Best Dog Food for 2025 : Independently Tested & Reviewed

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The most asked question by dog lovers everywhere - 'Which is the best dog food ?'

Clearly there isn't a simple answer. With so many factors to consider, it's impossible to pick one dog food brand that would be the best choice for all dogs.

It will depend on your preferences as much as your dog's. Many dog lovers swear by a raw diet, others love the convenience of dry dog food, whilst dogs with allergies and sensitive stomachs can benefit from tailored or fresh dog food.

There are also new innovative options to consider including insect-based, cold pressed and air-dried dog foods.

What is undeniable, is that the dog food market is changing rapidly and we as customers are the ultimate winners.

When was the last time you went to a Travel Agent to book a holiday ? Bought a music CD to listen to one song or waited for a film to come out on DVD ?

You no longer need to trudge back to your car with a 15kg bag of dog food. Pet food deliveries have more than doubled in four years according to the latest figures from independent parcel carrier Yodel.

As more and more of us are scrutinising our dog's food, prioritising their health and wellbeing whilst looking for sustainable and ethical brands, the pet food brands have sat up and listened.

Dog food has traditionally been dominated by global brands (Royal Canin, Hills Science, Purina, Pedigree), but as we modern dog-lovers search for specialised nutrition and high-quality human ingredients, private label dog foods are taking the dog food market by storm.

There's a whole range of brands revolutionising the face of UK dog food, and we've included the best of canine cuisine in our round up.

Dive Deep or Take a Quick Bite! 

Our comprehensive dog food review is packed with details and money-saving offers to help you find the perfect fit for your furry friend. We compare nutritional rating, price, convenience and palatability to help you decide. Jump to specific sections using the links below, or settle in for a deep dive – the choice is yours!

UPDATED : APRIL 2025  Following our latest round of testing, we've added Butternut Box fresh, subscription dog food and Grub Club's NEW range of novel protein, insect-based wet food recipes.

What are the Best Dog Foods in 2025 ? At a Glance

1. Best Dry Dog Food - Forthglade

   2. Best Cold Pressed Dry Food - Wilsons

  3. Best Eco-Friendly Dry Food - Edgard & Cooper

4. Best Subscription Food - Butternut Box

5. Best Raw Dog Food - Naturaw

   6. Best Air Dried Dog Food - Pure Pet Food

   7. Best Fresh Dog Food - Years

   8. Best Wet Dog Food - Forthglade

9. Best Tailored Dry Food - Tails

10. Best Insect Dog Food - Grub Club

How to Buy The Best Food For Your Dog

How We Chose

Our Picks of The Best Dog Foods 2025

1. Best Dry Dog Food

Forthglade

Reasons to Buy :

   + Best for convenience

   + Cold pressed & light baked options

   + Long shelf life

   + Kind to your pocket

   + No fridge/freezer space required

Reasons to Avoid :

   - Picky dogs tend to prefer wet foods

Behind the Brand: 50 years worth of expertise in Pet Nutrition

Range: Cold Pressed Dry, NEW Lightly Baked Dry & wet food, treats & dental sticks

Variety: Turkey, Duck, Chicken & NEW Salmon

Clarity of Label: Excellent - full list of ingredient %

Price: £

Buying Options :

⭐️ Stock Up ! ⭐️

Save up to 50% on Forthglade's Cold Pressed range

View Forthglade

Dry dog food is an extremely popular choice with many dog lovers. There's no denying that it is the king of convenience.

If you are going to feed dry dog food, can we suggest choosing the best you can afford and while you're at it - get it delivered!

Cold pressed dry foods are still relatively new on the scene but growing in popularity rapidly.

They have all the advantages of more conventional dry foods but without the potentially damaging high temperatures associated with the extrusion methods.

Forthglade's cold pressed dog food is grain free and available in several sizes from a 'try it and see' 1kg bag, to a big 'bumper value' 18kg.

For those of you adept at 'decoding' dog food ingredients - it's worth mentioning that the first and main ingredient is meat.

All About Dog Food rate Forthglade Cold Pressed at 77% which is an exceptionally high nutritional rating for a dry dog food.

This compares to around the 70% mark for popular dry brands such as Wainwrights, James Wellbeloved, Harringtons and Lily's Kitchen. Which makes it nutritionally one of the best and affordable dry dog foods on the UK market.

Forthglade isn't just a trusted brand with years of experience, their extensive range of wet foods offers a fantastic way to add variety and flavour to your dog's meals.  

While mixing in a wet food topper can slightly increase the cost per serving, the boost in taste and aroma can be well worth it for some of our more picky pups (and their happy tummies!). We feature the Forthglade wet food range later in this review.

Back to Forthglade's dry range - we loved the option of a 1kg trial size pack as nobody wants 18kg left in the cupboard if your dog turns their nose up at it.

Our Labrador 'Taste Tester' Otis (nose & paw pictured), definitely preferred Forthglade to his existing brand when offered both.

Our tester found transition straightforward with no issues. She did however comment that the individual pellets were quite large and crunchy compared to their usual brand, so wondered how small dogs would manage.

