Affiliate Disclosure: This Butternut Box Review contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’ve personally used and believe in.
Butternut Box is often praised as one of the best dog food subscription providers by dog lovers and pet food reviewers up and down the country. The main selling point is the fact that it provides fresh, better quality dog food that’s supposed to be better for your dog’s health.
But, is that true and does it really deserve the good reputation it seems to have?
And more importantly, is it worth the money?
I spent two weeks testing it out with my own fussy-eating Cavapoo dog.
And in this honest Butternut Box review, I’ll break down everything you need to know — including what’s in the food, how it compares to kibble, and whether the price is justified.
If you’re searching for a detailed Butternut Box guide from an actual user — this is it.
This review will cover a lot of things related to the fresh dog food subscription plan from Butternut Box in general, however, here are the main areas we’ll discuss:
- Ingredients & Quality
- Dog Enjoyment & Digestive Health
- Packaging, Delivery & Storage
- Customer Service
- Ease of Ordering
- Value for Money
Let’s dive in.
The Butternut Box Story
Butternut Box started with a real dog and a real problem. In 2010, co-founder David Nolan rescued a dog named Rudi who suffered from digestive issues.
After switching to home-cooked meals made with fresh, human-grade ingredients, Rudi’s health dramatically improved and it was all down to the food.
A few years later in 2015, David (Dave) told his friend Kevin (Kev) about how he makes his own dog food and how this cured Rudi’s health issues.
Kev had a lightbulb idea and said that they should feed other dogs the same food, and that’s what they did.
Both David Nolan and Kevin Glynn launched Butternut Box in 2016.
Their mission?
To bring fresh, personalised dog food to the UK market. Every meal is made in their custom-built kitchen using gently cooked, vet-approved recipes.
Signing Up: The Butternut Box Experience
Here’s what happens when I first signed up to the dog food delivery service. It all starts with creating a profile and answering a few simple questions.
Creating a Dog Profile
The website experience was smooth and intuitive. I filled out the following details for my Cavapoo, Arlo:
- Name, age, weight, and activity level
- Diet and health issues
- Body condition and food preferences
It was easy enough to complete, and I did appreciated how thorough it was. The survey also asked about poo consistency, energy levels, and any allergies your dog may have..
Recipe Options
After completing Arlo’s profile, (which took about three minutes), I was recommended these recipes:
- Chicken You Out
- Beef It Up
- Gobble Gobble Turkey (Arlo’s favourite!)
- Wham Bam Lamb
- Pork This Way
Each came with a full nutritional breakdown and a list of the ingredients. The first important thing that stood out, was no vague terms like “derivatives” or ‘animal by-products’. The next important thing was the list of actual vegetables and herbs.
It felt like I was reading a human food package.
Treats, Extras & Add-ons
While meals are the main selling point, Butternut Box also offered me a few optional extras like:
- Bangers – little sausage treats made with fresh meat
- Biscuits – baked treats with a simple ingredient list
- Dental chews – to help with plaque and fresh breath
- Fish Oil – Omega 3 for dogs
- Broth – Support for dog health
- Gut Health Supplements – Promotes good bacteria
I actually tried the bangers. (For Arlo. Not me) and he loved them. However, these extras aren’t the cheapest, but they do follow the same principle: clean ingredients, gentle cooking, and full transparency.
This is good if you want to streamline your dog’s treat nutrition quality along with their meals. However for the purpose of this review I was only interested in the main meals selection of food for my dog.
Butternut Box Pricing & Flexibility
For a 10kg Cavapoo on a full plan (95% of daily calories), the cost came to around £63 per month (around £2.10 per day). You can also opt for a 50% plan and mix with kibble to reduce costs if needed.
I started with a 14-day trial (£30 for 14 pouches).
Subscription options include 14, 21, or 28-day cycles.
Changing recipes, portions, or delivery dates is as simple as a few clicks on the website — all very easy to do.
What was in the box? (Plus Packaging & Delivery Breakdown)
Delivery was prompt, arriving two days after placing my order. The courier service was DPD and I received a one-hour time slot delivery time and tracking link. A bonus if you’re juggling a busy day.
You can receive an order within 24 hours if you want and it didn’t cost anymore. The delivery person was polite and handed over the package with little fuss.
The fresh dog food in the box was neatly packaged and still frozen upon delivery. There was a few packs of ice, and a thermal blanket that wrapped around all the contents. It also contained a welcome guide booklet that covers portion size, food transition, account information, and more.
In addition, there was also a yellow banana for your dog — Arlo just wanted to chew that.
You can see me opening the box and what was in it on the video below.
Eco Packaging Review
The box was made from recyclable double-walled cardboard. The ice packs were reusable. However, the food pouches themselves aren’t currently recyclable and this is something to be aware of if sustainability matters to you.
Butternut Box says they’re working on eco-friendlier options for the actual food packaging pouches.
Storage & Portioning Tips
- Storage: Each pouch takes up minimal space. I fitted 10 in my freezer draw easily.
- Defrosting: Pouches need overnight defrosting in the fridge — set a reminder!
- Opened pouches: These are not resealable. I had to use a food bag and a closed Tupperware container.
Cost saving Tip: If your dog’s on a partial plan, you can divide a pouch into thirds and mix with kibble. It stretches the box further.
Butternut Box Feeding Results: My Dog’s Reaction
Now to the important questions of whether my dog actually liked the food and how he reacted to it. Arlo can be a fussy eater, so this could have went three ways:
- Sniffs the food, walks away, and never eats it.
- Sniffs the food, walks away, and then returns when hungry to eat it.
