Have you ever wondered what it would be like to feed multiple dogs Raw food on a budget or if it’s even possible?

Today we’re happy to explore this topic more in depth with a guest post:

“Feeding Multiple Dogs a Raw Food Diet on a Budget,”

by Kimberly Gauthier

After three years of trying to find a dog food that was a good fit for my dog, I gave up and switched him to a raw food diet.  Within a week of the diet change, most of his health issues vanished.

Today, I feed our four dogs a diet of raw meat, organ meat, and bones, which are mixed with a base mix by The Honest Kitchen to create a balanced diet.  We’ve been feeding raw for more than two years and have only been to the vet for weigh-ins, to diagnose protein intolerances, and one of my dogs is in physical therapy as she recovers from an injury.

What is Raw Feeding?

Sometimes I forget that not everyone is familiar with raw feeding.  A raw food diet is a diet of 80% raw meat, 10% organ meat (half of which is liver), and 10% bone.  There are two main models of feeding raw to dogs – Prey Model and BARF (biologically appropriate raw food) Model.  The BARF Model, which is what I follow, includes vegetables, fruits, and supplements.

Benefits of Raw Feeding

There are many benefits of raw feeding; Google It and you’ll discover many lists.  Below is the list of what I’ve experienced with our dogs.

• Shiny, healthy skin and coat
• Decrease in environmental allergies and no more protein allergies
• No more ear infections
• Decrease in digestive issues with our dogs who was bordering on irritable bowel
• Decrease in joint pain
• White, healthy teeth and jaws
• More energy and improved focus
• Healthy weight
• Better behavior
• Smaller, less smelly poop

Example of a Raw Meal for Our Dogs

Below is a typical raw meal for our dogs:

• Duck necks (chopped in half)
• Duck hearts
• The Honest Kitchen Kindly (grain free base mix) or Hale (has grains)
• Raw egg (added three days a week)
• Fish oil by Bonnie & Clyde Pet Goods
• SuperEssentials by Mother Earth Pet
• FullBucket Daily Canine Powder (digestive enzyme)
• Joint Supplement

Our dogs eat from raised, stainless steel dog dishes twice daily.

Where Do I Shop for Raw Dog Food?

When I was introduced to raw feeding, people told me to get everything from the grocery store. I quickly learned that our grocery store doesn’t carry all of the ingredients I need to create a balanced diet for our dogs.  We’re raising four dogs with chicken intolerances, and one dog has a beef intolerance.  The only other proteins available are pork and turkey – no organ meat and very little bone options that I consider safe.

Initially, I ordered our raw food through Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, a local company that makes balanced raw meals that are easy to serve, balanced, and safely shipped across the US.  When I was ready to make our own meals, I was introduced to our local raw food co-op where I was able to save 50% on our monthly food bill for four dogs.

Making Raw Feeding Affordable

One of the hesitations to transitioning to raw is the cost. Many people have multiple dogs and when looking at the cost of raw meals, the diet appears out of reach.  There are a few ways to make raw feeding more affordable.

• Only Feed Raw in One Meal – this isn’t a popular choice and some raw feeders believe that if we feed raw, then it should be 100%. Other raw feeders, myself included, feel that some is better than none.  When I first transitioned to raw feeding, I fed our dogs raw in the morning and dry food in the evening.

• Shop Through a Raw Food Co-Op – if you’re lucky, you will have a co-op in your area. Our co-op charges a low annual fee (less than $30), and we reimburse the couple who manages the co-op for transport when they deliver our food and products.  They place bulk orders with local farms and popular brands that allow all of us to take advantage of the cost savings.

• Post on Craigslist – I know raw feeders who post Craigslist ads requesting frozen meat that people are about to throw out. Our dogs don’t mind a little freezer burn, and I’ve seen people find $300-$500 worth of great meat scheduled for the dump.

• Connect with Hunters and Farmers – if you’re fortunate enough to know hunters or someone who owns a meat processing plant, you can get meat affordably from these connections.

Sometimes it’s just about who you know.

Raw feeding isn’t for everyone.  If a dog or human has a severely compromised immune system, raw feeding isn’t always recommended.  To learn more about raw feeding, visit Keep the Tail Wagging and make an appointment with a local holistic vet who has experience in dog nutrition and raw feeding.

Author:  Kimberly Gauthier is a dog mom to four dogs and writes about raw feeding and dog nutrition on her blog Keep the Tail Wagging.  She recently published the book Raw Feeding from A to Z, which is a compilation of blog posts combined with easy recipes sharing her experience as a raw feeder.