It's good to know that Forthglade offer their Turkey variety dry food in a smaller pellet suitable for small dogs, plus they've launched an extended range of wet foods too. Their small dog range is specifically tailored for dogs typically up to 10kg in adult weight

👀 Top Tip - Forthglade's packaging includes a handy window, so you can see the kibble size before buying - which is much better than attempting to feel the kibble size through the packaging !

We know it's a small point nevertheless it's worth mentioning, of all the dry foods we've tested, we found the Forthglade bags the easiest to reseal and keep the dry food fresh.

Each bag has a super-durable velcro strip which our testers loved. We think that this is an important point especially if you're buying the bigger bags.

We love Forthglade's dry food for its quality and variety.  While their cold-pressed range offers the ultimate nutritional punch, we understand that budget is a factor for many pet parents.

Forthglade's Lightly Baked Range provides a fantastic and slightly more affordable alternative. These recipes boast an impressive 50% single-source protein and have earned a very respectable 70% rating from All About Dog Food.

Perfect for mixing with their complete wet meals, the Lightly Baked range is available in lamb, chicken and turkey recipes.

Schedule regular deliveries of your dog's favourite Forthglade dry food straight to your door, and enjoy the benefits of:

• 10% Savings on Every Order:  Stock up on your pup's essentials and save!

• Free Delivery (over £30):  Enjoy the convenience of home delivery without any additional shipping costs.

Our Verdict - We recommend Forthglade's dry dog food because it's one of the most premium, yet affordable brands on the market. So if you're looking for a high quality dry dog food which is easy on the pocket, we would recommend Forthglade's Cold Pressed and their cheaper Lightly Baked range.

⭐️ Stock Up ! ⭐️

Save up to 50% on Forthglade's Cold Pressed range

View Forthglade

View on Amazon

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Cold-Pressed Dog Food Showdown: Wild, Forthglade, Walker & Drake, vs Wilsons!  Delve deeper into the world of cold-pressed dog food with our detailed comparison.  

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2. Best Cold Pressed Dry Dog Food

Wilsons

Reasons to Buy :    

   + Winner of 2025 Your Dog Awards

   + Trial boxes available

   + Can combine with raw food

   + Extensive protein range

   + Grain free - allergy friendly

   + Wheat free, chicken free & pea free options

   + Made in UK

Reasons to Avoid :

   - Bags aren't resealable

Behind the Brand:

Company producing pet food since 1861

Range:

Premium & Working Dog Cold Pressed, Raw Food, Treats, Supplements & Salmon Oil

Cold Pressed Variety : 

Premium, Working Dog & Puppy

Clarity of Label:

OK - Some ingredients without %

Price: £1.38 a day

Based on a 15kg dog + moderate activity + a 10kg bag

Buying Options:

View on Wilsons

Wilsons has grown from a family business to the UK’s leading manufacturer of cold pressed dog foods. It’s premium complete cold pressed and raw meals are made at its two state of the art facilities, with roots still firmly set in Scotland.

Recent winners of Your Dog Product Awards for 2025 (voted for by readers) - Best Dry Complete Food and Products You Can't Live Without, they've maintained a commitment to simplicity and local sourcing with the focus on natural nutritious ingredients and the avoidance of any junk or fillers.

The first thing to say is that their cold pressed range includes a wide selection of proteins, so you can add plenty of variety to your dog's diet.

Allergy friendly, the majority of recipes are grain free plus there are wheat free, chicken free and pea free options -

🐟 Salmon

🐓 Chicken

🐑 Lamb

🦃 🦆 Turkey & Duck

🦌 🐠 Venison & Trout

🎣 White Fish

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Haggis

🥕🥦 Vegan

All the recipes are made in their Scottish factories using high quality, locally sourced ingredients and true to their Scottish roots, they offer a haggis flavour - which is incredibly popular 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Receiving an average rating of 75% on the Food Nutrition website All About Dog Food (AADF), we don't need to tell you this is exceptionally high for dry dog food.

One of the many things we love about Wilsons is their Sample Boxes. Changing dog foods is a big decision and Wilsons offer a sample selection so your dog can taste test all the recipes before you commit to a larger quantity.

These 100g bags are perfect to test out the various recipes. The Premium range (7 recipes x100g as shown above), Working Dog (5 recipes x100g), and one for Insect & Vegan Protein (6x100g in the two varieties).

For long-term feeding, Wilsons offers convenient 2kg and 10kg bags, plus money-saving bundles with a variety of protein options so you can easily stock up for less.

It's worth mentioning that delivery is FREE when spending over £30 or ordering a max of two Sample Boxes.

Once you (and your dog) are happy, you can enjoy greater savings by taking advantage of Wilsons Subscribe and Save for 10% off regular orders.

Wilsons also offer a Loyalty Club so you can get points on every purchase then use these for money off plus you'll receive exclusive rewards too.

One of the headline features of Wilsons is they are the only company we've come across that offers both raw and cold pressed food ranges formulated to be fed separately or together. 

