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8 Best Raw Dog Foods in Australia – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Sophie Herlihy

By Sophie Herlihy

A dog looking at a plate that has food in it

If you’re a dog owner in Australia, you know that finding the right food for your furry friend can be a daunting task. With so many brands and varieties of raw dog food on the market, it’s hard to know which one is best for your pet.

That’s why we’ve put together this list of the 8 best raw dog foods in Australia, based on our findings from extensive research and reviews from dog owners. We’ll also provide a buyer’s guide to help you choose the right food for your pet.

So, if you’re looking for the best raw dog food for your pooch, read on!

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A Quick Look at Our Favorite Picks in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Ziwi Peak Provenance Otago Valley Ziwi Peak Provenance Otago Valley
  • 96% meat ingredients
  • Green mussels and kelp are natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin
  • The air-drying process naturally preserves raw ingredients
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Balanced Life Rehydrate Dog Food Chicken Balanced Life Rehydrate Dog Food Chicken
  • Fruit and vegetables add nutritional value
  • Suitable for all life stages
  • Natural prebiotic from added chicory
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
  • GanedenBC30 is a powerful probiotic
  • High protein
  • Lower calories for weight management
  • Best for Puppies
    ORIJEN Dog Puppy Recipe ORIJEN Dog Puppy Recipe
  • Contains "whole prey" ingredients such as organs and bone
  • 85% animal origin
  • Great tasting
  • Meat Mates Beef Dinner Meat Mates Beef Dinner
  • Fish oil for omega-3 and healthy coats
  • New Zealand grass-fed beef contains no hormones or antibiotics
  • Limited ingredient diet ideal for dogs with allergies
  • The 8 Best Raw Dog Foods in Australia

    1. Ziwi Peak Provenance Otago Valley Dog Food – Best Overall

    Ziwi Peak Provenance Otago Valley

    Main ingredients: Beef, venison, lamb, fish, green mussel
    Protein content: 38%
    Fat content: 32%
    Calories: 500 kcal/cup

    Ziwi Peak Provenance Otago Valley air-dried dog food is some of the best raw dog food you can get in Australia. Made by our Kiwi neighbors, even further down under, it contains 96% meat ingredients from five different meat and fish sources.

    It includes all the goodies, like bone and offal, so you’ll be sure your pup is getting everything they need. The remaining 4% of the ingredients are air-dried vegetables, fruits, added vitamins, and minerals.

    One of the things we love most about Ziwi Peak is that all its ingredients are ethically and sustainably sourced from New Zealand grass-fed farms, free-range ranchlands, and clean, deep waters.

    The addition of green mussels and kelp for natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin, and the air-drying process naturally preserve raw ingredients. The only downside is that multiple protein sources will not suit dogs with allergies, and the food is naturally smelly. But overall, this is an excellent choice for raw dog food.

    Pros
    • 96% meat ingredients
    • Green mussels and kelp are natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin
    • The air-drying process naturally preserves raw ingredients
    • All ingredients are ethically and sustainably sourced
    Cons
    • Multiple protein sources will not suit dogs with allergies
    • A bit on the smelly

    2. Balanced Life Rehydrate Dog Food – Best Value

    Balanced Life Rehydrate Dog Food Chicken

    Main ingredients: Chicken meat, chick offal, coconut, alfalfa
    Protein content: 33%
    Fat content: 22%
    Calories: 4,268 kcal/kg

    Balanced Life Rehydrate Dog Food Chicken is a great option for dog owners who are looking for nutritious, affordable food. The fruit and vegetables add nutritional value, and the natural prebiotic from chicory helps to keep your dog’s gut healthy.

    The food is also suitable for all life stages, so you can feed it to your puppy as well as your adult dog. The only downside is that it requires rehydration, so preparation takes a few minutes, which is not long but if you are in a rush, it might not be the best option.

    However, the best raw dog food in Australia for the money, especially considering the high cost of raw dog food options, so it makes it worth the effort.

    Pros
    • Fruit and vegetables add nutritional value
    • Suitable for all life stages
    • Natural prebiotic from added chicory
    • Great value
    Cons
    • Requires rehydration
    • Preparation takes a few minutes

    3. Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food – Premium Choice

    Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Beef, beef offal, beef bone, apples, broccoli, sweet potato
    Protein content: 42%
    Fat content: 28%
    Calories: 195 kcal/cup

    Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food is a premium food that is quite costly. Many owners have found it is best used as a treat or topper due to the high price.

    The main benefit of this food is the inclusion of GanedenBC30, a powerful probiotic. This probiotic can help with digestive and immune health in dogs. The food is also high in protein, which is good for muscle development and maintenance.

