Paws on Plates

Hand-cooked fresh dog food in West Sussex

Paws on Plates is a British company dedicated to making fresh dog food. Its menus are prepared with 100% British meat of guaranteed traceability and human-grade quality, which is gently simmered at low temperature and frozen to preserve nutrients. The company operates on a subscription model: the customer answers a questionnaire about their dog's age, weight, allergies and activity level, and receives a feeding plan tailored to each animal.

Ingredients and method of preparation

The brand's approach is built around several specific principles:

• 100% British meat, always as the first ingredient, sourced from farmers in the country.
• No grains, pulses or buckwheat.
• Gentle cooking at 90 °C to preserve nutrients and texture.
• Cardboard packaging, plastic-free, designed to make recycling easier.
• Immediate freezing after cooking and delivery with sustainable insulation that keeps meals frozen for 48 hours.

The company describes its product as visually recognisable, with visible chunks of meat and vegetables, in contrast to processed pâté-like textures.

Superfood supplement

Each portion includes a superfood supplement that, according to the company, would cost around £30 a month if bought separately. The formula includes salmon oil for the coat, green lipped mussels for the joints and turmeric for the digestive system.

Menu range

The shop's catalogue shows five main recipes:

• Loki's lovely lamb
• Boot's beef bowl
• Tilly's tasty turkey
• Vinnie's veggie packed salmon supper
• Sammy's salmon & turkey sensation

The range is also organised by life stage: puppies, adults and senior dogs, with a complementary line called Nana's Nibbles.

How the service works

The purchase process consists of four steps: the customer completes a questionnaire of approximately 60 seconds about their dog; the company cooks the portions with British meat and vegetables; the order is delivered to the door ready to store in the freezer; and the customer defrosts and serves. The company offers a 100% money-back guarantee and promotional discounts on first orders, such as 25% off two boxes.

External rating and customer reviews

All About Dog Food, described by the company as the UK's most recognised independent dog food reviewer, gave Paws on Plates a score of 94 out of 100. The brand also collects reviews on Trustpilot in which owners mention improvements in their dogs' digestion, coat and weight, as well as the attention received from the support service. Some customers point out that the price is high compared with other options.

Company origins

The company was born when Sam, founder of Paws on Plates, was looking for a solution to the skin and digestion problems of his dog Loki, a two-year-old ridgeback. After trying various fresh food brands without satisfactory results, he began cooking the meals himself. That artisanal approach is what the company maintains, presenting itself as a project run by dog lovers.