Best Dog Food Brands in Australia (2026 Vet Guide)

Royal Canin

Royal Canin is a globally respected name in pet nutrition, known for its research-driven formulations, nutritional quality and product safety. Each product is backed by decades of nutritional science and designed to meet the unique physiological needs of dogs across different life stages and health conditions.

It’s a favourite among vets in Australia and around the world thanks to its precision approach, meeting AAFCO standards, and consistent quality. Whether you have a large-breed puppy or a senior with joint issues, Royal Canin is likely to have a high-quality, tailored solution.

Prime100

Prime100 is a standout Australian-made brand specialising in single-protein, limited-ingredient diets using human-grade meats. Its formulas are often recommended by vets for dogs with allergies, food intolerances, or sensitive stomachs.

Whether you're managing chronic skin issues or supporting a recovery diet, Prime100's science-backed approach makes it a go-to for dogs needing extra care from their food. Their range also includes options with functional ingredients, making it a versatile brand for everyday feeding or therapeutic use.

Hill’s

Hill’s offers two trusted ranges: Hill’s Science Diet for everyday wellness, and Hill’s Prescription Diet for managing specific health conditions under veterinary supervision. 

Backed by extensive clinical research and developed by a team of veterinarians and nutritionists, Hill’s products are carefully crafted to support dogs at every stage of life — from growing puppies to senior pets, and dogs managing kidney disease, allergies, joint issues, and more. Whether you're after preventative care or targeted nutrition, Hill’s combines science and practicality to support your dog’s long-term health.

Delicate Care

Delicate Care is another Australian option, developed with veterinary nutritionists and formulated for dogs with sensitivities. 

Its focus on hypoallergenic, functional ingredients makes it an excellent option for pets with food allergies, digestive issues, or skin concerns. For owners seeking a vet-formulated, sensitive-support diet, Delicate Care is well worth exploring.

While we don't currently stock Delicate Care, you can typically find it at veterinary clinics. To locate a stockist near you, visit Delicate Care's Where to Buy page.

Best Premium Option: Royal Canin Veterinary Diets

If you're looking for clinically-backed dry dog food with specific health support, Royal Canin’s Veterinary Diet Dry Food range stands out. Designed for conditions like renal disease, dog skin conditions, obesity, digestive issues and sensitive stomachs in dogs, and more, these foods are highly specialised and require vet oversight. With carefully balanced nutrients, tailored fat and protein ratios, and a strong research foundation, this is the go-to product range for dogs needing therapeutic nutrition under veterinary guidance.

Best Australian-Made Option: Prime100

Prime100 is a vet-endorsed, Australian-made brand focused on single-protein, limited-ingredient diets.

Especially useful for dogs with allergies, intolerances, or skin/gut issues, Prime100 formulas are made with human-grade meats and are often used in veterinary food trials. Their commitment to quality control and clean ingredients makes them a standout choice for sensitive pets and health-focused owners.

Best All-Rounder Option: Hill’s Science Diet Dog

Hill’s Science Diet Adult offers a reliable, science-backed dog food option that performs well across a wide range of breeds and life stages. Formulated by veterinarians and pet nutritionists, it supports healthy digestion, lean muscle maintenance, and immune function. Whether your dog is highly active or more laid-back, Hill’s delivers balanced daily nutrition with options tailored to different sizes and needs — making it a great choice for multi-dog households.

Best Budget Option: Advance Dog Food

For pet owners seeking high-quality nutrition at a more accessible price, Advance Dog Food is a standout budget-friendly choice. Proudly Australian-made and developed with input from veterinary nutritionists, Advance offers complete and balanced diets for dogs at every life stage. With digestible meats, targeted nutrients, and no artificial colours, it’s a dependable everyday food that offers excellent value without compromising on your pet’s health.

Raw feeding (when done right) can offer a biologically appropriate, nutrient-dense diet for dogs. However, it needs to be carefully balanced and safe. BARF diets (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) aim to mimic a dog’s ancestral eating habits, focusing on raw meat, bones, and vegetables. With growing interest in fresh and raw food for dogs, here are some standout brands offering safe, vet-informed raw or fresh feeding options.

