The Best Dry Dog Food in Australia 

Dry dog food is undoubtedly good for your doggy’s dental health and serves as a tasty treat for them. Wondering which which ones are the best? Dive into this blog to find the best dry dog food in Australia, including choices for overall, sensitive skin, and puppy-friendly options.

Key criteria for choosing the best dry dog food in Australia 

When picking dry dog food, check out the important things mentioned below. We’ve used these ourselves to find our top choices, so you should too.

Quality proteins & fat

First and foremost, check the percentage of proteins on the dog food packaging – a good range is typically around 20-30%. Look for high-quality protein sources like real meat, poultry, or fish.

Also, opt for named animal fats and avoid low-quality ones like soybean oil and vegetable oils.

Your dog’s special needs

If your dog has sensitivities or allergies, opt for hypoallergenic formulas. You may want to try single-protein diets that focus only on one source of protein (preferably novel proteins), such as those from duck or lamb. 

Or, if you’re dog shows intolerance towards grains like corn and wheat, opt for grain-free dry dog food. Grain-free options replace traditional grains with alternative sources like sweet potato or peas.

Tried and tested nutrition

Look for dog food that explicitly mentions compliance with AAFCO standards. This ensures that the formulation has undergone rigorous testing and meets the essential nutritional requirements outlined by experts.

No unnecessary ingredients

The best dry dog food should be straightforward, focusing on essential nutrients and free from unnecessary extras. Unnecessary ingredients can include artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives that serve little nutritional purpose and might even pose risks to your dog’s health. 

Your dog’s life stage

Puppies, adults, and seniors have different nutritional needs. For instance, puppies need more protein, fats and vitamins to support rapid growth while adult or senior dogs may require fewer calories to maintain a healthy weight.

Check the label and packaging and you can easily identify the life stage for which the dry dog food is intended. 

Best dry dog food in Australia: Highest ranked

Advance – Active (Chicken with rice)

✓ Nutrient-dense and easy to digest

✓ Best for high-activity dogs

✓ Suitable for pregnant or lactating dogs

Advance Active is a great pick for active dogs, as endorsed by top breeders and professional dog groups. 

It’s good for keeping your energetic dogs at a healthy weight and giving them lasting energy throughout their day. Plus, it has freeze dried green lipped mussel powder to keep their joints strong. 

Made primarily with chicken, it’s full of good protein to help dogs of all breeds and sizes build and repair muscles.

Here’s more information about this Australian-made dog food:

Ingredients

Chicken Meal, Rice, Maize Gluten, Sorghum, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavour (Chicken), Turkey Meal, Dried Beet Pulp, Sunflower Oil, Vitamins and Minerals, Salt, Inulin, Green Lipped Mussel Powder, Antioxidants, Amino Acids (incl. Methionine)

Nutritional composition

	Per 100 g	Per 1000 kcal
Protein, crude	31.0 %	79.5 g
Fat, crude	19 %	48.7 g
Moisture	8.5 %	21.8 g
Ash	9.0 %	22.8 g
Calcium	50 IU	128 IU
Phosphorus	9.0 mg	23 mg
DHA (min.)	1.3 g	3.2 g
Choline (min.)	0.10 g	0.25 mg
Vitamin E (min.)	1.3 g	3.2 g
Zinc (min.)	2 mg	5.1 mg
Linoleic Acid (min.)	5 mg	12.5 mg

Average Metabolisable Energy 390 kcals/100 g.

Black Hawk – Grain Free (Kangaroo)

✓ High in meat protein 

✓ Supports digestive health

✓ Supports healthy immunity

Black Hawk’s Grain-Free formula featuring Kangaroo is a quality diet that goes beyond traditional grain-based dry dog food options. 

The main ingredient is Australian Kangaroo, making up 56% of the protein content. This helps your dog’s muscles grow stronger and provides essential nutrients like iron and zinc.

It also prioritises digestive health by using sweet potatoes instead of grains. The addition of hickory root serves as a natural prebiotic, making your pet’s gut healthier.

