loss and excessive chewing of their paws.

Puppies fed kibble are 182% more likely to have environmental allergies as adults than puppies fed raw food – according to a survey by the University of Helsinki.

3. Fewer anal gland problems

Raw food is proven to create firmer poo in your dog – according to this large review published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice. This is likely because balanced raw contains high levels of protein and is a good source of fibre, which is great for gut health.

And firmer poos can help prevent your dog’s anal glands from becoming blocked. This is a very common issue in dogs and can lead to complications and extra trips to the vet.

4. Fewer dental issues

Some studies and dog owners have reported that feeding raw leads to better dental hygiene in dogs. This is potentially because raw food contains fewer carbohydrates and sugars compared to kibble.

When your dog chews on raw bones, this can also help to remove tartar and plaque, reducing the likelihood of things like gum disease.

5. Longer, healthier life!

According to Dr Lea Stogdale’s review, raw diets are higher in antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E and flavonoids (beneficial compounds found in fruit and veg).

Antioxidants help to prevent or delay cellular damage, which can help dogs (and us!) live healthier for longer.

When food is highly processed or heated, this can damage nutrients like antioxidants.

Research published in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition found that dogs fed a meat and plant diet have higher levels of antioxidants than dogs given a meat-only diet.

This is also why feeding a raw diet that includes fruit and veg is a good idea.

In Summary, Is Raw Feeding Expensive?

The daily of cost of raw dog food can be lower than high quality kibbles and certainly lower than many people perceive, throw in the health benefits and likely reduced vets bills over the course of your best friends’ life we would argue raw feeding is an obvious choice.

Not sure where to start? Pop in store or give us a call for some friendly expert advice. We stock complete raw foods from Natural Dog, Naked Dog, Albion, Naturaw, Forage, and Barkin Bistro as well as a great range of DIY options for your best friend.

 

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