Best Fresh Dog Food : Tested & Reviewed

Smart Bark is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Every dog lover wants to feed their dog the best food they can afford. Given the choice, if we all had the time and knowledge we'd probably all choose to feed our dogs the ultimate in canine cuisine - home-cooked food.

It would be super fresh, contain more nutrients than most commercial dog food, we could tailor it to our dog's individual needs and if we cooked in bulk would probably be considerably cheaper than many off-the-shelf dog foods.

Unfortunately, there's no getting away from the fact that it's incredibly time-consuming and more importantly, we would need in-depth knowledge about canine nutrition in order to prepare a balanced diet for our dogs.

Luckily there is an alternative that gives you all the benefits of home-cooked food without the inevitable challenges - fresh dog food.

Fresh dog food appeals not only to those dogs with sensitive tummies and allergies but busy dog lovers who want high quality dog food with stress-free home delivery.

Additionally, because fresh dog food is cooked, there are no hygiene concerns that you may have over feeding raw dog foods.

We take a closer look at 5 groundbreaking brands that offer a subscription service delivering fresh meals to your door.

These meals are made with human-grade ingredients, have exceptionally high nutritional ratings and are tailored to your dog's specific dietary needs.

Read on for reasons to consider this type of dog food, followed by our top picks of the best fresh dog food you can buy in 2025.

CONTENTS

Why Consider Fresh Dog Food ?

Our Picks of the Best Fresh Dog Food

1. Years

2. Different Dog

  3. Butternut Box

  4. Tuggs 

5. Pets Love Fresh

Our Verdict

How We Chose

Why Consider Fresh Dog Food ?

Fresh, cooked dog food is rated amongst some of the most nutritious dog food on the market. Often more palatable to dogs than traditional dry or wet food it's ideal to entice fussy dogs to eat a healthy diet.

Whilst admittedly, it can be more expensive than kibble or some wet foods, many dog lovers believe that the benefits of a fresh, cooked diet far outweigh the cost. You only need to read the rave reviews and testimonials to find masses of customers extolling the virtues of this dog diet.

The companies involved offer personalised plans with meals customised for your dog's weight, breed, activity level, age and allergies.

Ultimately, it's super convenient, all the companies we feature deliver direct to your door - so no more hauling 12kg bags of kibble from the car !

Our Picks of the Best Fresh Dog Food

1. Years.com

Reasons to Buy :

+ No fridge or freezer storage concerns

+ Additional Superfood Supplement

+ Tailored to breed and life-stage

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

Clarity of Label: Excellent - full list of ingredient %

Price: £

You can try Years.com from just £3 for a 7 day transition trial

Enter discount code SMARTBARK for free delivery on any order

View on Years.com

Years.com are relative newcomers to dog food but have already made waves in a very crowded dog food market.

All their meals are created by a fine dining expert and ex-luxury Yacht Head Chef, alongside a Specialist in Veterinary Clinical Nutrition and all reviewed by their Board-Certified Vet Nutritionalist.

If fact their recipes are the best ever rated fresh, whole-food meals on the independent advice site AADF - All About Dog Food at a whopping 96%.

They currently offer a range of 5 recipes all including a high variety of ingredients (over 20 per recipe) with vegetables, seeds, fruit, herbs and botanicals. It's worth noting that all recipes are grain and legume free, which is great for dogs suffering from intolerance.

In addition to taking into account your dog's breed, ailments, allergies and activity levels, Years.com alter the balance of nutrients in their meals to take account your dog's life stage. They also offer a range designed for puppies with puppy specific micronutrients and a unique puppy botanical blend.

However, the biggest difference between Years.com and their rivals (for me) is storage. Whereas their rivals require freezing and refrigeration which can lead to storage issue for dog lovers, Years.com food 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.

Their cooking process means that you can store Years.com in your cupboard for up to 3 months. It only needs to be popped in the fridge once opened. This is a massive plus for anyone with a relatively small fridge/freezer.

Years have recently launched their Chef's Collection, and it's starting with a bang! We're talking King Prawn & Giant Squid Paella – yes, for dogs! This limited-edition, handmade dish is like a fancy Spanish vacation in a bowl, and your pup is gonna love it!

Years provide 'Stay Fresh' lids with your first order to help keep those opened trays fresh for up to 5 days in the fridge. This was the only flaw we could find in an otherwise exceptional offer. The lids didn't fit well and seemed too flimsy to provide a secure seal.

Admittedly this is a flaw rather than a deal breaker and easily solved by decanting or simply using cling film.

