What's the difference between fresh dog food and kibble?
From ingredient quality to processing and moisture content, the differences between fresh food and kibble can influence everything from your dog's digestion and palatability, to their energy levels, condition and overall wellbeing.
Ingredient quality
Fresh food is made with nutrient dense wholefoods, while kibble uses more processed ingredients
Processing method
Gentle cooking helps fresh food retain more nutrients, while high heat used for kibble can reduce them
Moisture content
The higher moisture levels of fresh food help support hydration, while kibble is very low in moisture
Digestibility
Dogs usually find fresh food much easier to break down, while kibble can be harder depending on the recipe
Gerard Lippert's study shows dogs can live up to 3 years longer
The 5-year study concluded your dog, just like you, thrives when eating a wholefood, highly nutritious, minimally processed diet.
Our kitchen team followed the principles of the study to create the best ever rated fresh wholefood meals and then went further!
Fresh wholefood meals
60% prime meat, seeds, fruits and vibrant veg.
Breed Health+ supplement
Breed specific formula with high scoring ORAC antioxidants
Probiotics & prebiotics
Healthy live bacteria - up to 400 million CFU per serving
Tailored to your dog
To their breed, life stage, activity levels and more.
What Years Cupboard Fresh® Dog Food brings to your dog's bowl
With our personalised subscription, you can feel confident you’re feeding your dog a complete and balanced dog food tailored to what they need to stay healthy, happy and feeling their best for, well… years!
Wholefood recipes steam cooked by chefs
Fresh wholefood recipes made with clearly named, high quality ingredients and full transparency, because your dog deserves better than mystery mush...
That means no low quality meat meals or vague derivatives, no fillers and none of the preservatives that may be found in kibbles.
Just real, human quality ingredients, gently cooked and properly balanced to deliver complete and healthy dog nutrition.
Healthy dog food developed to help your dog live their best life with:
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Clearly named proteins - Real cuts of meat (from chicken thigh to steak) to support strength, energy and meals that get devoured in seconds.
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Natural fibre from veg - Carrots, sweet potato and more, supporting digestion, keeping things moving nicely and tummies feeling good.
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Omega rich ingredients - Healthy fats to support a glossy coat, healthy skin and fur so soft you will not leave them alone.
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Complete & balanced dog nutrition - Everything carefully balanced to support energy, vitality and dogs that are always ready for anything, yes, even another walk...
Breed Health+ supplement blends with every meal
Specifically designed to be added to your dog’s meals to supercharge their nutrition.
Targeted ingredients tailored to your dog’s needs, because no two dogs are the same and their food shouldn’t be either...
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Ailment-specific – From sensitive digestion to joint support, we tailor ingredients to help manage your dog’s unique health needs.
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Psyllium husk – to support healthy digestion and to help your dog transition to a new wholefood diet
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High-scoring ORAC Antioxidants – From blueberry powder to spirulina powder to help support your dog's immune system.
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Joint & mobility support – Every formula includes ingredients such as rosehip powder, green-lipped mussel, and marine collagen.
Prebiotics & Probiotics for better digestive & gut health
Personalised digestive support in every meal to help maintain your dog’s gut health, support their digestion and calm even the most sensitive tummies.
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Probiotic E.faecium good bacteria - to help top up your dog's natural population of healthy bacteria (up to 400 million CFU).
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Beta-glucan prebiotics – to further aid and encourage healthy gut function by feeding the good bacteria in your dog's gut.
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Supporting digestion – by decreasing the pH in your dog's gut and helping the good bacteria thrive
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Reducing flatulence - and bloating by helping to restore the natural balance of good and bad bacteria in your dog's gut
Everything personalised to your dog's breed, age & more
Different dogs have different needs. Their size, activity level, snacks, personality, neutered status and age all influence what they require from a healthy, balanced dog food.
That’s why, with Years, a 1 year old neutered pug who skips treats and prefers the sofa will get a different plan, ingredients and portions than a high energy 2 year old mixed breed who needs support managing weight, instead of the one size fits all approach common with kibble.
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Dog specific nutrition - Your dog’s health and longevity depend on the best nutrition for them, so we tailor their meals accordingly!
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Age specific support - Puppies, adults and senior dogs all have different nutritional needs. Each plan is built to match.
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Activity levels - From couch potato to non stop energy, every dog gets the right balance of calories and nutrients.
More than "just" dog food...
