Fresh dog food Vs Tinned

Why Fresh Dog Meals Are Better Than Tinned Dog Food: A Wholesome Choice for Your Pup

When it comes to nourishing our beloved dogs, every pet parent wants to do what’s best. But with supermarket shelves stacked high with tinned dog food, and newer options like fresh dog meals delivered to your door, it can be confusing to know which is the right choice. Let’s break it down and see why more UK dog lovers are making the switch to fresh dog food—and why your dog might just thank you with every tail wag.

What Exactly Is Tinned Dog Food?

Tinned or canned dog food has been a staple of pet aisles for decades. It’s shelf-stable, mass-produced, and often marketed as complete and balanced. But take a closer look at the label and you’ll often see a long list of ingredients that leave you scratching your head. From mystery meats to vaguely labelled additives, it’s hard to know exactly what you’re feeding your pup.

The Case Against Tinned Dog Food

Let’s start with why tinned dog food might not be the wholesome choice it appears to be:

1. High Cooking Temperatures = Fewer Nutrients

Tinned dog food is typically cooked at very high temperatures to sterilise the contents and extend shelf life. While this may be good for longevity, it’s not so great for nutrition. High-heat processing can degrade or destroy sensitive nutrients like vitamins B and C, as well as delicate amino acids. What’s left is often a heavily supplemented product to make up for what was lost in the cooking process.

2. Mystery Meats and Animal Derivatives

Many tinned dog foods contain “animal derivatives” or “meat and animal by-products,” which is essentially a fancy way of saying "we’re not telling you what’s in here." These could be anything from beaks to bones, feathers to offcuts, from any number of unspecified animals. If you wouldn’t eat it, should your dog?

3. Unidentified Ingredients

Tinned dog food labels often feature vague descriptions like “derivatives of vegetable origin,” “various sugars,” or “flavourings.” These generic terms are a red flag. They can mask the inclusion of cheap fillers or artificial additives that don’t contribute to your dog’s health and wellbeing.

4. Low Transparency and Traceability

With many mass-produced dog foods, it’s difficult to trace where ingredients are sourced or how they’re handled. For pet parents who want the reassurance of knowing exactly what’s in their dog’s bowl, tinned food often falls short.

Why Fresh Dog Meals Are the Better Choice

Now let’s talk about fresh dog food. At Paws on Plates, we’re passionate about delivering lovingly made, nutritionally balanced meals straight to your doorstep. Here’s why fresh food is becoming the go-to choice for discerning dog owners across the UK:

1. Human-Quality Ingredients You Can See and Recognise

Our meals are made with real, whole ingredients—like British beef, turkey, lamb, salmon, and vegetables you’d find in your own kitchen. We use sweet potato, peas, spinach, and carrots, not vague fillers or mystery mush. Every ingredient serves a purpose, from lean proteins to antioxidant-rich superfoods.

2. Gently Cooked for Maximum Nutrition

Instead of high-temperature sterilisation, we gently cook our meals using methods like steaming and simmering. This preserves more of the natural vitamins, minerals, and flavours. The result? A meal that smells and tastes delicious to your dog—and delivers optimal nutrition with every bite.

3. No Nasties, Just Goodness

There are no artificial colours, preservatives, or additives in our recipes. We use rosemary extract as a natural preservative and keep our ingredient list clean and simple. You won’t find anything in our meals that you wouldn’t feel good about eating yourself.

4. Tailored Portions and Meal Plans

One-size-fits-all doesn’t work for dog food. That’s why we tailor your dog’s meal plan based on their weight, age, activity level, and breed. Whether your dog needs 7.5kg or 4.2kg of food every two weeks, we deliver pre-portioned, freezer-friendly packs that are easy to store and serve.

5. Transparency You Can Trust

From the farm to your freezer, we know where every ingredient comes from. We’re proud to source high-quality British meats and vegetables and cook everything in our own kitchens. There are no dark corners in our supply chain.

What About Convenience?

You might be thinking, "But tinned dog food is just so easy." And yes, it is convenient—but so is fresh food when it’s done right. Our packaging is freezer-safe, resealable, and portioned to suit your lifestyle. There’s no mess, no fuss, and no nasty tin smell lingering in your kitchen.

Plus, our meals arrive on your doorstep on a schedule that suits you, so you never run out or have to make a late-night dash to the shop. It’s convenience without compromise.

The Real Taste Test

Here’s the ultimate judge: your dog. Dogs naturally prefer the taste and smell of fresh food. Our customers consistently report cleaner bowls, happier tummies, shinier coats, and more wagging tails. It’s not magic—it’s just better food.

Better for Your Dog, Better for the Planet

Because we portion your dog’s meals precisely, there’s less waste. Our packaging is designed for maximum efficiency in household freezers, and we’re constantly working to reduce our environmental impact. Fresh food isn’t just better for your dog—it’s better for the planet, too.

Make the Switch Today

Still feeding from a tin? It might be time to trade mystery meat and mush for real food made fresh. Your dog deserves the best, and with Paws on Plates, the best is exactly what they’ll get.

Join the fresh food movement and see the difference for yourself. Because when your dog eats better, they live better.

Ready to ditch the tin and go fresh? Visit Paws on Plates to create your dog’s personalised meal plan today. Fresh meals, frozen to lock in goodness, and delivered to your door. It’s nutrition your dog will love—and peace of mind for you.

Questions? Our team is here to help at Sam@Pawsonplates.com.