    The calories in this food are quite low, particularly for a raw diet, making it suited for weight management.

    The real fruit and vegetables included in this food add a nice nutrient boost, but they are only available in small bags. Overall, Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food is a premium food that has some great benefits but is best used sparingly due to the price.

    Pros
    • GanedenBC30 is a powerful probiotic
    • High protein
    • Lower calories for weight management
    • Real fruit and veggies add a nutrient boost
    Cons
    • Very expensive
    • Only available in small bags

    4. ORIJEN Dog Puppy Recipe – Best for Puppies

    ORIJEN Dog Puppy Recipe

    Main ingredients: Chicken, turkey, flounder, mackerel, eggs
    Protein content: 38%
    Fat content: 20%
    Calories: 475 kcal/cup

    ORIJEN Dog Puppy Recipe is one of the best foods you can give your puppy. It contains “whole prey” ingredients such as organs and bone, which are biologically appropriate for puppies.

    The food is also 85% animal origin, so it’s packed with nutrients that growing puppies need. Plus, it tastes great! Not every ingredient in ORIJEN Dog Puppy Recipe is raw, but most of them are, including the first five ingredients.

    This food may be too rich for pups with sensitive stomachs, but it’s a complete diet for growing puppies. If you’re looking for the best food for your puppy, ORIJEN Dog Puppy Recipe is a great choice.

    Pros
    • Contains “whole prey” ingredients such as organs and bone
    • 85% animal origin
    • Great tasting
    • Complete diet for growing puppies
    Cons
    • Not every ingredient is raw
    • Too rich for sensitive stomachs

    5. Meat Mates Beef Dinner Dog Food

    Meat Mates Beef Dinner

    Main ingredients: Beef, beef organs, flaxseed, kelp
    Protein content: 41%
    Fat content: 37%
    Calories: 175 kcal/cup

    When it comes to picking out food for our pups, we want something that is biologically appropriate and offers them the best chance at a long, healthy life. Meat Mates Beef Dinner Freeze-Dried Dog Food seems like it would be a winner with its New Zealand grass-fed beef that contains no hormones or antibiotics.

    While the limited-ingredient diets are ideal for dogs with allergies (as long as it is not beef!), the soft texture offers few dental benefits. Puppies, in particular, need crunchy food to help them develop strong teeth and gums.

    However, the fish oil present in Meat Mates does provide omega-3 which can lead to a healthy coat. So, if you’re looking for a food that is best for puppies and offers some health benefits, Meat Mates might be worth considering.

    Pros
    • Fish oil for omega-3 and healthy coats
    • New Zealand grass-fed beef contains no hormones or antibiotics
    • Limited ingredient diet ideal for dogs with allergies
    Cons
    • Soft food offers few dental benefits

    6. Stella & Chewy’s Stella’s Super Beef Dinner Patties

    Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Stella's Super Beef Dinner Patties

    Main ingredients: Beef, beef organs, pumpkin seed, cranberries
    Protein content: 44%
    Fat content: 35%
    Calories: 56 kcal/patty

    If you’re looking for a freeze-dried raw diet that contains an array of appropriate and organic vegetables and fruits, Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Stella’s Super Beef Dinner Patties are a great option. However, because they’re made with 95% beef ingredients, they’re quite high in fat and lead to weight gain in low-activity dogs.

    This food can make a great energy source for highly active pooches but should be fed sparingly for less active dogs.

    Additionally, while all the nutrients are present in the patties, they require rehydration before feeding, which may be inconvenient for some dog owners.

    Overall, Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Stella’s Super Beef Dinner Patties are a great option for high-energy dogs who need a lot of protein and fat in their diet.

    Pros
    • Contains an array of appropriate and organic vegetables and fruits
    • Extra-high protein
    • 95% beef ingredients
    Cons
    • Fat content is too high for some dogs
    • Requires rehydration

    7. Absolute Holistic Air Dried Dog Food

    Absolute Holistic Air Dried Dog Food Blue Mackerel and Lamb

    Main ingredients: Lamb, blue mackerel, lamb organ, mussel
    Protein content: 30%
    Fat content: 25%
    Calories: 4491 kcal/kg

    If you’re looking for a novel protein source for your dog, Absolute Holistic Air Dried Dog Food Blue Mackerel and Lamb could be a good option. The ingredients are all sourced from New Zealand, and the food includes flaxseed for a healthy coat and parsley to help freshen breath.

