Alternative to

    raw for puppies

    Find my price...

    Which breed do we get to feed?

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    4.8 out of 543,000+ reviews
    Butternut Box fresh dog food vs raw dog food

    Alternative to

    raw for puppies

    Butternut Box fresh dog food vs raw dog food

    Find my price...

    Which breed do we get to feed?

    Trustpilot logo
    4.8 out of 543,000+ reviews

    4 in 5

    never go back to their old food
    dog eating from bowl
    The nation’s top-rated dog food
    Illustration of a wire fox terrier wearing a chefs hat
    Easy to skip, pause or cancel

    Fresh vs Raw: How Do They Compare?

    Butternut Box fresh dog food versus raw dog food comparison table

    We think fresh is the ultimate upgrade for your dog, but we'll let the results speak for themselves.

    MJ
    Agos
    Annabell
    Ray
    Win
    Person in a green jacket and cap kneels on a sandy beach, smiling while holding a black and white dog.
    Katie
    Rachel & Watson
    Hannah
    Rebeca
    Trustpilot logo
    4.8 out of 543,000+ reviews

    Over 315 million meals

    served and counting

    Hear from our customers about…

    NM

    Nicola Maclaren

    Verifierad
    Trustpilot Star.Trustpilot Star.Trustpilot Star.Trustpilot Star.Trustpilot Star.
    Best thing we did

    "We switched to Butternut Box about a year ago and it’s the best thing we did! We have an English Bulldog who was on Raw, we made the switch after he had surgery as the specialist vets wouldn’t allow us to bring his raw food in. We were worried, but I can honestly say I wish he was on it sooner. He loves the food! He skin is fabulous, no more 💨!!!! This is huge! His stools are perfect! So his digestive system is happy! They send free gifts every now and then. Delivery is fantastic! The app is amazing! We truly give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"

    Recenserad på Trustpilot, maj 2026
    RW

    Rebecca Waldron

    Verifierad
    Trustpilot Star.Trustpilot Star.Trustpilot Star.Trustpilot Star.Trustpilot Star.
    11 years on raw

    "We’ve just switched our dog onto this food after 11 years on a raw diet. The reason for switching was because he has pancreatitis and the vet recommended a low fat diet. Ever since he’s been on Butternut Box his symptoms have improved. The food smells fresh and there are no nasty additives. The delivery is reliable and the company seem genuinely keen to provide good, healthy food."

    Recenserad på Trustpilot, jan. 2026
    GB

    Grace B

    Verifierad
    Trustpilot Star.Trustpilot Star.Trustpilot Star.Trustpilot Star.Trustpilot Star.
    Cannot recommend enough

    "My dog was fed raw for 4 years and then I made the switch. Poo much better, no tummy upsets and so easy to use with being able to keep in the fridge! Will never go back, even have the cat on Marro (most fussy cat ever!!) and it’s going fabulously! Cannot recommend enough!"

    Recenserad på Trustpilot, nov. 2025

    Bring out their best with Fresh

    Gently cooked, not ultra-processed

    Juicy meat, flaky fish and tender veg, steam-cooked to lock in the taste and nutrients.

    Visible benefits from top to tail

    Improve their poos, coats, and gut health with fresh food. The proof is in the pooing.

    Tasted by humans, made for dogs

    We taste-test every recipe ourselves. Good enough for us? Good enough for them.

    Loved by fussies, foodies and (former) farters

    a dog wearing a chefs hat

    96%

    are happy they switched
    A dog wearing sunglasses

    92%

    say mealtimes are easier
    A dog wearing a cone

    4 in 5

    see a health improvement
    A dog holding a lead in its mouth

    94%

    find Butternut easy to store

    Ingredients you can see and say

    It’s simple, really. Quality ingredients means quality of life. So we only source the very best.

    Human-quality meat

    Helps support strong muscles and a healthy immune system.

    Image of cooked chicken
    Sustainably sourced fish

    Supports shiny coats, healthy skin, supple joints and brain health.

    Image of cooked fish
    Spinach

    Rich in vitamin K which supports blood clotting and bone health.

    Image of fresh spinach
    Blueberries

    Contains natural antioxidants.

    Image of fresh blueberries
    Sweet potatoes

    Loaded with vitamin C to support healthy immune function.

    Image of sweet potato
    Parsley

    Has antibacterial properties to support overall health, and could even help to freshen breath.

    Image of fresh parsley

    ...and that’s just a few of our favourites.

    Because dogs deserve better

    Human-quality meat

    Frozen for freshness

    Never any nasties

    A menu of meals

    Find their favourite with 11 meals to try, from beef and chicken to fish and lamb.

    Golden Retriever puppy sitting on a wooden floor, eagerly looking at a person holding a pack of beef treats against a yellow background.
    Nutty and nice dog food treats
    Who wants a treat?

    From trick-worthy treats to bribery biscuits, we’ve got you covered. 

    Our Wellness range

    Support their health from top to tail with supplements, dental sticks & more.

    Dog licking fish oil

    Three steps to fresh

    1
    Tell us about your dog

    It takes two minutes, then we'll calculate your personalised plan and pricing.

