Your complete guide to budgeting for a raw diet from pocket-friendly options to premium nutrition
Quick Answer: How much does raw feeding cost in Bristol?
Raw feeding in Bristol can cost as little as £1.90 per kg using budget-friendly brands like Reggie's Raw. A small dog (5–10 kg) may cost as little as £15–£25 per month, a medium dog (15–25 kg) roughly £35–£65 per month, and a large dog (35–45 kg) around £70–£130+ per month, depending on the brands you choose. Bristol dog owners can access a wide range of brands at all price points from local specialist retailers like Natural Treats Bristol.
Introduction: Is Raw Feeding Affordable in Bristol?
If you've been thinking about switching your dog to a raw diet but aren't sure whether your wallet can handle it, you're far from alone. It's one of the most common questions that Bristol dog owners ask and the answer is genuinely more reassuring than most people expect. Raw feeding doesn't have to mean spending a fortune. With the right brand choices and a bit of know-how, it can be surprisingly comparable to feeding a decent quality kibble and the health benefits for many dogs make every penny feel well spent.
The raw pet food market has grown enormously over the last decade and Bristol dog owners are lucky to have access to a wide range of brands spanning every budget. From ultra-affordable grab-and-go boxes designed for busy owners watching the pennies, through to premium nutritionally complete meals crafted with the finest ethically sourced ingredients, there really is something for every dog and every household budget.
This guide breaks down the cost of raw feeding by dog size, explains the different price tiers available and introduces you to the key brands stocked locally in Bristol so you can make an informed decision without the guesswork.
How Much Raw Food Does a Dog Actually Need?
Before we get into brand prices, it's worth understanding the golden rule of raw feeding: most adult dogs should eat approximately 2–3% of their ideal body weight per day. This is the starting point used by virtually every raw feeding brand and nutritionist and it makes calculating your costs surprisingly straightforward once you know it.
So a 10 kg dog needs around 200–300g of food per day. A 25 kg dog needs roughly 500–750g per day. And a large 40 kg dog will need around 800g–1.2 kg per day. Puppies, highly active dogs, and underweight dogs may need more, closer to 3–4%, while older, less active or overweight dogs may need slightly less. The beauty of raw feeding is that you adjust to the individual, rather than pouring out a fixed cup of dry biscuits and hoping for the best.
With those daily amounts in mind, let's look at what that actually costs across different dog sizes.
Raw Feeding Cost Breakdown by Dog Size
To make this as practical as possible, we've broken down the cost of raw feeding across four dog size categories, using the most affordable brands available at Natural Treats Bristol as a baseline. These costs are based on feeding 2.5% of body weight per day as a realistic mid-point, and calculated across a 30-day month.
Small Dogs (5–10 kg) — Breeds like French Bulldogs, Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, Miniature Dachshunds
A small dog eating 2.5% of a 7.5 kg body weight needs around 190g of food per day, that's roughly 5.7 kg of raw food per month.
At the most budget-friendly end of the spectrum, feeding a small dog with Reggie's Raw Chicken Grab'n'Go (£1.90/kg) works out at approximately £10.84 per month, that's less than a small bag of premium kibble. Even choosing Reggie's individual rolls at £2.99/kg only brings the monthly cost to around £17. Using Pawkies or Stobart Raw at roughly £2.43–£2.75/kg, you're looking at £14–£16 per month. Step up to a mid-tier brand and you might spend £20–£30 per month, while premium brands like Natural Instinct or Nutriment would typically run £30–£45 per month for a small dog.
The takeaway? Even at premium prices, feeding a small dog raw food is very achievable on most budgets.
Medium Dogs (15–25 kg) — Breeds like Spaniels, Border Collies, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Whippets
A medium 20 kg dog eating 2.5% of body weight needs around 500g per day, meaning approximately 15 kg of raw food per month.
On Reggie's raw Grab'n'Go boxes at £1.90/kg, that comes to approximately £28.50 per month, genuinely impressive value. Reggie's individual rolls at £2.99/kg bring the monthly cost to around £44.85. Pawkies mixed boxes at approximately £2.70/kg work out at around £40 per month and Stobart's mixed box at around £2.58/kg is roughly £38.70 per month. A mid-range brand sits at around £50–£70 per month for a medium dog, with premium options typically running £65–£100 per month.
For a medium-sized dog, a budget-conscious owner can raw feed very comfortably for under £30–£45 per month by making smart brand choices.
