The Fussy Cockapoo Verdict: My Honest Review of Butternut Box Dog Food ((5 years on!)

Finding the right diet for your dog can be an absolute minefield. For a long time, Chester’s diet was a constant issue for us. He is an incredibly fussy eater, and we spent months struggling to find a food that didn't completely upset his highly sensitive tummy.

We found that some commercial brands digested reasonably well but ranked terribly from a nutritional standpoint. Other high-end brands looked great on paper but left Chester turning up his nose or suffering from loose stools.

Then, as a certified professional trainer, I was approached by Butternut Box to become a brand ambassador for them as they expanded their fresh food deliveries across Northern Ireland.

As a rule, I refuse to promote anything that I haven't personally tried, tested, and vetted. So, I decided to put their fresh meals to the ultimate test with my own fussy Cockapoo.

The 5-Year Update: Why We Are Still Obsessed

Fast forward five years later, and Chester is still completely in love with his mealtimes! While we initially started with a short trial, Butternut Box has officially become his permanent lifetime diet.

We receive a frozen delivery straight to our door every two weeks. He honestly still gets so excited the moment his delivery arrives. Mainly cause he gets to help shred the box!

Because his tummy can be sensitive, we originally introduced the different protein recipes slowly so we could easily track if any specific ingredient triggered a reaction.

The verdict? His poop improved greatly and we haven’t looked back.

While he enjoys devours the freshly prepared Beef, Pork, and Turkey recipes, Lamb is hands-down his absolute favourite ! The only one he still snubs to this day is the "Swish Dish" Fish—but to be entirely fair to Butternut Box, Chester has not be fussed on fish his entire life!

📦 THE SERVICE VERDICT: Completely hassle-free. The insulation keeps the food frozen until you get home, and you can easily use their app to swap recipes, add extra lamb pouches, or change your delivery date at the click of a button.

The Science: Why Does It Work?

As a canine Behaviourist, nutrition is a massive pillar of how I evaluate a dog’s overall health and emotional stability. Poor gut health and constant digestive discomfort are major hidden drivers behind canine anxiety, reactivity, and stress.

Butternut Box recipes are formulated with 60% freshly prepared meat or fish combined with easily digestible, whole ingredients like carrots, sweet potatoes, and green lentils. Crucially, the food is gently cooked low and slow to lock in nutrients and taste, rather than being ultra-processed at extreme temperatures like standard dry kibble.

You can see the quality right in the bowl. In fact, the independent consumer website All About Dog Food gives Butternut Box an exceptional nutritional rating of 88%.

It gets a massive "Paws Up" from Chester and an enthusiastic backing from me.

🪄 The Trainer's Enrichment Hack: Toppers & Kong Fillers

If you aren't ready to transition your dog to a fully fresh diet as their main daily meal, don't worry! You can still use Butternut Box to completely transform your dog's routine:

• The Ultimate Bowl Topper: Add a spoonful of fresh meat (Chester recommends the Lamb!) to the top of your dog's standard kibble to instantly entice fussy eaters and add a boost of whole-food nutrition.

• The Ultimate Lick Mat & Kong Filler: Ditch the processed supermarket "Peamutt Butter" spreads, which are often packed with unnecessary fats, sugars, or palm oil. Instead, mash Butternut Box into your Kongs, snuffle bowls, or lick mats. Because it is gently steam-cooked and made of real meat and tender veg, it serves as a highly digestible, low-calorie, and deeply satisfying enrichment treat that will keep your dog calmly occupied for ages!

  
  

🎁 Want a Massive 50% Off Your First Two Boxes?

If you have a fussy eater, a dog with a sensitive stomach, or you simply want to step away from heavily processed kibble, I highly recommend giving fresh food a try.

As a Teaching Tails client, you can use my exclusive ambassador link below to claim an incredible 50% discount on your first two starter boxes.

👉 Claim Your 50% Fresh Food Discount Here: butternutbox.com

Or pop Teachingtails in at the checkout!