Raw diet vs kibble: cost comparison

February 28, 2026

The raw feeding debate usually focuses on health claims. Shinier coat, better digestion, more energy — raw advocates swear by it. But before you commit, the financial reality deserves a hard look. Feeding raw is significantly more expensive than kibble, and the gap is bigger than most people expect.

I priced out three feeding approaches for small, medium, and large dogs: premium kibble, commercial raw (pre-made frozen), and DIY raw. Here is what it actually costs.

Monthly cost comparison

Commercial raw costs 3-5x more than kibble. DIY raw lands around 2-3x more. For a large dog, the annual difference between kibble and commercial raw can exceed $3,000.

Why raw costs so much more

Raw diets consist primarily of muscle meat, organ meat, and raw bones — the most expensive parts of the food chain. A 70-pound dog on a raw diet eats roughly 2-3 pounds of raw food daily. At $3-6 per pound for quality commercial raw patties or nuggets, that adds up fast.

Kibble achieves lower costs through grain-based fillers, rendering processes that use lower-cost animal parts, and shelf stability that eliminates cold chain logistics. You are essentially comparing a processed shelf-stable product to fresh perishable groceries — the price difference is structural, not just marketing.

DIY raw: cheaper but riskier

Making your own raw meals saves 30-40% over commercial raw. You buy meat in bulk from butchers, ethnic grocery stores, or restaurant suppliers. Common ingredients include chicken quarters, beef heart, liver, ground turkey, and raw meaty bones.

The problem with DIY raw is nutritional balance. Dogs need specific ratios of calcium to phosphorus, and adequate levels of zinc, manganese, iodine, vitamin D, vitamin E, and several other micronutrients. Getting these right without a formulated supplement is genuinely difficult. Studies analyzing homemade raw diets have found that the majority are deficient in at least one essential nutrient.

If you go DIY, budget an extra $15-25/month for a balancing supplement like those from Balance IT or Raw Feeding Miami.

Hidden costs of raw

Beyond the food itself, raw feeding has costs that kibble does not:

• Freezer space — many raw feeders buy a chest freezer ($150-300)
• More frequent vet visits if you want to monitor nutritional status
• Time — DIY raw prep takes 30-60 minutes per week minimum
• Higher cleanup burden — raw meat requires sanitizing bowls and surfaces
• Shorter shelf life means less flexibility on purchasing timing

Does the health premium justify the cost?

This is where it gets contentious. Raw feeding advocates point to anecdotal improvements in coat quality, stool firmness, and energy levels. Some of these observations are real — dogs on raw diets often produce smaller, firmer stools because more of the food is digestible.

But controlled studies comparing raw to high-quality kibble diets over long periods are essentially nonexistent. The veterinary establishment (AVMA, AAHA) recommends against raw diets primarily due to bacterial contamination risks (Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria) for both dogs and their human families.

If you want to explore raw feeding without the full cost and risk, consider a partial raw approach — raw food for one meal and kibble for the other. This cuts the cost premium roughly in half.

For more on what raw feeding looks like in practice, read our raw feeding portions guide. And for a broader look at what dog food costs by breed size, check our monthly cost breakdown.