10 Healthiest & Best Dog Food For Shetland Sheepdogs in May 2023

You may know them best as a Sheltie, and this smaller version of the Collie is a quick and intelligent, fun loving and loyal family dog with a sweet temperament and plenty of energy. They’re excellent herding dogs and do well with a large yard or when there’s a job to do.

They have plenty of positive traits being sensitive dogs who can really read the mood of the room. They’re easy to train and eager to learn all the new tricks.

Any food you give this breed should be able to keep up with their energetic nature and help keep the skin and coat healthy.

Read on if you want to know what will be the best dog food for Shetland Sheepdogs.

Why Quality Food Matters for Your Shetland Sheepdog

Foods with empty calories and fillers are most likely to cause excess weight gain and trigger allergic reactions that can make the skin and coat dull and patchy.

Providing excellent quality nutrition helps you maintain your Sheltie’s weight and stave off any issues with that glorious coat. Let’s take a look at what it’s going to take to feed your Sheltie the right way.

OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR DOG FOODS FOR SHETLAND SHEEPDOGS

Best Dog Food for Shetland Sheepdogs

Your Sheltie needs food that can keep up with its natural curiosity and athleticism. Good protein sources and complex carbohydrates support muscle and energy while things like fatty acids can help keep skin happy.

If your Sheltie is like many of this breed, you may be better off with a limited ingredient diet to help keep allergies and skin inflammation under control.

What Is The Best Dog Food For Shetland Sheepdogs?

1. Nom Nom Fresh Pet Food
2. Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon Formula
3. Evolve Deboned Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
4. Ollie Fresh Pet Food
5. Zignature Lamb Limited Ingredient Formula
6. Natural Balance L.I.D. Sweet Potato & Venison Formula
7. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Turkey Recipe
8. Nulo Freestyle Turkey, Cod & Sweet Potato Puppy Recipe
9. Now Fresh Senior Weight Management Recipe
10. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

 

1. Nom Nom Fresh Pet Food Delivery

Nom Nom is a gourmet dog food delivery service that provides fresh meals that have been custom made for your dog's dietary needs. You simply give Nom Nom your dog's breed, age, weight, and activity level, and they will provide you with a quote.

The company will give you a specific portion of food to feed your dog at every meal. For convenience and ease of mind, Nom Nom can't be beaten. The Heartland Beef Mash is just one of the four different vet-crafted recipes on offer, and the one that we would personally recommend for your Sheltie.

Nom Nom’s Heartland Beef Mash recipe is a cooked formula that uses ingredients safe for human consumption with no cheap fillers. It mimics the ancestral diet of your Sheltie’s canine ancestors without the hassle and mess of a raw diet.

There’s support for skin, coat, and the immune system through whole fruits and veggies plus Nom Nom’s nutrient blend.

First Five Ingredients (Heartland Beef Mash):

• Ground Beef
• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Peas
• Egg

About The Company – Nom Nom uses only high quality, organic ingredients in recipes created by a Vet-Nutritionist. Meals are cooked in the company’s kitchens and delivered right to your door ready to serve or refrigerate. It’s an excellent middle ground between a traditional kibble and a raw food diet.

Pros:

• High quality ingredients
• Contains fish oil for skin health
• Easy to serve portion sizes
• Crafted by a Vet-Nutritionist

Cons:

• Takes up valuable fridge or freezer space
• Leftovers are difficult to store

2. Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon Formula

Southwest Canyon provides dogs with an unusual blend of beef, lamb, and wild boar. Dogs need variety too, like humans.

And there couldn’t be more variety than with a mixture of beef, lamb, wild boar, and ocean fish, which brings the total crude protein to 29%. Legumes like garbanzo beans and peas provide the energy source to fuel all kinds of everyday dog adventures.

While beef and lamb may be staples in dog foods, the addition of wild boar provides the meal with a richer and nuttier taste courtesy of its distinct, dark red meat. These trio of meats combine to give each meal a total of 9% crude protein.

