Choosing kibble should feel reassuring, not confusing. The best dry dog food supports steady energy, a healthy skin and coat, firm stools, and a dog that stays in ideal body condition without constant tweaking.
That sweet spot comes from matching the recipe to your dog’s age, size, activity level, and unique needs, then making sure the food is nutritionally complete and made by a company that takes quality control seriously.
You can see good nutrition in everyday life — bright eyes, fresh breath, calm digestion, and excitement at mealtime.
If you’re in Sydney, having a trusted pet store like 77 Paws makes the choice easier. We stock a curated range of premium brands and can help you find the right balance for your dog’s lifestyle.
Below is a practical guide to assessing dry dog food and choosing with confidence.
When considering what is a good dry dog food, it's important to take into account both nutritional quality and your dog's specific needs. A high-quality dry dog food should list named animal proteins, like chicken or turkey, as the primary ingredients and avoid vague terms such as "meat" or "animal digest." The best dry dog foods also incorporate a good balance of fats for energy, and use natural preservatives and chelated minerals for enhanced nutrient absorption. Foods that are complete and balanced for the dog's stage of life provide the necessary nutrients for their health and wellbeing.
Start with your dog’s real needs
Different dogs thrive on different nutrient profiles. Before reading labels, pin down a few essentials.
● Life stage
○ Puppy - growth recipes, especially for large breed puppies
○ Adult - maintenance formulas
○ Senior - often lower calories, joint and brain support
● Size
○ Small breeds - higher metabolisms, small kibble size
○ Large and giant breeds - controlled calcium in puppyhood, joint support later on
● Activity level
○ Couch companion vs agility dog or working dog
● Health considerations
○ Sensitive stomach, skin issues, allergies or intolerances, urinary concerns, weight control
A dog with itchy skin may need a limited-ingredient recipe with stable omega-3s. A sprinting kelpie may benefit from higher fat and protein, and incorporating a brand like Lyka could be beneficial for meeting their unique dietary needs. A large breed puppy needs careful calcium and energy density to support slow, steady growth.
What “complete and balanced” really means
In Australia, many brands formulate to AAFCO nutrient profiles, and a growing number follow the Australian Standard AS 5812, which sets guidance for the manufacturing and marketing of pet food. Look for statements that confirm a food is complete and balanced for your dog’s life stage. You’ll usually see one of these:
● Formulated to meet AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for a stated life stage
● Proven adequate by AAFCO feeding trials for a stated life stage
Feeding trials tend to provide stronger evidence of real-world performance, though formulation to profiles is common and reliable when done by experienced nutrition teams. If a label says “all life stages,” it must meet puppy standards, which are higher in many nutrients. That can be a bit much for some adult dogs, so adult maintenance formulas are often a better everyday fit unless you have a very active dog or a pregnant or lactating female.
Decoding the label without the guesswork
Ingredients are listed by weight before cooking. Fresh meat contains a lot of water, so “meat meal” can be a concentrated protein source. What you want is clarity and quality.
● Named animal proteins near the top - chicken, beef, lamb, salmon, turkey, kangaroo
● Balanced fat sources - chicken fat, fish oil for DHA and EPA
● Sensible carbohydrates - oats, rice, barley, sorghum, or legumes in balanced amounts
● Fibre sources - beet pulp, pumpkin, chicory root, psyllium, or similar
● Vitamins and minerals - ideally including chelated minerals for better absorption
● Stability - a natural preservative like mixed tocopherols
Be wary of vague terms like “meat” without specifying the animal, or “animal digest” without detail, especially if they dominate the ingredient list.
Quick-reference table for label terms
|
Label term |
What it signals |
|
Complete and balanced |
Meets a recognised nutrient profile for a life stage |
|
All life stages |
Meets puppy growth standards - can be rich for some adult dogs |
|
Meat first |
Good sign, though added water in fresh meat can skew perception |
|
Meat meal |
Concentrated protein - fine when named and of good quality |
|
By-products |
Mixed bag - can be nutritious if quality controlled and named |
|
Grain-free |
Useful for certain dogs - not automatically better |
|
Natural preservatives |
Mixed tocopherols, rosemary, vitamin C sources |
|
Chelated minerals |
Improved mineral absorption potential |
|
Probiotics/Prebiotics |
Supports gut health if viable and in meaningful amounts |
Protein quality and quantity
Protein fuels muscle, organ function, enzymes, and immune health. The source and digestibility matter as much as the percentage.
● Adults often do well with 24 to 32 percent crude protein
● Puppies usually sit higher, 26 to 35 percent, with emphasis on amino acid balance
● Look for named animal proteins - salmon, chicken, lamb, turkey, kangaroo, beef
● Rotating protein sources can help reduce the risk of sensitivities over time
Meat meals provide concentrated protein once water is removed. A formula that lists both fresh chicken and chicken meal early in the list often indicates robust protein density. Soy, peas, and chickpeas can contribute protein, but the best digestibility usually comes from animal sources.
