Performadog Dog Food Review

If you’re looking for a high protein dog food from a reputable Australian company? Performadog is a brand I would happily recommend – for many reasons.
Despite being targeted at performance dogs (hence the name Performadog), I would consider the ingredients beneficial for less active dogs or even senior dogs. Who knows, it may help renew their energy and vitality as well as overall health and wellbeing!
Feedback over the years has been excellent for Perfomadog, and I can’t say I’ve heard anything bad about the brand whatsoever. Read the comments section, and you’ll see what I mean.
Let’s take a look at Performadog, and I’ll let you decide for yourself if it’s the right choice for you (and of course your dog!)
Performadog review
What the marketing says
To skirt over some of the marketing claims on the packaging, we find Performadog to be a “Scientifically balanced holistic food for all dogs”, even though active breeds, “canine athletes”, or breeding dogs are what they target the most.
The food is formulated by nutritionist Bill Wiadrowski. That name may not mean anything to you, but I’ve known Bill for many years and have found him one of the most thoughtful and studious pet food nutritionists in Australia, and a wealth of information. He’s the original formulator of Meals for Mutts when the brand gained an excellent reputation in Australia, and also the highly reputable brand Lifewise.
Even if you’ve never heard of Bill, take it from me this is an excellent reason why Performadog is a good choice for your dog.
Let’s move on, and take a look at the ingredients – which to me tell the real story of a dog food.
What the ingredients really say
One of the first things I look at for a dry dog food is composition, as a lot can be said for a formula which emphasises protein and fat over starchy carbohydrates.
We’ll mostly take a look at the Grain Free Lamb and Turkey formula which boosts a very respectable 32% protein and 22% fat – far better than most kibbles available in Australia (and a lot better than your popular household brand names sold in Coles and Woolies). Carbohydrates look to be very low for a dry dog food at 28.5% or less (estimated).
If your dog has a need for less fat, such as pancreatitis or hyperlipidemia, then the Ocean Fish Adult formula may suit your needs better. There’s also a Puppy formula which is a great choice in that respect.
We’re off to a great start, but it’s not all about the amount of protein and fat – it’s also about what ingredients make up the composition.
In the Lamb and Turkey formula, you’ll be happy to hear meat and meat fat plays a major part in the ingredients with the first three on the list being turkey, poultry oil, and lamb. The only one which may need explaining is poultry oil (likely chicken), which is a calorie-dense and digestible source of animal fat.
We next have a set of non-animal ingredients, but they’re good choices in terms of nutrition and digestibility – field peas, chickpeas, lentils, sweet lupins. Legumes play a part in adding fibre, protein, carbohydrates, and various nutrients, and compared to grains are a much better lower-GI alternative. It’s good to know the carbs in the food (which are respectably low at 28.5% or less) come from foods your dog will digest far better than other starchy carbs in most dog foods.
The next ingredient is egg. It’s an ingredient I love to see in dog food because it’s an absolute powerhouse of nutrition. We find egg alongside carrot, spinach, parsley, and kelp – ingredients you may associate with a much needed detox – but for our dogs these will provide a boost of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to keep their immune system in good form.
It’s worth noting Performadog use purple carrots, which science has shown to have excellent health benefits – more on this below which may surprise you! It’s worth noting Performadog offer purple carrots as a Purple Boost immune system supplement, but read the section below to find our why this could be great for your dog.
I think we’re at a good point to wrap up the review, but I find Performadog hard to fault as a dry dog food. I must add the food is naturally preserved (Vitamin E and rosemary oil), and unlike many popular dog foods isn’t packed with corn, wheat, or soy. Bonza.
That should justify why I’ve given Performadog such a high (and deserving) rating. I wish all dry dog foods were as good as this.
Where to buy Performadog
Performadog is available to buy from their website (where you’ll also find some excellent information about pet food in general).
Purple Boost Supplement & Other resources

Performadog uses purple carrots, which are scientifically fascinating as an ingredient in dog food.
In a study by Professor Linday Brown at the University of Southern Queensland, rats suffering the effects of a high fat/high carbohydrate diet had a miraculous turn around in health when purple carrots were added to the diet
That’s very impressive given the rats continued to be fed such a poor diet. Imagine if those rats were fed a healthy diet alongside purple carrots?
Need I remind you Performadog offer purple carrots as a supplement for your dog?
