Are You Feeding the Best Food For Australian Shepherd?

Last Updated on May 5, 2024

Australian Shepherd is very sensitive to their environment and requires proper nutrition. The best food for Australian Shepherd includes high protein, low fat, and balanced nutrients.

Let’s try to get the answer to this vital question. First, we’ll give you insights into the Australian Shepherd’s nutritional needs. Then, we’ll dig deeper and explain the best food for Australian Shepherds. Also, we’ll talk you through many other important aspects of the dog’s diet.

Nutritional Needs

Aussies are medium to large dogs that stay active all day long. Smart as they are, Australian Shepherds need premium food to fuel their energy levels and brains. In nutritional terms, this means high-quality protein, a decent amount of fat, and some carbohydrates.

Proteins provide essential and non-essential amino acids that will help the Australian Shepherd’s body recover quickly from injuries and grow stronger muscles and bones. Fats are the primary energy source for dogs, providing omega-3 and omega-6. Carbohydrates, in moderate amounts, can supply vitamins and minerals that will promote optimum health to the Aussies.

What is the Best Food For Australian Shepherd?

Different types of dog foods are available today:

• Dry food (kibble)
• Moist/canned food
• Dehydrated food
• Raw diets

The vast majority of dog owners prefer to buy dry food because this food is convenient to feed and easy to store. Plus, it helps your Aussie keep his teeth always clean.

Feeding your Aussie with canned food only is not a very good idea because, in this case, you will need help with the dog’s gums and teeth. But if you still think that canned food is the best option for your Aussie, do not forget to check his dental health regularly.

If you notice plaque buildup on your dog’s teeth, do your best to remove it until it causes serious health problems. Buy rubber toys to help eliminate the plague, and clean your dog’s teeth twice a day with a dog toothbrush and safe toothpaste.

If you are looking for less processed but, at the same time, fully-cooked food, think about a dehydrated diet. This type of food undergoes minimal processing and is considered healthier than the other food options.

There are Aussie owners who prefer to feed their dogs with raw food. They believe it’s much better to feed natural dog food containing no preservatives or harmful additives. Some reports reveal that raw food can help your dog develop strong muscles and bones. On the other hand, raw food can cause infections and gastrointestinal inflammation in dogs.

When looking for the best food for Australian Shepherds, read the label, the nutritional chart, and all the ingredients. Optimum food will have a balanced combination of protein, fats, and carbohydrates.

The high amount of protein

You want to focus on foods with a protein source listed in the top four ingredients. This means the producer used a more significant amount of this protein when making the food. Many lower-quality dog foods use fillers to help reduce production costs. These fillers, often in the form of carbohydrates, can raise blood sugar levels resulting in some long-term health issues.

Australian Shepherds need protein from the early stages of life to help them grow into strong, healthy, and muscular bodies.

Meats such as turkey, chicken, bison, and others are good protein choices.

High-fat content

Fats are the primary source of energy for Australian Shepherds. They are high in calories and help Aussies protect their internal organs, ensuring the whole body functions smoothly.

Although fat digestion can be pretty complex, healthy dogs generally can metabolise significant quantities of fats with great efficiency.

Fish is usually one of the best sources of fat for dogs.

Low carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are a macro-nutrient and should only be included in small quantities as part of your Australian Shepherd’s diet. Carbohydrates can cause issues with blood sugar in dogs, and long-term could cause diabetes.

Good quality carbohydrates, however, such as fruits and vegetables, can offer benefits to your Aussie, such as essential vitamins and minerals. Some good options are mixed berries, butternut squash, carrots, and others.

A well-balanced diet for your Australian Shepherd puppy

It’s hard not to fall in love with an Australian Shepherd puppy. This fluffy bundle of joy is not just cute. It is brilliant as well. Plus, the Australian Shepherd puppy is very active and needs to replenish its energy stores regularly. That is why eating the right food is critical for your puppy.

Healthy fats are highly beneficial for your puppy. Ideally, your puppy should eat dry food containing at least 26% protein. The food should also provide fat content of about 8%. The Aussie puppies who consume the necessary amount of fat daily have healthy skin and coats. Moreover, the puppies have healthy eyes and bones.

Keep in mind that proper eye and cognitive function is supported by such essential amino acids as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), arachidonic acid (ARA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Ensure your puppy gets enough minerals and vitamins to have a solid immune system that can protect the puppy against dangerous diseases. You can incorporate fruits and vegetables into your puppy’s diet. Some owners choose to give their dogs vitamin supplements instead.

When feeding your puppy, remember that buying high-quality dry food specially designed for puppies is very important. This formula will give your puppy everything he needs to become a healthy and happy adult dog.

Check out this article 5 best food brands for Australian Shepherd Puppies in 2024.

What is the Best Food for Your Adult Australian Shepherd?

