Is your doggy getting enough nutrients from their food? If you’re still pondering, ‘What is the best dog food in Australia?’, check out this guide for our top brand recommendations!
Give the best for your furry friend and keep them healthy and happily wagging their tails!
Best dog food brands we recommend
From among the many options to choose from, we find the following to be the best-est of the best premium dog food for your furry friend (and by the way, they’re all proudly Australian made!).
| Dry dog food |  Black Hawk Original |
| Wet dog food |  Advance Wet Dog Food |
| Grain free dog food |  Stay Loyal (Grain Free) |
| Dog food for puppies |  Black Hawk Puppy Original |
| Dog food for seniors |  Advance Adult Dog Healthy Ageing |
What to look for in Australian dog food
Before you dive into what we have to say about our top picks, know first what factors we considered when creating our list of the best Australian-made dog food.
- Safe and high-quality
We prioritised quality and safety by checking if the dog food meets international standards. We want to make sure your dog gets the necessary nutrients – carbs, proteins (vital for canines!), fats, minerals, vitamins, fibre and so on.
- No artificial flavours or preservatives
Our aim is to provide your dog with a natural diet, free from any unnecessary additives. While anecdotal evidence states that additives are harmless, it’s better to be safe than sorry and skip anything their bodies don’t really need.
- Made locally
We prefer Australian-made dog food. Why? Because we value the strict manufacturing rules and high-quality standards that come with it. This way, you’re confident knowing that your dog’s food is made with their health and well-being in mind.
As a responsible dog owner, your furry friend’s health and preference should be key considerations when choosing the best dog food. Choose one that aligns with their taste and factor in any recommendations from the vet.
We’ve provided a list below as a buying guide, but we suggest checking these factors yourself (seeing is believing, after all) when selecting from the various dog food brands in Australia.
Our best dog food picks
Best dry dog food
✓ Protein from quality animal meats for stronger muscles
✓ Easily digestible for dogs with sensitive stomachs
✓ Specially crafted kibbles to suit different breed sizes
This premium dog food contains muscle-building proteins proven to help your adult dog get leaner muscles and be active throughout the day. You can choose from a variety of mouth-watering flavours, namely:
- Lamb & Rice
- Chicken & Rice
- Fish & Potato
For a protein-packed choice, we recommend getting the Lamb & Rice with a solid 25% protein content.
Unlike other commercial dog food, Black Hawk Original is all natural – no artificial preservatives. Specially crafted kibble sizes are available to suit all breed sizes – from small to large breeds.
Plus, the natural prebiotics and easily-digestible carbs support your dog’s digestive health – which means less stomach issues and less accidents to clean up! And that seals it as one of the best dry dog food in Australia.
Best wet dog food
✓ Gives your dog a healthier and shinier coat – no more flakiness
✓ More flavours to choose from compared to other brands
✓ Offers selections created exclusively for your dog’s breed
Nothing beats wet dog food when it comes to extra hydration. But with Advance, it’s not just about that – it’s about adding that extra shine in your dog’s fur. The magic combo of Omega 6 and zinc works wonders, and that’s why so many pet owners keep choosing it.
But what makes Advance stand out is their dedication to crafting wet food that suits your dog’s breed, whether it’s terriers, poodles, shepherds or retrievers. They make these thoughtful “adaptations” – tweaking ingredients and kibble sizes – to meet the needs of each breed and make sure your furry friend stays happy and healthy!
You can choose from a variety of aromatic options, including:
- Chicken & turkey with rice
- Chicken & salmon with rice
- Chicken casserole
Best grain free dog food
✓ Easy digestion for dogs with upset tummies
✓ Three-meat variety to make your dog’s meals extra flavourful
✓ Helps with conditions like joint problems, skin irritation and wound infections
Stay Loyal is one of the best Australian made dog food in the market and it’s clear why. This quality dog food packs a three-meat mix, making your dog’s meals not only protein-rich but also tastier than the average dog food.
With an impressive 32% protein and a fat range of 16-18%, you can choose from two flavours:
- Chicken, lamb & fish
- Salmon, turkey & pork
What really stands out is the extra touch of turmeric – something you won’t often find in other dog food. It’s loaded with antioxidants that bring a bunch of health perks, like supporting joints, keeping the heart happy, boosting immunity, and just promoting your dog’s overall well-being.
Best dog food for puppies
✓ Right-sized kibbles for pups to exercise their teeth and gums
✓ Supports brain growth and development
✓ Tasty flavours to boost appetite and promote muscle and bone growth
Black Hawk Puppy Original suits your pup’s tiny mouths perfectly. The kibble is just the right size, ideal for teething and promotes proper chewing.
While that’s already good for your pup’s digestion, the added sweet potato ingredient also promotes intestinal health, ensuring your pup stays tummy-ache-free.
Especially for the young ones, the brain is an important organ to nurture, and Black Hawk premium dog food steps up to the task with omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil.
Whether your furry friend is of small or large breed, you have options to pick one that caters to their nutritional needs. Explore flavours such as:
- Lamb & Rice
- Chicken & Rice
- Ocean fish
Best dog food for senior dogs
Advance Adult Dog Healthy Ageing
✓ Keeps your dog sharp and active by supporting brain function
✓ Strengthens joints for daily adventures and activities
✓ Slows down cellular damage to prevent sensory issues and mobility problems
Advance Healthy Ageing is the choice to keep your dog feeling youthful and full of life. This premium dog food is rich in essential nutrients suitable for your ageing dog.
Omega 3 DHA and choline are there to support your dog’s brain function, helping them stay sharp. And when it comes to your old pal’s joints, the chondroitin and glucosamine found in freeze-dried green-lipped mussel powder help keep them strong.
With old age, your dog becomes more susceptible to free radicals. Thanks to vitamin E, your dog has an extra layer of protection, guarding against various issues from sensory, to mobility and so on.
And if your dog faces chewing and digestive concerns, you can choose the wet dog food alternative – it’s just as nutritious as the dry one!
Tips for choosing the best dry dog food in Australia
Don’t choose the cheapest one
Saving money matters. But with super cheap dog food, you’re paying more than just dollars – it’s your dog’s health and the joy of spending quality time together that’s at stake.
So, put a little more to make sure your pet gets the nutrition they deserve. Trust us, you’ll save more in the long run compared to making frequent trips to the vet.
Consider your dog’s life stage
Pups, adults, or in their golden years have different nutritional needs and preferences. Think about kibble sizes too – smaller for pups, larger for adults.
More importantly, focus on their nutrition. Puppies need extra protein and fat for growth, while older dogs benefit from lower calories and higher-quality protein for maintaining healthy muscles.
Premium dry dog food brands like Advance offer options for different life stages, so pick the one that suits your best friend’s age and needs.
Look for brands that comply with quality standards
Look for labels like, ‘formulated to meet nutritional levels…’ or ‘complete and balanced…’ and mention the international standards AAFCO (Association of American Food Controls Officials). This will tell you that the dog food has the essential nutrients your pet needs.
Proven and tested
Don’t just take our word for it – do some digging yourself. While we’ve done our own thorough research, your own investigation matters too. Look into customer reviews to get an idea of the brand and see if other dogs enjoy it as much as we think they do. Explore reviews on the product page to hear directly from fellow pet owners.
We’re more than just a pet store…
At Pawmart, we value your pets just as much as we do the pet owner – that’s YOU!
We love learning about the world of pets and we’re dedicated to sharing them with you – from practical insights and quick tips – just like we did in our quick guide on how to stop a dog from eating poop.
Stick around ‘cause there’s a lot more free stuff coming your way!