Best Fresh Dog Food : Tested & Reviewed

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Every dog owner wants to feed their dog the best food they can reasonably afford. Given the time and know-how, many of us would happily cook our dog's dinners ourselves: freshly prepared, rich in nutrients and tailored to their needs.

photograph : shutterstock

In practice it is trickier than it sounds.

A homemade diet really needs a qualified veterinary nutritionist to steer it, or you risk common shortfalls in nutrients like vitamin D and calcium.

This is where fresh dog food steps in, giving you the upside of home cooking without the time, expertise and guesswork. It is a real draw for dogs with sensitive tummies or allergies, and for busy owners who want quality food delivered to the door.

"What you put into your body is the cornerstone of health, and it's the same for your dog.  This doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune on dog food; more expensive does not always mean better, " says Dr Lauren Davis, a practising veterinarian and founder of VetRelieve.

"However, it is often the case that foods with better quality ingredients at higher percentages come with a higher price tag. Given the importance of nutrition for health, choosing the best quality dog food you can at an affordable price is a worthy investment. " she tells Smart Bark

Because fresh food is gently cooked, there are none of the hygiene worries that can come with raw, and most brands tailor each plan to your dog using human-grade ingredients and exceptionally high nutritional ratings.

We take a closer look at 6 groundbreaking brands below, followed by our top picks of the best fresh dog food you can buy in 2026.

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Curious how we test dog food? See our full testing and review methodology

Not sure which dog food is right for your dog? Our complete guide covers every food type, with a full comparison table and honest tested recommendations - How to Choose the Best Dog Food

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CONTENTS

1. 1Why Consider Fresh Dog Food?
2. 2Our Picks of the Best Fresh Dog Food
   1. 2.1Butternut Box
   2. 2.2Different Dog
   3. 2.3Marleybones
   4. 2.4Tuggs
   5. 2.5Wilsons
   6. 2.6Paws on Plates
3. 3The Verdict : Which Fresh Food Is Right for You?
4. 4How We Choose

Why Consider Fresh Dog Food?

Fresh, cooked food is among the most nutritious you can buy, and it is often more palatable than dry or wet, so it is ideal for tempting a fussy dog onto a healthy diet.

"Real-world testing is key to understanding how dogs actually respond to the food - the best nutritionally-profiled food in the world is of no use if it doesn't taste nice to our pets." says Dr Lauren Davis

Yes, it usually costs more than kibble, but many owners feel the benefits are well worth it, and every plan is personalised to your dog's weight, breed, age, activity and allergies.

One thing to watch is storage: some brands arrive frozen and need freezer space, while others are pantry fresh and sit happily in the cupboard, so we flag the storage for each.

Not sure whether to go fresh or stick with trays and tins?

Our best wet dog food guide breaks down the difference and the daily costs.

Our Picks of the Best Fresh Dog Food

Butternut Box

Reasons to Buy :

  + Wide range of recipes & proteins

  + Great Introductory 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 (12 recipes including vegetarian and plant-based options), range of treats, dental sticks, broth, biscuits and poo bags

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.

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

photograph : smart bark

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 77-88%, which means they are not as high as Different Dog or Paws on Plates, but Butternut Box is still a very high quality, nutritious dog food in the UK's massive dog food market.

photograph : smart bark

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 other fridge fresh dog foods, 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.

photograph : smart bark

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.

The largest menu of all brands featured in our review, we love that it helps dog lovers with picky eaters rotate recipes every week, making it much easier to entice those fussy dogs 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 (6kg) plans start from around £2.22

🐾 Medium (12kg) from £3.26

🐾 Large (26kg) from £4.88

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.

photograph : smart bark

Want to add a couple of extras to your order ? Butternut Box have expanded their range to include dog treats and dental sticks.

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

Different Dog

Reasons to Buy :

+ Range for common health issues

+ Starter boxes available

  + Exceptional nutritional rating

+ Money off first boxes

Reasons to Avoid :

- If you have limited freezer space

Behind the Brand: Established UK fresh dog food brand

Range: Canine Nutritionalist designed fresh food (13 recipes) plus treats, bone broths and supplements

Clarity of Label:

Good - main list of ingredient %

Price: ££

For 40% OFF your first two boxes

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.

photograph : different dog

With an 'All About Dog Food' nutritional rating of an exceptionally high 93–94% (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 !

photograph : smart bark

Offering an online 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, we found the Different Dog packaging did leak a little and was tricky to reseal. We'd recommend decanting before storing it in the fridge.

photograph : smart bark

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 £2.46

🐾 Medium (12kg) £2.96

🐾 Large (26kg) £3.32

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.

