How to Choose the Best Dog Food UK : The Smart Bark Guide

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Choosing the right food for your dog is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a dog owner - and also one of the most confusing.

Walk into any pet shop or browse online and you'll be faced with an overwhelming array of options, conflicting advice and some very clever marketing.

photograph : depositphotos

The truth is that even the experts don't always agree. Vets, breeders, nutritionists and dog lovers all have strong opinions about what constitutes the ideal canine diet - and the dog food industry has never been more complex or more exciting than it is right now.

The good news? You've come to the right place.

At Smart Bark we've spent years testing, reviewing and comparing dog foods across every category on the UK market - from traditional kibble and cold-pressed dry foods to raw, fresh, air-dried and insect-based recipes.

We've fed them to real dogs, checked their nutritional ratings on All About Dog Food, scrutinised their labels and compared their costs so you don't have to.

This guide brings everything we've learned together in one place. We'll walk you through every food type available, help you choose the right one for your dog's specific needs and budget, and point you towards our full in-depth reviews wherever you want to dig deeper.

photograph : smart bark

Whether you're a first-time dog owner trying to make sense of the options, or a seasoned dog lover wondering if there's something better out there for your four-legged friend - this is your starting point. Let's find the perfect food for your dog. 🐾

In a rush? Skip straight to our flagship round-up where we've tested and compared nine of the best dog foods on the UK market - Best Dog Food UK 2026 : Independently Tested & Reviewed

All foods featured here are evaluated using our dog food testing process so you can trust our recommendations.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Dog Food Type Comparison Table

2. Dog Food Price Calculator

3. Which Food Type is Right for My Dog?

4. The Main Types of Dog Food Explained

5. FAQs - Your Dog Food Questions Answered

1. Dog Food Type Comparison Table

Not sure where to start? We've tested them all so you don't have to. Here's your at-a-glance guide to every type of dog food on the UK market. We include what it costs (although our Dog Food Price Calculator will give you more details), how it scores nutritionally and which dogs it suits best.

Use the links in the final column to jump straight to our full in-depth review for each food type. 🐾

Food Type	Cost	AADF Nutritional Rating	Storage	Prep Time	Best For	Smart Bark Review
Dry & Kibble	£	Moderate ( 55-75%)	Cupboard	None - scoop & serve	Convenience, budget-conscious feeders	Best Dry Dog Food
Wet	££	Moderate-Good (60-80%)	Fridge once opened	None- open & serve	Fussy eaters, seniors, adding as a topper to dry food	Best Dog Food UK
Cold-Pressed Dry	££	Good ( 73-85%)	Cupboard	None- scoop & serve	Dogs doing well on dry but owners want higher quality nutrition	Best Dry Dog Foods
Air Dried	££	Very Good ( 75-85%)	Cupboard - add water to rehydrate	Minimal - add water & stir	Owners with limited freezer space wanting a significant step up from kibble	Pure Pet Food Review
Fresh/ Delivered	£££	Excellent (84-97%)	Freezer or fridge depending on brand	May need defrosting	Tailored nutrition, allergies, fussy dogs, owners wanting human-grade ingredients	Best Fresh Dog Food
Raw	££-£££	Excellent ( 84-97%)	Freezer- defrost as needed	Low-defrost and serve	Species-appropriate feeding. Fussy dogs, dogs with digestive issues, highest nutritional value	Best Raw Dog Food
Insect-Based	££	Good ( 75-85%)	Cupboard	None- scoop & serve	Dogs with allergies or sensitive tummies, eco-conscious owners looking to reduce their carbon footprint	Best Insect Dog Food

A couple of notes:

• The AADF ratings are approximate ranges based on the brands we've tested and reviewed.

• The costs are £ = under £1 a day, ££ = £1–£3 a day, £££ = £3+ a day based on our tested cost data.

2. Dog Food Price Calculator

How much does dog food actually cost for your dog? Use our free calculator to get an instant estimate across all the brands we've tested. Simply enter your dog's details below for your results plus our best exclusive offers.

3. Which Food Type is Right for My Dog?

Still not sure which direction to go? You're not alone. It's one of the questions we get asked most often. Rather than thinking about food types, think about your dog and your lifestyle first.

Here are the most common situations we come across and our honest recommendation for each one (again, you can use the links in each section to jump straight to our full tested reviews) -

My dog has allergies or a sensitive stomach →

Start with insect-based dog food. Insect protein is hypoallergenic and highly digestible, making it ideal for dogs who react to traditional proteins like chicken or beef. Air-dried food is another excellent option. Minimal ingredients, gentle processing and easy to customise around intolerances.

