Finding the best pet food for your furry friend seems to be a long battle that many pet owners face. Whether your pet is a fussy eater or they eat everything (and anything), it’s hard to find pet food options that provide the right nutrients your pet needs while still being snout-licking delicious.
If you’re eager to provide your pet with the best of the best (because they deserve only the best), we spoke with in-house vet and Lyka spokesperson, Dr. Matthew Muir. He explains the basics of pet food while offering sage advice for pet owners…
What are the different types of pet food available?
There are five main types of pet food available in Australia. Two of these are considered highly processed and three minimally processed.
“Dry kibble and canned foods are considered ultra-processed, whereas light-cooked, raw and freeze/air-dried foods are considered minimally processed,” says Dr. Muir.
Dry pet food
Dry pet food is normally found in the form of kibble. Kibble is popular amongst pet owners as it is a convenient and economical pet food option. However, most kibble is ultra-processed, with ingredients being prepared at higher temperatures – making the end product less nutritious than it could have been.
“Ultra-processed food generally has high levels of carbohydrates,” says Dr. Muir, “Dogs do not have any requirement for carbohydrates, so many refer to this type of diet as biologically inappropriate.”
Canned pet food
Another convenient pet food option for owners, but comes with the price of being highly processed.
Lightly-cooked pet food
Lightly cooked pet food is when food is heated enough to kill pathogens often found in raw ingredients (i.e. salmonella and e-coli), but still preserves the nutrition value of the ingredients. It’s a minimally-processed option of pet food.
Raw pet food
Raw pet food is primarily seen in the form of uncooked meat, edible bones, organs and dog-safe vegetables. It is unprocessed and is easily accessible.
Freeze or air-dried pet food
Freeze-dried or air-dried pet food is raw pet food that has gone through the process of drying to preserve the nutrients found in raw food. The end result is a highly nutritious, minimally-processed, shelf-stable product for your pet.
What are the benefits of feeding minimally processed food to your pet?
“The scientific benefits of feeding minimally-processed, low-carbohydrate diets [to your pet] include: a more diverse population of friendly gut bacteria, less risk of mould toxicity from food, less risk of obesity and decreased risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),” says Muir.
The best pet food subscriptions available in Australia 2024
With different options of pet food available and giving your pet a balanced diet in mind, we’ve rounded up the best pet food subscriptions that will get tails wagging for more.
For the purpose of price comparison, we’ve used Gimli as our generic dog size throughout this round up. Gimli is a two year-old toy cavoodle, weighing 8kg and is pretty active (1-2 hours of walking/playing per day).
Set and forget free-range dog food membership
from $49.95 at Frontier Pets
Made from 100 per cent free-range protein and produce sourced directly from Aussie farmers practicing sustainable agriculture, this pet food is better for your pet and better for the environment.
There’s chicken, beef and pork to choose from in three sizes, 900g, 2.5kg and 5kg. As part of Frontier Pets’ membership, customers can use the set and forget priority auto-delivery service, where you decide when you’d like your order delivered. You receive a reminder email a week before your delivery date so you can update, change, pause or add items to your order via the very simple membership portal.
Key features:
- Options available for dogs and cats
- Choose between free-range beef, free-range chicken, free-range pork and multi-pack combos
- No lock in contract
Pet food (dry and raw) auto-delivery service
from $12.99 at PetPost
No matter your furry friends’ preference for a good kibble or something a little more lavish (wet food that is), PetPost has you sorted. From more than 300 types to choose from, we can guarantee your four-legged friends’ next meal time is one for the books. Best of all, with the option to choose repeat delivery as you like, enjoy the benefits of a bag on hand – yep, that means no more bottom-of-the-bag sadness.
Key features:
- Options available for dogs, cats, small animals and birds
- Choose between wet food, dry food and prescription food (dogs and cats only)
- Repeat delivery service – delivery every second week all the way to delivery every 16 weeks and all in between.