Different Dog offer a Half Plans option with the prices in their online quiz. We love this budget-friendly idea as not everyone can afford to feed their dog solely on fresh delivered dog food.

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.

photograph : smart bark

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

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

Marleybones

Reasons to Buy :

  + Pantry Fresh : no freezer storage required

  + Available on-line, at Waitrose, Co-Op & Pets at Home

  + Available on subscription or one-off purchases

  + Free delivery on orders over £50

Reasons to Avoid :

   - Pricier than some

   - Limited protein options

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

Range: 4 recipes, treats, supplements

Clarity of Label:

Excellent - full list of ingredient %

Price: £

Use discount code SMARTBARK40

for 40% OFF your first order

View Marleybones

photograph : smart bark

Marleybones is one of those dog foods that just feels reassuring from the start. The ingredients list is nice and simple, with high quality single source proteins and no preservatives.

Label transparency is spot-on here. Nearly every ingredient carries its own percentage, so you know precisely what's going into the bowl. If your dog has allergies or sensitivities, or you are just someone who likes to know exactly what you are feeding, this is definitely one to have on your radar.

The brand is backed by vets and created with the help of veterinary nutritionists, which always gives a bit of extra peace of mind.

Nutritionally, Marleybones scores an impressive 86% on All About Dog Food. All of the recipes are high in protein and each one contains at least 60% meat or fish, which is exactly what you want to see when choosing a fresh food.

photograph : smart bark

There are four recipes available lamb, salmon, beef and chicken. All are grain and gluten free, gently steamed to retain those all important nutrients and made in the UK. Each meal includes 1 premium protein, 3 veggies and 7 superfoods.

One thing we really liked is that Marleybones is Pantry Fresh®. That means no fridge or freezer space needed until you open a carton.

Unopened cartons last up to 18 months in the cupboard, which is ideal if your freezer is already rammed full of ice cream and chips! Once opened, a carton will keep for up to 48 hours in the fridge.

photograph : smart bark

We found that the cartons themselves are compact, easy to stack and simple to store, which might sound like a small thing but actually makes life a lot easier.

Ordering is refreshingly flexible too.

Take the quick online quiz (like Butternut Box or Different Dog) for a guide to your dog's calories and a suggested plan, then tweak it to suit. There is a two week starter box at 30% off to test the water, with a feeding guide to ease the transition and avoid any tummy upsets.

Once your dog is hooked, subscribing pays: 20% off for life plus the Marleybones Rewards programme, earning points towards money off future orders. Not ready to commit? A simple one-off order lets you buy just a few cartons and see how your dog gets on.

Changing dog food is such a big decision, we love that Marleybones offer one-off purchases for dog lovers that aren't ready to commit.

Now let's talk about the food!

In terms of texture, Marleybones is a bit different to other fresh foods. It looks more like a traditional wet food or pâté and you can't really see individual ingredients (apart from carrots). Whether that matters is very much down to personal preference and, of course, your dog’s opinion is the one that counts.

We actually found the pâté style texture really useful. It works brilliantly in Kongs, lick mats and slow feeders. If you have a dog who tends to hoover up their meals, using a slow feeder or a lick mat rather than a bowl can be a game changer.

And finally, the price. We would always recommend taking the quiz for the most accurate cost, but as a rough guide, a 28 day subscription works out at around -

🐾 Small dog (6kg) around £2.11 a day

🐾 Medium dog (12kg) around £3.09 a day

🐾 Large dog (26kg) around £4.86 a day

These prices include their 20% OFF for life if you sign up for a subscription.

Our Verdict

Another excellent fresh dog food, with two big plus points - how easy it is to store and buy. Marleybones really stands out for its flexible ordering. If subscriptions are not your thing, you can simply pick up exactly what you need as a one off purchase online, on the high street or choose a money-saving subscription if it suits you.

