Frequently Asked Questions

All our meals utilise fresh, organic, cooked ingredients and are formulated to exceed the minimum FEDIAF nutritional guidelines for dogs.

Upon signing up for a subscription, we can tailor your plan by recommending one or more recipes based on your answers to our survey.

If you're unsure if any recipe is suitable for your dog, please contact us at info@bearandbirdy.co.uk.

Subscriptions:

If you sign up for a subscription, your dog's weight, activity level, and neuter/spay status determine the typical serving size. However, much like humans, dogs' calorie needs are individual. Thus, we recommend weighing your dog weekly and modifying its portion size if required. Please get in touch with us if you'd like to change your dog's serving size for your next order.

Single Purchases:

If you're not a subscriber, you'll find serving size guidance prominently displayed in one of the images on each recipe's webpage. This information is also included on the label of purchased food.

If you need help, please reach out to us.

The food can be portioned using a scoop, a kitchen scale, or a measuring cup—whichever method works best for you.

Your first subscription order includes a complementary scoop sized for your dog's dietary requirements. If you ever need an additional scoop, please let us know.

We also offer the scoops available for purchase on single-orders. We will request that you provide your dog's weight and activity level so that we can give you the correct size scoop.

Food can be stored in the fridge for up to seven days. Food in excess of one week's supply can be stored in your freezer. Product must be fully consumed within four days of opening/defrosting to maintain freshness.

While it’s rare for dogs not to love our recipes, if yours isn’t keen, please email us at info@bearandbirdy.co.uk, and we’ll be happy to help.

The Freshly Cooked line is dispatched the day it is cooked whereas the Freshly Frozen line is frozen immediately after cooking and dispatched on demand.

Both lines offer the same freshly cooked organic dog food which is hand-cooked in small batches using locally sourced organic ingredients.

All of our recipes are formulated to exceed the FEDIAF guidelines, so you can rest easy knowing that your dog is getting the full nutrient profile it requires.

The Organic Vegetable Medley, a fully vegan recipe, is a high fibre meal which means it can improve digestive health, maintain a healthy weight, lower cholesterol levels, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. However, the high fibre content may also bulk up your dog's stool, so do not be surprised if this occurs.

Yes! Our Organic Surf & Turf, Organic Grain-Free Chicken, And Organic Regal Lamb recipes are all grain-free.

Unlike their wolf ancestors, dogs have evolved to digest starches, including those from grains, over many thousands of years living with humans.

Research shows that less than 1% of dogs are sensitive to grains. In fact, the most common food allergies in dogs are linked to meat. That’s why we offer many single-meat recipes to cater to dogs with sensitivities.

Whole grains, such as brown rice, provide insoluble fibre, which supports healthy digestion, weight management, stool quality, and allows protein to focus on muscle repair. Excessive carbohydrates—particularly from refined grains or sugars—can lead to weight gain and unstable energy levels, so balance is key. A generally recommended carbohydrate-to-protein ratio for dog food is between 2:1 and 3:1—many commercial dog foods greatly exceed this ratio.

If your dog is sensitive to grains, we have three grain-free options to choose from.

Please be on the lookout for a message from our courier 24 hours before your scheduled delivery. If you won't be home, ensure Leave in a Safe Place is selected.

As the food is fresh, any food that is unsuccessfully delivered must be disposed of and cannot be reused.

If you need to cancel your order, please let us know a minimum of three days (72 hours) before your scheduled delivery time.

All of our orders are dispatched via next day delivery and come in dual-wall recycled boxes lined with sheep's wool insulation and eco cold packs.

Sustainability is important to Bear & Birdy and thus we have taken steps to ensure our packaging is at the forefront of sustainability.

The recycled carboard boxes and pouches can be recycled in your usual waste streams.

The contents of the chilled packs are non-toxic and can be poured down the drain whilst the packaging itself is fully recyclable.

The Insulated liners are made from all natural, 100% sheep's wool, housed inside a recyclable, food grade polyethylene. The wool is 100% biodegradable. This means that once you have used your packaging it can be placed on a compost. Even if our wool ends up in a landfill, it will still naturally biodegrade within 6-12 months, unlike polystyrene which hangs around on our planet for another million years or so.

We do not yet have a collection scheme for the wool but we expect to roll this option out in the near future.