The crude fiber content here is a nice 5% maximum, crude fat at 15% (courtesy of the canola oil), and moisture at 10%. The minimum Omega-3 fatty acid is .3% while the Omega-6 is 2.4%. Each cup of dog food contains 360 kcal.

First Five Ingredients:

• Beef
• Peas
• Garbanzo Beans
• Lamb Meal
• Canola Oil
• Egg Product

About The Company – A family-owned company, Taste of the Wild is under the Diamond Pet Foods umbrella producing pet food for dogs and cats. The entire product line was inspired by the protein-rich diet of our pets’ wild counterparts: wolves and lions. Each Taste of the Wild recipe is intended to provide the complete nutrition our pet needs in the way that nature intended — always real meat first. And not just any protein.

Pros: 

• High-quality protein
• Large selection of proteins
• Visible improvements to coat health
• Affordable price point
• Made in the USA

Cons: 

• Limited recipes available at a specialty store, Chewy will have more
• Bag too easy to tear and must be handled carefully

3. Evolve Deboned Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe

This Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe is described as a healthy and holistic super-premium product that is also good for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities.

It features high-quality protein from fresh deboned salmon and chicken meal with digestible carbohydrates like garbanzo beans and sweet potatoes.

This recipe is not only loaded with essential nutrients your dog needs for total body health and wellness, but it is also packed with natural flavor. As a holistic formula, this recipe contains all of the natural ingredients your dog needs for health with nothing unnecessary.

All of the carbohydrates in this recipe are highly digestible, though the formula is a little high in fiber. With chicken fat as the main source of fat this formula will provide for your dog’s energy needs and support his healthy skin and coat. The recipe ends strong as well with plenty of beneficial supplements.

First Five Ingredients:

• Deboned Salmon
• Chicken Meal
• Tapioca Starch
• Sweet Potatoes
• Garbanzo Beans

About The Company – The Evolve brand of pet food is produced and manufactured by Sunshine Mills, Inc. This company has been family-owned and -operated for more than five decades and they provide pets all over the world with a variety of high-quality options at affordable prices. The Evolve brand is committed to using only the highest quality, wholesome ingredients to create products that pet parents are proud to feed their pets.

Pros: 

• Grain-free formula
• Made with real, deboned salmon
• Oven-baked with flaxseeds (naturally rich in omega fatty acids which promotes healthy skin & coat)
•  Healthy source of energy
• Made without corn, wheat, soy, fillers and artificial additives
• Affordable

Cons: 

• Some packaging are too oily

4. Ollie Fresh Pet Food

Ollie is human-grade dog food delivered right to your door step. This super premium food is our top choice for Shelties because it’s formulated to specifically target skin, eye and hearth health.

Ollie is a fresh, minimally processed dog food. Ingredients are gently cooked to preserve flavor and nutrients. For Shelties with sensitive stomachs, Ollie doesn’t contain any soy, corn or wheat.

Although humans could enjoy this food with a fork, we recommend saving this exceptional delicacy for your pampered pooch!

First Five Ingredients (Lamb recipe):

• Lamb
• Lamb liver
• Butternut squash
• Kale
• Chickpeas

About The Company – Ollie’s fresh 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 and Australia. Each partner must go through an extensive certification process to become a supplier. All of their food is made only with whole, human-grade ingredients.

Pros:

• Fresh, human-grade dog food delivered to your door
• Ingredients support skin, eye and heart health
• No fillers like soy, corn or wheat
• Customizable meal plans
• Each order comes with a customized feeding guide

Cons:

• This type of food will not scrape plaque and tartar off teeth like kibble will
• Requires a freezer, and may take up a good chunk of space

5. Zignature Lamb Limited Ingredient Formula

Zignature’s limited ingredient food cuts out all the common food allergens and uses a single protein source to help with digestion.

It’s grain free with no cheap fillers and contains fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants to support the skin, immune system, and brain health. It’s an excellent recipe for supplying your Sheltie everything it needs for a lifetime of health.