Use discount code SMARTBARK40

for 40% OFF your first order

View Marleybones

For the full deep dive, including our testing notes, Freddie's verdict and a complete cost breakdown, read our Marleybones Dog Food Review.

Tuggs

Reasons to Buy :

  + More sustainable option

  + 7 day 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 (4 recipes)

Clarity of Label:

Excellent - full list of ingredient %

Price: ££

For FREE shipping on their 7 day trial

& 20% OFF your second box

use discount code SMARTBARK

View Tuggs

With an impressive 88-93% nutritional rating, Tuggs delivers a diet that stands shoulder to shoulder with the UK’s top dog foods, providing exceptional nutrition for your dog.

Launched in 2022, Tuggs is the UK’s first fresh dog food to feature insect protein, blending high-quality meat, veggies, and sustainable insects to create an innovative and eco-friendly alternative to conventional dog food.

photograph : smart bark

As an award-winning startup, Tuggs is quickly making its mark in the fresh dog food market, serving tens of thousands of nutritious meals across the UK every month, all delivered fresh to your door via subscription.

This fresh, protein-packed dog food offers a tasty and planet-friendly option for dog owners looking to give their pets a wholesome and sustainable diet.

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

photograph : smart bark

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, chicken, pork or cod.

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.

One standout feature is Tuggs instant price estimate tool, which is unique among subscription dog food brands we’ve seen.

Enter your dog’s breed, age, and weight to get an instant cost estimate for feeding Tuggs as a 50% meal topper or a full diet. We think this provides you with a handy starting point.

For a fully personalised meal plan and accurate pricing, complete their quick two-minute questionnaire.

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.

At first, we have to admit, the vacuum-packed pouches didn’t exactly wow us, let’s be honest, Paws on Plates packaging looks a lot slicker. But once we popped the pouches into the freezer, the benefits of this compact packaging quickly became clear.

We managed to fit three times as many meals in the same freezer space! That’s fantastic news for dog owners with limited freezer room who want to stock up.

photograph : smart bark

Let's talk cost.

Tuggs offer a 7 day 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.

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 (6kg) - £2.23

🐾 Medium (12kg) - £3.28

🐾 Large (26kg) - £4.60

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 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 FREE shipping on their 7 day trial

& 20% OFF your second box

use discount code SMARTBARK

View Tuggs

Wilsons

Reasons to Buy :

+ Superb 90% AADF nutritional rating (fresh range)

+ Pantry fresh pouches, no freezer needed

+ Two dedicated puppy recipes, suitable from 8 weeks

+ Mix fresh with cold pressed for a budget-friendly diet

+ Proudly made in Scotland

Reasons to Avoid :

- Fewer fresh recipes than the big freezer brands

- Available from a range of Morrisons, Jolleys and independents (click for stockists)

Behind the Brand: Scottish maker of fresh and cold pressed dog food

Range: Fresh (gently steamed pouches, 6 adult and 2 puppy recipes) plus British cold pressed dry, treats and supplements

Clarity of Label: Excellent - full set of ingredient %

Price: £

Use discount code SMARTBARK20

for 20% OFF

View on Wilsons

photograph : smart bark

Wilsons has had a bit of a reshuffle in 2026, and it is all for the better. The Scottish maker has streamlined its shelves, retiring its raw range to focus on the two things it does best: gently steamed fresh food and premium British cold pressed.

New eco-friendly packaging has landed across the board, and the brand picked up two Your Dog Product Awards this year, taking Best Dry Complete Food plus a Highly Commended for its fresh range.

Here is where Wilsons earns its place in a fresh line-up. Its fresh food is gently steamed to lock in flavour and nutrients, then sealed into pouches that live in the cupboard, not the freezer.

Like Marleybones, it is proper fresh food with no freezer Tetris, no defrosting drama and no fighting for space between the ice cream and the oven chips. Each pouch keeps for up to 12 months unopened and 4 days chilled once opened.

photograph : smart bark

And the numbers back up the bowl. The fresh range scores a superb 90% on All About Dog Food, sitting with the top fresh brands in this line-up.

