Best Dog Food in Australia (2025 Buyer’s Guide from a Real Pet Store)
Last updated: Feb 2026 (brand ranges, availability & prices may change over time)
Choosing the right dog food in Australia in 2025 can feel overwhelming. With so many formats—kibble, grain-free, air-dried, freeze-dried, fresh rolls, raw—it's natural to ask: “What is the best dog food for my dog right now?”
Quick Picks (Fast Answer)
Tap to jump to the brand section, or shop the range directly:
- Everyday natural dry: Black Hawk (jump) | Shop — value + wide life-stage range
- Sensitive gut & skin support: LifeWise (jump) | Shop — digestibility + functional nutrition focus
- Allergies / elimination diet: Prime100 SPD (jump) | Shop — single-protein + multiple textures
- Balanced BARF raw patties: Big Dog (jump) | Shop — convenience + range depth
- High-meat “clean” raw: Proudi (jump) | Shop — human-grade, minimal fillers
Quick rule: if your dog has chronic itch, ear issues or inconsistent stools, keep the diet consistent for 3–4 weeks before changing multiple variables.
Top 10 Picks by Scenario (Australia 2025)
Use this to shortlist quickly, then scroll down for the “why”.
| Scenario | Best Starting Pick | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday dry (best overall value) | Black Hawk | Meat-first, balanced formulas, strong value across life stages. |
| Sensitive gut / inconsistent stools | LifeWise | Digestibility-focused recipes with functional nutrition approach. |
| Itchy skin / food allergies | Prime100 SPD | Single-protein approach helps reduce variables in diet trials. |
| Raw feeding (balanced patties) | Big Dog | BARF patties designed to be complete & convenient for raw feeding. |
| Raw feeding (minimal fillers / high meat) | Proudi | High meat inclusion + human-grade positioning; simple ingredient approach. |
| Fussy eater (boost palatability) | Air-dried / freeze-dried topper & meal | More aroma + meat density can improve appetite without changing the whole base. |
| Grain-free preference | Quality grain-free | Only “better” if your dog does best on it; ingredient quality still matters. |
| Puppy (general) | Puppy / all life stages formulas | Choose “complete & balanced” for growth and feed by body condition. |
| Large-breed puppy (joint support) | Large-breed growth formula | Controlled growth + appropriate minerals helps protect developing joints. |
| Melbourne convenience (heavy bags / cold chain) | Shop local delivery / Click & Collect | Practical advantages for heavy bags, fresh rolls and frozen raw. |
In this guide we’ll walk through:
- How to recognise a high-quality dog food
- The main dog food types in Australia & their pros and cons
- Best dog food brands by category (everyday dry, premium, sensitive skin/gut, raw, puppy)
- How to match food to your dog’s age, size, health and lifestyle
- Feeding tips, transition advice, and FAQs
We write from the perspective of an independent Melbourne pet store that sees what real dogs eat, what gets ordered again and again, and which formulas genuinely help with itchy skin, tummy troubles and fussy appetites.
Dog Food Brands Comparison — Australia 2025
A quick comparison to help you shortlist before diving into the details:
| Brand | Food Type | Protein Style | Best For | Key Highlights | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Hawk | Dry, Wet, Air-dried (Original, High-Meat & Grain-Free) | Meat-first, mixed proteins | Everyday feeding, multi-dog households | Australian-made, natural ingredients, strong value | $$–$$$ |
| LifeWise | Dry (Grain-inclusive & Grain-Free) | Named proteins, functional nutrition | Sensitive gut, skin/coat support | Digestibility focus, functional nutrition approach | $$–$$$ |
| Prime100 | Single Protein Wet, Rolls, Air-Dried | Single protein / novel proteins | Allergies, elimination diets | SPD positioning, texture options | $$–$$$ |
| Ivory Coat | Grain-Free Dry & Wet | High meat, grain-free | Dogs avoiding cereal-based formulas | Popular natural range (brand intent varies by store) | $$$ |
| Ziwi Peak | Air-Dried, Wet & Steam-Dried | Whole-prey, very high meat | Fussy eaters, seniors, premium toppers | Nutrient-dense, very high meat inclusion | $$$–$$$$ |
| Big Dog Pet Food | Raw BARF Patties | Meat + organs + bone | Natural feeding, coat & stool improvement | Balanced raw patties, versatile range | $$–$$$ |
| Proudi RAW | Raw BARF | High meat inclusion | Owners wanting minimal fillers | Human-grade, simple ingredient approach | $$–$$$ |
1. What Makes a Dog Food Truly “Best”?
There’s no one perfect diet for every dog, but the best dog foods share these essential features:
1.1 Complete & Balanced for Your Dog’s Life Stage
A high-quality dog food should clearly state that it is “complete and balanced” for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult or all life stages). This indicates the recipe has been formulated to meet nutrient profiles established by either AAFCO (USA) or FEDIAF (Europe).
