The Best Grain Free Dog Food In Australia - An Overview

As a pet parent, you want to provide your canine companion with the best food possible. But there’s no such thing as the ultimate dog diet. Your dog might need specific nutrients, based on age, size and health condition. For plenty of dogs around the world, grain-free food is the right choice.

With brands making “grain-free” a trend, it’s hard to know what food on the market is actually of high quality.

In this article, we’ll show you what to look for in the best rated dog food, as well as some of the best grain-free dog food Australia has to offer. So what makes us such experts? We teamed up with canine nutritionists and veterinarians to research several dozen grain-free dog foods. After months of testing and plenty of discussion, we were finally able to agree to the list ahead. It should have something for every grain-adverse pupper out there. Let's check it out!

The 8 Best Grain Free Dog Food Options 2023

Searching for the best grain-free dog food Australia has to offer? As we mentioned, we formed an independent team of experts and did the work for you. Here’s our list of the best of the best out there.

The first thing that makes this food stand out from the rest is the fact that it’s air-dried. Conventional kibbles are dried in the oven until all the moisture evaporates. The oven heat kills bacteria, but it also destroys some good ingredients as well. Ziwi Peak, on the other hand, makes the food through a slow and gentle air-drying process. It takes more time to make, but it keeps all the benefits of raw ingredients.

Related: Ziwi Peak Dog Food Review

The ingredient list clearly states all the meat parts used in a recipe. Plus, our team of independent experts love that besides knowing what your pooch eats, Ziwi lets us know where the animals come from, too. All meat is grass-fed and free-roaming, poultry is cage-free, and wild-caught seafood comes from clear waters. All the ingredients are raised without added hormones or growth promotants.

All recipes from the Ziwi Peak line are rich in meat, poultry or seafood, and I adore that it has added superfood like greenshell mussels and kelp, setting it apart from our number two choice ahead. There’s no space for fillers or artificial preservatives. 

However, keep in mind that because of that, the shelf life of Ziwi Peak is shorter than most conventional dog food. Once opened, the kibble should be used within two months.

When it comes to protein and fat levels, Ivory Coat is one of the best grain-free dry dog food Australia has to offer. The Lamb & Kangaroo formula features 36% of crude protein and fat. As you can see at the top of the ingredient list, there are a couple of great protein sources. Besides three types of meat, potatoes and peas are also rich in these macronutrients.

Our team of experts note that this recipe uses tomato pomace, which is a great source of fibre. The same goes for kale, broccoli and spinach. This well-balanced diet provides your pooch with much-needed vitamins such as A, B6, B12 D3 and C. Despite all of these stellar ingredients, Ivory Coat is still a bit cheaper than our number one pick, Ziwi Peak.

Related: Ivory Coat Dog Food Review

If your dog is like mine and not a big fan of our national animal, the brand offers a big range of grain-free recipes, from chicken to salmon. While the Lamb & Kangaroo recipe has the highest protein level, other recipes aren’t far behind. This makes the line ideal for very active dogs.

Even though the line doesn’t have a recipe for senior pooches, high levels of meat-based protein make them suitable for elderly dogs. On the other hand, that also means it’s not suitable for growing pups, as it may cause them to gain weight.

Holistic has a large range of grain-free dry food. Depending on your pooch’s preference, you can buy different flavours, from duck to rabbit. Unlike our Ivory Coat selection, they also offer recipes for dogs of different ages and weights. To each his own.

Each recipe has a named protein as the first ingredient, which speaks a lot about the quality of this food. Besides meat, there are some great plant-based proteins too, such as lentils and peas. When you add that up, you get dry food with 32% protein. This is not quite as much as our first two choices, but is still much more than the recommended amount of 18%.

Our panel of independent experts love that Holistic grain-free recipes feature live yogurt cultures which stimulate the growth of good bacteria in your pooch’s gut. Besides that, the food contains plants rich in prebiotics, such as flaxseeds, pumpkin, papaya and blueberries.

One of the interesting ingredients is dried kelp. This seaweed is a source of 60 different vitamins and minerals and as many as 21 amino acids! It’s great for skin, coat, digestion, metabolism, dental hygiene… you name it.

Another interesting component that’s pretty high on the list is Yucca schidigera extract. This plant, which is commonly known as Mojave yucca, is usually added in powder form to dog food to help reduce the odour of dog poo. Now that’s an ingredient every dry food should have!

This dry food from Stockman and Paddock shows that a well-balanced diet at an affordable price is possible. With 28% of protein, these kibbles are above average. Besides Australian beef, other sources of protein are chicken and peas.

This food is designed with active adult dogs in mind. The main source of carbs is sweet potato. Our team of independent experts note that this plant is low in fat but rich in vitamins A, B6, C, as well as iron, potassium and calcium. It’s also really high in fibres, which promotes healthy bowel movements. Speaking of digestive health, this food also contains natural probiotics that aid in balancing your dog’s gut flora, similar to our number three choice.

