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Best Dog Food for Australian Cattle Dog: Top 10 High-Protein Choices

Written by

Mary Nielsen

Reviewed by

Updated on:

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best dog foods for australian cattle dogs

Australian cattle dogs are strong herders known to be highly intelligent, sometimes even more so than their owners! This is a small dog with a muscular build that grows up to 19 inches if female and 20 inches if male.

They generally weigh between 35 and 40 pounds. The American Kennel Club (AKC) describes the Australian Cattle Dog’s temperament as “alert, curious, and pleasant.”

These talented dogs are born with a white coat that over time turns red or blue-grey with a speckled pattern throughout. They have endless amounts of energy and are well known for their chasing and hunting abilities, along with their ability to mobilize farm animals of course.

These dogs love to run – and they’re great at it. Since this is a pup that has a natural inclination toward rigorous exercise, pet parents need to be heavily involved in maintaining an active lifestyle for their Australian cattle dog. If this physical requirement is not met, this dog’s boredom will lead him into mischievous activities.

The Australian Cattle Dog is very athletic and requires balanced nutrition to keep up with his energetic nature. High-quality dog food is a must, along with providing the right type of dog food throughout the different stages of life, ranging from puppy to senior.

If you’re wondering where to start to find the best dog food for Australian cattle dogs, look no further. This guide covers the special dietary considerations and key nutritional needs of your Australian cattle dog and includes our top picks for high-quality dog foods available on the market.

A puppy feeding chart provides ample information for the first critical year of your pup’s life, starting at the 6-week mark until he reaches one year of age.

At the end of this guide, you will find a section for frequently asked questions (FAQs) to provide you with enough information to pick the best, most nutritious food for your loyal companion.

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Best Dog Food for Australian Cattle Dog

1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food Delivery

Best Dog Food for Australian Cattle Dog: Top 10 High-Protein Choices 1

First 5 ingredients:

Turkey, butternut squash, turkey livers, oats, lentils

Protein: 10.0% min

Fat: 7.0% min

Fiber: 2.0% max

Moisture: 72.0% max

Food Type: Fresh

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

Ollie’s healthy turkey feast formula is created by veterinarians with ingredients safe enough for human consumption. These formulas are specially designed for your favorite canine companion. All ingredients go through a gentle cooking process that allows nutrients to remain intact and be delivered for the optimal health of your pet.

There are no artificial flavors in their recipes, which lets your pup enjoy the natural flavors of all the wholesome ingredients included in his meal. If your pup has a sensitive stomach or is prone to allergies, this is a great option because it also omits those pesky fillers like soy, corn, and wheat that can cause stomach upset or allergy flare-ups.

The primary animal protein source included in this recipe comes from turkey. It also includes vegetables and fruits like carrots for eye health, blueberries for antioxidant support, and chia seeds, a superfood for extra health benefits.

This meal is not only a delicious option your Australian Cattle Dog will love, Ollie also makes it easy for you as a pup parent by delivering all of these fresh ingredients right to your front door. It’s a win-win for you and your adored four-legged companion.

Pros

  • Made by Veterinarians
  • Zero artificial additives or fillers
  • Delivery service for convenient shopping
  • Safe, human-grade ingredients throughout recipe

Cons

  • Have a higher price point than other products on the market

2. We Feed Raw Lamb Recipe

We Feed Raw Lamb

First 5 ingredients:

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

Protein: 13.9% min

Fat: 9.5% min

Fiber: 1.0% max

Moisture: 65.0% max

Food Type: Raw, Frozen

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

Special Diet: Grain-free

This Lamb Recipe Patty is a testament to the brand’s commitment to redefining pet nutrition with premium raw diet options.

Although relatively new to the industry, We Feed Raw has quickly gained a reputation for excellence by prioritizing quality and transparency in their products.

This lamb recipe is expertly formulated by a PhD nutritionist to ensure it meets all of your dog’s dietary needs, delivering the perfect balance of essential nutrients.

Crafted with 100% USDA-inspected, human-grade lamb, this recipe offers a wholesome and safe choice for your furry friend. Plus, they make mealtime effortless by offering FREE nationwide cold-shipping, ensuring your pet’s food arrives fresh, frozen, and ready to serve.

The brand is leading the charge in pet nutrition innovation, offering a fresh, thoughtful approach to nourishing your beloved pet.

Pros

  • No fillers
  • Easy on the tummy
  • Formulated by a PhD nutritionist
  • Made from human-grade meat
  • Sourced from pastured-raised lamb
  • Protein-rich and highly palatable
  • Excellent source of iron, zinc, and vitamin B12

Cons

  • Higher cost
  • Transition challenges
  • Not widely available in stores

3. Jinx Beef, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato

Jinx Beef, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato ALS Kibble

First 5 ingredients:

Beef, Chicken Meal, Pearled Barley, Ground Peas, Brown Rice

Protein: 27.0% min

Fat: 14.0% min

Fiber: 5.0% max

Moisture: 10.0% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

This is a thoughtfully crafted, high-quality meal designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes.

Made with premium ingredients like real beef as the first ingredient, wholesome brown rice, and nutrient-dense sweet potato, this kibble provides a well-rounded diet that supports your pet’s overall health and vitality.

Enhanced with a proprietary blend of probiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids, it promotes healthy digestion, a strong immune system, and a shiny coat.

Jinx focuses on using clean, minimally processed ingredients, free from artificial additives, fillers, or common allergens like corn, wheat, and soy, making it a wholesome choice for your furry friend.

With its thoughtful combination of high-quality ingredients and science-backed enhancements, this is an excellent choice for pet owners seeking a nutritious and delicious meal for their canine companions.

