How to Select the Best Dog Food for Blue Heeler Puppies
The Blue Heeler puppy is a whirlwind of energy. This adorable little pooch traces its roots to Australia where the breed was developed as a working dog whose primary role was to herd cattle over large plots of land. A dog breed that requires regular vigorous exercise on a daily basis, the Blue Heeler puppy does not thrive in a home where a more sedentary lifestyle prevails.
Intensely devoted to their family members, Blue Heeler puppies bond very deeply with their loved ones; so much so that they are sometimes referred to as “Velcro dogs.” The Blue Heeler has several different “handles” and is also often referenced as the Australian Cattle Dog.
Blue Heeler puppies are both exceptionally intelligent as well as athletic. These two characteristics combine to make them well-suited to such activities as hiking, agility, Rally, obedience, herding trials, and much, much more.
Because the Blue Heeler pup is highly active, this breed requires a diet that can fuel its daily performance needs. The best dog foods for Blue Heeler puppies base their formulation on lean, meat-based proteins and are also nutritionally balanced to help support each phase of this energetic breed’s growth.
The ideal diet for the Blue Heeler pup should consist of a minimum of 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Blue Heeler Puppies
Blue Heeler puppies require a high performance food to help them maintain their energy reserves as they grow. The best dog foods for Blue Heeler puppies list suggested serving sizes on the side of their packaging. These guidelines can be very helpful in determining how much to feed this delightful and highly active breed.
It is a good idea to use the suggested serving sizes on the bag of food as a starting point. These amounts can be adjusted with the dog’s weight, activity level, and appetite serving as helpful guides until the correct portion is determined.
In addition to the minimum requirements for protein and fat in a food for the Blue Heeler pup, it is vitally important that this pooch’s diet contain the correct proportions of calcium and phosphorus to support a healthy rate of bone growth. These are defined as 1.2 parts of calcium for each included unit of phosphorus.
Though Blue Heeler puppies are not prone to becoming overweight, their food intake should still be monitored as this breed’s high activity level often means they can easily become too thin. Free feeding is strongly discouraged as it is too difficult for owners to track how much the dog is actually eating each day.
Dietary Requirements for Blue Heeler Puppy Foods
Since the Blue Heeler puppy is an active athlete, this little pooch requires a diet that can meet its high performance needs. A diet suitable for such an energetic little dog should include a meat-based protein as its main ingredient. Whole meats are the best selection, but a meat meal is also an excellent option.
By-products are comprised of parts of an animal that were not suited for sale for human consumption. As a result, they are typically inferior in quality and not the best option to meet the needs of a high energy breed like the Blue Heeler puppy. Additionally, plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat can trigger allergic reactions in some dogs and are also best avoided.
The dietary fiber found in foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables help the Blue Heeler puppy to enjoy good digestion. Since this breed is not typically predisposed to developing allergies, the Blue Heeler puppy can eat a grain-inclusive or a grain-free diet with no ill effects.
Healthy fats are the building blocks that help a diet to be well-rounded. These fats support brain and eye development and also help to keep the Blue Heeler puppy’s energy tank stoked. Additionally, these fats also support coat and skin health. Healthy fats are best taken from animal sources such as oily fish and chicken fat, but safflower oil and canola oil also offer ample servings.
All diets benefit from the addition of helpful supplements. The best dog foods for Blue Heeler puppies often contain at least one of the following items: prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, or chondroitin.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Blue Heeler Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best food for a Blue Heeler puppy:
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Lean, meat-based proteins listed at the beginning of the ingredients list
Blue Heeler puppies thrive on a diet that takes a meat-based protein as its primary ingredient. Though whole meats are the best option, a diet that bases its formulation on a meat meal is also an excellent choice.
Foods that list plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat or meat by-products in their recipe are inferior in quality to the needs of this active breed. They are best avoided.
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Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
Chemicals, flavorings, fillers, and mystery ingredients add no nutritional value to a food. Any puppy food that contains any of these elements should be avoided.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
Supplements can play an important role in the Blue Heeler puppy’s growth and development. Among the most beneficial supplements to look for in a food for an active breed pup like the Blue Heeler are prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All puppy foods considered for the Blue Heeler pup should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it is a complete and balanced diet.