Combining Wilsons raw and cold pressed dry ranges could potentially reduce your daily feeding costs without compromising on quality (and would be so convenient for feeding on-the-go when raw can be a pain).

Lastly, Wilsons now offer an extensive range of dog treats both for training and long lasting chews, salmon oil plus a new range of health supplements.

Our Verdict - We think that Wilsons offer a top quality cold pressed and raw dog food range. Their flexible approach allows for easy mixing of raw and cold pressed foods, making it perfect for travel or feeding-on-the-go.

View on Wilsons

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3. Best Eco-Friendly Dry Dog Food

Edgard & Cooper

Reasons to Buy :    

   + Ethical dog food company

   + Zero Pawprint Plan   + Plant-based options

   + Available online & locally at Pets at Home

   + Extensive range inc. two kibble sizes

   + For multi-pet households, they offer cat food too

Reasons to Avoid :

   + Label clarity not the best

Behind the Brand:

Eco-friendly company producing pet food since 2016

Range:

Dry food, wet food, treats, dental care treats and a cat range

Variety : 

9 Meat & fish dry recipes

2 Plant-based dry recipes

Clarity of Label:

Poor - Ingredients without %

Price: £1.41 a day

Based on a 15kg dog + 2 x 7kg bag

Buying Options:

Fancy trying Edgard & Cooper dog food ?

New customers can use discount code SMART20

for 20% OFF the entire range

View Edgard & Cooper

The third dry food option we recommend is Edgard & Cooper, a brand that prioritises both pet health and the planet. Known for their high-quality dog and cat food, they offer a wide range of dry and wet options. We particularly admire their commitment to sustainability.

Edgard & Cooper has a ‘Zero Pawprint Plan’ which outlines its environmental commitments for 2025, including becoming Zero Carbon and adopting fully sustainable packaging.

Plus through The Edgard & Cooper Foundation, Edgard & Cooper donates 1% of its profits to animal welfare causes across the globe.

So what do we think of their dog food ?

Edgard & Cooper's dry food receives a solid nutritional rating of 64% on AADF, placing them alongside well-respected brands like Wainwrights, James Wellbeloved, Lily's Kitchen, and Harringtons.

Their extensive selection of dry foods offers single source meat and fish proteins as well as combinations and plant-based options -

🐓 Free-Run Chicken

🐟 Norwegian Salmon

🐑 Grass-Fed Lamb

🦌 🦆 Venison & Free-Run Duck

🐄 🐓 Organic Beef & Free-Range Chicken

🦃 🐓 Organic Free-Range Turkey & Chicken

 🦆🐓 Free-Run Duck & Chicken

🐟 🦃 Atlantic Salmon & Free-Range Turkey

🐓 🐟 Free-Run Chicken & Norwegian Salmon

🥕 Crispy Carrot & Courgette

🎃 Crunchy Beetroot & Pumpkin

Confused about free-run vs. free-range ?

Free-run simply means the birds have the freedom to roam within their barn. Free-range birds have access to both the barn and the outdoors, allowing them to enjoy fresh air and sunshine (weather permitting).

We love the addition of two plant-based recipes. These hypoallergenic options are packed with fresh veg and a blend of fruit, herbs and pulses formulated to provide all the nutrients your dog needs.

Clearly plant-based dog foods are a better environmentally friendly choice than meat-based dog foods. But you don't need to go completely veggie. Why not consider adding a 'meat free' day to your dog's diet ? You'll be adding variety whilst lowering their carbon pawprint !

Whatever recipe you choose, rest assured all Edgard & Cooper recipes are either grain-free or gluten-free, making them a safe and delicious choice for dogs with sensitivities.

Initially, if you would like to test their food before committing, we think that their smaller 700g or 1kg bags would make a great option to check your dog likes the taste.

Edgard & Cooper also offer three money-saving bundles which include a selection of dry food, wet food and treats. The Adult , Puppy and the Hypoallergenic Starter Bundle (shown here) all offer significant savings on buying the products separately.

Shipping's a breeze with free delivery on orders over £20. And once you're hooked, their Subscribe & Save scheme offers 10% OFF.

Our Verdict - We think that Edgard & Cooper stands out as a brand committed to ethical and sustainable practices. Not only do they use high quality ingredients but they offer a wide range of dry recipes to suit even the pickiest of pups with a selection of wet foods to act as tasty toppers.

Fancy trying Edgard & Cooper dog food ?

New customers can use discount code SMART20

for 20% OFF the entire range

View on Edgard & Cooper

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Want to know more? Check out our Edgard & Cooper in-depth review

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4. Best Subscription Dog Food

Butternut Box

Reasons to Buy :    

   + Fresh dog food

   + Hassle-free subscriptions    + Excellent nutritional value

   + Human-quality ingredients

   + Extensive range

Reasons to Avoid :

   + Needs freezer space

   + More expensive option than dry

Behind the Brand:

A UK-based company providing fresh, human-quality dog food delivery service through a subscription model

Range:

Fresh food recipes, treats, dental care treats, poo bags & broths

Variety : 

11 recipes

Clarity of Label:

Scan a QR code for ingredients list

Good - Ingredients with %

Price: £3.09 a day

Based on a 15kg dog

Buying Options:

Fancy trying Butternut Box dog food ?

