I pay way less for raw than I do a high-quality kibble (raw @ 80 cents/pound on average vs. Orijen @ $2.60/pound). When feeding raw, you just have to know where to shop/join raw buying groups and be able to buy in bulk.

Be that as it may, as long as he's not in ill health, Kane will eat what's offered when he is hungry enough. He's just protesting going from filet mignon to dehydrated Hamburger Helper, so to speak. As you've said, leave his meal down, then pull it up after 20 minutes or so. He'll get the idea. He won't starve himself for too long.

Try mixing their kibble with cottage cheese,or plain yogurt which is pretty cheap. You could even mix a little(couple of tablespoons) boiled ground beef, or chicken with their kibble just to give them the taste of meat and to add some variety to their kibble veggies are good too like carrots, peas, and brocolli my dogs love them.. You don't need much. I have even mixed chicken or beef stock in kibble (low sodium) to give them the taste of meat. either way you decide to go they will eat if they are hungry enough.

Do not create a picky eater. Put down the kibble, If he checks out but won't eat. Just pick it up. Do not leave it out. Give him just a couple of minutes. I am talking like 2 minutes to start eating. If he does not, just say to bad. And wait till tommrrow. I have had my dogs go 4 or 5 days....one dog went 11 days. They will not starve themselves to death. they will eventually eat. All my dogs now will eat whatever I give them. Because they know I will just wait till they do.

This is not mean or cruel. You are offering them food. They are just choosing not to eat. So, they have made thier choice. They can now live with it.