The Australian Shepherd, also known as the Aussie, is a medium-sized dog breed known for its intelligence and working drive.

Australian shepherds love to be busy and active throughout the day. These active dogs need a good amount of food and exercise to stay healthy, happy, and energetic.

An Aussie’s diet must include high-quality protein and healthy fats to stay strong and active.

If you’re looking for high-quality dog food for Australian Shepherds, we have rounded up the best dog foods from the top dog food brands in the world.

The choices contain high-quality ingredients that are great for your dog’s health. They are also specially formulated, keeping in mind the dietary requirements of active breeds such as Australian Shepherds.

Make sure to select only the very best dog foods for your Australian Shepherd puppy or adult dog. Let’s dive in!

IN A HURRY? HERE ARE OUR TOP PICKS…

1. Best Overall: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula

Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Formula is made with high-quality ingredients, such as real chicken, chicken fat, fish oil, whole grain brown rice, vegetables, and fruit.

This delicious chicken meal contains other healthy and natural ingredients, including barley, oatmeal, flaxseed, peas, dried chicory root, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, parsley, turmeric, garlic, barley grass, dried kelp, blueberries, cranberries, and yucca schidigera extract, among others.

Each serving contains high-quality protein, essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, carbs, fiber, and omega fatty acids.

Your dog can enjoy a complete and balanced diet that will give it much-needed energy.

This high-protein dog food is excellent for active dogs as it promotes muscle growth, supports immune system health, and keeps your furry friend’s skin and coat healthy and shining.

Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Formula does not contain harmful or low-quality meat by-products, corn soy, wheat, artificial flavors, or preservatives.

You can rest assured that you are feeding your Australian Shepherd only high-quality food that is beneficial for their health.

This premium dry food is available in various flavor options, such as lamb and brown rice, beef and brown rice, and fish and brown rice. You can also choose between multiple pack sizes: 5-pound, 15, 30, or 34 pounds.

2. Runner-Up: Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein

Check out this grain-free chicken meal formula, specifically for medium-sized dogs. It’s our second-best food choice for Australian Shepherds, and we highly recommend it.

The formula contains real chicken to satisfy your dog’s meat cravings while providing high-quality animal protein to build muscle mass.

It also has chicken fat, chicken meal, fish meal, peas, tapioca starch, flaxseed, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, cranberries, and other nutritious, high-quality ingredients.

It is an excellent source of carbohydrates to fuel your dog’s active lifestyle, perfect for this active breed. This adult dog food also contains omega fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

These nutrients have been chosen carefully by vets and animal nutritionists to boost the health of your dog’s bones, teeth, skin, and coat, support its immune system, and improve bodily functions crucial to the adult stage.

This high-protein dog food does not contain meat by-products, wheat, corn, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. It is entirely healthy for your pet and an excellent component of a balanced diet.

The brand also has other grain-free recipe options such as duck and salmon. If your pet is not allergic to grains, you can check out the whole grain options with chicken and salmon.

3. Best Value for Money: Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food

Next up on our list is this chicken and barley dry dog food formula by Hill’s Science Diet. This adult dog food is created especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs and skin. 

It contains prebiotic fiber that boosts gut bacteria and supports a balanced microbiome.

It is made with premium natural ingredients, such as real chicken, chicken meal, chicken fat, egg product, yellow peas, brown rice, brewers rice, cracked pearled barley, whole grain sorghum, flaxseed, soybean oil, dried beet pulp, chicken liver flavor, and pork liver flavor. 

This interesting and flavorful blend of ingredients will encourage your dog to get all the canine nutrition they need.

This dog food is packed with high-quality protein, omega fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to improve your pet’s health and keep them active and fit. 

Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food does not contain any meat by-products, fillers, or other artificial additives. Vets highly recommend it for all breed sizes.

So you can feed it to your Australian Shepherd and other smaller dogs, if you have them.

If you are looking for a grain-free wet food option, this product has a salmon and vegetable canned food version that ticks all the boxes.

It contains salmon, turkey, chicken fat, chicken broth, carrots, potatoes, green beans, egg whites, and dried whey, among other ingredients.

4. Alternative: Purina Pro Plan High Protein

Purina Pro Plan High Protein Dry Dog Food is an excellent choice, for Aussie Shepherds of all ages. This dog food tastes great and provides a balanced diet for active puppies and adult dogs.

Its formula was created for canines on a high-protein diet, meant to deliver concentrated nutrition to optimize oxygen metabolism and increase endurance and energy levels.

Featuring real chicken as its main ingredient, it has other premium components, such as beef fat, fish meal, fish oil, rice, whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, and more.

This formula is packed with essential nutrients, such as protein, healthy fats, fiber, amino acids, omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.

Purina Pro Plan High Protein fuels your pet’s metabolic needs promotes lean muscle, supports the health and mobility of its joints, and boosts brain and vision development.

The dry food formula also enhances learning, attention, and trainability. 

This formula is available as wet food and comes in various flavors: chicken and rice, beef and rice, salmon and rice, beef and bison, salmon and cod, and turkey, duck, and quail.

Moreover, you can get it in various pack sizes (between 4 and 48 lbs) based on how much food you feed your Australian Shepherd regularly.

5. Alternative: Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition

This product deserves to be mentioned on our list for its unique kibble design that encourages chewing.

This dog food is made especially for medium-sized dogs between the ages of one to seven years old.

It contains chicken fat, fish oil, brewers rice, wheat, corn gluten meal, oat groats, chicken by-product meal, vegetable oil, marigold extract, green tea extract, rosemary extract, and added vitamins and minerals.

Its special blend of prebiotics and antioxidants enhances natural defenses for better immune health. Omega fatty acids ensure healthy, supple skin and a lustrous coat.

The easily digestible proteins and balanced supply of fiber ensure healthy digestion and nutrient absorption while providing a good amount of energy for active dogs. 

The dry dog food is also tasty and has a delicious aroma, so your dog will be sure to love and savor their meal times.

6. Alternative: Health Extension Dry Dog Food

Health Extension’s Dry Dog Food formula is a fantastic option for dogs that need to control their weight or are prone to obesity.

The low-glycemic, high-protein dog food is packed with wholesome ingredients to ensure safety, quality, great taste, and nutrition.

Some of its cutting-edge ingredients include organically raised chicken, chicken fat, chicken meal, lamb meal, menhaden fish meal, ground brown rice, oatmeal, turmeric, apple cider vinegar, ginger, flaxseed, and coconut oil.

It also has added natural probiotics to promote digestion and keep your dog’s skin supple and its coat shiny.

This delicious premium dog food contains added vitamins and minerals for an extra dose of nourishment.

There are no harmful ingredients, such as rendered animal fats, sugar, corn, wheat, soy, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Health Extension Dry Dog Food is designed for active breeds of all ages, so you can feed it to your Australian Shepherd pup or dog for a high-quality diet. 

Note that how much you feed your pet varies depending on your dog’s age, activity level, environment, and other health factors.

So, take these factors into account when you dispense food for your dog. Consult a veterinarian if you’re unsure how much food your dog needs to eat to remain healthy.

This dog food also has a lamb and brown rice flavor containing real lamb and salmon meal. 

If you need a gluten-free, grain-free recipe for adult dogs with food sensitivities, there are also grain-free options, such as chicken and brown rice, venison, chicken and turkey (with real chicken and turkey, chicken meal, and turkey meal), buffalo and whitefish, duck, and salmon.

7. Alternative: Wag Wholesome Grains Dry Dog Food

If you are looking for a good dry dog food formula that won’t break the bank, Wag Wholesome Grains Dry Dog Food is the perfect option.

This budget food provides essential nutrients to your dog with its impressive ingredient list.

The chicken and brown rice variant include delicious and healthy ingredients, such as real chicken, chicken meal, chicken fat, salmon oil, whole grain brown rice, white rice, barley, flaxseed, blueberries, raspberries, and more.

It does not contain any chicken by-product meal, wheat, corn, soy, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Its salmon variant has quality ingredients, such as sustainably raised salmon, and does not contain salmon meal or other fillers. 

This dog food also has other exciting flavor variants such as lamb, brown rice, and beef that you can check out.

This formula is rich in protein, fat, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

These nutrients work together to support brain function, dental health, and the immune system and strengthen bones and joints in dogs.

Before introducing this new food formula to your dog’s diet, you should have a transition period to avoid stomach upsets. This is especially important for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Dog Food For Australian Shepherds – FAQ

While there are many high-quality, nutritious foods for dogs, it is essential to be aware of what not to feed dogs. Let’s answer some common questions regarding feeding Australian Shepherds.

What Foods Are Australian Shepherds Allergic To?

Some Australian Shepherds are allergic to bones, dairy products, avocados, grapes, and raisins. They are also allergic to garlic and onions, which are known to kill red blood cells in dogs and cause anemia. 

Australian Shepherds should not be given food that contains xylitol, a sweetener commonly present in toothpaste, gum, candy, and some baked goods.

It can seriously impact a dog’s blood sugar levels and result in liver failure or even death.