Butternut Box are offering Smart Bark readers

50% OFF your first box + 50% OFF your second box

To take advantage of this offer, click on the link below

View Butternut Box

When reviewing the best dog food contenders in the UK, Butternut Box, established in 2016, is an undeniable frontrunner.

Having delivered over eight million meals, they've clearly made a significant impact on canine diets. The brand enjoys exceptional customer retention and consistently receives enthusiastic reviews from dog lovers across the country.

Their food is available on subscription - it's fresh, delivered, customised and nutritious so let's take a look at why we think they are one of the best dog foods on the UK market today.

Getting started with Butternut Box is super easy – they have an online quiz that asks all about your dog, like their age, breed, any allergies, and if they have any health issues. This helps them figure out the best recipes for your pup.

When we tried their ordering system, they gave us loads of personalised options and suggested picking a few different recipes to maximise variety.

Now, their food gets a really good rating (87%) on 'All About Dog Food' – it's not quite as high as a couple of others, but it's still a top-notch, healthy choice in the UK!

If you're after a super convenient way to feed your dog healthy food, Butternut Box is brilliant. They make fresh, pre-cooked meals right here in the UK, portion them perfectly, and deliver them to your door – so easy!

Each meal comes in its own pack, making serving and storing a breeze. Plus, you can trust they're good for your pup – they're made by experts, are hypoallergenic, and don't have any of that unnecessary grain, soya, sugar, or salt. If your dog has itchy skin, this could really help

Each meal is carefully balanced using human quality meat as well as vegetables and lentils then gently cooked before being packed and delivered to you frozen.

Their menu includes an extensive range of proteins from the traditional chicken, turkey, beef or lamb to some exotic recipes with venison and wild boar and a veggie recipe.

We love the selection as it helps dog lovers with picky eaters rotate recipes every week, making it much easier to entice those fussy dog with new flavours.

Bear in mind that Butternut Box meals need freezer storage and fridge thawing, so factor your available storage space into your delivery schedule. However the minimal packaging does mean you can fit a sizeable delivery into a freezer drawer.

To ensure a gentle dietary change for your dog, Butternut Box provides a 2-week introductory plan. This helps prevent digestive issues and allows you to check your dog enjoys the food before making a larger commitment.

The menu is personalised for each dog but generally daily prices are -

🐾 Small dog plans start from around £1.31

🐾 Medium from £2.66 

🐾. Large from £3.92 

A great way to boost the nutritional value of your dog's existing kibble without breaking the bank is to use Butternut Box as a topper. Mixing it at a 50:50 ratio not only keeps costs down but also makes their kibble incredibly tasty and more nutritious.

Importantly, whichever option you choose, we think that their pricing is clear and it's easy to understand exactly what your costs will be going forwards.

Want to add a couple of extras to your order ?

Seriously, Butternut Box's treats smell incredible – their lamb ones are like a Sunday Roast in a bag! Plus, they've got their own dental sticks to keep your dog's breath nice and fresh.

For delivery, you have the choice of three options: larger, cost-effective quantities (requiring freezer space) or smaller, more frequent orders (at a slightly higher daily price) if freezer space is limited.

Our Verdict - In a nutshell, Butternut Box offer a subscription service that delivers fresh, pre-portioned meals to your door. They tick all the boxes for fresh, nutritious, delivered and personalised dog food and with the discount on your first two boxes, it's a great time to see if your dog is a fan.

Butternut Box are offering Smart Bark readers

50% OFF your first box + 50% OFF your second box

To take advantage of this offer, click on the link below

View Butternut

View Butternut Box

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Want to know more? Check out our Butternut Box in-depth review

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5. Best Raw Dog Food

Naturaw

Reasons to Buy :

+ Best for fussy dogs

+ Ideal for sensitive tummies

+ Great for dogs with allergies

+ Commitment to sustainability

+ Money-saving bundles

+ Next day delivery

Reasons to Avoid :

- If you have a lack of freezer space

Behind the Brand: Multi-award winning raw dog food business

Range: Forage, Original, Simple (DIY) & Taster Boxes

Variety: Forage 7 recipes, Original 19 recipes, Simply 4 recipes

Clarity of Label: Excellent - full list of ingredient %

Price: £ - £££ depending on range and delivery volumes

Buying Options :

Save £5 on your first order

Use the Voucher Code FREDDIESENTME

View Naturaw

Next in our review is multi-award winning Naturaw, an ethical, high quality British raw dog food brand. Their Forage dog food range was recently awarded the UK's highest rated dog food on the independent advice site AADF - All About Dog Food.

Naturaw's exceptional raw dog food is matched by their commitment to sustainability, as they were awarded the King's Award for Enterprise in sustainable development.

