Butternut Box Review (2025) - Honest Dog & Owner Dog Food Verdict After Taste Testing With Charlie
- We Walk Woofs
- 3 days ago
- 10 min read
Reviewed & taste tasted by Charlie & Dave - 15th August 2025 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Can fresh dog food really make a difference? We set out to find out with our own pup, Charlie, a food-loving eleven-year-old Wheaten Terrier. When we first heard about Butternut Box, a UK-based fresh new food subscription that’s "putting the food back into dog food", and offering a different way to feed your dog, we had to try it. In this review, we will cover the fresh meals, ordering, Charlie’s taste test and everything you need to know about Butternut Box (the good, the bad, and the drool-worthy!)
Dog food home deliveries have been available for the last decade or so, and have increased in quality, variety and availability during that time. One of the earliest offerings came from one of today's biggest dog food subscription providers, Butternut Box. Established back in 2016, they were pioneers in dog food home delivery and have been at the forefront of a movement that has revolutionised canine health ever since. Consistently delivering quality, home-delivered recipes made with the very best fresh ingredients to UK owners and scoring a healthy 4.8 on Trustpilot, in this review, we take a closer look at the Butternut Box range of food.
But is it the right choice for your dog? And what are the real pros and cons? Read our Butternut Box dog food review to discover the tasty and owner-friendly world of Butternut Box deliveries.
🐶 Spoiler Alert! Charlie loved Butternut Box & we loved the ease of ordering and the pre-portioned meals. The food is top quality, wholesome & incredibly tasty, and, as it uses the best quality ingredients, it's not the cheapest, but it's easily one of the best and most convenient dog food services in the UK. Why not try it with your dog with 50% off your first two boxes using code WEWALKWOOFS50 |
We Walk Woofs is puppy-powered and supported by you, our readers. As proud ambassadors for Butternut Box, we may earn a small affiliate commission if you choose to buy through links on our site, at zero extra cost to you, Please be assured that this never affects our reviews or recommendations: Charlie & the We Walk Woofs team always choose the very best food and products for your pets. Read more here.
Table Of Contents
Butternut Box review 2025
3. Box Recipes
5. Packaging
6. The Food
10. Pricing
11. Our Verdict
12. FAQ
13. Alternatives
Pros
✅ Quality ingredients
✅ Tailored to your dog
✅ Flexible delivery
✅ Eco friendly packaging
Cons
❌ Premium pricing
❌ Some packaging isn't recyclable
❌ Requires freezer space
So, What Is Butternut Box Dog Food?
Butternut Box is a UK-based fresh dog food delivery service founded in 2016 that delivers freshly prepared, gently cooked meals made with human-quality ingredients straight to your door. The meals are carefully developed by their in-house canine nutritionists & provide nutritionally complete meals designed to appeal to even picky or fussy dogs and Butternut Box is suitable for all age groups. Every meal is tailored to your dog’s age, weight, breed, and activity level, and is delivered to your door in portioned, easy-to-serve bags ready for your dog to enjoy at mealtimes. With a range of recipes and flexible delivery, they offer a convenient delivery service that makes it easy for many dog owners to provide their dogs with highly digestible, nutritious, and tasty meals.
Why Butternut Box?
Two words. Quality and ease. We found the recipes tasty, ordering & delivery straightforward & storage and feeding simple and intuitive. We answered questions about Charlie, chose the recipes that we wanted and our Butternut Box was delivered to our door. You couldn't make it any simpler.
Ingredients and Recipes
All of the butternut box meals are made with high-quality ingredients that are human-grade, contain 60% meat, wholesome vegetables and no additives. All of the different recipes are expertly made with veterinary input, gently cooked like you would at home and tailored specifically for your dog. We tried the whole variety of recipes that are available and have to say that Charlie loved every one of them. They all look and smell fantastic, are made with ingredients that we would eat ourselves and when we did a human taste test, the recipes were really tasty! There is something for every tummy, even for dogs with sensitive stomachs, and current recipes include:
Beef It Up
Chicken You Out
Gobble Gobble Turkey
Wham Bam Lamb
Pork This Way
Duo of Duck & Chicken
Ready Steady Veggie
Salmon to Love
You've Got Game
Pork of the Town
Tuck in Chicken
Ordering & Butternut Box Delivery
Ordering from Butternut Box couldn't be simpler. We started by filling in a simple online questionnaire where we entered details about Charlie's breed, age, weight, and dietary needs. They then create a personalised meal plan for Charlie with tailored portion sizes. Once ordered, Charlie's food was delivered to our door on the date specified. Delivery is usually twice a month, but you can adjust this. We found the delivery service to be flexible and reliable, and we were able to easily adjust Charlie's plan, skip a box, or cancel your order at any time via the website. Charlie's food arrived frozen in an insulated package and packed into pre-portioned packets. We simply stored them in the freezer, and the ones that you want to use can be defrosted in your fridge. Butternut’s attention to convenience and care made ordering and delivery smooth for us and exciting for Charlie.
