
The Best Dog Food Available In Australia - A Complete Review
Our #1 Pick

Ingredients: Sustainable Kangaroo, Sweet Potato, Peas, Lentils, Carrots, Broccolli & Broccoli Stem, Tomato, Spinach, Kelp, Blueberries, Rosemary, Parsley, Basil, Oregano, Turmeric, Chicken Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Fish Oil, Vitamin and Minerals (Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B11, B12, D, E, K, Taurine, Niacin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Choline, Pantonthenic Acid, Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Iodine and Cobalt).
The Best Nutritional & Cost Option
PETZYO DRY DOG FOOD
Australia’s pet food industry is largely unregulated. This can make it very challenging for pet owners who want to give their faithful companion excellent nutrition for a fair price.
That is why we built this guide to the best dog food in Australia. In it, you will find information on how to read a dog food label, what to look for in a quality feed, as well as our top choices in several categories.
It is important to understand that there are no one-size-fits-all formula for the best kibble. Instead, different dogs have different nutritional needs. So, we made this guide to include top choices in a variety of different categories.

How To Choose The Right Dog Food
Nutrition Considerations
In order to make good choices for your pooch when it comes to getting the best dry or wet dog food, you have to first understand a few basics about how ingredients are labelled. One word of difference in the ingredient list can actually make a huge difference in terms of the quality of the source ingredients.
Check out our YouTube video on How To Choose The Right Dog Food!
Here are the main tips to reading a dog food label:
Age & Size Factors
There is no one-size-fits all formula for the best Australian dog food. Dogs of different sizes, ages, and activity levels have different nutritional needs. For example, large breed dogs can develop serious skeletal problems if they are fed too much protein as puppies and as a result, they grow too quickly, and puppies should be fed specific food too.
Finding the right feed for your pet does include accommodating their individual needs. That is why our recommendations for the best dog food include those lines that offer clear and diverse options for canines of different ages, sizes, and activity levels.
Check out our YouTube video on Can Puppies Eat Adult Dog Food?
Special Diet Dog Food Formulas
Building on the theme of unique diets for individual dogs is the fact that some dogs do need special diets to address specific health concerns. Here is a quick primer on the most common special dog diets:

The Best Dog Food In Australia 2022
Best Dry Dog Food
#1: Top Pick: PETZYO DRY DOG FOOD

What sets this product apart from the rest?
Nutritional Analysis: | |
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Protein | 25% |
Fat | 11% |
Fibre | 5% |
Petzyo - 5 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Sustainable Kangaroo, Sweet Potato, Peas, Lentils, Carrots, Broccolli & Broccoli Stem, Tomato, Spinach, Kelp, Blueberries, Rosemary, Parsley, Basil, Oregano, Turmeric, Chicken Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Fish Oil, Vitamin and Minerals (Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B11, B12, D, E, K, Taurine, Niacin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Choline, Pantonthenic Acid, Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Iodine and Cobalt).
- Named Protein First: Yes.
- Dog Food Type: Grain Inclusive.
- Recipe Range: Kangaroo, Sweet Potato & Superfood Extras or Salmon, Ocean Fish & Green Lipped Muscles or Chicken, Turkey & Superfood Extras or Petzyo Raw Food Range.
- Suitable For: Petzyo's recipe range can be suitable for puppy, adult and senior dogs depending on the recipe.
- Cost: $$$
- Australian Owned: Yes.
The cream of the crop in terms of the best dry dog food in Australia is this option from Petzyo. Their number one listed ingredient is Australia's own ethically sourced Kangaroo, Chicken or Salmon meaning your dogs getting the best of the best.
Petzyo Dog Food being tested by our independent expert team

Petzyo uses a specially formulated ingredients in their dog food ranges, each featuring a single meat protein with added herbs, vegetables, vitamins and minerals. Containing super foods such as sweet potato, turmeric and blueberries to help with inflammation, and contains chondroitin for joint & cartilage support.
Related: Petzyo Dog Food Review
It is an excellent choice for overall nutrition and health that also doesn't burn a hole in your pocket every week.
They also have a fantastic raw food range.
Verified Review - 10/04/2021
"Two 8 y/o dogs with health problems! I searched the internet and came across Petzyo with amazing ingredients, placed an order which was simple enough and delivery received within days! The boys love it but i cancelled the repeat order until i needed it as I personally want to order when I want/need.
I found the online feeding guide helpful and actually give what is suggested, we have one very active Border Collie and one large mixed breed that loves his bed!
Both boys are maintaining their weight and health which we are really pleased about."
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Runner Up: Our Second Best Dry Dog Food
#2: Runner Up: Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Beef Recipe Dog Food

