Question 1

What is Barkly?

Accepted Answer

Barkly is an Aussie-built dog food review site that tells it straight. We break down what’s good, what’s not, and why — using a transparent, science-backed rating system. We sell food too, but without the marketing, no brand deals, no fluff, just honest info to help you make informed decisions. Read more about us here: What is Barkly?

Question 2

What sets Barkly apart from other platforms?

Accepted Answer

Most pet sites either sell food or review it — we do both, but without the dodgy ties. Barkly’s fully independent, with no brand sponsorships or paid placements. Our ratings are transparent, our logic is public, and we call out the good, the bad, and the overpriced. Whether a food scores a 5.0 or flops, you’ll see exactly why — no sugarcoating, just straight-up facts backed by real research. And we don't mind a cheeky bit of humour along the way. Why settle for basic when you can get Barkly?

Question 3

Can I buy dog food directly from Barkly?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We're not just about cracking reviews—Barkly is your one-stop-shop for dog food. Shopping directly with us helps support our mission to keep your furry mates happy and healthy, plus you're guaranteed bloody good service from a true-blue Aussie business. Shout your pup's favourite feed right here on our online store!

Question 4

Why should I shop at Barkly?

Accepted Answer

Mate, Barkly's more than just another dog food store—we're on your team. By shopping with us, you're helping an Aussie-owned, passionate team continue to deliver honest, spot-on reviews and expand our range of well-known products. Sure, you could use our ratings and buy elsewhere, but supporting Barkly directly means we can keep growing, improving, and giving your dog the absolute best. Plus, we offer fast shipping, pawsome loyalty perks, and customer service that's fair dinkum fantastic. Go on, chuck us a bone!

Question 5

Do you offer personalized recommendations?

Accepted Answer

While we can't dish out personal consultations, Barkly’s clever ratings and carefully crafted store categories make finding the perfect food for your furry friend easy as pie. For specialized dietary or health-related advice, it's best to have a yarn with your trusted vet.

Question 6

Is Barkly free to use?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Barkly’s ripper database of dog food reviews and ratings is completely free to access. We're all about helping Aussie pet parents make informed choices for their furry mates without costing a cent. Of course, we'd love it if you supported our paw-some store by grabbing your dog's favourite grub directly from us—but the choice is yours!

Question 7

Who are you to rate dog food?

Accepted Answer

Fair call. We’re not vets, and we’re not part of the pet food industry — and that’s kind of the point. Barkly was built by a dog lover, for dog lovers who are fed up with vague labels, sketchy claims, and vet-recommended foods full of fillers.So we did the homework: science-backed research, nutrition guidelines, and a clear scoring system built to make sense. We don’t chase trends or push fringe theories — we stick to the facts, avoid the hype, and act like a professional label reader in your pocket (or on your desk).No rating system’s perfect, but this one’s made for the dog lovers — so you can see through the noise and feed with confidence.

Question 8

What are Barkly’s shipping options?

Accepted Answer

We offer standard and expedited shipping to ensure your dog food arrives on time. Shipping rates and delivery times may vary depending on your location and the chosen shipping method.

Question 9

Do you offer international shipping?

Accepted Answer

Currently, we only ship within Australia. We are working to expand our delivery services in the future.

Question 10

What is your return policy?

Accepted Answer

We want you and your dog to be completely satisfied with your purchase. If you’re not happy with your order, you can return it within 30 days of purchase for a full refund or exchange. Please note that the product must be unopened and in its original packaging. For more details, visit our return policy.

Question 11

How do I initiate a return or exchange?

Accepted Answer

To start a return or exchange, reach out to us at support@barklystore.com.au with your order details. Our team will provide you with instructions and a return shipping label if applicable.

Question 12

How can I contact Barkly?

Accepted Answer

You can reach us through our Contact Us page or by emailing support@barklystore.com.au. We’re always here to help!

Question 13

Can I provide feedback on your reviews or products?

Accepted Answer

Yes please! We genuinely love hearing from our Barkly pack. Got a suggestion, a cracking idea, or some feedback to help us keep our tails wagging? Don't hold back—drop us a line anytime via our contact page. Your thoughts help us grow bigger and better!

Question 14

How does Barkly rate dog food?

Accepted Answer

Every food gets scored using our custom Barkly Rating System — built from legit nutrition research (like NRC, WSAVA, AAFCO) and tailored for different dog sizes and life stages (depending on the food). We look at protein quality, fat balance, ingredient quality, and calorie load. No guesswork, no brand bias — just clear, consistent breakdowns you can actually trust.Keen to know the nitty-gritty? Check out exactly how our ratings work right here!