In an industry under increasing scrutiny for its environmental impact, Naturaw is a trailblazer, leading the charge in sustainable practices and operations.

So let's take a closer look at their food -

Naturaw is nutritionally designed and balanced to provide your dog with all the protein, vitamins and minerals they require. It's worth noting that their ranges are free from fillers and grains.

You have a choice to either buy the food in a money-saving variety bundle (a Taster Box) or opt to choose recipes individually.

If you're thinking of dipping your toe in the water with raw dog food, a great place to start is their amazing 'New To Raw Feeding Box'.

This box has been specifically designed to help with the switch to raw dog food.

The ingredients for each recipe are clearly laid out so if you have a dog with allergies or a sensitive stomach you won't find any hidden ingredients.

Simply defrost them one at a time, incredibly easy to remember, just remove a new tray from the freezer as you finish one.

Their award winning Forage range is a nutritionally complete raw food consisting of the same high welfare British meat and complemented with 10% superfood ingredients.

The recently extended range is available in 7 recipes - including a Pure blend recipe which you can combine with their other foods.

Naturaw understands the importance of finding the perfect fit for your dog.  That's why they offer a fantastic value Forage Trial Box. This allows you to explore the different recipes before committing to a larger order.

We Tested, We Loved!

We put a variety of Naturaw products to the test, including both their Original and Forage collections.  We were thoroughly impressed, not only by the clean bowls left behind by our happy testers, but also by Naturaw's commitment to sustainability.

You definitely get more 'bang for your buck' with the Taster Boxes - not only do you get free delivery, the boxes offer a substantial saving over selecting the products individually and if you use our discount code you get a further £5 off.

Not to mention, if you set up a regular subscription you also get free treats.

It's definitely worth considering a subscription as Naturaw also offer :

• FREE TREATS with every Taster box

• 5% OFF all other raw food

Our Verdict - Based on their high quality and award winning raw dog food, the option to save money with their Original Taster Boxes, the exceptional Forage range, free delivery and excellent customer service, Naturaw have a lot to offer dog lovers.

Save £5 on your first order

Use the Voucher Code FREDDIESENTME

View Naturaw

Considering Raw Dog Food? We've Got You Covered!

Dive into our in-depth Raw Review! We put Naturaw, Paleo Ridge, ProDog Raw, and Wilsons to the test, analysing ingredients, nutrition, and canine satisfaction for 12 weeks.

Want to Know More About Naturaw Specifically?

We've also got a dedicated deep-dive review focused solely on Naturaw dog food.  This review provides a detailed analysis to help you decide if it's the right choice for your furry friend.

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6. Best Air Dried Dog Food

Pure Pet Food

Reasons to Buy :

+ Ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs

+ Great if you have limited freezer space

+ Long shelf life

+ Customised for your dog

Reasons to Avoid :

- If you're looking for fresh dog food

Behind the Brand: Innovative air-dried food customised for your dog

Range: On-line tailored food and a capsule range in Pets at Home

Recipes: 7 recipes

Clarity of Label: Good - partial list of ingredient %

Price: £

Buying Options :

Click here for 40% OFF your first box plus 15% OFF the next two boxes

View Pure Pet Food

We think that Pure offers a healthier alternative to kibble for those dog lovers who don’t necessarily want to switch their dog to pricier fresh, raw or home cooked food.

Pure is air dried dog food which is some seriously clever stuff.

The air drying process acts as a natural form of preservation meaning that no preservatives or harmful high temperatures are needed.

All the Pure recipes are minimally processed and each ingredient is finely chopped to ensure they're super digestible.

The food is then gently air-dried at a low temperature so the moisture is removed but the food retains it's all important nutrients. You simply add water, stir and serve!

Wet dog food is generally more appetising, so if you have a picky pup, chances are Pure will be more appealing than kibble.

Plus, Pure's recipes rank at the top of their nutritional scale with an All About Dog Food rating of 80%.

Because it's completely customised to your dog, their food can take account of any underlying health issues and allergies. So it's extremely popular with owners of dogs suffering from ailments, renal conditions and sensitive stomachs.

Pure offer an online subscription service, simply take the 3 minute quiz to get a personalised meal plan for your pooch.

Pure certainly ticks a lot of boxes for us including easy storage, doorstep deliveries and most importantly the option to tailor the food to meet your dog's nutritional requirements.

Pure cuts out the middleman by selling directly to consumers, making it a cost-effective alternative to pricier fresh dog food options like Marleybones and Butternut Box.

Our Verdict - If your dog suffers from skin issues, allergies renal or digestive problems, we would recommend taking a closer look at Pure dog food as a great option for food-sensitive fur babies.

