Cat Food

[mxmoney]

I currently feed my three cats Halo Spot's Pate wet food exclusively. Halo is very pricey - I buy it on Amazon which has it for $21.72 for a 12 pack, $1.81 per can (better than in-store which can be up to $2.50/can). I feed each cat half a can twice a day, so I am currently spending $5.43 on cat food per day, about $163 per month, $1956 per year.

One of my cat requires being on wet food for the rest of his life for urinary issues, and I'm also of the opinion that wet food is better for cats anyway. I also believe that grain free food is generally better for a cat's health, so I'd prefer grain free suggestions. Is there any comparable food that's a bit cheaper? Should I look into making my own cat food with a meat grinder?

[Cranky]

I spent some years making cat food at home, and I'm not convinced that it's either cheaper or healthier, but YMMV. I'm also not convinced that grain free is better.

I will say that I switched my 2 cats to Hill's Sensitive Stomach food this past winter, and have seen quite a dramatic improvement in the elderly cat who was having major digestive issues. Whatever they are doing, it works for her. It is also not cheap - $30 for 24 small cans on Amazon.

[ketchup]

I feed our dogs raw, and it usually comes out to $1.50~$2.00/lb.  From brief internet research it looks like a 10lb cat would eat about 6oz/day of raw, which works out to around 35lb per month for three cats.  That would work out to be less than the wet food (which I know is generally overpriced) at $50-70/mo.