Marleybones vs Omni: Fresh Meat-Based Food vs Plant Based - Which is Right for Your Dog?

At a Glance

Brand Overviews

Marleybones

Founded in London by Josephine and Mikala, and named after their golden cocker spaniel Marley, Marleybones is a female-founded, vet-backed fresh dog food brand with a distinctive approach to food preservation.

Rather than freezing, Marleybones uses a Pantry Fresh® format: meals are sealed raw and slow-cooked in-pack, making them shelf-stable without any preservatives and ready to serve straight from the carton. Customers complete a short quiz to receive a personalised plan, or buy as they go. Every recipe contains 60% freshly prepared meat or fish, three vegetables, and seven superfoods. Plastic neutral certified, Marleybones has delivered over 2 million meals and holds a 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating.

Omni

Omni was founded by vet Dr Guy Sandelowsky and co-founder Shiv Sivakumar, who set out to create nutritionally complete dog food made entirely from plants. The brand secured investment from Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett on Dragons' Den in 2025 and has grown into the UK's leading plant-based dog food brand.

Omni's range includes dry kibble and wet food using novel plant proteins such as lupin beans, quinoa, chickpeas, pumpkin, sweet potato, and algae. Omni is particularly positioned for dogs with meat protein allergies and for owners who want to feed their dog a plant-based diet. It holds a 4.4/5 Trustpilot rating from over 1,200 reviews.

Marleybones vs Omni: A Detailed Comparison

The Core Difference: Meat-Based vs Plant-Based

Marleybones

Marleybones is built around high-quality meat and fish as the foundation of every meal. Dogs are omnivores, and for most owners, a meat-based diet remains the default approach to canine nutrition.

Omni

Omni takes the position that dogs can thrive on a well-designed plant-based diet. Every product is 100% free from animal ingredients. This is the defining feature of the brand and the primary reason owners choose it.

Summary: This is a values-led choice as much as a nutritional one. Both brands are vet-formulated and nutritionally complete. Marleybones uses meat and fish; Omni uses plant proteins only. The right choice depends on what matters most to you. 

Ingredients & Nutrition

Marleybones

Every recipe is built on 60% freshly prepared meat or fish, three vegetables, and seven functional superfoods including chicory root (a natural prebiotic), chia seeds, hemp seed, linseed, quinoa, wild seaweed, and rosemary. No artificial preservatives, additives, or fillers. The natural prebiotics in every recipe actively support gut health.

Omni

Omni uses novel plant proteins — lupin beans, chickpeas, quinoa, pumpkin, and sweet potato — alongside algae-derived omega-3 and added vitamins and minerals to create nutritionally complete recipes. Recipes are well-suited to dogs with sensitivities to common animal proteins. 

Summary: Both brands are vet-formulated and nutritionally complete. Marleybones provides meat-based protein with a superfood and prebiotic blend. Omni provides plant-based proteins.

Food Format & Convenience

Marleybones

Marleybones is ready to serve straight from the carton — no prep, no freezing, no thawing. The Pantry Fresh® format means meals sit in the cupboard until needed, then open and serve.

Omni

Omni offers dry kibble and wet food in tins and trays, both cupboard-stored and ready to serve. Some products in the range are toppers designed to add protein and gravy to kibble, rather than complete meals — it's important to check which products are nutritionally complete before feeding as a sole diet.

Summary: Both brands are cupboard-stored and require no freezing. Marleybones fresh food is ready to serve from the carton. Omni's dry and wet food is straightforward, but the topper range is not complete and should be used alongside a full meal.

Allergies & Sensitivities

Marleybones

Marleybones's natural prebiotic content and absence of artificial additives make it a strong choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs or digestive issues. Each recipe uses a single meat protein, making it easier to identify and manage specific meat allergies by switching between the beef, lamb, chicken or salmon recipes. 

Omni

Omni is specifically designed for dogs with allergies to animal proteins. By removing meat entirely and using novel plant proteins, Omni sidesteps the most frequent dietary allergens in dogs. 

