Brands of Raw food

[Dallassummer]

What are different brands of raw available in the USA? I have only found natures variety instinct. It is an arm and a leg. Is fresh pet worth looking into? I was wondering if there is one that is cost effective.

 

[Brandi]

Are you in Dallas?

 

[Dallassummer]

I am I. Clearwater florida

 

[Dallassummer]

I'm in Clearwater Florida oops

 

[Brandi]

I have tried Darwin's which was about $125 every 5 weeks and Primal which here in Dallas was running me about $120 for 4 weeks. I was lucky enough to find a meat processing plant that sells raw pet food near me and it should cost about $40 a month. I get my first months on the 15th.

We have been doing raw for about six weeks or so and I love the difference raw has made. No stinky poops, Ren's skin is softer, more energy and he doesn't seem to secrete as much oil so I don't have to bathe him as frequently.

 

[zoinks]

There is stella & chewy's freeze died but it's pretty expensive too..

Primal, rad cat.... (still pretty expensive)

There is also bravo balance which some people here get a good deal on the 5lb chubs. You could check that out

You could also make your own. That is what I do. I buy muscle meat in bulk and a big bag of better in the raw powder this is probably cheapest.

Check out hare-today if you want to order meat that is already ground with organ & bone. See how much shipping would be.

 

[Dallassummer]

I want meet that is mixed with organ and bones. I read that grinded up food is bad for their teeth, is that true? I was going to check out a local butcher shop, but do butchers even do something like that?

 

[Kyla L]

I am doing better in the raw with muscle meat. Right now he is getting turkey, when I get the new bag in the mail he will be getting various kinds of meat and I'm gonna mix it up between rabbit, chicken, and turkey. And when he gets older I'll throw some other meats in. For a 5 month supply of the powder for 1 cat it is 66$. Add the meat and it isn't really all that expensive. For two weeks for Nigel it is about 13$ for the meat.

I did the prey model raw but he wouldn't eat the bones. He had healthy poos for a while and then they got really mushy and slimy. But with the better in the raw he has healthy poo and he is a healthy growing boy. If you can't find a better option look them up! You can get a 1 year supply for 1 cat for about 100$ish.

 

[zoinks]

I want meet that is mixed with organ and bones. I read that grinded up food is bad for their teeth, is that true? I was going to check out a local butcher shop, but do butchers even do something like that?

Yes I have read that. You can get course ground meat which would mean they still need to use their teeth more than finely ground.

When I make my own food I do it in bigger pieces so they still have to do a good bit of chewing.

Not sure if the butchers would put the bone thru their grinders, can't hurt to ask and if you wanted to grind bone , meat and organ you could look into your own grinder. I think it would have to be a good powerful one depending what you want to grind. Alternatively, muscle meat in bulk + BiTR powder is a little simpler to make.

 

[Dallassummer]

So if I made my own, I would have to buy lets say chicken meat, liver, kidneys, bones optional? and better in the raw powder? I know there are certain proportions, I still have more homework to do. I don't have a grinder is my problem, and I don't have the ability to buy and store one. I think that makes me forced to buy premade raw. I don't think butchers will mix it all up for you, maybe they will?

 

[Dallassummer]

What exactly is muscle meat? just the meat or is that with the heart?

 

[Dallassummer]

I could buy regular like ground chicken, or turkey and add powder myself. I just don't know how to mix in organs. I've been reading the organs is a vital part of the nutritional content.

 

[MollysMom]

I could buy regular like ground chicken, or turkey and add powder myself. I just don't know how to mix in organs. I've been reading the organs is a vital part of the nutritional content.

If you use the better in the raw powder, you only mix in muscle meat and water. The organ, supplements and bone replacement are all in the powder.

 

[MollysMom]

muscle meat is pretty much just meat that you would eat yourself - like chicken breast, steak, etc. Of course if you are buying the muscle meat, it would be cheaper to get it from your butcher and use leas expensive cuts (unless you want to feed filet mignon LOL)

 

[Dallassummer]

What about the benefits of the bone for their teeth?

 

[MollysMom]

bone will help to clean their teeth a bit, but there is no guarantee they will eat it. I would juat worry about brushing their teeth with an enzymatic tooth paste, or using an oral care product (water additive, teeth gel, etc)

 

[Dallassummer]

Hmm well that sounds cheap enough. I spend about $35 a month to feed my two

 

[andreanar]

What about the benefits of the bone for their teeth?

I like the better in the raw, it's so easy and has everything they need. You just mix in the meat and add water. They do say that ground meat could harbor some bacteria, you can avoid that by freezing the meat for a week or two before using it.

Also, for tooth health, you can give them a turkey neck or raw chicken wings to gnaw on. It won't hurt them.

 

[Franksmom]

I like the better in the raw, it's so easy and has everything they need. You just mix in the meat and add water. They do say that ground meat could harbor some bacteria, you can avoid that by freezing the meat for a week or two before using it.

Also, for tooth health, you can give them a turkey neck or raw chicken wings to gnaw on. It won't hurt them.

I was going to say this, hehe. My cats have been eating BitR for about a year now. I use to buy ground turkey. Now I get boneless chicken breasts and grind them my self ( kitchen aid food grinder) I also give them sardines for treats and raw chicken necks for treats

 

[Dallassummer]

Hmm so many options! I am thinking the powder/muscle meat/water routine is going to be the cheaper option. Right I bought some instinct. Is primal any cheaper? I found a store near me that sells it in Dunedin. The chain stores don't seem to carry it.

 

[FeyAngel]

I will be closely watching this thread. I am currently researching everything I will need to get to prepare for my baby (she is due to be born any day now!). From what I have researched feeding raw is the best option, but the foods I have seen available for purchase seem quite costly, not to mention the fact I would probably need to order online and wait for delivery. I would much rather have a more local option when it comes to food. Great information so far!!

 

[Xandria]

@FeyAngel -- do you have a local butcher that you can chat to about buying what you need?

I was at mine today and inquired about chicken necks for my future Sphynx. They were fascinated to hear about the raw diet for Sphynx and seemed happy to oblige me for a good price too!

 

[FeyAngel]

Unfortunately there is not a butcher here in my small town. There are a couple of chain stores such as Hy-Vee and Fareway, and of course a Wal-Mart, but no butcher's shop. I'm not sure if the meat departments in these stores could offer anything.

 

[Ollie]

Hmm so many options! I am thinking the powder/muscle meat/water routine is going to be the cheaper option. Right I bought some instinct. Is primal any cheaper? I found a store near me that sells it in Dunedin. The chain stores don't seem to carry it.

I find primal cheaper than instincts in Canada. My guy eats either. Prefers primal.

 

[Sfuller]

I was gonna post but I figured it out!