Choosing a diet that is clearly complete and balanced helps prevent long-term nutritional gaps—especially if you feed it as a main diet daily.
1.2 Named Animal Proteins at the Top
Look for clearly named animal proteins (e.g., chicken, lamb, kangaroo, salmon) as the first ingredient. Avoid vague terms like “meat and meat by-products”.
Premium meat-first ranges such as Orijen or the Black Hawk High Meat series are good examples.
1.3 Sensible Carbohydrates, Functional Ingredients & Digestibility
Dogs can digest carbohydrates, but the best foods use them thoughtfully: limited fillers, appropriate fibre for gut health, added omega-3s, green-lipped mussel, probiotics, etc.
Examples include Prime100 for sensitive dogs, and air-dried style formulas that rely on minimal carbohydrates.
1.4 Transparent Manufacturing, Recognised Brand Reputation
Brands that share ingredient sourcing, manufacturing processes, and have consistently good long-term feedback tend to be more trustworthy.
2. Dog Food Types in Australia – Pros & Cons
2.1 Dry Dog Food (Kibble)
- Pros: affordable, convenient, shelf-stable, and available in a wide range of formulas.
- Cons: more processed than fresh or raw formats; moisture content is lower; quality varies significantly.
- Best for: households needing a reliable base diet for adult dogs.
2.2 Grain-Free Dry Food
- Pros: useful when your dog truly does best without grains.
- Cons: Not inherently “better” for every dog; recipe quality is still key.
- Best for: dogs with digestive or skin issues where grain intolerance is suspected.
2.3 Air-Dried / Freeze-Dried (Premium, Often Used as a Topper)
- Pros: higher meat inclusion, strong aroma, nutrient-dense.
- Cons: higher cost; portions differ because it’s calorie-dense.
- Best for: fussy eaters, small breeds, seniors, or boosting a base kibble.
2.4 Fresh & Cooked Rolls / Meal Plans
- Pros: often single-protein options; great for sensitive dogs.
- Cons: refrigeration needed; shorter shelf life.
- Best for: dogs with allergies, sensitive guts or owners wanting fresh feeding.
2.5 Raw / BARF Diets
- Pros: raw-style nutrition; often high meat and very palatable.
- Cons: freezer/storage + hygiene requirements; choose reputable brands.
- Best for: owners committed to raw feeding routines.
3. Best Dog Food Brands in Australia (By Category)
We group brands by where they perform best. Some you’ll find in our store; others we don’t stock—but they still illustrate the market and help you compare.
3.1 Everyday Natural Dry Food (Value + Quality)
Black Hawk Dog Food
Shop Black Hawk → Black Hawk is one of Australia’s best-known natural dog food brands, built around named proteins and balanced formulas. It’s a strong everyday option when you want a reliable base diet that suits most healthy adult dogs.
Popular customer pick: Black Hawk Lamb & Rice 20kg for digestibility and value.
Advance
Discover Advance → Science-backed feeding approach with life-stage and size-specific formulas.
Ivory Coat
Discover Ivory Coat → A popular grain-free style range for owners who prefer cereal-free formulas. (Note: we don’t stock this range, so we link to the official collection for reference.)
3.2 Grain-Free & Sensitive Gut Dry Food
LifeWise Grain-Free & Biotic Range
Shop LifeWise → LifeWise is often chosen by owners dealing with inconsistent stools, sensitive digestion or skin/coat concerns. It’s a great “stability-first” pick when you want to settle the gut and keep feeding consistent.
Example product: LifeWise Kangaroo, Lamb & Vegetables 18kg.
Scratch Dog Food
Discover Scratch → A subscription-based benchmark brand for premium meat-first kibble.
3.3 Premium Single-Protein & Allergy Support
Prime100 SPD (Single Protein Diet)
Shop Prime100 → Prime100 SPD is a go-to option when you suspect food triggers (itch, ears, tummy). The single-protein approach helps you reduce variables, and the range offers multiple textures (rolls, wet, air-dried) while staying within the same protein.
