What is the Best Dog Food?
The best dog food will depend on you and your dog and will be different for everyone. This guide is to help you make the most informed decision when choosing the right dog food for your furry friends. We’ve gone over all our dog foods, so you can find the best dog food for your pooch. We’ve analyzed the best dog food brands, best dry dog food, best wet dog food, best supermarket dog food, and more!
What to Look for in Dog Food
When trying to determine the best dog food in Australia, there are several factors we take into consideration.
Balanced Nutrients and Quality Testing
The pet food industry in Australia is self-regulating, which means it’s entirely possible to produce cheap dog food with fillers that have limited nutritional benefits and fill your dog up but it’s not a high quality meal. Look for brands that follow the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) ingredient standards. When you see “Complete and Balanced” on a dog food label, that should mean that the contents meet or exceed AAFCO minimum standards.
Animal Protein & Fat Content
The minimum standard for an adult dog to maintain a good weight and health requires food to contain at least 18% protein, 5% fat, and maximum percentages of crude fibre and moisture. Some dog foods guarantee minimum levels of other nutrients such as calcium, phosphorous, sodium, and linoleic acid which are especially important for bone growth in puppies.
No Nasty or Ambiguous Ingredients
Try to avoid food with these ingredients: BHA/BHT (chemical preservatives), white flour, unnamed meat or meat meal, artificial colors, MSG, gluten, corn syrup, soy, salt, propylene glycol, vegetable oil, and cellulose.
Tried and Tested
Look for a reputable brand with a long-standing reputation and good consumer feedback. Customer reviews are a good way to assess the brand and find out if dogs like it too. You can find customer reviews on most of our products via the product page.
Lifestage
Much like humans, dogs have different nutritional requirements during different stages of their life, so the same food will not be suitable for both puppies and adult dogs. Providing an appropriate diet based on your dog’s age will help to ensure a happy and healthy life.
Puppy
When a puppy is growing, the right food is essential in their development and health. Puppies need more calories from protein and fat because they burn more calories while growing and playing. When choosing a puppy food, look for more whole meats and smaller amounts of fruits and vegetables. These meat proteins promote development and growth.
Adult
During the adult stage of their lives, dogs need nutrition to maintain their muscle mass and weight. Meat proteins are the best source of nutrition for adult dogs. It is these proteins that help them maintain lean muscle mass.
Senior
What is the best dog food for senior dogs? Older dogs have a slower metabolic rate so can benefit from a lower-calorie diet to help prevent them from becoming overweight. Many senior foods have higher-quality protein sources which help to maintain body weight and muscle mass without putting too much strain on the kidneys. Senior diets also tend to be slightly higher in fiber to help improve gastrointestinal health and reduce constipation.
Types of Dog Food
Each dog is different so the best dog food for them will depend on your dog’s lifestyle, size, weight, age, and health conditions.
Best Dry Dog Food
can assist in the removal of plaque, improving dental hygiene. They also are easier to store and are usually less expensive. But with such a diverse range of dry foods out there, it can get overwhelming. Two great options are Royal Canin and Hills Science Diet. Royal Canin places in here for their breed-specific range, individually tailoring dry food to a range of different dog breeds. Hill’s Science diet uses cutting-edge food science to develop precisely balanced nutrition for each stage of your pet’s life. For another excellent choice in dry dog food, consider Addiction Wild Islands, known for its premium ingredients and holistic approach to pet nutrition.
Best Wet Dog Food
A lot of dogs don’t get enough water so incorporating wet food into their diet can help with extra hydration. It’s great for fussy eaters as it has a rich, meaty aroma, so picky dogs can be more enticed to eat. Two great wet dog foods are Advance, Black Hawk and Royal Canin. Keep in mind wet food is generally more expensive than dry food but it does help give your dogs a complete and balanced diet.