The cost of raw dog food – and why is it more expensive than kibble?

Quick takeaways about the cost of raw

• Raw food can cost more than dry dog food.
• This is because it contains higher-quality ingredients and zero fillers.
• Feeding a raw diet has been linked to fewer health problems when compared to kibble.
• Signing up for a personalised raw meal plan can help to reduce the cost.

 

More and more pup owners want to feed their dogs high-quality food. And it’s becoming increasingly clear that well-balanced, quality ingredients can help your dog live healthier for longer.

Raw food is coming out on top – with studies finding it could improve gut health and help to reduce environmental allergies.

However, that means the cost of feeding your dog a raw diet can be higher than dry dog foods.

Here, we share the rough cost of feeding your dog high-quality raw food – why it can be more expensive than kibble and how it could save you on vet bills in the long term.

 

What is raw dog food?

Raw food is made up of raw meat, offal and fresh fruits and vegetables. It might also include bone and wholesome grains like brown rice.

These ingredients are usually mixed and frozen, using minimal processing.

The bulk of raw food is made from meat protein to imitate the natural prey of dogs in the wild. It usually contains only natural ingredients with no added chemicals or preservatives.

 

What is dry dog food?

Dry dog food or kibble is made from meat, grains, cereals and vegetables – and usually contains more carbohydrates than raw.

Kibble is cooked at high temperatures, made into a dough and shaped into bite-size morsels.

Excess moisture is removed from the morsels to create a dry mix with a long shelf-life.

 

Does raw food cost more than kibble?

Raw can be more costly than dry foods but this depends on the quality of the food and the brand you choose.

More brands like Natures Menu and shops like Pets at Home are offering budget-friendly meal plans and subscriptions. This option can save you money in the long term.

 

Raw food vs kibble – what’s the cost difference?

Let’s look at Natures Menu raw meal plans and nuggets versus well-known kibble.

Our meal plans are tailored to your dog and include our high-quality frozen raw nuggets. You can choose between 80% and 60% meat content.

Check out our weight guide and raw food calculator to find out how much to feed your dog.

 

Natures Menu Meal Plan cost

Size	Breed	Avg. weight	Standard kibble daily cost	60/40 daily cost*	80/20 daily cost*	Standard kibble monthly cost	60/40 monthly cost	80/20 monthly cost
Toy	Pomeranian	2.5kg	£0.40	£0.59	£0.69	£12	£18	£21
Small	Pug	6kg	£0.60	£1.09	£1.29	£18	£33	£39
Medium	Cocker Spaniel	13kg	£0.90	£1.53	£1.85	£27	£46	£56
Large	German Shepherd	30kg	£1.50	£2.63	£3.17	£45	£79	£95
Giant	Great Dane	55kg	£2.00	£4.16	£5.02	£60	£125	£151

*Includes introductory offers

Natures Menu Complete & Balanced 60/40 nuggets are around £4.50 per 1kg, and our 80/20 are around £5.80 per 1kg.

While cheaper kibble brands can range from around £2.50 to £4.50.*

*Prices are taken directly from Natures Menu, as of April 2024.

 

Why does raw cost more than kibble?

There are a few food reasons why raw dog food can cost more than a lot of dry foods:

 

1. High-quality ingredients – and no cheap fillers

Excellent raw food, like our Natures Menu nuggets, is made with human-grade, sustainably sourced meat, poultry and fish, plus offal. Some dry food is just made with feed-grade meat.

Complete and balanced raw can also include fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s why we get fresh fruit and veg delivered to our factory daily.

These give your dog the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants they need to live longer and healthier.

The cost of raw can also be higher because there are no cheap fillers or preservatives.

Some dry foods are bulked out with ingredients like maise, chicken meal (feet, feathers, fat), animal fat and vegetable oils, and this can lower the cost.

 

2. Expertly balanced

Natures Menu Complete and Balanced range contains a blend of muscle meat, organ meat, finely ground bone (in some ranges), vitamins and minerals. This makes it the perfect blend for your dog and you never need to add anything else.

Dog food can only be labelled 'complete' if it meets standards met by the European Pet Food Industry (FEDIAF).

So, while ‘complete’ kibble contains all the vital nutrients your dog needs, it might also contain a high percentage of the cheaper ingredients mentioned above.

 

3. Safety checks and high-quality production

Another reason why raw may be more expensive than dry is how it’s made. At Natures Menu, we take additional safety steps and protocols to reduce the risk of harmful bacteria and ensure our food's standard is the highest possible.

Plus, our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Norfolk is powered by experienced and trained teams.

 

4. Working with experts

Many raw food brands partner with experts and vets to create the highest quality food and experience for customers. And Natures Menu is no exception.

We’ve been making raw dog food for over 40 years, so our expertise as a brand is something we’re very proud of – and this is reflected in the price of our food.

Our staff have been feeding it to their dogs and we have plenty of positive reviews from our loyal community of customers, too.

 

Could raw dog food save me money in the long term?

Yes, this is because feeding a raw diet could help to reduce short and long-term health issues in dogs. And this could save you hundreds (if not thousands) in vet bills.

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

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.

 

The bottom line

While high-quality raw foods can be pricier than dry foods like kibble, the benefits can make it worthwhile and reduce the cost of looking after your dog in the long term.

Raw food pricing often matches the quality, sourcing and safety standards. And there are now meal plans and subscriptions that help to make it more affordable and convenient.

At Natures Menu, we’re proud to make high-quality food that has so many proven health and wellbeing benefits for dogs.

   
Try a personalised meal plan with quality, natural raw ingredients to help keep your dog healthy and happy.