The Best Dog Foods UK for 2023 : Tested & Reviewed
Updated: 2 days ago
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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 kibble, whilst dogs with allergies and sensitive stomachs can benefit from delivered, tailored or even fresh dog food.
There are also new 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 kibble. 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 industry has sat up and listened.
According to The UK Pet Food's Annual Report (previously PFMA) in 2023:
⭐️ There are approx. 13 million dogs in the UK
⭐️ 34% of households own a dog
⭐️ The pet food industry is worth 3.8bn
Dog food has traditionally been dominated by trusted national brands, but as modern dog-lovers search for specialised nutrition and the inclusion of high-quality human ingredients, private label dog foods are taking the dog food market by storm.
There's a whole range of companies revolutionising the face of UK dog food, and we've included the best of canine cuisine in our round up.
You can use the links below to skip to the relevant section - or read on for every last detail to help you find the perfect dog food.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
How to Buy the Best Food for Your Dog
Our Picks of the The Best Dog Food 2023
1. Best Raw Dog Food - Naturaw
2. Best Dry Dog Food - Forthglade
3. Best Tailored Dry Food - tails.com
4. Best Air Dried Dog Food - Pure Pet Food
5. Best Fresh Dog Food - Years.com
6. Best Wet Dog Food - Forthglade
7. Best Insect Dog Food - 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 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 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 - what's not to love ?
Only the best of the best made it to our list.
If you've just welcomed a new addition to your family, read our Best Puppy Food review
Our Picks of The Best Dog Foods 2023
1. Best Raw Dog Food
Naturaw
Reasons to Buy :
+ Best for fussy dogs
+ Ideal for sensitive tummies
+ Great for dogs with allergies
+ Commitment to sustainability
+ Suits dog lovers with freezer space
+ 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 16 recipes, Simply 4 recipes
Price: £ - £££ depending on range and delivery volumes
New to our review for 2023 are 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.
We've included Naturaw not just for their exceptionally high quality raw dog food but their commitment to sustainability. And we're not the only ones to think so.
Naturaw have been awarded the first ever, highly prestigious King's Award for Enterprise for its excellence in sustainable development.
These days, dog food companies are under increased pressure to reduce not only their carbon footprint but their environmental impact across the entire supply chain.
Sustainability is no longer just a trend, but a crucial value that dog lovers are looking for when choosing a food for their four-legged friend.
Naturaw are trailblazers.
Compared to other raw dog food brands they are leading the way by embedding sustainability into their practices and operations.
From their 100% compostable packaging, planting trees every time someone subscribes to their food offer to generating their own solar power; sustainability is at the heart of their brand.
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 8 kg bundle is predominantly Mild Chicken which is nice and gently, so perfect for those switching to raw. The box comes with free next day delivery and includes 16 x 500g tubs.
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.
Atlantic mackerel, fruit, vegetables and botanicals, all natural 'functional' whole foods are selected for their nutritional value.
The recently extended range is available in 7 recipes - Beef, Lamb, Pork, Venison, Puppy & Free Range Chicken and as a Pure Blend which you can combine with their other foods.
Oh ! It's worth pointing out that Naturaw offer a great value Forage Trial Box so you can explore their recipes before committing to a large order.
We tested a variety of their range including the Original and Forage collections and were really impressed, not only the clean bowls, but by the Naturaw and their 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
Festive Limited Edition Recipes
We would definitely recommend taking a closer look at Naturaw. 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, they have a lot to offer dog lovers. |
To save £5 on your first order -
Simply use the Discount Code FREDDIESENTME
If you would like more information about Naturaw and their rivals - checkout our deep-dive into raw dog food where we test and analyse Naturaw, Paleo Ridge, ProDog Raw and Wilsons for 12 weeks each - Best Raw Dog Food Review
2. Best Dry Dog Food
Forthglade
Reasons to Buy :
+ Best for convenience
+ 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
Price: £
Kibble is still 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 kibble, can we suggest choosing the best you can afford and while you're at it - get it delivered!
Cold pressed kibbles 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.
All About Dog Food rate Forthglade Cold Pressed at 77% which is an exceptionally high nutritional rating for a dried dog food.
This compares to around the 70% mark for popular dry brands such as Wainwrights, James Wellbeloved, Harringtons and Lily's Kitchen.
The beauty of choosing a dry food from Forthglade is not only are they a very experienced brand but their extensive range of complementary wet foods make tasty toppers (although this will bump up the price of course).
