Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food review

At a Glance

  • Top 5 Ingredients:
    1. Water Buffalo
    2. Lamb Meal
    3. Sweet Potatoes
    4. Egg Product
    5. Pea Protein
  • Type: Dry food
  • Lifestage: Puppy
  • Calories: 364 kcal/cup
  • Protein: 28%
  • Fat: 17%
  • Fiber: 5%

A popular choice for active puppies, Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food provides everything an Australian Shepherd puppy needs in a food. Whole buffalo is the primary protein source, a novel protein which is unlikely to contribute to any allergic reactions. The diet also includes bison, venison, beef, and lamb to aid with the development of strong and healthy muscles.

This diet, rated one of the best dog foods for Australian Shepherd puppies, is grain-free and contains no corn, wheat, filler, or artificial flavorings or colorings. It is also enriched with probiotics to aid digestion.

Pros

  • Owners are pleased with the rate of growth in their puppies when fed this diet.
  • Owners report their puppies have appropriate levels of energy for their age and excellent coat and skin quality when fed a consistent diet of Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy.
  • Puppies previously suffering with some mild gastrointestinal distress saw near immediate relief when appropriately transitioned to this diet.
  • Owners like that there are several different Taste of the Wild puppy formulations, allowing them to offer their pups some variety in their diet.
  • Puppies love this food and look forward to enjoying their every meal.

Cons

  • Very rarely, some puppies exhibited an unpleasant odor when fed this diet regularly. This may be the result of flatulence, too quick transitioning from the old food to the new, or anal glands requiring expression.
  • A few owners indicated they found the smell of this food off putting. This did not impact their puppy’s enjoyment of the diet.
  • Some puppies were disinterested in this diet and would not eat it. Puppies that dislike Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy may prefer another Taste of the Wild offering based on a different protein.
  • The inclusion of peas, pea protein, potatoes, and potato fiber are of concern to some owners since these foods are of questionable nutritional value.
  • This diet contains no additional supplements to assist with joint health in growing puppies.

Merrick Grain-Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Puppy Food review

At a Glance

  • Top 5 Ingredients:
    1. Deboned Beef
    2. Sweet Potatoes
    3. Peas
    4. Lamb Meal
    5. Potatoes
  • Type: Dry food
  • Lifestage: Puppy
  • Calories: 400 kcal/cup
  • Protein: 28%
  • Fat: 15%
  • Fiber: 4.5%

For an excellent quality diet, owners can definitely rest assured their Australian Shepherd puppy’s needs are met with Merrick Grain-Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Puppy Food. This diet’s main protein source is deboned beef with vegetables and fruits providing vital carbohydrates.

This diet, rated as one of the best dog foods for Australian Shepherd puppies.  is free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. It is also both grain and gluten-free.

DHA has been added to assist with brain development.

Pros

  • Owners noticed their puppy’s coat quality improved with a switch to this diet.
  • Puppies fed a regular diet of Merrick Grain-Free Puppy appear to be in excellent health and have strong reserves of energy.
  • Owners like that taurine has been included in this diet, giving them confidence that there is additional support for optimal heart health in puppies.
  • Several owners report their puppy’s stool quality is excellent when fed a regular diet of Merrick Grain-Free Puppy.
  • Puppies enjoy the taste of this food and eat their meals with hearty gusto.

Cons

  • Some puppies were uninterested in this food but would eat it if mixed with wet food, broth, or a topper. This is likely simply a matter of preference.
  • In rare cases, some puppies experienced mild gastrointestinal distress when transitioned to this food. This may be the result of the switch being made too quickly for the puppy’s system.
  • Some owners have commented that the kibble pieces are exceptionally hard. The addition of a warm fluid such as water or a broth may help soften the kibble for easier chewing.
  • A few owners felt this food had a strong and unpleasant aroma.
  • Peas, pea protein, potatoes, and potato protein all play starring roles in this diet, all ingredients of questionable nutritional value that are the cause of concern for some owners.

Solid Gold Love At First Bark Puppy Grain-Free Chicken, Potato & Apple Dry Dog Food review

At a Glance

  • Top 5 Ingredients:
    1. Chicken
    2. Chicken Meal
    3. Potatoes
    4. Peas
    5. Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)
  • Type: Dry food
  • Lifestage: Puppy
  • Calories: 400 kcal/cup
  • Protein: 28%
  • Fat: 16%
  • Fiber: 5%

Solid Gold Love At First Bark gives Australian Shepherd puppies the support they need during the vital developmental stages of the puppy years. This food offers both a whole protein and meat meal as its first ingredients, providing a protein-rich diet that is well-suited to the needs of this breed. Grain-free, Solid Gold also contains the addition of DHA to encourage healthy brain development. Probiotics are also included to assist with digestion, ensuring this diet is among the best dog foods for Australian Shepherd puppies with sensitive stomachs.

Pros

  • Owners report that puppies that previously struggled with good digestion saw relief from gastrointestinal distress and improved stool quality with a switch to this food.
  • Puppies fed a regular diet of Solid Gold Love at First Bark Puppy exhibited excellent coat quality and beautiful, healthy skin.
  • Puppies suffering from allergies saw an end to itchy skin when regularly fed this diet.
  • Owners share that puppies fed this high quality diet had strong reserves of energy and bright, clear eyes.
  • Picky eaters reportedly love this diet, looking forward to every meal with anticipation.

