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Best Dog Food for Australian Shepherd: 10 High-Performance Meals for Your Speedy Superstar

Written by

Mary Nielsen

Reviewed by

Updated on:

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best dog food for australian shepherd

Australian Shepherds are one of the most strikingly beautiful and popular dogs around. They are renowned for their intelligence, agility, and striking appearance, but they are not typically considered hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic dog breeds are those that produce fewer allergenic proteins and shed less dander, making them a better choice for people with allergies.

Australian Shepherds, on the other hand, have a double coat that can shed year-round and may trigger allergies in sensitive individuals. While individual reactions to dog allergies vary, Australian Shepherds are not generally recommended for those seeking a hypoallergenic pet.

According to the AKC, these beautiful herders have surged in popularity in recent years, and are now among the twenty most popular breeds in the world.

Read on so that you will know what the best dog foods for Australian Shepherds are.

Our quick take

Australian Shepherds are medium-sized, high-energy herding dogs. The best food is a complete and balanced diet built on animal protein, fed in amounts that match how active your dog really is: a working ranch Aussie needs far more than a family pet that gets one walk a day.

Our overall pick is Ollie fresh dog food, portioned to your dog’s weight and activity. For a very active or working Aussie on kibble, Dr. Tim’s Highly Athletic Momentum (35% protein, with grains) is made for sporting dogs. For seniors, Nulo Freestyle Trout & Sweet Potato Senior keeps fat moderate.

See feeding by life stage for puppies, adults and seniors.

FoodTypeGood forWatch outShop
Ollie (beef, chicken, turkey or lamb)Fresh, deliveredOverall pick; meals portioned for your dogSubscription priceOllie
Dr. Tim’s Highly Athletic MomentumDry, with grainsWorking and sporting Aussies; 35% proteinToo rich for a less active dogChewy · Amazon
Go! Solutions Carnivore Chicken, Turkey & DuckDry, grain-freeMeat-heavy recipe; 34% proteinGrain-free (see FAQ)Chewy · Amazon
Bully Max 24/14 High-Protein & Growth LambDry, with grainsGrowing puppies; lamb and porkCalorie-dense: measure every mealChewy · Amazon
Nulo Freestyle Trout & Sweet Potato SeniorDry, grain-freeSeniors; 30% protein, 12% fatPeas in the first 5 ingredientsChewy · Amazon
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Fast Facts

While their name would have you believe they’re originally from the land down under, the Australian shepherd was actually first bred in America.

Aussies are smart, hard-working, easy to train and have the boundless energy necessary for a life of herding, which is what they’re bred to do. To keep up with the rigors of their work, they need a nutritious diet that’s rich in protein.

Australian shepherds are a medium sized dog, typically weighing in between 45-65 pounds and standing 1 ½-2’ tall. The average Aussie lives about 12-15 years.

Best Dog Food for Australian Shepherd

Today, we’ve learned everything you’ll need to know about your Aussies special needs, and the ingredients that they need in their food to thrive. Now, we’ll take a look at some of the best options available for Australian shepherd puppies, adults, and seniors.

1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food Delivery

Best Dog Food for Australian Shepherd: 10 High-Performance Meals for Your Speedy Superstar 1

First 5 ingredients:

Depends on the recipe you choose – See below.

Food Type: Fresh, Frozen

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

First 5 Ingredients: Beef, carrots, beef kidneys, potatoes, peas

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Protein: 9.0% min
Fat: 7.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 72.0% max

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, rice, carrots, chicken livers, peas

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Protein: 8.0% min
Fat: 3.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 74.0% max

First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, butternut squash, turkey livers, oats, lentils

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Protein: 10.0% min
Fat: 7.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 72.0% max

First 5 Ingredients: Lamb, butternut squash, lamb liver, chickpeas, kale

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Protein: 9.0% min
Fat: 7.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 74.0% max

If you want to feed your dog a raw diet, but you don’t want to be responsible for it, you can outsource that responsibility to a company like Ollie. It produces excellent raw meals for your dog that can help clear up pickiness and skin issues your dog may be experiencing.

Whole veggies and fruits help with antioxidants and vitamins to promote bone health, coat health, and proper brain function.

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You can design your dog’s meal plan directly on the website, and the meals are delivered to you to be frozen or refrigerated until you need them. They’re easy to do, and if you’ve got the budget, you may transform your dog’s mealtime.

Ollie teams up with canine nutritionists to help create the most fulfilling raw food diet for your pet. You have meals delivered, making everything simple, and you can fill out a questionnaire to find the right dog food for your Aussie.

