If you’re searching for dog food that prioritizes gut health and natural ingredients, Scrumbles might have caught your attention. This UK-based brand has been making waves since 2018 with their promise of hypoallergenic, probiotic-rich recipes designed for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Founded by husband-and-wife team Aneisha Soobroyen and Jack Walker after struggling to find quality food for their own pets, Scrumbles has grown from a kitchen-scale operation to a brand stocked in major retailers like ASDA, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s.
What sets Scrumbles apart is their commitment to creating gut-friendly formulas that exclude common allergens while incorporating live probiotics and prebiotics. But with premium pricing and some recent changes to their recipes, is this brand worth the investment for your furry friend? Let me break down everything you need to know about Scrumbles dog food based on my experience analyzing their products and customer feedback.
Brand Philosophy and Core Values
Scrumbles built their reputation on a simple yet powerful premise: dogs with sensitive stomachs deserve better. The founders’ personal journey with their dog Smudge and cat Boo led them to develop recipes that address common digestive issues while maintaining palatability. Their approach focuses on excluding problematic ingredients like gluten, soy, dairy, and artificial additives that can trigger sensitivities.
The brand has embedded social responsibility into their business model, pledging 10% of annual profits to animal welfare organizations like All Dogs Matter and DOTS. They’re also members of 1% for the Planet, donating sales revenue to environmental charities. However, it’s worth noting that Scrumbles abandoned their B Corp certification in 2025, with CEO Soobroyen criticizing it as “greenwashing” and redirecting certification fees to Save the Children instead.
Their commitment to sustainability extends to their manufacturing process, with all products made in the UK using locally sourced ingredients to minimize carbon emissions. The packaging is recyclable, and they’ve made transparency a priority by clearly listing all ingredients and their sources.
Product Range and Formulations
Scrumbles offers a comprehensive range of dry kibble, wet food, and treats for both dogs and cats. Their recipes are formulated under veterinary guidance to meet FEDIAF standards, which gives me confidence in their nutritional completeness. The dry food line features recipes with up to 60% chicken or fish content, using a combination of dehydrated and fresh meat to enhance both palatability and digestibility.
What I find particularly impressive is their gut health focus. Each serving contains 1 billion live bacteria, plus prebiotics like yucca and postbiotics to support microbiome balance. This isn’t just marketing fluff – many customers report noticeable improvements in their dogs’ digestion and reduced flatulence after switching to Scrumbles.
The hypoallergenic formulations exclude gluten, soy, eggs, and dairy, making them suitable for dogs with food sensitivities. Instead of artificial additives, they use natural ingredients like carrots, alfalfa, and salmon oil for coat health. However, I should mention that their dry food range is primarily chicken-based, which could be limiting for dogs with poultry allergies.
One disappointment is that Scrumbles discontinued their plant-based wet dog food line in 2025, joining other brands like Butternut Box in narrowing sustainable protein options. If you’re looking for alternative protein sources, you might want to check out our Dog food from Baker review for more variety.
Nutritional Quality and Ingredients
From a nutritional standpoint, Scrumbles delivers on their promises of high-quality, natural ingredients. Their dry recipes typically contain 26-30% protein and 10-15% fat, which aligns well with most dogs’ nutritional needs. The protein sources are clearly identified – you’ll see “chicken meal” and “fresh chicken” rather than vague terms like “meat meal.”
The inclusion of functional ingredients sets them apart from many mainstream brands. Yucca extract helps reduce stool odor, while omega-3 fatty acids from salmon oil support skin and coat health. The probiotic blend includes well-researched strains that can genuinely benefit digestive health, though the effectiveness can vary between individual dogs.
What I appreciate is their transparency about what they don’t include. No salt, sugar, artificial colors, or preservatives – ingredients that serve no nutritional purpose and can sometimes cause issues. They also avoid pea protein, which is often used as a cheap protein booster in lower-quality foods.
However, the limited protein variety in their dry food range is a concern. While chicken is an excellent protein source, dogs with poultry sensitivities have fewer options within the Scrumbles lineup compared to brands offering lamb, fish, or novel protein alternatives.
Customer Experience and Feedback
Customer reviews for Scrumbles are quite polarized, which gives us valuable insights into real-world performance. On the positive side, many dog owners report significant improvements in digestive health. Dogs with chronic loose stools, excessive gas, or food sensitivities often show marked improvement within weeks of switching to Scrumbles.
The palatability seems excellent – most dogs readily accept the food, and many owners note increased enthusiasm at mealtime. The wet food varieties, particularly the Salmon with Sweet Potato, receive especially high marks for taste and texture. I’ve personally seen this work really well for dogs transitioning from lower-quality commercial foods.
