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Suitable for all breeds of dogs
Click here for more info.
In general, unless your dog has health issues, you probably won't have to worry about these figures. Click here for more information
Mixing bowl composition
This is the ingredients list as printed on the packaging or manufacturer's website.
Think of the 'mixing bowl' composition like a recipe - all the ingredients you would need to put in a 'mixing bowl' in order to make the food.
Ingredients have to be listed in descending order of their weight so the higher it appears, the more there is.
Highlighted ingredients
Ingredients that we believe to be controversial or inferior are highlighted in yellow with particularly low grade, highly contentious or excessively vague ingredients in red.
As fed composition
While the 'mixing bowl' composition is useful for knowing what went into the food, it doesn't always reflect what your dog is actually eating. This is because the processes that turn the ingredients into the finished pet food can significantly alter the relative weights of the ingredients.
For this reason we've calculated the approximate 'as fed' percentages for the main ingredient categories in the finished product.
Please note that these figures are very approximate. They are estimates based on the information provided by the manufacturer in the ingredients list so the clearer the terminology and the more percentages they provide, the more accurate our estimates will be. Wherever information is lacking, we always assume the worst.
Ingredient categories
◉ Meat ingredients: includes all meat and fish ingredients except isolated fats/oils.
◉Added oils and fats: includes all isolated oil and fat ingredients.
◉ Carb-rich ingredients: includes all ingredients derived from grains, pseudo-grains, potatoes and other starchy root vegetables, sweet potato and legumes (except whole peas which are categorised under fruit and veg) except for isolated protein and extracted oils. Also includes fibre supplements.
◉ Fruit and veg: includes all whole vegetables and fruits.
◉ Other: all other ingredients. Mostly made up by nutritional supplements and additives.
For more information on any ingredient, please take a look at our Dog Food Ingredient Glossary
The dry matter level of a nutrient is the percentage there would be in the food if all of the water was removed.
With water taken out of the equation, these figures allow the nutrient levels of foods of different types (like wet and dry) to be compared on an even playing field.
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61 out of 100 - Good
Our unique product ratings are calculated based on a number of characteristics including the quality and quantity of the stated ingredients, certain nutritional and technological additives and the processing methods used to create the food. They are designed to indicate how beneficial we think a food is likely to be for the majority of dogs when fed on a daily basis for an extended period. Click here for more information
Country of origin: United Kingdom
A technological additive is any substance added to a pet food "for a technological purpose and which favourably affects the characteristics of feed".
The most common categories of technological additives include preservatives and antioxidants, gelling agents and thickeners and probiotics.
While the primary effects of technoloical additives are certainly 'favourable' (increased shelf life in the case of preservatives & antioxidants, better food texture and consistency in the case of gelling agents and thickeners etc.) some have been linked to health problems in pets and should be treated with caution.
Unfortunately, many technological additives do not have to be declared by the manufacturer so just because they do not appear on the label does not necessarily mean they are not in the food. If in doubt, ask the manufacturer directly exactly what technological additives their foods contain.
Barbara Matthews• 7 months ago
After changing from burns kibble with duck due to all my dogs suddenly being very sick on to this rice one we have dreadful smelly loose poohs and this is not cheap food I’m at a loss
Jojo1• 10 months ago
Suitable as a mixer only as mainly rice with a small amount of chicken and no description which parts of the chicken either. Cheap ingredients. Can’t believe a vet would formulate such a poor highly processed food as a complete.
Sharon Crisp Jojo1• 8 months ago
If he's getting funding for being 'sustainable and ecofriendly' I can only guess as to what crap is being bagged for our dogs to eat. I see the rubbish they are trying to feed humans
Macsmum• one year ago
Our labs have always looked really good on this but about two month's ago, I opened a new pack and noticed the food looked lighter in colour and chunkier. I wrote to Burns to ask what had changed. They confirmed that they had not changed the formulation but had changed the factory where it's produced. The new denser kibble would result in less dust and waste in the bag which I suppose is a good thing, but they also said "There will also be some natural variation as the raw ingredients will be sourced from a different supplier."
It's just personal opinion but two months in, the glossy coats of our labs seems to have dulled and their poos are also softer and lighter (we have weighed the new food to make sure we're not over feeding). One of our dogs has also started shedding massively - to a greater degree than we have seen before – and he does not normally shed at this time of year.
Obviously this could all be coincidental, but the change has prompted us to revisit what we're feeding the dogs and review whether we're providing the best that's available for what we can afford to spend. Considering the low NV rating here, the grain/meat ratio, the absence of a diverse range of nutrients and the alternatives now available (and the way these are processed), the Burns is now starting to look very expensive for what it is (which is almost three quarters brown rice).
