Raw costs 2 to 3x more than kibble. The evidence is genuinely mixed. Here are the numbers, the science, and every Canadian-made brand ranked by price.
Onslow's Team · August 27, 2026
Slide to your dog's weight. Costs are for commercial frozen raw from Canadian brands.
Raw (Canadian brands)
$131–$319/mo
$4.38–$10.63/day · 1.3 lb/day
Premium kibble
$63–$126/mo
Raw costs roughly 2–3x more
Based on 2.5% of body weight per day. Actual amounts vary by activity level and brand. Cheapest brand: K9 Choice (~$3.50/lb). Most expensive frozen: Red Dog Blue Kat (~$8.50/lb).
Every brand below is Canadian-owned and manufactured in Canada. Sorted cheapest first.
Tofield, Alberta · Bulk boxes (3 lb, 40 lb)
~$3.5/lb
Most affordable bulk option. Federally certified facility. 20+ years operating.
Erin, Ontario · 4 lb and 24 lb boxes
~$4/lb
Budget-friendly Mega line. Human-grade, humanely raised. Own 25,000 sq ft facility.
Smithville, Ontario · 1 lb patties, 4 lb and 6 lb cartons
~$4/lb
Best value for large dogs. Fundamentals line is cheapest. Available everywhere.
Pefferlaw, Ontario · 4 lb and 12 lb boxes
~$4/lb
Very competitive on chicken ($14/4 lb). Built to CFIA human food standards.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan · Patties, Pixies (mini patties)
~$5/lb
Widest protein variety in Canada. Whole prey model. Raises own livestock.
Kemptville, Ontario · 6 lb boxes
~$5/lb
Human-grade only. Ontario-sourced. Botanical and vegetable blends.
Kitchener, Ontario · 6 lb, 8 lb, 24 lb boxes
~$5.5/lb
Zero additives. Ontario-sourced. Part of Dane Creek Capital portfolio.
St. Catharines, Ontario · 1 lb patties in 6, 12, 24 lb boxes
~$6/lb
First raw manufacturer in Ontario to achieve HACCP certification.
Smithville, Ontario · Small dog, standard, big box formats
~$6.5/lb
GMP-certified facility. Wide range of formats for different dog sizes.
Port Coquitlam, BC · Various sizes
~$8.5/lb
Top 10 global raw brand (2026). CFIA-inspected, HACCP-verified. Women-founded.
Winnipeg, Manitoba · Dehydrated raw (rehydrate before serving)
~$12/lb
Dehydrated raw, not frozen. Shelf-stable. Handcrafted in small batches. Premium.
Wag on the Danforth
Danforth
Family-run. Carries raw brands.
Bone & Biscuit (The Well)
Downtown
Carries raw brands.
Global Pet Foods
Multiple GTA locations
Bold by Nature, various raw brands. Varies by store.
Visit website →The CVMA recommends against raw feeding. Some studies show benefits. Here is what the research actually says.
What the studies support
What the studies warn about
CVMA position (Canadian Veterinary Medical Association)
“The scientific evidence of animal and human health risks in feeding raw meat-based pet food products outweighs any purported benefits.” They recommend veterinarians counsel owners on risks, especially around immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, young children, and the elderly.
Days 1–3
75% old / 25% raw
Days 4–6
50% old / 50% raw
Days 7–9
25% old / 75% raw
Day 10+
100% raw
Start with a single protein. Chicken or turkey is gentlest. Do not introduce multiple proteins at once. Some people feed one raw meal and one kibble meal per day during transition (different digestion rates).
Loose stools, mucus coating, and extra shedding are normal in the first week or two. Add plain canned pumpkin (no spices) to firm things up. A probiotic supplement helps. Full gut adaptation takes up to 6 weeks.
If you see blood in the stool, persistent vomiting, or extreme lethargy, stop and see your vet.
2025 Canadian recall
In October 2025, Puppy Love raw treats were recalled after 32 Canadians fell ill with Salmonella across Alberta, BC, Ontario, and the Northwest Territories. Eight were hospitalized. People got sick both from handling the treats and from contact with dogs that ate them.
Roughly $120 to $360 per month depending on your dog's size and the brand. A 50 lb dog eats about 1.25 lb per day. The cheapest Canadian brand (K9 Choice) runs about $3.50/lb. Premium brands like Red Dog Blue Kat run $8.50/lb.
Commercial raw food from established brands carries a low risk if you follow safe handling practices. The bigger risk is DIY raw diets that aren't nutritionally balanced. The CVMA advises against raw feeding, citing bacterial contamination. The data shows 6-8% of raw food samples contain Salmonella vs under 0.5% for kibble.
Most conventional vets in Canada do not. The CVMA's official position is that risks outweigh benefits. However, some holistic and integrative vets support raw feeding with commercial formulated products (not DIY). If you feed raw, tell your vet.
Yes. Cats are obligate carnivores, which makes the biological case for raw stronger than for dogs. 9 of the 11 Canadian brands in this article make cat formulas. Taurine content is critical for cats.
Gradually over 7 to 14 days. Start with 25% raw / 75% old food, increasing raw every 2 to 3 days. Start with a single protein (chicken or turkey). Expect loose stools for the first week. Add plain canned pumpkin to help firm things up.
Prices are approximate per-pound costs collected from brand websites, Pet Valu, Homesalive.ca, and Ashario Pets in August 2026. Actual prices vary by protein and retailer. All 11 brands are confirmed Canadian-owned and Canadian-manufactured.
Scientific claims cite peer-reviewed studies published in Translational Animal Science, Journal of Small Animal Practice, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, and Animals. The CVMA position is quoted directly from their published statement.
If a price has changed, let us know.
Discover pet stores, vets, and groomers across Toronto and the GTA. Free on iOS and Android.