Question 15

Why do similar foods have different ratings?

Accepted Answer

Some brands use the same recipe across multiple products and just change the label — one for adults, one for seniors, one for large breeds. But dogs have different needs, and we rate each food based on who it’s marketed for, not just what’s inside. So even if two formulas are nearly identical, their Barkly scores can vary depending on how well they suit the dog they’re sold for. So, we make sure every rating fits exactly what your pup needs—no one-size-fits-all here!

Question 16

How often are the reviews updated?

Accepted Answer

We're constantly on the ball, keeping an eye out for any changes in dog food recipes and industry standards. Our Barkly team regularly updates our reviews to make sure you've always got the freshest, most accurate info to keep your pup happy and healthy. No stale reviews here!

Question 17

Where does Barkly get its data?

Accepted Answer

We rate food the same way a customer reads it — straight off the packaging. If it’s not printed on the label, we don’t include it. No digging through brand websites, sales reps, or hidden PDFs. Why? Because if you can’t see it on the shelf, you can’t judge it properly. Transparency matters, and we hold brands accountable for what they don’t say — not just what they do.

Question 18

Why aren’t oats and brown rice marked as fillers?

Accepted Answer

Because not all carbs are created equal. At Barkly, we only call something a filler if it’s cheap, low-value, and used mainly to bulk out the food — like wheat, corn, or rice flour. Wholegrains like oats and brown rice still offer fibre, nutrients, and digestible energy, so they’re classed as wholefood carbs, not fillers. We also recognise neutral carbs — things like sorghum or white rice. They’re not amazing, but they’re not junk either, so they don’t tank the score. We score carb quality based on what kind of carbs are used and how many — and yeah, brands that lean too hard on cheap fillers get marked down.

Question 19

Why do some expensive or popular foods get low scores?

Accepted Answer

Because price and hype don’t always mean quality. Some big-name or pricey brands still pack their food with fillers, vague ingredients, or unbalanced macros — and that doesn’t fly here. Barkly scores every food by the same standards, no matter the brand. If it cuts corners or doesn’t suit the dog it’s made for, it’ll show in the rating — even if it’s got a fancy name or a premium price tag.

Question 20

What if a food rates low but my dog’s doing fine on it?

Accepted Answer

That’s totally fair — and if your dog’s healthy and thriving, that’s what matters most. Barkly ratings are based on the best nutrition research we’ve got, but they’re not gospel for every single dog.Some pups do great on foods that score low, others need more support from day one. Our ratings also reflect the quality of the food — so a low score doesn’t mean it’s unsafe or harmful, just that it’s not as premium as it could be. Maybe it’s using cheaper ingredients, vague labels, or filler-heavy formulas.As much as we’d love to rate for every individual dog, that’s not possible — so we focus on what’s in the bag, how it stacks up and empowering you with the knowledge to make the final call.

Question 21

Why do Grain-Free foods sometimes score lower?

Accepted Answer

Grain-free doesn’t always mean better. A lot of grain-free foods swap out rice or oats for cheap fillers like pea starch, tapioca, or potato — and they often lean hard on plant proteins to bump up the numbers. That might look good on paper, but it can throw off the balance dogs actually need.We don’t mark foods down just for being grain-free — we score them based on what they do use instead. If it’s high-quality and well-balanced, it’ll still rate well. But if it’s all filler and fluff? It’ll show.

Question 22

What does a perfect score mean?

Accepted Answer

A 5.0 means the food hits every mark for its intended dog type — top-quality protein, balanced fat, clean ingredients, no dodgy fillers, and spot-on calories. It doesn’t mean it’s perfect for every dog, but it does mean it’s as nutritionally solid as it gets on paper.We don’t hand out 5.0s lightly — if a food scores full marks, it’s earned it.

Question 23

Why do ingredient names matter so much in the score?

Accepted Answer

Because if a brand won’t tell you what’s in the food, how can you trust it? Vague terms like “meat,” “animal fat,” or “cereals” could mean anything — and usually, it’s not the good stuff. Barkly rewards clear, honest labelling and marks down foods that hide behind generic terms.Transparency matters. If a company isn’t upfront about its ingredients, we think that’s worth calling out.

Your cart is empty

Your cart

Estimated total

Frequently Asked Questions