Big Dog Raw Food

Big Dog Raw Food is a leading BARF provider in Australia, offering raw frozen meals made from human-grade meats, offal, crushed bone, and seasonal vegetables. Their formulas are complete and balanced, with added supplements like probiotics, omega oils, and natural antioxidants. They follow strict food safety protocols and are a favourite among raw feeders looking for convenience, quality, and nutrients that support dog health and vitality.

While we don’t currently stock Big Dog Raw Food, it’s widely available online and through select pet retailers.

Lyka

Lyka is a fresh food delivery brand that blends the benefits of raw feeding with the safety and science of lightly cooked meals. While not strictly raw, Lyka offers gently cooked meals made with whole foods and customised to your dog’s age, weight, and activity level. Their recipes use farm-fresh ingredients, and are formulated with veterinary input to provide balanced nutrition. Lyka is perfect for owners looking for a BARF alternative that’s fresh, high-quality, and delivered with free shipping.

We don’t currently stock Lyka, but you can explore their custom meal plans and order directly via their website with free shipping to most areas.

Scratch

Scratch is an Australian-made dog food brand that delivers fresher, transparently formulated meals directly to your door. Scratch offers both high-quality dry food and nutritionally complete raw options that combine whole meats, vegetables and healthy oils with no artificial preservatives or hidden fillers — with all major ingredients clearly disclosed on their website.

Scratch specialises in subscription-based delivery plans tailored to your dog’s age, breed, weight and activity. Their dry kibble recipes include options like grain-free kangaroo and mackerel & salmon, made from Australian ingredients designed to support gut health, coat quality and overall wellbeing.

We don’t currently stock Scratch, but you can explore their personalised plans and order direct from their website, with delivery available across Australia.

Misconception #1: “Grain-free is always healthier.”

While grain-free diets can help dogs with diagnosed grain allergies (which are very rare in dogs), they’re not inherently better for every dog. Grains, like rice and oats, can provide valuable energy and fibre. In fact, many high-quality dog foods include grains for variety and balance. Choosing grain-free unnecessarily can reduce diversity in the diet and may not provide any added benefits unless medically indicated.

Misconception #2: “The best dog food is all about ingredients.”

There’s a growing trend to focus on ingredient lists, but what matters most is whether the dog food is formulated to be complete and balanced. That means it delivers all essential nutrients in the right proportions to support your dog’s health, based on their life stage and needs. Look for brands that follow trusted nutritional frameworks such as the AAFCO guidelines or the Australian Pet Food Manufacturing Standard (AS5812) — these ensure the product is formulated with your dog’s well-being in mind, regardless of the individual ingredients listed.

Feeding your dog the right food for their needs directly impacts their life expectancy, behaviour, coat condition, energy levels, and even mood. A high quality, well-balanced diet helps maintain a healthy immune system, supports healthy joints and digestion, and can help prevent chronic issues like diabetes or obesity by promoting a healthy weight in your dog.

Since dogs have different nutritional needs depending on their age, size, and health status, it’s important to tailor their food accordingly. What works for a growing puppy will not be suitable for a senior dog with reduced activity levels and different physiological needs. The right dog food is one that supports your dog’s health, keeps their stools well-formed, and makes them thrive.

This guide was created with direct input from Australian vets, nutritional guidelines like AAFCO standards, the Australian Pet Food Manufacturing Standard (AS5812) and a close look at leading pet food brands available across Australia. We evaluated:

• The presence of essential nutrients, including protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals
• Veterinary recommendations informed by scientific studies
• Suitability for different dog sizes, breeds, and life stages
• Brand reputation, transparency, and authored food reviews
• Availability and shipping or retail access
• Whether the formulas meet recognised food standards

We also prioritised Australian-made dog foods and brands known for veterinary involvement or scientific formulation.

How to Transition to a New Dog Food

Switching your dog to a new diet too quickly can lead to digestive issues like vomiting or diarrhoea. For a smooth transition:

• Mix 25% new food with 75% current food for 2–3 days
• Gradually increase the new food ratio over 7–10 days
• Monitor for signs of discomfort or refusal and slow down if needed

A gentle, gradual change helps maintain gut balance and ensures your dog accepts the new food.