My dog is a fussy eater →

Dry kibble alone is rarely the answer for a picky pup. Try switching to fresh food or raw, both are far more palatable and rarely refused.

If you're not ready to make a full switch, adding a wet food topper to dry kibble can make a world of difference. We also explore this in more detail in our article Why is My Dog a Fussy Eater?

I have limited freezer space →

Fresh and raw foods require freezer storage which can be a dealbreaker for many. The good news is there are brilliant alternatives. Cold-pressed dry food and air-dried food both live in your cupboard and offer significantly better nutrition than standard kibble.

Years is our top pick for fresh food that requires no freezer at all, a genuinely innovative solution.

I'm on a tight budget →

Cold-pressed dry food offers the best nutritional bang for your buck, significantly better quality ingredients than standard supermarket kibble without the price tag of fresh or raw. Brands like Forthglade and Wilsons cold-pressed score extremely well on All About Dog Food and won't break the bank. If budget is tight, a small amount of wet food as a topper on dry is also a cost-effective way to boost palatability and nutrition.

I want the very best nutrition for my dog →

Raw food and fresh food consistently top the nutritional charts, with AADF ratings of 84–97%. If you want to go raw, Bella+Duke, Naturaw, Mersey Raw, Paleo Ridge and ProDog Raw are our tested top picks. For fresh, Butternut Box and Different Dog are hard to beat achieving exceptional nutritional ratings.

I want convenience above everything else →

Tailored delivered dog food is as convenient as it gets, portioned, personalised and delivered straight to your door. Brands like Butternut Box, Different Dog and Years take the guesswork out of feeding entirely, with online quizzes that create a bespoke meal plan for your dog. Pricier than kibble, but let's face it, the convenience factor is hard to beat.

I want to reduce my dog's carbon pawprint →

Insect-based dog food is by far the most sustainable choice. Insect protein requires a fraction of the land, water and energy of traditional meat production. Brands like Grub Club and Tuggs are leading the way and the nutritional quality is genuinely impressive. A brilliant choice for eco-conscious dog lovers.

I'm switching to raw and don't know where to start →

Don't be put off by the complexity, the best raw food companies make it incredibly straightforward. Take a look at our How to Switch to Raw Dog Food guide which walks you through two simple transition methods, and our Best Raw Dog Food Review to find the right brand for your dog.

4. The Main Types of Dog Food Explained

The dog food market has changed beyond recognition in recent years. Walk into any pet shop or browse online and you'll find a bewildering array of options - from traditional tins and kibble to frozen raw meals and insect-based recipes. Here's your plain-English guide to every food type currently available on the UK market.

Dry Dog Food / Kibble

The most traditional and widely available dog food on the market. Kibble is made by cooking ingredients at high temperatures before being shaped into pellets and dried. It's convenient, affordable and has a long shelf life, which is why it remains the most popular dog food choice in the UK.

The quality however varies enormously. Standard supermarket kibble can contain high levels of cereals, fillers and vague "meat derivatives" - which is why reading the label matters so much.

At the better end of the market, premium kibble brands use named proteins, better quality ingredients and more transparent labelling.

Dry food is generally the lowest cost option, easy to store and portion and a good starting point for new dog owners. If you have a fussy eater though, kibble alone is often the hardest sell.

View our Best Dog Foods Review

Cold-Pressed Dry Food

Cold-pressing is a newer, more nutritionally sympathetic way of making dry dog food. Instead of cooking ingredients at the very high temperatures used in traditional kibble production, cold-pressed food is made at much lower temperatures for longer periods of time.

This means the nutrients, enzymes and natural goodness in the ingredients are largely preserved rather than cooked out.

The result is a dry food that sits in a completely different nutritional league to standard kibble - typically scoring 73-75% on All About Dog Food compared to 55-65% for standard dry foods. Yet it offers the same cupboard storage and scoop-and-serve convenience.

Brands like Forthglade, Wilsons and Wild all use cold-pressing to excellent effect and represent some of the best value nutrition on the UK market. If you're feeding kibble and want to upgrade without changing your routine, cold-pressed is the obvious next step.

View our Best Dry Dog Foods Review

View our Forthglade feature Review

Wet Dog Food

Wet food comes in tins, pouches and trays and has a significantly higher moisture content than dry food - typically around 75-80%. This makes it more palatable for most dogs and much closer to a natural diet in terms of texture and smell.