Years Cupboard Fresh® Dog Food is a complete nutrition system specifically developed to help your dog feel their best, every single day. There's never been anything like this for dogs:
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Overall health & longevity
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Joint care and mobility
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Digestive health
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Healthy skin & shiny coat
But what about kibble for dogs?
Kibble is popular for a reason. It’s easy, has great shelf life and it's cost effective.
Choosing to feed your pup 100% fresh food can feel like a bigger step. The good news is you can take a partial feeding approach by mixing Years fresh food in with your dog’s usual kibble!
That way, you keep things simple and your budget in check, all while serving up delicious, wholesome, nutrient packed meals that support your dog’s long term health and wellbeing.
Plus, thanks to our gentle steam cooking process, all Years meals stay cupboard fresh for up to 3 months for your ultimate convenience.
For further information on partial feeding, click here.
Getting started with a personalised plan is simple
Tell us about your dog
We formulate their plan
Calculate your price
Chef cooked
Home delivered
Total confidence
you're feeding your dog right
Fresh recipes your dog will love
Omega 3 powder
Chicken Thigh Mediterranean Casserole
So fresh and tasty you'll want to eat it! Delicious chicken thigh marinated with super foods, seeds, fruits, and cruciferous vegetables.
Whole foods
100%
Prime meats
60.0%
Vibrant veg
26.1%
Super seeds
9.6%
Nourishing extras
4.4%
Steak & Kidney Mushroom Hotpot
Hands off - it is for your dog!Delicious matured steak marinated with super foods, seeds, fruits, and vegetables for the ultimate healthy meal.
Whole foods
100%
Prime meats
60.0%
Vibrant veg
30.9%
Super seeds
5.8%
Nourishing extras
3.4%
Turkey Thigh Cranberry Fricassee
Fresh prime meats you can see - not brown mush. Delicious turkey thigh marinated with super foods, seeds, fruits, and vegetables for the ultimate healthy meal.
Whole foods
100%
Prime meats
60.0%
Vibrant veg
24.5%
Super seeds
10.1%
Nourishing extras
5.4%
Pork Shoulder Sage & Apple Stew
Juicy pork shoulder and apple with a sprinkle of sage, super seeds and vegetables for the ultimate healthy meal.
Whole foods
100%
Prime meats
60.0%
Vibrant veg
27.3%
Super seeds
8.3%
Nourishing extras
4.4%
Salmon & Pollock Fisherman's Bake
Succulent Salmon and Pollock fillet with a pinch of dill, super seeds and vegetables for the ultimate healthy meal
Whole foods
100%
Prime meats
60.0%
Vibrant veg
24.7%
Super seeds
10.1%
Nourishing extras
5.4%
Steak, Salmon & Prawn Surf 'N' Turf
Premium steak, salmon and prawns with superfoods, seeds, fruits, and vegetables for the ultimate healthy meal.
Whole foods
100%
Prime meats
60.0%
Vibrant veg
31.3%
Super seeds
5.4%
Nourishing extras
3.4%
How Years fresh dog food compares
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Declare % of every ingredient Is every ingredient % declared, so you know exactly what you’re feeding? |
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Detail every cut of meat Is every cut of meat detailed, so you know exactly what you’re feeding? |
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Zero legumes. |
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100% grain free |
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Gentle cooking method Classification is based on an average declared cooking temperature threshold of 90°C or below. |
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Store at room temperature |
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Health supplement |
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Breed specific ingredients Years' algorithm analyses your dog's breed, their potential health needs, and selects a formulation to suit - refined further with personalised dosage instructions. |
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Probiotic digestive support |
Years nutrition system includes fresh meals which provide 100% complete nutrition. At Years, we go even further, by including for free, with every meal a Breed Health+ supplement. Different formulas for different breeds, all with added probiotics for digestive support. Comparison table data was obtained, through a review of each brand's official website, conducted on 26 April 2026.
99.8% of dogs surveyed (well... their parents) wolfed down their Years meals
Over 80% noticed an improvement in digestion within 24 hours
Shinier coats, easier movement & happier joints - changes you’ll see daily
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We've always wanted to give Archie the best possible nutrition. We weren't 100% sure we were providing a balanced diet for him. We discovered Years dog food, and it is a game-changer for us.