However, there are some concerning patterns in recent feedback. Recipe changes in 2025 led to complaints about larger kibble size, which has been problematic for senior dogs and smaller breeds. Some customers also noted changes in odor and texture that their dogs didn’t adapt to well.
The premium pricing is another common complaint. At £12.83-£13.50 weekly for wet food, Scrumbles sits well above mass-market competitors, though it’s comparable to other premium brands. Some customers feel the value doesn’t justify the cost, especially when recipe changes affect their dog’s acceptance of the food.
Pricing and Value Assessment
Let’s be honest about the cost – Scrumbles isn’t budget-friendly. A 6kg bag of dry food typically costs around $45-50, while wet food pouches run about $2-3 each. For a medium-sized dog, you’re looking at roughly $60-80 per month for dry food, significantly more for wet food feeding.
The question is whether the premium pricing delivers proportional value. In my opinion, if your dog has digestive sensitivities or allergies, the potential health benefits can justify the cost. Avoiding veterinary bills for digestive issues or skin problems often outweighs the higher food cost. The probiotic content alone would cost $20-30 monthly as a separate supplement.
However, for dogs without specific health issues, the value proposition becomes less clear. While the ingredients are high-quality, there are comparable options at lower price points that might serve a healthy dog just as well.
Availability and Purchasing Options
Scrumbles has achieved impressive distribution for a relatively young brand. You’ll find their products in major UK retailers including ASDA, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Pets at Home. They’re also available through online platforms like Amazon and Ocado, which makes purchasing convenient for most customers.
The brand offers both subscription and one-time purchase options through their website, with modest discounts for regular deliveries. Their customer service has generally good reviews, though some customers report delays in addressing concerns about recipe changes.
What Kind of Dogs is This Food Suitable For?
Scrumbles is particularly well-suited for dogs with digestive sensitivities or food allergies. The hypoallergenic formulations and probiotic content make it an excellent choice for dogs experiencing chronic digestive issues, excessive gas, or loose stools. I’d especially recommend it for dogs who haven’t responded well to mainstream commercial foods.
The brand offers formulations for different life stages, making it suitable for puppies, adult dogs, and seniors. However, the recent changes to kibble size have made some formulas less appropriate for senior dogs or small breeds who struggle with larger pieces.
Active dogs will benefit from the high protein content and easily digestible formulation, though they may need larger portions due to the moderate fat content. The food is also excellent for dogs transitioning from lower-quality diets, as the palatability and digestive support can ease the changeover period.
Dogs with poultry allergies should be cautious, as most dry food formulations are chicken-based. The limited protein variety makes this brand less suitable for dogs requiring novel protein sources or rotation diets.
Final Verdict
As a dog food specialist, I’d describe Scrumbles as a solid premium option with specific strengths rather than a universally outstanding brand. Their commitment to gut health and natural ingredients is genuine, and the results speak for themselves in dogs with digestive sensitivities.
The brand excels in areas that matter most for sensitive dogs – hypoallergenic formulations, probiotic content, and ingredient transparency. The ethical commitments and sustainability efforts, while somewhat complicated by their B Corp departure, still demonstrate values-driven business practices.
However, the premium pricing demands justification that not all dogs will provide. For healthy dogs without specific dietary needs, the cost-benefit analysis becomes less favorable. The limited protein variety and recent recipe changes also raise concerns about long-term suitability for some dogs.
My honest assessment is that Scrumbles is above average but not exceptional. It’s a good choice for dogs with specific needs, particularly digestive sensitivities, but it’s not necessarily the best option for every dog. The brand’s rapid growth and retail success suggest they’re meeting a real market need, but they’re not revolutionizing dog nutrition.
If your dog has struggled with digestive issues or food sensitivities, Scrumbles is worth trying. The probiotic benefits alone could justify the cost. However, if your dog is thriving on a less expensive food, there’s no compelling reason to switch based solely on marketing claims.
Find the Perfect Food for Your Dog
Every dog is unique, and so are their nutritional needs. What works brilliantly for one dog might not be the best choice for another. That’s why it’s important to choose dog food based on your dog’s specific requirements – age, size, activity level, sensitivities, and health conditions all play a role in determining the ideal diet.
We’ve created a comprehensive questionnaire that takes less than a minute to complete and provides completely free recommendations for the three best dog food brands specifically selected for your dog. Based on your answers about your dog’s characteristics and needs, you’ll receive personalized suggestions that take the guesswork out of choosing the right food. You can access our questionnaire via this link and discover which brands are truly best suited for your furry friend.