3.4 Premium Air-Dried / Freeze-Dried Options
For fussy eaters or owners who want lower processing, premium air-dried/freeze-dried can work as a complete diet for small dogs or as a topper over kibble.
Ziwi Peak
Discover Ziwi Peak → Very high meat inclusion; popular as a premium topper and for picky eaters.
K9 Natural Freeze Dried Dog Food
Shop K9 Natural → Raw-inspired freeze-dried option with strong palatability.
4. How to Choose the Right Dog Food for Your Dog
Rather than chasing a trendy label, ask this: Does the food match your dog’s age, size, health, activity and lifestyle?
4.1 Puppies
- Choose puppy-specific or “all life stages” formulas that clearly state they’re suitable for growth.
- Feed 3–4 meals per day at first; then reduce.
- For large-breed puppies, avoid overfeeding to protect joints and support controlled growth.
4.2 Adult Dogs in Good Health
- Pick a reliable meat-first dry food as your base (e.g., Black Hawk or LifeWise).
- Consider adding wet, air-dried or raw toppers for variety and extra palatability.
- Feed by body condition rather than only following the back-of-bag chart.
4.3 Dogs with Skin Issues, Allergies or Gut Sensitivities
- Consult your vet if food allergy is suspected.
- Use a consistent single-protein plan and avoid random treats during trials.
- A practical starting point is Prime100 SPD or a stable “gut-first” option like LifeWise.
5. Feeding Guide & Transition Tips
5.1 How Much Should I Feed?
Feeding guides on bags are a starting point — monitor your dog’s waistline, activity, coat and stool. Here’s a general guide for dry food:
- Small breed (5–10 kg): approx. 80–180 g/day
- Medium breed (10–25 kg): approx. 160–350 g/day
- Large breed (25–40 kg): approx. 300–550 g/day
- Extra large (40 kg+): approx. 500–800 g/day
5.2 Safe Transitioning Between Foods
- Days 1–3: 25% new food, 75% old.
- Days 4–6: 50% new / 50% old.
- Days 7–9: 75% new / 25% old.
- Day 10: 100% new food.
6. FAQ – People Also Ask
Q: Is grain-free dog food better for my dog?
A: Not always. Grain-free formulas can help some dogs, but many dogs thrive on quality grain-inclusive diets. Focus on meat content, digestibility and your dog’s response.
Q: What is the healthiest dog food brand in Australia?
A: “Healthiest” varies by dog. Many dogs thrive on a stable, meat-first dry food (e.g., Black Hawk or LifeWise). Dogs with allergies may do better on single-protein options like Prime100 SPD.
Q: What is the best dog food for itchy skin or allergies?
A: If food is suspected, a single-protein elimination approach is often the simplest way to reduce variables. A practical starting point is Prime100 SPD. Keep treats consistent during the trial.
Q: Should I feed raw or BARF diets?
A: Raw can work well when it’s properly formulated and handled hygienically. If you want a balanced patty format, start with Big Dog. If you prefer very high meat + minimal fillers, see Proudi.
7. Where to Buy Dog Food in Australia (Especially Melbourne)
If you’re based in Melbourne (Victoria), shopping locally offers real advantages — especially when dealing with heavy bags, fresh food or raw diets.
At ADS Pet Store in Moorabbin we provide:
- Same-day local delivery to many suburbs in Melbourne when you meet the minimum spend.
- Cold-chain options for fresh meals and frozen raw in select areas.
- Click & Collect from our warehouse for convenient pickup.
- A curated range including dog food collection.
If you’re still undecided which food fits your dog best, you’re very welcome to contact us with your dog’s age, breed, weight and current symptoms. We’ll help you build a shortlist and transition safely.
Raw / BARF Brand Shortlist
Big Dog Pet Food
Shop Big Dog → Big Dog is a well-known BARF manufacturer offering convenient raw patties designed for balanced feeding, with options across life stage and needs.
Proudi RAW Dog Food
Shop Proudi → Proudi is a boutique BARF-style brand recognised for high meat inclusion and a simple ingredient approach, making it appealing for owners who want minimal fillers.
Bottom line: There is no single “best dog food in Australia” for every dog—but there is a best starting point for your dog right now. Start with the scenario table above, stay consistent, then adjust based on stool, coat, itch levels and energy.
