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While all dog breeds have similar nutritional needs, Australian Shepherds, with their boundless energy and strong work ethic, require a diet tailored to support their active lifestyle and overall health.
Our article will guide you through the best dog food for Australian shepherds in 2024 for puppies, adults, seniors, and Aussies with specific health conditions. We'll also provide expert insights into finding the right food for your Australian shepherd to benefit their health.
What to Think About When Buying Dog Food for Your Australian Shepherd
Diet is one of the critical factors that have a significant impact on the life quality of dogs. As responsible owners, we must provide our loving dogs with the best diet possible to support their health and well-being.
However, not all dog food formulated for breeds like the Australian shepherd suits every Aussie. Before revealing our top dog food picks for Australian shepherds, here's a brief overview of what to consider.
Food Quality
Australian Shepherds are energetic dogs, and this means food quality can be quite important to them and their health. They require a diet rich in high-quality proteins, healthy fats, and nutrients to keep their muscular build and stamina levels in top condition.
Poor quality food can hamper their physicality due to the lack of nutrients and quality ingredients. This can lead to deficiencies in the health of their coat, their energy levels, and their overall well-being.
Australian Shepherds can be prone to obesity as well if they are not properly exercised, so keep this in mind when choosing a dog food formula as well. Make sure that the food itself is high quality with little to no filler ingredients as possible.
Food Allergies
Australian Shepherds can be highly sensitive to food allergies, like many different breeds of dogs. These can occur as skin irritations, digestive issues, or even chronic ear infections. Many common allergens for this breed are dairy and eggs, and in some cases, even beef depending on their sensitivity level.
Identifying these allergy triggers is crucial for maintaining their long-term health. An all-natural and limited-ingredient diet for them is the best solution if your animal deals with these kinds of health issues. Consider also purchasing hypoallergenic dog food as well for an extra safety barrier for your Aussie.
Calorie Needs
Australian Shepherds have high energy levels, and this means higher than normal caloric needs compared to other less-active breeds. Like all things, though, balance is crucial. They don't need to overfeed either, lest it leads to weight gain.
Their caloric needs will vary based on their age range, activity level, and how big they are. A good standard is three cups of dog food per day divided up into two meals. If your dog is less active, then lowering that daily amount by a half cup or one whole cup might be a better solution. Just keep watch of your dog's weight, and there shouldn't be any problems.
Australian Shepherd’s Special Health Needs
Some Australian shepherds may have unique dietary needs that call for specifically formulated dog food. For instance, Aussies may react badly to certain ingredients in dog food, resulting in allergic reactions and an upset stomach. If your Australian shepherd shows discomfort after eating, they may benefit from hypoallergenic dog food.
There are also different types of specialized dog food, such as gastrointestinal formulas for sensitive stomachs, glucosamine-rich foods for joint health, and low-glycemic options for diabetic dogs. These can help alleviate certain symptoms in Aussies, but you should always consult your veterinarian before changing food for health reasons.
Life Stage
Age is one of the most important considerations when it comes to choosing the right dog food. Like any other breed, the nutritional needs of Australian shepherds vary throughout their lives. The following is a quick look at the feeding needs of puppies, adults, and seniors.
- Puppies (2-15 months): Aussie puppies require higher calories and a higher percentage of protein and fat in their diet to support their rapid growth. Puppies also need dog food high in dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, for bone and brain development.
- Adults (2-8 years): Adult Aussies must eat food that maintains their muscle mass with balanced protein and fat content. The ideal food for an adult Aussie should also have the necessary vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids to benefit overall health.
- Seniors (9+ years): Senior dogs need to eat food with high protein content but fewer calories to support their aging bodies. Additionally, senior Australian shepherds may need dog food that promotes joint health, cognitive function, and digestive system.
With all this said, the age of your Australian shepherd is critically important when shopping for dog food. By feeding your Aussie appropriate dog food based on their age, you can contribute to their well-being.
Wet Versus Dry Food
Wet and dry food have pros and cons when it comes to Australian Shepherds. Dry food is more convenient as far as price and storage are concerned; however, wet food can be much more palatable and easier for them to digest.
Consider the needs of your dog accordingly. If they have digestion issues or have serious issues with handling grain-based dry food, then wet food can be the way to go here. Otherwise, if your dog doesn't have any pre-existing health and allergy issues, dry food can be a more cost-effective solution.
Your Australian Shepherd’s Preferences
It is crucial to choose a dog food that benefits your Australian shepherd's health and supports their daily activities. However, it's equally important to consider whether your Australian Shepherd enjoys their meals.
The texture of dog food, whether dry or wet, kibble size and shape, flavor, and the addition of toppers are all related to your dog's appetite and preferences.
However, you shouldn't be discouraged if your dog doesn't enjoy their new food immediately. Some dogs may need time, and a gradual transition over several days will help your Aussie get used to their new diet more smoothly.
The Best Dog Food for Australian Shepherds
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Now that we’ve gone over our tips for finding the best dog food for your Aussie, you’ll discover the best food for Australian shepherd puppies, adults, and seniors below. We’ll also list our top picks for Aussies with food allergies and digestive problems.
