Dogs | Food | Health
Dog Food Ingredient Red Flags Aussies Need to Avoid
It’s a sweltering Aussie summer arvo, and Bruce the Golden is drooling at his dinner bowl. As a proud dog mum, I’m just as eager — but not before double-checking the label for dodgy dog food ingredients. Living in the Australian climate teaches you to be picky; the wrong ingredients can spoil or upset a pup’s tummy faster than you can say “sausage sizzle”. Why fuss over a few odd-sounding ingredients? Because what’s hidden in the fine print can make a world of difference to our pets’ health.
The Upshot
Vague meats, BHA, sulphites and added sugar — four red flags worth chasing.
A good dog food names its proteins, preserves them with natural alternatives like Vitamin E, skips sulphite-laden pet mince, and doesn’t sweeten or salt itself into a treat. Spend two minutes on the ingredients panel before you buy — it usually saves vet bills down the line.
Best Multivitamin
Petz Park Multivitamin for Dogs
- Aussie-made, easy-to-mix powder
- Green banana aids digestion
- Ongoing cost for larger breeds
See the full Product Guide: Best Multivitamins for Dogs in Australia
Best Automatic Feeder
Closer Pets C200 Automatic Dog Feeder
- Wet or dry food, ice pack
- Simple dials, no WiFi or apps
- Limited to two smaller meals
See the full Product Guide: Best Automatic Dog Feeders in Australia
Aussie pet owners have seen everything from allergies to serious illnesses trace back to poor-quality diets. This article breaks down which dog food ingredient red flags to avoid and how to spot them on pet food labels, so you can keep your best mate happy and healthy under the Aussie sun (for more detailed feeding guidance, check out the RSPCA dog feeding guide).
Quick Takeaways
The five things worth remembering. Scroll across to read all five.
Name the meat
Choose dog foods with clearly named meats — vague terms like “meat by-products” or “poultry meal” can be red flags for low-quality sources you can’t actually identify on the label.
Skip the synthetics
Avoid artificial preservatives like BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin and the usual chemical additives. They’re controversial enough that even mid-range Aussie brands are quietly switching to Vitamin E and rosemary extract instead.
Watch for sulphites
Sulphite preservatives in “pet mince” or chilled rolls have been linked to potentially fatal Vitamin B1 deficiencies in dogs. Check pet-shop fridges before you buy — sulphur dioxide and metabisulphite are the labels to dodge.
No sugar or salt
Skip foods loaded with added sugars or excessive salt. Sweeteners like corn syrup and salty flavour boosters offer no real benefit and quietly push obesity, dental issues and dehydration over time.
Natural over cheap
When in doubt, pick dog foods with natural preservatives like Vitamin E and whole, named ingredients. They cost a little more upfront, but they save you heartbreak — and vet bills — down the track.
Cheap fillers and mystery meats
Ever flipped over a dog food bag and seen corn or wheat listed as the first ingredient? That’s a clue you’re looking at a filler-heavy food. Cheap fillers (like corn, wheat or soy) bulk up the kibble but don’t provide much nutritional bang for your buck. In moderation, carbohydrates aren’t evil — many dogs digest cooked grains just fine — but when half the bag is maize, it means less room for quality meat. I learned this the hard way when Bruce’s once-glossy coat turned dull on a bargain kibble that was mostly cereal. Lesson learned: if the ingredient list starts to read like a bakery aisle, it’s time to shop elsewhere.
Another big red flag is the infamous “mystery meat”. Terms like “meat by-products”, “meat and bone meal” or “animal digest” hide the true source of the protein. They could include anything from nutritious organ meat to low-grade scraps — you just don’t know.
Dogs are natural scavengers, sure, but that doesn’t mean we should feed them unnamed leftovers. I reckon Bruce would eat a boot if it smelled like beef, but I’d rather his protein come from clearly identified sources like “chicken” or “beef liver” instead of “poultry by-product meal”. Named ingredients indicate the manufacturer isn’t shy about quality. In contrast, vague meat ingredients could even come from multiple species or include icky bits we’d never knowingly serve (beaks and feathers, anyone?).