Click here for 40% OFF your first box plus 15% OFF the next two boxes

View Pure Pet Food

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If you'd like more information, why not read our full Pure Pet Food review

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7. Best Fresh Dog Food

Years.com

Reasons to Buy :

+ Very high nutritional rating

+ No fridge or freezer storage concerns

+ Additional superfood supplement

+ Tailored to breed and life-stage

+ Trial box available

Reasons to Avoid :

- Only 5 recipes

Behind the Brand: UK fresh dog food brand

Range: Ex Luxury Yacht Head Chef & Veterinary Clinical Nutrition Specialist designed dog food

Variety: 5 recipes plus a range designed specifically for puppies and Limited Edition Chef Collection

Clarity of Label: Excellent - full list of ingredient % via a QR Code scan

Price: ££

Buying Options :

You can try Years.com from just £3

for a 7 day transition trial

PLUS enter discount code SMARTBARK for free delivery on any order

View Years.com

Fresh dog food appeals to busy dog lovers who want high quality dog food coupled with stress-free home delivery.

Of course, the first thing to say about Years.com is that they have achieved an exceptionally high nutritional rating of 96% on the independent dog food rating site - 'All About Dog Food'.

It doesn't stop there. Years.com don't simply use human-grade meats but insist on using human cuts of meat such as chicken thigh, salmon fillet and matured steak.

Certainly sounds more appetising than meat meals or animal derivatives you find in some dog foods!

Offering an online subscription service, you simply take a short quiz then Years.com use all that information to offer meals customised to your dog taking into account your dog's breed, ailments, allergies, activity levels and your dog's life stage.

They currently offer a range of recipes all including a high variety of ingredients plus all their recipes are grain and legume free, which is ideal for dogs suffering from intolerances.

Years have recently launched their Chef's Collection. Limited edition recipes which have included King Prawn & Giant Squid Paella and now Wagyu Steak Lasagne.

This exclusive, gourmet dog food is the vision of Years' Head Chef Luke Alkemade, a seasoned culinary professional with experience in Michelin-starred dining, luxury yacht cuisine, and product development for Charlie Bigham's and M&S, and features the finest ingredients. Your pup is gonna love it!

However, the biggest difference between Years.com and their fresh food rivals (for me) is storage.

Whereas their rivals require freezing and refrigeration which can lead to storage issue for dog lovers, Years.com can be stored in your cupboard. It only needs to be popped in the fridge once opened.

In testing, we were certainly impressed by the look and aroma of their fresh dog food.

We loved that you can easily identify key ingredients within the dish and to be honest each meal looks fit to serve up for my family as well as my dog.

Oh, we nearly forgot to mention the Superfood Supplement to accompany your dog's meals.

Tailored to your dog's breed and designed to address common ailments, their Superfood Supplement also contains a unique blend of probiotics and prebiotics to support healthy gut flora.

Lastly, we thought we'd mention that Years.com have recently launched a collection of natural dog treats. Now you can get everything your dog needs – complete and delicious nutrition – in one convenient order.

Our Verdict - Ok, so fresh dog food is not the cheapest option available to you, however if you're looking for a top quality, highly nutritious fresh dog food, personalised to suit your dog and delivered to your door, then we'd suggest taking a closer look at Years.com.

Enter discount code SMARTBARK for free delivery on any order

View Years.com

Want to know more? Why not read our deep dive Years Dog Food Review

On the other hand, if you'd like to know more about other UK fresh dog food brands, check out our article comparing some other fantastic options - Different Dog, Pets Love Fresh, Tuggs, Butternut Box & of course Years - Best Fresh Dog Food Review 

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8. Best Wet Dog Food

Forthglade

Reasons to Buy :

+ Convenience

+ Fussy pups

+ Long shelf life

   + Extensive range

   + Cheaper than fresh food

Reasons to Avoid :

- Pricier than most dried options

Behind the Brand: 50 years worth of expertise in Pet Nutrition

Range: Adult, Senior, Puppy, newly extended Small Dog range

Variety: 18 grain free recipes & 9 wholegrain recipes & variety packs

Clarity of Label: Excellent - full list of ingredient %

Price: ££

Buying Options :

For 15% OFF

enter our discount code SMARTBARK15 at checkout

View Forthglade

Hailed as the "Best Wet Food of 2025" by Your Dog Magazine readers and "Wet Dog Food of the Year" in the Retailer Recommended Awards 2024, Forthglade isn't messing around! 

They offer two comprehensive wet food ranges – Grain Free and Wholegrain – ensuring you can find the perfect, nutritious meal for your dog.

The first thing to say is that all their recipes regardless of whether they are grain free or wholegrain, are formulated to include 75% single source proteins like salmon, lamb, duck, beef or turkey.

It's worth mentioning that this is an exceptionally high meat content.

Their wholegrain range is formulated with brown rice or oats which are great sources of fibre and highly digestible. Crucially, both ranges have a very high average nutritional rating of 85% on the All About Dog Food website.

Whilst the adult range is broader, Forthglade also offer lifestage recipes aimed at both puppy and senior dog.

Both puppies and senior dogs have specific nutritional requirements so Forthglade's ranges are designed to be nutritionally balanced for each particular lifestage.

So regardless of whether you're looking for the best start in life or for your dog to stay fitter for longer, Forthglade have a range designed for your four-legged friend.

The senior range is aimed at dogs over 7yrs and is lower in calories, contains 15% less fat than the adult recipe range and is packed with chondroitin and glucosamine and salmon oil for joints and bones.

