10 Best Puppy Foods in Australia – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks
By Kit Copson
Updated on
If you’re joining us from Australia or are moving there soon and aren’t sure what brands of puppy foods are available, these reviews are for you. In this post, we delve into the most popular and highly-reviewed puppy foods in Australia and weigh up the pros and cons each brand has to offer.
Before we get stuck in, a quick note—just because puppy food is designed for puppies doesn’t mean it will suit every puppy. Sometimes, food allergies, intolerances, and other health concerns need to be factored in when making your choice. If you’re thinking about changing your puppy’s diet or are unsure about which food would be best for them, please consult your vet for advice.
A Quick Comparison of The Winners in 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
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Hill’s Science Diet Puppy |
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Best Value
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Purina Supercoat Puppy |
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Premium Choice
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Optimum Puppy Dry Food |
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Check Price |
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Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Wet Dog Food |
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Purina Pro Plan Classic Wet Puppy Food |
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Check Price |
The 10 Best Puppy Foods in Australia
1. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Food – Best Overall
| Main ingredients: | Chicken meal and whole-grain wheat |
| Protein content: | Min. 25% |
| Fat content: | Min. 15% |
| Calories: | 3774 kcal/kg (374 kcal/cup) |
Our best overall puppy food in Australia pick is Hill’s Science Diet puppy food. Recommended by US veterinarians, this puppy food has received largely positive reviews from users, with the general consensus being that many puppies enjoy the flavor and get excited when it’s time to chow down. Some users said that the product has helped their puppy with weight management too.
With chicken meal and barley as the main ingredients, Hill’s Science Diet puppy food is designed to support your puppy’s brain, muscle, bone, visual, teeth, and immune system development. It contains no artificial colors or flavorings, has added vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, and comes in the form of medium-sized kibble.
In terms of cons, some users mentioned that their puppy didn’t enjoy this kibble and refused to eat it, so there’s no guarantee that your puppy will like it.
- Made with natural ingredients
- Supports healthy growth and development
- Largely positive reviews
- Fussy eaters may not approve
2. Purina Supercoat Puppy Food – Best Value
| Main ingredients: | Meat and meat by-products (chicken, beef, lamb, and/or pork) and/or poultry by-products, wholegrain wheat and/or cereal byproducts |
| Protein content: | 27% |
| Fat content: | 12% |
| Calories: | 3400 kcal/kg |
The best puppy food in Australia for the money is Purina’s Supercoat puppy food. Recommended by veterinarian Dr. Harry Cooper, this dry food utilizes Smartblend—a combination of nutrients that support growth and development, particularly bone and brain health and immune system support.
There are no preservatives or artificial colors or flavorings and the formula is made with real chicken. Many users have left glowing reviews with particular emphasis on the large bag size, reasonable pricing, enjoyment factor, and how this food may have contributed to a shinier coat and good weight management for their puppies.
A few reviewers, on the other hand, commented that their dogs didn’t enjoy this food too much, and they weren’t too happy with the inclusion of meat by-products.
- Smartblend technology
- Supports healthy growth and development
- Reasonably priced
- Contains meat by-products
3. Optimum Puppy Dry Food – Premium Choice
| Main ingredients: | Poultry and poultry byproducts, sorghum and/or rice and/or wheat |
| Protein content: | 30% |
| Fat content: | 14% |
| Calories: | 355 kcal/100 g |
This chicken-flavored puppy food by Optimum Puppy is our premium pick for the best puppy food in Australia. This dry food is made in Australia and is backed by Dr. Chris Brown. It contains vitamins, minerals, calcium, phosphorus, and added colostrum to support gut health as your puppy develops, as well as supporting the skin, coat, immune system, teeth, and bones.
Most users have commented on the quality of the food, that their pups loved it, and that they would definitely buy Optimum puppy food again. Some users weren’t too keen on the price, though, as this food is comparatively pricey.