Pros

  • No fillers in recipe
  • Filled with probiotics
  • Protein-rich formula
  • Real beef as no. 1 ingredient
  • With wholesome grains and vegetables

Cons

  • Not grain-free (may trigger allergies)

4. Farmina Natural & Delicious Chicken & Ancestral Puppy Formula

Best Dog Food for Australian Cattle Dog: Top 10 High-Protein Choices 2

First 5 ingredients:

Chicken, Dehydrated Chicken, Whole Spelt, Whole Oats, Chicken Fat

Protein: 35.0% min

Fat: 20.0% min

Fiber: 1.7% max

Moisture: 8.0% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: Puppy, Medium Breeds

This puppy formula by Farmina combines quality ingredients that provide your pup with protein, fat, and carbohydrates that are specially measured out to support his development. This chicken recipe omits peas, by-products, and legumes to avoid digestive issues.

Vitamins in this recipe are coated after cooking so they can maintain their freshness as your Australian Cattle Dog enjoys his meals day by day. Since the nutrients are better preserved, your four-legged friend is getting a balanced meal packed with the good stuff during each feeding time.

Pros

  • Created for growing puppies
  • No fillers in this recipe
  • Lots of protein to support the development stage
  • This formula leaves out genetically modified ingredients (GMOs)

Cons

  • This formula is more expensive than other dry dog food options available on the market

5. Natural Balance L.I.D. Sweet Potato & Salmon Formula

Best Dog Food for Australian Cattle Dog: Top 10 High-Protein Choices 3

First 5 ingredients:

Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Tapioca Starch, Potatoes

Protein: 24.0% min

Fat: 10.0% min

Fiber: 4.5% max

Moisture: 10.0% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

Special Diet: Grain-free

For Sensitive Stomach: Natural Balance’s sweet potato and fish formula has a limited set of ingredients that provides a small amount of carbs and leaves out unnecessary artificial elements. Salmon provides the main animal protein source in this recipe and sweet potatoes provide fiber to encourage a healthy digestive system.

Healthy skin and good coat health is promoted via the omega fatty acids incorporated into this formula. If your Australian Cattle Dog has had a hard time adjusting to other dog foods, a limited ingredient product is worth trying.

These recipes are crafted without common allergens to provide dogs with high-quality nutrition that supports their health.

Pros

  • Grain-free formula
  • Support digestion by omitting common allergens
  • Great alternative for pups with sensitive stomachs

Cons

  • Not certified organic
  • May contain genetically modified ingredients (GMOs)

6. Evolve Deboned Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe

Evolve Deboned Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe

First 5 ingredients:

Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Tapioca Starch, Sweet Potatoes, Garbanzo Beans

Protein: 25.0% min

Fat: 15.0% min

Fiber: 3.0% max

Moisture: 10.0% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

Special Diet: Grain-free

This is a good option if you are a pet owner on a budget. This is a premium-quality, nutrient-rich option designed to meet the unique dietary needs of dogs at all life stages.

Crafted with deboned turkey as the first ingredient, this formula delivers a high-protein foundation to support lean muscle development and overall health.

Sweet potatoes and other wholesome vegetables provide a natural source of fiber, vitamins and complex carbohydrates for sustained energy throughout the day.

This recipe is entirely grain-free, making it an excellent choice for pets with sensitivities to grains or gluten. Enriched with omega fatty acids from flaxseed and fish meal, it promotes a healthy coat and skin, while added prebiotics and probiotics support optimal digestive health.

Free from artificial flavors, colors and preservatives, Evolve ensures that only the finest, natural ingredients make it into your dog’s bowl. The result is a delicious, well-balanced meal that dogs love and pet parents trust for their furry companions.

Pros

  • Grain-free formula
  • Made from real turkey
  • Enriched with prebiotics and probiotics
  • Support digestion by omitting common allergens
  • Great alternative for pups with sensitive stomachs

Cons

  • Notable recipe change
  • Not for finicky eaters

7. ZIWI Peak Chicken with Orchard Fruits Recipe

ZIWI Peak Chicken with Orchard Fruits Recipe Steam & Dried

First 5 ingredients:

Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Necks, Dried Egg White, Chicken Bone (Source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate)

Protein: 36.0% min

Fat: 26.0% min

Fiber: 4.0% max

Moisture: 12.0% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds

This unique kibble offers a carefully crafted, nutrient-dense diet that combines premium proteins and wholesome ingredients to support your dog’s overall well-being.

It features free-range chicken as the primary ingredient, ethically sourced without added hormones or antibiotics, ensuring a clean and natural protein source that promotes lean muscle development and sustained energy.

The inclusion of chicken organs such as heart and liver provides a natural source of essential vitamins, minerals and taurine, crucial for heart and eye health.

Infused with the goodness of orchard fruits like apples and pears, this recipe delivers a boost of natural antioxidants, fiber and vitamins for a healthy digestive system and a strong immune response.

The addition of New Zealand green-lipped mussels, a powerhouse ingredient, offers a rich source of glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and mobility.

This air-dried formula eliminates the need for artificial preservatives, relying instead on a gentle steam (Z-microsteam Technology) and drying process that locks in flavor and nutrients.

Free from grains, soy, and fillers, ZIWI Peak caters to dogs with sensitive stomachs or specific dietary needs. The recipe is also enriched with kelp, a nutrient-dense seaweed, and cold-washed tripe for enhanced gut health and improved digestion.

With every bite, your dog enjoys a biologically appropriate, highly digestible meal that mirrors their ancestral die