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Applaws Dog Food Review

7.8/10

SCORE: 7.8/10

Reviewed by Pawkeen editorial team | Vet-reviewed by Hazel, BVSc | April 2026

BRAND OVERVIEW

  • Founded: 2004, UK
  • Parent company: MPM Products Ltd (independent)
  • Manufacturing: UK facilities (some Asia-manufactured products in AU range)
  • AU availability: Pet Circle, PetBarn, specialty pet retailers
  • Price range (AU): $18–28/kg dry
  • $4–8 per wet pouch
  • Product range: Dry kibble, wet pouches, canned food
  • Recalls: No Australian recalls on record. US FDA monitoring of grain-free heart disease (DCM) study included one Applaws product.

WSAVA COMPLIANCE

  • WSAVA FRAMEWORK SCORE: 3/4 questions met
  • Q1: Does the company employ a full-time qualified nutritionist?
  • Yes — Applaws employs veterinary nutritionists in their UK R&D team. Documentation available on request.
  • Q2: Has the food been tested using AAFCO/FEDIAF feeding trials or formulation?
  • Yes — Applaws adult formulas meet AAFCO nutritional standards by formulation analysis. Some formulas are FEDIAF compliant.
  • Q3: Does the company own and operate its own manufacturing facilities?
  • Partially. UK products are manufactured in owned UK facilities. Some AU-distributed products are co-manufactured in Asia. This is flagged as a partial concern — not a disqualification, but worth noting.
  • Q4: Is there a dedicated nutritional QC and quality assurance team?
  • Yes — nutritional testing per batch is documented.

Ingredient Analysis

TOP SELLER: Applaws Dry Dog Food Chicken (2kg)
Ingredients: Dried Chicken (75%), Sweet Potato (10%), Potato, Dried Egg, Peas, Chicken Fat, Chicken Gravy, Omega 3 & 6 Oils, Seaweed (natural iodine source)

STRENGTHS:

  • 75% named chicken — exceptional meat inclusion for a commercial dry food
  • Dried egg adds complete amino acid profile
  • Seaweed provides natural iodine — smart substitution for iodised salt
  • No artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives
  • No wheat, corn, or soy

CONCERNS:

  • Grain-free formula — DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) concerns in grain-free foods apply here. The FDA investigation found correlation between grain-free diets and DCM in some dog breeds. Risk is NOT proven causative, but vet-monitored for breeds with known cardiac risk (Golden Retrievers, Dobermanns, Boxers)
  • Sweet potato and potato as primary carbohydrate sources — no inherent issue for most dogs, but high GI
  • Relatively expensive per kg versus nutritionally comparable Australian brands

Product Line Review

1

DRY KIBBLE:

• Applaws Dry Dog Food Chicken — 7.8/10 — Best in range
• Applaws Dry Dog Food Salmon — 8.0/10 — Excellent omega-3 source
• Applaws Grain Free Large Breed — 7.5/10 — Adequate for size-specific needs

2

WET/POUCHES:

• Applaws Wet Dog Food Pouches (chicken, beef, lamb) — 7.5/10 — High moisture, high protein
• Applaws Cans — 7.0/10 — Good for toppers, not ideal as sole diet

3

Our recommendation: Dry chicken or salmon formula as main food, wet pouches as toppers (adds variety and moisture). Do NOT use wet-only as complete diet without vet guidance on caloric adequacy.

Our recommendation: Dry chicken or salmon formula as main food, wet pouches as toppers (adds variety and moisture). Do NOT use wet-only as complete diet without vet guidance on caloric adequacy.

What Australian Dog Owners Say

“My fussy Lab will only eat Applaws — tried everything else, she just ignores it” — r/AusDogs

“Coat noticeably better since switching to Applaws salmon. Worth the price.” — r/AussieDogOwners

“Ingredients are genuinely impressive for a commercial brand. 75% chicken is hard to beat.”

“Expensive but my vet said the same nutrition is in Black Hawk for half the price. Hard to justify.”

r/AusDogs and r/aussiepetowners feedback (2023–2026):

POSITIVE:

️ MIXED/NEGATIVE:

Summary: High palatability ratings from fussy eaters. Price is the main objection. No systemic quality complaints.

VERDICT

APPLAWS IS A GOOD CHOICE FOR:

  • Fussy dogs who reject most foods — palatability is genuinely excellent
  • Owners who want high meat content without going fully raw
  • Dogs needing novel protein (salmon formula) for mild sensitivities
  • As a premium topper over budget food for cost-conscious owners

APPLAWS IS NOT IDEAL FOR:

  • Breeds with cardiac risk (grain-free concern) — use traditional grain-inclusive food instead
  • Budget-conscious owners — Black Hawk, Meals for Mutts give comparable nutrition for less
  • Dogs needing prescription nutrition — see a vet

Black Hawk (score 8.5/10, ~$12/kg) gives nearly equivalent nutritional quality for significantly less cost. If budget is a factor, Black Hawk beats Applaws on value.

PRICE COMPARISON (10kg dog, daily cost):

  • Applaws Chicken Dry: ~$3.80/day
  • Black Hawk Chicken & Rice: ~$2.10/day
  • Orijen Original: ~$5.20/day

FAQ

Is Applaws dog food grain-free?

Yes — most Applaws dry formulas are grain-free (sweet potato and potato as carbohydrate sources). If your dog is a breed with known cardiac risk (Golden Retrievers, Dobermanns, Cocker Spaniels, Boxers), discuss the grain-free DCM concern with your vet before using Applaws as a sole diet.

Is Applaws good for puppies?

Applaws offers puppy-specific formulas. Use only products labelled ‘for puppies’ or ‘all life stages’ — adult formulas do not meet the higher calcium and protein requirements of growing dogs.

Where can I buy Applaws in Australia?

Pet Circle, PetBarn, and most large specialist pet retailers. Pet Circle typically offers the best price per kg in Australia.

Is Applaws made in the UK?

Most Applaws products sold in Australia are UK-manufactured, but some products in the AU range are co-manufactured in Asia. Check the batch code on packaging for manufacturing origin.