From a standing start in 2022 Liverpool entrepreneur Ben McIntyre builds raw dog food brand which has so far fed more than 50,000 four-legged consumers. Tony McDonough reports

A few years ago Ben McIntyre was left devastated when his beloved dog Jake died of liver failure.

But Ben, from Bootle, channelled his heartbreak into an idea that is quickly becoming a national success. Since founding his Mersey Raw venture in 2022, he has since fed more than 50,000 individual dogs.

Jake’s death led Ben to question the highly processed diets commonly promoted within the mainstream pet food industry. Determined to challenge the status quo, he began researching what dogs are biologically designed to eat.

He started producing raw dog food. Working initially from a small café kitchen, he began formulating meals using fresh, natural ingredients without fillers or additives.

What began as a personal mission has since grown into a multi-seven-figure Liverpool-based business, producing more than 80,000 meals per month, serving over 2,000 regular customers and supplying more than 70 independent pet retailers nationwide.

Since its launch, Mersey Raw has shipped over 55,000 direct-to-consumer orders, alongside more than 1,000 wholesale orders to independent pet shops.

Ben, who grew up in Bootle and previously worked as an engineer, said: “I left engineering because I felt like there had to be a better way to build something that actually mattered.

“Losing Jake completely changed how I looked at the pet food industry. When you start researching what goes into a lot of mainstream dog food, it’s shocking. I knew there had to be a better option for owners who want to give their dogs the best possible nutrition.”

Mersey Raw produces all of its food in-house using 100% natural ingredients, with a minimum 80% meat content, significantly higher than traditional dry kibble diets which can contain as little as around 4% meat.

The company’s raw minces are made using fresh frozen ingredients with no fillers, additives or artificial ingredients, offering what the brand describes as a biologically appropriate alternative to heavily processed pet food.

When the business first started, Ben sourced ingredients from local farm shops and butchers, meaning production was limited to what was available and typically just 100kg per product at a time.

Today, Mersey Raw, which employs 12 people, produces 19 different raw food products, holds around 40 tonnes of raw materials and finished goods, and offers a broad range designed to support dogs with different dietary needs, including those with allergies.

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The business has also scaled dramatically in terms of space and operations. What began in a tiny café kitchen has since grown through several premises as demand surged, reflecting the rapid rise of the brand.

Ben added: “What started as a personal mission has grown far beyond anything I imagined. Seeing the results customers get with their dogs, whether it’s improved health, energy or quality of life, is what keeps driving us forward.”