- Made with real meat
- Added colostrum for gastrointestinal support
- Made in Australia
- Positive reviews
- A bit expensive
4. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Wet Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Water, chicken, whole-grain corn |
| Protein content: | Min. 7% |
| Fat content: | Min 4% |
| Calories: | 1296 kcal/kg (480 kcal per can) |
If you’re looking for a wet food to pair with our best overall pick, Hill’s Science Diet Puppy offers this wet puppy food. It can be fed to puppies up to one year of age as well as to nursing or pregnant mother dogs and contains a combination of protein and nutrients to make sure your puppy is growing and developing as they should be. The formula combines chicken and whole-grain corn.
As Hill’s Science is such a trusted brand, we weren’t surprised to find so many great reviews for this wet food. The general consensus is that this food was largely well-received by the target pups and disappears quickly after going in the bowl. Others found it too dry, though, and some pups weren’t keen on the dry consistency.
- Supports healthy development
- Can be given to pregnant or nursing mothers
- Not as watery as some wet food
- Lots of positive reviews
- A bit too dry
5. Purina Pro Plan Classic Wet Puppy Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, liver, meat by-products, water, salmon, and rice |
| Protein content: | Min. 10% |
| Fat content: | Min. 7% |
| Calories: | 1292 kcal/kg (475 kcal/can) |
We’ve chosen this wet puppy food by Purina Pro Plan Classic Wet Food. It’s suitable for dogs under one year of age and is rich in omega fatty acids to help keep the coat in tip-top condition, contains DHA for brain development, and chicken as the main ingredient. If your dog prefers wet food over dry food, this one may be worth giving a go.
The product has received generally good reviews. Overall, it seems that puppies like the taste, and some users have noticed positive changes, like higher energy levels, shinier coats, and reduced vomiting in dogs with sensitive stomachs. Not all users were happy, though, with some disliking the smell and considering the food too watery.
- May help dogs with sensitive stomachs
- Easy to digest
- Rich in omega fatty acids
- Made with real meat
- Potent smell
- Too watery in consistency for some
6. Healthy Everyday Pets Dry Puppy Food
| Main ingredients: | Turkey meal, chickpea flour, chicken meal, and edible tallow |
| Protein content: | 35% |
| Fat content: | 15% |
| Calories: | 3500 kcal/kg |
If you’re looking for a grain-free, soy-free option, this dry puppy food by Healthy Everyday Pets is worth looking into. This Australian-made dry food comes in kibble form, supports growth and development, is made from locally-sourced ingredients, and is designed to be nutrient-rich so that you can feed it in smaller portions.
It also boasts high digestibility and smaller poops as two of its key benefits. According to most users, their puppies have enjoyed this food and one user mentioned physical benefits like a lean body and shiny coat. Some users, however, were unhappy with the kibble size, considering it unsuitable for larger breeds.
- Australian-made
- Made of locally-sourced ingredients
- Supports healthy growth and development
- Nutrient-rich for feeding in smaller portions
- Low in carbs and sugars
- Small kibble size
7. OPTIMUM Puppy With Chicken Wet Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Meat (chicken, beef, lamb, and/or pork), rice, and vegetables |
| Protein content: | 8% |
| Fat content: | 8% |
| Calories: | 110 kcal/100 g |
This puppy food by Optimum Puppy is another good choice for those on the hunt for wet food. Its key ingredients are chicken, rice, and vegetables, and it can be fed on its own or together with dry food for a bit of variety. Added DHA supports visual and brain development and it’s high in calcium and protein to support your puppy’s growth.
User reviews for this product are mostly positive, with some pointing out the value for the money factor, that their puppies found the food tasty, and that the 100 g trays are the perfect puppy size. Here at Hepper, we can certainly appreciate a neat, compact little tray like this that’s easy to store.
The only downfall is more a general wet food thing rather than a con of this specific product, which is that wet food is messier to clean up and can’t be left out as long.
- Supports healthy development
- Can add variety to meal times
- Comes in a convenient, compact tray
- Wet food can’t be left out too long
8. Royal Canin Puppy Medium
| Main ingredients: | Chicken by-product meal, chicken fat, brewer’s rice, corn, and wheat |
| Protein content: | 32% |
| Fat content: | 20% |
| Calories: | 4109 kcal/kg |
Royal Canin Puppy Medium is best known for its extensive range of pet foods formulated for a variety of specific breeds, life stages, and health goals. This dry food is designed for medium-sized breed puppies, but Royal Canin also produces a version for small and large puppy breeds. It supports your puppy’s development when they’re between t2 months and 1 year old.
