Raw is Raw? right? what about cost?

[turbodave]

To those heavy believers and experts in raw feeding, I have what is probably a stupid question....but,

Has anyone done a cost analisys(sic) between the over the counter raw varieties that are available in dog food stores, as compared to say, ground beef(hamburger)?????
Hamburger is still, relatively speaking, somewhat cheap. It seems the the raw varieties offered by the name brand dog food companies is horribly expensive.

What's wrong with feeding uncooked ground beef instead?

Any thoughts??

I'm still on the fence about feeding raw, although I do (Instinct venison). After all, dogs have been domesticated for well over 10,000 years now, and aren't the same kind of carnivore that they once were.

Help me out here.

 

[FrenchieDante]

Apparently dogs need the organs and bones of the animal too... Not just the meat.

 

[mhuinker]

Dad! Keep them on the raw please! It helps their coats and their digestive system, not to mention their allergies! The 2lb chubs of Blue Ridge Beef is not that expensive, it's actually cheaper than ground beef.

 

[MaplesMommy]

The difference is that the raw formulas you can purchase are already balanced ,meaning they contain 80% muscle meat, 10% organ and 10% bone. They need this. If you want to make your own food,keep this in mind. (And also that its hard to grind bone ).
Supermarket meat is made to be cooked so the bacteria level on it may be higher than the commercial raw food.
Some commercial raw food formulas also contain fresh veggies,fruit and some extra vitamins and minerals added.

 

[mhuinker]

The difference is that the raw formulas you can purchase are already balanced ,meaning they contain 80% muscle meat, 10% organ and 10% bone. They need this. If you want to make your own food,keep this in mind. (And also that its hard to grind bone ).
Supermarket meat is made to be cooked so the bacteria level on it may be higher than the commercial raw food.
Some commercial raw food formulas also contain fresh veggies,fruit and some extra vitamins and minerals added.

Yeah! What she said!!!!
:yes:

 

[turbodave]

OK, ya'll sold me. Right now I'm in the last of the Blue Ridge Beef, and still have some of the Instinct Venson. I prefer the Instinct because it's so easy to cut the pucks into the correct size, etc.. Less handling. The Blue Ridge Beef is all right but harder to handle. Have to form it into the proper size ball, then hand mush it into the bowl etc.
Think I'll stick strictly with Instinct, either beef or venison.