Both salmon oil and flaxseeds are rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin and coat. They’re also great for a dog’s immune system.

Great ingredients for an affordable price. So, what’s the catch? Well, this brand only has two recipes: regular or grain-free Aussie Beef. If your dog is like mine and is allergic or simply doesn’t enjoy beef kibbles, then these won’t work. What’s more, they only make them in 20 kg packaging, so if your pooch doesn’t like them… well, you might as well feed local dogs.

A balanced diet is important, especially while growing up. This puppy recipe is one of the best grain-free puppy food Australia has to offer, and it’s based on two meat proteins: turkey and chicken. White meat is low in fat but rich in different vitamins and minerals. When combined with eggs and coconut oil, they do a great job at keeping insulin and cholesterol levels stable.

Related: Meals For Mutts Dog Food Review

As most of us know firsthand, the puppy stage is the most active period in every dog’s life. They have an insane amount of energy. Turkey meat is rich in B6 and niacin, both of which are important for turning nutrients into usable energy. In other words, this recipe is to puppies what coffee might be to you.

According to our panel of independent experts, essential fatty acids are beneficial not only to a dog’s skin, coat and immune system, but also to cell growth. This grain-free puppy food contains Omega-3, -6 and -9, all necessary for a pup’s healthy growth and development.

The kibbles are large in size. That way, the pup has to chew them instead of just swallowing, which is a great way to train your pooch to eat slowly. Similar to our number three choice, different antioxidants such as turmeric, alfalfa and kelp are added to aid in digestion. And thanks to Yucca extract, your pup’s “number two” won’t smell a mile away.

The premium grain-free range from Canidae offers different flavour options, all designed for sensitive stomachs. The first ingredient listed is named protein, so you know what your pooch is eating. Every recipe is based on hypoallergenic meat, such as lamb, bison, duck or salmon. The same goes for veggies. Sweet potatoes, peas, lentils and chickpeas are all safe for dogs with food intolerance.

As our panel of independent panels put it, the key to a hypoallergenic diet isn’t just in using previously mentioned veggies and meat. It’s also about keeping it simple. Every recipe from this range features between seven and ten key ingredients, and each of them provides your dog with specific benefits.

Related: Canidae Dog Food Review

I was happy to see that high on the ingredient list is sun-cured alfalfa. This plant is a rich source of protein, vitamins and minerals. Thanks to the high levels of chlorophyll, it improves the dog’s immune system as well as digestive health.

Alfalfa is also effective in treating arthritis since it provides serious long-term pain relief, something crucial for my aging doggo. When you add that it also treats kidney and gut disorders, it’s safe to say this food has everything a senior dog needs.

Looking at the ingredient list, you’ve probably noticed that there are no meals and meat by-products in this Meals For Mutts food. It says kangaroo, and it means kangaroo. No offal or bones are ground and added to the food.

When it comes to plant-based protein, sweet potato is the veggie of choice. It’s a rich source of iron, phosphorus, potassium and vitamin C. Sweet potato is also high in fibres, which help with digestion. Third on the list are seasonal vegetables. It would be nice to know what they are, but one thing we do know is that the line is hypoallergenic, like Canidae's option above. This means that all the veggies are safe for dogs with certain food intolerances.

Our team of independent experts weren't surprised to learn this kangaroo recipe is one of the most popular choices from this range, and for a good reason. Kangaroo meat is low in fat but high in protein, which makes it a very healthy option. It’s rich in Omega-6 and essential amino acids and contains the highest zinc and iron levels of any red meat.

Thanks to alfalfa, kelp, parsley and probiotics, this food is good for your dog’s digestive health, similar to our number six choice. All of these ingredients are strong antioxidants and together, they strengthen your pooch’s immune system.

The ingredient list of this wet food from Black Hawk is simple. Lots of proteins, vitamins and minerals. If your dog usually eats wet food on a daily basis, you can rest assured that this line has everything your pooch needs.

Everyone on our panel of independent experts like that this grain-free line contains no fillers usually found in commercial wet food. Every recipe is simple - meat protein combined with carrots, peas and potatoes. These veggies are rich in fibres, which are important for digestive tract health. Even as a weekly snack, this can provided my dog with all the necessary vitamins and minerals he needs.

Related: Black Hawk Dog Food Review

Even though it’s last on the list, our team of independent experts say the benefits of emu oil shouldn’t be neglected. This oil is a rich source of Omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids. Since the body can’t produce Omega-3 and -6 by itself, they must be provided by a diet. Emu oil also contains vitamins D3 and E, linoleic and oleic acid and different antioxidants. In a way, this single ingredient is the source of so many essential nutrients, and its inclusion in this Black Hawk food sets it apart from the other options on this list.