Big love for little tummies!

And let's not forget smaller dogs which are often overlooked but have unique nutritional requirements and deserve a diet that matches their special needs.

Forthglade have created a range specifically designed to provide the perfect nourishment for small dogs. Packed with 75% high-quality protein and wholesome, natural ingredients, these grain-free recipes are free from unnecessary fillers.

Designed with convenience in mind, the new range comes in portable 150g trays, perfect for on-the-go feeding. 

In testing, our testers preferred the trays to traditional canned dog food as they felt it was simpler to portion the food accurately.They also commented that they liked the paste-like consistency and the aroma was more appealing.

Simply pop in the fridge after opening and use within 48 hours. For the fussiest of our four-legged friends, serving this wet food at room temperature can work wonders. It's a tempting treat that even the pickiest pup will find irresistible!

What's more, Forthglade offer a range of Gourmet meals in partnership with the National Trust. They include 75% good quality meats like turkey, goose, beef, wild boar, duck & venison.

These more novel proteins are ideal for dogs with food allergies to the more traditional proteins such as chicken and beef.

It also means that you have an extensive range of Forthglade recipes to choose from, which will certainly benefit dog lovers with 'Goldilocks level' picky pups.

The only minor drawback we encountered was the occasional broken seal on the trays, which could result in mold growth. We recommend inspecting the trays before storing them as a precaution."

Our Verdict - We recommend Forthglade wet foods because customers clearly love them, they offer an extensive recipe selection (including small dogs, seniors and puppies) and they make any kibble more palatable for picky pups.

View Forthglade

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9. Best Tailored Dry Food

Tails

Reasons to Buy :

   + Tailored to your dog

   + Best for convenience

   + Long shelf life

   + Flexible ordering

   + No fridge/freezer space required

Reasons to Avoid :

   - Picky dogs tend to prefer wet foods

Behind the Brand: 250,000 happily fed dogs

Range: Customised dry kibble, wet food, treats, dental chews & poo bags

Variety: Tailored

Clarity of Label: OK - Generalised ingredient %

Price: ££

Buying Options :

For 25% 0FF your first box

 enter Discount Code SMART25 at checkout

(new customers only)

View tails.com

Tailored dog food is an extremely popular choice for dog lovers particularly those looking to manage allergies or struggling with health issues.

As all dogs are different, ideally their diet needs to reflect their individual needs, so customised dog food is a great alternative to the one-size-fits-all dog foods available.

What tails.com offers dog lovers, is the best of both worlds - the scoop & serve convenience of dry dog food coupled with a totally bespoke blend made for your dog all at a great price.

Only available on-line, we found the process of creating our dog's very own, unique, custom recipe extremely straightforward.

Simply use their online quiz to tell them all about your dog and they'll do the rest, customising a personal diet made just for your pup. From breed to age, lifestyle to health, your dog’s kibble will be unique, based on the information you provide.

Opt for a hypoallergenic blend to help deal with food intolerances, remove common allergens for sensitive stomachs or even reduce the calories for ageing dogs to match their lifestyle.

We love that your tails.com custom recipe is totally flexible and adapts as your dog ages.

For instance, for puppies under 14 weeks, deliveries are every two weeks so that tails.com can keep up with their nutritional needs.

If you have an older dog, instead of being offered a choice between Adult or Senior dog food, tails.com amend their recipe as you update your dog's profile to reflect any changes in activity levels and weight.

Do you have a particularly picky dog ?

Their food can be tailored around their favourite flavours and if for any reason your dog doesn't like the recipe, tails.com will change the blend for free.

Ultimately, we felt that the monthly costs were very transparent as were the ingredients chosen for our tailored blend of kibble.

And don't fret over the subscription ! It's super simple to pause, amend, delay or completely stop your deliveries.

So nothing like that dreaded gym membership !

Each order comes with a perfect portion scoop, to help ensure you are feeding your dog exactly the right amount of calories every day ( from experience it's easy to find family members feeding different amounts!)

tails.com are one of the best tailored dry dog foods on the UK market with over 30,000 positive reviews from happy dog lovers on Trustpilot.

Our Verdict - If you're looking for a unique blend of kibble for your dog, we would recommend taking a closer look at tails and maybe trying their online quiz to get an accurate picture of the costs involved for your dog.

For 75% 0FF your first box

 enter Discount Code SMART75 at checkout

(new customers only)

View tails.com

If you'd like more information, why not read our full tails.com review

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10. Best Insect Dog Food

Grub Club

Reasons to Buy :

+ Perfect eco-friendly option

+ Ideal for dogs with meat allergies

   + Wet & dry options available

+ Great for convenience

+ Long shelf life

+ No subscription necessary

Reasons to Avoid :

- If you don't believe in global warming

Behind the Brand: A low carbon paw-print, next-generation, high protein, novel, hypoallergenic dog food range

Range: Dried food, wet food, range of dog treats, poo bags & dental sticks

Varieties: All Day Buffet, Hearty HotPot, Superfood Supper & Farmhouse Feast

Clarity of Label: Good - partial list of ingredient %

Price: ££

Buying Options :

View Grub Club

Insect-based dog foods are going mainstream and there are several UK companies offering this eco-friendly alternative.

