Probably the best meals in the world – now even better

ESSENTIAL FOODS have been crafting premium meals for dogs and cats ever since 2013, delighting pets and their human guardians alike. ESSENTIALS are now thrilled to share their news. Meet founder Christian Degner-Elsner who lets us in on the ideas behind the brand.

What’s the next big thing from Essentials?

We’re proud as can be to reveal that our British Heritage Kitchens range has now raised the bar in meals for dogs. These are the kitchens where we make our uncompromising best-in-class meals, Our Finest range. Many of the local, regional and human-grade ingredients in the Essentials recipes have now been upgraded with produce from free-range stock that benefits from a high standard of animal welfare, including free range chicken and turkey, British country duck, grass-fed British lamb and Scottish salmon.

Please tell us a little about the standing of dogs in family life today, and the role played by proper nutrition.

Our focus on ethical sourcing of our ingredients is not just about animal welfare, although that’s a heartfelt cause for us. Studies indicate that the meat from animals who have had good lives with access to a free and natural way of life contains fewer stress hormones. Ultimately, this may mean longer, healthier lives for dogs, cats and humans.

Dogs have never been a bigger part of the family than they are today, and maintaining their health and happiness is a big responsibility. They deserve meals made with the same care and quality we would choose for ourselves.

With more than 25 years’ experience and an unwavering commitment to nutritional excellence, my mission – and ESSENTIALS’ pledge – is to give both first-time and long-standing dog owners the best conditions for canine longevity with top-tier meals.

When we say Our Finest it’s because ESSENTIALS is the very best you can serve your dog. I’m driven by a commitment to giving my own dogs the best and longest life, so this is not just a business. It’s a personal mission.

What’s the first thing you notice on opening a bag of ESSENTIALS?

The first thing you notice is the aroma – the scent is truly appetising. And that’s no coincidence. It’s because of the high percentage of fresh whole foods, and our slow, gentle kitchen methods. We employ an almost hand-held approach, and a cooking temperature of max. 82°C. That goes a long way in preserving the flavour, aroma and nutrients.

People are often astonished by the price. They wonder why a meal of this standard doesn’t cost more! Because when the ingredients are carefully selected and no fillers are added, dogs simply don’t need large servings. To give you an example: it only costs about £1.4/day to serve an adult 20-kg dog ESSENTIALS meals.

What does ‘partnering with breeders’ mean?

Our partnership with breeders is the heart and soul of what we do. Adult dogs and puppies mean the world to our breeders, who know just how important proper nutrition is for dogs. With that shared passion, we started our AMBASSADORS’ CLUB to honour breeders and offer them our best services and deals. On joining the club, they experience the magic we love making happen for our breeders day-in, day-out.

For us, it’s more than mere ‘dog food’ – ESSENTIALS is made for dogs and their families. We devote our efforts to supplying the best service and creating new recipes to the same excellent standard for our private customers and breeders alike.