More than ever, Australia’s furry friend population is far from just ‘the family pet’ – they’re the fur children in our lives. So when it comes to their overall health and nutrition, finding the best food for your beloved pup can be a challenge.
How to choose the best dog food in Australia
You may have heard of brands such as Royal Canin dog food, Hill’s, Advance dog food, Black Hawk, scratch dog food…the list goes on. With an abundance of brands on the market, and varying opinions as to what type of food your dog needs – dry, cooked, raw, canned – how do you know what’s the best dog food available in Australia?
We’re here to help explain the options to help you make an informed decision.
Let’s review the types of dog food available:
Depending on your dog’s breed, age and overall nutritional needs, there are four main types of food on offer.
1. Dry food, otherwise known as ‘kibble’
Kibble has long been the staple of a dog’s diet. A highly convenient option, offering a reasonable shelf life, it also has benefits when it comes to dogs dental health.
Because it’s dry and coarse, it helps reduce plaque build-up and encourage healthy gums.
Kibble is great to buy in bulk and draw down over time, sprinkling your dog’s bowl with their necessary amount each day to help add some crunch to their meal time.
The ingredients in kibble vary between brands, but all are required to meet AAFCO standards which help ensure a balanced diet for your fur friend.
2. Raw dog food
Raw dog food is commonly marketed as being a healthy option because of the lack of processing required to deliver it to the dinner bowl. Raw dog food is seen as highly compatible with a dog’s nutritional needs because of their biological programming – dogs have evolved to love the taste and texture of raw food.
It’s important to note, however, that a diet of raw food should be carefully planned and handled to ensure:
- There’s a balance of ingredients a canine requires. Consider raw dog food backed by a dog nutritionist who knows exactly what vitamins, minerals and levels of dietary fibre are essential for your furry friend.
- The food is handled properly, to reduce any potential for contamination. Also, raw food isn’t encouraged in a household with immunocompromised residents.
3. Cooked / lightly cooked dog food
As we continue to treat our pets like children, the best dog food is arguably the most similar to the dishes served up in the western world – considered fit for human consumption.
Cooked (or lightly cooked) dog food has emerged over recent years as the premium option for our beloved fur babies.
Skyrocketing in popularity, many Australian brands such as Lyka dog food offer a selection of flavours that are made with only human-grade meat and dog-friendly vegetables. Sourced from only wild-caught, grass-fed and free-roam animals, your fur friend is ingesting the most natural ingredients available.
4. Canned dog food
Canned and pouch portioned dog food is a highly convenient option, can be purchased in bulk, and is helpful for keeping track of how much you dish out!
Trusted brands like Royal Canin offer ‘veterinary diet’ canned food that’s carefully formulated to assist with the treatment or management of certain dietary conditions.
Depending on your dog’s breed and dietary requirements (as recommended by your veterinarian), the beauty of advanced pet food companies such as Royal Canin and Hill’s means managing your dog’s diabetes, allergies, liver, kidney, urinary, skin and gastrointestinal conditions is easier than ever before!
If you’re looking for dog food backed by veterinary recommendations, Pet Chemist stock the most trusted, reputable, affordable, and convenient brands.
So what brands are considered the ‘best dog food in Australia’?
When it comes to kibble, the Dinner Bowl range has won the 2022 Best Product Review best dog food award, making it one of the most sought-after pet foods on the market. Its unique natural ingredients blend provides a balanced and nutritious diet for your beloved furry friends.
If you’re looking for ‘wet’ dog food backed by veterinary recommendations, Pet Chemist stock the most trusted, reputable, affordable, and convenient brands.
For example, Royal Canin offers tailored nutritional solutions for dogs at every stage of their life or for specific health conditions, while Ivory Coat dog food offers all-Australian natural protein-packed ingredients with healthy-digestion prebiotics.
