The pet‑food industry in Australia is already worth around AUD 3–4.6 billion per year, yet there’s still no single “right” answer to what dogs should eat. After trying almost every type of dog food on the market, this is my own take on the options—and why I switched my dog, Sherlock, to a mostly raw diet.
Nature vs. Domestication
Dogs did start as hunters, so the idea that they should eat raw meat, bones, and organs makes sense in theory. But dogs have been domesticated for millennia. They’ve adapted to living with humans, sharing our homes, our schedules, and even our scraps. Over time, their digestive systems have changed, and today many dogs live perfectly healthy lives on processed food.
So the question isn’t just “What’s natural?” It’s also “What works for our modern life, your habits, and your dog’s actual health?” Let's dive in!
1. Kibble: The Cereal of Dog Food
Feeding only kibble is, to me, a bit like if a human ate cereal for every meal. It’s highly processed, sits on the shelf for months, and often relies on artificial vitamins and minerals to make up for what’s lost in processing. That doesn’t mean it’s bad; for many dogs, a good‑quality kibble is enough.
But I think of kibble as the “budget, convenient” baseline. It keeps well, it’s easy to store, and it’s manageable for busy pet parents. The trade‑off is that it’s further away from whole, fresh food.
2. Meat Loaves & Wet Food: The Ham and Sausages
Meat loaves and canned wet food are like eating ham and sausages. They’re still processed, but they usually contain more moisture and often better‑quality ingredients than cheap kibble. They can be great for picky eaters or dogs who need extra hydration.
They’re the “upgraded processed” option: not raw, but still closer to “meat” than a dry biscuit.
3. Air‑Dried Food: The Granola or Muesli
Air‑dried or gently processed kibbles are like granola or muesli for humans. They’re often made with better ingredients and less intense heat, which helps preserve more natural nutrients. They’re more expensive, and they still usually need some added vitamins to meet full nutritional standards.
If you want something better than basic kibble but aren’t ready for full raw or cooking from scratch, air‑dried food is a logical middle ground.
4. Raw / BARF: Closer to “Natural”
Raw meat diets (including BARF approaches) are often praised as the closest to what a dog’s ancestors would have eaten. They typically include meat, bones, and organs, delivering a mix of nutrients in a very natural form. This can be great for teeth, digestion, and energy, especially for active dogs.
The downside? Raw food must be handled extremely carefully to avoid bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. It’s not just “throw some meat in a bowl.” You need proper hygiene, storage, and sometimes guidance from a vet or nutritionist.
5. Home‑Cooked Meals: More Control, More Work
Home‑cooked meals take away the bacteria risk of raw meat, but they can create a different challenge: nutrition balance. If you overcook the food, you destroy many nutrients. If you cook it a bit softer and keep portions varied, you can still get a lot of natural goodness. The key is to mix different proteins, vegetables, and sometimes a few supplements, instead of relying on one or two ingredients. This is time‑intensive, but it lets you control exactly what your dog eats.
The Money Factor
One of the biggest factors in deciding what to feed a dog is the cost. Better‑quality food—whether it’s raw, air‑dried, or premium kibble—almost always costs more, just like organic or gourmet human food. If I wanted to eat organic, farm‑to‑table meals every day, I’d have to plan for it in my budget. The same is true for high‑end dog food.
For many families, a mix is the most realistic: a base of good kibble, topped with some raw or fresh food when possible, instead of going all‑in on the most expensive option.
My Story With Sherlock
I’ve tried almost every type of dog food on the market. Thankfully, Sherlock has never had a sensitive stomach, so he tolerated most things. But everything changed when I found a fatty lump on his chest. That was the moment I started taking his diet more seriously.
After researching and experimenting, I gradually switched him to a mostly raw diet, with a mix of lightly‑cooked vegetables and a small amount of high‑quality kibble—or sometimes no kibble at all. It’s not perfect, but it feels closer to giving him real, whole food rather than relying entirely on processed packets.
Every dog is different, and what works for Sherlock might not suit another dog. But this experience taught me that the “best” food isn’t just about marketing or trends. It’s about balancing nature, science, practicality, and budget.
A Balanced Takeaway
If you eat cereal for breakfast, a burger for lunch, and grilled salmon with salad at night, who are we to say your dog can’t have kibbles, a meat loaf, and a wholesome home‑cooked meal? Having a varied diet—mixing different forms of food—is actually quite normal for humans, and it can work for dogs too, as long as the overall plan is balanced and appropriate for their health. Flexibility, variety, and balance can work for dogs just like they do for us.
The debate over dog food will probably never end. The truth is, there are pros and cons to each option. I'm no dog nutritionist nor an expert in this field, but I believe the real key is to understand your dog’s health, your lifestyle, and your budget, and then choose a feeding plan that feels right for both of you.
What does your dog eat, and have you noticed any changes since switching? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your experiences.