Pros

  • Easy raw food
  • Human grade ingredients
  • Limited ingredient formula
  • Delivery is convenient
  • Whole protein options

Cons

  • Requires refrigeration
  • Takes time for dogs to get used to it

2. We Feed Raw Venison Recipe

We Feed Raw Venison

First 5 ingredients:

Venison, Beef Heart, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Beef Necks (with bone)

Protein: 13.0% min

Fat: 10.7% min

Fiber: 1.0% max

Moisture: 69.4% max

Food Type: Raw

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

Special Diet: Grain-free

This is a high-quality meal crafted to meet the nutritional needs of dogs while delighting their taste buds.

Featuring venison sourced exclusively from the pristine green pastures of New Zealand, this novel protein recipe offers a unique and wholesome alternative for pets, particularly those with food sensitivities or allergies to more common proteins.

Meticulously formulated by a PhD nutritionist, this recipe ensures an optimal balance of essential nutrients, promoting overall health and vitality for dogs of all ages and breeds.

Each patty is packed with high-quality venison, nutrient-rich organ meats, and finely ground bone to provide a complete and biologically appropriate diet, aligning with your dog’s natural instincts.

Perfect for pet owners seeking the best in raw nutrition, it embodies the commitment to quality and purity that every furry companion deserves.

For those reasons, it’s one of our favorites for adult Aussies.

Pros

  • A novel protein
  • Easy to digest
  • Excellent energy source
  • Rich in Omega fatty acids
  • Crafted by a PhD nutritionist
  • Loaded with zinc and iron to support immunity

Cons

  • Expensive

3. Full Moon Freshly Crafted Ranch Raised Beef Recipe 

Full Moon Freshly Crafted Ranch Raised Beef

First 5 ingredients:

Beef, Turkey, Beef Liver, Beef Bone Broth, Spinach

Protein: 10.0% min

Fat: 8.0% min

Fiber: 3.0% max

Moisture: 73.0% max

Food Type: Frozen

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

Special Diet: Grain-free

This is a gourmet meal designed to provide dogs with the wholesome nutrition they deserve. Made with ranch-raised beef as the first ingredient, this recipe features responsibly sourced, high-quality protein to support strong muscles and overall vitality.

The grain-free formula is ideal for dogs with sensitivities, crafted without corn, wheat, soy, or artificial additives. Each batch is gently cooked and then frozen to lock in freshness, ensuring a naturally delicious flavor dogs love.

Enriched with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, this recipe promotes healthy digestion, a shiny coat, and sustained energy levels. Perfect for discerning pet parents, this dog food combines real, thoughtfully sourced ingredients with a commitment to your dog’s health and happiness.

Pros

  • Premium protein source
  • Nutritious and delicious
  • Zero preservatives, fillers, coloring
  • Human-grade and grain-free

Cons

  • Takes quite some time to thaw

4. Nom Nom Pet Food

Nom Nom All Recipes

First 5 ingredients:

Depends on the recipe you choose – See below.

Food Type: Gently Cooked

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

First 5 Ingredients: Ground beef, russet potatoes, eggs, carrots, peas

Special Diet: Grain-free

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Protein: 8.0% min
Fat: 4.0% min
Fiber: 1.0% max
Moisture: 77.0% max

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, sweet potatoes, squash, water sufficient for processing, spinach

Special Diet: Grain-free

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Protein: 8.5% min
Fat: 6.0% min
Fiber: 1.0% max
Moisture: 77.0% max

First 5 Ingredients: Ground pork, russet potatoes, green beans, squash, kale

Special Diet: Grain-free

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Protein: 7.0% min
Fat: 55.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 75.0% max

First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, brown rice, eggs, carrots, spinach

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Protein: 10.0% min
Fat: 5.0% min
Fiber: 1.0% max
Moisture: 72.0% max

Nom Nom is a pet food company that was founded in 2015 by a small collective of pet enthusiasts who made a commitment to improve the health of dogs and cats everywhere.

This California-based pet food company set out to turn the pet food industry on its head by offering gently-cooked, custom meals for dogs similar to meal-prep services like Maple and Sprig for humans.

Nom Nom’s food is made and hand-packed in the USA. They are partners with a veterinary nutritionist to formulate their nutritionally-balanced recipes in accordance with AAFCO standards. All of their food is cooked in small batches in their USDA-regulated kitchen.

They carefully source their ingredients from reputable farms in the U.S. Each partner must go through an extensive certification process to become a supplier. All of their food is made only with whole, fresh & organic ingredients.

Pros

  • Each recipe is vet-formulated
  • Made from fresh, natural ingredients
  • Met AAFCO nutritional standards
  • Improved oral/dental health
  • Easy to use portion sizes

Cons

  • Price a bit expensive
  • Fresh pet food has a shorter shelf life compared to kibbles and canned goods

5. Dr. Tim’s Highly Athletic Momentum Formula