These are the best pet food brands in the UK
When it comes to looking after our beloved pets, keeping them happy and healthy is vital, which is why it's important to choose the best pet food brand for your breed.
As you consider which food you should be picking out for your pet, the type and amount will actually depend on a few different factors. First of all, you'll want to consider their breed, age, as well as their general health and lifestyle. And to help you make the right choice, we have spoken to the experts at the PDSA to find out which pet food is best.
Which pet food brand is best?
"We'd recommend feeding a high quality, complete commercial pet food, as it will contain the right amounts of all the nutrients pets need. Complete pet foods come in many forms – wet food, dry biscuits/kibble, raw, and grain-free– the list is endless! The one thing they all have in common is that they provide your pet with all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals required for them to be healthy," PDSA Vet, Catherine Burke, tells Country Living UK.
"All you need to look for is 'complete' on the packaging. Look for a pet food manufacturer that is a member of UK Pet Food to ensure they meet higher quality and safety standards than the legal minimum."
How much food should you feed your pet?
Catherine continues: "Feeding the right amount by following the guidelines on the packet and using electronic scales to weigh their food is essential. You should feed your pet for their ideal weight, which might be different from what they currently weigh if they're overweight or underweight. Don't forget to also reduce their food consumption if you're giving them treats! Pets need the right amount and type of food to keep them healthy. If we overfeed them it can lead to weight gain, increasing the risk of serious disease and long-term illnesses."
What food should you feed your pet?
"When choosing a type of pet food, both dry and wet complete foods can provide all the nutrition your pet needs, however dry foods are normally cheaper per portion than a wet food equivalent and the daily amount your pet will need is often less," adds Catherine. "They're easier to feed and store, as they last longer once the packet has been opened. Dry food can also help to keep your pet's teeth clean, as biscuits can help prevent any build-up of plaque on your pet's teeth."
How many treats should you give your pet?
"Giving your pet the odd healthy treat is fine, but feeding too many could cause them to become overweight. Not only that, but as treats are a 'complementary' and not a 'complete' food, they won't provide the correct balance of nutrients for your dog in the same way that their routine diet does. If you do decide to give your dog the occasional treat, make sure that their treat allowance doesn't take up any more than 10% of their daily food, and factor this in by reducing their daily food by 10%, saving it for treats."
On that note, take a look at the best pet food brands in the UK...
Marleybones
Marleybones, named after a Golden Cocker Spaniel called Marley, was created out of the personal frustration of co-founder Josephine. Marley was both fussy and suffered from indigestion, which meant Josephine struggled to find food he liked to eat.
Now, the pet food brand does everything to help fussy pups like Marley. They deliver pantry-fresh meals with the nutritional benefits of a home-cooked diet.
"We offer an alternative to traditional processed pet food and frozen diets by providing shelf-stable fresh meals that are gently steam-cooked, and gourmet treats that are gently air-dried, to retain all their natural goodness without the need for freezing or harsh processing," the team at Marleybones tell us. "Our complementing food topper range further supports your dog's health with a natural mix of superfoods to support your dog’s joint, gut, dental, and skin health."
You can shop the Marleybones pet food online, or at Waitrose.
Lily's Kitchen
Lily's Kitchen is one of the best pet food brands in the UK. Founder Henrietta Morrison works with brilliant vets and nutritionists to make delicious, quality recipes using wholesome ingredients. The company — named after Henrietta's dog, Lily — was born over 10 years ago when Lily fell unwell. Henrietta then started cooking homemade dog food to nurse her back to health. While Lily is no longer around, the team is still making her favourite recipes like Sunday Lunch and Wild Campfire Stew.
Royal Canin
Backed up by over 50 years of research, Royal Canin is a premium dog food range developed with a particular focus on precise pet health nutrition. Tailored to your pet's health needs whatever their size, breed, age or lifestyle, owners will find an assortment of wet and dry food. Plus, many of the products are specifically tailored to breeds, such as Labradors, making it easier for you to find the best food for your pet.
Forthglade
Created in Devon, Forthglade is famous for its natural wet and dry grain-free dog food. Perfect for dogs of all breeds and sizes, they specialise in simple and nutritious recipes that are as tasty as they are healthy. We particularly love their variety packs, offering a range of flavours for your four legged friend to try.
Pedigree
Pedigree is one of the UK's best pet food brands, offering everything from wet food to dry food and dental sticks to multivitamins. They have over 80 years experience and are also passionate about supporting rescue centres with their Feeding Brighter Futures initiative.
Small Original Taster Box
Not only is Naturaw's pet food good for your dog but it's good for the planet too. Every single one of their items is certified 100% home compostable and plastic-free. They also plant a tree for every subscription, allowing you to do your bit for the environment when you shop with them.
When it comes to the food itself, there is a wide variety of flavours and boxes to choose from, such as this Taster Box. And everything is made from 100% British meat and free of additives, preservatives and grains.
Scrumbles
Providing gut-friendly and sustainable food, Scrumbles launched in 2019 by pet parents Aneisha and Jack. From subscription packages to wet and dry pet food, there is something to suit the need of every dog and cat.
"We realised there was no good quality (and affordable) pet food out there, so we took matters into our own paws. We spent a year studying canine and feline nutrition, then with the help of expert nutritionists, ceaselessly experimented with recipes to create the optimal nutrition for cats and dogs that they also loved to eat," explain the duo.
Harringtons
Harringtons champion naturally tasty, nutritious pet food. They are the first major UK pet food business to be carbon-negative and plant a tree for every order made (they have planted over 100,000). Shoppers can also join the Harringtons' Pet Club loyalty scheme and earn Pet Points with each order.
Tails.com
If you're looking to take a lot of the hassle out of buying pet food, you might want to consider a Tails.com subscription. Essentially you fill out a quiz about your dog so as to exactly tailor their food to their tastes and nutritional needs, with you being able to choose from dry or wet food, treats and dental chews, as part of your plan. And it's delivered directly to your door each month.
Prices start at £20 a month for smaller breeds, up to around £50 a month for larger ones. And you can pause or cancel your subscription at any time. Definitely one to try out if you're looking for a more personalised option.
Bakers
Bakers — from the team behind Purina — sell dog food to make feeding your pet easier. Balanced for your dog's daily needs, recipes are 100% nutritionally balanced for your dog, contain antioxidants to help support a healthy immune system, and have no added artificial, colours, flavours or preservatives.
Winalot
Winalot is the UK's second biggest-selling dog food brand and is now marketed by Nestlé Purina PetCare. Founded in 1927, Winalot specialise in simple, wholesome and nutritious meals that keep dogs healthy and happy. You'll find tasty biscuits for training, meaty chunks for yummy dinners and jelly pouches to enjoy after a walk.
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