Oh, and there's the Superfood Supplement to accompany your dog's meals. Tailored to your dog's breed (to address common ailments) it also contains a blend of probiotics and prebiotics to support healthy gut flora.

We were certainly impressed by the look and aroma of their fresh dog food. You can clearly see the range of ingredients and the food looked chunky and appetising, unlike the usual 'pate' look of wet dog foods.

Years 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 have the choice of a 2,4 & 8 week plan or you can dip your toe in the water with their great value 7 day trial box.

Clearly long term, the 8 week plan works out the best value for money. The menu is personalised for each dog but generally the daily prices work out at -

🐾 Small dog (6kg) from £1.98

🐾. Medium (12kg) from £2.61

🐾. Large (26kg) from £3.75

During testing, we felt that their pricing was clear and straightforward, detailing both daily and monthly costs including delivery.

It's worth mentioning that Years.com have launched a collection of natural dog treats.

Free from additives and fillers, their treats focus on additional health benefits such as improved dental health, gut health, cognitive function, and joint health. We think it's a super convenient way to order dog treats with your food, one less thing to remember - a one-stop-shop !

Our Verdict - All of the above means that if you're looking for a highly nutritious dog food, with the largest ingredient diversity we have seen, that is also good value and tailored to your dog, Years.com could be for you. Especially if you are concerned about freezer storage, we'd recommend considering Years.com.

You can try Years.com from just £3 for a 7 day transition trial

Enter discount code SMARTBARK for free delivery on any order

View on Years.com

Changing dog food is a big decision, if you would like more info, why not read our deep dive review - Years Dog Food Review: A Complete Nutrition System

2. Different Dog

Reasons to Buy :

+ Option as a topper

+ Starter boxes available

+ Money off first box

Reasons to Avoid :

- If you have limited freezer space

Behind the Brand: Established UK fresh dog food brand

Range: Canine Nutritionalist designed fresh food plus treats, bone broths and supplements

Variety: 13 recipes including a range designed to support common health conditions

Clarity of Label: Good - main list of ingredient %

Price: £££

For 40% OFF your first two boxes of Different Dog

use Discount Code SMARTBARKCC40

View Different Dog

Different Dog are a leading fresh brand and definitely a key part of the dog food revolution.

After working in the pet industry for four years, husband and wife Charlie and Alex Thurstan decided to start creating their own dog food and Different Dog was born.

The company has gone from strength to strength with over 1400  5 ⭐️ Trustpilot reviews.

With an 'All About Dog Food' nutritional rating of an exceptionally high 90 –93% (recipe dependent), you'll struggle to find a more nutritious dog food on the UK market.

Of course, the first thing to say about Different Dog is that their premium dog food is hand-cooked following nutritionist designed recipes. Their recipes are incredibly nutritious, grain free and contain at least 60% meat with seasonal fruit, vegetables and superfoods added.

The ingredients, sourced locally from British suppliers where possible, are then cooked gently before being frozen for delivery.

It doesn't stop there. Their recipes only include high-quality cuts of British meat, no cheaper fillers and we love that their packaging is eco-friendly and compostable.

In fact, they are so sure that your dog will love their food that they offer your money back if the bowl isn't licked clean !

Offering an on-line subscription service, we found their short quiz straightforward and Different Dog use all the information you provide to offer home cooked recipes to suit your dog.

Delivered directly to your door, all you need to do is defrost each meal and dish up either direct from your fridge or it can be gently warmed to release the aromas.

In testing, we were astonished by just how appetising the Different Dog recipes looked. You can easily identify key ingredients within the dish and to be honest each meal looks fit to serve up to the family as well as our dog.

Once defrosted, their fresh food lasts up to five days in the fridge, so each meal could easily be portioned and used as a topper for several meals.

A small point but worth mentioning that we found Different Dog packaging easy to reseal - so no need to decant.

Let's be honest, Different Dog is not the cheapest dog food on the market, and there's always a price to pay for quality nutrition. However, you could consider using it as a topper which will reduce the daily price significantly whilst improving the nutritional value of your dog's meal.

We love this budget-friendly idea as not everyone can afford to feed their dog solely on fresh delivered dog food.

The menu is personalised for each dog but generally if you chose to feed your dog exclusively on Different Dog daily costs are -

🐾. Small dog (6kg) around £2.20

🐾. Medium (12kg) £3.30

🐾. Large (26kg) £5.28

Clearly using Different Dog as a topper, will reduce this price significantly.

