Frequently Asked Questions
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About Growing Paws
Who Are Growing Paws? Growing Paws Dog Food is a family-run dog food business based in Comber, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. Founded in 2021, we supply premium hypoallergenic dry dog food, cold pressed dog food, natural training treats, single protein food toppers and professional dog hygiene products, delivering throughout Northern Ireland. Everything we stock is chosen because we feed or use it on our own dogs.
Where are you based? We're based in Comber, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. We deliver throughout Northern Ireland directly from our base here with over 90% of our orders are delivered by us personally.
Do you have a physical shop? We're an online retailer only at present. All orders are placed through our website and delivered directly to your door throughout Northern Ireland. If you have a question before ordering, get in touch and we're happy to help.
Our Dog Food Range
What dog food do you stock? We stock two ranges of premium dry dog food: a dry dog food range (six recipes) and a cold pressed dog food range (five recipes). All recipes are wheat-gluten free, grain free or hypoallergenic, and all include a joint care blend as standard. We also stock natural training treats, single protein food toppers and professional dog hygiene products.
What dry dog food recipes do you offer? Our dry dog food range includes six recipes: - Chicken & Rice (wheat-gluten free, best seller) - Salmon & Potato (grain free, hypoallergenic) - Turkey & Veg (grain free, hypoallergenic) - Lamb & Rice (wheat-gluten free) - Premium Puppy Food (wheat-gluten free, for dogs under 12–18 months) - Senior / Lite (lower calorie, joint support) All six are available in sample bags and 2kg trial bags before committing to a full 15kg bag.
What cold pressed dog food recipes do you offer? Our cold pressed range includes five recipes: - 80/20 Duck (52.2% crude protein - our highest protein recipe) - 80/20 Beef (48.2% crude protein - high-meat raw feeding alternative) - Beef & Sweet Potato (everyday grain-free cold pressed) - Lamb & Sweet Potato (gentle red meat alternative) - Turkey Gastro (specialist digestive support with psyllium husks) All five are available in 2kg trial bags and 12kg bags.
What is the difference between your dry dog food and cold pressed dog food? Both are dry foods - the difference is in how they're made. Standard dry dog food (kibble) is cooked at high temperatures above 120°C, which is efficient but breaks down some natural nutrients in the process. Cold pressed dog food is processed at under 45°C, preserving more natural nutrients and producing a food that breaks down gradually in the stomach rather than expanding like kibble. Cold pressed is gentler on digestion and is popular as a raw feeding alternative. See our cold pressed vs kibble blog post for a full comparison.
What is cold pressed dog food? Cold pressed dog food is made by pressing ingredients together at low temperatures (under 45°C), compared to standard kibble which is extruded at over 120°C. The lower temperature preserves more natural nutrients, enzymes and proteins. In the stomach, cold pressed food breaks down gradually from the outside in rather than expanding - making it significantly gentler on digestion. It's widely considered the closest convenient alternative to raw feeding.
Can I try before buying a full bag? Yes - sample bags and 2kg trial bags are available across most of our dry dog food and cold pressed range. We strongly recommend trialling a new food over 1–2 weeks before committing to a full 12kg or 15kg bag.
Sensitive Stomachs, Allergies & Dietary Needs
Do you have dog food suitable for sensitive stomachs? Yes - all six of our dry dog food recipes are wheat-gluten free, which removes one of the most common dietary irritants for sensitive dogs. For dogs with more significant sensitivities, our grain-free Salmon & Potato and Turkey & Veg recipes use a single protein source with no grains at all. Our cold pressed Turkey Gastro recipe also includes psyllium husks specifically for digestive support. See our sensitive stomach dog food guide for full advice.
Do you stock hypoallergenic dog food? Yes. All Growing Paws dry dog food recipes are wheat-gluten free and naturally hypoallergenic. Our grain-free Salmon & Potato and Turkey & Veg recipes go further - single protein, completely grain free, and designed specifically for dogs with confirmed food allergies or intolerances. Our cold pressed range is also entirely grain free.
My dog has a chicken allergy - what do you recommend? Several of our recipes are chicken-free and suitable for dogs with a chicken allergy or intolerance. Our Salmon & Potato (grain free), Lamb & Rice and Turkey & Veg dry food recipes contain no chicken. Our cold pressed Lamb & Sweet Potato, Turkey Gastro, 80/20 Beef and 80/20 Duck recipes are also chicken-free.
