Is there a recall on Black Hawk dog food

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Dog Food

What makes Black Hawk pet food so good?

To put it simply, the thing that makes Black Hawk pet food so good is our ingredients. Every ingredient in every recipe has been carefully selected by our team of vets and pet nutritional experts for its nutritional value every item used in our pet foods provides a benefit, whether it's energy, immunity, joint health, digestive health or brain function.

As we say, every ingredient matters, so everything we pack into our dog foods is there for the benefit of your dog or puppy. Here are some of the ingredients we use in our pet foods.

Fruits and Vegetables

Beet pulp This powerhouse vegetable is a wholesome source of fibre that natually delivers prebiotics to help support overall gut health for happier tummies and healthy stools.
Berries Full of vitamin C and other powerful antioxidants, our blend of cranberries and blueberries can help control free radicals and protect against cell damage.
Carrots A rich source of beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body and may help vision.
Sea kelp Iodine is essential for a well-functioning thyroid and this seaweed is packed full of it.
Sweet potato A rich, natural source of fibre which can support the passage of food through your dogs intestine and assist the absorption of vital nutrients.

Herbs and Roots

Rosemary Packed full of antioxidants and flavour, rosemary is also a natural preservative used to keep your pets food fresher for longer and may improve cell function.
Chicory root A superfood when it comes to natural prebiotics. Its high inulin content helps feed beneficial bacteria to keep the gut balanced, which may help with gas and flatulence. A healthy microbiome can support dogs with food sensitivities.

Grains

Oats A good source of carbohydrate and dietary fibre, providing a slow-release energy source and essential nutrients to the body and digestive tract.

Protein

Chicken A highly digestible, delicious, lean and versatile protein packed with amino acids which are essential for building strong bones and muscles.
Eggs Can aid muscle growth and maintenance. Eggs are a complete source of essential amino acids, the building blocks required for body structures and functions. Eggs are an easily digestible protein boost, containing choline which supports normal liver function.
Kangaroo A lean meat for strong muscles. Naturally one of the leaner meats, kangaroo is nutrient rich in zinc and iron. Zinc can help with skin health, while iron is essential for muscle growth.

Oils

Coconut Oil For easy digestion. This fat supports healthy metabolism and provides energy.
Fish Oil For healthy skin, a shiny coat and joint support. Natural source of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.

Black Hawk dog food is extremely rich in nutrients and is packed with only the best ingredients hand-selected for the benefits theyll bring to your pet. All the nutrition they need with no unhealthy or artificial ingredients and only natural preservatives.

Original versus Grain Free Dog Food whats the difference?

At Black Hawk, we offer nutritious dog foods in both Original and Grain Free formulas in wet and dry dog food varieties. Grain Free Formulas are higher in protein and ideal for owners who wish to exclude grain from their dogs diet. Black Hawk Wet Dog Food can be fed as a complete, nutritionally balanced meal or in combination with dry food to supplement your dogs meal and provide some added variety.

Both Grain Free and Original dog foods are packed full of nutrition and come in a variety of options for dogs of different sizes and ages including specially formulated puppy food options.

When should I transition my puppy from puppy food to adult dog food?

We recommend transitioning your puppy from puppy to adult dog food between 10 and 18 months of age. Different sized breeds of dogs grow at a different rates, and generally smaller dog breeds are transitioned at an earlier age than large breeds.

For smaller breeds (under 15kg), transition at around 8-10 months of age.

For medium sized breeds between 15-25kg in weight, transition at around 12-15 months of age.

For large breeds above 25kg, we recommend transitioning at around 18-24 months of age.

Can I give adult dog food to my puppy?

You should feed your puppy specially formulated puppy food. While it wont harm your puppy to occasionally have adult dog food if you run out of puppy food, adult food doesnt meet your puppys nutritional needs. Puppy foods are typically more energy-dense compared with adult dog foods as puppies require more energy as they grow and develop.