We loved the option of a 1kg trial size 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 pieces were quite large and crunchy compared to their usual brand, so wondered how puppies would manage.
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 food fresh.
Each bag has a durable velcro strip which our testers loved. An important point especially if you're buying a bigger bag!
Forthglade offer a Subscribe and Save option on-line and we simply love this stress free option.
You can have your dog food delivered to your door regularly with a 10% saving and free deliveries (on orders over £30).
If you're looking for a slightly cheaper option, take a closer look at Forthglade's NEW Lightly Baked Range.
Three recipes with an incredibly high 50% single source protein. With an All About Dog Food rating of 70%, not as nutritionally impressive as the Cold Pressed range but still is a very respectable rating.
Forthglade are one of the most premium, yet affordable dog food brands on the market. So if you're looking for a high quality kibble which is easy on the pocket, we would recommend Forthglade's Cold Pressed food. |
We're not the only ones! The Forthglade cold pressed range received a Highly Commended award as one of the leading dry dog foods available voted for by readers of Your Dog magazine. |
For 15% OFF the entire Forthglade range (excluding Taster Packs & Specials)
enter SMARTBARK15 at checkout
3. Best Tailored Dry Food
tails.com
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
Price: ££
Tailored dog food is an extremely popular choice for dog lovers particularly those looking to manage allergies or struggling with health issues.
What tails.com offers dog lovers, is the best of both worlds - the scoop & serve convenience of dry dog food coupled with a totally customised blend made for your dog.
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.
tails.com can offer this service at a great price.
We found the process of creating your dog's very own, unique, custom recipe is 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.
It's worth noting that it is 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.
If you're looking for a unique blend of kibble for your dog, we would recommend taking a closer look and maybe trying their online quiz to get an accurate picture of the costs involved for your four-legged best friend. |
Smart Bark can offer an amazing 75% 0FF your first box
(dry food + wet food + treats + poo bags) for all new customers.
Simply enter Discount Code SMART75 at checkout.
4. 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
Price: £
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!
It’s widely understood that wet dog food is generally more appetising, so if you have a picky pup, chances are Pure will be more appealing than kibble.
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 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, delivered to your door and most importantly the option to tailor the food to meet your dog's nutritional requirements.
By selling directly to you, Pure have been able to keep their costs down so it is one of the best value dog foods to feature in our review.
If your dog suffers from skin issues, allergies or digestive problems, we would recommend taking a closer look at Pure dog food as a great option for food-sensitive fur babies. |
Click for 30% OFF your first box
5. Best Fresh Dog Food
Years.com - NEW Pick for 2023
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: NEW 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
Price: ££
Fresh dog food appeals not only to those dogs with sensitive tummies and allergies but busy dog lovers who want stress-free home delivery.
Years.com are a new fresh brand and definitely a key part of the dog food revolution.
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'.
You'll struggle to find a more nutritious dog food on the UK market.
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 5 recipes all including a high variety of ingredients and it's worth noting that all their recipes are grain and legume free, which is ideal for dogs suffering from intolerances.
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's all down to the way their food is cooked NOT the addition of preservatives. Uniquely designed trays with steam vessels, reduce the cooking time and temperature required, so the food is minimally processed. It only needs to be popped in the fridge once opened.
We were certainly impressed by the look and aroma of their fresh dog food.
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.
Our Verdict - If you are 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. It's a great value option without the usual fresh food storage concerns |
You can try Years.com from just £3 for a 7 day transition trial
Enter discount code SMARTBARK for free delivery on any order
If you would like to know more about Years.com, why not read our deep dive Years,com Dog Food Review : A Complete Nutrition System
On the other hand, if you'd like to know more about Fresh alternatives, check out our article comparing Years.com, Different Dog, Tuggs & Butternut Box - Best Fresh Dog Food Review
6. Best Wet Dog Food
Forthglade
Reasons to Buy :
+ Convenience
+ Long shelf life
Reasons to Avoid :
- Pricier than most dried options
Behind the Brand: 50 years worth of expertise in Pet Nutrition
Range: Adult, Senior & Puppy
Variety: 18 grain free recipes & 9 wholegrain recipes & variety packs
Price: ££
Forthglade offer two ranges of complete wet food - Grain Free and Wholegrain.