Also stocked at Pet Chemist is Hill’s Veterinary Diet and Science Diet. Hill’s Veterinary Diet has specially formulated meals to help manage conditions such as diabetes, mobility issues, as well as helping with more specific issues such as kidney function. At the same time, Hill’s Science Diet utilises high protein and fibre content plus L-carnitine and coconut oil to stimulate metabolism for a healthy weight. Before starting any food you should always consult your vet as some foods may not be suitable for your dog.
When shopping online at Pet Chemist, we provide all the facts you need to make an informed choice, from a comprehensive ingredients list to sourcing information, nutritional analysis, feeding guide, and customer reviews.
What best dog food brands do we stock?
With so many quality dog foods available, choosing the right one for your pup can be challenging. No matter your dog’s dietary needs, we have the right products. Below are some of our most popular:
Royal Canin Dog Food
Royal Canin provides nutritionally balanced wet and dry food options for dogs of all ages. The puppy pouches contain yummy chunks of meat, which have a soft texture for easy consumption, plus the optimum levels of calcium, phosphorus, antioxidants, and prebiotics to aid in healthy development. At the other end of the spectrum, the ageing food range supports older dogs, helping maintain optimal renal function and coat condition.
Royal Canin doesn’t only provide age-appropriate meals, it also helps dogs with a number of health conditions, including skin irritation, digestive problems, weight support, dental care, and anxiety. In addition, Royal Canin provides optimal food combinations for your dog breed based on their unique nutritional needs.
ZIWI Peak Dog Food
ZIWI Peak offers an extensive range of high-protein meals to mimic your dog’s natural diet as closely as possible while supporting food sensitivities. Their PeakPrey ratios feature unique mixes of raw meat, bone, and organs to match the biological needs of your dog. Plus, ultra-low carbohydrate ratios minimise food sensitivities, obesity, and diabetes. Flavours include chicken, beef, lamb, venison, and mackerel, so it’s easy to find a taste your dog will enjoy.
The high-quality meats contained in ZIWI products come from the expansive farmlands and pristine oceans of New Zealand. These animals are 100% free range and grass-fed, while seafoods are wild caught; plus, there are no added hormones or antibiotics. And it’s these practices that make ZIWI Peak dog food ethical and sustainable.
Ivory Coat Dog Food
Ivory Coat offers natural foods crafted from Australian-sourced protein plus a blend of superfoods to encourage optimum health in your dog. This grain-free food range avoids wheat, soy, corn, and meat by-products; plus, no colours, flavours, or preservatives are added to your dog’s food. Salmon oil and flaxseed offer Omega oils, while superfoods – such as kale, broccoli, and spinach – provide antioxidants to benefit dogs of all ages.
Fresh Australian proteins make these meals an excellent energy source, plus a natural prebiotic and fibre to support healthy digestion. Their wide range of flavours includes chicken, turkey, salmon, duck, sardine, and kangaroo.
Dinner Bowl
Dinner Bowl is the perfect solution for pet Owners who want to provide their dogs with nutritious and delicious kibble without breaking the bank. Packed with the best ingredients for canines, Dinner Bowl kibble is world-class, AAFCO complete, and rich in superfoods your dog needs to stay healthy.
Available in a range of different flavours so your pup won’t get bored constantly eating the same thing. And, for extra convenience and cost-saving, if you order Dinner Bowl via our Autoship service, you save 20% off the price!
What is Autoship, you ask?
Autoship is an automatic shipment program that unlocks discounts on thousands of products. It saves customers time and money by automatically ordering the items they need regularly. With Autoship, you choose the frequency of orders and customise them to include different products each time. This makes Autoship an incredibly convenient way for you to get what you need without worrying about ordering it manually every time.
Autoship is a great way to save time and money when shopping for products. With Autoship, you can save up to 20% on your purchases and enjoy having your products delivered straight to your door. Autoship is the perfect solution for anyone who wants to save time and money while still enjoying the convenience of shopping online.