Natural antioxidants from blueberries and cranberries present in this dry dog food boost your dog’s overall immune health, making them less prone to illnesses

Here’s more information about this dog food:

Ingredients

Kangaroo Meal, Chicken Meal, Peas, Tapioca, Chicken Fat (naturally preserved with Rosemary Extract, Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Potato, Sweet Potato, Fish Meal, Chicken Gravy, Sugar Beet Pulp, Essential Vitamins and Minerals, Salmon Oil, Sunflower Oil, Chicory Root, Di-Calcium Phosphate, Alfalfa, Salt, Egg, Apple, Brewers Yeast, Pumpkin Seeds, Natural Antioxidants, Coconut Oil, Yoghurt Powder, Emu Oil, Blueberries, Cranberries, Dandelion Tea, Parsley, Peppermint Tea, Rosemary Extract, Chondroitin, Glucosamine, Carrots, Yucca Schidigera, Spinach, Kelp, Tomato, Beta Carotene.

Nutritional composition

Protein (min) 28%

Fat (min)18%

Fibre (max) 3%

Ash (max) 10%

Calcium – Ca (max) 2.5%

Phosphorus – P (max) 1.4%

Moisture (max) 10%

Metabolisable energy3,700 Kcal/kg

LifeWise – Grain Free (Turkey)

✓ Suited for athletic dogs, police dogs and rescue dogs

✓ Eases digestion for stress-prone dogs

✓ Promotes intestinal health

This premium dog food is a concentrated, high-profile diet made to give a lot of nutrition in small servings. That’s why it’s perfect for dogs with a high workload, such as athletic dogs, police dogs and rescue dogs.

Packed with 30% protein and 20% fat, LifeWise Chicken with Turkey provides essential nutrients for muscle development and overall well-being.

To make sure your dog absorbs those nutrients, this dry dog food is created with high digestibility levels and special nutrient ratios. Adding kelp, yeast extracts, and Yucca schidigera extract further supports good intestinal health, ensuring they can absorb and use the nutrients effectively.

See more information about this dry dog food below:

Ingredients

Turkey, poultry oil, lamb, sweet potato, egg, lentils, field peas, chickpeas, sweet lupins, tapioca, carrots, spinach, parsley, kelp, yeast extract, vitamins A, C, D3, E, K, B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, pantothenate, folacin, biotin and natural organic acids, plus added minerals calcium, phosphorus, sodium, copper, zinc, iron, manganese and iodine. Also contains natural flavours, Yucca schidigera extract and is preserved with natural vitamin E and rosemary oil.

Nutritional composition

Min Crude Protein 32%

Min Crude Fat 22%

Max Crude Fibre 4%

Typical Ash 7.5%

Calcium 1.5%

Phosphorus 1.0%

Best dry dog food for skin allergies

Advance – Sensitive Skin & Digestion (Salmon with rice)

✓ Quality protein from salmon

✓ Helps with skin irritation

✓ Suitable for all breeds and sizes

Advance Sensitive Skin & Digestion, featuring Salmon with Rice, is designed specifically for reducing your dog’s skin irritation. It’s enriched with Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, along with zinc, which gives your dog a healthy and shining coat.

It also helps with intolerances as it is free from common allergens like wheat and whole corn. With the addition of natural colostrum, your dog will have fewer digestive upsets. The inclusion of prebiotic fibres promotes a balanced gut microbiome, helping improve stool quality and minimising stool odour.

More information about this Australian-made dry dog food is provided below:

Ingredients

Salmon Meal, Rice, Sorghum, Rice Flour, Maize Gluten, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavour (Chicken), Dried Beet Pulp, Vitamins and Minerals, Salt, Sunflower Oil, Inulin, Antioxidants, Amino Acids (incl. Methionine), Colostrum.

Nutritional composition

	Per 100 g	Per 1000 kcal
Protein, crude	25.0 %	67.5 g
Fat, crude	15.0 %	40.5 g
Moisture	8.5 %	22.9 g
Ash	6.5 %	17.5 g
Vitamin E (min.)	50 IU	135 IU
Omega 3 (min.)	0.25 g	0.67 g

Average Metabolisable Energy 370 kcals/100 g.