What To Consider Before You Buy Grain-Free Dog Food

What should you know before trying out one of our listed best grain-free dog food Australia has to offer? Our team of independent experts have some suggestions to make your search easier.

Different Food For Different Needs

Picking the best option is difficult, as no dog is the same. Will a Chihuahua and  Great Dane benefit equally from the same food? We’re doubtful.

When choosing the right food for your dog, you need to consider several factors, including age, activity levels and health conditions. First, puppies require more protein and fat percentage than adult dogs. That doesn’t mean you can’t give adult kibbles to the pup, but it basically means you’re putting your puppy on a diet.

Proteins produce energy, but protein-rich food won’t magically get your couch potato dog to run around like crazy. Every calorie that’s not burned through activity gets stored as fat. In other words, your pooch will put on weight at the speed of light (1).

Finally, we can’t forget about the health conditions your dog might have. I know firsthand that grain-free food is great for dogs with food intolerance since it usually contains meat and vegetables that are hypoallergenic.

Related: Hypoallergenic Dog Food Australia

Finding Balance

A good diet has to be well-balanced. Extremes on both ends just lead to more health issues. A balanced diet has an optimal energy-to-nutrient ratio. When choosing the right food for your pooch, look for those that feature quality proteins, healthy vegetables, clean carbs, as well as useful ingredients like salmon oil, flaxseed, and different antioxidants.

Decoding The Label

A vague ingredient list looks like a mumbo jumbo to an average dog owner. Most ingredients sound like gibberish to everyone without a chemistry degree, but even those words we know don’t say much. Meal, meat by-products… What’s the catch? Here’s a brief explanation.

Meals

Meals refer to rendered products from meat tissue, but without bones, horns, hair and other content. Meat meals are an end result of turning the meat into powder. This is done through rendering, which is basically cooking meat until all the water evaporates and leaves out a true protein powder (3).

The quality of a meal depends on the quality of meat, obviously. Buying grain-free food from brands that use publicly identified sources is the best way of knowing your dog’s food quality.

Meat By-Products

By-products are leftovers of slaughtered animals, after all the good parts are removed. In other words, everything that would otherwise go to waste. This includes intestines, brains, lungs, heads, feet, spleen etc. Some of these are actually edible, like livers or hearts, but you usually have no idea what exact by-products can be found in specific dog food.

Preservatives

To prolong the “best before” period, manufacturers add different preservatives to food. Some of them use artificial ones, which can also be harmful to a dog’s health. Such preservatives are BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin. All of these are cancerogenic, so avoid foods that use them.

Natural preservatives, on the other hand, don’t have a very long shelf life, but are a healthy addition to the dog’s diet (4). Vitamin E and C, as well as plant extracts such as rosemary oil, are the most common ones.

Related: How Is Australia's Dog Food Industry Regulated?
Related: What is AAFCO? The Association of American Feed Control Officials
Related: What Is the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA)?
Related: AAFCO vs PFIAA: Dog Food Standards Comparison Australia

My Final Verdict

While food without grains can be a healthy option, that doesn’t always have to be the case. It’s not about replacing grains with other ingredients, it’s about striking that perfect balance. And not a lot of grain-free food on the market does that.

In the opinion of the team of independent experts, Ziwi Peak creates a grain-free line that has everything a healthy dog needs. It’s rich in meat protein, fibres, vitamins and antioxidants. It has a high price tag, but you’re paying for quality ingredients. In case Ziwi Peak doesn’t work for your pooch (or it’s too expensive), we also think Ivory Coat is a good alternative.

Want to check out some more dog food guides?

• Australian Dry Dog Food Guide
• Australian Puppy Food Guide
• Australian Cheap Dog Food Guide
• Australian Raw Dog Food Guide
• Australian Low Fat Dog Food Guide

References

1. Gallagher, A. August 20, 2013. “The Dangers of High Protein Dog Foods” PetMD. Retrieved October 31, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/centers/nutrition/evr_dg_dangers_of_high_protein_dog_foods
2. Duclos, J. December 2, 2021. “Understand the pros and cons of grain-free dog food”. Dog’s Best Life. Retrieved October 31, 2023. https://dogsbestlife.com/dog-health/grain-free-dog-food-pros-and-cons/?cn-reloaded=1
3. Reisen, J. November 30, 2020. “How to Read a Dog Food Label”. American Kennel Club. Retrieved October 31, 2023. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/how-to-read-a-dog-food-label/
4. Coates, J. December 7, 2012. “The Pros and Cons of Preservatives in Dog Foods” PetMD. Retrieved October 31, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/blogs/nutritionnuggets/jcoates/2012/dec/natural-artificial-preservatives-in-dog-foods-29523