Fats and omega-3s
Fat carries flavor, delivers energy, and supports skin, coat, brain, and hormone function.
● Adults often thrive with 12 to 18 percent crude fat
● Active dogs may benefit from 18 to 22 percent
● Puppies and seniors need steady omega-3 support
Look for fish oil or algal oil named on the label for EPA and DHA. Chicken fat is a strong energy source and widely tolerated. Seeds like flaxseed add ALA, though dogs convert ALA to EPA and DHA poorly, so direct sources of marine omega-3s are valuable.
Carbohydrates and fibre without the hype
Carbohydrates provide energy and help form a kibble that holds together. Dogs can digest starch well when it is cooked properly. Balanced fibre supports gut health and stool quality.
● Whole grains like oats, barley, rice, and sorghum work well for many dogs
● Legumes like peas and lentils are fine in moderation
● Look for 3 to 6 percent crude fibre for most dogs
● Sensitive stomachs often benefit from beet pulp, chicory root, or pumpkin seed
There has been debate about dilated cardiomyopathy and boutique, exotic, or grain-free foods. The picture is complex and not fully settled. If you prefer grain-free, choose a brand with strong manufacturing standards, balanced legumes in the top half of the ingredient list, and added taurine, carnitine, and marine omega-3s. Speak with your vet if your dog is a predisposed breed.
The micronutrient layer
Big-ticket nutrients get the headlines, but the small stuff, like flavor additives, does plenty of heavy lifting.
● Chelated minerals like zinc proteinate may absorb better
● Added vitamins should match the life stage and processing stability
● DHA for puppies and seniors is helpful for brain health
● Vitamin E plus fish oil keeps the skin barrier in good shape
● Probiotics like Enterococcus or Lactobacillus can support regular stools if stored properly
● Prebiotics like FOS and MOS feed friendly bacteria
If your dog has joint concerns, look for recipes that include green lipped mussel, glucosamine, and chondroitin. These aren’t magic on their own, but they can support other management steps.
Ingredients and practices to approach carefully
Absolute rules rarely hold, but a few patterns tend to correlate with poorer outcomes.
● Vague proteins - “animal”, “meat” without a species
● Artificial colours - dogs do not need food dye
● Too many legumes listed before any grains or animal meal
● Heavy use of plant proteins to inflate overall protein percentage
● Excess salt or sugar
● Preservatives like BHA and BHT in high amounts
● Claims that feel too good to be true without data
If a company refuses to answer simple questions about who formulates the food, where it is made, or whether it meets AAFCO profiles or AS 5812, move on.
Dental health and kibble shape
While dry food won’t clean teeth on its own, certain kibble shapes and fibres can reduce plaque. If teeth are a focus, consider:
● Kibble sized to match jaw size and bite pattern
● Recipes that note specific dental technology
● Dental chews that carry credible third-party approval
● A realistic plan for brushing a few times a week
Teeth respond best to a combination approach: diet choices, chews, and brushing.
Special cases that benefit from tailored recipes
● Sensitive stomach
○ Look for simpler ingredient lists, moderate fat, and stable fibres
○ Avoid frequent changes once you find a fit
● Skin and coat issues
○ Higher omega-3s, named fish oils, and controlled common allergens
● Weight control
○ Higher protein, lower calories per cup, and meaningful fibre
● Large breed puppies
○ Controlled calcium to phosphorus ratio around 1.2 to 1.4 to 1
○ Energy density that supports slow growth
● Seniors
○ Slightly higher protein than you might expect, steady omega-3s, and joint support
Speak with your vet before major changes when there are medical conditions in play, and consider brands like Lyka. Diet is powerful, and a little guidance goes a long way.
When considering what is a good dry dog food, it's important to assess both nutritional content and the manufacturing practices of the brand. A good dry dog food will often include high-quality protein sources as the primary ingredient, a balance of healthy fats and carbohydrates, and necessary vitamins and minerals. Additionally, these foods should be free from artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors. It's also beneficial to check for a brand that offers formulas tailored to specific life stages of the dog, as well as any particular health needs or preferences your pet might have. Consulting with a veterinarian can provide guidance tailored to your dog's individual needs and help you choose an appropriate dry food option.
Quality control behind the scenes
You’re buying the recipe, but you’re also buying the manufacturer’s process. Strong companies:
● Employ qualified nutritionists
● Track batch numbers and source ingredients consistently
● Test for pathogens and nutrient targets
● Publish or share digestibility data
● Provide a direct line to customer support with real answers
Pet food recalls are rare in Australia, yet transparency helps keep them that way. A brand that volunteers details on sourcing and testing tends to earn trust.
Price, value, and the cost to feed
Price per bag tells only part of the story. Dense foods often cost more per kilo but feed fewer cups. To compare value, estimate the cost to feed per day.