Do you have a fantastic Australian Shepherd puppy and want to know when he will become an adult dog? Puppies reach maturity between 12 and 24 months of age. This process largely depends on various factors, including the breed, socialisation, and dog size.

Your Australian Shepherd puppy will be fully grown at 12-15 months. You will have to switch from puppy formula to adult dog food during this period. It’s worth mentioning that this transition should be gradual to give your dog enough time to get used to the new food physically and mentally. Working Aussies usually consume at least 1,400 calories daily to stay healthy and energetic.

A proper diet is crucial not just for puppies but for adult dogs as well. Your dog needs omega fatty acids such as vitamin E, flaxseed, and fish oil to boost the immune system. These acids will also make the dog coat beautiful and shiny.

Feeding Your Senior Australian Shepherd

You should switch your Aussie to senior dog food when he is 8 or 9 years old. The dog still needs protein-rich food ideal for his muscles at this age. Senior Aussies need less energy. They are usually less active than they used to be. And the amount of fat they consume should be lower as well. A senior dog has a weaker digestive system that can’t break down fat correctly. In his senior years, an Australian Shepherd should consume no more than 700 calories daily.

It’s also essential to provide your dog with chondroitin and glucosamine to support your bones and joints. These compounds are naturally occurring in cartilage. Glucosamine and chondroitin can be found in bovine and shark cartilage. Plus, there are supplements manufactured in a lab.

No artificial flavours, colouring, or preservatives, only the best food for Australian Shepherds!

Artificial ingredients add no nutritional value to dog food and can sometimes store chemicals that harm your dog’s health. Some brands might use them to create colourful dog food with a more pungent smell and taste to entice a dog’s appetite. Still, they are not necessary and should be avoided. That’s why you should only choose the best food for your Australian Shepherd, which has no toxic ingredients.

Artificial preservatives are very often added to dog food. The manufacturers use these chemical substances to extend the shelf life of the dog food. However, preservatives can be highly harmful to your dog. If consumed regularly, these chemicals may cause serious health problems, including irregular bowel movements, depression, and skin and coat issues.

Some artificial preservatives should be avoided. Ethoxyquin is a synthetic antioxidant that can cause liver disorders in dogs. Propylene Glycol is another chemical that your Australian Shepherd should not consume.

Preservatives such as BHT and BHA are components that, if possible, should stay out of your dog food. The World Health Organization states that these artificial preservatives may cause cancer in dogs. It’s tough for Australian Shepherds to digest these chemicals. Plus, regular exposure to artificial preservatives may cause severe reactions and trigger allergy symptoms.

Be careful when choosing the best food for Australian Shepherds. Buy healthy dog food that contains natural preservatives such as rosemary, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Natural preservatives cannot significantly increase the shelf life of your Aussie food. However, these ingredients are a much better choice than artificial preservatives. They are safe and pose no health risks.

Best Diet For Australian Shepherd

Several diets are suitable for Australian Shepherds, including dry, wet, raw, and homemade foods. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. So, picking the best food for Australian Shepherds is essential.

Some diets are specifically designed to improve the coat quality and overall appearance of your Australian Shepherd. Some are designed for specific health conditions such as allergies or obesity. Others are formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of growing puppies.

A healthy diet is essential for maintaining the health of your dog. Check out this article to learn the best food for Australian Shepherds that can be a better Diet Plan that provides information on feeding your dog correctly.

Remember: To grow and stay healthy, the best food for Australian Shepherd is the one with the most natural ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Best Food to Feed an Australian Shepherd?

Generally, dry dog kibbles are recommended for an Australian Shepherd, especially if they are just 6-8 weeks old or younger.

Raw meat can also be good for Australian shepherds as they are a good source of vitamins. Aside from that, Purina Pro Plan for dogs might be a good idea for your Australian Shepherd.

You should consult your veterinarian to get a diet chart and a better idea of feeding your dog. Wet foods generally help swallow food better and can be mixed with meat. Wet food can also be helpful for Australian shepherds who have jaw pain or are slightly sick.

What is The Best Dog Food Recommended by Vets?

Veterinarians often consider the Royal Canin dog food to be one of the best dog foods; it can be highly palatable as they consist of dry dog foods and are high in nutritional and vitamin content.

Aside from that, veterinarians often favoured Purina Pro Plan for its high nutritional value as the makers of the dog food include various vets and experts on nutrition. Pedigree is another well-known dog food that vets might recommend, although not as much as Royal Canin or Purina Pro Plan in general since Pedigree is relatively on a lesser scale in comparison.

What Dog Foods Should I Avoid?

Foods with xylitol as a sweetener are hazardous for dogs, and foods that include this specific ingredient should be avoided at all costs. Garlic, chocolate, and milk-based products can also cause extreme allergic reactions, and it would be the best idea to avoid those foods, also.

Use a good proportion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to keep your dog healthy! Remember, these things are all part of the best food for Australian Shepherds.