IGA Dog Foods Review:
The Best & Worst Options
Written By Vedrana Nikolic | Canine Coach, B.A Ethnology & Anthropology, M.A Semiotics.
Edited & Fact Checked By Renae Soppe | B.A Journalism & Science.
Last Updated: 18th January 2024
Ordering groceries from IGA?
While you’re there, don’t forget about your furry friend. The store offers a wide range of food for dogs, so there might be something for your pooch.
However, supermarket dog food brands can be hit or miss, and unfortunately, a good portion falls under the “miss” category.
Related: The Best Dog Food.
Today, we’ll review the dog foods in both categories, so that you know what to try and what to avoid.
Related: How To Choose The Right Dog Food?
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
Related: Understanding Guaranteed Analysis Levels in Dog Food.
Check out our Aussie Supermarket Dog Food Guides:
Related: The Best Supermarket Dog Food.
Related: Woolworths Dog Foods Review: The Best & Worst Options.
Related: Coles Dog Foods Review: The Best & Worst Options.
Related: Aldi Dog Food Review.
Check out our Aussie Pet Store Dog Food Guides:
Related: Pet Barn Dog Foods Review: The Best & Worst Options.
Related: PetO Dog Foods Review: The Best & Worst Options.
Related: Petstock Dog Foods Review: The Best & Worst Options.
The Best IGA Dog Food
#1: Beyond Simply 9 Adult Dog Salmon & Tuna Dry Dog Food
Nutritional Analysis: | |
|---|---|
Protein | 25% |
Fat | 15% |
Fibre | 3% |
Beyond Simply - 3 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Salmon & Tuna; chicken meal; whole barley; oats; rice; poultry oil; pea protein; vitamins, minerals and amino acids; liver flavour.
- Named Protein First: Yes.
- Dog Food Type: Dry dog food
- Recipe Range: Chicken & Whole Barley; Chicken & Egg; Beef, Barley & Free Run Egg Recipe +more.
- Suitable For: All ages depending on the recipe
- Cost: $$
- Australian Owned: No
We are certainly not the biggest fans of Purina, but the Beyond Simply line really is a decent option. As the name suggests, this recipe range uses simple ingredients, but they’re all carefully thought out.
Within the Beyond Simply 9 line, there are only two recipes available: Chicken or Salmon & Tuna. However, it's worth noting that these recipes are quite similar, with the only difference being the first ingredient. Both formulas contain chicken meal as the second ingredient.
Related: Purina Beyond Dog Food Review.
Despite its limitations, we appreciate that the first ingredient in these formulas is a named protein, followed by a second ingredient that also serves as an animal-based protein source (chicken meal). While it may not offer the same nutritional richness as other options, it provides a simple solution to keep your dog content and satisfied.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Cell | |
Cell |
#2: Farmers Market Grain Free Chicken Loaf With Carrots & Peas Wet Dog Food
Nutritional Analysis: | |
|---|---|
Protein | 8% |
Fat | 7.5% |
Fibre | 0.5% |
Farmer's Market - 3 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Meats (chicken, lamb and/or turkey and/or beef and/or pork), Vegetables (peas, carrots, potatoes), Starch, Gelling agents, Flavours, Vitamins & Minerals, Inulin, Oil, Natural colour (caramel).
- Named Protein First: Yes.
- Dog Food Type: Wet dog food
- Recipe Range: Lamb Stew with Vegetables and Brown Rice; Grain-Free Lamb Loaf with Garden Vegetables +more.
- Suitable For: Adult dogs
- Cost: $$
- Australian Owned: Yes.
The first ingredient of this recipe is meat, and although it may include different animal proteins, they’re all sourced from trusted farmers right here in Australia. What’s more, thanks to the fact that the brand is a member of PFIAA, you can rest assured this product is compliant with Australian pet food standards.
Related: Farmers Market Dog Food Review.