As a result we've decided to switch products. Once our current bags run out (we can't afford to waste them - this stuff is not cheap) we have decided to give the Markus Muhle a try and in the meantime we are mixing in a little Wolfworthy to up the meat content (which I have to say in just a few days has firmed up the poos - thankfully!)
FredPomp Macsmum• 9 months ago
This was interesting read. We have gone thro the same. I emailed them and got similar reply. Then I saw somebody else on FB page had same issues. I went back to Burns and asked how many had contacted them as they initially said others had not complained. I said well I’ve seen other dogs have been regurgitating food and having runny poops and coats are poor instead of shiny. The answer was that quite a few had contacted them regarding sickness and diarrhoea they had had new site checked and no issues showed up. Well they certainly do seem to have a problem Due to my boys allergies I’m really having issues finding replacement due to not wanting carrots or sweet potato. Eden and Platinum are too rich. At present he’s on Jolleys Lifestage and more settled, not the best food but he’s more settled for present time
Sharon Crisp Macsmum• 8 months ago
Same with all dog food atm I think. They're trying to save money and be 'ecofriendly' and 'sustainable' which means unknown lab grown additives to me. I've seen a huge dip in the quality of human food so God even knows what they are getting away with feeding to our dogs
Eloise Denton• one year ago
We met John by accident on a beautiful sunny day in Ferryside, he was very kind and having had a conversation about our very old spaniel, Bailey he gave us a voucher for a free pack of his senior food as Bailey is now 15 years old. We also have a 9 month old Spaniel called Rumpus.
When we collected the trail pack, we thought how light the food seemed, however we were amazed that we could quite instantly see that both spaniels were firstly, taking longer to eat, and within a short while how perky the older spaniel was in the few short weeks of this food change.
We therefore, champion Burns recipe for good dog food and find that the price is good considering what we would pay for much lesser quality food, not to mention- more often. We have now purchased the larger bags for our boys and think it is undeniable that there is quality and value for money. Thank you John, what a great chance meeting!
Eloise & Derry
toni pedley• 2 years ago
I have fed my dog this brand for 8 years. She's always suffered with dry itchy skin but thought nothing of it. I have recently read the book 'forever dog' and anyone who owns a dog should read this. Dog food companies are not made to tell you the full ingredients in complete pet food. Like how it's cooked 10 times over and cancer causing toxins develop in the cooking process is one of the horrible things found. By chapter 2 I'd thrown out her dry food and started her on fresh homemade food. This was a few months ago now and at nearly 9 years old she's never looked so good. Dry skin and itching is gone, her hair is shiny and she has so much energy. I would never go back to dry pet food and can't erge people enough to read that book.
Sharon Crisp toni pedley• 8 months ago
I see the crap they are trying to force humans to eat, I can only imagine what our animals will be given. Im not surprised
Anne Davis• 2 years ago
My dog for a few years had problems with runny stools and suffered with colitis. After a talk with my local pet shop owner I changed him onto a mix of John Burns wet and dry food. He has never looked back. Firm stools twice a day and no more problems trying to coax him to eat.
Dormouse• 2 years ago
£50+ for only 20% meat is pretty ridiculous, at that point you might as well just buy a cheapo brand and save money. All about the branding/marketing for this one. Pedigree small breed has the same meat content, the only difference here is you are paying for named ingredients. Just get something like Skinners, Autarky, or Red Mills Engage for higher meat content at half the price.
Their wet foods are even worse at only 25-26% meat (except the vegetarian one which is obviously 0), and almost £2 a tray?? Even Pedigree and Winalot are 36-43% meat! (even if it unnamed).
Here is Pets at Home own brand basic wet food for comparison (1/4 of the price of Burns) - Chicken (36%), Beef (6%), Potato Starch, Minerals, Dried Carrots (0.5%, equivalent to 4.6% Carrots), Sunflower Oil (0.5%), Dried Peas (0.4%, equivalent to 1.7% Peas), Dried Sweet Potato (0.4%, equivalent to 1.8% Sweet Potato), Chicory Extract (0.2%), Caramelised Sugar. That's miles better despite the added sugar.
mikehowells• 3 years ago
Some advice, please. We had to have our dog put down because of a brain tumour. We have a 15kg bag unopened which we would like to use when the puppy gets old enough for adult food. However, by that time, the bag will be beyond its Best Before date. How critical is this? Obviously, Burns would say to chuck it buy new but what do users think?
Steven RW• 5 years ago
4 year old labrador Male. Had John Burns ever since around 9 months old. Fighting fit, gun dog trained and been on many long wet cold shoots. Has tonnes of energy. Wonderful coat and is literally the picture of health and fitness. 32kgs of lean energetic muscle.If it's only a bowl of brown rice as some state, it's hard to imagine a dog needing more when you see the condition of ours. Only supplement will be any steamed veg spare from feeding the kids or half a banana he shares with our 3 year old daughter. Your mileage may vary but the evidence for me is right here infront or me after a day out swimming on the river forth practicing water retrieves.
