The Australian shepherd, commonly known as the ‘Aussie,’ is one of the most energetic dogs in the dog kingdom.
Their happiness comes from having some kind of duty to keep them busy, and of course, the kisses and hugs from their human.
Since Australian shepherds are high-energy dogs, feeding them with the right food is paramount. You want to ensure they get all their required nutrients to keep them moving.
With thousands of brands out there, getting the right brand can be challenging. Lucky for you, I already went through the trouble of finding the best dog food for Australian Shepherd on your behalf.
Ready to see what I got?
Let’s get started.
What is the Best Dog Food for Australian Shepherds?
Like any other canine, food for Australian shepherds should have proteins, minerals, and vitamins A. High protein is especially crucial as it supports the growth and development of your dog’s muscles.
But don’t worry, I’ll explain why every food on the list is the right choice for your dog.
1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Dry Food
If you’ve been researching dog foods for Australian shepherds for a while, I’m sure the Blue Buffalo company has been popping out now and then.
They’re veterans in the industry, and their dog food is fantastic too.
This specific food is excellent for your Australian shepherd because although they’re high-energy dogs, they tend to add weight very fast. The food has reduced calories from fat to help your dog achieve and maintain a healthy weight. And if your dog has already added some pounds, the food will help control the weight.
It also contains high-quality proteins from chicken to help your dog build and develop strong muscles.
Other exciting ingredients in the food include zinc which boosts your dog’s immune system and B vitamins which improve their digestion.
What we like
- It helps in controlling your dog’s weight
- It has a phosphorous and calcium balance
- It contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which is crucial for joint and bone development
What we didn’t like
- It has pea starch and rice
Check the price of the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Dry Food on Amazon.
2. NUTRO ULTRA Adult Dry Dog Food
The best thing about this food is that dogs looove it. Seriously, my dog went on a hunger strike, and he wouldn’t eat any food.
I asked for a solution in a pet parent group, and they advised me to try this brand, and it sure broke his little fast😂 . If you have a fussy dog, I highly recommend trying this food.
Also, unlike other foods that only have one protein source, NUTRO ULTRA Adult Dry Dog Food has three lean animal proteins. It has pasture-fed lamb, farm-raised chicken, and salmon. And it’s complemented with amino acids that help your dog’s muscles become stronger.
The food is also packed with antioxidants to boost your dog’s immune system. And lastly, it contains Linoleic Acid that keeps your dog’s skin and coats healthy and shiny.
What we like
- It doesn’t contain any artificial additives
- It boosts your dog’s immune system
- It leaves your dog’s coat shiny and healthy
What we didn’t like
- It has spilled peas.
Check the price of the NUTRO ULTRA Adult Dry Dog Food on Amazon.
3. Earthborn Holistic Dry Dog Food
This is another great dog food for your Aussie. It will keep them happy, satisfied, healthy and still give them the proper energy levels.
This food is especially good for pet parents looking for grain-free and gluten-free food for their pups.
For starters, it contains L-Carnitine, which converts fat into energy, which helps your dog maintain a lean muscle mass.
It also contains high-quality protein content from whitefish, salmon, and herring rich in omega fatty acids. The proteins are easy to digest, and they also give your dog a healthy coat.
Additionally, the food has antioxidant nutrients like Vitamin C and Vitamin E, which aids your furry friend in maintaining optimum health.
Lastly, the natural fibers from fruits and vegetables make the food easy to absorb and digest.
What we like
- It’s easy to absorb and digest
- It keeps your dog’s coat shiny and healthy
- It’s grain-free and gluten-free
- It’s suitable for sensitive dogs
What we didn’t like
- Some parents don’t like the smell of the food (it smells like fish)
Check the price of the Earthborn Holistic Dry Dog Food from Amazon.
4. Canidae PURE Grain Free Dog Food
If your dog suffers from food allergies and you’ve tried all popular foods out there with no success, this is your chance to fix that.
Like you, the first time I had that this Canidae food only had 8 ingredients, I was skeptical, but I decided to try it.
And let me tell you, they really changed my mind. Well, I can’t test attest to the flavor but my pup seemed to enjoy it. When we fed him this food, he was suffering from skin problems, which disappeared in a week.
Despite having 8 ingredients, your dog still gets everything they need. The first ingredient of this food is chicken. It also has whole veggies, antioxidants, fatty acids, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals.
What we like
- It doesn’t have any artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors
- It’s free of corn, soy, wheat, and other fillers
- It’s suitable for sensitive dogs
What we didn’t like
- Ensure you buy from trusted sources, as some buyers mentioned getting a different product from some sellers.
Check the price of the Canidae PURE Dog Food from Amazon.
5. VICTOR Purpose Senior Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
It’s really easy to lose sight of time amidst the kisses and hugs that our Australian shepherds give us. Unfortunately, as much as we wish dog years were like human years, that’s not the case 😔.
They grow old so fast. And just like they needed tender care when they were puppies, they require even more attention in their old age.
One way to do this is by giving them food that’s designed for senior dogs. For instance, this food from Victor has a blend of vitamins and minerals that your Aussie needs at their old age.
It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which is very crucial for senior dogs as they’re prone to joint pains.