Dogs generally love wet food and it's particularly popular as a topper - added in small amounts to dry kibble to boost taste and encourage reluctant eaters. It's also a good choice for senior dogs with dental problems or reduced appetite, as the softer texture is easier to manage.

The downside is cost - wet food works out considerably more expensive per day than dry food when fed as a complete diet. It also needs to be refrigerated once opened and spoils quickly, so it's not ideal for dogs that graze throughout the day.

View our Best Dog Foods Review

View our Edgard & Copper Review

View our Forthglade Review

Air-Dried Dog Food

Air-drying is one of the most innovative developments in dog nutrition in recent years. The process gently removes moisture from fresh ingredients at low temperatures over a longer period of time - preserving the nutritional integrity of the food without the need for preservatives or the harsh heat treatment used in traditional kibble production.

The result is a nutrient-dense, shelf-stable food that sits somewhere between raw and dry in terms of nutritional quality, typically scoring 75-85% on All About Dog Food. You simply add water and stir, and serve - making it one of the easiest premium foods to prepare.

Air-dried food is a brilliant option for dog lovers who want the nutritional benefits of fresh or raw food but don't have the freezer space or the budget for a delivered fresh food subscription. Pure Pet Food is our top pick in this category and one of the best value premium foods on the UK market.

View our Pure Pet Food Review

Fresh / Delivered Dog Food

Fresh dog food is one of the fastest growing sectors of the UK pet food market - and it's easy to see why. These are freshly cooked, human-grade meals made with real, recognisable ingredients, portioned specifically for your dog and delivered directly to your door on a subscription basis.

Most fresh food companies ask you to complete an online quiz covering your dog's breed, age, weight, health conditions and activity level. They then create a personalised meal plan and adjust it as your dog grows and changes. It's the closest thing to home cooking for your dog without any of the effort.

Nutritionally, fresh foods consistently score at the very top of the scale - typically 88-95% on All About Dog Food. The trade-off is cost (fresh food is the most expensive option) and storage as most brands require freezer or fridge space.

We've tested an extensive range of fresh food brands including Butternut Box, Different Dog, Years, Marleybones, Tuggs and Paws on Plates - and the quality across the board is impressive. is a standout for storage as their innovative cooking method means the food doesn't require freezing.

View our Best Fresh Dog Food Review

View our Best Delivered Dog Foods Review

Raw Dog Food

Raw feeding - or BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) - is based on the principle that dogs are descended from wolves and thrive on a diet of meat, bone, organ meat and vegetables, just as their ancestors would have eaten in the wild.

Raw dog food consistently achieves the highest nutritional ratings of any food type, typically scoring 84-97% on All About Dog Food. Dogs on a raw diet frequently show improvements in coat condition, energy levels, digestion and stool quality - and fussy eaters who turn their nose up at everything else will often devour raw food enthusiastically.

The key considerations are storage (food must be kept frozen and defrosted as needed), hygiene (handle it exactly as you would chicken), and choosing between Complete and Complementary raw foods. A Complete raw diet contains everything your dog needs nutritionally and is the safer choice for most owners.

We've tested five of the best raw dog food companies in the UK - Bella+Duke, Naturaw, Mersey Raw, Paleo Ridge and ProDog Raw - and all come highly recommended.

View our Best Raw Dog Food Review

View our Raw Dog Food Diet: Benefits & Risks, The Honest Guide (2026)

View our How to Switch to Raw Dog Food Guide

Bella+Duke Review

Insect-Based Dog Food

Insect-based dog food is genuinely one of the most exciting developments in the pet food world right now. Using black soldier fly larvae or similar insect proteins as the primary protein source, these foods are nutritious, highly digestible and remarkably eco-friendly - insect farming uses a fraction of the land, water and energy required by traditional meat production.

From a nutritional standpoint, insect protein contains all the essential amino acids dogs need and is particularly well suited to dogs with food allergies or sensitivities, as it's a novel protein that most dogs haven't been exposed to before. It's also naturally hypoallergenic, making it a brilliant first choice for dogs with itchy skin or digestive problems linked to traditional protein sources.

Typically stored in a cupboard and served like regular dry food, insect-based foods are also one of the most convenient premium options available.

We've tested Grub Club and Tuggs and were genuinely impressed by both the palatability and the nutritional quality.

If you're looking to feed your dog brilliantly whilst reducing their carbon pawprint, insect-based food is the most impactful single change you can make.

View our Best Insect Dog Food Review

View our Grub Club Review

View our Tuggs Review

5. FAQs - Your Dog Food Questions Answered

Is raw dog food better than dry?