The menu reads like a specials board: Bougie Beef, Cheeky Chicken, Fish and Beef, Luscious Lamb, Tender Turkey, and Venison and Duck. Pouches come in 380g portions, sold in 8, 16 and 32 packs. Grain-dodgers, note that Luscious Lamb includes rice while the rest keep it grain-free.

One thing genuinely sets Wilsons apart: puppies. It offers two dedicated fresh puppy recipes, Puppy Chicken and Fish, and Puppy Tasty Turkey, both suitable from eight weeks. Plenty of fresh rivals stop at adult bowls, so proper life-stage nutrition for growing pups is a real point of difference.

And here is the clever bit the freezer brands cannot match. Wilsons designed its fresh and cold pressed ranges to work as a team.

Since an opened pouch keeps for four days in the fridge, one pouch stretches across several days as a topper rather than a full meal. If you love the idea of fresh but cannot stretch to a full fresh diet, it is a brilliant, budget-friendly halfway house: a hearty cold pressed base with a fresh finish on top.

In our bowl, our usually picky tester Freddie happily hoovered up the fresh pouches, and warmed gently they smelled tempting enough to win over the fussiest feeder.

Ordering is refreshingly simple too: Wilsons sells direct through its own website, which is clean and easy to navigate, so you can build a plan in a couple of clicks. It is online only, so unlike Marleybones you will not spot it on the supermarket shelf, but for a subscription-style fresh food that is par for the course.

Fresh pouches start from £33.80 for an eight-pack, dropping to around £22.65 on subscription, and there are money-saving bundles and variety packs if you would rather mix and match.

As a rough guide, based on subscription pricing (10% off for life) and typical portions:

🐾 Small dog (6kg) from around £1.99 a day

🐾 Medium (12kg) from around £3.35 a day

🐾 Large (25kg) from around £5.80 a day

Our Verdict

Wilsons keeps it simple and does it well. Pantry-fresh pouches with no freezer required, two dedicated puppy recipes where many rivals stop at adult, and the clever option to mix fresh with cold pressed for a fresh finish on a budget. Add British provenance and eco-friendly packaging, and it is an easy fresh food to recommend, especially if freezer space is tight or you have a picky pup to win round

Use discount code SMARTBARK20

for 20% OFF

View on Wilsons

For the full range, our testing notes and a cold pressed comparison, read our Wilsons Dog Food Review.

Paws on Plates

Reasons to Buy :

  + Rated 94% on All About Dog Food

  + High-quality British meat

  + 4 box sizes available

Reasons to Avoid :

   - If you have limited freezer space

   - Small range of recipes

Behind the Brand: New small UK fresh dog food brand

Range: Range of fresh food (5 recipes) plus treat range

Clarity of Label:

Excellent - complete list of ingredient % online

Price: £££

View Paws on Plates

photograph : smart bark

Say hello to a fresh face in the dog food world: Paws on Plates.

This UK-based company delivers hand-cooked, nutritionally balanced meals straight to your door, making mealtime for your pup a breeze.

We were immediately impressed by their 94% nutritional rating on All About Dog Food, which is right up there at the very top of the dog food league! And while they are a relatively new company, they’re already scoring 4.8/5 on Trustpilot, which is pretty paw-some for a newcomer.

So what did we think of Paws on Plates ?

photograph : paws on plates

One of the first things to shout about is their commitment to high-quality British meat. Everything is sustainably sourced, fully traceable, and their recipes include nutrient-packed offal like heart and liver, yes the really good stuff for your dog’s health.

Although they have a limited range, each recipe comes with a full ingredient breakdown online, so you can see exactly what your pup is eating :

• Loki’s Lovely Lamb – 55% meat including lamb heart & liver

• Boot’s Beef Bowl – 58.4% meat including beef heart & liver

• Vinnie’s Veggie-Packed Salmon Supper – 60% meat

• Tilly’s Tasty Turkey – 56.7% meat including turkey heart & liver

• Sammy’s Salmon & Turkey Sensation – 56.7% meat including turkey heart & liver

  
  

And let’s talk presentation. In testing, the meals look fresh, well-made, and appetising. Ingredients are easy to identify, and warming the food gently releases those delicious aromas that even had us sniffing with curiosity.

