History of Paleo Ridge

A Decade of Excellence in Raw Dog Food

Paleo Ridge was born from a deep love for dogs and an unwavering commitment to providing them with the best possible nutrition. Founded in 2014 by Sharon Daly, the company’s journey began with a personal mission—one that would go on to change the lives of thousands of dogs and their owners.

A tan dog with a red bandana around its neck sits in front of a white radiator, looking directly at the camera after enjoying its raw dog food.

The Origin

A Dog Named Herbie

In 2014, Sharon’s beloved Rhodesian Ridgeback, Herbie, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a severe form of bone cancer. Given a prognosis of just six months, Sharon embarked on a journey of research, desperate to improve Herbie’s quality of life. This led her to raw feeding - a concept that was virtually unheard of at the time. She made the bold switch, and to her amazement, Herbie thrived.

Instead of six months, he lived for another seven years, full of health and vitality.

Determined to ensure the best for Herbie and her other Ridgebacks, Sharon sought out high-quality ingredients herself, visiting abattoirs and butchers to source ethical and nutrient-rich meat. What started as a personal journey soon transformed into a mission to bring raw feeding to a wider audience. Paleo Ridge was born.

Learn more about the history of Paleo Ridge in the podcast below:

Growing from Strength to Strength

As demand grew, so did the company. What began as a small-scale operation run from
Sharon’s home quickly expanded. Her family joined the business, turning it into a true family-run operation with her children playing key roles. The company’s commitment to ethical sourcing, transparency, and quality set it apart in the raw feeding industry.

Paleo Ridge soon outgrew its initial production site, moving into larger facilities to accommodate growing customer demand. From the introduction of the first commercially prepared raw meals to pioneering environmentally friendly packaging, the company remained at the forefront of innovation in the raw feeding sector.

The Paleo Ridge Timeline

A large brown dog with drool hanging from its mouth sits outdoors on a wooden surface, perhaps eagerly anticipating its next meal of raw dog food, with plants, a garden table, and chairs visible in the background.

The Beginning

Sharon Daly founds Paleo Ridge after discovering the benefits of raw feeding for her Ridgeback, Herbie.

Sourcing ethical, high-quality meat directly from abattoirs and butchers.

Five people stand indoors, dressed in business attire, posing and smiling. A painting of a cow hangs on the wall behind them, subtly hinting at their recent discussion about the benefits of raw dog food.

Establishing the Brand

The first DEFRA license is acquired, marking the official launch of Paleo Ridge as a commercial raw dog food provider.

Family members join the business, making it a true family-run operation.

Two men stand on a rocky path in a green, mountainous landscape under a cloudy sky. Shrubs and grass cover the hillsides, with steep slopes and sunlight highlighting parts of the scene. One of them carries a pack filled with hiking essentials—and even raw dog food for their canine companion waiting at camp.

Growth and Expansion

Paleo Ridge moves into its first dedicated production facility.

The company expands its product range to include more DIY raw feeding options.

A stack of white wool packaging bags on a light blue background, with a recycle symbol and "Pioneers of 100% pure wool packaging" text to the left—perfect for sustainably shipping products like raw dog food.

Innovation in Packaging

Paleo Ridge becomes the first UK raw dog food company to introduce biodegradable WoolCool insilation, replacing polystyrene, reducing the environmental impact of delivery.

A bowl of ground raw meat, a raw meat tube (possibly tripe or neck), a large piece of dark organ meat, and several small chunks of raw organs are displayed on a white background, showcasing a typical selection of ingredients commonly found in raw dog food.

Introduction of Complete Meals

Recognising customer demand for convenience, Paleo Ridge launches its first complete meals, making raw feeding easier for dog owners.

Seven black Paleo Plus raw dog food packages with colorful outlines of ingredients. Each pack features different flavors, such as Lamb & Mint, Pork & Apple, and Turkey & Fish, with bright accent colors and a 500g weight label.

Paleo Plus Launches

The launch of the Paleo Plus range, developed in collaboration with experts, introduces advanced, nutritionally optimised raw food options.

The business relocates to a larger facility to meet growing demand.

A brown dog lies beside a bowl filled with raw dog food—an appetizing mix of raw meats, vegetables, an egg yolk, and leafy greens—set against a clean white background.

Adapting to Change

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for raw food increases as more people look into pet health and nutrition.

The business experiences a surge in new customers as raw feeding awareness grows.

Three Labrador Retrievers—one brown, one yellow, one black—lie on grass under a Good Shopping Guide Ethical logo with a green check mark, embodying the vitality and health that can come from a raw dog food diet.

A New Era of Accreditation

Paleo Ridge achieves multiple certifications for ethical sourcing and quality assurance, reinforcing its industry-leading standards.

The company rebrands with updated packaging, ensuring clear and transparent product information.

Six boxes of Paleo Ridge Essentials raw dog food in various colors, each labeled with different flavors: Pork, Duck, Lamb, Chicken, and Beef. The packaging features icons and text describing the high-quality ingredients and weight of each box, making it easy to choose the perfect raw dog food for your pet’s needs.

The Launch of Essentials

Recognising the need for affordability in raw feeding, Paleo Ridge introduces the Essentials range, providing high-quality raw food at an accessible price.

Expansion into more stockists and increased nationwide availability.

Paleo Ridge, secures a £2m investment from private equity firm, Ashridge Capital, to support its rapid expansion.

A golden retriever stands on a grassy hill with mountains, scattered houses, and a cloudy sky in the background, looking healthy and energetic thanks to a nutritious raw dog food diet.

Continuous Innovation

Further expansion with new product launches, including more single-protein options and natural supplements.

Paleo Ridge strengthens its commitment to sustainable and ethical sourcing.

A black and white dog stands in a box labeled WOOF, proudly enjoying its raw dog food, in front of large gold balloons shaped like the number 10, with a shiny metallic fringe backdrop.

A Decade of Paleo Ridge

Celebrating 10 years of offering premium raw dog food.

Looking to the future, Paleo Ridge remains committed to education, innovation, and providing the highest quality raw food for dogs.

Commitment to Quality and Ethics

From day one, Paleo Ridge was built on a foundation of quality, ethics, and transparency. Sharon refused to compromise, ensuring that every product met the highest standards of nutrition and sustainability. This dedication led to Paleo Ridge becoming the first raw dog food company to introduce:

  • Ethical packaging using biodegradable wool insulation.
  • A minced chunky texture to ensure ingredient transparency.
  • High welfare, human-grade ingredients sourced responsibly.

These values continue to guide the company as it innovates and expands.

The Future of Paleo Ridge

The past decade has been one of growth, learning, and unwavering dedication to canine nutrition. As Paleo Ridge moves into the future, the mission remains clear: to make raw feeding accessible to as many dog owners as possible, ensuring that every dog gets the nutrition they deserve.

With continued research, new product developments, and a firm stance on ethical sourcing, Paleo Ridge is poised to lead the way for many years to come.

Join us on this journey - because our dogs deserve the best.