It’s time to settle the score. When it comes to the best dog food Australia has to offer, how does it rank on the global stage?
To understand more about how Australian-made dog food compares to the rest of the world, we’re going to pull back the curtain on what makes some dog foods better than others.
We’ll do so by looking at the four key factors that separate nutritious dog food from unhealthy brands. And, as we’ll discover, opting for locally produced dog food is the best option for your furry bestie.
What constitutes top-quality dog food?
Before we talk about Australian-made best dog food, we need to know the basics of what makes up a delicious doggy dinner:
High-quality ingredients
This is the number one thing that Dog Owners look for. They want the best ingredients with the most vitamins, minerals and protein.
To help navigate the labelling and promises on the packaging of the ‘best dog food’ options, here are some key descriptors to look out for:
- Human-grade ingredients. This means that you and your pup could eat out of the same bowl. While your dog won’t want to share their scrumptious food, it’s a strong indication that the contents are high quality. Keep an eye out for mention of HACCP approved and auditable. That’s when you know it’s good stuff!
- It’s 100% natural. What’s important about a dog food recipe is the number of ingredients used. The fewer the ingredients, the more natural the meal. An Australian brand like Prime100 uses only functional ingredients, so you know your doggo is getting a complete & balanced diet at every mealtime.
- Look for low allergen. Low allergen dog food should have no fillers or artificial additives. This means that the chances of ingredients that cause allergy flare-ups or intolerances. By keeping the formula clean and natural, the food is gentler on dogs with sensitive stomachs.
If you want to go one step further when it comes to high-quality, companies like Prime100 even conduct Quality Assurance checks with every batch of dog food produced. Their team carefully tests, inspects, and evaluates each small batch before packaging to ensure it meets the highest standards.
Digestibility
The best dog food brands are rich in highly digestible ingredients. For your doggo, this means their meals are easier on the stomach, promoting smoother digestion and nutrient absorption.
It’s important to note here – although a type of food might be of high quality, it also needs to align with your dog’s dietary needs. For example, if your dog has a known grain sensitivity, look for grain-free formulas or those using easily digestible grains like brown rice or oats.
When it comes to dog food that’s highly digestible, lean meats, rice, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin are known to be gentle on the digestive system.
To help decipher dog food digestibility, look for recipes that have things like essential amino acids, crude fibre, and a healthy dose of dietary fat. These are the elements that you’d find in a well-rounded, fresh meal instead of a manufactured dog food.
You can learn more about the important role of essential amino acids in dog food digestibility in our recent article, What’s the Best Meat for Dogs?
Strong food safety measures
In the last few years, animal advocates like the RSPCA Australia have done a lot to improve pet food safety for our pets. Especially in the wake of some dog food concerns involving harmful preservatives just a few years ago, these groups made sure to push for regulations that would make pet food safer, both in the short- and long-term.
With this in mind, there are global governing bodies that the best dog food brands meet. The good news for Aussie pet parents – Prime100 meets the standards set by all three of these nutrition governing bodies: AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials), FEDIAF (Fédération Européenne De L’industrie Des Aliments Pour Animaux Familiers – The European standard) and NRC (National Research Council – Canada).
In addition, Prime100 goes the extra mile and frequently tests their meals with NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities). Only the best dog food will provide assurance through the independent testing by NATA – this means your dog is getting the ingredients (protein DNA), macro and micro-nutrients as printed in the guaranteed analysis.
The cooking process
From raw to slow-cooked, and everything in between – the cooking process can also dictate the quality of dog food.
Some of the more scientifically backed processes are:
- Slow-cooked: simmered low and slow to retain maximum nutrition and rich taste.
- Air dried: gently air-dried at controlled temperatures to slowly reduce moisture content and remove pathogens.
Finally, the best dog food Australia has to offer is…made locally!
On the one hand, there’s a huge environmental benefit to buying dog food that’s made in Australia. By eliminating the reliance on imported foods, your furry bestie can enjoy top-quality dog food without the huge carbon footprint.
Prime100’s single protein diet (SPD™️) Slow Cooked range features 71% plant-based packaging, which is recyclable in specific facilities. Their packaging also has 6x less impact on climate change compared to traditional wet food cans.
But there’s another reason why locally-made dog food is preferable: it’s more likely to be fresh. Prime100 is committed to supporting Aussie farmers and communities.
But not just any – they partner exclusively with licensed and audited human-grade suppliers who meet the strictest animal welfare standards. For example — one of their suppliers is dedicated to revitalising Queensland’s wild game kangaroo industry. Their innovative app tracks kangaroo populations, supporting long-term sustainability.
How does the best dog food Australia has to offer stack up?
When considering high quality ingredients, for instance, Australia has no shortage of healthy proteins and dog-friendly vegetables. Just take a look at the benefits of kangaroo meat, one of the best sources of protein for dogs that just so happens to be abundant in Australia.
And, as we’ve covered, pet food safety standards are making leaps and bounds in Australia.
We all know that the best things come right from our backyard, here in Australia. Dog food is no different. Buying locally is the best choice for the planet, and it’s also the best choice for nutritious dog food.
Australian brands like Prime100 maintain their product integrity in many ways. So, like their natural recipes, it’s only natural to choose their meals for your doggo!
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