Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken vs Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck

Q: Is Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken worth the price compared to Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck?

Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken scores 71.0/100 for value, while Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck scores 66.0/100. Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken delivers better value overall.

Side-by-side comparison of scores, ingredients, prices and real customer feedback for Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken and Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck.

Last verified: 01 Mar 2026 · Based on 25 reviews

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Our Verdict: Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken or Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck?

— AIScored Editorial Team

83.0

Score Summary

Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken scores 83.0/100 vs Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck at 82.0/100. Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken wins on nutritional value, value for money, palatability. Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck is stronger on ingredient quality.

Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken vs Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck: What Does the Data Say?

Nature's Variety Meat Boost (£68.79 for 10kg, scoring 83/100) and Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck (£36.15 for 6kg, scoring 82/100) are separated by just one point overall, but they're quite different products underneath. Nature's Variety uses free-range chicken as its named primary protein and goes a step further by including freeze-dried raw chicken pieces — this is a hybrid approach that bridges conventional kibble and raw feeding, which should improve nutrient bioavailability and appeal to dogs that have previously eaten raw. Forthglade takes a cold-pressed approach with duck as its novel protein, a manufacturing method that uses lower temperatures than standard extrusion and better preserves enzymes and heat-sensitive nutrients. The gut health formulation in Forthglade is also more deliberate, combining chicory root inulin, MOS, and brewer's yeast as a prebiotic stack.

If your dog has been raw-fed and you're looking to simplify feeding without abandoning quality, Nature's Variety makes more sense — the freeze-dried inclusion helps maintain palatability and softens the transition. That said, several owners have flagged digestive disruption during the switch, so expect an adjustment period. Stock availability has also been flagged as inconsistent, which is worth knowing if you feed on subscription. Forthglade suits dogs with genuine food sensitivities or suspected grain intolerance better; duck is a true novel protein for most dogs and works well in elimination diet contexts. It also feeds puppies, adults, and seniors on the same bag, which is genuinely useful in multi-dog households.

On value, neither product is cheap per kilogram, but the comparison shifts depending on portion yield. Forthglade's value score sits at 66/100 versus Nature's Variety's 71/100, and Forthglade's harder, elongated pellets require soaking for small breeds or seniors with dental wear — factor that into feeding convenience.

How Do the Scores Compare?

Meat Boost Complete Dry Foo...

Forthglade Dry Dog Food, Co...

	Meat Boost Complete Dry Foo... Nature's Variety	Forthglade Dry Dog Food, Co... Forthglad
Overall Score	83.0	82.0
Ingredient Quality	86.0/100	87.0/100 Best
Nutritional Value	82.0/100 Best	80.0/100
Value for Money	71.0/100 Best	66.0/100
Transparency	89.0/100 Best	89.0/100 Best
Palatability	87.0/100 Best	85.0/100
Best Price	£68.79 Amazon UK →	£36.15 £33.09 Amazon UK → -8% deal
Form
Dose
Third-Party Tested	✗ No	✗ No
Reviews Analysed	13	12

Meat Boost Complete Dry Food Fre...

Pros

✓Free-range, named chicken as primary protein — no generic 'meat derivatives' or by-products
✓Freeze-dried raw chicken pieces included, boosting palatability and nutrient bioavailability
✓Fully traceable ingredients with high label transparency
✓Grain-free with no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives

Cons

✗Digestive adjustment reported when transitioning from raw: looser, more frequent, and malodorous stools
✗Stock availability issues flagged by at least one buyer, which is problematic for subscription feeding
✗Premium price point (~£7/kg on Amazon) — budget-sensitive owners may find it costly long-term
✗Single protein source (chicken only) — not ideal for dogs with confirmed poultry allergies

Best For

Former raw-fed dogs transitioning to kibble Fussy eaters and picky breeds Adult dogs of all sizes with grain sensitivities Owners prioritising ingredient traceability and clean labelling Active adult dogs requiring high-quality animal protein

Amazon UK £68.79

View full review →

Forthglade Dry Dog Food, Cold Pr...

Pros

✓Named duck as primary protein — an excellent novel protein for hypoallergenic and elimination diets
✓Cold-pressed manufacturing preserves more nutrients and enzymes than high-heat extrusion
✓Thoughtful gut health stack: chicory root (inulin), MOS, and brewer's yeast as prebiotics
✓Reviewers across multiple breeds report improved digestion, firmer stools, and less flatulence

Cons

✗Pellets are notably hard and elongated — soaking strongly recommended for small breeds, toy dogs, and seniors with dental wear
✗Premium price point; some owners consider cost high relative to portion yield
✗All-life-stages formulation may not be fully optimised for large-breed puppies with specific calcium-to-phosphorus ratio requirements
✗Grain-free diets remain under FDA and WSAVA scrutiny for a potential association with dilated cardiomyopathy in certain breeds

Best For

Dogs with food sensitivities, suspected grain intolerance, or chronic digestive upsets Medium to large breeds where pellet size is not a concern Multi-dog households with puppies, adults, and seniors eating the same food Fussy eaters — multiple reviewers cite this as the only dry food their dog will accept Owners prioritising clean-label, natural ingredients with clear sourcing

Amazon UK -8% £36.15 £33.09

View full review →

Score Breakdown: Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken vs Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck

Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken Winner 83.0/100

Nature's Variety Meat Boost Complete uses free-range chicken as its sole named protein source with no by-products, no meat meal, and fully traceable ingredients — placing it firmly in the premium kibble tier.

Ingredient Quality

Meat Boost Compl..

86.0/100

Forthglade Dry D..

87.0/100

Nutritional Value

Meat Boost Compl..

82.0/100

Forthglade Dry D..

80.0/100

Value for Money

Meat Boost Compl..

71.0/100

Forthglade Dry D..

66.0/100

Transparency

Meat Boost Compl..

89.0/100

Forthglade Dry D..

89.0/100

Palatability

Meat Boost Compl..

87.0/100

Forthglade Dry D..

85.0/100

What are the key differences?

Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken is best for: Former raw-fed dogs transitioning to kibble, Fussy eaters and picky breeds

Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck is best for: Dogs with food sensitivities, suspected grain intolerance, or chronic digestive upsets, Medium to large breeds where pellet size is not a concern

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken or Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck? ▼

Nature's Variety edges ahead with a higher overall score (83 vs 82), driven by greater label transparency and the inclusion of freeze-dried raw pieces. However, at £36.15 versus £68.79, Forthglade offers significantly better value — making it the smarter pick for budget-conscious owners or those feeding multiple dogs. Dogs with confirmed grain or protein sensitivities will also benefit from Forthglade's cold-pressed, hypoallergenic duck formula. Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken scores 83.0/100 overall while Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck scores 82.0/100. Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken comes out ahead, scoring higher on effectiveness (0 vs 0). Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken is best suited for Former raw-fed dogs transitioning to kibble and Fussy eaters and picky breeds. Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck is better for Dogs with food sensitivities, suspected grain intolerance, or chronic digestive upsets and Medium to large breeds where pellet size is not a concern.

Is Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken worth the price compared to Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck? ▼

Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken costs £68.79 while Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck is £33.09. For value, Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken scores 71.0/100 vs Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck's 66.0/100. Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken delivers better value relative to its quality.

Which has fewer side effects? ▼

Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken scores 0/100 for side effects (higher means fewer reported issues) while Forthglade Cold Pressed Duck scores 0/100. Both have similar side effect profiles based on user reviews. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement.