Does my dog need grain-free food?

Only if they have a diagnosed or suspected sensitivity to a specific grain, which is less common than it might seem — many sensitive-stomached dogs actually react to a protein rather than grain. Otherwise, grain-free is simply an owner preference rather than a necessity.

Will grain-free food stop my dog's itching?

Only if grain was actually the cause, which is not the case for every dog with skin issues. If switching to a grain-free food does not improve things after a fair trial, speak to your vet, since the underlying cause may be something else entirely.

Do you stock the whole Butcher's range?

No, we stock a selection rather than every product the brand makes. What is shown in the grid above is what we currently have available to order, and that changes as stock does.

How do I switch my dog onto a grain-free food safely?

Introduce it gradually over a week or so, mixing increasing amounts in with their current food rather than swapping overnight, and watch how they get on. A sudden change of any kind is a common cause of loose stools, regardless of the diet itself.

Grain-free food from Butcher's

Grain-free food is chosen either because a dog has a genuine sensitivity to a specific grain, or simply as an owner preference, and Butcher's is one of the UK brands offering a grain-free line within its wider range. Knowing which reason applies to your dog helps you judge whether it is actually worth switching.

Why owners look for grain-free specifically

A genuine grain intolerance exists in some dogs, showing up as digestive upset or skin irritation that improves once the grain is removed, but true grain allergies are less common than the marketing around "grain-free" sometimes suggests. Plenty of dogs with sensitive stomachs actually react to a specific protein rather than to grain at all.

That said, some owners simply prefer a grain-free diet for their dog without a diagnosed sensitivity, and that is a reasonable choice too — it is worth being clear with yourself about which reason applies before assuming grain-free will fix a problem it may not be causing.

Butcher's grain-free range

Butcher's is a well-known UK brand with a strong reputation for meat-focused wet dog food, and its grain-free options sit within that same approach, built around a named meat protein rather than grain-based fillers. We stock a selection from the wider range, and what is shown in the grid above reflects what we currently have available to order.

If you are switching your dog onto a grain-free food to address a suspected sensitivity, introduce it gradually and keep an eye on whether it actually improves things. If it does not, the grain itself may not have been the issue, and it is worth speaking to your vet about what else could be going on.

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Common questions

Does my dog need grain-free food?: Only if they have a diagnosed or suspected sensitivity to a specific grain, which is less common than it might seem — many sensitive-stomached dogs actually react to a protein rather than grain. Otherwise, grain-free is simply an owner preference rather than a necessity.
Will grain-free food stop my dog's itching?: Only if grain was actually the cause, which is not the case for every dog with skin issues. If switching to a grain-free food does not improve things after a fair trial, speak to your vet, since the underlying cause may be something else entirely.
Do you stock the whole Butcher's range?: No, we stock a selection rather than every product the brand makes. What is shown in the grid above is what we currently have available to order, and that changes as stock does.
How do I switch my dog onto a grain-free food safely?: Introduce it gradually over a week or so, mixing increasing amounts in with their current food rather than swapping overnight, and watch how they get on. A sudden change of any kind is a common cause of loose stools, regardless of the diet itself.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.

Grain-free food from Butcher's

Why owners look for grain-free specifically

Butcher's grain-free range

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Common questions

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