    However, there are a couple of potential drawbacks to be aware of. First, the texture of the food is more like jerky than traditional kibble, so it may be tough for some dogs to chew. Second, the food contains vegetable glycerine, which may be derived from palm oil (a controversial ingredient in some pet foods).

    Overall, this food could be a good choice for some dogs, but it’s important to do your research to see if it’s right for your pup.

    Pros
    • Novel protein
    • New Zealand sourced ingredients
    • Flaxseed for a healthy coat
    • Parsley to help freshen breath
    Cons
    • Chewy “jerky” texture
    • Potentially contains palm oil (in vegetable glycerine)

    8. K9 Natural Freeze-Dried Dog Food

    K9 Natural Freeze-Dried Dog Food Lamb & Salmon

    Main ingredients: Lamb, lamb organs, salmon, eggs
    Protein content: 38%
    Fat content: 38%
    Calories: 214 kcal/cup

    K9 Natural freeze-dried dog food is a great option if you’re looking for food that closely resembles the texture, smell, and taste of a fresh diet. The majority of the ingredients are meat, with a smaller percentage of seafood and fruits and vegetables.

    This food is also relatively high in fat, so it’s important to keep an eye on your dog’s weight if you switch to this food.

    One downside of K9 Natural is that it requires rehydration, so you’ll need to add water to the food before serving it to your dog. However, overall, K9 Natural is a great option if you’re looking for freeze-dried food that closely resembles fresh, raw ingredients.

    Pros
    • Rehydrates well to emulate fresh raw textures
    • 90% meat ingredients, 5% seafood, 5% fruit, vegetables, and minerals
    • Traceable supply chain
    Cons
    • High-fat content
    • Requires rehydration

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    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Raw Dog Food in Australia

    What Is Raw Dog Food?

    Raw dog food is a type of pet food that is made with uncooked, natural ingredients. The ingredients in raw dog food are typically meat, organs, bones, and vegetables. Some raw dog foods also contain fruits, grains, or other carbohydrates.

    Raw dog food diets are based on the premise that dogs evolved to eat raw, unprocessed food. Proponents of raw diets believe that this type of food is more natural and healthful for dogs than the cooked, processed pet foods that are typically found in stores.

    Fresh vs Raw Dog Food

    Raw dog food and fresh dog food are similar, but there are some important differences to be aware of.

    Raw dog food is typically made with ingredients that have not been cooked or processed in any way. The ingredients may be frozen, freeze-dried, or otherwise preserved but they have not been exposed to high temperatures.

    Fresh dog food, on the other hand, is completely unpreserved. Although it is naturally raw, it involves more work to prepare and attention to safe storage than preserved raw food.

    Benefits of Raw Dog Food

    There are a number of benefits that have been associated with feeding raw dog food.

    These benefits include:
    • Improved digestion: Raw dog food is easier for dogs to digest than cooked, processed pet food. This is because the ingredients in raw food retain more of their natural nutrients and enzymes.
    • Better nutrient absorption: Raw food is also more nutritionally dense than cooked food. This means that dogs who eat raw food are able to absorb more nutrients from their food.
    • Healthier skin and coat: The fatty acids in raw meat can improve the condition of your dog’s skin and coat.
    • Increased energy levels: Dogs who eat raw food typically have more energy than those who eat cooked food. This is because raw food contains more nutrients and calories.
    • Smaller stools: Because raw dog food is easier to digest, it tends to produce smaller, firmer stools. This can be helpful if your dog is prone to diarrhea or constipation.

    Risks of Raw Dog Food

    Raw dog food diets have become increasingly popular in recent years as more pet owners look for ways to feed their dogs a healthy diet. However, there is some debate about the safety and efficacy of raw dog food diets.

    Some veterinarians and other animal experts believe that raw dog food diets may be unsafe due to the risk of bacterial contamination. Other experts believe that raw dog food diets may not provide all of the nutrients that dogs need.

    Always Consult a Professional

    If you are considering feeding your dog a raw diet, it is important to consult with a veterinarian or other animal expert first. They can help you determine if a raw diet is right for your dog and advise you on how to safely feed your dog a raw diet.

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    Conclusion

    Our overall top pick for the best raw dog food available in Australia is Ziwi Peak Otago Valley. This diet is chock full of different meat sources and added natural ingredients such as green-lipped mussels.

    For something a bit on the cheaper side, we recommend Balanced Life Rehydrate Chicken. This food is perfect for those who want to add a raw diet to their pet’s life, but don’t want to spend too much money doing so.

    But remember, there are a lot of benefits to raw diets for dogs when done correctly, so the higher price tag for these diets is an investment worth making!

    See also:


    Featured Image Credit: fetrinka, Shutterstock

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