Nutritional Analysis (Dried beef formula): | |
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Protein | 38% |
Fat | 30% |
Fibre | 2% |
Ziwi Peak - 4.5 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Beef Heart, Beef Tripe, Beef Bone, Beef Lung, New Zealand Green Mussel, Inulin from Chicory, Dried Kelp, Sea Salt, Parsley, Minerals (Potassium Bicarbonate, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Selenium Yeast, Manganese Amino Acid Complex), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B1 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement). Naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols.
- Named Protein First: Yes.
- Dog Food Type: Grain free.
- Recipe Range: Chicken or Mackerel & Lamb or Beef + more.
- Suitable For: Ziwi Peaks recipe range can be suitable for puppy, adult and senior dogs depending on the recipe.
- Cost: $$$$$
- Australian Owned: No (but NZ owned).
Ziwi is our runner up purely because their price point will make it too hard on many Australian households, however, if you can afford it then we highly recommend it.
It all starts with careful domestic sourcing of hormone free New Zealand beef which comes in as the first ingredient.
Ziwi Peak Dog Food being tested by our independent expert team

One of the things you should know about Ziwi is that they use a low heat air dry technique to preserve the meat in their formulas. Since heat destroys delicate micronutrients and vitamins in whole foods, this method, although slower and less efficient, produces superior nutrition for the lucky dog who only gets the best.
Related: Ziwi Peak Dog Food Review
This formula avoids the fillers found in most commercial dog food. It contains no grains, legumes, potatoes, sugars, rendered meats or by products, and no artificial preservatives.
This feed is a bit on the pricey side, but that is a little bit deceptive. It turns out, because the food is so much more nutrient dense than other commercial dog feed on the market, you can feed much less volume per serving.
You can also use this nutrient dense recipe to supplement raw food diets as a dog food topper.
Verified Review - 15/03/2021
Dog loves it and he’s a picky eater
"My dog loves the chicken flavour, he gobbled it up without hesitation. My dog transitioned to freeze dry raw diet for approx. 3 years and I notice a remarkable difference in his health and fur. I strictly feed him a variety of primal’s freeze dried proteins without any issues. I’m definitely going to try other Ziwi products in the near future.
So far, The fur baby loved chicken and the lamb recipe."
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Other Ziwi dry dog food recipes to consider include:
Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
#3: Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food: Frontier Pets Free-Range Grass Fed Beef

Frontier - 4 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Free-range grass fed beef; offal and tripe from the same beef; free-range pasteurised eggs; organic fruit and vegetables; turmeric; almond meal; seaweed meal (ascophyllum nodosum); hemp seed meal; green-lipped mussel
- Named Protein First: Yes.
- Dog Food Type: Freeze-dried, gluten-free
- Recipe Range: Beef, chicken, pork
- Suitable For: All life stages
- Cost: $$
- Australian Owned: Yes.
The name Frontier Pets might not be as well-known as some other brands in the Australian dog food market, but they have been receiving more attention lately due to loads of positive reviews. So, what is it all about?
Well, Frontier Pets has made it their mission to create high-quality dog food using only ethically sourced ingredients. Dogs are carnivores by nature, but does that really mean that in the modern world they have to rely on meat that comes from factory farms? Frontier Pets is proving it does not.
Frontier Dog Food being tested by our independent expert team

For their Free-Range Grass Fed Beef recipe contains exactly what the name suggests. The livestock used for this feed is allowed to roam free and grown without the use of artificial growth-promotants and antibiotics which are all too common these days in cattle farming.
The first ingredient on this feed’s ingredient list is beef, followed by offal and tripe from the same beef (which is great for dogs and offers many necessary nutrients). Besides the meat, this feed includes free-range eggs, organic fruit & veggies, as well as a couple of superfood additions like turmeric and green-lipped mussel.
The result is a recipe that is high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and rich in nutrients dogs need to be healthy like Omega-3 fatty acids. In addition to this, no preservatives are used since the food is freeze-dried!
Verified Review - 21/09/2021
"Our picky little pupper has never refused or left his bowl of Frontier unfinished! We’ve tried lots of brands of food, and always tried to choose dog food with nothing nasty in them -can’t believe we have finally found something that ticks all the boxes and that he actually loves to eat! Thanks for being around!!!"
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Active Dogs: Best Choice For Active Breeds
#4: Active Dogs: Stockman & Paddock Working Dog

