The Best Dry Dog Food Available In Australia - A Review
Our #1 Pick
The Best Nutritional Option
PETZYO DRY DOG FOOD
Dry dog food can be an excellent choice to provide complete nutrition for your best friend. However, never have there been so many options on the market, which makes choosing the best dog food for our Australian dogs more complicated than ever.
We have done the research, so you don’t have to. Read on to learn which Australian dog food is best for your furry friend.
Dry Dog Food Reviews: Factors We Considered
In our review of the top kibble for dogs in Australia, we considered several important factors. Here are the top considerations:
Nutrition
It is important to understand that the commercial dog food industry in Australia is a largely unregulated. That is why it is very important to be sure to learn how to read labels, look for excellent sources of protein as the number one ingredient, and check for a guaranteed nutritional analysis on any dog food you buy.
Our dry dog food comparison includes taking these important nutritional factors into account.
Taste
The best dry food for dogs can’t just be nutritious. It also has to be tasty so that your canine companion will enjoy their meals. We included only those kibble dog foods that were highly rated for taste so that you can rest assured that any of the picks on our list will be a hit with your pooch.
If your set on feeding your dog canned food, check out our guide on the best wet dog food Australia for the most nutritious options.
Price
Although the best dry dog food in Australia does cost more than the cheapest options on the shelves, we made sure that our choices were worth the price difference. In our review, you will find a good balance between cost and quality, if you're on a tight budget, check out our guide to the best cheap dog foods in Australia.
Ingredient Sourcing
Another important consideration to make when choosing a quality dry dog food is to look for the ingredient sourcing. Domestically sourced meats, fish, and oysters from Australia or New Zealand are best.
Too many low quality dog feeds use meats from other countries such as China which have been the subject of many dog food recalls and problems with transparent labelling. Our choices take responsible ingredient sourcing seriously.
Age & Size Considerations
Before you select kibble from our review below, make sure you look for the right formula to meet your dog’s size and age range. For example, young toy breeds have much different nutritional needs than their giant breed puppy counterparts.
Best Dry Dog Food Australia 2021
Time to move on to our complete review of the best kibble for dogs. Below you will find our top picks in several important categories so that you can make sure your furry mate gets all the nutrition they need from a complete dry food formula.
#1 Best Overall - PETZYO DRY DOG FOOD
What sets this product apart from the rest?
Nutritional Analysis (Dried beef formula) | |
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Protein | 25% |
Fat | 11% |
Fiber | 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.
When it comes to the best dry dog food made in Australia it was an easy choice, we really have to give it to Petzyo.
They take quality to the limits, offering kibble that starts with top notch ingredients that have long term canine health in mind.
Their Australian made and owned dry dog food formula start with responsible sourcing using Australia's own ethically sourced Kangaroo, Chicken or Salmon that's loaded with protein and iron. They include superfoods such as turmeric and blueberries, balanced omega 3's and six rich oils that help provide a well balanced 11% fat content.
Related: Petzyo Dog Food Review
In addition to extremely high quality protein as the top ingredient in all of their recipes, Petzyo's formula contains no grains, potatoes or other cheap fillers. You also won’t find any meat by-products or artificial preservatives.
When it is all said and done, Petzyo's dry dog food is also great value, offering a better price per kilo that the other major dog food brands.
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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#2: Runner Up Dry Dog Food: 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.
Our second choice for the best kibble in Australia is the Working Dog recipe by Stockman & Paddock. With 26% protein and real Australian beef as the number one ingredient, this is a formula fit for active dogs who deserve the very best in nutrition.
One of the areas that make the Stockman and Paddock recipe unique is a focus on whole grains for sustained energy throughout the day. They also include lots of whole food superfoods to boost the natural nutrition of their kibble. Prebiotics are included to aid digestion.
Because it doesn’t have cheap fillers, you will probably find that your dog needs less of this kibble than you are used to, making it a good value overall.
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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Stockman & Paddock recently added a grain free recipe to their line of high quality dog food:
#3: Best Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food: Frontier Pets Free-Range Grass Fed Beef
Frontier - 5 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.
This feed from Frontier Pets is a great option for anyone who wants their canine companion to have only the best.
We can start with the main ingredient first: the beef. As the name suggests, the beef used for this feed is grown free-range, allowed to feed on grass naturally and not fed any antibiotics or artificial growth-promotants. Add to this the fact that it is locally sourced from Australia, and you’ve got the best possible combination - both ecologically and in terms of the quality of the food your dog will be eating.
Besides the beef which is present in large quantities, this recipe includes only wholesome ingredients. No fillers and no artificial preservatives, flavours, or colours are added. And they are simply not needed, as there is no reason why a dog wouldn’t love this mix of beef, free-range eggs, organic fruits and veggies, and selected nutritional boosters like turmeric and almond meal.
We also love the fact that they use the freeze-drying method, which doesn’t require the use of preservatives like with most other options. At the same time, this feed is smaller in volume, more lightweight, and it doesn’t need to be kept in the fridge, making it super easy to store.
In connection to this, you’ll notice that the recommended portion sizes of this feed are surprisingly small. This is due to the fact that the food is freeze-dried, which means you’ll need to reconstitute it by adding warm water.
Verified Review - 11/09/2021
Awesome
"One word. Awesome! That’s what this food is. You get all the benefits of feeding a raw diet with the convenience of no mess, no hassle. I get countless comments about how good my boys coat is on a daily basis. I’m absolutely stoked with Frontier Pets, the service and the food is second to none. I look forward to many more years of being a customer."
