Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken vs Pooch & Mutt Primal Lamb & Ostrich

Q: Is Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken worth the price compared to Pooch & Mutt Primal Lamb & Ostrich?

Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken scores 71.0/100 for value, while Pooch & Mutt Primal Lamb & Ostrich 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 Pooch & Mutt Primal Lamb & Ostrich.

Last verified: 01 Mar 2026 · Based on 25 reviews

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Our Verdict: Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken or Pooch & Mutt Primal Lamb & Ostrich?

— AIScored Editorial Team

83.0

Score Summary

Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken scores 83.0/100 vs Pooch & Mutt Primal Lamb & Ostrich at 81.0/100. Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken wins on value for money, transparency, palatability. Pooch & Mutt Primal Lamb & Ostrich is stronger on ingredient quality.

Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken vs Pooch & Mutt Primal Lamb & Ostrich: What Does the Data Say?

Both products are grain-free dry foods with strong ingredient transparency, but they differ meaningfully in format and scale. Nature's Variety Meat Boost (83/100, £68.79 for 10kg) is a larger-bag option that includes freeze-dried raw chicken pieces mixed into the kibble — an unusual format that edges it closer to a raw-hybrid diet. Pooch & Mutt Primal (81/100, £12.00 for 1.5kg) is a more conventional kibble, but draws on four named protein sources including the less common ostrich, giving it broad hypoallergenic potential despite the smaller pack size.

Nature's Variety suits owners of adult dogs transitioning away from raw feeding — the freeze-dried inclusions ease that shift and support palatability with fussy eaters. At roughly £6.88 per kilo it's not cheap, but the 10kg bag offers reasonable cost-per-serving for medium to large dogs. Pooch & Mutt's small kibble format makes it the clearer pick for toy and small breeds, particularly those with recurring skin issues or suspected food sensitivities.

One practical note on both: neither carries third-party testing certification, and both are grain-free — a dietary pattern still linked in ongoing veterinary debate to dilated cardiomyopathy in certain breeds. Worth raising with your vet before committing long-term, especially for predisposed dogs.

How Do the Scores Compare?

Meat Boost Complete Dry Foo...

Pooch & Mutt - Primal High ...

	Meat Boost Complete Dry Foo... Nature's Variety	Pooch & Mutt - Primal High ... Pooch & Mu
Overall Score	83.0	81.0
Ingredient Quality	86.0/100	88.0/100 Best
Nutritional Value	82.0/100 Best	82.0/100 Best
Value for Money	71.0/100 Best	66.0/100
Transparency	89.0/100 Best	86.0/100
Palatability	87.0/100 Best	83.0/100
Best Price	£68.79 Amazon UK →	£16.00 Amazon UK → Cheapest
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

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Pooch & Mutt - Primal High Prote...

Pros

✓80% named meat from four distinct protein sources (lamb, ostrich, chicken, salmon) — no vague 'meat derivatives' or by-products
✓Small kibble size well-suited to toy and small breeds
✓Free from grain, gluten, soy, dairy, artificial additives, and GM ingredients — strong hypoallergenic credentials
✓Functional additions: prebiotics, glucosamine, chondroitin, spirulina, and turmeric support gut, joint, and immune health

Cons

✗Grain-free diet association with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains an open debate; not recommended as sole long-term diet without veterinary guidance for predisposed breeds
✗One reviewer reported digestive upset in a sensitive-stomach dog — the high-protein, novel-protein formula may not suit all dogs during transition
✗Premium price per kg (approx. £10–13/kg for 1.5kg pack) limits value for larger dogs or multi-dog households
✗Fulfilment inconsistency noted: at least one customer received large kibble instead of small as ordered

Best For

Small and toy breed adult dogs Dogs with grain, gluten, or cereal sensitivities Dogs with recurring skin irritation or suspected food allergies Active adult dogs needing high-protein support Dogs requiring joint support (glucosamine/chondroitin included) Raw-fed dogs as a supplementary treat or training kibble

Amazon UK £16.00

View full review →

Score Breakdown: Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken vs Pooch & Mutt Primal Lamb & Ostrich

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

Pooch & Mutt - P..

88.0/100

Nutritional Value

Meat Boost Compl..

82.0/100

Pooch & Mutt - P..

82.0/100

Value for Money

Meat Boost Compl..

71.0/100

Pooch & Mutt - P..

66.0/100

Transparency

Meat Boost Compl..

89.0/100

Pooch & Mutt - P..

86.0/100

Palatability

Meat Boost Compl..

87.0/100

Pooch & Mutt - P..

83.0/100

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

Pooch & Mutt Primal Lamb & Ostrich is best for: Small and toy breed adult dogs, Dogs with grain, gluten, or cereal sensitivities

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken or Pooch & Mutt Primal Lamb & Ostrich? ▼

Nature's Variety edges ahead with an 83 vs 81 overall score, better value (71 vs 66), and freeze-dried raw pieces that suit former raw-fed or fussy adult dogs. Pooch & Mutt is the pick for small and toy breeds or dogs with persistent skin and allergy issues, where its small kibble and four-protein hypoallergenic formula make a real difference. Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken scores 83.0/100 overall while Pooch & Mutt Primal Lamb & Ostrich scores 81.0/100. 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. Pooch & Mutt Primal Lamb & Ostrich is better for Small and toy breed adult dogs and Dogs with grain, gluten, or cereal sensitivities.

Is Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken worth the price compared to Pooch & Mutt Primal Lamb & Ostrich? ▼

Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken costs £68.79 while Pooch & Mutt Primal Lamb & Ostrich is £16.00. For value, Nature's Variety Meat Boost Chicken scores 71.0/100 vs Pooch & Mutt Primal Lamb & Ostrich'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 Pooch & Mutt Primal Lamb & Ostrich scores 0/100. Both have similar side effect profiles based on user reviews. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement.