Have you made the decision to switch your dog to a raw-fed diet?
If so, you’ve probably been researching some of the different raw pet food companies in the UK at the moment.
There’s been a big shift towards raw dog food over the past 5 to 10 years in the UK, resulting in more options for British dog owners who believe in the power of raw.
We must point out that raw dog food can have pros and cons just like any other type of dog food so it’s important to do research on the potential risks associated with raw pet food.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at Bella & Duke and Paleo Ridge, looking at how both brands work, what recipes they have on offer, what customers have to say and our verdict.
With the introduction out of the way, let’s start our Bella & Duke vs Paleo Ridge comparison article.
Editor's note: The content on this website is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as veterinary, medical or professional advice. The content of our articles does not constitute veterinary advice. It’s always best to speak with your vet or a certified pet nutritionist before making any changes to your pet's diet or feeding routine.
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Bella & Duke – The Basics
Website: www.bellaandduke.com
Skye and Copper with their Bella and Duke delivery (Photo: lifewithkleekai)
Bella & Duke are one of the top providers of raw pet food in the UK.
Having lost their dogs to cancer, founders Mark and Tony decided to launch Bella & Duke to provide other pet parents with a fresh approach after realising the potential effect processed dog food had on their pets.
Bella & Duke want to give other dog owners the freedom to ditch the store-bought kibble in favour of raw dog food that has been prepared in their kitchens and formulated by animal nutritionists and vets.
This Scottish company vow to stay at the “cutting edge of nutrition” to ensure their raw dog food maintains its high standards. They offer a number of different formulas and recipes to cater to dogs of all ages and sizes.
Their ranges include Adult Complete Premium, Puppy Complete Premium, Pure Meat & Bone, Superfood Enriched, Working Adult and Working Dog Puppy.
Bella & Duke use high-quality ingredients sourced within the UK and they’re 100% natural and nutritious so you can have peace of mind that your furry companion is enjoying a high-quality diet.
You’ll have to fill out their questionnaire with some key details about your dog such as sex, age, weight, activity level, health issues to allow Bella & Duke to tailor your dog’s food.
Bella & Duke ask about your freezer space which is a thoughtful inclusion because you’ll need to consider this factor before placing your order of raw dog food.
Their website proudly declares that they’ve got over 35,000 customers and serve 17 millions meals a year.
Paleo Ridge – The Basics
Website: paleoridge.co.uk
Paleo Ridge (Photo: hellobark.com)
Paleo Ridge are another premium raw dog food company in the UK that have a history of providing top-quality food to British pups.
Based in Hampshire, they’ve got a similar origin story to Bella & Duke. Spurred on by the illness of a beloved pet called Herbie, Paleo Ridge was founded after Herbie’s remarkable recovery following a switch to raw food.
Paleo Ridge write on their website that they’re an award-winning company, with an extensive range of quality raw dog food products to cater to British pet parents.
They offer a Classic Range (80% human-grade, outdoor-reared meat, 10% offal and 10% bone), Paleo Plus (95-5 outdoor-reared and grass-fed meat, offal and bone with a 5% blend of superfoods) and Classic Mini (features five of Paleo Ridge’s best-selling Classic recipes in 250g packages).
Unlike Bella & Duke, dog owners can head to Paleo Ridge’s online shop and select the recipes that they’d like to try rather than having to fill out a questionnaire and sign up to a subscription plan.
Paleo Ridge have a convenient Switch To Raw hamper that give British dog owners the chance to introduce all of Paleo Ridge’s recipes to their canine companion to see which is the best fit for their pet.
They’ve got a sustainable approach to their business – they use recycled plastic for their containers and offer a woolcool collection so the insulation can be reused.
Bella & Duke vs Paleo Ridge – Our Recommendation
Copper with his Bella and Duke delivery (Photo: lifewithkleekai)
It’s a difficult choice when trying to decide between Bella & Duke and Paleo Ridge.
These are two of the leading raw dog food companies based in the UK so you won’t go wrong if you decide to go with either of these brands to keep your dog fuelled.
Having said that, based upon my experience trying both brands with my dogs, I think Bella & Duke has a tiny edge.
My dogs were ever-so-slightly more interested in Bella & Duke’s meals, with even my picky female Alaskan Klee Kai tucking into their raw fold.
Bella & Duke’s customer service team helped with the decision-making process as I tried to figure out which meals would be the best fit for my dogs.
It’s clear they only use high-quality ingredients and it’s reassuring to know that all their meat is sourced from British and Irish farmers (the same can be said of Paleo Ridge).
Paleo Ridge (Photo: hellobark.com)
Paleo Ridge have a commendable environmentally-friendly approach to their business. This is something that’s really important to me and a lot of dog owners in the UK.
My male Alaskan Klee Kai was happy to give their meals a go but his sister was more hesitant. She can be picky so it wasn’t a big surprise and reflective of her behaviour and not necessarily the food.
Bella & Duke would be my pick but I think it’s very close between these two brands and ultimately you won’t go wrong whether you select Bella & Duke or Paleo Ridge.
What Are Customers Saying About Bella & Duke And Paleo Ridge?
Bella and Duke (Photo: lifewithkleekai)
Bella & Duke get 4.3 stars out of 5 based on 180 reviews on Google Reviews.
Greg gave the Scottish dog food company a glowing five-star review.
Pepper was a bit of a fussy eater before we started using Bella & Duke. I’d been using a smaller raw food company and their food was quite dry and although the quality was certainly there, I think Pepper found it too dry and often turned her nose up at it. We switched to Bella & Duke… and we’ve been with them ever since. Pepper doesn’t have an ounce of fat on her, but is built like a tank. She never misses a meal and is clearly enthusiastic at the prospect of eating, and it’s thanks to the quality of the food we receive.
Scarlet hailed Bella & Duke’s superb customer service.
Brilliant raw food company. Not only do my dogs love the food, each batch is tested for bacteria and quality. The meat we buy for ourselves has less quality control than the raw sold here, that was a big factor in choosing Bella and Duke. Great variety of flavours and a wide range of treats compatible with the raw diet. If you’re of the more natural approach to worming, fleas etc they have that covered too. Customer service is out of this world. They go out of their way to help and educate on raw.
Liam was ecstatic to see his picky Chihuahua scoff down their Bella & Duke food.
Coco our chihuahua first time trying Bella and Duke and she loves it! As soon as my order arrived I served it up and she cleaned the plate. I was in disbelief as she has been very very fussy recently turning her nose up to other things I’ve tried her with. Hoping she will enjoy the other options that came with the order. So far so good.
Paleo Ridge (Photo: hellobark.com)
Paleo Ridge have an average score of 4.8 stars based upon over 250 reviews on Google.
Maxine was thrilled to see her picky Cavapoo eat all his Paleo Ridge food.
I changed our puppy over from a kibble diet as his stools seemed to always be loose and was going 5-6 times a day. Literally two days after switching to Paleo Ridge his stools have been perfect, only goes once sometimes twice a day. He loves, all of the food, literally licks his lips and runs to his bowl to wait for it to be put down. Cavapoos are notoriously fusser eaters… not ours, it’s gone within seconds!
Charlotte was full of praise for Paleo Ridge’s diverse range of food.
We have been using Paleo for a while now and are really happy with the results. Clean bowl every time. Fantastic range which means our girl is never short of choice. The packaging is great. The main plus is the condition of our girl she gleams!
Paul revealed that he’s recommended Paleo Ridge to all of his friends.
We have a Beagle (Oscar) who was very boisterous and couldn’t settle on the food as he was fussy and a typical Beagle Diva, we were introduced by our dog trainer to Paleo Ridge and we never looked back. Oscar loves it … So many types and variations of food with friendly faces to boot.
Are There Bella & Duke Or Paleo Ridge Coupon Code And Discounts
We contacted both companies to see if they had a discount to offer our readers at this time.
The good news is that helloBARK! readers can get 20% off their first order of Paleo Ridge. To avail of this incredible discount, click here and use the discout code HelloBark20 to save 20% at the checkout.
Anything Else To Consider?
Paleo Ridge (Photo: hellobark.com)
The UK government website offers extensive guidance where handling raw pet food is concerned.
They warn that raw meat can be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and E. coli. And they go on to explain that humans can become unwell after handling raw pet food and treats.
You can read their extensive guidance where raw pet food is concerned by clicking here.
You should speak to your vet before you decide to make the switch to a new type of dog food. If you make the switch too quickly, you could risk upsetting your dog’s tummy.
Your vet can also provide guidance on whether this type of pet food format is suited for your canine companion.
Wrapping Things Up – Final Thoughts
Border Collie with some raw dog food (Photo: Adobe Stock)
We’ve reached the end of our Bella & Duke and Paleo Ridge comparison article.
As you can tell, we rate Bella & Duke and Paleo Ridge highly so we think you won’t go wrong with either pet food brand.
While Bella & Duke was a slightly bigger hit in my home, Paleo Ridge have a fantastic environmentally-friendly approach to their business.
You can also save 20% on your first Paleo Ridge order by entering HelloBark20 at the checkout on their website which is another plus point.