When you see mystery meat on the label, consider it a big paw-print warning sign of a lower-quality food.
Artificial preservatives and additives
If you’d rather skip the synthetic preservative debate entirely, Purina Supercoat (pictured) is one of the easier mid-range Aussie picks — it’s preserved with mixed tocopherols (Vitamin E) instead of BHA or BHT, and turns up in most supermarkets. Worth knowing what natural preservatives actually look like before we get into what to avoid.
Long shelf life is great for your pantry, but it can come at a cost to your dog’s health. Many dry dog foods (kibble) use artificial preservatives to stop fats from going rancid in our climate. Common culprits are chemicals like BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin — you might even spot them by their food additive codes (320, 321 and 324) on Aussie labels. These synthetic antioxidants do the job of preserving food, but they’re controversial. Studies have raised concerns that BHA and BHT could be carcinogenic in high doses, and while the jury may still be out, many pet parents (including me) prefer to play it safe and avoid them. Luckily, plenty of brands now use natural alternatives (like mixed tocopherols, a form of Vitamin E) instead of the nasty stuff.
It’s not just preservatives; watch for other additives too. Artificial colours serve no purpose other than making kibble look “fun” to humans — your dog doesn’t care if his biscuits are brown or rainbow. Yet, some lower-end foods are dyed red or green, which can trigger allergies or hyperactivity in sensitive pups. Similarly, artificial flavour enhancers might mask poor-quality ingredients. And then there’s propylene glycol, a chemical used to keep semi-moist foods chewy. It’s actually banned in cat food (it can cause anaemia in our feline friends), which tells you enough about how undesirable it is. If I see propylene glycol or a parade of colour numbers (like 102, 110, 129) in a product, it goes straight back on the shelf.
One sneaky class of preservatives deserves special mention: sulphite preservatives. These include compounds like sulphur dioxide and sodium metabisulphite — often found in “fresh” chilled pet meat rolls to keep them looking red and appetising. The problem? In dogs (and cats) these preservatives can destroy thiamine (Vitamin B1). Over time, a diet high in sulphites can cause a deadly vitamin deficiency. RSPCA Australia has warned that sulphite-packed pet meats have led to fatal cases of vitamin B1 deficiency in pets. In other words, that convenient dog meat roll from the fridge could carry an invisible danger. If you do feed fresh or raw pet meat, make sure it’s human-grade with no preservatives, or at least rotate it and supplement the diet so your dog isn’t getting a constant sulphite load. Better yet, stick to premium foods that play it safe with preservation.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| BHA, BHT & ethoxyquin | Synthetic antioxidants used to extend shelf life. They’re effective preservatives but have been linked to potential health issues (like cancer) with long-term exposure. Mostly found in cheaper, low-quality dog foods. |
| Unnamed meat by-products | Vague meat ingredients (e.g. “meat meal”, “poultry by-product meal”). Could include various animal parts of questionable quality. Lack of transparency here is a red flag, as it often indicates lower-grade protein sources. |
| Propylene glycol | Chemical humectant added to moist dog foods and treats to keep them chewy. Allowed in dog food (but banned in cat food due to toxicity). While small amounts won’t kill a dog, it’s an unnecessary additive best avoided. |
| Sulphite preservatives | Preservatives like sulphur dioxide (220) and sodium metabisulphite (223) used in some pet meats and rolls. They can destroy Vitamin B1 (thiamine); sustained use has caused fatal deficiencies. If present, the food should include added thiamine — but it’s safer to steer clear altogether. |
| Artificial colours | Food dyes (e.g. Blue 2, Red 40) added for visual appeal. They offer zero nutritional benefit and can trigger allergies or behavioural issues in some dogs. Basically, they make the food look “yummy” to you, not your pup. |
| Added sugars | Sweeteners like sucrose, corn syrup or molasses included to make food more palatable. They contribute to obesity, dental problems, and diabetes over time. Dogs don’t need any added sugars in their diet — avoid foods that read like confectionery. |
Hidden sugars and excess salt
We humans know to watch our sugar intake, and the same goes for our dogs. Yet, you’d be surprised how many dog foods and treats sneak in sweeteners. Check the label for words like “sugar”, “sucrose”, “corn syrup”, “fructose” or “dextrose”. These added sugars are there to make the food taste like a canine dessert, but they can wreak havoc on your dog’s waistline and teeth. I once caught Bruce bouncing off the walls after gobbling some bargain treats — turns out they were loaded with sugar, sending him into a zoomie frenzy like a kid on red cordial. Now I skip any product that lists sugar (or any alias of it) as an ingredient. Dogs have a sweet tooth to some extent, but they certainly don’t need lolly-like kibble each day.