Summary: For dogs with general digestive sensitivity or specific meat protein allergies, Marleybones's single-protein recipes and prebiotic formulation are well suited. For dogs with allergies to animal proteins across the board, Omni's plant-based approach removes the allergen entirely.

Sustainability & Ethics

Marleybones

Marleybones uses recyclable Tetra-style aseptic cartons and is plastic neutral certified — removing as much plastic from the environment as it unavoidably uses.

Omni

Omni's plant-based positioning is central to its sustainability claim — plant-based production requires less land, water, and greenhouse gas emissions than meat-based equivalents.

Summary: Both brands make meaningful sustainability commitments. Marleybones is plastic neutral certified. Omni's plant-based production model requires less land, water, and greenhouse gas emissions than meat-based food.

Availability: Where Can You Buy It?

Marleybones

Marleybones is available online via subscription and as one-off orders. Also stocked in selected retailers across the UK including Whole Foods, Waitrose, Ocado, and online at Pets at Home. 

Omni

Omni is available online via subscription and one-off orders. It is also stocked in selected veterinary clinics and independent pet shops across the UK.

Summary: Marleybones has broader mainstream retail availability. Omni is available through specialist veterinary and pet retail channels.

Customer Satisfaction

Marleybones

4.8/5 on Trustpilot from 750+ reviews. Common themes: fussy dogs clearing their bowls, improved digestion and coat condition, and the convenience of a no-prep, no-freezer format.

Omni

4.4/5 on Trustpilot from over 1,200 reviews. Common themes: improvements in dogs with skin allergies and digestive sensitivities, and strong alignment with owners' ethical and environmental values. 

Summary: Marleybones holds a higher Trustpilot rating; Omni's review base reflects a loyal customer group for whom plant-based feeding is a considered, values-driven choice.

Which Is Right for You?

Marleybones may suit you better if:

• You want fresh, meat-based food ready to serve with no prep and no freezer required
• Your dog has a sensitive stomach — natural prebiotics in every recipe actively support gut health
• You want to buy in-store as well as online — stocked in selected retailers including Waitrose, Ocado, and Whole Foods
• You want a plastic neutral certified brand

Omni may suit you better if:

• You want to feed your dog a 100% plant-based diet
• Your dog has a confirmed allergy or intolerance to animal proteins
• Minimising your pet's environmental impact is primary consideration

“Such a relief to see her enjoying her food”

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FAQs

Does Marleybones need to be frozen or refrigerated?

No. Marleybones meals are Pantry Fresh® and shelf-stable — stored in a cupboard until opened, with no freezing or thawing at any point. Once open, keep any unused portion in the fridge and serve within a couple of days.

How do Marleybones and Omni compare for dogs with allergies?

Marleybones uses single-protein recipes with no artificial additives and natural prebiotics — owners can choose the recipe that avoids a specific trigger protein. Omni removes animal protein entirely, which suits dogs with allergies to animal proteins across the board.

Is Marleybones suitable for all breeds and life stages?

Yes. All Marleybones recipes are vet-formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of dogs of all breeds and life stages. Customers can complete a short quiz to receive a personalised plan, or buy individual recipes directly.

What makes Marleybones different from Omni?

Marleybones is a fresh, meat-based food in a shelf-stable Pantry Fresh® format — ready to serve from the carton with no prep. Omni is 100% plant-based, using novel plant proteins for dogs whose owners want to remove animal products from their diet. Both are vet-formulated and nutritionally complete.

Can dogs thrive on a plant-based diet?

Dogs are omnivores and can derive nutrition from plant-based sources. However, owners should consider their individual dog's needs and always consult a vet before considering moving their dog to a plant-based diet.

Which has better Trustpilot reviews, Marleybones or Omni?

Marleybones holds a 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from 750+ reviews. Omni holds a 4.4/5 from over 1,200 reviews. 

Where can I buy Marleybones?

Marleybones is available online via its own website - by subscription or as a one-off order - and is also stocked in selected retailers across the UK including Whole Foods, Waitrose, Ocado, and online at Pets at Home.

“A complete game changer!!”

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