The below video is a discussion from ABC Catalyst’s “Why am I still fat?” (Dec 30, 2015) about the effects of anthocyanin on weight loss:
Ingredients
The ingredients of Performadog dry dog food (Grain Free Turkey and Lamb):
Turkey, poultry oil, lamb, field peas, chickpeas, lentils, sweet lupins, egg, carrots, spinach, parsley, kelp, tapioca, yeast extract, vitamins A, C, D3, E, K, B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, pantothenate, folacin, biotin and natural organic acids, plus added minerals, calcium, phosphorus, sodium copper, zinc, iron, manganese and iodine. Also contains natural flavours, Yucca schidigera extract and is preserved with natural vitamin E and rosemary oil.
Guaranteed analysis
The guaranteed analysis of Performadog dry dog food (Grain Free Turkey and Lamb):
Protein | 32% (min) |
Fat | 22% (min) |
Crude Fibre | 4% |
Carbohydrates * | Estimated 28.5% |
I’m just reading the reviews,I have a 6 yr old GSP and this food sounds like he may enjoy a change over to this kibble, particularly the ocean fish and lamb version.
Excellent ingredients
After years of using one of the more expensive kibble brands, I decided to switch to Performadog for my 5-year-old Giant Schnauzer—and I couldn’t be happier with the results. My dog had struggled with persistent dandruff and long-term digestive issues despite trying several different alternatives. Within just a few weeks of switching to Performadog, both issues completely cleared up.
Even more impressive, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in her performance during training. She’s more focused, energetic, and thriving overall. It’s been a total game-changer, and I haven’t looked back since.
On top of the product quality, the customer service has been excellent. The Performadog team is responsive, the delivery is incredibly fast, and the value for money is unbeatable. If you’re considering a change in your dog’s diet, I highly recommend giving Performadog a try—it’s made a huge difference for us.
Hi Dan,
Thank you so much for the nice words. You will be very please to see the following results on real blood profile changes, so I have taken the liberty of posting it here for you to see.
AN EXCELLENT RESULT !
Scientifically-Informed Testimonial – Performadog Grain Free
This German Shepherd didn’t just survive—he thrived—after switching to Performadog Ultra Premium Dog Food, the results were undeniable:
Just look at what the lab work revealed.
Higher red blood cell count = More oxygen. More endurance.
Balanced white blood cells = Stronger immune system.
Improved creatinine & urea = Healthier kidneys + better protein use.
Electrolytes rock-solid = Hydration + muscle support on hard training days.
Liver & digestion back in the green = Stress-free meals and clean recovery.
Scientifically-Informed Testimonial – Performadog Grain Free
As part of a long-term health strategy for my working-line German Shepherd, I conducted routine blood tests at 3 months, 1 year, and 3 years of age. After the initial results, I transitioned him to Performadog Grain Free—a nutrient-rich, holistic diet explicitly designed for active, high-performance dogs.
Haematological Improvements
Since switching diets, his red blood cell count, haematocrit, and haemoglobin levels have steadily improved, indicating enhanced oxygen-carrying capacity—vital for endurance and physical output.
His mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) also shifted into optimal ranges, indicating healthier, more efficient red blood cells. Additionally, his reticulocyte count—a marker of bone marrow activity—has increased, suggesting strong regenerative health. Reticulocyte haemoglobin levels have stabilised, reflecting better iron uptake and red cell quality.
Immune Function
His white blood cell profile has become more balanced, with neutrophils and lymphocytes now within ideal ranges—indicating a robust and well-regulated immune system.
Significantly, his monocyte count has decreased over time, suggesting a reduction in systemic inflammation, which I attribute to Performadog’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Kidney and Metabolic Health
Once below normal, creatinine levels have risen to a healthy, stable range, suggesting well-supported kidney function. Urea levels have also normalised, reflecting more efficient protein metabolism and improved dietary utilisation.
Electrolyte Balance
Sodium, potassium, and chloride levels have remained consistent across all screenings, highlighting good hydration status and neuromuscular function—especially important given his high workload and daily training demands.
Liver Enzymes and Digestive Support
Liver enzyme levels have shown clear improvement. His ALP, which was slightly elevated early on—likely due to growth or stress—has since returned to optimal levels.
Pancreatic enzymes (amylase and lipase) have stayed well within normal limits, suggesting that his digestion of Performadog’s high-quality protein and fat sources is excellent.
Behavioural and Physical Improvements
The lab results align with what I see daily: consistent energy, sharper mental focus, excellent recovery after training, and intense physical endurance. His digestion is stable, bowel movements are healthy, and he’s enthusiastic at every meal.
Final Thoughts
Performadog hasn’t just met my dog’s nutritional needs—it’s helped unlock his full potential. For owners of working or performance dogs who care about both short-term vitality and long-term health, this diet has delivered measurable results, both clinically and in daily life.
And the best part?
“His energy is consistent, his focus razor-sharp, and his recovery fast. His digestion is clean, and he’s excited at every meal.” – Josh Costanzo.
Learn more or try Performadog today: http://www.performadog.com
Dear Pet Food Reviews Team,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review of Performadog and for awarding us a 9/10 — we are truly thrilled and honoured!
We wanted to take a moment to share a little more about our range. In addition to our current formulas, we also offer Performadog Puppy and Stable Adults Ocean Fish formulas, along with our iPurr Ultra Premium Cat Food. Our goal has always been to provide exceptional nutrition for dogs and cats of all life stages, sizes, and needs.
We’re fortunate to receive many heartfelt testimonials from our customers — some even sharing blood test results that scientifically show significant health improvements after switching to Performadog. We are in the process of updating our website to share this valuable data, because we believe it’s important for pet owners to know that real, measurable hope exists for their beloved animals.
Stories like these are what drive us every single day. It’s incredibly rewarding to hear about the noticeable changes in health, vitality, and happiness in so many dogs and cats — and it’s why we pour so much care into everything we create.
I’d also love to share a piece of the inspiration behind our work:
Several years ago, I watched a Catalyst news segment featuring Professor Brown, who discussed the extraordinary effects of anthocyanins. His statement left a lasting impression:
“Everything went back to normal!”
He explained:
“The blood pressure went down, the collagen in the heart was back to normal, the liver histology was back to normal, the liver enzymes, the glucose tolerance, the fat pads — all returned to normal, even though the subjects remained on a poor diet.”
After seeing this, I became determined to incorporate this kind of natural healing potential into our products. Although using pure extracts was initially cost-prohibitive, we didn’t give up. Instead, we developed a unique formulation ourselves — concentrating the power of 13kg of purple carrots into just 1kg of product, combined with a full spectrum of probiotics to enhance gut health and overall vitality.
We now offer this supplement in 180g and 1kg tubs, providing an easy way for owners to give their dogs and cats an extra boost toward optimal health.
If you’re interested, here’s a quick 2-minute video featuring Professor Brown’s work:
Watch here
Once again, thank you for your kind words and support. It means the world to our small team, and to everyone who believes that better food truly leads to a better life.
Warmest regards,
The Performadog Team — Energy For Life!
Hi Kris, thanks for the feedback and I’m glad the review has helped.
Do you have the link to the video (for Professor Brown)?
Actually it is on our website under the WHY PURPLE link on the Banner
Hi David,
Yes i have tried to send it here but it says forbidden? How do i get it to you?
Hands down Performadog is the best dog food we have ever used. I’ve done extensive research into a lot of different foods and Performadog comes out on top by a very long way. I have 4 dogs, 2 jack Russell and 2 Maremma’s. I remember getting to Maremma’s home as pups and within 5 minutes had them eating out of my hands. They just love it. Everyone who knows my dogs can’t believe how healthy and shiny there coats look. We use the ocean fish. Trust me once you start using Performadog you will never go back to any other kibble. You will see the results days of using this food. Your dogs will thank you. Been using this food for over 7 years and there is just no other option for us. Performadog all the way
Hi Brett,
Thank you so much for your kind words. We’re thrilled to hear that your dogs are thriving on Performadog, and we hope they continue to do so for many years to come.
Did you happen to see the recent post on our Facebook page showing the blood work results of a dog experiencing health difficulties? The owner, Josh, had blood tests done both before and after switching to Performadog, and the results showed a rapid and significant improvement.
It’s fascinating to see such clear scientific evidence of the positive impact that quality nutrition can have — something I personally have rarely seen documented so clearly.
Thank you again for your support. We’re grateful to have you as part of the Performadog community, and we wish you and your dogs continued health and happiness.
Kind regards,
Kris
Performadog.com.au
We are a Dog training business with one of our main services being our Board & Train program. We have anywhere from 5 – 10 dogs weekly all year.
We help big dogs, little dogs and everything in between, not to mention all behavioural problems. Priding ourselves on setting industry standards, we needed help in finding the optimum food we provided to our clientele’s Dogs.
They needed proper fueling but at different needs! We met with Performadog and we’re amazed at the professionalism and knowledge that was shared.
We decided to give Performadog a go…
What a difference in every Dogs performance and functionality!
We noticed that the Dogs coats are now shining, Dogs that had skin allergies were now starting to go away!
Many of the dogs are meeting our goals and standards a lot quicker and we believe it is because of the extra motivation we have found stemming from Performadogs amazing taste.
