About Butchers
Butcher's: British Family-Owned Dog Food Since 1987 Introduction to Butcher's Butcher's has been feeding British dogs quality wet food since 1987, evolving from a family butcher shop in Rugby to the UK's number two wet dog food brand. The original tripe recipe that launched the brand remains a firm favourite, whilst expanded ranges now address everything from weight management to joint health. Made with fresh meat and vegetables from British and Irish farms, Butcher's combines genuine butchery heritage with modern pet nutrition. The family-owned business brings over 30 years of expertise to every tin and tray, delivering 100 percent nutritionally balanced meals dogs love. At Grocefully, we help you compare Butcher's prices across UK retailers, ensuring you can feed your dog quality British pet food at the best available prices. Whether you need Original Tripe, Lean & Tasty for weight management, or Joints & Coat for older dogs, price comparison helps you care for your dog for less. The Butcher's Story: From Rugby Butcher Shop to Britain's Favourite Wet Dog Food Butcher's represents genuine British heritage in pet food. Fred and Alice Baker's Butcher Shop The story begins with Fred and Alice Baker and the butcher shop they opened in Rugby, Warwickshire. This wasn't a pet food company from the start — it was a proper family butchering business serving the local community. Over 30 years, Fred and his four sons built up a thriving family business. They reared and sold livestock, prepared and sold quality British meat to local markets and butchers as far afield as Birmingham and London. Sainsbury's Partnership In the 1960s, Butcher's began supplying the grocery chain J Sainsbury's. This relationship with a major retailer expanded the Baker family's reach beyond local markets and established connections that would serve the pet food business later. The Sainsbury's partnership demonstrated the Baker family's ability to meet consistent quality standards at scale. Graham Baker's Insight The pivot to pet food came from youngest son Graham. He combined his passion for dogs with his in-depth knowledge of meat to develop the original Butcher's tripe recipe for dogs. Graham understood both what made quality meat and what dogs loved to eat. This dual expertise created a product that was as tasty as it was nutritious. 1987: The Launch of Butcher's Tripe Butcher's Tripe dog food was an instant success when it went on sale in 1987. The recipe drew on generations of butchery knowledge to deliver meat dogs genuinely wanted to eat. This launch marked the family business's transformation from traditional butchering to pet food production. From 1987 onwards, pet food became the main focus. The Crick Factory Today, Butcher's products are produced at the factory in Crick, Northamptonshire. This purpose-built facility handles the volume required for a national brand whilst maintaining the quality standards established in the Rugby days. UK manufacturing ensures fresh British and Irish meat reaches products quickly, maintaining quality and supporting British farming. Building the Range The passion and devotion of the Butcher's team helped the business extend and enhance its range of food for dogs and cats. What started with tripe expanded to address various dietary needs and life stages. By maintaining family ownership and values, Butcher's preserved the quality focus even as production scaled dramatically. Number Two in Wet Dog Food Butcher's established itself as the number two brand among wet food producers in the UK — remarkable for a family business competing against multinational pet food giants. This market position reflects genuine consumer preference for Butcher's quality and value proposition. Awards and Recognition In 2023, the flagship product Butcher's Original Tripe was awarded Best Product 2023 — Consumer Choice. In 2024, Butcher's Healthy Heart won Product of the Year in the Dog Food category. These awards validate what dog owners have known for years: Butcher's delivers quality that dogs and their owners appreciate. Recent Developments Inspired Pet Nutrition (IPN), an independent UK pet food company controlled by CapVest Partners, announced acquisition of Butcher's Pet Care in late 2024. This brings Butcher's under broader UK pet food expertise whilst maintaining British ownership. The Butcher's Product Range Butcher's offers comprehensive wet dog food solutions. Butcher's Original Tripe The product that started it all: Classic tripe recipe developed from Graham Baker's original 1987 formula Award-winning: Best Product 2023 — Consumer Choice 100 percent nutritionally balanced Made with quality British and Irish meat This remains the flagship product — the taste dogs have loved for over 35 years. Lean & Tasty Weight management without sacrifice: 20 percent lower in fat than standard recipes Made with the leanest cuts of meat Wholegrain rice keeps dogs feeling full 100 percent complete nutrition despite reduced fat Available in 390g tins and 150g trays, Lean & Tasty addresses the needs of dogs requiring weight management without compromising nutrition or taste. Joints & Coat Support for active and ageing dogs: Formulated to support joint health Ingredients promoting healthy coat condition Suitable for dogs needing mobility support Complete nutrition alongside functional benefits Joints & Coat addresses the needs of older dogs or active breeds requiring additional joint and coat support. Healthy Heart Cardiovascular support: 2024 Product of the Year winner (Dog Food category) Formulated to support heart health Complete and balanced nutrition Quality meat with heart-healthy ingredients Healthy Heart represents Butcher's innovation in functional pet nutrition. Grain-Free Options For dogs with sensitivities: Recipes without grain ingredients