Reviews for this dry food are mostly positive, with some users commenting how excited their dogs get at meal times and that they’re satisfied with how long the food lasts. A few users were less impressed with the overall quality and found the smell unpleasant.
- Supports healthy development
- Formulated for puppies
- Contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- Fussy eaters may not approve
- The smell may be unpleasant for some
- Not suitable for small or large breeds
9. Hypro Turkey and Lamb Puppy Food
| Main ingredients: | Meat meals (turkey, lamb, chicken), faba beans, tallow (beef and/or poultry), and vegetables (including potatoes, spinach, and carrot) |
| Protein content: | 32% |
| Fat content: | 20% |
| Calories: | 400 kcal/100 g |
Another grain-free choice for our list is this Hypro turkey and lamb food for puppies. This dry food contains 73% meat proteins and 27% vegetables and fruit and is formulated with ingredients from Australian farmers. It’s designed to help keep your puppy active, maintain a regular heart rate, and support the immune system, skin, coat, and muscles.
Users have shared that they’ve had good experiences with Hypro’s dry food, with some spotting benefits like less runny poop and better coat condition. Some noted, however, that they weren’t impressed with kibble size and found it too small for large-breed puppies.
- Australian-made
- Supports growth and development
- Mostly excellent user reviews
- Can be fed to all puppy breeds
- Kibble size may be too small for large breeds
10. PEDIGREE Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Wholegrain cereals, meat, and meat by-products (poultry, beef, lamb, and/or sheep) |
| Protein content: | 29% |
| Fat content: | 14% |
| Calories: | 355 kcal/100 g |
For puppies up to 24 months, this PEDIGREE Puppy Chicken with Rice dry food could be what you need. It contains all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients puppies need to thrive, including calcium and phosphorus, omega 6, vitamin E, and prebiotics to support a healthy digestion. It’s Australian-made and contains no artificial colors or flavorings.
According to reviews, this food has proven popular with its furry testers and is often gobbled up in record time. Not everyone was pleased, though—some fussy eaters refused to eat it, but this is a risk we run with any new puppy food. Also, it contains meat by-products, which puts some pet parents off.
- Supports healthy growth and digestion
- Reasonably priced
- Contains omega 6 and vitamin E
- Popular with hungry pups
- Some fussy eaters may not like it
- Contains meat by-products
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Puppy Food in Australia
If you are new to the joys of puppy parenting, it can be frustrating when there are so many puppy foods out there that choosing the best one feels impossible!
- Has my puppy been put on a special diet by a vet?
- Does my puppy have any allergies that I’m aware of (protein allergies, for example)?
- Does my puppy have a sensitive stomach?
- Is my puppy a toy, small, medium, or large breed?
- Do I want to feed dry food, wet food, or a combination of both?
- Does my puppy show a preference for a certain flavor or texture?
- What are others saying about this product online? Does it have largely positive reviews or overwhelmingly negative ones?
- Is this brand well-known and trusted?
- Does the brand or seller have a return/refund policy if I’m not satisfied?
Sometimes, picking the right puppy food comes down to trial and error. Puppies are experiencing all these new tastes and textures for the first time and, try as you may, it might take a little longer for some than others to find one they love.
Remember to avoid changing your puppy’s diet suddenly as this can upset their stomach—you have to transition gradually from one food to another. Ask your vet for more detailed advice on this.
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Conclusion
To recap, our best overall puppy food in Australia is the highly-reviewed, Hill’s Science Diet’s puppy food. Our best value pick is the reasonably-priced Purina Supercoat puppy food, followed by Optimum’s puppy dry food with chicken, which is a little pricey but by all accounts, a great quality puppy food.
Our fourth favorite puppy food in Australia is Hill’s Science Diet puppy wet food which pairs nicely with our best overall pick, the Purina Pro Plan Classic chicken and rice wet food. We hope that you’ve found our reviews useful and that you now feel more confident picking out the best grub for your hungry pup in Australia.
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Featured Image Credit: Jagdprinzessin, Pixabay