Nutritional Analysis (Working Dog Formula): | |
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Protein | 26% |
Fat | 16% |
Stockman & Paddock - 3.5 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Australian beef meal, Australian wheat, Australian wheat meal, Australian hydrolysed chicken protein, Australian beef fat, beet pulp, natural flavour, salt, potassium chloride, flaxseeds, dry chicory root, choline chloride, essential vitamins (A, D, E, B1, B6, niacin, riboflavin, folic acid, B12) and minerals (zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, selenium) and antioxidants.
- Named Protein First: No (but beef meal is OK).
- Dog Food Type: Grain Inclusive & Grain Free.
- Recipe Range: Beef or Beef Grain Free.
- Suitable For: Stockman & Paddock's recipe range can be suitable for adult and senior dogs depending on the recipe.
- Cost: $$
- Australian Owned: Yes.
Striking a perfect balance between high quality ingredients, domestic sourcing, and a fair asking price, our top choice for Australian dry dog food is the Working Dog formula by Stockman & Paddock.
Note that the number one ingredient is real Australian beef. No mystery ingredients here. Total protein of 26% is well above the industry average. And, the recipe includes whole grains to help to support the fibre, prebiotic, and energy needs for even the most active dogs.
The major downside of this brand is that they do not offer specialty formulas for toy and giant breeds, or puppy and senior formulas. So while this is going to be a very good choice for many dogs, not everyone will find the right formula for their individual dog.
Verified Review - 9/04/2021
The Dogs Liked These Biscuits
"These are high protein low grain biscuits, the dogs like them. If your dog does not have a high energy expenditure they will get fat at the recommended feed rate. We supplement with other food because one of dogs is old but generally you wouldn’t have to.
I love that I can get this delivered."
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Those interested in the Stockman & Paddock line of Australian dog food, you may be interested to know that they recently introduced a grain free recipe to their line of high quality dog food:
Best Wet Dog Food
#5: Best Wet Dog Food Australia: Ziwi Peak Wet Dog Food Formulas

Ziwi Peak Wet Food - 4.5 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Venison, Venison Broth, Venison Heart, Venison Lung, Venison Liver, Venison Kidney, Venison Tripe, Chick Peas, New Zealand Green Mussel, Venison Bone, Dried Kelp, Sea Salt, Minerals (Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Selenium Yeast, Manganese Amino Acid Complex), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B1 Supplement, Vitamin B5 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid).
- Named Protein First: Yes.
- Dog Food Type: Grain free.
- Recipe Range: Venison or Beef or Lamb or Tripe & Lamb or Mackerel & Lamb or Chicken.
- Suitable For: Ziwi Peaks recipe range can be suitable for puppy, adult and senior dogs depending on the recipe.
- Cost: $$$$$
- Australian Owned: No (but NZ owned).
In line with our top pick for kibble, the canned dog food selection offered by Ziwi comes in as our top pick for the best wet dog food.
Again, the choice is easy because of Ziwi’s superior ingredient sourcing with a focus on developing relationships with New Zealand farmers and using low heat preservation techniques to make sure the natural benefits of their whole food ingredients shine through in the finished product.
Ziwi Peak Wet Food being tested by our independent expert team

Like their dry formulas, you just won’t find the typical fillers used to bulk up most commercial feeds. Instead, you will find a short but all natural ingredient list focused on whole food nutrition.
If you have a picky eater on your hands, you simply must give Ziwi wet a try. Most dogs simply go nuts for these flavourful recipes.
Also, if you have a dog who does better with novel proteins and/or needs a limited ingredient formula, you are likely to find the selection of Ziwi canned foods to be more than sufficient.
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Best Grain Free Dog Food
#6: Best Grain Free Dog Food Australia: Ivory Coat Natural Health Line of Dog Food

Protein | 32% |
Fat | 14% |
Omega-3 | 0.5% |
Omega-6 | 3% |
Ivory Coat - 3.5 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Peas, Tapioca, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), ground flaxseed, Tomato Pomace, Coconut Oil, Pea fibre, salmon oil, sweet potatoes, Carrots, kale, broccoli, spinach, parsley, apples, blueberries, vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B12, D3, E, Beta-Carotene, Niacin, d-Calcium pantothenate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Copper, Natural Prebiotic, Rosemary Extract & Green Tea Extract. This is a naturally preserved product.
- Named Protein First: No (but chicken meal is OK).
- Dog Food Type: Grain Free & Grain Inclusive.
- Recipe Range: Chicken with Coconut Oil or Lamb & Sardine or Lamb & Kangaroo or Turkey & Brown Rice or Ocean Fish + More.
- Suitable For: Ivory Coat's recipe range can be suitable for puppy, adult and senior dogs depending on the recipe.
- Cost: $$$
- Australian Owned: No (but made in Australia).
There is a lot to love about the Natural Health line of dog food by Ivory Coat. A relatively new brand, the attention to quality is clear. And the entire line is Grain Free with a ton of novel proteins, age, and size appropriate formulas to choose from.
Any quality review of Ivory Coat dog food will notice that the first ingredient is Australian Chicken Meal, a very high quality source of protein. We also see very high quality whole food ingredients that boost the nutritional content of this food including carrots, kale, broccoli, coconut oil, and blueberries.
Ivory Coat Dog Food being tested by our independent expert team