It's worth mentioning that Different Dog have a recently extended range of dog treats, broths and supplements. We especially love their broths, perfect for freezing and defrosting when your pup has a sensitive stomach and needs a bland diet for a few days.

Our Verdict - The bottom line is that if you're looking for a top-quality fresh dog food, from a company with years of experience, personalised to suit your dog and delivered to your door, then we'd suggest taking a closer look at Different Dog.

For 40% OFF your first two boxes of Different Dog

use Discount Code SMARTBARKCC40

View Different Dog

If you would like any additional information,

why not read our deep dive article - Different Dog Food Review

3. Butternut Box

Reasons to Buy :

  + Individually packed

  + Money off boxes

  + Offer one-stop shop for food, treats, dental sticks

Reasons to Avoid :

   - Fridge/freezer storage considerations

Behind the Brand: Popular UK fresh dog food brand

Range: Fresh food, range of treats, dental sticks, broth, biscuits and poo bags

Variety: 12 recipes including vegetarian and plant-based options

Clarity of Label: Excellent - full list of ingredient %

(scan QR code for full list)

Price: ££

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

Let's be honest, no article discussing the best fresh dog foods would be complete without a nod to probably the best known fresh dog food brand - Butternut Box.

Established way back in 2016, they now deliver over eight million meals to dogs in the UK. There are some very happy dogs out there!

Dog lovers everywhere adore the product with the company enjoying amazing customer retention and rave reviews.

Their food is 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.

Butternut Box uses a comprehensive online quiz to tailor one of their meal plans specifically to your dog. Requesting information such as your dog's sex, age, breed, allergies and any health issues, Butternut Box identify the most suitable recipes.

When we tested their ordering system we were offered a range of custom recipes and recommended to select several to offer some variety in our dog's diet.

All the recipes in their range achieve an average 'All About Dog Food' rating of 87%, which means they are not as high as Years.com and Different Dog, but Butternut Box is still a very high quality, nutritious dog food in the UK's massive dog food market.

Butternut Box is perfect if you like the easy life, as each fresh, pre-cooked meal is made in the UK then portioned before arriving at your door. Simply dish it up!

Each meal is individually packaged, which makes meal prep and storage easier and less messy overall.

Specially developed by nutritionists and vets, the meals are hypoallergenic with no added nasties. You don't need to worry about grain, soya, sugar or salt creeping in.

If your dog is prone to sore or itchy skin then opting for a hypoallergenic diet could be the answer.

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.

Just like Different Dog and Pets Love Fresh, it's absolutely crucial to bear in mind your available storage when opting for a delivery schedule as Butternut Box will need to be kept frozen and defrosted in the fridge when needed.

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.

Butternut Box helpfully offers a 2 week introductory plan so you can transition your pup from their existing food slowly to avoid any tummy upsets. Plus, you can also make sure that your dog enjoys the food before committing too much cash up front.

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, 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 ?

We think that Butternut Box offer the best-smelling dog treats on the market - seriously their lamb treats smell like a Sunday Roast. You can also add some oral hygiene to the mix with their very own dental sticks to keep that breathe smelling fresh.

You have three different delivery options to choose from. You can save money by ordering larger quantities but remember you will need the freezer space. Alternatively, if you have limited freezer space, you can order less but this will increases the daily price slightly.

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 Box

4. Tuggs

Reasons to Buy :

  + More sustainable option

  + Two week money-saving trial available

  + Small weekly deliveries available

  + Cheapest fresh food in our review

Reasons to Avoid :

   - Limited range of 4 recipes

Behind the Brand: First UK insect-based fresh dog food brand

Range: UK veterinary nutritionist developed fresh food menu

Variety: 4 recipes

Clarity of Label: Excellent - full list of ingredient %

Price: £

For 50% OFF on your first order,

enter Tuggs discount code - SMARTBARK50 at checkout

View Tuggs

With a stellar 93% nutritional rating from the 'All About Dog Food' website, Tuggs offers a diet that rivals the best dog foods available in the UK, providing exceptional nutritional value for your dog.

Launched in 2022, Tuggs are the first insect-based fresh dog food on the UK market.

A highly innovative dog food company, award-winning startup Tuggs offer nutritious dog food using a combination of meat, vegetables along with insects to offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional dog foods.

Tuggs is establishing itself in the fresh dog food market and serves tens of thousands of dog meals across the UK every month.

All their recipes are high in protein and free from grains, legumes and other nasties like artificial preservatives.

OK, so let's discuss those insects !

