Different Dog Review. High Quality, Freshly Cooked Dog Food That Says "I Love You" - Read On For Our Full May 2025 Different Dog Food Review
- Charlie Evans
- May 1
- 12 min read
Updated: May 30
We Walk Woofs is reader-supported and proudly powered by paws, especially Charlie, our Wheaten Terrier, who personally tested every Different Dog meal featured in this review. As proud ambassadors for Different Dog, we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through the affiliate links on this page. Read more here.
Updated By Charlie & Dave - 30th May 2025 As busy pet owners, we always strive to provide the best for our dogs, yet sometimes we lack the time to find food and prepare and cook the healthy and tasty meals our canine friends deserve. Thankfully, there's a growing number of companies dedicated to offering bespoke, nutritious, and flavourful hand-cooked meals delivered directly to our doors, allowing even the busiest of dog owners to provide the best food and nutrition for their pup.
Different Dog stands out in this ever-expanding fresh dog food market as a company specialising in fresh, home-delivered food that offers a tasty and delicious range of meals containing a minimum of 60% meat or fish. Each gently cooked, nutritionally balanced dish is tailored specifically for your dog and delivered fresh to your doorstep on a regular schedule. Many dog owners who've switched to Different Dog report their pets absolutely love the food.
Thankfully, our ever-willing Wheaten Terrier, Charlie, was more than happy to step in and help with this review and, over the past few weeks, he’s taste-tested Different Dog’s hand-cooked meals, and believe me, there were lots of clean bowls and wagging tails. Even Max the cat couldn't help taste testing too! 🐶
In this honest, first-hand review, we'll take an in-depth look at Different Dog and their tasty range of home-cooked doggy meals, looking at everything from ingredients and delivery to pricing, packaging and flavour and explore why they might just be the perfect choice for your pup — with plenty of help from our chief canine reviewer, Charlie!
Use code WALKIESCC40 to receive 40% off your first two boxes |
Different Dog Review 2025 - Charlie's Different Dog Food Review & Taste Test
Table Of Contents
Different Dog Review
6. Different Dog - The Food 7. The Charlie Taste Test 8. Human Taste Test! 9. Feeding Guidelines 10. Different Dog Pricing 11. Different Dog - Conclusion 12. Different Dog FAQ
Pros
✅ High-quality fresh dog food
✅ Good selection of recipes
✅ Tailored to your dog
✅ Recyclable & compostable containers
✅ Carbon neutral
✅ Two or four weekly deliveries
Cons
❌ Premium pricing
❌ Requires freezer space
Introducing Different Dog Fresh Dog Food: Making Meal Times Marvellous!
We were keen to sample the fantastic range of high quality dog food meals created by Different Dog, the fresh dog food creator based in Shrewsbury. They offer a nutritious and delicious range of recipes made with quality fresh, locally sourced ingredients. From chicken casserole to pork ragu, Different Dog offers a fine selection of appetising recipes designed to satisfy even the most discerning palates.
Founded in 2017 by the husband-and-wife team, Charlie and Alex Thurstan, Different Dog was inspired by Charlie's insights gained while touring pet food factories for his previous job, leading them to create a dog food company that fussy dogs absolutely love. Seeing first-hand the ingredients, processing, and cooking methods that went into traditional pet food production, he realised the poor quality of conventional, processed dog foods when it came to his own dogs' health. Motivated by his discovery, Charlie embarked on a mission to produce real, wholesome food for his dog, Crumble.
Fast forward to today, and Different Dog (often affectionately called DD by loyal customers) is one of the leading manufacturers of lovingly created, healthy, freshly cooked meals for dogs. They currently offer a variety of recipes - thirteen high-quality, protein & nutrient-rich mouth-watering recipes delivered directly to your dog's bowl.
With glowing Trustpilot reviews and a range of five-star reviews across Google and social media, Different Dog is definitely doing something right, and the impressive 93% score on All About Dog Food confirms that this is dog food of the highest quality. Many success stories come from owners whose dogs previously suffered from tummy issues or poor digestion.
What Makes Different Dog Stand Out in The World Of Dog Food?
Different Dog's unique selling proposition is their ongoing commitment to providing gently hand-cooked, fresh, and nutritious dog food made with the highest quality ingredients and without the use of cheap fillers, grains, or legumes. Their meals are designed by expert nutritionists to improve your dog's health nutritionally and are ethically sourced, emphasising human-grade quality ingredients.
Containing 100% locally sourced, sustainable British meat and fish, vegetables, and superfoods with zero grains and zero legumes, Different Dog ensures that every ingredient is carefully selected to maximise nutritional benefits. Some owners report their dogs' poops are more consistent and healthier thanks to Different Dog's balanced approach. The recipes are designed to be gentle on your dog's sensitive tummy issues while providing complete nutrition.
They offer personalised meal plans, carbon-neutral deliveries, biodegradable containers, and support from in-house vets and nutritionists. This ensures your dog receives a balanced diet rich in essential minerals, making Different Dog a key player in the fresh dog food industry. Their customer service is also highly praised, with many pet parents pleased to hear how helpful the team is when discussing their dogs' specific dietary needs.