Large Dogs (30–40 kg) — Breeds like German Shepherds, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Boxers
A large 35 kg dog at 2.5% of body weight needs around 875g per day, which means roughly 26 kg of food per month.
This is where buying in bulk value boxes really pays off. At Reggie's Grab'n'Go price of £1.90/kg, a large dog costs around £49.40 per month to feed, a figure that surprises most people used to spending more on premium dry food. Reggie's individual rolls at £2.99/kg would bring that to approximately £77.74. Pawkies and Stobart Raw value boxes sit comfortably in the £55–£70 per month range for a large dog. Mid-range brands typically range from £80–£110 per month, while premium complete meals from brands like Nutriment, Natural Instinct or Dougie's can run from £110–£160+ per month for a large dog.
Giant Dogs (45 kg+) — Breeds like Great Danes, Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, Irish Wolfhounds
Giant breed owners often find that raw feeding is one of the most economical ways to feed their dogs well. A 50 kg dog at 2.5% body weight needs approximately 1.25 kg per day, around 37.5 kg per month.
At Reggie's Raw budget prices of £1.90/kg, that's around £71.25 per month. Even at Stobart's value box pricing, you're looking at roughly £96 per month for a giant breed which compares favourably to many premium dry foods. For giant breeds, budget-tier raw brands and buying in bulk value boxes is often the most financially sensible approach, without compromising on nutrition.
Summary: Estimated Monthly Raw Feeding Costs by Dog Size
Based on 2.5% body weight per day feeding rate.
Prices are correct at the time of writing this blog in March 2026.
How to Keep Your Raw Feeding Costs Down in Bristol
Raw feeding on a budget is entirely achievable and there are several practical strategies that Bristol dog owners use to keep costs manageable without compromising on their dog's nutrition.
Buying in bulk value boxes is one of the most effective ways to reduce your per kilo cost. The Reggie's Grab'n'Go box, Pawkies Value Box and Stobart Raw mixed box are all designed with exactly this in mind, buying in these quantities rather than purchasing individual rolls can save you 30–50% compared to single-item pricing. If you have the freezer space, stocking up when you visit Natural Treats Bristol saves both money and trips.
Rotating between budget and mid-tier brands is another smart approach. Many experienced raw feeders use a budget brand like Reggie's or Stobart as their everyday staple and then rotate in a premium brand like Natural Instinct or Nutriment once or twice a week. This gives your dog the nutritional variety that raw feeding advocates recommend, while keeping the monthly bill well within reason.
Finally, don't underestimate the value of talking to the people at your local raw pet food retailer. At Natural Treats Bristol, the team stocks all of the brands mentioned in this guide and can offer personalised advice based on your dog's size, breed, health history and your household budget. Getting that personal guidance can save you time, money, and the trial-and-error of finding out what works through expensive experimentation.
Is Raw Feeding More Expensive Than Kibble?
This is the question on every potential convert's lips, and the honest answer is: it depends. Compared to supermarket dry food, yes, raw feeding will typically cost more. But compared to a quality premium kibble, the gap is often far smaller than people expect, and sometimes negligible once you account for reduced vet bills, smaller stool volumes (meaning better digestibility) and better coat, skin and dental health in many dogs.
A good quality premium kibble for a medium-sized dog can easily run to £40–£60 per month. When you can raw feed the same medium dog on Reggie's Grab'n'Go boxes for around £25 per month, the financial argument for raw feeding becomes pretty compelling. Even mid-range raw options often come in at a similar price to a comparable quality dry food.
Many Bristol dog owners who have made the switch report that the perceived cost barrier was the biggest obstacle and that once they actually crunched the numbers, raw feeding was far more accessible than they had imagined.
Ready to Start Raw Feeding Your Dog in Bristol?
Whether you're a first-time raw feeder dipping a toe in the water with a single Reggie's roll, a budget-focused owner making the most of value boxes or an experienced feeder looking to upgrade to premium brands, Bristol has everything you need in one place.
Natural Treats Bristol stocks the full range of brands discussed in this guide from Reggie's, Pawkies and Stobart Raw at the budget end, through Albion, Dougie's, Staffordshire Raw in the mid-tier, to Nutriment, Natural Instinct and Dibo. The team is always happy to help you find the right fit for your dog and your budget.
Raw feeding is one of the most rewarding changes you can make for your dog's health and wellbeing. And with the range of options available in Bristol today, it's more accessible and affordable than ever before.