Salt is another one to keep an eye on. Dogs do require a bit of sodium for their nerves and muscles, but there’s a big difference between a pinch of salt and a salt lick. Low-quality dog foods might be overly salty to make up for bland ingredients — if you see “salt” or “sodium chloride” high up in the ingredients list (or several salt-based additives spread throughout), that’s a red flag. Excess salt can lead to dehydration, and in extreme cases even sodium poisoning. (Think of how thirsty you get after a packet of chips — our pups feel the same, and their kidneys cop the stress.) We discuss this further in our Knowledge Guide on human foods that are unsafe for Aussie dogs. Australia’s hot climate means our dogs are already prone to dehydration, so the last thing we want is a food that makes them even thirstier. Aim for foods where any added salt is minimal and appears toward the very end of the ingredient list.
Other hidden add-ins to be wary of include cheap oils or fats added in large amounts (sometimes to up the calorie content on the cheap) and those unpronounceable additives we covered earlier. The bottom line is: a good dog food shouldn’t read like junk food. High sugar or salt content is a sign of a heavily processed, flavour-enhanced product rather than a naturally nutritious meal. By choosing options without the excess sugar and salt, you’ll help your dog maintain a healthy weight and happy, well-functioning organs. (Bruce certainly has more pep in his step since we cut the sugary snacks and overly salty chews from his diet!)
A good dog food shouldn’t read like junk food.
FAQ
Why avoid preservatives like BHA and BHT in dog food?
BHA (Butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene) are synthetic preservatives that keep fats from spoiling. They aren’t acutely toxic in the small amounts used in pet food, and regulators consider them safe enough to use. However, studies in lab animals have linked these chemicals to cancer and other issues at high doses, which understandably worries pet owners. The science for dogs isn’t conclusive, but many of us take a “better safe than sorry” approach. Plus, with natural options available (like Vitamin E or rosemary extract) to preserve food, there’s no good reason to stick with BHA/BHT if you can avoid them. Many premium and even mid-range dog foods in Australia have phased out artificial preservatives due to consumer demand. Bottom line: your pup can live without BHA and BHT just fine, so why not choose a food that skips them?
Are meat by-products really that bad for my dog?
“By-product” is a bit of a dirty word in pet food, but it’s not always as horrific as it sounds. By-products can include organ meats like liver, kidneys and heart, which actually are nutritious and something wild dogs would eat. The issue is quality and transparency. If a label just says “meat by-products”, you have no clue what’s in there — it could be organs, or it could be less desirable parts (connective tissue, beaks, who knows). High-quality brands that use by-products will often name them specifically (e.g. “chicken liver” instead of “poultry by-product”). That specificity tells you it’s an intended ingredient, not a rendered mystery mix. In general, unnamed by-products are considered lower quality because they often come from the leftovers of the human food industry. They won’t necessarily harm your dog outright, but they may be less digestible and less nutritious than identifiable meat ingredients. My rule: if the by-product isn’t listed by name, I treat the food as suspect. It’s worth investing in a diet with named, high-quality ingredients so you know what your dog is actually eating.
Should I avoid grain ingredients in dog food?