    2
    Delivery day

    Your intro box arrives with your first week or two of food and all you need to get going.

    3
    Your plan, your way

    You can stop and start boxes whenever you like. You’ve got the power.

    A video of a dog owner unboxing a Butternut Box whilst their dog excitedly watches

    Order online or on our easy-to-use app

    Next day delivery to your doorstep

    Free 24/7 Vet Nurse helpline

    Your first box

    Get one to two weeks of our healthy meals in a smaller starter box, perfect for helping your dog make the move to fresh.

    Pick from 11 delicious, nutritious recipes designed to help your dog thrive from top to tail. All gentle on tums and tasty on tongues.

    Explore our range of tasty treats, chews, supplements and more. From sausages to dental sticks, you're sure to find a favourite.

    All the info you need to get started with our food, including a handy transitioning guide, top tips and expert vet advice.

    A person and a brown puppy explore a Butternut Box filled with pet food on a wooden floor in a warmly lit room.

    No commitment

    Tailored to them

    For all life stages

    FAQs

    To get started, you'll need to create an account. This is what you will use to manage your subscription moving forward. We'll ask you some questions about your dog (or dogs) then recommend a bespoke plan for them. You can choose which of our recipes you would like to receive and we will deliver them in convenient portions direct to your door.

    Butternut Box is Fresh dog food, which means it isn't excessively processed like wet or dry food. Instead, we use whole, human-quality ingredients you can see and say. Our meals are gently cooked at 90°C to lock in the nutrients, then frozen ready to serve from the fridge. Finally, each recipe is taste-tested by us to make sure it's the best it can be. Good enough for us, good enough for them.

    We ask lots of questions about your dog when you sign up to Butternut. We're not just being nosy (although we do love talking about dogs), it's so that we make sure we are recommending the correct portion size. We'll ask about their age, weight, body condition, activity level and snacking habits. We then compare the information provided against our feeding guidelines. These have been created by our lead veterinary nutritionist, who is a professor in canine nutrition and a past chairperson of the Scientific Advisory Board of FEDIAF (the governing body that decides what should go into our pets’ food from a nutritional perspective).

    Yes, all Butternut Box meals are complete and balanced. We actually go one step further, as they’re also highly digestible, which means the good stuff in our food is more easily absorbed, and dogs get more nutrients with every bite. And more nutrients on the inside means more benefits on the outside.

    Every dog has different tastes, so if they're not keen on the first recipe they try, don't fret. There's plenty of others on our menu, so they're sure to find a favourite. Keep switching it up and see what takes their fancy. Any change in food or diet can have an effect on their tum, which is why transitioning is so important. You'll find a transitioning guide in your first box, so be sure to have a read of that before serving their first meal. It can take up to 14 days for a dog to fully transition to a new food, so stick with it, and remember we're here to help at every step of the way. Of course if your dog has any allergies or sensitivities, let us know and we'll be sure to tailor their recipes to suit them.

    Our meals will arrive frozen, ready to be stored in your freezer or defrosted in the fridge. We put just the right amount of ice packs and insulation in your box to make sure your food stays fresh until you arrive home, then you can pop the pouches into the freezer as soon as you can. If it's thawed a little before they reach your freezer, not to worry - as long as the pouch is cold to the touch, it's perfectly safe to serve. A signature isn't required for delivery, so your box will be ready and waiting for you when you get home. Remember you can download our app to get updates when your box is on its way.

    You’re in complete control of your plan, so you can easily stop, start or skip deliveries whenever you like. To stop your subscription, simply head to the ‘Account Details’ section of your account and click ‘Pause Subscription’. Follow the prompts and you’ll be given the option to ‘Stop Subscription’.

    When we say human-quality ingredients, we mean ingredients that have been sourced from the human food supply chain. In other words, ingredients like chicken, beef, carrots or peas that are of such high quality, they can be (and are) used for our own human food. Once they're inside our Kitchens, they can no longer be used for human food, but they can always be easily traced back to their origins and retain their quality from the moment they're sourced to when they're served. This is unlike the ingredients used in many kibble or wet foods, which are often difficult to trace and not fit for human consumption.

    • Butternut customer survey, Sept 2025, n=153. Q: “Would you ever consider going back to using your previous dog food?” 128 selected “No”.

    • Butternut customer survey, Sept 2025, n=262. Q: “We noticed at sign up that you said you previously used to feed dry or wet food, are you happy that you made the switch to Fresh food?” 252 selected “Yes”.

    • Butternut customer survey, Sept 2025, n=316. Q: “Have you noticed any positive changes in your dog/s health since starting Butternut box? Such as better appetite, more energetic, healthier skin & coat, and better poops.” 246 selected “Yes”.

    • Butternut customer survey, Sept 2025, n=162. Q: “Since starting Butternut Box, are mealtimes easier for you to plan and serve?” 149 selected “Yes”.

    • Butternut customer survey, Sept 2025, n=153. Q: “Do you consider Butternut Box easy to store?” 144 selected “Yes”.

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