Suitable for dogs with grain sensitivities or allergies Same quality meat, alternative carbohydrate sources Grain-free options ensure dogs with dietary sensitivities don't miss out on Butcher's quality. Cat Food Ranges Butcher's expertise extends to cats: Blink!: Premium natural wet cat food brand Classic: Affordable, natural, complete cat food These cat brands apply Butcher's meat expertise to feline nutrition. Quality and Sourcing Understanding Butcher's approach explains consumer trust. British and Irish Farm Sourcing Butcher's dog food is made from fresh meat and vegetables from British and Irish farms. This local sourcing ensures: Short supply chains maintaining freshness Support for British farming Quality assurance through established relationships Traceability and transparency UK Manufacturing Production at Crick, Northamptonshire maintains British manufacturing. UK production enables: Fresh ingredient processing Quality control throughout production Reduced transport distances Support for British manufacturing employment 100 Percent Nutritionally Balanced All Butcher's food for dogs is 100 percent nutritionally balanced. Dogs can thrive on Butcher's alone without requiring supplements or additional foods. This completeness ensures convenience for owners alongside proper nutrition for dogs. Natural Goodness Butcher's recipes focus on natural goodness — quality meat and vegetables without unnecessary additives. The butchery heritage emphasises real ingredients over processed alternatives. Shopping for Butcher's in the UK Butcher's enjoys excellent UK distribution. Major Supermarkets Tesco: Full Butcher's range including Lean & Tasty and Tripe Sainsbury's: Joints & Coat, Lean & Tasty, and core ranges Morrisons: Wholegrain varieties and standard ranges Asda: Wide Butcher's selection Pet Specialist Retailers Pets at Home: Butcher's brand products with delivery Jollyes: Wet dog and cat food ranges Pet Supermarket: Comprehensive Butcher's selection Petwell: Various pack sizes and ranges Online Supermarket delivery services include Butcher's Amazon UK stocks popular variants Pet retailer websites offer full range Understanding Butcher's Pricing Butcher's occupies the quality value position in wet dog food. Quality at Fair Prices Butcher's prices position below super-premium wet food whilst delivering British-sourced, nutritionally complete meals. This value proposition has built the number two market position. Multipack Savings 12-tin and 12-tray multipacks offer significant per-unit savings over individual purchases. For regular Butcher's buyers, multipacks represent sensible purchasing. Promotional Opportunities Wet dog food frequently features in supermarket promotions. Multi-buy offers and temporary reductions make stocking up worthwhile. Compared to Premium Alternatives When comparing with super-premium wet food, consider Butcher's British sourcing, complete nutrition, and award-winning quality. The value proposition may exceed more expensive alternatives. Practical Tips for Butcher's Shoppers Match to Dog's Needs Choose the appropriate Butcher's range: Standard: Original Tripe for everyday feeding Weight management: Lean & Tasty for overweight dogs Joint support: Joints & Coat for older or active dogs Heart health: Healthy Heart for cardiovascular support Sensitivities: Grain-free for allergic dogs Buy Multipacks 12-tin and 12-tray packs offer better value. Calculate monthly consumption and buy appropriately sized multipacks. Check Promotional Timing Wet dog food promotions cycle regularly. Note when Butcher's appears on offer and stock up during promotional periods. Consider Tray vs Tin 150g trays suit smaller dogs or portion control. 390g tins suit larger dogs or multi-dog households. Choose formats matching your dog's serving size. Store Properly Once opened, refrigerate unused portions and use within 48 hours. Unopened tins keep for extended periods at room temperature. Butcher's in British Pet Culture Butcher's holds a genuine place in British dog ownership. British Heritage The Rugby butcher shop origins resonate with consumers valuing British products. The story of a family business evolving to serve British dogs connects with dog owners who appreciate heritage. Quality Wet Food Accessible Butcher's proves quality wet dog food doesn't require premium pricing. The number two market position demonstrates British dog owners' recognition of this value. Tripe Tradition Tripe has long been valued in British dog feeding. Butcher's Tripe continues this tradition in convenient, nutritionally complete format. Family Values Family ownership throughout Butcher's growth maintained values that larger corporate competitors may lack. This authenticity appeals to dog owners seeking genuine care behind their pet food. Conclusion From Fred and Alice Baker's Rugby butcher shop to Britain's number two wet dog food brand, Butcher's demonstrates how quality and authenticity build lasting success. Graham Baker's 1987 tripe recipe launched a transformation that now feeds millions of British dogs. British and Irish farm sourcing, UK manufacturing at Crick, and 100 percent nutritionally balanced formulas deliver the quality promise. Award recognition — Best Product 2023 for Original Tripe, Product of the Year 2024 for Healthy Heart — validates consumer trust. Whether you choose Original Tripe for classic appeal, Lean & Tasty for weight management, Joints & Coat for mobility support, or Healthy Heart for cardiovascular health, Butcher's delivers over 35 years of expertise in every tin. Using Grocefully to compare Butcher's prices across UK retailers helps you feed your dog quality British pet food at the best available prices. For dog owners seeking nutritious wet food made with British meat at sensible prices, Butcher's delivers family values in every meal.