If you're looking to reduce your carbon paw-print then we'd recommend taking a closer look at Grub Club.

A next-generation, high-quality dog food brand which is ethically farmed and formulated from insect proteins.

A mind- blowing fact is that our pet cats and dogs consume an earth-shattering 20% of the world’s meat and fish! The insects used in Grub Clubs dog food generate 97% less greenhouse gases than meat.

Insect-based dog food offers your dog a great source of novel protein. This is crucial for dogs with food allergies and sensitivities. In fact, insect dog food contains more protein than chicken or beef and it's easier for your dog to digest.

Grub Club work with the world leading black soldier fly farms in the UK and the Netherlands, promoting a circular economy and ensuring the highest welfare standards possible.

Created with animal nutritionists and approved by the British Veterinary Association, Grub Club dog food is complete and balanced.

In addition to insect protein, Grub Club includes more traditional superfood ingredients - blueberries, pomegranates, sweet potato, spinach, apples, sunflower oil and yucca.

Grub Club's dry food, All Day Buffet, scores a 66% rating on the All About Dog Food nutritional scale, while their wet food range achieves a very impressive 86%.

Grub Club's latest wet food range includes three recipes:

🥦 Hearty HotPot - blended with broccoli,carrots & sweet potato

🥬 Farmhouse Feast - blended with pumpkin, parsnips & spinach

🍏 Superfood Supper - blended with apples, blueberry & beetroot

Each steam-cooked recipe is designed to preserve maximum nutritional content and is enriched with prebiotics to aid digestion. Pricier than the dry food, it would make a tasty topper for picky pups.

The All Day Buffet is available in 1.5kg, 6kg and 12kg bags, clearly the larger bags work out the best value and there's free delivery on orders over £39.

Their wet food range provides a variety of choices, allowing you to buy individual packs or save more by opting for 12, 24, or 36 packs.

To help you find your dog's favourite, they also offer a Taster Pack with four of each of the three flavours.

Also it's worth mentioning that further savings can be made by choosing a Subscribe & Save delivery.

Grub Club currently offer two great Introductory Bundles with £15 OFF each:-

⭐️ 6kg of All Day Buffet dog food, a selection of dog treats & dental sticks for

⭐️ 1.5kg of All Day Buffet food, a selection of treats & dental sticks

Our Verdict - We recommend Grub Club for eco-friendly dog lovers looking for healthy, hypoallergenic, planet saving food.

View on Grub Club

How to Buy The Best Food For Your Dog

The most important thing to consider is your dog's eating habits. Do they have allergies ? Are they a picky eater ? How much do they eat ?

The second thing you need to decide is what type of food would YOU prefer to serve ? When you know this, it becomes easier to decide which brand will fit best.

The nutritional value, the size of your pocket and your home storage will also play a part in ultimately determining which food will suit your dog and you best.

Bear in mind all these answers as you look through our recommended dog food brands.

We've done all the groundwork for you. We've tested and reviewed their products with the help of a whole variety of dogs from easy-to-please Labradors to fussy & downright difficult Cockapoos and their patient, dog loving owners.

We've researched their nutritional content and health claims whilst curating a shortlist. It's worth noting, as non-scientists, we've used the ratings from All About Dog Food for our nutritional comparisons. We've also given a rating on the clarity of the label, so you can identify ingredient percentages.

We evaluate some more traditional dog food companies and compare them to a host of online brands powered by digital technology to deliver their innovative and often customised dog food directly to your door.

With money saving subscriptions, excellent customer service, intuitive websites and great offers exclusive to Smart Bark - what's not to love ?

 Only the best of the best made it to our list.

Just welcomed a new addition to your family? Why not read our Best Puppy Food review

How We Choose

We decided to start off our hunt for the best dog food by analysing top-selling brands and exploring a whole range of companies that we felt were revolutionising the face of dog food in the UK.

Our criteria for including brands was based on -

💛 High nutritional value

💛 Extensive range

💛 Offer to customers

💛 Home delivery

💛 Customisation options

💛 Price

Over the years Smart Bark had already fully tested, analysed and reviewed raw, fresh and tailored dog foods in addition to having extensive experience of dried, insect and wet dog foods.

We decided that with such a broad range of foods on offer to customers, we would pick the top food in each category - wet, dried, fresh, air dried and raw. We also felt that Insect Protein dog food with it's planet saving credentials deserved a place in our review.

From our shortlist, we made sure we (and our team of Canine Testers) had tested all the brands featured to check all claims and add some 'real world' feedback.

Almost all our products are sent to us by the companies involved and almost always as a result of our request. We only review the products we think are worth reviewing.

Thank you for reading our article and we hope you've found a dog food to suit your dog and you in our round up of the Best Dog Foods in the UK for 2025.