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Katy is a 12-year-old typical spaniel, very food oriented and always hungry. I have swapped my kibble for Years to use as a topper. Since starting her poo formed, soft, easy to pick up and she's had no bad wind. Lucy
Swapped from kibble to Years
Loving their Years. They cannot wait for it to be put down, clean bowls every time. A 6 and 9 year old, both bounding around like they are puppies again. Packaging is excellent, keeping the food fresh in the cupboard. Thumbs up from us all! Sue
Two very happy spaniels
The dog meals smells amazing, it smelt like human food. My dog Chilli absolutely LOVES the food. You can see exactly what's in it, it's very colourful and very fresh. It's great that you can store unopened food in a cupboard as most fresh foods you need to keep in the fridge. Would definitely recommend this company and my dog gives it a paws up Nicola
Great company, very helpful
3 Nov •
I have a really fussy dog and she has very bad allergies to food so i spend a lot of time trying to find food that she likes but also won't make her allergies worse, even on 16mg of Apoquel everyday she still has issues but I've noticed these issues have disappeared since being on Years and we've only just started! she absolutely loves the food and always has a clean bowl in minutes! I wasn't sure what to expect with this company as never heard of it until i was doing some research (i always have to be one step ahead with my dog as she can go off food at a snap of the fingers but I can't say anything bad about this company, smells delightful and the packaging is really cool and easy to store. I also love the supplement that comes with it. Thank you Years
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It looks and smells great, you can see the individual ingredients and the fact that it is human grade food makes me feel much more confident in feeding it to my dogs. They are all happy and healthy with this food and every interaction I have had with years has been great. I have nothing but positive things to say and would 200% recommend years. Bridget Ford
Brilliant, healthy dog food at last!
My dear 13 year old Labrador was really struggling. He had gone off his food, had constant upset tummy troubles and was really quite lethargic.I did some research and came across Years.com.I can honestly say dear Sonny is a completely different dog! He loves his food, his dry nose is now wet and healthy and he can’t wait to bound around the woodlands for at least an hour at a time. He is visibly happier and healthier.Thank you Years….. he will be on it for life now 👍🏼 Karen
Best decision a complete transformation
11 Feb •
It's a thumbs up here ……. She's licking her lips also delivery came within days ❤️ She is a fussy eater …but she's definitely is taking a liking to the chicken so yes winning 🥰
You & other
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Frequently Asked Questions
Wondering if Years is for you?
Talk with us.
Our team is here to help with ANY query even if it's not related to our food. Our goal is to help dogs live longer, whether they’re eating Years or not.
Fresh dog food and kibble can both provide complete nutrition, but they differ in how that nutrition is delivered. Fresh dog food is made with whole ingredients and cooked more gently, while kibble is more heavily processed.
For many dogs, Years fresh food can be easier to digest and more appealing, while kibble remains a convenient and cost effective option.
The main difference between fresh dog food and kibble is how they are made. Fresh food uses whole ingredients and is gently cooked, while kibble is produced at high temperatures to create dry, shelf stable pieces.
These differences can affect ingredient quality, moisture content, digestibility and how your dog responds to their food.
Yes, Years fresh dog food can be mixed with kibble if you're prefer to partially feed your pup It allows you to improve ingredient quality and variety while keeping feeding simple and cost effective.
Many owners use fresh food as part of a mixed feeding routine rather than switching completely.
Definitely. Years dog food is designed to support dogs at every age. While calorie needs change as dogs grow and age, our complete recipe delivers balanced nutrition to help every dog thrive, supporting healthy growth, steady energy, good digestion, mobility, a shiny coat and overall wellbeing.
Some health conditions may need a clinically controlled diet so pleaseget in touchif you are still unsure if Years is suitable for your dog.
You will usually notice improvements in energy, digestion, coat condition, and overall behaviour. A personalised approach makes it easier to ensure your dog is getting the right nutrition.
Kibble is not inherently bad for dogs. A well made kibble can provide complete and balanced nutrition, and many dogs do well on it.
The main differences come down to processing, moisture and ingredient quality, which is why some owners choose to include fresh food alongside kibble.
When choosing a kibble, always look closely at the ingredients list and make sure you pick one with clear and fully transparent ingredients list.
At Years, we use only prime cuts of meat, such as steak, chicken, and turkey thigh. These premium cuts far surpass the quality of what’s typically labelled as “human grade” in the dog food industry.
The term "human grade" can be misleading, as it simply indicates that the meat could be consumed by humans. However, it often includes lower-quality, mechanically separated meat. We know which we would prefer to eat and we’re confident your pet will agree too!
For more details onchoosing quality meats for your dog, check out our popular blog.
We pride ourselves on ethically sourcing all our meat from family farms with high welfare standards and locally sourcing our wholefood and superfood ingredients, ensuring your dog gets the best in both nutrition and flavour.
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