1. Pro Plan Puppy Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Our Rating: ★★★★★ 5 out of 5
Why we like it
This widely available brand is great for energetic dogs like Australian Shepherds.
Key Notes
Widely available, great for energetic dogs, and has all the nutrients Australian Shepherds need.
Purina’s Pro Plan Puppy Shredded Blend is our top pick for Australian shepherd puppies. The carefully formulated blend of this dog food supports vision and brain development while providing young Australian shepherds with the essential nutrients for healthy growth.
Packed with high-quality protein and antioxidants to boost your Australian shepherd puppy’s immune system, Pro Plan Puppy Shredded Blend is also rich in omega-6 fatty acids for a lustrous coat. It has prebiotics and probiotics with a highly digestible formula to ensure your puppy can easily absorb all the nutrients.
Not only does this dog food meet the needs of Australian shepherd puppies, but the crunchy kibbles appeal to even the pickiest dogs. You can feed Pro Plan Puppy Shredded Blend to your Australian shepherd under one year of age or continue feeding until two years before switching to adult food.
These make Pro Plan Puppy Shredded Blend an excellent choice for Australian shepherd puppies, but it has a few downsides. It is relatively expensive, and the grain content isn’t ideal for Aussie puppies with grain intolerance.
Pros
- Widely available
- Excellent for energetic puppies
- Has all the nutrients young Aussies need
Cons
- Not ideal for puppies with grain intolerance
2. Orijen Regional Red Dry Dog Food
Our Rating: ★★★★★ 4 out of 5
Why we like it
Made up of mostly animal-based ingredients, this is a healthy and ancestral approach to feeding your Australian Shepherd.
Key Notes
Nutrient-dense and ancestrally oriented.
Orijen Regional Red stands out as one of the best overall dog foods for adult Australian shepherds, including toy Aussies. This dog food provides Aussies with a diet similar to what their sheepherding ancestors were eating. It has a nutrient-dense animal protein composition ranging from organ meat and bones to wild boar and lamb.
Carefully balanced to support digestive health, immune function, and coat condition, Orijen Regional Red boasts a composition of 39% protein, 42% fat, and 19% carbohydrates – an ideal balance for maintaining your dog’s body at its peak capabilities.
In many ways, you can think of the Orijen Regional Red as raw food for your Australian shepherd in the form of a kibble. It has a close nutrition profile to raw feeding, making it an excellent dog food if you want to feed a homemade diet but lack the time and resources to prepare it yourself.
Nonetheless, Orijen Regional Red has several drawbacks. It is quite expensive compared to most other dog foods, and availability may be limited. Finding it in your local pet supplies store can be challenging, and you may need to order online.
Pros
- Nutrition-dense ingredients
- Mimics ancestral foods
- Various size options
Cons
- More expensive than other adult dog foods
3. Pro Plan Adult 7+ Bright Mind
Our Rating: ★★★★★ 4 out of 5
Why we like it
This highly affordable option is great for senior Australian Shepherds.
Key Notes
Balanced and affordable for senior Aussies.
Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Bright Mind is regarded as one of the best senior dog foods for Aussies and similar dog breeds. It provides a balanced diet with enough nutrients while better-managing calorie intake.
This dog food for senior Australian shepherds is formulated with joint health, nerve function, and immune system in mind. It is rich in glucosamine and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) for joint health, antioxidants for boosting the immune system, and arginine, B vitamins, and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) for cognitive function.
With all these, Pro Plan Adult 7+ Bright Mind increases mental awareness while preventing joint deterioration in senior dogs. Although Aussies are generally considered seniors after nine years of age, you should always consult your veterinarian before switching to senior dog food.
The only disadvantage of this senior dog food for Aussies (as with others in this category) is it can take some time for your dog to transition fully. Also, the kibbles could have been softer for seniors. If your Australian shepherd suffers from severe dental issues, you may need to soak the dry kibbles in warm water for easier chewing.
Pros
- Carefully balanced specifically for senior dogs
- Various ingredients to increase your senior Aussie's life quality
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- Kibbles could be softer for seniors with dental problems
4. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Canine Recipe
Our Rating: ★★★★★ 4 out of 5
Why we like it
It’s a grain-free dog food option for Australian Shepherds with serious food allergies.
Key Notes
Grain-free dog food made with smoked salmon for highly sensitive Aussies.
Taste of the Wild’s Pacific Stream Canine Recipe is the best dog food for Australian shepherds with allergies. It can also be ideal for Aussiedoodles, which tend to be more prone to skin allergies than purebred Australian shepherds.
Using smoked salmon as the main ingredient, Pacific Stream Canine Recipe provides high-quality protein to Australian shepherds with skin allergies and keeps their coats in top condition with omega-3 fatty acids. It is grain and egg-free, which are common allergy triggers in dogs, particularly egg yolks.
In addition to eliminating allergic reactions, Pacific Stream Canine Recipe is a beneficial dog food with a complete nutrition profile and probiotics for a healthy digestive system. The abundance of natural antioxidants also ensures a functioning immune system to combat diseases.