This recipe is rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6, both of which help in maintaining healthy skin and coat. It also contains calcium and phosphorous, minerals that are necessary for healthy teeth, bones, and metabolism. Inulin is icing on the cake, contributing to digestive health.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Cell | |
Cell |
#3: Nature's Gift Deli Roll Lamb Carrot Peas Puppy
Nutritional Analysis: | |
|---|---|
Protein | 10% |
Fat | 8% |
Nature's Gift - 2.5 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Fresh Chicken, Lamb & Salmon, Vegetables (Carrots & Peas), Pork Trim, Wheat Bran, Natural Flavours, Natural Gels, Canola Oil (a source of Omega 3), Essential Vitamins & Minerals, DHA Gold (Omega 3 supplement) Inulin, Natural colour, Antioxidant, Garlic oil.
- Named Protein First: Yes.
- Dog Food Type: Semi-moist
- Recipe Range: Kangaroo, Sweet potato & Peas; Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables; Beef, Potato, Carrots & Peas + more.
- Suitable For: All ages depending on the recipe
- Cost: $$
- Australian Owned: Yes.
While kibble recipes by Nature’s Gift might not be that great, we like the rolls. Especially this one made for puppies, containing a mix of fresh meat and veggies. It contains canola oil and DHA gold, both of which are great sources of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Related: Nature's Gift Dog Food Review.
Aside from typical goodies, we really like the addition of wheat bran, which is great for a dog’s digestive system. Not only is it a great source of dietary fibre, but also protein, iron, fatty acids and B vitamins, all of which are essential for a dog’s good health.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Cell | |
Cell | |
Cell |
IGA Dog Food to Avoid
#1: Crave Dry Dog Food Chicken & Salmon
Nutritional Analysis: | |
|---|---|
Protein | 36% |
Fat | 17% |
Fibre | 3.5% |
Crave - 2 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Meat from Poultry (including Chicken) & Fish (including Salmon); Vegetables and Vegetable Extracts; Chicken Fat; Natural Flavours (made with real Chicken); Beet Pulp; Vitamins and Minerals; Antioxidants; Vegetable Oil.
- Named Protein First: Yes.
- Dog Food Type: Dry dog food
- Recipe Range: Chicken; Beef; White Fish & Salmon.
- Suitable For: Adult dogs
- Cost: $$$
- Australian Owned: No
The main issue we have with Crave dog food is that it’s so vague. We know there’s poultry and fish in the recipe, and that chicken and salmon are included. But whether there are more protein sources, and which, we don’t know.
Related: Crave Dog Food Review.
The same goes for the generic entry “vegetable and vegetable extracts.” While green peas are drawn on the packaging, there’s absolutely no way of knowing whether they’re actually in the recipe.
Finally, a minimum of 36% protein may be good for working dogs. But for moderately active pooches, that’s way too much and can lead to obesity.
#2: Chum Crunchy Beef Bone & Vegetable
Nutritional Analysis: | |
|---|---|
Protein | 15% |
Fat | 10% |
Chum Crunchy Beef Bone & Vegetable - 1 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Cereal and cereal by-products (wheat, sorghum &/or barley), meat and meat by-products (beef, chicken &/or lamb), salt, vegetables, minerals (including potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, and phosphorous), vitamins (including A, B6, B12, D3, E, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid and choline), methionine and antioxidants.
- Named Protein First: No
- Dog Food Type: Wet and dry dog food
- Recipe Range: Dry: Chicken Beef and Vegetable; Wet: Lamb; Chicken; Three Kinds of Meat +more.
- Suitable For: Adult dogs
- Cost: $
- Australian Owned: No
There are so many wrong things to point out about this recipe. First, cereals are the number one ingredient. And while wheat, sorghum and barley aren’t generally bad additions to dog food, they should never be the main thing.
Related: Chum Dog Food Review.
Second on the ingredient list are meat and meat by-products, which are also very vaguely stated. Plus, given that the recipe has a 15% total of protein, we can safely assume there’s not a lot of meat in it. Not just that, but such a low protein content is not even meeting the AAFCO standard for complete adult dog food.
My Final Thoughts
IGA Shop may not be the first store that comes to mind when buying dog food, but it does offer some good options for your pooch. But for the most part, dog food sold in this shop doesn’t offer a balanced nutrition for your canine companion, and shouldn’t be the basis of your dog’s diet.
However, if you are in a pinch and need to pick up some dog food whilst in IGA, the Beyond Simply line would be your best option.