Dog food (dry and raw) subscription
from $82 per 8kg at Petzyo
Choose from Petzyo’s selection of grain-free dry and raw dog food that is packed with superfood extras and is made from 100 per cent natural ingredients. Its Kibble That Counts range comes in three flavours – chicken and turkey, salmon and ocean fish, kangaroo and sweet potato – and is made in small batches which means it’s fresh when delivered to your door!
“Fantastic experience. Easy to order, excellent communication throughout and doggo’s coat is now beautiful and soft,” notes a five-star reviewer.
Petzyo’s raw dog food range features chicken, beef and kangaroo, with each flavour made to suit different dogs and their needs.
Key features:
- Premium dog food catered to size specific measurements and age
- Choose between nutrition varying from high protein, low fat, single protein and grain-free
- Choose between dry food and raw food
- Australian made and owned
- Ethically sourced and sustainably made
SUPERCOAT adult dog food 12kg
$78 per month at Amazon
SUPERCOAT recipes are specially tailored to suit your dog’s life stage and specific needs, so you can be sure they’re getting the right nourishment to support overall health and wellbeing.
It features a precise combination of high-quality natural ingredients blended with real beef, plus 22 essential vitamins and minerals, to nourish your dog with the tailored nutrition they need to bring out their best every day.
“I haven’t actually tasted this but my dogs love it! Buying from Amazon saves me big time in more than $’s – no more lugging it in and out of the car,” said a five-star reviewer.
Key features:
- Options available for all dog sizes and needs
- Add auto-delivery in ‘manage your subscriptions’
Auto-delivery with Pet Circle
If you’re wanting to choose specific brands of pet food to be delivered straight to your door swiftly, then Pet Circle will have you covered.
Pet Circle is not only one of Australia’s biggest online pet food stores, but it also offers a handy auto-delivery service so your pet’s food and supplies can be delivered to you, without you even having to lift a finger. Better again, on your first order of auto delivery save 30 per cent on food, treats and toys.
Each recurring order helps you save extra, and the auto-delivery service makes the chore of buying pet food super convenient. Perfect for dog owners on the go.
Key features:
- Options available for dogs, cats, small animals and birds
- Choose between wet food, dry food, freeze and air dried, and prescription food
- Choose between natural treats, dental treats, training treats and more
- 200,000 satisfied customers
Fresh dog food and treats subscription with Lyka
With rave reviews, Lyka is one of Australia’s most popular dog food subscription services – and with good reason. With five different recipes formulated by their in-house vet, Dr. Muir, lightly cooked to preserve vital nutrients, every bite is packed with whole food goodness.
With options aplenty from turkey, lamb, kangaroo, beef, chicken to fish, your pup will be licking their bowl clean in no time.
“It’s beneficial to do your research and opt for a wholefood dog food, with a meal plan-based offering like Lyka’s, where meals provided are not only balanced and include the necessary nutrients, but are tailored to the attributes and specific health needs of each individual dog,” says Dr. Muir.
“Buddy’s improvement was huge after just one month on Lyka. No more itching. His coat got smooth, soft and shiny. It’s been the best thing for him,” says reviewer and dog owner, Ana.
Key features:
- Locally and ethically sourced Australian produce
- Gently cooked for bioavailability
- Easy delivery in insulated Lyka box
- Custom-portioned servings; your choice of six various proteins
- Option to skip, delay, pause or cancel any time
How important is a balanced diet for your pet?
Long story short: this is critically important. Dogs and cats have high requirements for protein, omega fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.
“Biology is complex and amazing, with specific nutrients all playing roles in keeping the body healthy and delaying ageing,” says Dr. Muir.
“It is critical to ensure your pet’s nutritional plan is based on delivery of all necessary nutrients in a bioavailable form and in the appropriate ratios to one another – for example, omega-6:omega-3 ratio and zinc:copper ratio. If they are not in balance with one another, it can affect what these nutrients do in the body – especially the ability of diet to be inflammatory and cause liver damage.”
Pet foods should be devised by experts (such as Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists) and meet or exceed requirements set by AAFCO and/or FEDIAF (regulatory bodies for pet food).
Related articles:
- The best dog toys that are guaranteed to keep your dog busy
- The best vacuum cleaners to deal with pet hair
- The best dog harnesses for your pup
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