The Different Dog Range of Recipes
At the time of writing, Different Dog offers an extensive range of 13 recipes, all using 100% British and locally sourced meat and fish. These are combined with fresh veg and fruits, but notably without the addition of grains or legumes, which is ideal for dogs with sensitive tummy issues. Some recipes even include natural probiotic ingredients to support gut health.
Each recipe has been meticulously crafted and is hand-cooked to ensure the highest quality and freshness. With 7 protein sources available across their range, Different Dog provides a great variety of nutrient-rich meals designed to support your dog's overall well-being. With many different types of proteins available, even dogs with specific sensitivities can find suitable options. Many of these recipes also include warming ingredients, perfect for providing comfort and nourishment, particularly in colder months. The turkey and venison recipes are particularly popular among owners whose dogs have experienced episodes of diarrhoea and weight loss.
The current selection of recipes includes:
🐶 Braised Beef
🐶 Chicken Casserole
🐶 Comforting Chicken
🐶 Hearty Beef & Berries
🐶 Keep Me Trim Turkey
🐶 Lamb Hotpot
🐶 Low Purine & Phosphorus
🐶 Pawfect Picnic
🐶 Pork Ragu
🐶 Shepherd's Pie
🐶 Stay Supple Fish Supper
🐶 Turkey Fricassee
🐶 Venison & Thyme
Get 40% off your first two boxes with the
Different Dog discount code WALKIESCC40
Different Dog Ordering & Delivery
Like other to-your-door pet food services, Different Dog provides an outstanding and easy-to-navigate online ordering and subscription service. Your pet's absolute bespoke nutritional plan is assembled after you answer a series of questions about their age, breed, activity levels, etc. The Different Dog website then formulates the ideal feeding regimen and suggests suitable recipes. A standout feature for many owners is the option for a free consultation call before ordering, where you can speak directly to a vet or nutritionist about your animal's dietary needs and receive guidance on suitable recipes, especially if your dog has any medical conditions or allergies, an addition that makes many customers feel more confident in their choices when they place an order.
A couple of points to note: firstly, Different Dog offers a starter box option, which is a smaller-sized first order that allows you to try their food without committing to a larger, ongoing order immediately, a thoughtful touch. Secondly, you have the option of placing a full plan order for Different Dog food, meaning your dog will exclusively eat Different Dog fresh food delivered every two weeks, or a partial plan, which involves mixing Different Dog food with your dog's current food or kibble in a 50/50 mix. Some owners use Different Dog as a topper to enhance their dog's regular kibble. In this case, the same amount of fresh dog food is delivered, but every four weeks instead of two.
It's important to plan ahead when ordering your dog's food, as consideration will need to be given to storage and the amount of freezer space required for each order. Unused tubs need to stay frozen, and once in use, each tub can defrost and last for around five days in the fridge.
In addition to their range of dog food, Different Dog also offers a variety of dog treats and bone broths to further enhance your dog's dining experiences. Treats range from turkey snacks and pixel chews to plant-based pumpkin bar chews and calming treats containing chamomile and lavender. Bone broths are available in either lamb or venison, and all treats and broths can easily be added to your order for sending alongside the main food order.
Different Dog Packaging & Recycling
Once our order was placed, the meals were delivered promptly to our door, arriving well-packed and frozen in fully insulated and recyclable packaging. It's noteworthy that all of Different Dog's deliveries are carbon-neutral, which, along with their compostable or recyclable containers, ensures that your carbon "pawprint" is kept to a minimum.
Different Dog have clearly taken the time to thoughtfully consider their packaging. We must admit that, upon receiving it, we were impressed by the presentation. Each meal looks appetising in its own super cute, compostable cardboard container that is not only easy to handle and visually appealing but, most importantly, is fully recyclable. Additionally, each tub comes with its own clip-on lid, making it easy and convenient to reseal partially used tubs.
The one trade-off for the excellent packaging is the space required for storage. As previously mentioned, it is important to plan ahead to ensure you have sufficient storage space. However, we personally preferred the smart, eco-friendly containers over the more space-friendly options offered by some of Different Dog's rivals like Butternut Box and Marleybones. Once our order was placed, the meals were delivered promptly to our door, arriving well-packed and frozen in fully insulated and recyclable packaging. It's noteworthy that all of Different Dog's deliveries are carbon-neutral, which, along with their compostable or recyclable containers, ensures that your carbon "pawprint" is kept to a minimum - part of what makes this a great service overall.
Different Dog - The Food
As soon as we popped the lid on the first tub of Different Dog, it was clear that this was high-quality dog food.
As we've mentioned before, Different Dog's recipes use a minimum of 60% high-quality, locally sourced meat and fish. They avoid grains and legumes and incorporate a range of seasonally available fresh ingredients, all hand-cooked in small batches.
Their website and the individual pots provide a comprehensive breakdown of exactly what goes into each dish, allowing you to know precisely what your dog will be eating before you serve their dinner time meal.