If your Aussie is experiencing skin irritations from their food, you can introduce this dog food to eliminate such bodily responses. However, the Pacific Stream Canine Recipe also has a few drawbacks. It isn’t widely available, and the fish smell could be more appealing to many dogs (and owners).
Pros
- Well-balanced formula
- Grain-free
- Affordable
- Just as good for Aussie mixes
Cons
- The fish flavor isn't appealing to every Aussie
- Not widely available
5. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin
Our Rating: ★★★★★ 3 out of 5
Why we like it
It’s a dog food made for the most sensitive stomachs around.
Key Notes
Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and natural prebiotics for your sensitive Aussie dog.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin is the best dog food for Australian shepherds with digestive problems and a sensitive stomach. If your Australian shepherd’s stool is lumpy and takes a while to do number two, introducing this dog food to their diet can alleviate digestive problems.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin is highly digestible with a gentle ingredient profile on the stomach. The addition of beet pulp provides Australian shepherds with natural prebiotics to restore the natural bacterial balance of the gut and relieve constipation.
Furthermore, it has omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E for coat health. This dog food can also double as a hypoallergenic food for your Australian shepherd if they’re experiencing mild discomfort from their diet. All these make Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin an excellent dog food for Aussies with digestive issues.
However, Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin may not be as nutrient-dense if you have a working or active Australian shepherd. Aussies competing in dog sports and working dogs may require a denser diet to assist them in their daily activities. Moreover, it isn’t as widely available as other Hill’s Science products.
Pros
- Highly digestible formula
- Rich in omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E for coat health
- Natural prebiotics to relieve constipation
Cons
- Not the best dog food for working and competing Aussies
Your Guide to Buying Dog Food for Australian Shepherds
Choosing the correct dog food for your Australian Shepherd can be a challenging task, but it doesn’t have to be. This section gives you some general ideas on how to make the very best food choices for your dog.
By following these breed-specific guidelines, you can make sure that your Australian Shepherd’s diet maximizes their long-term health and well-being.
How Much Should I Feed My Australian Shepard?
This really depends on the age range of your dog. Here’s a helpful breakdown:
Puppies
Smaller stomachs mean smaller meals. Feed Australian Shepherd puppies 1 to 2.5 cups of dry food per day, divided into three to four different meal periods throughout the day.
Adults
Adult Australian Shepherds should eat around 1.5 to 3.5 cups of dry dog food daily, divided into two different meal times. This is just a general baseline, however. More active dogs might need more calories per day. Be sure to monitor this accordingly based on your dog’s weight, activity levels, and general disposition.
Seniors
This age group has a slower metabolic rate due to aging as well as just not being as active in general. Feed seniors according to preference, but make sure to watch their weight, as you don’t want their joints to be worn away by excess poundage.
What are Some Ingredients to Look for in Dog Food for Australian Shepherds?
Any kind of high-quality dog food should have a balanced blend of nutrients for your Australian Shepherd’s ongoing dietary and health needs. These include:
Animal Protein Sources
Australian Shepherds are high-energy dogs, and they need a good amount of protein to keep their muscles fully repaired and in the game. Look for dog foods with quality animal protein sources, such as beef, chicken, salmon, or lamb as the primary ingredient.
Healthy Fats
Fats are not only a caloric-dense source of energy for dogs, but they can also be beneficial for their skin, coat, and overall brain development.
Be sure to look for dog foods that contain healthy animal fats, such as fish oil (an omega-3 fatty acid), beef fat/tallow, and chicken fat.
Digestion-Friendly Carbohydrates
Many dogs are highly sensitive to grains, such as wheat and corn, but there are more carbohydrate sources to choose from that are a far healthier solution for your dog even if they don’t have pre-existing digestive issues.
Look for dog food products that have so-called ancient grains such as barley, steel-cut oats, and quinoa. All three of these carb sources provide slow-release energy that doesn’t spike your dog’s blood sugar levels, leaving them in a slump for the rest of the day soon after consuming.
Some other good sources of slow-burning carbs for dogs are sweet potatoes, peas, and even lentils, all of which are high in fiber content.
How Do I Start My Australian Shepherd on a New Diet?
Switching dog food can be a pain, depending on how picky of an eater your dog is. Start by mixing 25% or less of the newer food into your dog’s bowl, with the majority being the older food they’ve been eating. Over the course of a few days, increase the amount of newer food more and more until at 100%
What’s the reason for doing things this way, you might ask? It’s basically to ensure that they take to the newer food in a gradual manner, which gets them acclimated to the newer tastes and textures they might experience. Additionally, it can help to avert any digestive issues that might come up from starting a completely new food type from scratch. Some dogs with more sensitive stomachs might not be able to handle this.
Buying the Best Dog Food for Your Australian Shepherd
We’ve gone over several dog food options for Australian shepherds. When picking the best dog food for your Aussie, get recommendations from your veterinarian. While the dog foods we’ve listed above are all good products, your vet can point you to the best diet for your Australian shepherd after examining their health.
Also, always give your dog time to transition gradually to new dog food. By mixing the new dog food with your existing one, even if the textures are different, you can help your Aussie adapt to their new diet.