Another ingredient that you should not include in your dog’s diet is chocolate. It contains theobromine, which causes severe digestive problems and heart conditions in canines. It can even prove to be fatal for them.  

Keep your Australian Shepherd away from caffeine, which can lead to digestive issues, vomiting, panting, restlessness, hyperactivity, elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, and even cause death.

Alcohol is also a big no-no for Australian Shepherds. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, breathing problems, and even possible death.

Besides these ingredients, an Australian Shepherd may also have food allergies to other foods and beverages.

Consult your vet if you suspect your dog has food sensitivities and consult your vet about swapping your Aussie’s diet for new food if they suffer from food allergies, such as a hypoallergenic or limited ingredient diet.

Make sure to feed your Australian Shepherd good-quality dog food to easily meet its daily nutritional requirements.

Do Australian Shepherds Need Special Food?

Australian Shepherds are very high-energy dogs, and need a diet rich in high-quality protein and healthy fats. Protein helps with muscle development, tissue growth and repair, and other benefits for your pet’s health. 

Only buy dog food containing high-quality animal protein to enhance digestibility and ensure your dog gets the daily essential amino acids needed.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are excellent sources of energy for Australian Shepherds. Ensure a healthy balance of omega fatty acids in your Aussie’s diet to help them stay healthy and strong.

Complex carbs are an additional energy source, along with essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber to boost digestion and canine nutrition.

However, note that dogs cannot digest plant-based ingredients very easily. So stick to nutritious and highly digestible carbohydrates, such as whole grains, fresh fruits, and starchy vegetables.

Australian Shepherds are medium-sized dogs, so their nutritional needs differ significantly from smaller breeds. Feed your dog medium or large-breed dog food specifically formulated for their size.

It is sure to tick all the boxes and ensure optimal health.

High-quality dry dog food is great for these active dogs so they can get their daily dose of canine nutrition with each serving.

When food shopping your Australian Shepherd, look for products free of artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, meat by-products, fillers, and other additives.

They should be avoided as they can be harmful to your pet’s health.

The ingredient list should be short and contain wholesome and nutritious ingredients that are more nutrient-dense and digestible for Australian Shepherds.

Keep in mind that while grain-free dog food is marketed to be healthier for dogs, little to no long-term research backs up this claim.

Fortunately, Australian Shepherds can easily digest whole grains, so there is no harm in giving it to them. 

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a potential association between grain-free dog food and emerging heart issues.

It’s best to avoid grain-free recipes unless your vet diagnosed them with a whole grain allergy.

Are Aussies Picky Eaters?

Australian Shepherds are not known to be picky eaters. They have voracious appetites that are usually bigger than some dog breeds. 

With boundless energy, these dogs burn a lot of calories. So it’s no wonder they’re usually ready to chow down. But, remember, while they love to eat, it’s important to manage their diets well. This ensures they remain healthy and fit, reflecting their active lifestyles. 

Note that some Australian Shepherds may turn out to be picky eaters, especially if they are not trained early on. The best way to get around this pickiness is to give your dog healthy food at all times.

Do not indulge its cravings or pickiness by giving new food when it refuses to eat what’s in the bowl.

If you own an Aussie, be prepared for a canine companion who’s always eager for mealtime. However, do keep an eye on their portions to prevent overfeeding — a common challenge for such enthusiastic eaters!

How Often Should an Australian Shepherd Eat?

An Australian Shepherd puppy should eat three to four times a day. Meanwhile, adult Australian Shepherds should be fed 1.5 to 2.5 cups of good-quality dry dog food two times a day.

Conclusion

Feeding your Australian Shepherd delicious and high-quality dog food will provide all the nutrition it needs as it enjoys its meals. Your dog will stay strong and healthy and live longer. 

When choosing dog food for your Aussie, be mindful of the ingredient list. Make sure the main ingredients are wholesome and natural and check for artificial or potentially harmful components. 

Stay on top of your dog’s food sensitivities and allergies and avoid foods that aggravate them. Dogs with sensitive stomachs may have a tough time adjusting to new food.

It’s best to feed them the new food formula in small helpings to transition to their new diet gradually. 

Consult your vet before introducing a new brand or formula to your dog. They can help you understand your dog’s health and determine the best type of food they will benefit from.

Your vet will suggest dog food options or a limited-ingredient diet that will suit your dog’s health and lifestyle needs.

Choose dog food from brands that are readily available online or at pet stores.

You won’t have difficulty sourcing these popular products, which will mean not having to switch your dog’s diet every time a pack is finished.

Make sure that your chosen dog food is within your budget, as you will likely need to stick with it for months and years to come.

Resources:

• DiscoverMagazine.com