Pick-up is available by appointment only. Please contact us at info@bearandbirdy.co.uk to learn more.
Furthermore, you can usually find us and our food at farmer's markets on the weekend. Please check back for details.

For starters, subscription customers can save over 20% versus single orders.

Furthermore, you have the option for one of our dog food experts to recommend a recipe based on your survey answers.

Finally, you will receive a personalised food portion for your dog.

First, you need to ensure you have an account. Click the image of the person at the top right of the page and be sure to use the same email address that you used for your subscription sign-up.

Once logged in, click on "My Subscription". If this option doesn't show up, please click again on the person at the top-right of the page.

Next, click "See more details"

Finally, click "swap" and select your choices.

Please note, that changes made less than 72 hours before the scheduled delivery date will be fulfilled at the following subscription renewal date.

If you have any issues please email us at info@bearandbirdy.co.uk.

First, you need to ensure you have an account. Click the image of the person at the top right of the page and be sure to use the same email address that you used for your subscription sign-up.

Once logged in, click on "My Subscription". If this option doesn't show up, please click again on the person at the top-right of the page.

Next, click "See more details"

Finally, click "Change Delivery Day" and select your choice.

Please note, that changes made to the delivery day less than 72 hours before either the new or original delivery date will be fulfilled at the following subscription renewal date.

If you have any issues please email us at info@bearandbirdy.co.uk.

First, you need to ensure you have an account. Click the image of the person at the top right of the page and be sure to use the same email address that you used for your subscription sign-up.

Once logged in, click on "My Subscription". If this option doesn't show up, please click again on the person at the top-right of the page.

Next, click "See more details"

Finally, click "Pause Subscription" or "Cancel Subscription".

Please note, that changes made less than 72 hours before the scheduled delivery date will be fulfilled at the following subscription renewal date.

If you have any issues please email us at info@bearandbirdy.co.uk.

Our food is portioned into resealable pouches tailored to your dog’s dietary requirements. Each pouch contains up to four days’ worth of food, ensuring freshness and convenience. If you have a special request, please let us know.

The rise of industrial agriculture has raised significant concerns about the quality of food available for our pets.

Key reasons to choose organic include:

• Free from GMO ingredients
• No use of synthetic pesticides associated with cancer
• No use of sewage sludge in farming, minimising risks of endocrine disruptors and microplastics
• Livestock is free-range and fed 100% organic feed
• Supports wildlife conservation and promotes biodiversity
  

For more information check-out our blog article on the subject.

No. Organic product's are not allowed to contain any genetically modified organisms (GMO)

Organic meat makes sense not just for the health of those eating it but also for the welfare of the animal's that were used. We don't believe that animals for food should be raised any other way. We believe in moderation of meat consumption by all and as such we have introduced our Organic Vegetarian Medley recipe.

All of our meat and veg is organic. The only non-organic ingredients we use are the FEDIAF required vitamins and minerals which are essential to your dog's well being and not available in organic formats.

Being certified organic in the UK means that a product has met strict standards for farming, production, and processing to ensure it is free from synthetic chemicals and produced sustainably. Certification is regulated by law, and only foods that are officially certified organic can use the word "organic" in their product title.

Key Requirements for Organic Certification

1. Organic Ingredients

• Organic Vegetables: Grown without synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilisers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Farmers use natural composting, crop rotation, and integrated pest management to maintain soil health and biodiversity.
• Organic Meat: Sourced from animals raised on organic feed, with access to outdoor spaces and strict animal welfare standards. Routine use of synthetic hormones and antibiotics is prohibited (except in emergencies).

2. Environmentally Friendly Farming

• Soil & Water Protection: Organic farming prioritises long-term soil health and prevents water contamination by avoiding synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.

3. Ethical Animal Welfare

• Organic livestock must have access to outdoor areas and be reared in conditions that allow for natural behaviours.
• The use of cages, routine antibiotics, and growth hormones is prohibited.

4. No Artificial Additives or GMOs

• Organic food cannot contain artificial preservatives, flavourings, or colourings.
• GMOs are strictly banned at all stages of production.

5. Strict Processing and Traceability

• Organic products must be processed separately from non-organic foods to prevent contamination.
• Every stage of production is documented, ensuring full traceability from farm to table.

6. Certification and Inspections

• Independent certification bodies, such as the Organic Food Federation, conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance with UK organic regulations.
• A product must be certified by one of these independent bodies to be legally labelled as "organic" in the UK.