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#4: Best Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food Option: Canidae Pure Line of Dog Food
Canidae - 3 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Salmon, salmon meal, menhaden fish meal, sweet potatoes, peas, canola oil, suncured alfalfa, potatoes, natural flavor, minerals (iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite), vitamins (vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate + More
- Named Protein First: Yes.
- Dog Food Type: Grain Free.
- Recipe Range: Salmon & Sweet Potato or Wild Boar & Garbanzo Bean or Chicken, Sweet Potato & Garbanzo Bean or Real Bison, Lentil & Carrot + More.
- Suitable For: Canidae's recipe range can be suitable for puppy, adult and senior dogs depending on the recipe.
- Cost: $$$$
- Australian Owned: No.
Limited ingredient diets are a must for some dogs. For example, dogs with food sensitivities or allergies may be reactive to specific proteins, grains, or other ingredients commonly used in commercial dog feeds.
If your vet has recommended a limited ingredient diet, or if you are doing some experimenting with an elimination trial to try to identify your dog’s food allergy, then you may want to consider a limited ingredient kibble.
Although Canidae is made in Texas, it is available online to Australians. This brand uses high quality ingredients, has high protein levels, and offers a large selection of limited diets including life stage recipes and novel proteins. (See below for a full list).
Packed with excellent protein sources and carefully selected whole foods with a simple ingredient label packed with easily recognizable whole foods, there just isn’t any room to hide fillers or mystery meats.
The Canidae Pure line of kibble is also grain free and offers a great choice for pet owners looking to avoid grains in their feed.
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#5: Best Grain Free Dog Food Option: Ivory Coat Natural Health Line of Dog Food
Nutritional Analysis (Chicken and Coconut Formula) | |
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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: Yes.
Ivory Coat is a relatively new dog food brand that has been developed to meet the needs of an increasingly informed public looking for quality dry dog food. The entire line of Ivory Coat is grain free and boasts many novel proteins (great for dogs with food allergies) and age and size calibrated diets.
Australian chicken meal, a solid protein source, is the first ingredient. Additional ingredients in this kibble include whole food additions such as blueberries, coconut oil, kale and broccoli. The addition of these superfoods provides excellent nutritional support in terms of micronutrients. Omega 3 and 6 levels in this formula are also higher than most recipes, offering lots of support for skin and coat.
Related: Best Grain Free Dog Food Australia.
32% protein is well above the industry average and is plenty to support strong muscles for even the most active working dogs. While grain free diets are not required for most dogs, the Ivory Coat line is an excellent choice whether or not your dog requires a grain free diet.
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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#6: Best Dry Puppy Formula Australia: Ivory Coat Puppy Formula, Chicken
When it comes to the best puppy food Australia, we have to go again with Ivory Coat (full review of the brand above). Just to cover the highlights again, Ivory Coat is an Australian dog food line made with top notch ingredients, careful addition of whole food ingredients, high levels of Omega 3 & 6, and completely grain free.
One of the most important decisions about food that a pet owner can make for their puppy is to choose a high quality dog food.
For owners of large and giant breeds, this decision is especially critical. The wrong diet in the first year of growth can have disastrous consequences in terms of muscle and bone development that can create major mobility issues down the road. Luckily, Ivory coat offers a special dry dog food selection calibrated to the needs of large breed pups.
Expect to see the Ivory Coat line of kibble aimed at puppies to continue to expand in terms of selection. This relatively new brand has become incredibly popular in Australia thanks to their attention to premium ingredients, grain free recipes, and wide use of high quality novel proteins.
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The Verdict: Best Dry Dog Food Australia
When it comes to getting the best nutrition for your dog, it may help to first consider their special dietary needs. That is why our review of the best Australian kibble includes picks in a variety of categories.
Interested in more dog food options? Check our below guide:
FAQ
If you are planning to make a change to your dog’s diet, it is important to do so gradually. Experts recommend that you start by switching out ¼ of your dog’s food per day until you are feeding exclusively new feed.
It is not unusual for dogs to experience mild stomach upset such as diarrhea when changing their food. However, if your dog has nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that is severe or lasts longer than 24 hours, check in with your vet before feeding more of the new food.
Grain free dog food formulas have become quite popular. And, as long as you choose a quality grain free food that has top notch protein sources and a balanced nutritional profile, then there is nothing wrong with feeding grain free.
However, it is important to understand that most dogs are able to digest grains just fine. In fact, most dog allergies are actually to specific proteins such as beef or chicken. Thus, paying more for a grain-free formula isn’t always the right choice.
When in doubt, check with your vet to find out if a grain free feed will be better for your individual dog.
One of the issues that makes finding quality dog food in Australia so complicated is that the commercial pet food industry is largely unregulated. This can make it difficult for us to make sure we are getting the best for our pets.
There are a few red flags you should be aware of when researching pet food. First, avoid products that feature “meat” as a main ingredient as this can include any number of animal parts from questionable sources. On the other hand, a named protein, such as beef, is more tightly defined and includes only the muscle and connective tissue which assures higher quality.
Second, avoid by-products of any kind if possible. They can include any number of scrap parts and have little regulation in terms of guaranteeing source or final nutritional content. (On the other hand, meals do have to meet specific parameters as long as they are not generically labeled “meat meal.”)
Finally, if you are unable to verify the nutritional analysis with a clear protein, fat, and fiber analysis provided right on the bag of food, then you may want to think twice before purchasing.
