Tested: What my fussy dogs thought about every treat in this £13 Forthglade bundle
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Forthglade’s subscription service promises regular deliveries, lower prices and plenty of choice, but the real test was whether Rupert and Honey would actually eat everything
Every few weeks I pop to the pet shop to stock up on treats for my two dogs. While I wouldn't deny they're spoiled, treats are a really useful addition to their diet - for everything from training, to luring them back in from the garden when they're barking at the neighbour's husky.
I have a cockapoo and a labradoodle. They're both fussy in different ways. Rupert loves fruit and veg, Honey loves meat, and when it comes to treats, there's an array of types they'll each turn their noses up at. So I'm always buying the same things from the pet shop, because they're a safe bet.
I've now discovered a way, however, to ensure I always have treats to hand, permanently in stock, and there'll always be something in the cupboard they'll both enjoy.
Pet food subscriptions are a thing now, and one of the best-established names in this business is Forthglade, a British company with an eye on its mission to nurture a stronger relationship between the nation's dogs and owners.
I've been trying out a selection of training treats on my two over the last few days, and they've loved every minute of our little experiment.
There's a vast array of flavours on the Forthglade website, aimed at all ages, breeds, sizes, and shapes of dog, and my "Soft Bites Multifunctional Dog Treats Multipack" offers everything from calming treats, to treats to help with joint and bone health, to treats that can give them fresh breath.
We've been dipping in and out of each packet, and not a single one has been turned down. That is unusual.
The are delivered in 90g packets, and a one-time purchase of the six-bag bundle costs £14.70. And that'll last me weeks.
If I subscribe, I'd save money on each bundle, and I get to choose the frequency. I'll get free delivery, and the bundle will cost just £13.23. And then there's the saving in shoe leather every time I have to walk to the pet shop.
It's a very economical way, then, to keep the dogs happy and keep my cupboard stocked.
What I like about Forthglade dog treats
The first thing to mention here is the broad spectrum of choice. There are so many flavours, so many purposes you'd buy the treats, and so many types of dog they're aimed at.
It's a bit bewildering at first, but it means you can pick out a bespoke bundle and keep it coming whenever you're running low.
Subscribing not only saves you money, you join a rewards programme, which offers free gifts and credits against your subscription costs, and there's no pressure to carry on subscribing, and it's easy to alter your frequency.
Next day delivery is included if the pack costs over £10 and it's only £1.99 if it's under £10. It's a great system.
Oh, and the dogs would like me to tell you they love the flavour of the treats. It's rare they eat every type of treat in a bundle, but they've all gone down a storm.
What I didn't like about Forthglades' dog treats
It's fair to say that, if you don't opt for the subscription, and if you add on a delivery fee, paying over £16 for six bags of dog treats is pricey. Even for natural and high-quality treats.
Pop into somewhere like B&M and a bundle of six dog treats will probably cost you less than a tenner.
But when you order a bundle on a subscription, the price per bag drops to around £2 per bag, which is very reasonable.
This, of course, means Forthglade is better for stocking up, rather than ordering the odd bag here and there. But once your dogs settle on a treat, you'll be able to go back and back.
Should you order a Forthglade dog treat bundle?
If you care about nutrition, weight gain, joint care, and all the other benefits healthy food can bring to a dog, then quality treats are a must. And Forthglade's quality is top notch.
It's really not too expensive, either, especially if you have a subscription.
And once your offers and rewards kick in, you'll probably find yourself ordering other items from the range - they even do wet and dry dog food.
Access to a canine community with expert advice and friendly discussion is also a bonus for subscribers. It's a really interesting journey to go on, and a lovely brand to get to know.