5 Best Dog Foods For Australian Shepherds

How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Australian Shepherds

The Australian Shepherd is a highly active breed. A breed intended to function as a herding dog, the Australian Shepherd is very intelligent and in possession of a high drive. Though the Australian Shepherd does have great reserves of energy that must be expended each day, this breed is only considered to be of a medium build. To help sustain the Australian Shepherd’s nutritional needs, a diet that is rich in good quality protein sources is best.

The Australian Shepherd is a breed that can be prone to sensitivities to certain types of grains. With this in mind, their ideal diet derives the majority of its carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables which are also an excellent source of dietary fibre to support digestion. The best dog foods for the Australian Shepherd often include prebiotics and probiotics to encourage good gut health.

Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Australian Shepherds

A breed that is medium in size, the average Australian Shepherd requires between 20 to 30 calories per day per pound of body weight. Dogs that are very active should receive slightly more calories to maintain an optimal body condition and avoid hunger. As an average this equates to 1312 calories per day divided between two meals which is approximately 1 ½ to 2 ½ cups of food.

Australian Shepherds that participate in such high-octane events as agility or herding trials will require more calories per day to fuel their bodies for performance. Under these circumstances, the dog’s daily caloric requirements may go as high as 2915 calories.

The best dog foods for Australian Shepherds should be both calorie and nutrient-dense.

Dietary Requirements to Look for in the Best Dog Foods for Australian Shepherds

Australian Shepherds, like all dog breeds, function best when fed a diet made of high-quality ingredients and that is nutritionally balanced to meet their specific needs. Though puppies require higher amount of protein and fat to assist their developing bodies, adult Australian Shepherds require a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.

The first ingredient in any diet appropriate for an Australian Shepherd is a high-quality protein derived from animal origins. Protein is the bedrock on which a healthy body is built and should play a prominent role in any formulation for this high energy breed. But the quality of protein in a diet is as important as the amount. Whole meats are best, but meat meals are also acceptable.

Plant-based proteins are difficult for the Australian Shepherd to digest well. As a result, these are not preferred as the main source of protein for a high energy breed such as the Australian Shepherd. The best dog foods for Australian Shepherds do not contain corn, wheat, or soy.

Since energy is derived in part from healthy fats, the Australian Shepherd requires a diet with moderate levels of these important nutrients at a minimum. Animal fats such as chicken fat or oils from salmon or mackerel are best; however, certain plant-based oils are also excellent sources of vital omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

Carbohydrates in the form of fruits and vegetables are the building blocks of a good diet for the Australian Shepherd. They are easy for the dog to process and also are unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. Carbohydrate content in the Australian Shepherd’s diet should be a much lower percentage when compared to protein.

Supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin which support proper joint health are an excellent addition to the Australian Shepherd’s diet since this is a highly active working breed.

Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Australian Shepherds

Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best food for an Australian Shepherd:

• Whole proteins heading up the ingredients list

Protein from an animal source should be the first ingredient in any food formulation for an Australian Shepherd. Whole meats are best; however, meat meals can also provide a powerhouse punch of nutritional benefits.

Plant-based proteins such as corn, soy, or wheat should be avoided. Meat by-products are also not of benefit to the Australian Shepherd.

• Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients

Chemicals, fillers, artificial flavorings and colorings, and mystery ingredients provide no nutritional benefit to the Australian Shepherd’s diet. Many of these items can trigger an allergic reaction in dogs with food sensitivities.

• Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements

Supplements added to a food can help enrich the efficacy of a dog’s diet. Glucosamine and chondroitin are two important natural supplements which can support the joint health of an active breed like the Australian Shepherd.

The addition of probiotics and prebiotics can also aid in proper digestion.

• Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food

All foods appropriate for the Australian Shepherd should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.

• Focuses on limited ingredients

A diet that focuses on limited ingredients can help prevent allergy flareups in dogs.