Forthglade vs Wainwright's Wet Dog Food — Premium vs Supermarket Value
If you want a grain-free, hypoallergenic wet dog food in the UK but don't want to spend Canagan or Nature's Menu money, two brands keep coming up: Forthglade and Wainwright's. They look similar on the shelf — both British-made, grain-free, single-source-protein trays — but they sit at opposite ends of the price ladder. Forthglade is the premium Devon boutique; Wainwright's is Pets at Home's value own-brand. This is the classic quality-per-£ decision.
The short version: Forthglade is the higher-quality can — more meat, a top-tier independent rating, fuller transparency — at a premium price. Wainwright's delivers most of the grain-free, hypoallergenic benefit for roughly half the cost, if you shop at Pets at Home. This guide compares them head-to-head on meat content, ingredients, independent ratings, price and availability — informed by feeding our own dog, Milo, a 12-year-old Labrador/Lurcher rescue who's wheat-sensitive, alongside published data and independent All About Dog Food (AADF) ratings.
At a Glance
| Forthglade | Wainwright's | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Complete wet, 395g trays | Complete wet, 395g trays & cans |
| Meat content | 75% single-source | Single-source (lower %, not published) |
| Grain-free | Yes — hypoallergenic | Yes — hypoallergenic |
| AADF rating | ~77–82% (recipe-dependent) | Solid mid-band |
| Price (395g) | ~£1.80–2.20 (£1.26–1.48 on subscription) | ~£1.61–1.80 (6-pack ~£10.79–11.99) |
| Extras | Devon-made, all life stages, full transparency | Easy Repeat discounts, variety packs |
| Availability | Own site, pet shops, online, some supermarkets | Pets at Home only |
| Best for | Quality, seniors, fussy & sensitive dogs | Value, everyday feeding, multi-dog homes |
Meat Content & Ingredients
Both brands share the same hypoallergenic philosophy: a single named protein, no added wheat, pork, dairy or soya, and no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives — exactly the recipe you want for a sensitive dog. The difference is how much meat goes in and how openly it's declared.
Forthglade leads on meat. Its grain-free complete wet trays are built on 75% single-source protein (salmon, lamb, duck, beef or turkey), gently steamed in Devon, with vegetables and botanicals and no fillers. The single-source recipes make it a genuinely strong option for elimination diets, and the brand publishes its ingredient breakdown clearly. Forthglade has been voted Best Wet Food by Your Dog Magazine readers several years running.
Wainwright's uses the same single-source, hypoallergenic formula — turkey, lamb, duck or white fish with vegetables, UK-made, no added wheat/pork/dairy/soya or artificial additives. But the meat percentage is lower and isn't headlined the way Forthglade's is, and as an own-brand range it offers less ingredient transparency than a boutique. One practical note: Wainwright's grain-free recipes are produced in a factory that also handles grain, so it's grain-free recipe rather than guaranteed grain-zero — worth knowing for the most severely intolerant dogs.
Verdict: Forthglade for higher meat content and full transparency; Wainwright's for the same hypoallergenic basics at a lower spec and price.
Independent Ratings
On the independent All About Dog Food scale — the UK's most trusted neutral rating — the gap is clear. Forthglade's grain-free complete wet rates around 77–82% depending on recipe, putting it among the best-scoring wet foods on the site thanks to its high single-source meat and clean ingredient list. Wainwright's grain-free wet sits in the solid mid-band — comfortably above typical supermarket cans and a genuinely respectable score for a value own-brand, but a step below Forthglade. Both are naturally preserved and certified complete to FEDIAF standards; you're paying for that rating difference.
Verdict: Forthglade by a clear margin on independent rating — though Wainwright's punches above its price.
Cost & Availability
This is where Wainwright's makes its case. Its grain-free 395g trays are around £1.61–1.80 each (cheapest on Pets at Home Easy Repeat), and a 6-can variety pack runs about £10.79–11.99 — roughly £1.80/can. Forthglade's 395g grain-free trays carry a single-tray RRP nearer £1.80–2.20+, only dropping toward £1.26–1.48 when you commit to a larger multi-tray subscription. For an everyday shop without locking into a big subscription, Wainwright's is usually the cheaper grain-free wet — that's exactly what it's designed to be.
Availability cuts the other way. Wainwright's is Pets at Home own-brand, so it's only sold through Pets at Home (in store, online and via Easy Repeat) — convenient if you have a branch nearby, restrictive if you don't. Forthglade is more widely stocked: its own website, pet shops, online retailers and some supermarkets, so you're not tied to a single chain.
Verdict: Wainwright's for everyday value (if you shop at Pets at Home); Forthglade for the best subscription price and wider availability.
Quality-per-£: Which Gives You More?
This is the real question with a premium-vs-value matchup. Pound for pound, Forthglade gives you more meat, a higher AADF rating and more transparency — but you pay for it, especially at single-tray prices. Wainwright's gives up some meat content and a few rating points but delivers the core grain-free, hypoallergenic, single-source benefit for roughly half the cost. For a healthy dog, that's outstanding value; for a fussy, senior or genuinely sensitive dog, Forthglade's extra quality can justify the premium.