Puppies also require higher levels of protein and specific amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals. Much the same way a human childs nutritional needs differ from those of an adult, a puppy requires tailored nutrition for the first 12 to 18 months of its life.

At Black Hawk, our team of vets and nutritionists has developed a range of puppy foods formulated especially for growing puppies with calorie-dense and extra fatty formulas designed to help them grow, learn and develop.

Does Black Hawk dog food contain any additives or preservatives?

Black Hawk wet and dry food contains only natural preservatives. A natural preservative is one that occurs naturally in nature, as opposed to a chemical preservative that is made synthetically such as BHT, BHA or ethoxyquin which are often found in cheaper brands.

The natural preservatives we use in our products include rosemary extract, vitamin E (tocopherol) and vitamin C.

Is Black Hawk a complete diet or a complete and balanced pet food?

Yes. Our pet foods are specially formulated to provide a complete diet solution this means your pet will receive all the vitamins, minerals, protein and nutrition they need from our pet food. Its important to note that every dog is different and your pet may have unique nutritional or medical needs which may require additional supplements to ensure optimal health.

You can also supplement your best friends diet with dog treats to help with training and as a reward for good behaviour. Oven-dried and made with natural preservatives, these treats can be used to teach your puppy new behaviours or to give your grown-up dog an extra treat.

What changes will I see in my dog after switching to Black Hawk?

When you switch from low-quality dog food to Black Hawks premium Australian dog foods you may notice a change in your pet. The benefits from a nutritious diet will take some weeks to take effect, but the advantage it has to the health and vitality of your dog in the long term is whats most important.

Healthy, shiny coat Thanks to the special blend of oils in our dog foods, your pets skin and coat will be well supported by natural omega fatty acids. You may notice your dogs coat looking healthy and shiny with less shedding and dandruff. The high levels of omega fatty acids in the Black Hawk recipes may also help support your pets natural skin barrier function.
High energy levels Black Hawk dog and cat foods are all packed full of valuable, easily digestible protein, combined with our special oil blend which means your pet has more energy for running and playing.
Less mess One little-known benefit of an easily digestible, high-protein diet for dogs is the reduced amount of waste they produce. Because our formulas are easy to digest, more of your dogs diet will be absorbed and less will be excreted as poo, meaning less time spent cleaning up after your dog.

How do I transition my dog to a new brand of pet food?

You can get your dog to transition to a new pet food brand by adding a small amount of the new brand to its current food and gradually increasing the ratio until it has moved to the new brand. For example, you might start with 25% new food to old for the first few days, then up it to 50% for the next few and then 75% and so on. This not only helps your pet get used to the taste of the new food but also allows the good bacteria in your dogs gut to adapt to the new ingredients.

The key when transitioning your pet from one diet to another is to do it slowly. Whether youre switching from puppy food to adult food or from one brand to another, veterinarians recommend taking at least one week or preferably two weeks to make the switch. If you rush your pet into starting a new diet too quickly they can experience diarrhoea or other digestive issues as their gut bacteria wont have had time to adapt to the new food. While these symptoms should pass on their own, seek immediate veterinary advice if your pets condition deteriorates. We also recommend checking customer reviews before switching to a new wet or dry dog food.

How much should I feed my dog?

The amount of food your pet needs will vary depending on their age, weight, lifestyle and breed. Black Hawk pet foods come with a feeding guide which will offer a recommended serving size for your dog.

Its important to take into account changes to your pets lifestyle when following the standard feeding guide remember, these guides are general and your pets needs may vary. For instance, if you are walking your dog less during the winter months or your pet isnt as active as it used to be its important to cut down its serving size to ensure your pet doesnt gain too much weight.

