aldi dog food review australia

ALDI Natural Elements Dog Food Review

ALDI Natural Elements Dog Food Review

I never thought Id say this, but the Natural Elements range at ALDI is actually alright. Okay, its notgreat, but its a huge improvement over their Julius range.

Our independent ALDI Natural Elements dog food review will tell you the good and the bad about this food. So, read on!

ALDI Natural Elements Review

Its important to consider the good points and bad points of this cleverly formulated food.Ill explain a number of real truths behind the ingredients, which as with most pet foods reads better than it is. Make sure you absorb both before deciding whether to feed this to your dog or not.

Lets take a look at ALDI Natural Elements Grain Free Chicken

First off, the guaranteed analysis is better than most. Protein of 28% is higher than average, as is fat at 18%. That gives an approximate 36% carbohydrates which is better than most other supermarket brands. The food is also at the cheaper end of the scale at around $12 for a 2.5kg bag that makes it somewhat affordable for those on a tight budget.

The main ingredient in Natural Elements Chicken is actuallyPoultry Meal, so its a bit dubious how much chicken there actually is. Ambiguous ingredients are often poor quality (which is a cert given the price per kilo of this food), and this could be a combination of whatever poultry is cheapest. It definitely wont be the succulent chicken breast pictured on the bag, but remnants of poultry inclusive of frames and whatever cant be sold for human consumption. This is the case with most pet foods by the way.

The second ingredient (likely of an equal quantity to the poultry meal) isPeas. Peas are a cheaper way of bulking up protein and adding fibre than meat. Its not necessarily a bad ingredient but there are concerns about excessive peas in a canine diet. This is one of the reasons we recommend rotating foods or supplementing a diet with fresh ingredients.

The third ingredient isPoultry Tallowwhich is rendered poultry by-products. Its a cheap product as its a way of recycling and selling meat waste. Its found in a lot of pet foods and will be a significant constituent of the 18% fat. On the label it says it contains rosemary extract as a natural preservative, but also antioxidants. These will be chemical antioxidants to extend shelf-life, and chemicals in a pet food are never good.

We find a trifecta of carbs Tapioca,Potato, andSweet Potato. Its probably better to have a mix, and its nice to see they havent been used excessively in the formula. Too much carbs are bad for dogs, and as said earlier this food has lower carbs than other supermarket offerings.

Gravy is more likely animal or poultry digest, a broth from rendering meats. Its a cheap ingredient which is why so many manufacturers list it ambiguously as gravy or natural flavours.

We findglucosamine andchondroitin, as well assalmon oil andcoconut oil. These will be beneficial for joint health and well-being, but likely included due to the poor quality of meat and meat fats.Taurine (an amino acid found in meats) has been added for a similar reason.

We find a range of trace fruits and veggies such as alfalfa, cranberries, and blueberries. These are good ingredients but as trace amounts theyre probably included more because they look good on the label.

So there you go, an insight into ALDI Natural Elements dog food. The review probably reads more negative than positive, but its still a better food than the likes of Julius and far too many other supermarket dog foods. If you have a tight budget then this could be a suitable option, in which case its worth supplementing with fresh meats and veggies to really offer your dog a boost on a budget.

Rated 6 out of 10 as ALDI Natural Elements dog food is a reasonable budget option. If you want a better dog food then be sure to check out our Best Rated Dog Foods list.

Where to buy ALDI Natural Elements

Unfortunately ALDI Australia dont have a delivery service, but you can use their tool to find your nearest store.

ALDI Natural Elements Ingredients

The ingredients of ALDI Natural Elements dry dog food (as of March 2021) is as follows:

Poultry Meal (Source of Chicken), Peas, Poultry Tallow (Contains Rosemary Extract, Antioxidants), Tapioca, Potato, Sweet Potato, Gravy, Vitamins & Minerals, Beet Pulp, Salmon Oil, Vegetable Oil, Chicory Root, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Coconut Oil, Alfalfa, Blueberries, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Parsley Flakes, Chondroitin Sulphate, Glucosamine, Rosemary, Taurine, Kelp Meal, Beta Carotene.

ALDI Natural Elements Guaranteed Analysis

The guaranteed analysis of ALDI Natural Elements dry dog food (as of March 2021) is as follows:

Best-Rated Dog Food

1. Optimum

Ratings result

Optimum scored five stars for pet enjoyment, packaging, and overall satisfaction, with four stars in value for money, ingredients, and variety & range.

Editors notes

Optimum dog food provides high quality, expertly tailored nutrition for dogs of all life stages and lifestyles. It offers wide a selection of wet, dry, and treat food products that are offered in cans, trays, or packets. Dog food products in the Optimum range have been developed with high quality ingredients to ensure digestibility and nutrient absorption. Multiple food options are catered to support specific health areas including dental care, digest support, skin and coat, healthy weight, and joint health.

2. Hills Science Diet

Ratings result

Hills Science Diet landed a five-star result for packaging, and settled on four stars for pet enjoyment, ingredients, variety & range, and overall satisfaction, with three stars in value for money.

Editors notes

Hills Science Diet offers science-led nutrition for dogs of all ages, sizes, and a variety of unique needs. Its products are specifically designed to offer dogs the benefits that matter most for their age, encouraging healthy brain development in puppies, maintaining lean muscles in adults, and supporting healthy hearts and kidneys in older dogs. Hills Science Diet offer a range of dry, can, pouch, stew, and treat products for consumers to choose from.