This food does NOT use the problematic sulphite preservative that can cause thiamine deficiency, which offers Australian dog owner’s peace of mind as well.
Finally, a peek at the overall nutritional profile includes a whopping 32% crude protein which is well above average and plenty for your adult dog’s needs.
Verified Review - 20/07/2020
Excellent Quality Dog Biscuit
"Purchased for our 4 month old and 6 month old puppy. They both love the taste of this Grain Free variety in Chicken. Had previously had them on the puppy beef formulation, which they both also enjoyed."
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Adult and Senior dry food Formulas from Ivory Coat:
Weight Control formulas by Ivory Coat:
Puppy Formulas from Ivory Coat:
Wet Dog Food Options from Ivory Coat:
Best Cheap Dog Food
#7: Best Cheap Dog Food Australia: Hill’s Science Diet Line of Dog Food

Nutritional Analysis (Adult Chicken & Barley Formula) | |
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Protein | 20.5% |
Fat | 12% |
Omega-6 | 2.5% |
Science Diet - 3 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Chicken, Whole Grain Wheat, Powdered Cellulose, Brown Rice, Whole Grain Corn, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Fat, Cracked Pearled Barley, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Sorghum, Wheat Gluten, Chicken Liver flavour, Soybean Mill Run, Pork Liver flavour, Soybean Oil, Lactic Acid, Fish Oil, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Iodized Salt, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement + Plus More.
- Named Protein First: Yes.
- Dog Food Type: Grain Inclusive & Grain Free.
- Recipe Range: Chicken, Rice & Barley or Chicken Meal & Oats or Chicken + More.
- Suitable For: Science Diet's recipe range can be suitable for puppy, adult and senior dogs depending on the recipe.
- Cost: $$
- Australian Owned: No.
If you are looking to find a good quality dog feed in Australia without breaking the bank, our best cheap dog food option is the Hill’s Science Diet line.
This product is manufactured in the USA and adheres to AAFCO manufacturing and labelling guidelines to ensure the kind of balanced nutrition your dog deserves.
Further, the ingredients list avoids artificial preservatives and features wholesome natural ingredients such as whole grains, apples, and carrots (although they do appear late in the ingredient list).
While it isn’t the highest quality feed for your dog, it does offer a significant cost saving without compromising too much in terms of quality.
Verified Review - 11/03/2020
Our Dog Loves It
"It's good stuff. He likes it every day, but from time to time prefers something else for variety.
The go-to treat (a single piece) when he's done the right thing.
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Adult Recipes:
Puppy Recipes:
Special Needs Recipes:
FAQ
It is important to give your dog a chance to adjust to food changes whenever possible. It takes up to a week for the gut flora to adjust to a different balance of ingredients, and the result of changing food to quickly can include major gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Change food slowly by replacing only a small portion of their food each day. Start by replacing ¼ of their food on the first day, then ½ on the second day, then ¾ on the third day, finally full replacement on the fourth day.
If you notice any signs of stomach upset, slow down the transition. If vomiting or sever diarrhea occurs for more than 24 hours, go back to the original food and contact your vet.
In general, the signs of a good diet include a healthy coat, shiny eyes, and overall good health. If you notice hair loss, dry or flaky skin, persistent itching, or any other symptoms of poor health, it may be time to check in with your vet to determine if a higher quality diet may help your dog’s quality of life and overall health.
Another thing to be aware of is the symptoms of Thiamine deficiency which can happen when sulfites are used as artificial preservatives in low quality dog foods. Initial symptoms include GI upset such as a lack of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea. Symptoms can progress to include neurological problems such as unevenly dilated pupils, stumbling, and seizures. Finally, cardiac problems can develop which can prove fatal.
It can be difficult to diagnose Thiamine deficiency before it progresses to the fatal stage. Thus, it is critical to feed a high quality diet to your dog from a trusted manufacturer who complies with strict labeling guidelines.
Following recent trends in human fitness, grain free diets for dogs are all over the pet food shelves these days. Contrary to popular belief, just because a food is grain free does not mean it is higher quality. Other nutritional considerations such as a quality protein source and whole food ingredients play a larger role in dog food quality than grains do.
However, if your dog is showing signs of a potential food intolerance or unknown allergy, you and your vet may decide to try a grain free dog food just to eliminate the possibility of a grain allergy as part of a treatment program.
The Verdict: Best Dog Food
Unfortunately, Australia’s lack of regulation on dog food can make purchasing a high quality feed for dogs a challenge.
However, we hope this article has helped you to make decisions about the best dog food for your faithful furry bestie.