Is your Aussie a picky eater? Or maybe too energetic? Choosing the right diet is key for this active, smart breed. Aussies need food that fuels their energy and supports their health.
Australian Shepherds are a medium-sized herding breed. They were first bred to work on ranches and farms. Today, many Aussies are still working dogs or compete in dog sports.
To stay in top shape, Aussies need a high-quality diet. Puppies, adults, and seniors all have different nutritional needs. This guide will help you pick the best food for your Aussie's life stage.
Table of Contents
Here are our top picks for the best dog food for Aussies:
| Brand | Formula | Life Stage | Key Features | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Honest Kitchen | Grain-Free Beef Recipe | All Life Stages | Human-grade, dehydrated raw, high protein | Nutrient-dense, highly digestible | Expensive, requires rehydration |
| Taste of the Wild | High Prairie Grain-Free | Adult | Novel proteins, K9 probiotics, antioxidants | Diverse protein sources, digestive support | Recent recall concerns |
| Purina Pro Plan | Savor Shredded Blend | Adult | Probiotics, vitamin A, omega fatty acids | Balanced nutrition, palatable | Contains corn, wheat, and soy |
| Instinct Raw Boost | Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck | Adult | Cage-free duck, raw kibble coating | High animal protein, minimally processed | Premium price point |
| Canidae | Pure Puppy Recipe | Puppy | DHA, ARA, antioxidants, probiotics | Limited ingredients, supports development | Soft consistency |
The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Beef Recipe is our top pick for Aussies of all ages. It uses human-grade ingredients like ranch-raised beef.
The dehydrated, raw formula preserves nutrients. It has 31% protein for lean muscles.
For adult Aussies, we like Taste of the Wild High Prairie. It contains novel proteins like bison and venison.
This grain-free food has K9 probiotics for digestion. It also contains antioxidants from fruits and veggies.
Purina Pro Plan Savor Shredded Blend is a good choice for active adults. The kibble has real turkey as the first ingredient.
Live probiotics support digestion and immune health. It also has vitamin A and omega fatty acids for skin and coat.
Instinct Raw Boost mixes high-protein kibble with freeze-dried raw pieces. We like the grain-free duck recipe for Aussies.
If your Aussies have lived a long and active life in your service, you owe it to them to provide the most nutritious food possible to care for any of their service-related health issues in their senior years. Wellness CORE’s senior recipe was explicitly made to help our active dogs with their hip and joint health.
For Aussie puppies, we recommend Canidae Grain-Free Pure Puppy. It has chicken as the main protein source.
This limited-ingredient food is easy for puppies to digest. It contains DHA and ARA for brain and eye development.
When shopping for dog food, look at the first five ingredients. Avoid foods with unnamed meat meals or byproducts. Whole meats like chicken, beef, and lamb should be first.
Your Aussie's food should contain:
Some Aussies may have food sensitivities or allergies. Symptoms can include itching, ear infections, and digestive upset. If you notice issues, talk to your vet. You may need to switch to a limited-ingredient or novel protein food.
If you have a newborn Aussie, do not feed it solid food, at least for the first six to eight weeks! It is imperative that your puppy nurse from their mother as her milk is not only the most nutritious food for your newborn, but it also imparts antibodies necessary for your puppy to fight off diseases. If for some reason, the mother can’t nurse her pup, there are milk substitutes and formulas that should be available in your local pet stores.
Your Australian Shepherd's diet plays a big role in their health and happiness. Choose a food that matches their age, size, and activity level. Don't hesitate to ask your vet for personalized recommendations.
With the right nutrition, your Aussie will have the energy for anything! Whether they herd sheep or play fetch, they'll be fueled and ready. We hope this guide helps you find the perfect food for your best friend!
Pugs are adorable small breed dogs that bring a bundle of joy to their owners. These squish-faced, wonderful little pooches have unique personalities that match their looks. While it is adorable to have one or more of this dog breed in your home, you want to make sure that their nutritional needs are met. Pugs […]
Have yourself a picky pouch? If you’ve tried multiple brands of dog food or puppy food including homemade meal plans but haven’t found one that’s the right fit, consider giving one of the leading manufacturers of dog food, Purina, a shot. They have 90 years of research to leverage and are arguably one of the […]
My girlfriend and I rely on the Internet for pretty much everything that we need. That’s why when we got a cute little Cane Corso last year, we sought the help of the World Wide Web to give us an idea of how to take care of our furry little friend. The problem was that […]