Once opened, the Different Dog recipes look good enough to eat ourselves! We were really impressed by how appetising the food looked, even to us! As evident from the pictures, every dish appeared very fresh, was packed full of plump and easily identifiable ingredients, and seemed to be bursting with flavour. So much so that we had major issues keeping our cats away from the food during the photo shoot, and we had to restrain ourselves from taking a big bite—but more on that later!
Time To Bowl It Up! - The All Important Charlie Taste Test!
As mentioned elsewhere on our site, our dog Charlie has never been a fussy eater and is happy to eat most things that are placed in front of him, although you can judge how much he likes something by the speed of the wolfing down!
We initially tried giving Charlie the Pawfect Picnic, and he literally dived in headfirst, not coming up for air until the bowl had been licked clean for the fiftieth time! It was a definite thumbs-up from Charlie. Charlie not only devours his food but licks it clean every time! Feeling bad that we had to shoo the cats away so often during the photo shoot, we gave them a small bowl each, and again, they finished the food in record time. Charlie loves Different Dog so much that he gets excited every meal time.
Both dogs and cats seemed to really, really love this food from Different Dog.
Different Dog Food - The Human Taste Test Time!
There is no denying that, of all the fresh dog foods available, Different Dog is probably the best-looking food from a human perspective, so there was no question about us trying it!
All the recipes looked tasty, chunky, and wholesome, so we went ahead and tried every recipe and can safely say that all of them tasted really good! Of all the meals, our favourite was the Pawfect Picnic, which tasted absolutely fantastic. We'd definitely recommend Different Dog based on our experience.
Get 40% off your first two boxes with the
Different Dog discount code WALKIESCC40
Different Dog Nutrition & Feeding Guidelines
Like most other fresh dog foods, Different Dog feeding guidelines are calculated on your dog's breed, weight, age, and activity levels, with the online questionnaire taking all of these details into account when calculating your first order. On arrival, the Different Dog order provides pre-weighed cartons that are used to provide the exact right size amount of food and calories your dog requires for each meal, making feeding easy and straightforward.
Depending on whether you have ordered the 100% or 50% Different Dog feeding pack, it dictates whether you will need to add additional food to each meal, but the 100% option makes feeding very straightforward. Many owners who previously fed their pets conventional wet food report that their pets are noticeably livelier after switching to Different Dog.
🐶 Small Dogs: Under 10kg
For small dogs, due to their lower caloric needs compared to larger breeds, their daily food intake will be less. If you're feeding your small dog Different Dog food, the amount will normally range from 100g to 350g daily, assuming the dog gets a moderate level of exercise. One customer with a Westie told us their dog has been an absolute joy at mealtime since they began feeding Different Dog.
🐶 Medium Dogs: 10kg to 25kg
A medium-sized dog, with typical daily exercise, will require between 350g and 700g of Different Dog food each day. Many medium-sized breeds stay active and keep a healthy weight on this diet. Our customers Welsh terrier loves this food, particularly according to customer feedback.
🐶 Large Dogs: Over 25kg
Large dogs, needing more calories, will consume a greater quantity of food. For those on Different Dog, the daily intake ranges from 700g to over 1kg. For large breed dogs, some owners choose to use Different Dog as a supplementary addition to their primary food. Incorporating just 10% of fresh food like Different Dog into their diet can offer significant health advantages. This approach is both cost-effective and beneficial for the dog's well-being. Some large dog owners report this diet is better for anal glands, with fewer impaction issues.
Different Dog Pricing
At the time of writing, the costs for Charlie, our ten-year-old, 21kg, very active Wheaten Terrier, were as follows:
Full Different Dog feeding plan - 400g per day - 10 x 600g packs delivered every 2 weeks - £66.00/£4.71 per day
Part Different Dog feeding plan - 215g per day - 10 x 600g packs delivered every 4 weeks - £66.00/£4.71 per day
Different Dog Review - Conclusion
So, is Different Dog a winner, winner, chicken casserole dinner? Charlie would say a definite yes!
This innovative approach to fresh dog food hits the spot with its combination of high-quality ingredients, taste, value and ease of ordering & delivery. With their nutritious and tailored plans, there's plenty of variety for every dog. Our dog Charlie was a big fan of all of the Different Dog recipes, with Pawfect Picnic being his (and our!) favourite recipe. In fact, we wouldn't feed our dog anything else now.
Looking for the best puppy food in the Uk for your pup? Read our puppy food round up here.
Different Dog FAQ
Is Different Dog Better Than Butternut Box?
Both are high-quality, home-delivered dog foods made with human-grade ingredients. Different Dog is 100% grain and legume free and is made in hand-cooked batches, then frozen for delivery. Butternut Box uses a similar cooking and freezing process, but some of their recipes contain grains and legumes.
How Much Does Different Dog Food Cost?
How Do I Get 40% Off My First Two Boxes?
Is Different Dog Food Frozen?
Is Different Dog Food Grain Free?
Is Different Dog Raw Dog Food?
What Makes Different Dog Different From Other Brands?
Does Different Dog Offer Free Delivery In The UK?
Will Different Dog Help Dogs With Health Issues?
Get 40% off your first two boxes with the
Different Dog discount code WALKIESCC40
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