So, with little effort on our part, really understanding what our Dogs nutrition needs are thanks to Performadogs help we are having great success!
Thank you Performadog!!!
Regards,
Core Canine
Dear Core Canine Team,
Thank you so much for your wonderful testimonial, and apologies for the delay in replying.
We’re thrilled to hear that Performadog is making such a positive impact on the wide range of dogs you work with. We’re often asked whether our food is suitable for all dogs or just for working dogs — and you’ve summed it up perfectly: it’s for dogs of all sizes and types.
It’s also interesting to note that many trainers and departments consistently report that Performadog rapidly stabilizes behavior — a result we regularly observe ourselves.
In an industry where you see the full spectrum of temperaments and challenges, it’s especially rewarding to know that Performadog is helping dogs perform, feel, and behave at their best.
We truly hope it continues to benefit your clients’ dogs, and seeing them thrive is what drives us.
Warmest regards,
The Performadog Team — Energy for Life!
I’ve had my 2 year old shepherd on performadog since a pup and his growth and development has been phenomenal.
His coat looks great, and has energy to burn. Grain free turkey mixed with their Purple boost powder is a winner if you want the best for your dog.
Great Australian company.
Hi Steve,
Sorry for the slow reply — we don’t jump on here as often as we should!
Your message honestly made my day. We’re hearing more and more stories like yours, and it’s so exciting to see real, noticeable health changes in so many dogs. That’s exactly why we do what we do.
I thought I’d quickly share a bit of the backstory with you:
Years ago, I saw a Catalyst news report where Professor Brown spoke about the incredible effects of Anthocyanins. His words really stuck with me. He said:
“Everything went back to normal!”
He went on to explain:
“The blood pressure went down, the collagen in the heart was back to normal, the liver histology was back to normal, the liver enzymes, the glucose tolerance, the fat pads — all returned to normal, even though they stayed on a terrible diet.”
When I heard that, I knew I had to find a way to bring that kind of healing potential into Performadog and iPurr Cat Food. At first, it was almost impossible — the pure extract was just too expensive to include in our formulas.
But I wasn’t willing to give up.
After a lot of work, we developed a version ourselves — packed with the power of 13kg of purple carrots condensed into just 1kg of product, plus a full range of probiotics to support the microbiome and take Performadog’s results even further.
We now have it available in 180g and 1kg tubs for anyone who wants to give their dogs (or cats) an extra boost.
Here’s a short 2-minute video with Professor Brown explaining it all — I think you’ll find it as fascinating as I did:
Watch here
Thanks again, Steve — it really means a lot to hear from people like you who see the difference firsthand.
Take care,
The Performadog Team — Energy For Life!
Love Performa Dog easy to feed to the fussiest eaters. Great for high working dogs down to loved family members. Our working gsd’s have great coats and all the energy they need if it’s detection work or strutting their stuff in the show ring
Hi Kris,
Sorry for the slow reply — we don’t jump on here as often as we should!
I just replied to another testimonial and yours warrants the identical response. Your message honestly made my day. We’re hearing more and more stories like yours, and it’s so exciting to see real, noticeable health changes in so many dogs. That’s exactly why we do what we do.
I thought I’d quickly share a bit of the backstory with you:
Years ago, I saw a Catalyst news report where Professor Brown spoke about the incredible effects of Anthocyanins. His words really stuck with me. He said:
“Everything went back to normal!”
He went on to explain:
“The blood pressure went down, the collagen in the heart was back to normal, the liver histology was back to normal, the liver enzymes, the glucose tolerance, the fat pads — all returned to normal, even though they stayed on a terrible diet.”
When I heard that, I knew I had to find a way to bring that kind of healing potential into Performadog and iPurr Cat Food. At first, it was almost impossible — the pure extract was just too expensive to include in our formulas.
But I wasn’t willing to give up.
After a lot of work, we developed a version ourselves — packed with the power of 13kg of purple carrots condensed into just 1kg of product, plus a full range of probiotics to support the microbiome and take Performadog’s results even further.
We now have it available in 180g and 1kg tubs for anyone who wants to give their dogs (or cats) an extra boost.
Here’s a short 2-minute video with Professor Brown explaining it all — I think you’ll find it as fascinating as I did:
Watch here
Thanks again, Kris — it really means a lot to hear from people like you who see the difference firsthand.
Take care,
The Performadog Team — Energy For Life!
Recommended by our breeder and our puppy does well on this.
For the quality of ingredients and ease of ordering the price is incredible.