🐛 Nutritious: Packed with protein, essential amino acids & minerals

🐛 Eco-friendly: Use less water, land, and produces fewer greenhouse gases

🐛 Addressing pet impact: Pets account for a whopping 20% of global meat and fish consumption

We love that Tuggs are offering a blend of insect and meat protein, as for many dog-lovers, this could be their first foray into the world of insect-based dog foods. You can select from -

 ⭐️ Beef Brigade

 ⭐️ Chicken Coup

 ⭐️ Pork Power

 ⭐️ Cod Crew

If you're thinking that you'll see insects in the food then you're going to be disappointed. The food looks just like other fresh or raw dog foods.

As with the other dog foods featured in our review, Tuggs offer an online subscription service. Their questionnaire is quick and painless, with standard questions regarding age, breed, activity levels, allergies etc.

Delivered frozen, we particularly liked the flexibility of the delivery schedule. Small freezer? No problem, you can request small weekly deliveries. In fact you can select the frequency of your delivery from 1–6 weeks.

Go Green with Tuggs Eco-Friendly Packaging! ♻️. All their boxes, ice packs, and insulation are fully recyclable.

Want to help out? You can send the insulation back to them using the free return labels and dropping off the boxes at one of their collection points. Great Idea !

Admittedly, we were initially underwhelmed by the vacuum packeted pouches let's be honest Different Dog's packaging is much smarter. However, as soon as the food was transferred to the freezer, the benefit of this type of packaging was obvious.

We managed to pack 3 times as many meals in the same space. This is great news for dog-lovers with limited freezer space.

For best results, thaw your Tuggs pouches in the fridge for 24 hours. Once opened, consume within 48 hours for optimal freshness.

It's worth mentioning that unless you are feeding the exact amount in a bag, you will need to decant partly used bags into a container for the fridge. We'd recommend using airtight containers as the food does have a strong aroma - very enticing for picky pups !

Let's talk cost.

Tuggs is the cheapest dog food in this review so if you're looking for the best value dog food, Tuggs would be a great choice.

They also offer a two week money-saving trial. This is a great opportunity to check that your dog loves the food but it also lets you check how much dog food you can store in your freezer. The more you can store = less deliveries = cheaper per day.

You could opt to feed your pup a complete diet of Tuggs or choose half-and-half by mixing it with your current dog food to keep the cost down.

The menu is personalised for each dog but generally if you chose to feed your dog exclusively on Tuggs, daily costs are around -

🐾 Small dog (5kg) - £1.50

🐾 Medium (15kg) - £2.50

🐾 Large (30kg) - £3.50

Of course we'd recommend taking the online questionnaire to get a more accurate price for your dog.

Our Verdict - Ultimately, if you are looking to reduce your carbon pawprint whilst offering your four-legged friend highly nutritious dog food at a great price, then then we'd suggest taking a closer look at Tuggs. We particularly liked the flexibility of the deliveries, small order options and of course those planet saving insects.

For 50% OFF on your first order,

enter Tuggs discount code - SMARTBARK50 at checkout

View Tuggs

5. Pets Love Fresh

Reasons to Buy :

  + Great value taster packs available

  + Clever fridge storage

  + Free UK next day delivery

Reasons to Avoid :

   - If you have limited freezer space

Behind the Brand: UK fresh dog food brand launched in 2020

Range: Recipes formulated by vets and nutritionists, storage solutions, dog chews, bowls and poop bags

Variety: 5 adult recipes plus a puppy specific recipe

Clarity of Label: Good - list of meat ingredient %

Price: £££

Get 20% OFF Pets Love Fresh

with discount code 20BYSMARTBARK or click here

View Pets Love Fresh

Pets Love Fresh contains simple, high-quality ingredients including single source protein and has no preservatives making it ideal if your dog struggles with allergies and you're looking for a dog food where you can accurately check the ingredients.

With an 'All About Dog Food' nutritional rating of 82%, all their recipes are high in protein containing British meat, organic brown rice, egg and superfoods such as cranberries and seaweed.

It's worth noting that all their recipes contain at least 62% meat with the chicken & duck recipes containing over 70%.

This is the only food in our review which arrives in a chub roll. This cylindrical package has the appearance of a sausage with the ends sealed by metal clips.

There are two sizes of chub roll available - 600g or 1kg, and you have the option to select the size most appropriate for your dog. It's worth noting that the 1kg size work out better value.

Pets Love Fresh dog food arrives frozen, and you simply defrost one chub roll at a time. Once defrosted, we loved that you simply cut at any point, dice the food and dish up! In fact out of all the fresh foods we've tested, we felt that Pets Love Fresh was the easiest to portion with minimal mess.