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Black Hawk Dog Food Recall

20 Jan Black Hawk Dog Food Recall

Posted at 09:03h

News byAnimal Poisons Centre

January 2020: There has been a voluntary recall of some Black Hawk dry dog food products which have been affected by mould. It has been reported that the mould is easily visible on the recalled biscuits. If your dog has been eating any of the affected product and is unwell, you should seek veterinary attention. The affected products are as follows;

Black Hawk Adult Chicken and RiceDog Food (3kg, 10kg and 20kg)
Black Hawk Adult Lamb and Rice Dog Food (3kg, 10kg and 20kg)
Black Hawk Adult Fish and Potato Dog Food (3kg, 10kg and 20kg)
Black Hawk Adult Large Breed Chicken and RiceDog Food (20kg only)
Black Hawk Puppy Large Breed Chicken and Rice (20kg only)

For more information, including a list of the specific batches that may be affected, please see the following link from Black Hawk.

The Black Hawk Dog Food Review: Tested & Evaluated 2024

Written By Eloisa Thomas| Double M.A in Anthropology.Edited & Fact Checked ByRenae Soppe| Double B.A Journalism & Science.Last Updated: 7th January 2024

Wondering how to provide the best nutrition for your dog while keeping costs down?

Then maybe Black Hawk dog food is right for you. This affordable brand has a fairly clean ingredient list and comes in large bags so you can save even more when buying in bulk. We know all owners want to give their dogs the best, with their wallet sometimes the only restriction. This brand might provide a budget solution without sacrificing nutritional value.

In todays Black Hawk dog food review, well cover everything you need to know about the brand so you can decide if youd like to give it a try. We teamed up with canine nutritionists, veterinarians, and doggy parents alike to come up with this guide that tells you everything you need to know about Black Hawk dog food so you can make the most informed decision for your pup.

Black Hawk has both grain-free and regular dry dog food available at a lower price than other premium brands.
The first ingredient in all their recipes is always animal protein.
They use animal protein meal instead of whole cuts.

A Timeline of Black Hawk Dog Food

Black Hawk Pet Food was founded by an Australian breeder concerned with the ingredients in dog food. The brand set out to use Australian products and be locally manufactured.

Previously Australian-owned Black Hawk is purchased by Kiwi company Master Pet, in turn owned by EBOS Group. EBOS is specialized in medical, pharmaceutical products and animal care, and is the largest distributor of pharmaceutical material in Australasia.

Black Hawk launches first marketing campaign urging dog owners to join the real food movement for dogs

A recall was issued on the Grain Free Salmon dog food after customers reported bloody diarrhoea among their pups. Black Hawk promptly ceased production and distribution of all salmon recipes.

Black Hawk Australia issues a voluntary recall for 5 types of puppy and adult dog food recipes due to mould growth. Recalled products have a best before date between February 2, 2021 and June 4, 2021. No dog illnesses were reported for this recall.

Quick Pick - Our Best Rated Dog Food

Our Number 1 Pick -Petzyo Dog Food

Ethically sourced Kangaroo, Chicken or Salmon, sweet potato & superfood extras
Iron-rich & low fat proteins
Three Omega 3 and 6 rich oils with a well balanced 11% fat content
Made in Australia

Australia's Black Hawk Dog Food Review

Black Hawk - Overall 3.5 Star Rating

Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Ground Oats, Chicken Fat, Beet Pulp, Vegetable Oil, Chicken Flavour, Fish Meal, Egg Powder, Emu Oil, Linseed, Carrots, Blueberries, Peppermint, Rosemary and Vitamin D3. List of contents is not exhaustive, if you have concerns about allergies, contact the manufacturer.
Named Protein First:No (but chicken meal is OK).
Dog Food Type: Grain Inclusive & Grain Free.
Recipe Range: Kangaroo, Sweet Potato & Superfood Extras or Salmon, Ocean Fish & Green Lipped Muscles or Chicken, Turkey & Superfood Extras or Petzyo Raw Food Range.
Suitable For: Chicken or Australian Lamb or Tasmanian Salmon or Kangaroo or Ocean Fish + More.
Cost: $$$
Australian Owned: Yes.