Cons

  • Some owners disliked that this food is grain-free, preferring a different Solid Gold formulation that includes whole grains.
  • In some cases, owners felt the kibble pieces were too small for larger breed puppies like the Australian Shepherd.
  • In a very small number of puppies, some mild gastrointestinal distress was seen with a switch to this food. This most likely is simply the result of too quick a transition time from the old food to the new.
  • Some owners noted they would prefer to feed a food formulation free from controversial ingredients. Solid Gold Love at First Bark Puppy’s recipe includes the following questionable ingredients: potatoes, peas, peat protein, chickpeas, and pea fiber.
  • A few owners suggested this food could be improved with the addition of supplements to boost joint health in growing Australian Shepherd puppies.

Adirondack 30% Protein High-Fat Recipe Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Puppy & Performance Dogs Dry Dog Food review

At a Glance

  • Top 5 Ingredients:
    1. Chicken Meal
    2. Brown Rice
    3. Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)
    4. Dried Plain Beet Pulp
    5. Ground Grain Sorghum
  • Type: Dry food
  • Lifestage: Puppy
  • Calories: 522 kcal/cup
  • Protein: 30%
  • Fat: 20%
  • Fiber: 3.8%

For a puppy food that delivers, owners can feel secure feeding their puppies Adirondack 30% Protein High-Fat Recipe Dry Dog Food.  High in protein in the form of chicken meal, this diet hits the hallmarks of what a growing Australian Shepherd puppy truly needs.

Probiotics have been added to support digestion. This diet includes no corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors or flavors. However, it is heavy in grains, making it best suited to puppies that have shown no propensity towards allergies.

For families looking for the best dog food for Australian Shepherd puppies, it’s hard to go wrong with Adirondack.

Pros

  • Owners were pleased with the rate of growth of their puppies when fed a steady diet of this high quality food.
  • The stool quality of puppies on Adirondack 30% High Fat Puppy is excellent, indicating good digestion.
  • Most puppies love this food, finding its flavor extremely appetizing.
  • This diet is a great choice for puppies that were struggling with maintaining a healthy body condition. Its high protein formulation helps to keep active puppies from becoming underweight.
  • Puppies that previously struggled with gastrointestinal distress saw relief from their symptoms with a switch to this diet.

Cons

  • Some owners feel the kibble pieces in this food are far too small for medium to large breed puppies. However, it should be noted that the packaging does indicate that this food was not designed for larger breed pups.
  • A few owners indicated that their puppies’ experienced some recurring itchiness after a change to this food. This may be the result of a sensitivity to one of the ingredients in the recipe.
  • This diet is heavy in grains which may mean it is a poor choice for puppies suffering from food-related allergies.
  • The fat and protein content in this food is quite high which may not be tolerated well by some puppies. This is often evidenced through mild gastrointestinal distress or tear staining.
  • There are no added supplements to encourage joint support in active pups like the Australian Shepherd.

Castor & Pollux Organix Healthy Grains Organic Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food review

At a Glance

  • Top 5 Ingredients:
    1. Organic Chicken
    2. Organic Chicken Meal
    3. Organic Oatmeal
    4. Organic Barley
    5. Organic Brown Rice
  • Type: Dry food
  • Lifestage: Puppy
  • Calories: 408 kcal/cup
  • Protein: 26%
  • Fat: 16%
  • Fiber: 5%

Castor & Pollux Organix Healthy Grains Puppy is a premium performance diet that is often recommended as one of the best dog foods for Australian Shepherd puppies available for purchase today. This exceptional quality food formulation bases its recipe on certified organic chicken, a lean meat that is easy for puppies to process and utilize effectively.

Essential fatty acids are included in sufficient amounts to provide support for brain and eye development, healthy reserves of energy, and optimal coat and skin quality. Castor & Pollux Organix Healthy Grains Puppy is free from artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, corn, soy, wheat, chickpeas, and lentils. The grains included in this formulation are included in their whole form and were selected for their high concentration of dietary fiber to boost the Australian Shepherd puppy’s digestion.

Pros

  • Owners report an increase in their puppies’ energy levels with a switch to this diet.
  • Owners consistently rave that this food does not have an unpleasant smell.
  • Most owners shared that the transition to this diet from their previous one went smoothly and took a minimal amount of time.
  • Puppies greatly enjoy this food and look forward to eating with each meal.
  • Some owners noted improvements in their dog’s coat, indicating it is both softer and shinier.

Cons

  • Some owners claim the bag can be difficult to reseal once opened, making them concerned about keeping the food fresh for their puppies to enjoy.
  • In rare instances, a few people felt this diet was too rich in carbohydrates for their puppies to tolerate well.
  • Some puppies disliked the taste of this food and would not eat it. This is most often simply a matter of preference and not a reflection on the food itself.
  • Organic pea protein is included in this diet, an ingredient that is the subject of some controversy for its questionable nutritional value.
  • There are no added supplements to support healthy joints in this high quality diet.