Do you have food suitable for dogs on an elimination diet? Yes. Our single-protein grain-free recipes Salmon & Potato and Turkey & Veg are well-suited to elimination diets as they contain a named, single protein source with no hidden allergens. Our 100% single protein food toppers and training treats are also safe for elimination diets as each contains only one protein source with no additional ingredients.
Feeding Guidance
How do I transition my dog to a new food? Always transition gradually over 7 days to avoid digestive upset. Start with 75% old food and 25% new food for days 1–2, move to 50/50 for days 3–4, then 25% old and 75% new for days 5–6, then 100% new food from day 7. For dogs with sensitive stomachs, extend the transition to 10–14 days. See our full food transition guide for more detail.
How much should I feed my dog? Feeding amounts depend on your dog's weight, age and activity level. Each Growing Paws product includes a detailed feeding guide on the label. As a general principle, less active dogs and those prone to weight gain should be fed at the lower end of the recommended range. Always adjust based on your dog's body condition over time rather than following the feeding guide rigidly - every dog is different.
When should I switch my puppy to adult food? Most dogs can transition to adult food at around 12 months of age. Smaller breeds may be ready slightly earlier (9–12 months), while large and giant breeds (over 25kg adult weight) should stay on puppy food until 18 months as they take longer to reach full maturity. Key signs it's time to switch include growth slowing and your dog reaching a stable adult weight. Always transition gradually over 7 days.
My dog is a fussy eater - will they eat Growing Paws food? Most dogs take to Growing Paws food readily due to the high meat content and natural ingredients. For particularly fussy eaters, a few tips that help: warm the food slightly with a small amount of warm water to release the aroma; add a sprinkle of one of our single protein food toppers over the bowl; or try our 2kg trial bag first to assess your dog's response before buying a larger bag.
Treats, Toppers & Hygiene
What training treats do you stock? Our Natural Dog Training Treats are 100% single protein, one ingredient per flavour - available in beef, turkey, duck, venison and wild boar. At £5.99 per 100g bag, or 2 for £10, they're made from freeze-dried meat with no fillers or additives. Safe for dogs with food allergies and suitable for puppies and adult dogs.
What are dog food toppers and how do I use them? Dog food toppers are sprinkled over your dog's regular food to add flavour, aroma and nutritional value. Our single protein food toppers are 100% freeze-dried meat or fish one ingredient only - available in beef, turkey, duck, salmon, rabbit and herring. Simply sprinkle a teaspoon to tablespoon over the bowl at mealtimes. Compatible with dry, cold pressed, wet and raw food. From £7.50 per tub, or 2 for £14.
What dog hygiene products do you stock? We stock three professional-grade dog hygiene products: SupaClean (pet-safe all-surface everyday cleaner), Odor-Kill (molecular odour eliminator for carpets, artificial grass and bedding) and Parvo-Virucide (DEFRA-tested virucidal disinfectant). All available in 1L, 5L and 20L. See our hygiene product guide for advice on which product to use for which situation.
Does Parvo-Virucide actually kill Parvovirus? Yes. Parvo-Virucide is DEFRA-tested specifically against Parvovirus (CPV) and has a documented track record of zero reported cases among regular users since 1990. It's used as the disinfectant of choice by professional breeders and kennels across the UK. Standard household cleaners do not kill Parvovirus - a specialist virucidal disinfectant is required
Delivery & Orders
Where do you deliver dog food? We deliver our dog food range throughout Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Lisburn, Bangor, Newtownards, Newry, Coleraine, Antrim, Ballymena, Omagh, Enniskillen and all surrounding areas. Our treats and accessories can be delivered to addresses throughout the UK. We deliver over 90% of our orders personally from our base in Comber, Co. Down.
How long will my order take to arrive? For addresses in the greater Belfast and Co. Down area, we aim to deliver within 1–2 working days - often next working day. For addresses elsewhere in Northern Ireland, delivery is typically 2–3 working days. If you need your order urgently, contact us before ordering and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
Who delivers my order? We deliver over 90% of our orders personally. Where that's not possible, we use City Air Express as our trusted delivery partner to ensure the same high standard of service.
Do you offer a loyalty programme? Yes - Growing Paws has both a loyalty points programme and a refer-a-friend scheme. Points are earned on every purchase and can be redeemed against future orders. Refer a friend and both you and your friend receive a reward when they place their first order.
Do you offer wholesale or trade accounts? Yes - we supply pet shops, dog boutiques, kennels and independent retailers across Northern Ireland on a wholesale basis. See our wholesale page for more information or contact us directly to discuss trade pricing.