Butternut Box Duo of Duck & Chicken

Fresh Frozen · completeHigh meatClear label

Duo of Duck & Chicken
Good
our rating

Our verdict

Is Butternut Box Duo of Duck & Chicken a good dog food?

We score it 85/100 (Good). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.

Complete frozen fresh food for dogs of all life stages, with duck, chicken and carrots as the main ingredients.

How we score

40% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.

Why you might choose it

  • Meat makes up an estimated 53% of the dry matter (60% as fed).
  • Prints ingredient percentages on the label.
  • Doesn't list grain ingredients.

Why you might not

  • High in fat: 30% fat on a dry-matter basis.
  • Needs freezer space and defrosting before serving.

Who is this food for?

Suits

  • Labelled by the manufacturer for all lifestages
  • Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
  • Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork as ingredients

Consider something else if:

  • Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
  • Your dog avoids fish: the label lists salmon oil
  • Your dog avoids duck: the label lists duck
  • You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
  • You are limiting fat: 30.0% on a dry-matter basis is in the high band

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 12% · Fat 9%

Typical analysis (as fed)

NutrientAs fed
Protein12%
Fat9%
Fibre0.70%
Ash2.20%
Moisture70%

Additives & feeding info

Feeding and storage

Storage

Delivered freshly frozen. Once defrosted, use within 7 days. Once opened, use within 2 days.

Feeding guide

Portion size determined by questionnaire covering age, weight, body condition, activity level and snacking habits.

Additives declared on the label

Nutritional additives

Vitamin A 3500IU per kg; Vitamin E 40mg per kg; Iron (as Iron (II) Chelate of Protein Hydrolysates) 25mg per kg; Zinc (as Zinc Chelate of Protein Hydrolysates) 25mg per kg; Manganese (as Manganese Chelate of Protein Hydrolysates) 2.5mg per kg; Copper (as Copper (II) Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate) 3mg per kg

Ingredients (15)40% of the recipe is estimated

Estimated composition

  • meat 60.0%
  • veg 29.8%
  • supplement 5.4%
  • oil 2.5%
  • herb 2.3%
#As declaredMatchedLabel readingDeclared %Est. %
1Duck (26%)Duckmeat · medium2626.0
2Chicken (26%)Chickenmeat · medium2626.0
3CarrotsCarrotsveg · good-4.8
4Butternut SquashButternut Squashveg · good-4.6
5Green BeansGreen Beansveg · good-4.4
6Split Red LentilsLentilsveg · medium-4.2
7Whole Red LentilsLentilsveg · medium-4.1
8BroccoliBroccoliveg · good-3.9
9CranberriesCranberriesveg · good-3.7
10CauliflowerCauliflowerveg · good-3.5
11Brewer's YeastBrewer's Yeastsupplement · good-3.3
12MineralsVitamins and mineralssupplement · medium-3.1
13Salmon OilSalmon Oiloil · good-3.0
14Dried RosemaryRosemary Leavesherb · good-2.8
15Dried SageSageveg · good-2.6
  1. 1. Duck (26%)26% declared26.0% estimated
    Duck · meat · medium
  2. 2. Chicken (26%)26% declared26.0% estimated
    Chicken · meat · medium
  3. 3. Carrots4.8% estimated
    Carrots · veg · good
  4. 4. Butternut Squash4.6% estimated
    Butternut Squash · veg · good
  5. 5. Green Beans4.4% estimated
    Green Beans · veg · good
  6. 6. Split Red Lentils4.2% estimated
    Lentils · veg · medium
  7. 7. Whole Red Lentils4.1% estimated
    Lentils · veg · medium
  8. 8. Broccoli3.9% estimated
    Broccoli · veg · good
  9. 9. Cranberries3.7% estimated
    Cranberries · veg · good
  10. 10. Cauliflower3.5% estimated
    Cauliflower · veg · good
  11. 11. Brewer's Yeast3.3% estimated
    Brewer's Yeast · supplement · good
  12. 12. Minerals3.1% estimated
    Vitamins and minerals · supplement · medium
  13. 13. Salmon Oil3.0% estimated
    Salmon Oil · oil · good
  14. 14. Dried Rosemary2.8% estimated
    Rosemary Leaves · herb · good
  15. 15. Dried Sage2.6% estimated
    Sage · veg · good

Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-08-22

Brand and contact: Butternut Box

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
butternutbox.com

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.

External platform ratings are not scores for this individual recipe.

Trustpilot: 4.8/5 · 43,000 reviews

Facebook: - · 1,878 reviews

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 quality of the ingredient list contributed +6.2 points, and the meat content contributed +5.1 points, both helping to lift the score. Ingredients without printed percentages reduced the score by -4.2, while the processing format also pulled it down by -2.4. Taken together, the product reached a score of 85 out of 100.

Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.

ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.79.191+6.23
Meat share of dry matter53.4%0.096+5.13
Oil share of dry matter7.8%-0.092-0.71
Vegetable share of dry matter19.4%-0.005-0.10
Supplement share of dry matter15.8%-0.012-0.19
Undeclared quantities40.0%-0.106-4.22
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
High meat (30%+ of dry matter)yes0.707+0.71
Fresh × high meat1.011.084+11.08
Processing multiplier1.1033.786+37.16
Processing: Fresh Frozenyes-2.354-2.35
Show all 40 components
ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.79.191+6.23
Meat share of dry matter53.4%0.096+5.13
Carb share of dry matter0.0%-0.115+0.00
Oil share of dry matter7.8%-0.092-0.71
Vegetable share of dry matter19.4%-0.005-0.10
Additive share of dry matter0.0%0.163+0.00
Supplement share of dry matter15.8%-0.012-0.19
Other share of dry matter0.0%-0.375+0.00
Unrecognised share of dry matter0.0%-0.027+0.00
Recipe graded poor0.0%-0.065+0.00
Poor-quality meat in recipe0.0%-0.179+0.00
Number of poor ingredients0-0.876+0.00
Largest single poor ingredient0.0%0.060+0.00
Undeclared quantities40.0%-0.106-4.22
Prints ingredient percentagesno0.000+0.00
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
Frozen or chilled freshno0.000+0.00
High meat (30%+ of dry matter)yes0.707+0.71
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)no-3.158+0.00
High carb and low meatno-1.180+0.00
Meat share × printed percentages0.00.000+0.00
Meat share × fresh0.00.000+0.00
Fresh × high meat1.011.084+11.08
Additive penalty0.000.222+0.00
Processing multiplier1.1033.786+37.16
Processing: Rawno-0.054+0.00
Processing: Fresh Chilledno-2.354+0.00
Processing: Fresh Frozenyes-2.354-2.35
Processing: Fresh Refrigeratedno0.000+0.00
Processing: Fresh Shelfno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Dry Freeze Driedno6.629+0.00
Processing: Dry Air Driedno6.331+0.00
Processing: Dry Cold Pressedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Bakedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Extrudedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Semi Moistno-6.174+0.00
Processing: Dry Mueslino-10.146+0.00
Processing: Wet Pateno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Wet Chunksno-0.672+0.00
Processing-type offset
-1.74
Additives declared on label
+1 transparency bonus
Subtotal
85.2
Final score
85/100

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.

ModelScore
v385/100current
v290/100
v176/100
v1.977/100
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.

NutrientAs fed (label)Dry matter (scored)Score
Protein1240 (band 18 to 40%)100
Fat930 (band 5.5 to 20%)100
Fibre0.72.3 (band 0.5 to 5%)94.4

Scored over 3 declared nutrients (combined weight 50); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score.

Declared fortification: 6 nutritional additives on the label
  • Vitamin A 3500IU per kg
  • Vitamin E 40mg per kg
  • Iron (as Iron (II) Chelate of Protein Hydrolysates) 25mg per kg
  • Zinc (as Zinc Chelate of Protein Hydrolysates) 25mg per kg
  • Manganese (as Manganese Chelate of Protein Hydrolysates) 2.5mg per kg
  • Copper (as Copper (II) Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate) 3mg per kg

Medium confidence: the full five-part analysis is on file; where moisture was not declared it was 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.

ItemPoints
✓ Ingredient list on the label (mandatory)10/10
✓ Printed percentages on the label (60% of the recipe mass) (voluntary)12/20
✓ Analytical constituents declared (mandatory)15/15
✓ Additives declared (mandatory)5/10
✗ Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file0/5
✓ Complete/complementary designation (mandatory)5/5
✓ Feeding guidance given (mandatory)10/10
✓ Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory)5/10
✓ Country of manufacture stated (voluntary)10/10
✗ Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file0/5

Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (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.

Claims on file; none we can check against the label

ClaimTypeCheckSubstantiation
Supports glossy coats (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Supports muscle health and everyday immunity (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Help build strong muscles and healthy immunity (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Carrots are rich in vitamin A for eye health and packed with fibre for gut support (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Loaded with vitamin C to support healthy immune function (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Provide dietary fibre, which aids in digestion, helps regulate bowel movements, and supports overall gut health (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Packed with vitamin A for eye health and immune function (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Contain Vitamin C making them beneficial for immune support and antioxidant protection (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Rich in B vitamins, particularly biotin, helps support healthy skin and a shiny coat (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
A rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA and EPA, that supports skin and coat health, joint function, cognitive performance, and heart health (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Contains anti-inflammatory compounds to support overall health (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Contains antioxidants to support overall health (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
60% protein (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer 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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