Best Grain-Free Dog Food in Australia
The best grain-free dog food in Australia is Ivory Coat — scoring 71/100 overall, it's the most accessible dedicated grain-free brand on our list, with an Australian-made range across dry and wet. ZIWI Peak (81/100, naturally grain-free air-dried), Prime100 (78/100), SavourLife (75/100) and Black Hawk (76/100) grain-free complete the picks.
Reviewed by the Dog Food Reviews editorial team
Independent scoring · Updated June 2026 · Not veterinary advice
Our top grain-free picks
Grain-free is not carb-free. Read the whole panel.
Peas, lentils and sweet potato are the most common replacements for wheat, corn and rice in grain-free formulas. They are carbohydrate sources — not protein. A grain-free food with peas as the second ingredient and a vague 'meat meal' further down the panel is not necessarily better than a grain-inclusive food with a named protein first. Don't buy the front of the bag; read the ingredient panel.
Grain-free picks compared
What to look for in grain-free dog food
Named meat first
The first ingredient should be a named animal protein (e.g. chicken, lamb, kangaroo) — not a grain substitute like peas or lentils.
Check the carb sources
Grain-free doesn't mean low-carb. Note what replaces the grain — sweet potato, tapioca and peas are common alternatives.
Understand the DCM context
US research found a potential link between high-legume grain-free diets and heart disease in dogs. The science is evolving; discuss with your vet if concerned.
Has your dog's grain sensitivity been confirmed?
Grain intolerance is less common than marketing suggests. True elimination requires vet input. Don't assume grain is the problem without evidence.
Complete & balanced statement
Regardless of grain content, confirm the food is complete and balanced for your dog's life stage.
Vet input for health-driven decisions
If the move to grain-free is driven by a health issue, confirm the cause and the solution with your vet before switching.
Frequently asked questions
Ivory Coat is our top pick for a dedicated grain-free brand — its core range is grain-free by design, Australian made, and widely stocked at a reasonable per-kg price (71/100 overall). ZIWI Peak (81/100) leads the index overall and is naturally grain-free, but comes at a significant price premium. SavourLife's grain-free range is the best value option on the list at 78/100 value score.
Most dogs digest grain well and don't require grain-free food. Grain-free diets are most relevant for dogs with a confirmed grain sensitivity or intolerance — but these are less common than marketing would suggest. If you're considering grain-free for health reasons, confirm the cause of the issue with your vet before switching; other dietary factors are often the culprit.
Not automatically. In the United States, the FDA investigated a potential link between grain-free diets high in peas, lentils and legumes and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. The science is not settled, but the association is worth knowing. In Australia the picture is similar — grain-free is not inherently superior, and a high-quality grain-inclusive food with a named-meat-first panel often outperforms a lower-quality grain-free alternative. Discuss with your vet if you have concerns.
Common replacements include sweet potato, peas, lentils, chickpeas and tapioca. These carbohydrate sources are grain-free but not carbohydrate-free — a grain-free label doesn't mean low-carb or high-meat. Check the ingredient panel and ingredient percentages, not just the grain-free claim on the front of the bag.
No. Dog Food Reviews is an independent comparison resource. Grain-free decisions with a health basis — especially suspected grain intolerance — should be made with your vet's input, not a comparison page alone.