Taste 4/5

Most pups absolutely love the taste of Black Hawk dry kibble. In fact, as my dog is one of the many that do, I can honestly claim that my pets scoff down his entire bowl as soon as it hits the floor. Since the main ingredient in all recipes is animal protein, its no wonder dogs like the flavour.

Nevertheless, since they have limited protein options available, this brand might not be the best choice for picky eaters. With my dachshund, Im all too familiar with the polite sniff and, No, thank you. If your pup turns their nose up at chicken, fish, or lamb, then you should consider another brand.

Due to the relatively low variety, compared to other brands available in the Australian market, were taking off 1 star.

Ingredients 3/5

In general, our expert panel agrees that Black Hawk dog food ingredients are pretty good, with plenty of nourishing extras to round out your pups nutrition. The main ingredient in all their flavours is always an animal protein, and among the first five ingredients, theres usually an extra animal protein source like chicken fat. Another good sign is that the ingredient list comprises foods youve likely seen before.

According to the experts at VCA hospitals,

Select diets with real, recognisable, whole-food ingredients. If the majority of listed ingredients is unfamiliar to you, find another diet - VCA hospitals [5]

Although they use familiar ingredients, keep in mind Black Hawk has changed its recipes in the past without warning. For example, the lamb flavour previously only had lamb, and now it has chicken this was never clearly advertised on the front of the bag. These changes were accelerated by the purchase of the company by New Zealands Masterpet. If your dog cant eat or is sensitive to certain ingredients, its important you check the ingredient list carefully before purchasing a new bag. This is key even if youve been feeding them the same brand for a while!

While Black Hawks ingredients are healthy enough, our expert team is taking off 2 stars for the impromptu changes to recipes and the fact they dont use whole animal protein sources, instead choosing a lesser quality meal-type protein.

Protein content 3.5/5

This dog food has a very high protein content, just above 30%. This is in line with official American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommendations that prescribe 18% minimum crude protein for adult dogs. Therefore, you can be sure your furry friend has adequate nutrition to stay strong and healthy.

However, keep in mind not all of this comes from animal sources and instead is supplemented with protein-rich veggies. All of Black Hawks grain-free flavours have peas within the first five ingredients, sometimes even placing second just below animal protein overall. While peas are healthy, they might account for a good chunk of the protein content.

Surprisingly, some products from their original line show three different animal proteins as the first ingredients [3], followed by rice and oats. Our panel is taking off 1.5 stars because of the high amount of peas in all grain-free flavours.

Additives 4/5

Despite their straightforward flavours, Black Hawk has plenty of extra goodies that make sure your pup gets all the micronutrients they need. Many of their dry kibble flavours contain salmon oil, blueberries, emu oil, dandelion, spinach, yoghurt powder and even peppermint tea!

We especially like the emu oil. According to PetMD, emu oil can help to keep their skin supple and irritation-free [1]. This is something especially important to me as the parent of a dog with sensitive skin. Not many dog food brands add it to their recipes, so Black Hawk stands out for this.

[] more people are recognising the benefits of emu oil for pets for reducing inflammation or joint pain, moisturising skin & coat, soothing irritated skin, healing flea bites, and relieving allergy symptoms Jeffers Pet [4]

Even better, this brand stays away from sulphites. These compounds were traditionally used in pet-grade food, but nowadays experts advise against them. In fact, RSPCA Australia states that sulphites cause dangerous vitamin B1 deficiencies and can even result in death.

With such high risks, you should avoid them at all costs. Luckily, you wont have to worry about sulphites with Black Hawk since they use naturally occurring tocopherols and rosemary extract to preserve the food.

PRO TIP:Remember to only buy dog food without sulphites, and those that strictly use human-grade proteins.

The only detail we dont like, and were taking a star off because of it, is the listing of "natural antioxidants" as an ingredient, without specifying what those are. Its important we know everything going into our dogs system!

Variety 3/5

As our research team soon discovered this brand has two main ranges: original and grain-free. On top of that, they offer a limited range of wet food, although their staple product is traditional dry kibble.