Benefits of Mixing Dry and Wet Food

Offering a combination of dry and wet dog food has several advantages:

• Dry dog food can be better for dental health and portion control
• Wet dog food adds moisture to the diet, which is especially beneficial for dogs that don’t drink enough water
• Mixed feeding allows dogs to adapt to different textures, which can help if prescription foods are ever needed later in life

We recommend mixing formats (like kibble and a Prime roll or other wet food) to provide both nutrition and variety. Explore our comprehensive vet recommendations on the best wet dog food.

Best Puppy Foods in Australia

Puppies have different nutritional needs to support their fast growth and development. They need more fat, calories, and a specific balance of calcium and phosphorus for healthy bone development. Large and small breed puppies should be fed breed-appropriate food to avoid skeletal issues.

Top puppy formulas include:

• Royal Canin Puppy range (tailored by breed and size)
• Advance Puppy (Australian-made with excellent digestibility)
• Pro Plan Puppy (backed by science and suitable for sensitive stomachs)

All of these options meet AAFCO standards and are vet-recommended for early life stage nutrition.

For more information, check out this detailed guide on the Best Puppy Food in Australia.

Best Senior Dog Foods

As dogs age, their metabolism slows, and their diet may need to shift toward fewer calories, joint support, and antioxidant-rich ingredients. Senior dogs can benefit from diets lower in fat, with added glucosamine, chondroitin, and digestive support.

Top senior options include:

• Hill’s Science Diet 7+
• Royal Canin Mature Consult
• Advance Senior (locally made for Australian dogs)

These foods support mobility, kidney function, and overall vitality in older dogs.

For more information, check out this detailed guide on the Best Senior Dog Food in Australia.

Hypoallergenic Dog Food Options

Signs of food sensitivity include itching, gastrointestinal upset, lethargy, or behavioural changes like anxiety. If you suspect your dog has allergies, consult your vet and consider a limited-ingredient or novel-protein diet.

Vet-recommended hypoallergenic options:

Prime100: A single-protein, vet-formulated Australian-made option ideal for sensitive skin and digestive support

Delicate Care: Developed with veterinary nutritionists and tailored for allergy-prone pets (available through local vet clinics)

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hypoallergenic: A prescription diet scientifically formulated to manage food allergies and intolerances, often used in elimination trials and long-term allergy care.

For more information, check out this detailed guide on the Best Dog Food for Sensitive Skin in Australia.

Are Dogs Carnivores or Omnivores?

Dogs are omnivores, not strict carnivores like cats. While they thrive on animal protein, they also benefit from plant-based ingredients that provide fiber, antioxidants, and energy. This flexibility allows for more variety in their diet, but the key is balance — with high-quality protein as the foundation, supported by whole grains, vegetables, and essential nutrients.

Is Raw Feeding Safe?

Raw feeding can be done well, but it must be approached carefully. Our vet warns against feeding raw chicken due to the salmonella risk — especially in households with children or immune-compromised individuals. If you're considering a BARF diet, it's essential to use human-grade meats and ensure the meals are balanced with the right vitamins, minerals, and supplements. Consulting a veterinary nutritionist is strongly advised to avoid deficiencies.

How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

Feeding amounts depend on your dog’s age, size, breed, activity level, and whether you’re feeding dry, wet, or mixed foods. Use the feeding guide on the product label as a starting point, but monitor your dog’s weight, energy levels, and stool quality to fine-tune the portion. Puppies will require more frequent, calorie-dense meals, while seniors may benefit from smaller portions and lower-calorie diets.

Choosing the right dog food plays a huge role in your pet’s long-term health, energy, and overall quality of life. Whether you're feeding a puppy, adult, or senior, their diet should match their age, breed, and individual needs. Focus on products that meet credible pet food manufacturing standards – like AAFCO and the Australian Pet Food Manufacturing Standard (AS5812) – avoid fillers, and prioritise complete and balanced diets suitable for your dog’s life stage and health conditions.

Brands like Prime100 and Delicate Care offer excellent Australian-made options for sensitive or health-conscious pets, while Royal Canin and Hill’s are trusted globally for their science-based formulas. If you're ever unsure, your vet is the best guide — helping you choose the right food to keep your dog healthy, happy, and thriving.

This article was written by Dr Jane Miller