Grains have gotten a bad rap in some dog owner circles, but for most dogs, there’s no need to avoid them. Whole grains like rice, oats, or barley can be a good source of energy and fibre. The key is proportion and the dog’s individual tolerance. Unless your dog has a confirmed grain allergy or sensitivity (which is actually not very common — protein allergies like beef or chicken are more typical), you don’t have to go grain-free. In fact, completely grain-free diets have been linked to certain heart problems in dogs in recent years, so “grain-free” isn’t automatically healthier. The real red flag is when a food uses grain fillers excessively in place of animal protein. A balanced dog food might have some rice or corn, but meat should still be the star of the show. So, you can keep grains on the menu unless your vet advises otherwise. Just focus on quality: a bit of brown rice in the ingredients is fine, but you don’t want it to be the first ingredient.
My dog’s food has garlic listed — is that safe?
Garlic (and its cousin, onion) is a known toxin for dogs in large amounts. It contains compounds that can damage a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anaemia. That said, you’ll sometimes find tiny amounts of garlic in dog treats or foods, marketed for “flavour” or even as a supposed flea repellent. In those low doses, it’s unlikely to cause immediate harm — but the benefit to your dog is basically zero, so why include it at all? The general advice from vets and organisations like the RSPCA is to avoid feeding onions or garlic to dogs, even in small quantities. It’s cumulative too: a little garlic every day can build up and potentially cause problems over time. I personally steer clear of any product that proudly lists garlic. If you spot garlic or onion powder on a dog food label, consider it a yellow flag. While your pup probably won’t keel over from a trace amount, it’s an unnecessary risk. Opt for foods that rely on meaty goodness (not seasoning from the Allium family) to be tasty. Your dog’s health is worth more than a dash of garlic.
Does avoiding these ingredients mean I have to buy expensive food?
Not always. While it’s true that many premium brands avoid things like artificial additives and use higher-quality ingredients (and charge accordingly), there are affordable options that are decent too. The key is reading the label. Some mid-range Australian brands have simple, solid recipes without the nasties — they might not have fancy packaging or celebrity ads, but they get the job done. Generally, better ingredients do cost more, so ultra-cheap kibble is cheap for a reason (usually because it’s packed with fillers and by-products). I look at it this way: spending a bit more on quality food now can save you on vet bills later. Since switching Bruce to a better diet, he’s been healthier and we’ve had fewer tummy upsets and skin issues, which means less money spent on treatments. Of course, price isn’t a guarantee of quality — there are pricey foods that aren’t great and budget-friendly ones that are fine. So, use your judgment. By avoiding the obvious red flags we discussed, you can find a good food at a reasonable cost. And if you do decide to splurge on a top-shelf brand, you’ll likely see the difference in your dog’s wellbeing, which to me is worth every cent.
Final thoughts
Navigating the world of pet food can feel overwhelming, but remember: you don’t need a PhD in nutrition to spot the red flags. A bit of label savvy goes a long way. Avoid the obvious baddies — the vague meats, the chemical additives, the unnecessary sugars — and you’ll already be ahead of the pack. Feeding our dogs is one of the main ways we show we care, and making informed choices is part of that love. Here in Australia, we’re lucky to have a growing range of healthy pet food options, from grain-inclusive to boutique blends, so you’re not stuck with the old mystery-meat kibble of decades past.
At the end of the day, every dog is an individual. What agrees with Bruce might not suit the next pup, and that’s okay. Use the red flags in this article as a guide, but also listen to your dog and your vet. If your dog’s coat is shiny, energy levels are good, and those droppings out in the yard look healthy — you’re probably on the right track! And if not, don’t be afraid to switch things up for the better. Bruce will be the first to tell you that a tasty, wholesome dinner (minus the nasties) is paws-down the best treat. Even Luna the cat seems to approve — she’s taken to snarfing a piece of Bruce’s new kibble now and then. Here’s to keeping our furry family members happy, healthy, and well-fed with food that does them right.