In terms of pure nutrition, raw food consistently scores higher than dry food on independent rating sites like All About Dog Food - typically achieving 84-97% compared to 55-75% for standard kibble.

photograph : smart bark

However "better" depends on your dog, your lifestyle and your budget. Raw requires freezer space, careful handling and a slightly higher monthly spend.

For many dog lovers the nutritional benefits are absolutely worth it, but a high quality cold-pressed dry food or fresh delivered food can also provide excellent nutrition without the additional commitment. The best food is ultimately the one your dog thrives on and that you can realistically maintain long term.

What should I look for on a dog food label?

The most important things to check are that the food is labelled as "Complete" rather than "Complementary", that a named protein (chicken, salmon, beef) appears as the first ingredient, and that the ingredient list is specific rather than vague.

Phrases like "meat and animal derivatives" are red flags, a quality brand will tell you exactly what's in the bowl. We've written a full plain-English guide to decoding dog food labels - How to Read Dog Food Labels.

How much should I feed my dog?

This varies considerably depending on your dog's breed, age, weight, activity level and the type of food you're feeding. Every complete dog food includes feeding guidelines on the packaging or website as a starting point - but these are just that, a starting point.

The best guide is your dog's body condition. You should be able to feel their ribs easily without pressing hard, see a slight waist when viewed from above and an abdominal tuck from the side. If in any doubt, your vet or veterinary nurse can help you assess whether your dog is at a healthy weight.

Can I mix wet and dry dog food?

Yes - and it's actually a really popular approach. Mixing a good quality dry food with a small amount of wet food as a topper is a great way to boost palatability, add moisture and keep mealtimes interesting, particularly for fussy eaters.

Just make sure that both foods are Complete, or that the combination adds up to a nutritionally balanced diet. Bear in mind that adding wet food will increase your daily food costs compared to dry alone.

Can I mix raw and dry dog food?

This is generally not recommended and here is why. Raw food and dry kibble are digested at very different speeds - raw takes around 4-6 hours to digest whilst dry kibble can take up to 16 hours.

Feeding both together in the same meal can put unnecessary strain on your dog's digestive system. If you want to transition, feed the two food types separately - ideally 12 hours apart - and gradually increase the proportion of raw over time.

Is grain free dog food better for my dog?

Not necessarily. Grain free has become extremely popular but the reality is that most dogs digest grains perfectly well and don't need to avoid them.

Grain free food is genuinely beneficial for dogs with a diagnosed grain allergy or sensitivity - but this is actually relatively rare. For most dogs, the quality of the overall ingredients matters far more than whether the food contains grains. Read more in our detailed guide - Grain Free Dog Food - The Inside Story.

How do I know if my dog's food is nutritionally balanced?

The single best free resource for checking the nutritional quality of any UK dog food is All About Dog Food. Simply search any brand and you'll get a detailed nutritional breakdown and star rating in plain English.

We use it as part of our own review process at Smart Bark. If a food scores 80% or above, you can feel confident it's providing excellent nutrition. We also reference AADF ratings throughout all of our dog food reviews so you can compare at a glance.

How do I switch my dog to a new food?

Always transition gradually to avoid stomach upsets. As a general rule, introduce the new food slowly over 1-2 weeks - starting with roughly 25% new food and 75% old, then increasing the proportion of new food every few days until you've made the full switch.

If you're switching to raw specifically, take a look at our dedicated guide - How to Switch to Raw Dog Food - which covers both gradual and immediate transition methods in detail.

What is the best dog food for a puppy?

Puppies have very specific nutritional needs that are quite different from adult dogs - they need higher levels of protein, fats, vitamins and minerals to support rapid growth and development.

photograph : pooch & mutt

Always choose a food specifically labelled as complete for puppies rather than adapting an adult food. We've tested a wide range of puppy foods across every food type in our dedicated guide - Best Puppy Foods UK for 2026.

My dog won't eat their food - what should I do?

You're not alone - fussy eating is one of the most common concerns we hear from dog owners. Before changing the food, rule out any underlying health issues with your vet.

If your dog has a clean bill of health, try warming the food slightly to release the aromas, adding a wet food topper or switching to a more palatable food type like fresh or raw. We cover the most common reasons for fussy eating and how to tackle them in detail - Why is My Dog a Fussy Eater? 

There has never been more choice when it comes to feeding your dog brilliantly - and we hope this guide makes that choice a little easier. Happy feeding! 🐾