Updated: December 3, 2021
In this guide we’ll take a look at the best dog food for Australian Shepherds.
We’ve compared quality of ingredients, nutritional information, and value for money
to give you our top recommendations below.
Breed Advisor only recommends products that we've tested, or significantly researched . This page contains affiliate links, that at no additional cost to you, may earn a small commission for the site. Find out more here.
Use the dropdown to sort the table by the feature that's most important to you.
Sport Dog Food Elite Series Grain-Free is a diet specifically formulated to meet the needs of an active breed like the Australian Shepherd. This food takes its main protein source from buffalo meal, a novel protein unlikely to trigger food sensitivities.
This food, considered to be one of the best dog foods for Australian Shepherds, is free from peas and legumes, making it easy to digest. It is naturally grain-free.
Extremely high calorie, this food will stretch farther than less calorie dense kibbles, maximizing its value.
The Honest Kitchen Turkey Recipe Grain-Free Dehydrated Dog Food is a food that is both nutritious and delicious. A diet that is completely grain-free, this food’s main protein source is dehydrated turkey and is supported by the addition of easily digestible carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables including cranberries, spinach, and carrots.
The Honest Kitchen is free from corn, wheat, soy, by-products, and preservatives. Each of the foods included in the formulation is human grade.
This diet is rather expensive but is reconstituted with water prior to feeding, so the 10 lb bag purchased does last as long as larger bags of kibble.
The Honest Kitchen’s emphasis on highly digestible ingredients makes it among the best dog foods for Australian Shepherds.
American Journey Limited Ingredient Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe packs a powerhouse punch with its protein derived both from deboned salmon and salmon meal. The diet focuses on limited ingredients to prevent allergic reactions from food sensitivities. A grain-free food, it is an excellent choice for the active Australian Shepherd.
This food is free from corn, wheat, soy, meat by-products, and preservatives.
One of the biggest strengths of American Journey is its excellent price point. The one drawback to this food is its heavy reliance on peas and pea proteins which can be known to contribute to fertility issues in breeding dogs.
For families looking for the best food for an Australian Shepherd, it’s hard to go wrong with American Journey.
CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE LID is another food that is designed to meet the nutritional requirements of working breeds like the Australian Shepherd. This food lists its primary ingredient as whole salmon and is closely followed by salmon meal to provide added protein to promote strong and healthy muscles, coat, and skin. The diet consists of only eight ingredients from high quality sources, making it well-suited to dogs that suffer from allergies.
CANIDAE, consistently rated one of the best dog foods for Australian Shepherds, is grain-free and does not include such common allergens as wheat or soy.
Nutro Ultra Adult Dry Dog Food is a food that can greatly benefit the Australian Shepherd. This diet, one of the best foods for Australian Shepherds, offers protein from three different sources which include salmon, lamb, and chicken. Sunflower oil has been added to the formulation to promote healthy skin and coat.
The main disadvantage to this food is its emphasis on grains for carbohydrates; however, for dogs that do not suffer with food sensitivities, this particular food is ideal.
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 or allergies. Individuals that suffer from allergies may benefit from a hypoallergenic hydrolyzed protein or novel protein/carbohydrate diet but only after seeking the advice of a veterinary professional. The best dog foods for the Australian Shepherd often include prebiotics and probiotics to encourage good gut health.
A breed that is medium in size, the average Australian Shepherd requires between 20 to 30 calories per day per pound of body weight. Highly active dogs should receive slightly more calories to maintain an optimal body condition and avoid hunger. As an average, this equates to approximately 1300 calories per day divided between two meals equivalent to approximately 1 ½ to 2 ½ cups of food depending on the formulation. Individual calorie count will vary depending on activity level and if the dog is spayed or neutered.
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 Pet Nutrition Alliance calorie calculator is an excellent guide but remember to consult your veterinarian for more detailed nutritional information.
The best dog foods for Australian Shepherds should be both calorie and nutrient-dense.
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 amounts 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.
Energy is also derived from healthy fats, and the Australian Shepherd requires a diet with moderate levels of these important nutrients at a minimum. Animal fats such as chicken fat or fish oils from salmon or mackerel are best; however, certain plant-based oils also contain beneficial omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
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.
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best food for an Australian Shepherd:
Protein from an animal source should be one of the first ingredients in any food formulation for an Australian Shepherd. Whole meats are best; however, meat meals can also provide a powerhouse punch of nutritional benefits.
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.
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.