Their Complete Grain Free wet food was named the Best Wet Dog Food in 2023 in Your Dog Magazine, voted for by readers.
The first thing to say is that all their recipes regardless of whether they are grain free or wholegrain, are formulated to include 75% salmon, lamb, duck, beef or turkey. 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. Both ranges have a very high average nutritional rating of 85% on All About Dog Food.
Whilst the adult range is broader, Forthglade also offer lifestage recipes aimed at both puppy and senior dogs. They have recently expanded their Puppy and Senior Dog offer by adding 4 brand new recipes for 2023.
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.
When testing, our testers preferred the trays to traditional tins as it is simpler to portion the food, they also liked the paste-like consistency and the aroma.
Simply pop in the fridge after opening and use within 48 hours. If you've got a super fussy eater, serve the food at room temperature. You can opt to buy the trays individually or in variety packs.
The only downside was that sometimes we found that the plastic seal had been broken so the food was mouldy (although this was rare, we'd suggest checking the trays before storing them).
PRO TIP You might also like to know that Forthglade have introduced a range of Forthglade Specials. During the cost of living crisis, Forthglade are offering the same high-quality meals but with substantial savings by simplifying the packaging and increasing the pack size to maximise efficiency.
These savings are available on a range of single recipe wet food.
We recommend both the grain free and wholegrain Forthglade wet foods because customers clearly love them, they're a trusted brand with a high nutritional rating and their food is widely available. |
Additionally you can go on-line to see their full range including the NEW recipes and set up a money saving subscription for regular deliveries. |
For 15% OFF the entire Forthglade range (excluding Taster Packs & Specials)
enter SMARTBARK15 at checkout
🎄 Feeling Festive ? 🎄 Forthglade have launched their limited edition Christmas Range. From turkey flavoured treats to tasty wet dog food recipes that are inspired by Christmas, containing 75% turkey, beef or lamb. |
🎄View the Forthglade Christmas Range 🎄🎄View the Forthglade Christmas Range 🎄 |
7. Best Insect Dog Food
Grub Club - NEW Pick for 2023
Reasons to Buy :
+ Perfect eco-friendly option
+ Ideal for dogs with meat allergies
+ Great for convenience
+ Long shelf life
+ No subscription necessary
Reasons to Avoid :
- Only one recipe
Behind the Brand: A low carbon paw-print, next-generation, hypoallergenic dog food
Range: Dried food and selection of dog treats
Varieties: All Day Buffet
Price: ££
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.
Grub Club is a next-generation high-quality dog food 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 gasses than meat.
Insect-based dog food offers your dog a great source of protein. 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 hasn't been rated by All About Dog Food yet, but we'll keep you posted.
Price-wise, Grub Club is on a par with other premium dried kibble.
In testing, we found that the kibble looked exactly like other dried foods we've tested but without that meaty smell. Freddie can be quite fussy when it comes to dried dog food, but he happily ate the kibble.
Available in 1.5kg, 6kg and 12kg bags, clearly the larger bags work out the best value.
Also it's worth mentioning that further savings can be made be choosing a regular subscription.
Don't like subscriptions? Don't worry! You can buy a single bag to try their food and make sure your dog loves it first.
Grub Club also offer a range of 3 different dog treats. All healthy, hypoallergenic and sustainable so you can work on those training goals whilst looking after the planet.
We recommend Grub Club for eco-friendly dog lovers looking for healthy, hypoallergenic, planet saving food. |
A great time to dip your toe in the water with insect-based dog food.
Grub Club are offering 30% OFF your first two orders
& subscriptions get an EXTRA 10% OFF with code POOP30
You may be interested .....
If you are concerned about your dog's water intake and hydration levels, can we suggest taking a closer look at Furr Boost.
It's a 100% natural dog drink so perfect for keeping your dog hydrated and refreshed.
The aroma of the added ingredients, which can be served cold or gently warmed as a soup, make Furr Boost far more tempting for your pup than plain kibble or water.
You have the choice of adding Furr Boost directly to kibble or to your dog's water bowl and it's designed to be suitable for dogs of all ages from puppies to senior dogs.
We tested the Furr Boost range of drinks and found that they were extremely palatable and without a doubt increased our dog's liquid intake.
Available in packs of 10 from Amazon.
If you'd like to know more about Furr Boost, why not read our full and in-depth 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 dog foods, fresh and tailored dog foods in addition to having extensive experience of dried 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 2023.