When people first discover raw dog food like ours at Poppy’s Picnic, the question we often hear is: “Is it expensive?” On the surface, raw feeding might look pricier than picking up a bag of kibble or a tin from the supermarket shelf. But dig a little deeper, and the picture changes entirely. Let’s compare raw, dry and tinned food properly—nutritionally, physically, and financially.
1. Price Per Meal vs. Price Per Kilo
It’s easy to compare foods by cost per kilo—but that’s not the full story. Dry kibble is packed with fillers like maize, wheat and rice that bulk it out but offer little in the way of species-appropriate nutrition. Tinned foods are mostly water—sometimes up to 80% moisture—which means you’re largely paying for liquid.
Poppy’s Picnic raw meals are made with real meat, vegetables and essential nutrients, tailored for what dogs are biologically meant to eat. That means less waste, smaller portions, and more digestible nutrition.
2. You Feed Less—Because They Get More
Because raw dog food is so nutritionally dense, you feed less of it. A 15kg dog might need around:
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150g–200g of raw food per meal
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Compared to up to 400g of wet tinned food, or
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a heaped bowl of kibble, often 250g+
That’s a big difference in volume—and your dog’s body knows it. Dogs on raw diets absorb more, poo less, and thrive with more energy and better coat health.
3. Hidden Costs of Cheaper Food
What often gets overlooked is what cheap food costs you later:
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Vets’ bills for allergies, dental issues, obesity, poor digestion and itchy skin
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Supplements to make up for what’s missing
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Poor quality of life for your dog—low energy, smelly breath, dull coat
Dry and tinned foods are often ultra-processed, cooked at high temperatures, and bulked out with grains or meat derivatives. It’s no wonder many dogs struggle.
4. Tinned Food: Mostly Water
That tin might look full of goodness, but check the label: it often contains as little as 4% actual meat, plus a lot of water and gelling agents. Raw food, in contrast, is over 70% real meat, plus beneficial extras like salmon oil, fresh vegetables, and bone or natural calcium for strong teeth and bones.
At Poppy’s Picnic, we only use ethically sourced British meat and FEDIAF-compliant recipes. No hidden nonsense. Just food you’d be happy to see on your own plate.
5. Comparing Costs – A Realistic Example
Let’s take an average 10kg dog:
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Raw (Poppy’s Picnic): Around £1.80 per day
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Premium Kibble: Around £1.70 per day
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Tinned Supermarket Food: Around £2.00 per day (requires 2+ tins)
So while raw may look slightly higher than the cheapest kibbles, it’s not the most expensive option. And when you consider the health benefits, the reduced vet bills, and the quality of ingredients, raw food offers far better value in the long run.
6. Smaller Poos, Bigger Benefits
Dogs fed raw diets produce smaller, firmer, less smelly poos. Why? Because they absorb and utilise more of the food. With kibble and tinned options, more of what goes in comes out—literally.
In Conclusion: Is Our Food Expensive?
Not when you understand what you’re paying for.
✅ No fillers
✅ Real, raw, natural ingredients
✅ Better digestion and long-term health
✅ Less waste and smaller portions
✅ Reduced vet bills and a happier dog
At Poppy’s Picnic, we believe dogs deserve food that helps them thrive, not just survive. And when you feed fresh, you’re investing in your dog’s health every single day.
Explore our full range here