As with the other fresh food brands we feature, Paws on Plates make feeding your dog easy with a simple online quiz to build a personalised box based on your dog’s size, preferences, and needs.

Where they differ from their rivals is the range of box sizes. You can choose from four box sizes – 250g, 400g, 600g, and 800g. Whilst Paws on Plates will initially offer a range of proteins and sizes, you can adjust this to suit.

photograph : smart bark

For example, Freddie, a 12kg cockapoo, is recommended 340g of food per day, so the 600g boxes work best allowing for a few daily treats and the odd dental stick.

Alternatively, a 7kg Dachshund only needs 200g daily, so a 400g box would do nicely. Once opened, meals keep in the fridge for up to 5 days so you could even opt for a 600g or even a 800g box to save money.

Delivery is flexible with 7, 14, or 28-day schedules, and clearly the 28-day plan is the best value. Just be aware the packaging can be bulky, especially the 800g boxes.

On the upside, the packaging is eco-friendly, made from kraft paper, freezer safe, resealable, and recyclable , so it scores extra points for lowering your pup’s carbon pawprint.

Cost-wise, if you fed your dog exclusively on Paws on Plates for a week, daily rates are roughly:

🐾 Small dog (6kg) £2.40

🐾 Medium (12kg) £3.23

🐾 Large (26kg) £5.77

Another option open to you is to use Paws on Plates as a topper. Paws on Plates offer prices for mixing 60% their fresh meals with 40% existing food to help balance cost and quality.

One small point to bear in mind if you're pricing all these brands for your dog, all the other brands price the topper based on a 50% fresh and 50% existing food.

photograph : smart bark

Lastly, if you want a little extra treat for your pup, Paws on Plates has a small treat range too – perfect for training or just a cheeky reward.

Our Verdict

All in all, Paws on Plates nails the balance of nutrition, convenience, and price. If you want your dog’s meals to feel a little special while knowing they’re getting top-quality ingredients, it’s definitely worth a try.

View Paws on Plates

The Verdict : Which Fresh Food Is Right for You?

All six sit right at the top of the nutritional scale, so you honestly cannot go far wrong. The best pick comes down to your dog, your kitchen and your budget.

🐾 Want the widest menu to keep a fussy eater guessing? Pick Butternut Box, the biggest range in our review, pre-portioned and easy, with a brilliant half-price welcome to test the waters.

🐾 Want hand-cooked, restaurant-standard meals with recipes for common health niggles? Pick Different Dog, one of the highest AADF scores going and a licked-clean, money-back promise.

🐾 Want fresh food with no freezer, and the freedom to grab it on the high street? Pick Marleybones, pantry fresh, on the shelves at Waitrose, Co-op and Pets at Home, and happy to be bought one carton at a time.

🐾 Want the greenest bowl at the keenest price? Pick Tuggs, our cheapest fresh food, powered by sustainable insect protein, with small weekly deliveries for tiny freezers.

🐾 Want one brand to supply both fresh and dry? Pick Wilsons, pantry-fresh pouches plus British cold pressed, two dedicated puppy recipes, and a clever, budget-friendly fresh-on-dry topper trick.

🐾 Want the very top nutritional score and a box size tuned to your dog? Pick Paws on Plates, a table-topping 94% AADF, proper British meat with offal, and four box sizes from 250g to 800g.

Whichever tempts you, take that brand's online quiz for the most accurate pricing, recipes and delivery schedule for your dog.

Fresh not quite the right fit? It's one of five ways to fill the bowl. See how it compares with dry, wet, raw and air-dried in our full guide to the best dog food in the UK.

How We Choose

We kicked off our hunt for the best fresh dog food by checking out top sellers and exploring a mix of well-known and up-and-coming brands that seemed to offer the best options for dog lovers.

Next, we narrowed things down by chatting with the companies, digging into third-party reviews, and comparing recipes, pricing, storage, and delivery options.

From there, our team (plus our trusty Canine Testers) got hands-on with the shortlisted brands to see if they really lived up to the claims and to give some real-world feedback.

The brands we feature are all solid choices if you want to feed your dog fresh, high-quality food.

We’re always on the lookout for new options, so our top picks can change. Recently, we swapped Years for Wilsons.

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

Happy feeding from the Smart Bark team!