3. Royal Canin

Ratings result

Royal Canin enjoyed a five-star rating for pet enjoyment, ingredients, and variety & range, with four stars for packaging and overall satisfaction, and three stars in value for money.

Editors notes

Royal Canins dog food formula has been created to deliver nutrition to your pets health needs whatever their size, breed, age or lifestyle. It offers a range of wet and dry options for owners to choose from, along with food blends for specific breeds. Royal Canin also offers precision veterinary diets that help to maintain the wellbeing of dogs with diagnosed health problems. Royal Canins therapeutic food blends include gastrointestinal low fat, cardiac, mobility, renal load, hypoallergenic, neutered, gastrointestinal high fibre, and satiety weight management.

4. Supercoat

Ratings result

Supercoat scored four-star ratings for pet enjoyment, ingredients, variety & range, packaging and overall satisfaction, with three stars in value for money.

Editors notes

Supercoat pride themselves on having provided high-quality nutritional dog food options for over 30 years. It offers a range of dry food products catered to puppies, adults, seniors, small breeds, and large breeds. Supercoats Smartblend formula is tailored to provide all the nutrients needed to support and maintain your dogs healthy best. The formula contains a blend of 22 essential vitamins and minerals, natural fibres, chicken and beef protein, and omega 3 and 6.

5. Black Hawk

Ratings result

Black Hawk earned five stars for ingredients and variety & range, while earning four-star ratings for pet enjoyment, packaging, and overall satisfaction, with three stars in value for money.

Editors notes

Founded by an Australian breeder, Black Hawk pet food is manufactured in rural NSW from premium locally sourced ingredients. The brands product range is available in both puppy and adult dog food across breed sizes and can be purchased from local pet stores. Wet, dry, and treat food options are available in tray and packet containers. Black Hawk also offers a range of health orientated food blends including dental, weight management, joints and muscles, and sensitive skin and gut.

6. Pedigree

Ratings result

Pedigree scored even ratings across the board, with four stars for pet enjoyment, value for money, ingredients, variety & range, packaging, as well as overall satisfaction.

Editors notes

For over 40 years, Pedigree has been committed to giving every Australian dog quality, complete and balanced nutrition. Its products are designed to support your dogs natural defences, encourage a healthy coat and skin, and promote good digestion and healthy teeth. Pedigree offers a full range of wet food, dry food, and oral care treats for dogs of all shapes and sizes. All food options are available in either packets, cans, or pouches.

7. My Dog

Ratings result

My Dog scored four stars for pet enjoyment, ingredients, variety & range, packaging, and overall satisfaction, as well as three stars for value for money.

Editors notes

My Dog food is prepared in the Hume region of Australia, using premium quality meat that has no added preservatives. Its ingredients are used to fulfill specific roles such as providing nutrition, increasing safety, and improving food taste. My Dog offers a range of food types including, fillets in gravy, semi moist kibble, shredded meals, classic loaves, select toppings, and home delights. Most My Dog options are available to purchase in trays, cans, or packets.

8. Lucky Dog

Ratings result

Lucky Dog scored four stars for pet enjoyment, ingredients, variety & range, packaging, and overall satisfaction, as well as three stars for value for money.

Editors notes

Since 1963 Lucky Dog have been offering a range of food and treats catered to four-legged friends. Lucky Dog aims to keep mealtimes nutritious and exciting with food options that are made from real meat and have no artificial colouring or flavouring. A range of food options are available including bone-shaped biscuits and dry kibble, which can be purchased according to size. Lucky Dog also offers a selection of chewy treats that are great snacks for well-behaved dogs.

9. Julius (ALDI)

Ratings result

Julius earned a five-star rating in value for money, with four stars for packaging and overall satisfaction. Three stars were earnt in the remaining categories of pet enjoyment, ingredients, and variety & range.

Editors notes

Julius, ALDIs dog food range, is offered in multiple flavours. The 1.2kg cans come in the form of casserole with beef, vegetables and gravy, homestyle with lamb, pasta and vegetables, or as a loaf with five kinds of meat. Its offerings are cooked with your dogs health in mind, containing no artificial colouring or flavouring.

10. Baxters

Ratings result

Baxters ratings were even across the board, scoring three-stars for pet enjoyment, value for money, ingredients, variety & range, and packaging, as well as overall satisfaction.

Editors notes

Baxters dog food is offered in a range of sizes and forms, with puppy and adult options. Its puppy food range is specifically formulated to provide growing dogs with the essential vitamins and minerals for strong teeth and bones, everyday health and wellbeing. Baxters adult dog food range is specifically formulated to aid digestions, bolster their immune system and ensure healthy bones. Wet and dry options are offered for dogs at all stages of life, bundled in a range of cans, cartons and packets.

11. Coles

Ratings result

Coles were given three-star ratings across the board, which included pet enjoyment, value for money, ingredients, variety & range, packaging, and overall satisfaction.

Editors notes

The Coles dog food range contains a variety of wet food, dry food, treats, and rolls. Its offerings contain the essential vitamins and minerals, to support general dog wellbeing. Many food options also feature omega 3 and 6 for vitality, healthy skin, and a glowing coat. Coles package their dog food in a range of containers, with larger bags of dry food available, along with smaller mince pouches and treat packets.

12. Other dog food brands

Not all brands in the market qualify for our ratings (based on minimum survey sample size), but that doesnt mean theyre not worth considering. Here are several more brands to check out before making a purchase decision.

• Leaps & Bounds
• Natures Gift
• Prime 100