Besides complex formulas like selenium and zinc, the food also contains copper, iron, taurine, seaweed, and calcium that aren’t found in Australian shepherd puppy food.
What we like
- It’s designed for senior dogs
- It’s fortified with amino acids, proteins, and fatty acids
- It aids in preventing joint pains
- It contains L-carnitine that converts fat to energy.
- It contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
What we didn’t like
- A few dogs had some allergy reactions to the food.
Check the price of the VICTOR Purpose Senior Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food from Amazon.
6. Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
The Wellness company has always been praised in the dog food industry, and the core natural matches their standards.
It’s especially great for Australian shepherd puppies as they need energy and their little bodies need the proper nutrients to develop.
The food is formulated with vegetables, salmon, chicken, and turkey. It has other things that your Australian shepherd puppy may need, such as minerals, antioxidants, probiotics, taurine, glucosamine, and omega fatty acids.
The Wellness Core grain-free food gives your pup a balanced diet ensuring they maintain their optimum health.
Lastly, it doesn’t contain any fillers such as wheat, soy, grain, or wheat gluten. The only deal-breaker is that it has carbs (in the form of potato starch) and peas.
What we like
- It has enough fiber for digestion
- It has all nutrients that your Australian shepherd puppy needs
- It supports healthy bone growth and development
- It has essential fatty acids
What we didn’t like
- It has a mix of carbohydrates and starches.
Check the price of the Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food on Amazon.
7. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
The Hill Science Company are the nerds of the dog food industry as they manufacture their food based on studies.
They ensure that everything they add to their food is crucial for your dog, which is why it’s suitable for sensitive dogs.
This food is mainly for adult dogs who are aged 7 years and above. Now let’s take a look at the ingredients.
For starters, it has a high-quality protein content, with chicken making 28% of the protein. It also contains a high concentration of glucosamine and chondroitin which is vital to Aussies as they’re prone to hip dysplasia and arthritis. Additionally, the food has omega-3 fatty acids sourced from fish oil, which helps manage joint pains by reducing inflammation.
Lastly, the food is rich in vitamin C and E that act as antioxidants and protect your dog’s joints from free radical damage.
What we like
- It’s easy to digest, which is crucial for senior dogs.
- It prevents your dog from hip dysplasia
- It helps in managing joint pains
- It has omega 3 fatty acids
What we didn’t like
- Some dogs get bored of the food after a year or so
Check the price of Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food on Amazon.
8. Royal Canin Medium Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
If you’ve read any of my dog food reviews, you know Royal Canin is one of my favorite dog food brands.
This food is designed for dogs between 1-7 years, and I can’t even start to share what it did for my pup, so I’ll go straight to the ingredients.
For starters, it contains a high protein content and fiber, which makes it easy to digest. It also supports your dog’s natural defenses, mannooligosaccharides, and an antioxidant complex.
Additionally, it has optimal levels of DHA and EPA that keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy.
Lastly, the kibbles are made to encourage your dog to chew instead, and they’ll love them.
What we like
- It promotes healthy fur and skin
- It’s pea-free
- It prevents eye problems
- It has vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
What we didn’t like
- It’s a bit costly than other foods
- It contains wheat and rice
Check the price of the Royal Canin Medium Breed Adult Dry Dog Food on Amazon.
Best Dog Food for Australian Shepherd Buyer’s Guide
This is my favorite part where I give you a little lecture on choosing the best dog foods for your Aussie.
By doing so, in case you didn’t get a good fit for your pooch on our list, you can still go ahead and buy the right food for them.
Here is what to consider when buying dog food for an Australian shepherd.
Quality protein
Your Aussie is an omnivore, but they do better with meat, so they need a high intake of quality protein. This is why it’s always good to go for foods whose first ingredient is protein. Ensure that the meat is from quality animal sources to ensure it’s easy to digest.
Proteins help in the growth and development of your dog’s muscles.
Healthy fats
Like you, canines can’t make their fats, and they need it. This is especially crucial for high-energy dogs like Aussies as the fats are converted to energy.
Some good sources of fats include fish oil, which is very effective when dealing with skin and coat problems, canola oil, and flaxseed oil.
Therefore, it’s crucial to buy dog foods with omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.
Complex carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are also crucial in an Aussie’s diet. Vegetables and fruits provide your dog with the necessary minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. They also ensure your dog has a healthy fiber intake, which helps avoid digestive problems.
However, keep the carbohydrate level low and mainly focus on animal-based ingredients.
Artificial additives
It’s always good to avoid foods with artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors, especially if your dog has a sensitive stomach.
Go for verified dog food.
Countries like the USA have stringent measures when it comes to pet food. Take this to your advantage and only buy food with an AAFCO statement certificate that says the food contains all the nutrients your dog needs.
Best Dog Food for Australian Shepherd (Final Thoughts)
Every Aussie parent knows that a home with an Aussie is a happy home. They’re high-energy dogs who are always ready to play with you or accompany you for a hike.
To keep up their positive attitude and energy, it’s vital that you feed them with the right food.
I hope you got the best dog foods from my list, and if not, my buyer’s guide gave you some tips on how to buy the right food for your Australian shepherd.
Was this review helpful? Let me know in the comment section.