Black Hawk – Healthy Benefits – Sensitive Skin & Gut

✓ Hydrolysed chicken protein for better nutrient absorption

✓ Improves skin and coat 

✓ Suited for dogs with diarrhoea

Black Hawk’s Healthy Benefits for Sensitive Skin & Gut features hydrolysed chicken protein – protein broken down into much smaller part – that makes it easier for your furry friend to digest and absorb essential amino acids.

The addition of probiotics and prebiotics helps maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, while a unique blend of grain-free carbohydrates and fibres caters to specific dietary requirements.

It’s enriched with fish oil, a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, that further makes your dog’s skin healthier and coat shinier. 

Further details about this dry dog food are listed below:

Ingredients

Chicken (meal & fresh), field peas, chickpeas, faba beans, chicken fat (preserved with natural antioxidants), sweet potato, pea starch, natural chicken flavour, beet pulp, hydrolysed chicken, essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, fish oil, carrot fibre, dried yeast extracts, sea kelp, probiotics, fish oil, carrot fibre, dried yeast extracts, sea kelp, probiotics (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis), tomato, zinc proteinate, algae β-glucan, coconut oil, emu oil, D-glucosamine, selenium yeast, Yucca schidigera extract, blueberries, carrots, cranberries, peppermint, pumpkin seeds, dandelion and rosemary.

Nutritional composition

Crude Protein (min) 28%

Fat (min) 17%

Crude Fibre (max) 6%

Moisture (max) 10%

Calcium – Ca (min) 0.9%

Phosphorus – P (min) 0.7%

Calorie Content (calculated) 3,700 kcal ME/kg

Prime100 – SPD Air Dried Duck & Sweet Potato

✓ Hypoallergenic diet

✓ High-quality protein from Australian duck

✓ Air-dried for nutrient and flavour retention

Made with care, this formula is 100% hypoallergenic dog food, perfect for dogs with sensitivities or allergies. It’s a single protein diet focused on Australian duck which contains essential amino acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, calcium, and fatty acids

The gentle air-drying process keeps all the important nutrients locked in and makes it taste and smell great for your dog. 

Plus, it includes fresh sweet potato, which helps with digestion and bowel movements. It’s also high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that keeps your dog’s heart healthy.

More information about this dry dog food:

Ingredients

Australian Duck (whole meat & selected organs), sweet potato, carrot, potato, vitamins & minerals, apple fibre, functional oils (sunflower, algae, flaxseed, evening primrose), salt, buffered vinegar, natural antioxidants, parsley, postbiotics, chicory root extract, Algimun®, taurine, chondroitin, glucosamine.

Nutritional composition

Crude Protein 36% (min)

Crude Fat 30.5% (min)

Crude Fibre 4% (max)

Moisture 7% (min)

Typical ME: 470 kcal/100g

Best dry dog food for puppies

Black Hawk – Puppy (Grain Free Ocean Fish)

✓ Protein source from healthy wild-caught ocean fish

✓ Supports brain development

✓ Promotes gut health

With wild-caught ocean fish as a main ingredient, Black Hawk Puppy is packed with a high-quality protein for strong muscles and healthy bones.

The omega-3 fatty acids in fish support brain development, while emu oil keeps your puppy’s skin healthy and coat shiny.

For a strong immune system, the natural antioxidants from blueberries and cranberries provide extra defence. Plus, chicory root is included for better gut health, altogether making Black Hawk a complete formula for your pup.

More information about this dog food below:

Ingredients

Fish Meal, Field Peas, Beef Fat, Tapioca, Potato, Sweet Potato, Beet Pulp, Beef Digest, Essential Vitamins & Minerals, Canola Oil, Chicory Root, Fish Oil, Sunflower Oil, Salt, Alfalfa, Apple, Coconut Oil, Carrot, Brewer’s Yeast, Natural Antioxidants, Pumpkin Seed, Glucosamine HCl, Yucca schidigera, Spinach, Dried Kelp, Tomato Powder, Yoghurt Powder, Emu Oil, Chondroitin Sulphate, Blueberries, Cranberries, Dandelion, Peppermint, Rosemary.