- Sniffs the food, eats immediately and licks the bowl clean.
Arlo’s common path is usually number 2 — so here’s what actually happened.
My Dog’s First Reaction To Butternut
We started with Chicken You Out, and as you can see in the video, Arlo sniffed it, then polished off his bowl in seconds. No hesitation, walking away, or leftovers.
This was a pleasant surprise — he normally eats like a suspicious toddler.
The liking for the food continued and every pack and flavour was eaten in a similar pattern by my dog. He was also excited at dinner times again, which for Arlo, is a welcoming change.
But was there any other positive results?
Butternut Box often mentions, with proof from research trials and journals, the benefits a dog can get from eating fresh food, so here is my brief and honest observation over the full two weeks of trying Butternut Box.
Week 1 Results
- Firmer poos (took a few days, but yes, they firmed up
- Less smelly farts (thankfully)
- Consistently cleared his bowl
Week 2 Results
- I could not tell, but my partner is convinced the dogs coat looks healthier
- Increased energy in evening walks (Arlo doesn’t exactly lack energy but he did seem a little perkier than normal
- Regular toilet schedule (and less). Arlo tends to poop on a walk, then does it again, and again, and again — each one becoming harder to pick up. What I noticed was that he was now only pooping twice on a walk and they became much easier to scoop into the bag — no more water needed, which was excellent.
There was also no vomiting, no gurgling, no weird reactions.
Ingredients & Nutrition Deep Dive
I have taken a course on dog food ingredients in the past and was shocked to find out what some ingredients mean and how a lot of dog food suppliers use misleading information to trick the consumer.
Understanding the ingredients has since been very important to me, and I was eager to know exactly what was in these pouches.
The good news was that Butternut Box seems to have the same thought process and belief that only the best is good enough for our dogs.
Ingredient Quality
- Fresh meat is always the first ingredient and an adequate amount is used (see table below)
- Whole vegetables (not powders)
- Added extras like chia, turmeric, and kelp
- No grain fillers, preservatives, or colourants
Nutritional Profile (As Fed)
- Protein: 10–12%
- Fat: 6–8%
- Moisture: ~75%
- Calories: 120–140 kcal per 100g
All recipes meet FEDIAF (EU pet nutrition) guidelines.
If you’re mixing with kibble, the added moisture is a good hydration boost, although you should always make sure your dog still has a bowl of fresh water at all times.
Butternut Box vs Other Dog Food: Comparison Table
| Feature | Butternut Box | Premium Kibble | Tinned Wet Food |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat Content | 60–67% fresh meat | 25–35% (often dried meal) | Varies (10–40%) |
| Ingredient Transparency | Full list, human-grade | Often vague or hidden | Often vague or hidden |
| Preservatives | None | Often contains preservatives | Often contains preservatives |
| Custom Portions | Yes – tailored per dog | No | No |
| Storage | Frozen (needs freezer) | Ambient (cupboard) | Ambient (cupboard) |
| Feeding Experience | Looks and smells like stew | Dry pellets | Often mushy |
| Suitability for Sensitive Dogs | Excellent | Mixed | Mixed |
| Subscription Flexibility | High (pause/edit/cancel anytime) | Depends on brand | N/A |
| Price (for 10kg dog) | ~£2.38/day | ~£1.00/day | ~£1.50/day |
| Money-Back Guarantee | Yes |
Customer Service & Management
So far so good, but what was their support and user management like?
- Support: I emailed twice with a random question, both times received replies within 48 hours
- Account Tools: Easily change recipes, portion size, delivery date, or pause subscription
- Billing: Transparent. What you see at checkout is what you pay. No hidden service charges.
Their system felt trustworthy and I felt safe handing over my personal details.
Who Butternut Box Is Best For
✅ Picky eaters
✅ Dogs with sensitive digestion or food allergies
✅ Owners who value convenience and transparency
✅ Those switching from premium wet food or home cooking
❌ Less ideal for multi-dog households on a budget
❌ May be overkill for dogs with no dietary issues like fussy eating
Final Verdict: 4.5/5
I have to say Butternut Box lives up to its reputation. It combines high-quality food with seamless delivery and great customer support. My dog loved it.
His digestion improved, and for now, I have stopped stressing about what to feed him. Hopefully, this continues.
And Yes, it costs more money than dry kibble, and some may gasp at the extra cost, which is understandable, but for many owners, the peace of mind you get knowing what you are feeding your dog, and the ease and convenience is worth the extra costs.
Butternut Box would have received top review marks if the packaging of the food itself was fully recyclable, but besides this, it’s hard to fault.
My Plan?
I’m planning to stick with the full package for now. It fits my routine, budget, and Arlo still seems to love it. Moreover, there’s visible improvement in the dog and in my stress own levels, although, sometimes, the pouch packing can be a slight pain when packing away. This could be made so much easier with a resealable package.
Want to Try It?
Use the link below for 75% off your first box (better than the standard 25%):
👉 https://butternutbox.com/cavapoocrewUK
Butternut Box Review (FAQ’s)
Possibly. The clean, single-protein recipes are helpful for sensitive dogs.
Yes. The subscription is completely flexible.
Yes. Ingredients come from the human food supply chain. You could eat it — but I’ll leave that to your dog.
They offer a money-back guarantee.
For a 10kg dog on the 14-day plan, you will require about the size of a large bag of frozen chips and possibly half a drawer in the freezer.
Dogmates Ltd
No, but they do offer a big discount on your first box.
Typically no, but you can use my Cavapoo Crew link for 75% off your first box.
Pure Pet Food and Better your Dog are two that come to mind.