Packaging
Their packaging is designed with ease, freshness and sustainability in mind. Orders arrive in sturdy cardboard boxes lined with wool insulation that keep meals cool during transit. Charlie's food was sealed in easy-to-open packs, which were portioned based on his personalised meal plan. Ice packs are included to ensure meals stay chilled or frozen until you can store them. While the food pouches themselves are not recyclable due to food safety materials, the cardboard, wool liner, and ice packs can all be recycled or reused. In fact, they offer a free return scheme for their insulation liners, so they can be professionally cleaned and reused on future orders. As a company they are committed to reducing food waste and environmental impact, and their packaging reflects that. Everything was packed with care, so Charlie's meals arrived safely, still frozen, and ready for the freezer drawer. The packaging and recyclability got a big thumbs up from us.
First Impressions
First impressions were good. Even while still packaged, the food looked tasty and was obviously made with the best quality ingredients. Unlike many other products, each recipe looked distinctly different, and you could clearly see the premium ingredients. Once opened, the food looks even better and smells good enough to eat.
The Food
The food is what truly sets this company apart. Each of Charlie's meals was made using human-quality meat and vegetables, gently cooked to preserve nutrients and flavour and sent ready to eat. You can tell by the look, feel and smell of the food that it is high quality and has been prepared with care and attention. All of Charlie's recipes included simple, natural ingredients like chicken, beef, lamb, lentils, and herbs, all specially selected to support Charlie's health and digestion.
The food looks visibly healthy! As soon as the first pack was opened, Charlie's nose started twitching, and he became very inquisitive! When the food was put down, he ate it without coming up for air. Of all of the recipes that we ordered, there were none that Charlie refused to eat and ploughed through every one of them with gusto, and it's always nice when your dog enjoys their meals.
Feeding Guidelines
One great aspect of subscription based food is that it takes the guesswork out of portion control for Charlie. When we signed up, we provided Charlie's age, weight, breed and activity level. Butternut then calculated a tailored meal plan with correct portion sizes for Charlie. Meals were then delivered in perfectly portioned pouches, and we simply opened and served without needing to measure portions. This approach makes it ideal for owners of dogs who are underweight or overweight, or have specific dietary goals. We received feeding instructions and were able to adjust Charlie's plan if his needs change. If you have questions, the customer services team and in-house nurse can advise on any changes to your dog’s feeding routine. Whether feeding a puppy, a large breed, or a senior dog, the personalised approach makes it easy to feed your dog exactly what they need.
The Charlie Taste Test! Was It Puppy Love?
Did Charlie like Butternut Box? Yes! As we opened the first pouch, it smelled appetising, and Charlie sat patiently by our side as we served up.
As soon as the bowl went down (it was Wham Bam Lamb, by the way), Charlie dived in headfirst. Now, Charlie isn’t a fussy eater and enjoys his food, but we can always tell when our dog loves something by the speed he eats. He finished his bowl of food very, very quickly, and it was the same with the other recipes we tried over the next week.
The only one he wasn't as taken with was Ready Steady Veggie, but he still ate it, just not as enthusiastically as the meatier offerings. A definite paws up from Charlie.
The Human Taste Test - Was It Yummy In Our Tummy!
Yes, it's true, we taste test our dog's food as well! It's only fair that we feed Charlie food that we would eat, so always grab a spoon and tuck in! Unlike some foods that we have sampled over the years, Butternut Box is tasty. Very tasty! Our favourite? Wham Bam Lamb!
Pricing
Their pricing is based on your dog’s individual needs, such as age, weight, breed, and activity. Smaller dogs may cost as little as £1.50 per day, while larger breeds like a German Shepherd might cost between £3/£5 per day. Meals are delivered twice monthly with pre-measured portions to reduce food waste and overfeeding. Each meal contains human-grade ingredients created with the right balance of nutrients, which means you are not just buying dog food; you are investing in your dog’s ongoing health. Although expensive compared to supermarket dry food or other brands, owners say that the quality, freshness, and health benefits make it worthwhile. New customers can get discounted trial boxes, and ongoing subscription plans can be paused, changed, or cancelled at any time online.
