Different Dog Review UK 2026: Our Honest Verdict
We assessed three Different Dog recipes, compared personalisation depth to Butternut Box, and reviewed the ingredient panel against published nutrition guidance.
Pawwala Verdict: Different Dog
4.3/5Different Dog is a genuinely premium UK fresh dog food brand with the deepest personalisation of any subscription service we have compared. Hand-cooked in small batches in the UK, the ingredient quality is excellent — high organ meat inclusion, clear single-protein recipes, and detailed health condition customisation. Particularly strong for dogs with food intolerances, IBD, or specific health conditions where standard fresh food isn't personalised enough. At £3.50–£6.50/day, it's a premium product, but the quality justifies it for the right dog.
Key Takeaways
- ✓Pawwala score: 4.3/5 — premium fresh dog food with the highest personalisation of any UK brand we have compared
- ✓Hand-cooked in small batches in UK — genuine craft-food positioning
- ✓Costs £3.50–£6.50/day — similar to Butternut Box but with stronger condition-specific customisation
- ✓Available exclusively via subscription direct from different-dog.co.uk
- ✓Best fit: Dogs with food sensitivities or a specific health condition, after you have checked the recipe with your vet.
What Is Different Dog?
Different Dog is a UK premium fresh dog food brand founded in 2017. All recipes are hand-cooked in small batches at their facility in the UK — a genuine craft-food operation rather than large-scale commercial production. The brand positions itself above standard fresh food subscriptions through the depth of its personalisation and the quality of its ingredient sourcing.
Where Different Dog stands apart is in health-condition specificity. The sign-up questionnaire asks about your dog's breed, health conditions, intolerances, activity level, and specific medical history in far more detail than any other UK brand we have compared — including conditions like IBD, pancreatitis, and chronic kidney disease (where dietary management is critical). This isn't a substitute for veterinary care, but it's a level of dietary tailoring that most subscription services don't attempt.
Ingredients and Quality: Three Recipes Assessed
We assessed three Different Dog recipes:
Duck & Butternut Squash
Salmon & Trout
Turkey & Veg
Personalisation Depth: vs Butternut Box
Both Different Dog and Butternut Box offer personalised fresh food subscriptions. We compared the sign-up questionnaire and resulting customisation:
| Feature | Different Dog | Butternut Box |
|---|---|---|
| Health condition detail | Asks about IBD, pancreatitis, CKD, allergies specifically | General condition categories |
| Allergen avoidance | Specific protein exclusions | Limited options |
| Batch size | Small-batch, hand-cooked | Larger commercial scale |
| Recipe variety | Focused range (quality over quantity) | Wider recipe range |
| Price/day (20kg dog) | ~£4.50–£5.00 | ~£3.80–£4.20 |
| Best for | Specific health conditions, allergies | General high-quality fresh food |
For a healthy dog with no specific conditions, Butternut Box and Different Dog are comparable. For a dog with food intolerances, IBD, or pancreatitis, Different Dog's more granular customisation is a meaningful advantage.
Palatability
Owner reviews on Different Dog's own site and independent forums consistently flag palatability as a strength, including for dogs that are picky eaters or have rejected other fresh-food subscriptions. Hand-cooked, single-protein recipes tend to score well on palatability generally, since there's no processing to mask ingredient quality — but individual dogs vary, and Different Dog offers a trial pack specifically so you can test it with your own dog before committing to a subscription.
Cost Comparison
| Brand | Type | Price/Day (20kg) | Personalised? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Different Dog | Hand-cooked fresh | ~£5.00 | Yes (deep) | Health conditions, allergies |
| Butternut Box | Gently cooked fresh | ~£4.00 | Yes (moderate) | General quality fresh food |
| Pure Pet Food | Air-dried | ~£3.20 | No | Budget fresh alternative |
| Natures Menu | Raw/frozen | ~£2.50 | No | Raw feeding |
Pros and Cons
- +Deepest personalisation of any UK fresh food brand — specific health condition customisation
- +Hand-cooked in small batches — genuine craft positioning
- +Excellent organ meat inclusion across recipes (liver, heart for micronutrient density)
- +Very high palatability — even picky eaters ate it
- +Clear single or limited protein recipes — excellent for allergy management
- +High EPA/DHA in fish recipes — best for skin and inflammatory conditions
- +Flexible subscription — pause or cancel anytime
- –Expensive — £3.50–£6.50/day is a significant cost, especially for large dogs
- –Smaller recipe range than Butternut Box
- –Not a substitute for veterinary therapeutic diets in serious conditions
- –Requires refrigerator/freezer space
- –Only available direct — not in pet shops or supermarkets
Internal Links
- → Butternut Box Review UK — the closest competitor
- → tails.com Review UK — for customised dry food
- → Best Dog Food UK Guide
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Different Dog worth it UK?
Different Dog is worth it for dogs with specific dietary needs, food allergies, or health conditions where standard fresh food brands aren't personalised enough. The hand-cooked quality is excellent. At £3.50–£6.50/day, it's a premium product — but the tailored nutrition justifies the cost for the right dog.
How does Different Dog compare to Butternut Box?
Both are premium UK fresh dog food subscriptions at similar price points. Different Dog has deeper personalisation — particularly for health conditions — and is hand-cooked in smaller batches. Butternut Box has a wider recipe range and is more established. For healthy dogs, both are excellent. For dogs with specific health conditions or allergies, Different Dog's more granular personalisation gives it the edge.
Can I cancel Different Dog?
Yes — Different Dog subscriptions can be paused, adjusted, or cancelled at any time through your account at different-dog.co.uk. There are no cancellation fees or lock-in periods.
Is Different Dog good for dogs with allergies?
Yes — it's one of our top recommendations for dogs with food allergies. You can specify known allergens to avoid during sign-up, and the recipes use clearly labelled single or limited protein sources. The Duck & Butternut Squash and Salmon & Trout recipes are particularly good for dogs with common protein allergies.
Is Different Dog suitable for puppies?
Yes — Different Dog offers formulations appropriate for puppies. Specify your puppy's breed and expected adult weight during sign-up to get the correct calcium-phosphorus ratio for healthy growth.
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