Alternatives to Ultra Premium Direct

Alternatives to Ultra Premium Direct: 3 better-rated foods

Ultra Premium Direct averages 85/100 across 3 products on the PetFoodRate independent A–E methodology. Here are 3 better-rated foods worth considering, picked across species and food type.

In short

The best-rated alternative to Ultra Premium Direct in our database is Orijen Puppy (93/100, grade A), versus Ultra Premium Direct's 85/100 average. Below are 3 foods scored higher than Ultra Premium Direct, one per species + food-type pairing, ranked on our independent A–E method.

By Theo Blanchard · reviewed by Max Kowalski · updated June 2026 · independent grading, no sponsorship

3 Ultra Premium Direct products graded
85/100 average score
3 better-rated alternatives
View the Ultra Premium Direct catalog

The Ultra Premium Direct profile across 5 criteria

Across the 3 Ultra Premium Direct products we graded, the brand is strongest on "Protein quality" and weakest on "Species fit". That weakest axis is usually where the alternatives below pull ahead.

  • Protein quality A 90/100
  • Nutritional balance A 90/100
  • Few undesirables A 90/100
  • Ingredient transparency A 90/100
  • Species fit A 85/100

Average of the A–E sub-scores across every graded Ultra Premium Direct product. See it product by product →

Our Ultra Premium Direct alternative picks

  1. #1
    A

    Top dry food for dogs outside Ultra Premium Direct.

    Orijen Puppy
    93/100
    Check price More alternatives
  2. #2
    A

    Top dry food for dogs outside Ultra Premium Direct.

    Orijen Original Adult Poulet
    92/100
    Check price More alternatives
  3. #3
    A

    Top dry food for cats outside Ultra Premium Direct.

    Orijen Cat & Kitten
    94/100
    Check price More alternatives

How we select alternatives to Ultra Premium Direct

For each species + food type combination represented in the Ultra Premium Direct range, we identify the highest-scored product from a competing brand. The A–E score synthesises five criteria: protein quality, overall nutritional balance, absence of undesirable additives, ingredient transparency, and species fit. No sponsorship can change a product's score — the methodology is applied uniformly across the catalog.

Want to dig into a specific alternative? Each card above points to that product's dedicated /alternatives/<product>/ page, which adds cheaper-per-kg sub-rankings and other food-type options for the same species.

Full methodology →

Frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Ultra Premium Direct?

In our database the best-rated alternative to Ultra Premium Direct is Orijen Puppy, scoring 93/100 (grade A) versus Ultra Premium Direct's 85/100 average. We list 3 better-graded picks in total, one for each species and food type Ultra Premium Direct sells.

Why look for alternatives to Ultra Premium Direct?

Ultra Premium Direct averages 85/100 on the PetFoodRate independent methodology across 3 products we've scored, and scores lowest on adaptability. Buyers searching for alternatives typically want higher protein quality, fewer undesirable additives, better ingredient transparency, or a better species fit.

How are these alternatives selected?

For each food type and species in the Ultra Premium Direct catalogue, we pick the top-scored food from a different brand. Scoring covers five criteria: protein quality, nutritional balance, undesirables, transparency, and species adaptability. No sponsored brand ever changes its score.

Are these alternatives cheaper than Ultra Premium Direct?

Cheaper-per-kg picks are flagged inside each individual product alternative page. Open any product card below to see its dedicated /alternatives/<product>/ page where the cheaper-per-kg sub-list sits alongside the higher-scored picks.

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