Try Our Simple To Use Cost Calculator
(Please note that this calculator is only designed to provide an estimation of daily costs. For 100% accurate pricing head over to Butternut Box and sign up for their fabulous food! We Walk Woofs is an independent dog care blog & this calculator is based on our own research and experience feeding Charlie, our Wheaten Terrier)
Butternut Box Dog Food Review Final Verdict - Would We Recommend Butternut Box As One Of The Best Dog Foods?
So, what are our final thoughts on Butternut Box?
We love it! Butternut Box is a market-leading, top-quality fresh food subscription and rightly so. It consistently impresses us and other owners thanks to its high-quality, UK-sourced ingredients, gently cooked meals, and exceptional convenience. From improved digestion & shinier coats to wagging tails and empty bowls, the health benefits and convenience of ordering speak for themselves and since switching to Butternut Box Charlie has seemed happier and bouncier & it's great to see definite improvements in digestion. While not the cheapest food subscription service, especially for owners of multiple or large dogs, the quality of the food, the pre-portioned pouches and excellent customer service help justify the cost. If you’re seriously looking to improve your dog’s nutrition with minimal hassle and maximum reward, this is a product worth trying and gets a huge claws up from Charlie & us. The only question is which recipe, chicken or turkey!
Frequently Asked Questions About Butternut Box
How much is Butternut Box a month?
Costs range from £44 to £175 per month, depending on your dog’s size and needs. Small dogs cost around £1.60 per day, large breeds up to £6. Mixing with kibble can reduce the cost. To get a rough idea, use the cost calculator above or pop over to our Butternut Box price page for further information.
Is Butternut Box good for dogs?
Yes. Butternut Box offers fresh, high-quality food that is vet-approved, great for health & easy to digest.
How to cancel Butternut Box
To cancel Butternut Box, log into your online account and look for the cancel/pause option in subscription settings, or contact their customer service at hello@butternutbox.com or via live chat on their website.
Where can I buy Butternut Box dog food?
The easiest way to buy Butternut Box is via their website https://butternutbox.com
where new customers can use the code WEWALKWOOFS50 to recieve 50% off their first two boxes. Some Butternut Box meals are now stocked in select Pets at Home stores, but the full range is only available online.
Is Butternut Box raw?
No, it is not raw as meals are gently cooked using steam at low temperatures, then frozen to lock in freshness and nutrients.
Is Butternut Box a complete dog food?
Yes. Each recipe is formulated to be complete and balanced, with all the nutrients that your dog needs, including proteins, fats, vitamins, and fibre.
What do vets say about Butternut Box?
Many vets support fresh food diets like Butternut Box, especially for dogs with digestive issues. All meals are vet-approved and meet nutritional standards.
Butternut Box Dog Food Delivery Service Alternatives & Discount Codes
Butternut Box is a popular choice for fresh dog food, but several other fresh dog food brands on the market offer similar services. Companies like Different Dog (you can get 40% off with code WALKIESCC40), Tuggs (get 50% off your first order with code WEWALKWOOFS), Naturaw, Pure Pet Food & Forthglade also provide subscription-based meal plans with fresh dog food options tailored to your dog’s needs. These alternatives vary in their approach; some focus on air-dried or freeze-dried meals, others offer home-cooked recipes similar to Butternut. For owners looking for cheaper options, traditional dog food and brands like Royal Canin, Hills Science, or even traditional kibble, dry food and canned food may be more affordable, though they often lack the freshness and personalised nutrition that Butternut provides. It is important to compare not just price, but also ingredient quality, convenience, and customer feedback. While no single brand is perfect for every dog, many owners find that using Butternut Box offers a better balance of health benefits, taste, and convenience. If you're unsure or are thinking of trying it, starting with 50% off your first two boxes with code WEWALKWOOFS50 can be a helpful way to see how your dog responds before committing.
Try Butternut Box With Our 50% Off Discount Code
If you want to feed this fantastic home delivered food to your dog why not use code WEWALKWOOFS50 to get a whopping 50% off your first two boxes courtesy of us!
Related:
Different Dog discount code - 40% off