Cancellation service n°1 in United Kingdom
Untamed operates as a premium cat food subscription service in the UK market, delivering personalised meal plans directly to pet owners' homes. The company positions itself in the high-end segment of the pet food industry, offering grain-free, high-protein recipes formulated to meet feline nutritional requirements. From a financial perspective, Untamed represents a significant monthly commitment compared to purchasing cat food from traditional retailers, with subscription costs typically ranging between £30 and £70 per month depending on the number of cats and their dietary needs.
The service operates on a recurring payment model, automatically charging customers and dispatching food deliveries at regular intervals. This convenience factor attracts busy pet owners who value time-saving solutions, though the premium pricing structure means households are committing to annual expenditures of £360 to £840 or more. Considering that supermarket alternatives can cost 40-60% less for comparable volumes, the value proposition centres on ingredient quality, convenience, and tailored nutrition rather than cost efficiency.
Understanding the financial commitment involved helps explain why many customers eventually reassess their subscription. Common reasons for cancellation include budget reallocation during periods of financial pressure, discovering more cost-effective alternatives that still meet quality standards, cats refusing to eat the food despite the personalisation claims, or simply finding that the convenience premium no longer justifies the additional expense. Some households also cancel after their cat's dietary needs change due to age or health conditions, making the standardised recipes less suitable.
Untamed's pricing model scales according to the number of cats in a household and their individual feeding requirements. The company calculates costs based on the daily caloric needs of each cat, which vary depending on weight, age, activity level, and whether the animal is kept indoors or has outdoor access. This personalised approach means monthly costs differ substantially between customers, making direct price comparisons challenging without examining specific scenarios.
| Cat profile | Daily food requirement | Approximate monthly cost | Annual expenditure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small indoor cat (3kg) | 1-2 pouches | £35-£45 | £420-£540 |
| Medium cat (4-5kg) | 2-3 pouches | £50-£65 | £600-£780 |
| Large active cat (6kg+) | 3-4 pouches | £70-£90 | £840-£1,080 |
| Two medium cats | 4-6 pouches | £95-£125 | £1,140-£1,500 |
These figures represent substantial ongoing commitments when compared to alternative feeding strategies. A household spending £60 monthly on Untamed could potentially reduce costs to £25-£35 by switching to premium supermarket brands or £15-£20 using mid-range options, representing annual savings of £300-£540. For multi-cat households, these differentials become even more pronounced, with potential savings exceeding £600-£800 annually.
The subscription model includes delivery costs within the pricing structure, which Untamed markets as a benefit. However, from a pure cost analysis perspective, this bundled approach means customers pay for convenience whether they value it or not. Those living near pet supply retailers or who already make regular shopping trips may find little actual time-saving benefit, making the delivery premium harder to justify financially.
The UK pet food market offers numerous alternatives across various price points. Premium supermarket brands like Sheba, Gourmet, or Applaws typically cost £0.60-£1.20 per pouch, compared to Untamed's £1.80-£2.40 per portion. Whilst Untamed emphasises higher meat content and grain-free formulations, several competing brands now offer comparable nutritional profiles at lower price points, particularly own-brand premium ranges from major supermarkets.
Specialist pet food retailers and online marketplaces provide additional competition, often offering bulk-buying discounts that reduce per-unit costs significantly. Purchasing 48-96 pouches in a single transaction can bring premium brand costs down to £0.50-£0.80 per serving, representing 60-70% savings compared to Untamed's subscription pricing. These alternatives require more planning and storage space but deliver substantial financial benefits for budget-conscious households.
Beyond the headline subscription price, several factors affect the true cost of maintaining an Untamed subscription. The service encourages customers to feed exclusively Untamed products for optimal results, potentially eliminating the flexibility to supplement with more economical options during financially tight periods. This all-or-nothing approach can create budgetary pressure that more flexible feeding strategies would avoid.
Additionally, the personalisation algorithm may recommend higher feeding quantities than strictly necessary, as the financial incentive structure naturally encourages larger order sizes. Pet owners should critically evaluate whether their cat genuinely requires the recommended portions or whether reducing quantities slightly might maintain health outcomes whilst lowering costs. Veterinary guidance provides more objective dietary recommendations than supplier algorithms.
UK consumer protection legislation provides robust rights regarding subscription service cancellations, ensuring customers can exit ongoing financial commitments without unreasonable barriers. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 establish the legal framework governing these transactions, offering protections that subscription services must honour regardless of their own terms and conditions.
Under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, consumers purchasing services online or through distance selling have a 14-day cooling-off period from the date of contract formation. During this period, cancellation can occur for any reason without penalty, and any payments made must be refunded within 14 days of the cancellation notice. This protection applies to initial Untamed subscriptions, allowing new customers to exit without financial loss if they decide the service doesn't meet expectations.
Beyond the initial cooling-off period, subscription services operate as continuing contracts that customers can typically terminate by providing notice according to the terms agreed at signup. Untamed's specific terms should be reviewed in the original contract documents, though industry standard practice allows cancellation with notice periods ranging from immediate effect to 30 days. From a financial planning perspective, understanding these notice requirements prevents unexpected charges for unwanted deliveries.
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires that contract terms be fair, transparent, and not create significant imbalances between the company's rights and the consumer's rights. Terms that make cancellation excessively difficult or impose unreasonable penalties may be challengeable as unfair contract terms. This legal protection means that even if Untamed's written terms appear restrictive, consumers retain rights to reasonable cancellation processes.
Maintaining clear evidence of cancellation communications provides essential protection if disputes arise regarding whether proper notice was given or when the cancellation became effective. This documentation becomes particularly important when final charges appear on bank statements or unwanted deliveries arrive after the intended cancellation date. Postal cancellation via Recorded Delivery or Special Delivery creates irrefutable proof of both the cancellation request and the date it was sent.
From a risk management perspective, email and online cancellation methods lack the legal weight of postal communications. Companies can claim emails were never received, went to spam folders, or that online systems malfunctioned. These disputes often favour the business unless consumers can provide compelling evidence. Postal methods eliminate these ambiguities, as the Royal Mail tracking system provides independent verification that cannot be disputed.
Cancelling Untamed through postal communication provides the most legally robust method for terminating your subscription whilst creating undeniable proof of your cancellation request. This approach proves particularly valuable for customers who have experienced difficulties with other cancellation methods or who want absolute certainty that their financial commitment will end on a specific date.
Your cancellation letter should contain specific information that clearly identifies your account and unambiguously communicates your intention to terminate the subscription. Include your full name as it appears on the account, your complete delivery address, the email address associated with your Untamed account, and any customer reference number from previous correspondence or invoices. This information ensures Untamed can immediately locate your account without delays that might extend your subscription period.
Clearly state your intention to cancel the subscription with phrases like \