First Five Ingredients:

• Lamb
• Lamb Meal
• Peas
• Chickpeas
• Pea Flour

About The Company – Zignature uses a holistic approach to nutrition that cuts out all the unnecessary parts to help your Sheltie digest better. Foods contain top quality ingredients in nutrient dense formulas. Recipes are created in South Dakota and Michigan based kitchens and consider both canine health and environmental impact.

Pros:

• Limited ingredient formula
• No cheap fillers or common food allergens
• Premium proteins plus fatty acids

Cons:

• Expensive
• Picky Shelties may not eat it

6. Natural Balance L.I.D. Sweet Potato & Venison Formula

Natural Balance is a highly affordable food with a limited ingredient formula to help promote healthy digestion and skin health.

It uses a single protein source plus vitamins and fatty acids to improve the condition of the skin. Fiber supports healthy digestion, and the recipe contains no fillers or common food allergens.

First Five Ingredients:

• Dried Sweet Potatoes
• Venison
• Pea Protein
• Potato Protein
• Canola Oil

About The Company – Natural Balance’s recipes are designed to alleviate allergy suffering and promote good health in sensitive dogs. The company creates recipes and tests them extensively for sensitivities, so you can get back to your best life with your best friend.

Pros:

• Limited ingredients cause fewer reactions
• Good, non-poultry protein source
• Affordable
• Best for pets with sensitivities

Cons:

• The first ingredient isn’t meat
• Uses peas and potatoes

 

Best Puppy Food For Shetland Sheepdogs

Puppies change rapidly over the course of their maturation, so your vet will probably change recommendations several times. Sheltie puppies need support for their powerful personalities and shouldn’t be allowed to gain too much weight too quickly.

7. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Turkey Recipe

Wellness Core is a grain-free recipe that encourages proper growth rates and strong, healthy muscles. It has support for developing brains with DHA, which also helps support the skin. It also has guaranteed calcium and phosphorus levels to help your Sheltie’s bones grow correctly.

First Five Ingredients:

• Deboned Chicken
• Chicken Meal
• Turkey Meal
• Potatoes
• Peas

About The Company – Wellness uses holistic nutrition to support growing puppies even when they have sensitive tummies. Premium ingredients form the basis of all recipes, giving puppies a head start for lifelong health.

Pros:

• Grain free
• Contains DHA for brain and skin health
• Guaranteed levels of calcium and phosphorus

Cons:

• Bags don’t reseal
• Picky puppies may not like the taste and texture

8. Nulo Freestyle Turkey, Cod & Sweet Potato Puppy Recipe

Nulo’s wet foods are good for picky puppies or to help puppies who’ve just weaned. The formula uses turkey and cod as the building blocks for healthy growth plus sweet potato for all-day energy. It’s grain free and contains DHA for skin and brain health, and it’s low glycemic to help control growth.

First Five Ingredients:

• Turkey
• Turkey Broth
• Salmon Broth
• Turkey Liver
• Cod

About The Company – Nulo’s mission is densely nutritious food without cheap fillers. Their puppy foods help your Sheltie grow properly without putting stress on the bone structure. The company uses premium ingredients for recipes created in test kitchens and should give your puppy the building blocks for lifelong health and wellbeing.

Pros:

• Appeals to most picky eaters
• Whole protein sources
• Low glycemic and gluten free

Cons:

• Strong smell
• Cans are messy

Best Senior Dog Food for a Shetland Sheepdog

Senior Shelties usually receive similar portions as they did when they were younger, but your vet may alter those portions if your Sheltie is having trouble keeping pounds away. Foods that help control weight while still providing protein for muscle tone are critical.

9. Now Fresh Grain-Free Senior Weight Management Recipe

Now Fresh’s weight control formula packs a lot of dense nutrition into food while cutting overall calories. It uses a whole protein source and nixes grains to help your Sheltie feel full and full of energy all day. It includes glucosamine and chondroitin to support aging joints while essential fatty acids help keep your Sheltie’s brain sharp and skin soft.

