Nourish has quickly established itself as a notable contender in the UK’s premium dog food market. As a family-run business launched in 2019, they’ve made their mark with grain-free, hypoallergenic formulations designed to address common dietary sensitivities while remaining affordable through a direct-to-consumer business model.
The story behind Nourish
Founded by Steve Ball, an industry veteran with extensive experience in pet retail and nutrition, Nourish emerged following his return from Australia where he noticed growing demand for high-quality, grain-free pet foods. The company started with dog food before expanding to cat food in 2020, and has since introduced over 30 natural treats and supplements.
Their business philosophy centers on cutting out retail middlemen, allowing them to offer premium nutrition at competitive prices. This approach has paid dividends, with Nourish moving to a larger warehouse in 2021 and distributing approximately 250,000 meals monthly by 2025 – clear evidence of their growing customer base.
Product range and ingredients
Nourish offers an extensive selection of grain-free recipes featuring premium protein sources like chicken, lamb, salmon, turkey and Angus beef. These proteins are paired with digestible carbohydrates such as sweet potato and various vegetables instead of grains that might trigger allergies.
All formulations exclude common allergens including wheat, beef (in specific recipes), pork and dairy. This makes Nourish an excellent option for dogs with food sensitivities or digestive issues. Their commitment to quality is evident in their minimum 50% meat content across all recipes, with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives added.
Looking at specific products, their Salmon with Trout formula combines omega-3 rich fish with fiber-packed vegetables like sweet potato and asparagus, supporting both active lifestyle needs and coat health. The Turkey with Cranberry Senior Formula includes joint-supporting glucosamine and chondroitin, along with cranberries for urinary tract health.
Nutritional philosophy
Nourish embraces a grain-free approach as its core nutritional philosophy, focusing on ingredients that mirror more natural canine diets. Their recipes emphasize animal proteins first, supplemented with carefully selected fruits and vegetables to provide comprehensive nutrition.
Each formula is life-stage specific, with dedicated recipes for puppies, adults, seniors and large breeds. Senior diets notably include additional supplements like glucosamine for joint support, reflecting an understanding of changing nutritional needs as dogs age.
Not sure whether to choose Nourish or Autarky? Read our Autarky review to compare these quality options before making your decision.
Price point and value
Prices for Nourish products range from £2.50 for treats to £53.95 for larger bags of premium formulas. Their direct-selling model enables them to offer competitive pricing compared to similar quality brands available in retail stores.
A 12kg bag of adult dog food typically costs around £45-£50, positioning Nourish in the mid-to-premium segment of the market. When considering the high meat content and quality of ingredients, this represents reasonable value for money, especially for owners seeking grain-free nutrition without the luxury price tag.
Customer experiences
Customer feedback for Nourish is overwhelmingly positive, with several recurring themes:
- Improved digestion: Many owners report resolved gastrointestinal issues, including reduced pancreatitis symptoms and more consistent stools
- Enhanced coat condition: Numerous testimonials mention shinier, healthier coats, likely attributable to the omega-3 content in fish-based recipes
One particularly telling review notes: “My dog who had pancreatitis symptoms has settled well on this food… the ingredients are excellent and it offers great value too.” Another customer highlights how their fussy Cockapoo readily accepted the Salmon with Trout recipe after rejecting multiple other brands.
Environmental and ethical considerations
Nourish emphasizes responsible sourcing for their proteins, including free-range poultry and sustainably caught fish. While detailed information about their carbon footprint is limited, their UK-based production reduces transport emissions compared to imported alternatives.
The company demonstrated social responsibility through their “Nourish Every Dog” campaign in 2022, donating approximately 2 million meals to shelters and rescues across Britain. This initiative involved partnerships with over 250 animal charities, reflecting a broader commitment to canine welfare beyond their customer base.
What kind of dogs is this food suitable for?
Nourish offers specialized formulations making their range suitable for dogs across all life stages. Their puppy formulas provide essential nutrients for growth and development, with appropriate calcium and phosphorus ratios for proper skeletal formation. These recipes include DHA for cognitive development and easily digestible proteins for sensitive puppy digestive systems.
Their adult formulas cater to both normal and high-activity dogs, with the protein-rich recipes supporting muscle maintenance and energy requirements. Active dogs benefit particularly from the high meat content and quality carbohydrate sources that provide sustained energy release.
For senior dogs, Nourish excels with formulations containing glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM to support aging joints. Lower caloric density prevents weight gain while maintaining protein levels to preserve muscle mass – a common challenge in older dog nutrition.
The grain-free nature of all recipes makes Nourish especially appropriate for dogs with identified grain allergies or sensitivities. Dogs suffering from itchy skin, digestive upset or ear infections potentially triggered by grain consumption may find relief with these formulations.
Is this dog food good?
As a dog food specialist, I consider Nourish to be a very good option in the UK market, though not without some considerations. Their commitment to high meat content (minimum 50%) exceeds many competitors in similar price brackets, providing better protein quality than many mainstream alternatives.
The absence of artificial additives and focus on hypoallergenic formulations demonstrates an understanding of canine nutritional needs and common dietary issues. Their life-stage specific approach shows nutritional sophistication beyond basic maintenance formulas.
However, while grain-free diets benefit many dogs with genuine sensitivities, some research has raised questions about potential links between grain-free formulations and heart issues in dogs. Nourish mitigates this somewhat by avoiding heavy reliance on legumes as primary fillers, instead using sweet potatoes and vegetables.
The lack of formal UK Pet Food membership might concern some buyers, though their adherence to nutritional standards appears robust based on ingredient quality and customer experiences. Greater transparency about sourcing and manufacturing processes would strengthen their position further.
Overall, Nourish represents excellent value in the premium segment, offering nutrition comparable to more expensive brands at a more accessible price point. For dogs with grain sensitivities especially, it provides a thoughtfully formulated option with demonstrated positive outcomes.
While Nourish offers quality nutrition for many dogs, our comprehensive comparison found that Butternut Box ranked as the number one choice in our analysis of the best dog food options available in the UK. If you’re considering upgrading your dog’s diet to the highest standard of fresh, human-grade nutrition, take a look at our detailed Butternut Box review to understand why this customized fresh food option consistently earns top ratings from canine nutritionists and delighted dog owners alike.