The remaining food lasts up to 5 days in the fridge.

We think that Pets Love Fresh pack some nifty features, which could make this the best option for you.

Firstly, there's the innovative storage solution. Their clever container fits in your fridge door and is designed to be flexible holding both sizes of chub roll. In testing, we loved this smart solution as it helps keep your fridge clean and organised whilst maximising the freshness of your dog food.

Their great value Taster Pack includes this fridge storage container and a handy bamboo chopping board. The combination of the storage container and the bamboo board ensures that your food and your dog's food are separated - gem of an idea !

Pets Love Fresh offer five recipes to choose from - chicken, pork, beef, duck and venison (seasonal availability) along with a specific puppy recipe.

It's worth mentioning that the Taster Pack comes with the chicken recipe only. This aims to helping with a smooth transition to their food avoiding any unnecessary tummy upsets sometimes attributed to changing dog foods.

The consistency is very different from Different Dog, Butternut Box or Years.com, appearing more akin to Forthglade wet dog food. The individual ingredients aren't distinct either, but is this an issue ? It really comes down to personal preference - yours and more importantly your dog's !

We found that the pâté like consistency makes an ideal filler for a Kong, lickmat or slow feeder. If you have a dog that appears to inhale their food, a slow feeder can make all the difference.

Equally for fussy dogs, adding some fun to mealtimes using a slow feeder is a game changer. We filled this SodaPup enrichment tray with Pets Love Fresh pork recipe, cream cheese and blueberries.

As with the other fresh foods featured here, you could opt to add Pets Love Fresh as a tasty topper on dry food which will reduce the price per meal significantly.

The handy online questionnaire calculates your dog's meal plan prices based on both the 50:50 topper and complete meal prices.

Let's talk price !

We based our pricing on a 6yr old, active dog who likes a handful of daily treats. As the recipes vary slightly in price, we opted to price Pets Love Fresh using the chicken recipe only, on a 28 day delivery schedule.

NOTE - Our large dog food costs are priced on a 14 day delivery schedule as we thought most dog-lovers wouldn't have the storage space to cope with 28kg of dog food.

Generally if you chose to feed your dog exclusively on Pets Love Fresh costs are:-

🐾 Small dog (6kg) - £2.77 a day

(based on the smaller 600g chub)

🐾 Medium (12kg) - £4.05 a day

(based on the larger 1kg chub)

🐾 Large (26kg) - £8.10 a day

(based on 14 day delivery, 1kg chub)

So the downside is the price ! Initially Pets Love Fresh appears the most expensive food reviewed. However it's worth pointing out that there are a number of additional ways to keep the price down -

⭐️ Buy larger quantities as you receive bigger % discounts

⭐️ Buy the larger 1kg Chubs as they work out cheaper per gram

⭐️ Opt for the best value chicken recipe

⭐️ Sign up for the Subscribe & Save

⭐️ Join the Loyalty Scheme

Get 20% OFF Pets Love Fresh

with discount code 20BYSMARTBARK or click here

View Pets Love Fresh

Our Verdict

Ultimately, all five fresh dog foods we feature offer dog food at the top of the nutritional scale. If your dog suffers from allergies or a sensitive stomach they are an ideal option.

We'd recommend that you take each brand's online questionnaire to get a more accurate picture of the pricing, recipes for your dog and delivery timescales to suit your home storage.

Like the idea of fresh food just not the price ?

Consider offering one of these fresh foods as a tasty topper to your existing dry dog food. It will certainly keep the daily price down whilst improving the nutritional value of the meal. Plus, the aroma and texture of fresh food will make dry food more appetising for picky pups.

And please remember if you decide to swap to 100% fresh, it's really important to transition to a new food gradually.

Take your time, we recommend over seven to ten days, slowly increasing the amount of new food whilst reducing the old food. This will allow time for your dog's digestive system to adapt to the new food.

How We Choose

We decided to start off our hunt for the best fresh dog food by analysing top-selling brands and exploring a whole range of popular and new companies that we felt had the best all-round offer for dog lovers.

The options were then filtered following discussions with each company, deep dives into third-party reviews, and comparison of each site’s pricing model, recipes, storage options and delivery preferences.

From our shortlist, we made sure we (and our team of Canine Testers), had tested 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.

We think that the companies we mention are great options for anyone who’s interested in feeding their dog fresh pet food.

We hope this review helps you make an informed decision about your dog's diet.

Happy feeding from the Smart Bark team!