While many of their products are chicken-based, Black Hawk also has recipes based around lamb, salmon, kangaroo, ocean fish and beef. Nevertheless, if your dog has intolerances to these mainstream proteins, Black Hawk might not be the best option since they dont offer more niche flavours like venison or sardines.

Despite this, the brand is still a good choice when tailoring your dogs diet to their size. Our expert panel wants to remind you that the nutritional needs of large and small breeds are vastly different, and we like that Black Hawk offers options that cater to those specific needs.

Both their original and grain-free lines have options for small and large breeds, albeit limited. Keep in mind that Black Hawk grain-free only has one flavour available for small and large breeds, the trusty chicken. If your dog doesnt like chicken or is allergic, you wont have a grain-free option tailored to their size. On the other hand, their original line only has lamb and rice available for small breeds, while large dogs get chicken and rice. Again, if your dog cant eat those ingredients, youll have to look elsewhere.

Finally, this brand also produces a special variety for working dogs, containing a higher protein and fat content than the rest of Black Hawks products. However, there is no grain-free option available. It also only comes in one flavour, so your border collie or Australian cattle dog had better enjoy the taste of lamb!

Considering their limited flavours, especially when it comes to specific age, size and working dog options, our panel has decided we're giving Black Hawk 3 stars in this category.

Price 5/5

Black Hawk is one of the more affordable quality dog foods in Australia, which I appreciate as a dog parent with several pups! Their puppy food is a particularly sweet deal when compared with other brands. This brand is also a great choice if youre looking for an affordable grain-free option for your dog that doesnt break the bank, which is a reality in my household. Plus, for the price, our experts all agree that it has a superior ingredient list to other dog foods within the same price range.

If you want to save even more, we recommend buying in bulk and through online retailers, as it will be easier to shop around and compare prices. Since this is still an affordable brand, and its available in large bags, were giving Black Hawk 5 out of 5 in this category.

Black Hawk Puppy Food Review

Our Black Hawk dry dog food review wouldnt be complete without looking at their puppy options. Plus, since Black Hawk was one of our choices in our best puppy food roundup, I think its vital that we dive deeper into the brands puppy kibble options!

Black Hawk Puppy Flavours

Their original line has three puppy options available: all-breeds, small breed and large breed. The all-breeds puppy food comes in two flavours, lamb rice and chicken rice. In contrast, their size-specific puppy kibble only has one option per breed size: large breed puppies have chicken and rice, while small breed puppies have lamb and rice.

On the other hand, our testing panel was dismayed to see that their grain-free line only has one puppy option, ocean fish for all breeds. This is quite a small selection, especially if your puppy has an extra-sensitive stomach and cant have lamb, chicken, or fish, or the flavour on offer doesnt match with their size.

Ingredients and Recipe

Aside from their limited flavour options, I like the composition of their original large-breed puppy recipe. While it does contain rice, its also packed with other goodies that fit the needs of large and giant puppies. For example, it has both glucosamine and chondroitin to keep their joints healthy, and its also highly calorific to keep up with their fast growth.

All in all, our team of experts agree that Black Hawk puppy food is great if youre looking for an affordable kibble for your large- or giant-breed puppy.

Black Hawk Dog Food Vs Royal Canin: How Do They Compare?

If youre wondering if you should buy Black Hawk or Royal Canin dog food, its important to understand their similarities (and differences).

The main difference between Black Hawk and Royal Canin lies in their ingredients. While all Black Hawk products have animal protein of some kind as the first ingredient, Royal Canins first ingredient is always a carbohydrate, like rice or oats. Our team of canine nutritionists and vets were also quick to point out that Black Hawk always indicates the specific protein source like chicken meal, or lamb meal while Royal Canin simply mentions generic animal fats, animal protein or poultry protein.

PRO TIP:Royal Canin doesnt specify their animal protein sources, and this can be a problem if your dog has allergies to certain proteins.

