If I couldn’t feed Scratch,here’s what I’d buy

I’ve spent seven years building a dog food company, and I’m about to do something a bit weird. I’m going to recommend our competitors.

Look, there is no perfect dog food for everyone. There are just options that respect your budget, your dog’s gut, and your sanity.

Unfortunately, the pet food industry is full of fear-mongering. It makes what should be a simple thing—feeding your dog—into something completely anxiety-inducing. On top of that, regulation in Australia is loose. Brands can change ingredients without telling you for months, hide behind vague terms like “meat meal” (which often includes bits you definitely wouldn’t eat), or use “and/or” labeling that leaves you guessing whether your dog is eating beef, chicken, or lamb today.

Transparency is rare. Actually, Scratch is the only brand that discloses the exact percentage of ingredients in the packet. But I know Scratch isn’t right for every single person. We’re a subscription service, and that doesn’t suit every lifestyle.

So, if for some reason I couldn’t feed my dog Scratch, here is exactly what I would put in his bowl instead.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I don’t know these brands and as their ingredient lists don’t show ingredient quantities I can’t be 100% on quality so they’re my personal opinions as best I can tell. If I haven’t suggested your current brand, it’s not the end of the world 🙂

– Mike, Scratch Co-Founder

My Scratch alternatives

Favourite budget dog food

If you’re at the supermarket and watching the budget, Open Paddock is likely my pick.

When money is tight, you still want something that isn’t full of rubbish. From what I’ve seen on the shelves, this is a solid choice for a cheaper food that gets the job done without breaking the bank.

Sustainable & ethical dog food

If you have a bit more to spend and sustainability is your number one priority, I really respect what the guys at Frontier Pets do.

I don’t know them personally, but I know where they get their ingredients from, and there is some great stuff there. If you want ethically sourced food and are okay with a higher price tag, they are a great option.

For the new puppy owners

Got a new puppy and just want to start them on something solid and reliable? Firstly, congratulations. Black Hawk actually does a pretty good job with their puppy food.

For the sensitive stomachs

If your dog has developed sensitivities or allergies over the years, I like the way Prime100 goes about it.

They’ve recently sold to a big US company, but their product range for sensitive dogs remains pretty good. If you need a single-protein roll to help settle a dodgy tummy, they are worth a look.

If money is no object

If you just want to feed the absolute best thing possible—broadly speaking—and cost isn’t an issue, I’d look for the smaller, local independent brands doing raw and fresh food.

Near me, there’s a place called Larry’s Lunch that does a good job. There are little local versions of this scattered all over Australia.

A serious heads-up on the little guys, though: One thing you must check is that they actually test their finished product. A lot of small brands don’t have the resources to batch test their food consistently. They might formulate it to be “nutritiously complete” on paper (in theory), but without testing, you don’t know for sure.

If the ingredients aren’t consistent or safely handled, it can hurt your dog in the long run. So, ask them about their testing protocols.

Why I started Scratch (and what I actually feed)

I started Scratch because I thought dry food could be so much better than what was on the shelf. We wanted to make food that was built from the gut up, using premium ingredients and actually telling you what’s in the bag.

We’ve got our own vet, Dr. Sam, working inside our company every week to ensure our products are consistent and safe.

Personally? I feed my dog a mix. In the morning, he gets our Scratch dry food (I rotate between our four recipes to give him variety). In the evening, I give him one of our Raw recipes. It’s the healthiest food I can imagine, and I’m damn proud of it.

Is Scratch not for you? No hard feelings

We’re on a mission to change the dog food industry, but we know we can’t serve everyone.

If you want to see what we’re about—transparent labelling, gut health focus, and fresh food delivered to your door—we’d love you to give us a try. We even have a money-back guarantee if your dog turns their nose up at it.

But if not? That’s okay too. As long as your dog is healthy and you’re looking after their gut, you’re doing a great job.