Nutritional composition

Crude Protein (min) 27%

Crude Fat (min) 17% 

Crude Fibre (max) 4.5%

Moisture (max) 10%

Ash (max) 10%

Calcium – Ca (max) 2.5%

Phosphorus – P (max)1.4% 

Calorie Content (calculated) 3640 kcal ME/kg

Hill’s Science Diet – Puppy (Chicken & Brown Rice) 

✓ Balanced minerals for strong bones and teeth

✓ Boosts immune system

✓ Promotes brain and eye development

With DHA from fish oil, it supports healthy brain and eye development which is crucial for your puppy’s early life stage. The inclusion of high-quality protein also aids in building lean muscles, while balanced minerals contribute to the development of strong bones and teeth.

A breakthrough blend of prebiotic fibers promotes a healthy gut microbiome and supports the digestive system.

Additionally, the formula includes Vitamin E and omega-6 to promote healthy skin and a shiny coat. It also includes an antioxidant blend of Vitamin C & E, ensuring they have a strong foundation for a happy and active life.

More information on this dry puppy food below:

Ingredients

Chicken, Brown Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Whole Grain Corn, Whole Grain Oats, Pea Protein, Soybean Meal, Hydrolysed Chicken Flavor, Ground Pecan Shells, Dicalcium Phosphate, Lactic Acid, Pork Liver Flavor, Soybean Oil, Iodized Salt, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Citrus Pulp, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, Pressed Cranberries, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), L-Threonine, DL-Methionine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, L-Tryptophan, Beta-Carotene.

Nutritional composition

Nutrient	Dry matter %
Protein	27.8 %
Fat	19 %
Carbohydrate / NFE	42.4 %
Crude Fiber	2.5 %
Calcium	1.54 %
Phosphorus	1.26 %
Potassium	0.9 %
Sodium	0.5 %
Magnesium	0.136 %
Vitamin C	192 ppm
Vitamin E	564 IU/kg
DHA	0.062 %
Total Omega-3 FA	0.62 %
Total Omega-6 FA	4.11 %

3747 kcal/kg (393 kcal/cup)

Stay Loyal – Large Breed Puppy (Grain Free)

✓ Balanced minerals for strong bones and teeth

✓ Boosts immune system

✓ Promotes brain and eye development

Stay Loyal’s Large Breed Puppy formula is 100% grain-free, making it gentle and easy for puppies with troubles digesting grains like corn, wheat and soy.

With the inclusion of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), this dry dog food is sure to improve your pup’s brain and vision. It includes prebiotics and probiotics, for healthier digestion and maximum nutrient absorption.

Calcium and phosphorus are also included to promote proper bone growth, providing a solid foundation for your large-breed puppy. 

More information below:

Ingredients

Salmon Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potato, Potato, Tapioca, Green Peas, Green Beans, Chicken Fat, Green Lentils, Natural Chicken Flavour, Canola Oil, Fruits and vegetables (apples, broccoli, blueberries, carrots, kale, spinach, tomato), Vitamins (A, D, E, C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12), Trace Minerals (iron, copper, manganese, zinc, selenium), Chicory Root, Prebiotic (fructo-oligosaccharide), Yucca shidigera, Choline Chloride, Potassium chloride, Turmeric, Mixed Tocopherols

Nutritional Content

Protein 25% (Min)

Fat 12-13%

Fibre 5% (Max)

Moisture 10% (Max)

Calcium 1.10-1.30%

Phosphorus 0.70-0.90%

Vitamin E 400IU/kg (Min)

Omega 6 2.0% (Min)

Omega 3 0.40% (Min)

DHA 0.10% (Min)

Vitamin C 100mg/kg (Min)