On the flip side, I appreciate how Royal Canin has an incredibly large flavour and nutrition profile variety. I have been able to find anything from breed-specific foods for example, for rottweilers or retrievers to age-specific options. They also have flavours made to keep their teeth healthy, lighter options for overweight dogs, hypoallergenic foods, and everything in between. However, I was disappointed to learn that they dont have any grain-free options.

Despite the larger variety, Black Hawks protein sources are healthier, and they offer grain-free options if you want that for your pup. For this reason, our team of researchers recommend it over Royal Canin.

Do Not Buy If

While Black Hawk is a good option for many pets, our canine pros point out that you might want to choose another brand in some circumstances. This is not the right choice if you:

Would rather feed your dog actual meat instead of protein "meals". Instead of plain protein cuts, Black Hawks main protein sources come in meal form. However, the choice between protein meal and pure meats is a bit controversial among pet owners. We want to give the best to our dogs, and that usually involves offering high-quality proteins. According to our team of experts, a good rule of thumb is looking for plain protein as the main ingredient (For instance, chicken, lamb, or kangaroo). Protein meal isnt necessarily bad. However, you must ensure the fat to protein ratio isnt off.
Want dog food thats 100% Australian;while still being an Aussie company, as of October 2020 Black Hawk has been owned by Masterpet in New Zealand. While the brand originally stated their recipes wouldnt change, owners have reported major differences, such as swapping sweet potatoes for tapioca and regular potatoes.
Have a diabetic dog;Black Hawks dog food recipes list peas, tapiocas, and potatoes within the first 5 ingredients, which means they form the base of the food. However, while healthy, all three of these veggies have a relatively high glycemic index. If your pup is diabetic or needs to control their glucose levels, our experts suggest that you should focus on finding a kibble that uses sweet potatoes or chickpeas as the food base instead.
Have a pup with sensitive stomach; in January 2020, Black Hawk voluntarily recalled several products due to mould concerns. While no dogs were reported to be severely ill, several owners complained of mould appearing in brand new packages and some pups suffered from bloody diarrhoea and vomiting. All products concerned displayed a best before date ranging from 2^nd February 2021 to 4^th June 2021. While only this specific batch was affected, you might want to stay on the safe side if your dog is prone to diarrhoea.

The Verdict

As you can see, Black Hawk is an excellent choice for those with a smaller budget that still want to give high-quality nutrition to their dogs. Of course, our panel of expert vets and nutritionists want to highlight the fact that there are other options on the market with even better ingredients and nutritional profiles, but they come with a hefty price tag.

If you have several dogs, a pup with a big belly to fill, or have a limited food budget, this brand is a great option to keep your dog healthy and nourished.

We hope todays Black Hawk dry dog food review helps to inform your choice according to your personal needs!

Want to read more dog food brand reviews? Check out the below:

References

Curley, Kendall. May 8, 2018. How to Care for Your Wrinkly Dog. PetMD. Retrieved January 28, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/grooming/2how-care-your-wrinkly-dog
Rao, Shoba. January 16, 2020. Black Hawk issues voluntary recall on pet food in Australia. Daily Telegraph. Retrieved January 28, 2023. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/home-garden/black-hawk-issues-voluntary-recall-on-pet-food-in-australia/news-story/df0f498642edcab4d3ea09e49f13467f
Black Hawk. Original dog food lamb and rice. Ingredient list. https://blackhawkpetcare.com/au/dog-food/original-dog-food/dog-food-lamb-and-rice
Jeffers Blog. October 7, 2019.What is Emu Oil? Jeffers Pet. Retrieved January 28, 2023. https://www.jefferspet.com/trending/content/what-emu-oil
VCA Animal Hospitals. Nutrition - General Feeding Guidelines for Dogs. Retrieved January 28, 2023. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/nutrition-general-feeding-guidelines-for-dogs
https://www.nzx.com/companies/EBO/announcements/257073
https://www.masterpet.com.au/our-story/our-history/