Our verdict
Is Bug Bakes Grain Free a good dog food?
We score it 65/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete cold-pressed dry food for dogs of all life stages, with hermetia illucens larvae, meat meal and emu oil as the main ingredients.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for all lifestages
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, fish, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Find foods that fit your dog.
Nutrition and feedingProtein 28% · Fat 11%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28% |
| Fat | 11% |
| Fibre | 5% |
| Ash | 6% |
Additives & feeding info
No additives recorded yet.
Ingredients (11)7% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- carb 37.6%
- meat 30.1%
- veg 18.3%
- oil 5.4%
- fibre 4.3%
- other 4.3%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black Soldier Fly Larvae | Hermetia Illucens Larvae | meat · good | - | 7.0 |
| 2 | 28% Meal | Meat Meal | meat · medium | 28 | 28.0 |
| 3 | 5% Oil | Emu Oil | oil · good | 5 | 5.0 |
| 4 | Potato 27% | Potatoes | carb · medium | 27 | 27.0 |
| 5 | Sweet Potato 8% | Sweet Potatoes | carb · good | 8 | 8.0 |
| 6 | Peas 5% | Peas | veg · good | 5 | 5.0 |
| 7 | Apple 4% | Apples | veg · good | 4 | 4.0 |
| 8 | Carrot 4% | Carrots | veg · good | 4 | 4.0 |
| 9 | Linseed 4% | Linseed | veg · good | 4 | 4.0 |
| 10 | Beet Pulp 4% | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | 4 | 4.0 |
| 11 | Vegetable Gravy 4% | Vegetable Gravy | other · medium | 4 | 4.0 |
- 1. Black Soldier Fly Larvae7.0% estimated
- 2. 28% Meal28% declared28.0% estimated
- 3. 5% Oil5% declared5.0% estimated
- 4. Potato 27%27% declared27.0% estimated
- 5. Sweet Potato 8%8% declared8.0% estimated
- 6. Peas 5%5% declared5.0% estimated
- 7. Apple 4%4% declared4.0% estimated
- 8. Carrot 4%4% declared4.0% estimated
- 9. Linseed 4%4% declared4.0% estimated
- 10. Beet Pulp 4%4% declared4.0% estimated
- 11. Vegetable Gravy 4%4% declared4.0% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-08-22
Brand and contact: Bug Bakes
- Website
- https://bugbakes.co.uk/
- [email protected]
- Contact page
- bugbakes.co.uk
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-08-22
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- wildpetfood.co.uk
Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.
Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.
Score details and methodologyCalculations, history and evidence
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Why this score?
The overall score is 65 out of 100. The processing format contributed -6.7 points, which pulled the score down. The overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +5.5 points, and the meat content contributed +5.1 points, both improving the result. The carbohydrate content contributed -2.1 points, reducing the total once again.
Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.6 | 9.191 | +5.49 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 52.8% | 0.096 | +5.07 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 17.9% | -0.115 | -2.06 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 10.1% | -0.092 | -0.93 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 11.4% | -0.005 | -0.06 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.4% | -0.375 | -0.15 |
| Undeclared quantities | 7.0% | -0.106 | -0.74 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.00 | 33.786 | +33.79 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.6 | 9.191 | +5.49 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 52.8% | 0.096 | +5.07 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 17.9% | -0.115 | -2.06 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 10.1% | -0.092 | -0.93 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 11.4% | -0.005 | -0.06 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.012 | +0.00 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.4% | -0.375 | -0.15 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 0.0% | -0.065 | +0.00 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 0 | -0.876 | +0.00 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 0.0% | 0.060 | +0.00 |
| Undeclared quantities | 7.0% | -0.106 | -0.74 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | no | 2.294 | +0.00 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | no | -3.158 | +0.00 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.180 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 11.084 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | 0.00 | 0.222 | +0.00 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.00 | 33.786 | +33.79 |
| Processing: Raw | no | -0.054 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 6.629 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 6.331 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.174 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.146 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- +0.02
- Subtotal
- 65.3
- Final score
- 65/100
Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.
Score history across model versions
The score shown above is always computed with the latest published model. Earlier scores are kept for the record and are never edited or deleted; a scoring change ships as a new model version with a public write-up on the methodology page.
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for adult dogs. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 28 | 30.5 (band 18 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 11 | 12 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 96.9 |
| Fibre | 5 | 5.5 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
Scored over 3 declared nutrients (combined weight 50); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 8.3% from the food type.
No nutritional additives section declared on the label.
Low confidence: partial analysis or moisture estimated from the food type.
This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.
Transparency: what the label discloses
How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (93% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 18.6/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) - not on file | 0/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared, Additives declared, Feeding guidance given, Batch and date labelling).
Safety: recall history
Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.
No recalls recorded in our database.
See all current recalls we track.
Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it
The claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.
50/100 · limited — 2 checkable claims: 1 consistent, 1 contradicted.
Contradicted by the label
- "Single Protein Recipe: Made with one primary protein source to help simplify your dog's diet" — the declared label says otherwise on single protein.
Consistent with the label
- "Grain Free" — supported by the declared grain-free data.
12 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Limited: at least one claim contradicts the declared label, or a recent upheld ASA ruling applies.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypoallergenic (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Made with a single novel protein source, naturally low in purines and designed to support sensitive dogs without compromising on nutrition (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Gently coldpressed at low temperatures to help retain nutrients and create a food naturally easier to digest than extruded kibble (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Just functional ingredients carefully selected to support your dog's overall wellbeing (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Insect Protein: Novel protein source that can help support dogs with food sensitivities (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Functional Blend of Vitamins & Minerals: Helps support everyday health and immune function (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Beet Pulp & Sweet Potato: Provides natural fibre to support healthy digestion and stool quality (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Chicory Root Extract & Prebiotic MOS: Helps support beneficial gut bacteria and a healthily gut microbiome (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Insect Oil: Natural source of healthy fats to support skin hydration and coat condition (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Sustainable novel protein naturally rich in amino acids to support digestion, muscle maintenance and overall virality. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Linseed: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids to support healthy skin and coat shine (on page) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Brewer's Yeast: Natural source of B vitamins to support skin health and overall wellbeing (on page) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Grain Free (on page) | Free-from | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Single Protein Recipe: Made with one primary protein source to help simplify your dog's diet (on page) | Content | contradicted | Manufacturer assertion |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
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