Most people assume that feeding a raw food diet must be expensive. Even our veterinarian once commented, “That must cost a small fortune!” when we made the switch. But the truth is very different. When you actually sit down and calculate how much raw cat food costs, you’ll find it’s often cheaper than premium canned food, and healthier, too.
The idea that raw feeding is expensive is one of the biggest reasons cat owners hesitate. So let’s break it down properly and answer the real question: how much does it cost to feed raw cat food, and is it cheaper to make your own cat food than to buy commercial options?
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Is it cheaper to make your own cat food?
In our experience, yes – it is cheaper to make your own cat food at home. A balanced homemade raw food diet costs significantly less than buying a premium grain-free canned food or commercial raw patties at home.
Of course, raw feeding won’t beat the price of budget kibble (cat biscuits) or low-cost cans you can buy at the supermarket. But cheap, carbohydrate-heavy diets don’t meet a cat’s needs as obligate carnivores. And the hidden cost of feeding low-quality food often shows up later as health problems like diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, and urinary issues. That means bigger vet bills over your cat’s lifetime.
So while a bag of kibble may look cheaper at the checkout, preparing raw cat food at home is not only cost-effective in the long run, it’s an investment in your cat’s health
How much does raw cat food cost?
Prices will vary depending on where you live, and the quality and type of meat you choose. These are average prices for raw meat (per kg) in Australia.
- Chicken breast – $11
- Chicken thighs – $14.50
- Beef – $19
- Pork – $20
- Kangaroo – $19
- Lamb – $20
- Duck – $38
For raw organs, the average price (per kg) is:
- Liver – $7.50
- Heart – $9
- Kidneys – $15
We’re always looking for ways to keep raw feeding affordable without cutting corners on quality. Chicken is usually one of the most budget-friendly options, so it’s a staple in our cats’ meals. We also keep an eye out for specials and bulk deals on other meats. For example, duck breast often goes on sale at a heavy discount. When that happens, we stock up and fill the freezer. Little habits like this make raw feeding much easier on the wallet while still giving our cats the variety of proteins they need.
Example: cost of a chicken raw recipe
A batch of the raw cat food recipe (18 x 55g meals) we use costs:
- Chicken breast – $8.11
- Organs (lamb heart, liver and kidney) – $1.78
- Vitamin supplement powder (1/2 teaspoon) – $0.58
- Egg yolk – $0.42
- Salmon oil – $0.91.
That brings the total to A$11.80 per batch, or just $1.31 per cat per day. Using chicken thighs instead, works out at A$14.38 per batch or $1.60 per day.
We’ve worked out the cost of preparing our raw recipe using chicken breast, in Australian dollars. To see what it would be in your own currency, just pop the amount into an online currency converter, and it will update the price using the latest exchange rate.
Is raw feeding expensive using other meats?
It really depends. Some meats cost more, but if you stick with chicken and buy specials when you see them, raw feeding stays affordable.
Here’s what other proteins cost per day, per cat:
- Beef – $1.97
- Pork – $2.05
- Kangaroo – $1.97
- Lamb – $2.05
- Duck – $3.53 (unless it’s on sale).
So while raw feeding can be expensive if you’re using higher-end cuts of meat, it’s still cheaper than many premium wet foods for cats.
How raw food costs compare with premium wet food
Before we switched our cats to raw, we were feeding them premium grain-free canned food. We’d stock up with 20 or more cans at a time and grab store discounts whenever we could.
These days, a quality grain-free chicken canned food works out to about A$1.89–A$2.64 per 55g meal. With two meals a day, that’s A$3.77–A$5.28 per cat, every single day. When you add it up, it’s a lot more expensive than raw feeding.
Extra costs when making raw cat food
When working out how much raw cat food costs, there are a few extra costs to consider.
Supplements
There’s an initial outlay for supplements when you first get started, and these are essential for making sure the raw diet is complete and balanced. Thankfully, supplements last for many batches, so the cost per meal is minimal. For the raw recipe we use the supplement mix, salmon oil and an egg yolk add up to about A$1.91 per batch.
Kitchen equipment
The biggest upfront cost is a good quality meat grinder. If you’re feeding raw with bone-in recipes, you’ll want to invest in a grinder that can handle the job without burning out. Even if you stick to raw recipes wihout bones, a sturdy grinder saves time and ensures consistency. The initial outlay may feel like a lot, but it pays off quickly when you compare the savings against buying commercial raw or premium canned food every month.
In addition, you may need some smaller kitchen items, like digital kitchen scales, stainless steel mixing bowls, sharp knives, and food-safe gloves. Most of these are inexpensive one-time purchases, and many people already have them in their kitchen.
If you’re just starting out, we recommend investing in:
- A reliable digital kitchen scale for precise portioning
- A stainless steel meat grinder strong enough for raw feeding
- A set of mixing bowls reserved for preparing cat food.
These extras make the process safer, easier, and more efficient – and once you have them, they’ll last for years.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, the question isn’t just “is raw feeding expensive?” but “what value does it bring?” For us, the savings are clear, both financially and in the long-term health of our cats. Preparing raw cat food takes less than two hours per month for four cats (closer to one hour if you have one or two cats). Once you get into a rhythm, it’s easy, affordable, and incredibly rewarding.
So, how much does it cost to feed raw cat food? On average, about half the price of premium wet food. And is it cheaper to make your own cat food? Absolutely. For us, the small investment of time and effort is worth every cent to see our cats happy and healthy.
Have you tried working out how much it costs to feed your cat raw food compared to canned or dry food? We’d love to hear your experience – did the numbers surprise you?
🐾 Want the full story on raw feeding? Read our Complete Guide to Raw Feeding Cats.
