Cost Effective/w benefits when switching to raw

[Mamie2shoes]

We tried the raw diet. I was so excited to learn all about it and how healthy it was for the dogs. However, being the EM she is, she has severe chicken sensitivity and that means NO chicken at all. The cost of the other meats is so expensive here. Ground round is $2.98 a lb. And chicken only got as low as $2 a lb when on BOGO sale. Pork gets as low as $2.75 on BOGO. Organs run about $4 a lb. I don't have a wholesale meat market around here. We have a few butcher shops but yikes. The local grocery stores can special order, but then they special price too. I even tried the taxidermy places- we have lots of hunters around here- and no dice. So, we are buying kibble and doing our best with it. I even considered sending my husband hunting to supply our needs that way. Well, after buying a gun, ammo, clothes, hunting club, processing, etc. no thanks.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

I hear you on the prices, while the wholesale market was cheaper prices did increase....with the chicken. Port and Beef are still expenseive I found beef on sale 6lbs for $6, so not bad. Thor doesn't like deer.....or rabbit so that free meat is out. I hope the other pup will like it.

 

[madhatter45]

After reading about what people are paying for raw, I feel very fortunate. I have chicken, turkey, and pork processing plants within 20 miles. Turkey necks are $.47/lb, liver and hearts are $.23/lb. Turkey is the staple of my dog's diet, as the plant is closer and I can call ahead and have what I need pulled fresh rather than frozen. Pork necks are $.87/lb, and heart is $.62/lb. Overall, I'd guess my average cost is $.50/lb. I can't even comprehend $2-3/lb.

 

[allformyk9s]

Thats awesome Madhatter45!

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Madhatter45 good deals looks like I need to move! LOL!

Took Thor out again same thing liquid stools even after the chicken. Only good news is that I didn' have to clean it up........

 

[ruthcatrin]

Wait, liquid stool, like diahrea? Or chalky bits?



Madhatter, Apollo Arty and I are movin' in......I want prices like that!

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Like brown water ( gross I know)

 

[mightymastiffs]

After reading about what people are paying for raw, I feel very fortunate. I have chicken, turkey, and pork processing plants within 20 miles. Turkey necks are $.47/lb, liver and hearts are $.23/lb. Turkey is the staple of my dog's diet, as the plant is closer and I can call ahead and have what I need pulled fresh rather than frozen. Pork necks are $.87/lb, and heart is $.62/lb. Overall, I'd guess my average cost is $.50/lb. I can't even comprehend $2-3/lb.

This is exactly what I have been searching for. I have found where I can buy an actual ton of chicken, then of course I can buy at the local supermarket or farmers market. I am looking for somewhere between..

 

[mightymastiffs]

Like brown water ( gross I know)

Mine get this once in a while, even if they are not feeling under the weather. I think sometimes they might just get a bug like we do, or possibly the meat was different.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Like brown water ( gross I know)

Add back in bone.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Mine get this once in a while, even if they are not feeling under the weather. I think sometimes they might just get a bug like we do, or possibly the meat was different.

Could be, very much a possibility.

Add back in bone.

For dinner I gave him a leg quarter, handful of hamburger, and a slab of rib. Of course he ate everything except the rib, he started flipping it with his nose. Don't know why he's doing that now especially since he's LOVED ribs before.......

 

[ruthcatrin]

New play toy? Apollo bops his bowls around like that till they're EXACTLY Where he wants them, then he'll eat.....

 

[mightymastiffs]

For dinner I gave him a leg quarter, handful of hamburger, and a slab of rib. Of course he ate everything except the rib, he started flipping it with his nose. Don't know why he's doing that now especially since he's LOVED ribs before.......

Are you mixing protein's? I had a problem with this once. I try to stick to only one for at the minimum a couple of days

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Are you mixing protein's? I had a problem with this once. I try to stick to only one for at the minimum a couple of days

Yes I did I thought I would try to give him some variety...sigh. Hope to purchase some chicken parts today so I'll give him chicken for a couple of days and see how he does.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Let him out after wor..... same liquid stools.

For dinner gave him chicken backs and chicken neck, leg quarter.........he ate everything but the leg quarter. So tired of his pickiness.

Also for organs what do you feed for raw? Of course I can't feed him that now but for future reference. I heard hearts were meatsource and not an organ. I'm trying to get green tripe but they can't sell it, same with lungs, he doesn't like liver.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Tripe and the like you'll either have to order or find a slaughter house/meat processor who will sell it. Its illegal to sell green tripe for human consumption. Which is why I get alot of my organs from Hare Today. She sells a ground beef organ blend if you want.

Heart is meat not organ yes, liver, well, its generally considered nessecary, will he eat it if you brown it really quick? Or freeze it?

 

[Mamie2shoes]

just a curious, what kind of source would cow tongue be considered? Meat or organ?? My grocer carries off beat things like cow tongue, pig tails, ox tails, etc. On occasion, we will give a raw treat and wondered if these would be good options???

 

[madhatter45]

Also for organs what do you feed for raw? Of course I can't feed him that now but for future reference. I heard hearts were meatsource and not an organ. I'm trying to get green tripe but they can't sell it, same with lungs, he doesn't like liver.

My dogs are not liver fans either. Its a bit of a pain, but I liquify it in a blender, and then give it to them mixed with a little bit of kibble. Its their morning meal. As with everything, I buy in bulk and spend an hour or so processing it, then freeze it.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Tongue would be meat. And I don't see why not!

 

[Mamie2shoes]

Yeah, I know it sounds weird. I had a blast freaking my daughters out with them. They are individually wrapped and really large, about a foot long each. I showed them to my girls and them pretended to lick their heads with them. Then I told them that is how "cow licks" happen. I also told them that pig snouts could smell them and pig ears could still hear them. I caught the youngest, 4yrs. whispering to one the other day trying it out. HAHAHAHAHA. I know it may seem wrong, but it's so fun.