For our own Milo (12), who's wheat-sensitive, single-source grain-free wet from either brand sits well — the moisture and aroma help a fading senior appetite, and neither triggers his sensitivities. For a fuller breakdown of feeding older dogs, see our best senior dog food guide.
Verdict: Forthglade wins on absolute quality; Wainwright's wins on value-for-money. Both clear the supermarket-can bar easily.
Which Should You Choose?
There's no single winner — it depends on your priorities and your dog:
- Choose Forthglade if: you want the highest-quality grain-free wet — more meat, a top AADF rating, full transparency — and you'll pay a premium or subscribe for the best per-tray price. Ideal for fussy, sensitive or senior dogs.
- Choose Wainwright's if: value matters most, you shop at Pets at Home, or you're feeding multiple dogs and want a genuinely good grain-free, hypoallergenic wet without the boutique price.
- Want more meat or novel proteins? Step up to Nature's Menu Country Hunter (80% meat) or Canagan (joint support) — see our full roundup.
- Still unsure? Buy a few trays of each and let your dog decide — palatability is individual, and both are safe, complete grain-free options.
For the wider field — including how Forthglade earns our top pick and where Wainwright's lands as best value — see our full best grain-free wet dog food UK guide. And for the premium-brand-vs-supermarket-convenience angle, see Canagan vs Lily's Kitchen.
How to Switch
Whichever you choose, transition gradually over 7-10 days, mixing increasing amounts of the new food into the old. Wet food is richer and more moisture-dense than kibble, so a sudden switch can cause loose stools — slow down if you see any upset. As always, if your dog's appetite, weight or toileting changes noticeably and doesn't settle, book a vet check.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Forthglade and Wainwright's wet food?
Quality versus price. Forthglade is a premium Devon-made brand built on 75% single-source meat, gently steamed in trays, with one of the highest AADF ratings of any UK wet food. Wainwright's is Pets at Home's own-brand value range — also grain-free, hypoallergenic and single-source, UK-made, but with lower meat content and less published detail, sold for around half the price. Both are genuinely good for sensitive dogs; the question is whether you want maximum quality or the best everyday cost.
Which has the higher AADF rating, Forthglade or Wainwright's?
Forthglade, clearly. Independent reviewer All About Dog Food rates Forthglade's grain-free complete wet trays around 77-82% depending on recipe — among the highest scores for any UK wet food, driven by high single-source meat and a clean ingredient list. Wainwright's grain-free wet sits lower in the solid mid band: still well above typical supermarket cans and a genuinely respectable score for an own-brand value food, but not at Forthglade's level. You're paying for that rating difference.
Is Wainwright's really that much cheaper than Forthglade?
Yes. Wainwright's grain-free 395g trays are around £1.61-1.80 each (cheaper on Pets at Home Easy Repeat), with a 6-can variety pack about £10.79-11.99. Forthglade's 395g grain-free trays carry an RRP nearer £1.80-2.20+ each at single-tray prices, dropping toward £1.26-1.48 only on larger multi-tray subscriptions. For an everyday shop without committing to a big subscription, Wainwright's is usually the cheaper grain-free wet — that's the whole point of it.
Which is better for a dog with a sensitive stomach?
Both are designed for sensitive dogs. Both are grain-free, hypoallergenic, single-source protein and free from added wheat, pork, dairy, soya and artificial additives — exactly what you want for a touchy tummy or an elimination diet. Forthglade gives you more meat and a slightly cleaner, more transparent recipe, which can matter for the fussiest cases. Wainwright's covers the same hypoallergenic bases for less. Our own wheat-sensitive senior, Milo, does well on single-source grain-free wet from either.
Where can I buy each one?
Wainwright's is Pets at Home own-brand, so you buy it in Pets at Home stores or on their website (and via Easy Repeat for the discount) — convenient if you have a store nearby, but it's the only place to get it. Forthglade is more widely available: its own website, plus pet shops, online retailers and some supermarkets, so you're not tied to a single chain. Neither is as supermarket-ubiquitous as Lily's Kitchen.
Is paying more for Forthglade actually worth it?
It depends on your dog and budget. The extra money buys higher single-source meat content, a top-tier AADF rating, fuller ingredient transparency and a brand with a long track record (Your Dog Magazine's reader-voted best wet food several years running). For a sensitive, fussy or senior dog, that quality step can be worth it. For a healthy dog on a budget, or a multi-dog household, Wainwright's delivers most of the grain-free, hypoallergenic benefit for roughly half the cost — which is excellent value.
Which should I choose, Forthglade or Wainwright's?
Choose Forthglade if you want the highest quality grain-free wet — more meat, a top AADF rating and full ingredient transparency — and you're happy to pay a premium or subscribe for the best price. Choose Wainwright's if value matters most, you shop at Pets at Home, or you're feeding multiple dogs and want a genuinely good grain-free, hypoallergenic wet without the boutique price. Both beat mainstream supermarket cans comfortably; the decision is quality-per-bowl versus cost-per-bowl.