A quick method:
- Find calories per cup on the bag or brand website
- Use your dog’s daily calorie target
- Divide daily calories by calories per cup to get cups per day
- Multiply cups per day by cost per cup
Example:
● Food A: 395 kcal per cup, $139 for 12 kg bag, roughly 48 cups per bag
● Cost per cup: $139 ÷ 48 ≈ $2.90
● Dog needs 800 kcal per day
● 800 ÷ 395 ≈ 2.0 cups per day
● Daily cost ≈ 2.0 × $2.90 = $5.80
Now compare that against another product. You might find the pricier bag is actually cheaper to feed.
Transitioning without tummy troubles
Most dogs handle change well if you switch gradually.
● Days 1 to 3 - 25 percent new, 75 percent current
● Days 4 to 6 - 50 percent new, 50 percent current
● Days 7 to 9 - 75 percent new, 25 percent current
● Day 10 - 100 percent new
Watch stool quality and energy. If stools soften, slow down the transition and add a spoon of plain pumpkin or a targeted fibre supplement if your vet agrees.
Storage and freshness
A brilliant recipe can underperform if it goes stale.
● Keep kibble in the original bag inside an airtight container
● Squeeze out air and reseal after scooping
● Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight
● Buy a bag size you’ll finish within 4 to 6 weeks
● Avoid pouring bags into a bin without the liner - the bag helps protect nutrients
Fish-rich and high omega-3 recipes are more sensitive to oxidation, so be extra careful with storage and shelf life.
Smart rotation without chaos
Rotating compatible foods can broaden nutrient exposure and help prevent fussiness.
● Keep the same life stage and a similar fat level when rotating
● Change one thing at a time - protein, brand, or carb base, not all three
● Transition over 7 to 10 days even within the same brand line
● Keep notes on stool quality, energy, and skin
If your dog has a history of allergies, stick with a stable diet plan recommended by your vet.
Five signs a kibble is a solid choice
● A clear statement of nutritional adequacy for your dog’s life stage
● Named animal proteins high on the ingredient list
● Evidence of thoughtful fat choices, with fish or algal oil for omega-3s
● Flavor, taste, and digestibility that produce consistent stools and steady energy
● A manufacturer that explains sourcing, testing, and who formulates the food
● When searching for what is a good dry dog food, consider factors like nutritional content, ingredient quality, and suitability for your dog's specific needs. It's essential to look for a clear nutritional adequacy statement that aligns with your dog's life stage, named animal proteins at the top of the ingredient list, and balanced fat sources such as fish or algal oil for essential omega-3s. These elements ensure consistent stool quality and energy levels. Always choose a reputable manufacturer that provides transparency in sourcing and production processes, making sure the food is balanced to support your pet's health and wellbeing.
Common myths that deserve a second look
● “Grain-free is always better.”
Not for every dog. Many do brilliantly on whole-grain formulas. The best choice is the one that fits your dog’s needs and is properly balanced.
● “Higher protein is always better.”
Too much protein without balancing fat and energy can cause weight gain or loose stools. Quality and balance matter more than a race to the top.
● “Dry food cleans teeth.”
Some specific diets can reduce plaque, but brushing and dental chews are still key.
● “By-products are bad.”
Unnamed by-products are a red flag. Named, quality-controlled organ meats can be nutrient-rich. Transparency is the issue.
● “You must stick to one brand forever.”
Some dogs benefit from variety. Rotate thoughtfully if your dog tolerates change.
A simple checklist you can use in the aisle
● Life stage and size match the label
● Complete and balanced statement is present
● Protein 24 to 32 percent for most adults, higher for puppies and athletes
● Named animal proteins up top
● Fat 12 to 18 percent for most adults, with fish or algal oil listed
● Fibre around 3 to 6 percent, with friendly sources
● No vague animal ingredients, no artificial colours
● Clear feeding guide and calories per cup supplied
● Bag size you can finish within 4 to 6 weeks
● A brand that answers questions about formulation and testing
Snap a photo of the label and compare against this list. It quickly separates the strong contenders from the rest.
Where to get reliable help in Sydney
If you’re in Sydney and want practical guidance on choosing the best dry dog food, visit 77 Paws — your local destination for premium pet nutrition. We stock a curated range of dry dog foods from trusted Australian and international brands known for strong quality control, clear nutrition claims, and transparent ingredient sourcing.
Our friendly team takes the time to understand your dog’s age, breed, weight, activity level, and sensitivities, so you can find a recipe that truly fits. Whether you’re looking for grain-free kibble, sensitive-stomach formulas, lyka, or high-protein dry food for active dogs, we make it easy to choose confidently.
At 77 Paws Sydney, you’ll also find premium treats, and essentials — all selected to support your pet’s health and happiness.
A well-chosen kibble pays off every day. Pick a sound base, store it properly, adjust feeding to keep a lean shape, and check in with your vet regularly. With 77 Paws’ expert advice and trusted brands, your dog’s meals do what they should: fuel a healthy, active life.
