6 months on raw feeding - here's what actually changed (and what didn't)

I switched my 5-year-old lab mix to a raw diet back in October and figured I'd share a real update since there's a lot of hype and fear around it and I couldn't find much that was just honest and practical.

What genuinely changed: his coat is noticeably shinier and less dandruff. Poops are about half the size they used to be. He's less gassy, which I was not expecting to care about as much as I do. His energy levels have been more even throughout the day instead of the post-meal crash he used to get on kibble.

What didn't change: he still has the same joint stuff he had before. Still same personality obviously. Still tries to steal food off the counter every chance he gets.

Cost is higher for sure - I'm spending about $90-100/month vs $45-50 on kibble. The prep is maybe 15 minutes once a week if I batch it. Happy to answer questions if anyone's been on the fence.