Ephesian• 7 years ago
All I can say is try this food before you condemn it.I had a rottweiler many years ago who never had meat in his life and he was totally healthy.Now I own a pomeranian aged 10 years old,previously on a high fat well known dry dog food.Now he has pancreatitis and doing my research have opted for chicken and rice.So far so good,no pain,no runny stools,no sad eyes!Try it!
Courtney Ward• 8 years ago
My 7 year old Cavalier has been on Burns for around 3 years after suffering terribly with his anal glands. It got so bad the only option was to try and change his food because if that didn't help he was going to have to be operated on. Under the vets supervision we switched to Burns and have not looked back. He now has no problems with his anal glands, never needed the operation and it now in excellent health for his age. However I am fully aware that Burns is definitely not for all dogs as my other Cavalier now completely turns his nose up to Burns and we are having to find an alternative.
Meep• 8 years ago
how has this been given a 3.5 when you're literally paying for a bag of rice?
Jammy 🫥 Meep• one year ago
You're literally using the term "literally" wrong...
Tiggy Fiander• 8 years ago
Bad food in my opinion. My dog has had watery eyes, bad health and general lack lustre on this food. I decided that if a dog were standing in a field of food, she/he wouldn't be eating 67% rice!!
Jammy 🫥 Tiggy Fiander• one year ago
If I stood my dog in a field, he would want to eat all the Dandelion's. By your reasoning, I should feed him on a 100% flower diet?
Terry Salter• 10 years ago
Dont know what to make of this food. On the face of it John Burns seems to know what he is talking about, but in practice im not sure. I tried the Lamb and Rice on my 14 year old Australian Terrier and he had no energy at all. I put him back on his old food, and he was as perky as ever. My guess is too much rice and not enough meat, resulting in low protein.
GardenerS Terry Salter• 4 months ago
Unless a dog is working it shouldn’t necessarily be fed a high protein diet.
Stan Rawlinson• 10 years ago
I have a couple of reservations about Burns. Generally it is a good food, however the rice content is far too high, and therefore I believe it is expensive for the ingredients.
Some dogs seem to be coprophagic on it. In other words they eat faeces. Plus they certainly used to put a high level of rosemary oil in the food which has been linked to epilepsy. Yet it is not listed on here.
I did write to them some time ago about this. Perhaps they have changed this or have just removed it from the labelling.
julia sandford Stan Rawlinson• 10 years ago
my dog started to eat feaces on this food I was totally shocked as she had never done this before . . .
Oggysden julia sandford• 6 years ago
Some things taste better second time around ...Your dog will have eaten his own poo before .. all puppies do...I have raised several litters of Labs on Burns but I do recognise a number of people claim that their dogs dont get on with it (isnt that the case for all dog foods ?) or that they notice lower energy levels.I suspect there are better foods available these days at an equivalent price so where is USP for Burns ?
Edward Warren• 10 years ago
Decided to go for a straight dry food, no silly
shapes and colours. We chose Burns because we felt it fitted the bill, with
sensible ingredients, and as far as we know produced wholly in the U.K. As we
all know Labradors eat anything, but recently we tried Burns fish, our old Lab
(12) eats that with even more gusto. Expensive, but we hope we are giving our
canine the best!
Amanda Splash• 10 years ago
We do a lot of clicker training with our dogs, and find that feeding them burns but reducing the amount and supplementing it with human meat for training treats is brilliant for our dogs. I feed the fish and brown rice burns. They both are active, healthy and not over weight. Splash who I got from Dogs Trust as a puppy has never been fussy and loves Burns. Fluke was very Fussy when we rescued him from Hope rescue, but once he got into the long walks we do, he became a foodie and will now even do tricks for his burns.
Oggysden Amanda Splash• 6 years ago
I have a male veteran Lab called Splash !
Julia Chapman• 10 years ago
I have fed my bichon cross on this since the age of 6 months after trying several " high quality" brands of food that did not agree with him. Burns helpline was great with help in choosing the best food for him and we have not looked back, no more dodgy tummies two stools a day and a glossy coat.
Francesca• 10 years ago
I wouldn't have normally tried this food. However, protein, sodium and phosphorus levels were good for my oldest dog, which has kidney problems. So I decided to give Burns Original Lamb a try. We're very satisfied. The eldest did so well on it that now my younger dog is also fed Burns most of the time. Their teeth are fine, their coats look amazing and their stool is okay. Though I must admit we mix it with Naturediet as the oldest can be a bit of a fussy eater at times.