First Five Ingredients:

• De-Boned Turkey
• Potato Flour
• Apples
• Pea Fiber
• Peas

About The Company – Recipes from Now Fresh are created to help your senior make the most of its golden years with plenty of protein and supplements to help with joints and skin. It features a complete omnivore’s recipe that mimics what your Sheltie might have eaten before being domesticated and offers dense nutrition to support that athletic personality.

Pros:

• Weight control
• Fatty acids for brain health
• Glucosamine and chondroitin

Cons:

• Expensive
• May not satisfy picky seniors

10. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

Blue Buffalo’s life protection formula helps keep seniors fit and ready to go. It uses patented LifeSource bit to provide critical vitamins and minerals while whole protein sources keep up muscle tone. It has glucosamine and chondroitin to help keep joints healthy, and fatty acids are perfect maintain brain health and keeping the skin inflammation-free.

First Five Ingredients:

• Deboned Chicken
• Brown Rice
• Barley
• Oatmeal
• Chicken Meal

About The Company – Blue Buffalo started out of love for a sweet Airedale Terrier, Blue, and has expanded to include premium dog food recipes for a range of pets. Their senior formula gives your Sheltie all the best sources of nutrition so you can enjoy each other right up to the very end.

Pros:

• Plenty of vitamins and antioxidants
• Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
• Fatty acids to maintain brain and skin health

Cons:

• Seniors sometimes pick around Lifesource Bits
• Doesn’t satisfy picky seniors

3 Common Sheltie Health Issues Dog Food Can Help With

Shelties are generally healthy dogs, but there are a few conditions you should watch for. Many of them can be avoided or alleviated by using a quality, densely nutritious food that maintains weight and provides the proper building blocks for overall good health. Let’s take a look at a few things that could become issues at some point in your Sheltie’s life.

Hip Dysplasia – Athletic breeds are often at risk for joint issues, and Shelties are no different. This is a genetic deformity that causes the hip joint to form incorrectly, which makes it more likely to pop out of socket over time. While diet can’t cure the condition, it can help control weight and build healthy muscle tone, which could alleviate the effects.

Skin Issues – Shelties have complicated coats, and some are prone to severe skin issues. Foods that contain common fillers are likely to make these allergies worse. Look for foods without allergens like corn, soy, and gluten, and that have support for skin and coat health.

Essential fatty acids plus antioxidants from fruits and veggies are great places to start as are limited ingredient formulas.

Thyroid Issues – Again, this is a genetic issue, but diet can play a part in how severe symptoms are. Foods that contain fillers stress the thyroid by increasing weight and spiking blood sugar.

Densely nutritious foods reduce the load on the thyroid, and there’s some evidence that going gluten-free can further support better thyroid function.

What to Look For in a Quality Dog Food for Shetland Sheepdogs

The first ingredient should be a complete protein from a whole source, never a by-product meal. Quality proteins maintain muscle tone and help keep weight at the right level. Combine this with a quality complex carbohydrate and your Sheltie can maintain energy all day without adding extra pounds.

Whole fruits and veggies give your Sheltie vitamins and antioxidants which support immune function, digestion, and skin health. Essential fatty acids help keep even the most sensitive skin happy, and glucosamine and chondroitin support joint condition.

For really sensitive Shelties, a limited ingredient diet can help alleviate those allergic responses that cause their coats to shed unnecessarily and skin to become inflamed. They can also help support digestion if your Sheltie is prone to loose stools.

Ingredients to Avoid in Your Shetland Sheepdog’s Dog Food

Corn and soy are two ingredients often used to reduce the overall cost of the food. These ingredients might make your wallet feel good now, but later when you're scheduling more than average vet appointments for issues related to your Sheltie’s diet, you may not be so pleased.

These empty fillers, along with by-product meals, artificial colors, and artificial flavors, can wreak havoc on your Sheltie’s digestion, skin health, and weight. It’s best to avoid all of them and choose foods that use none of these ingredients at all in the formula.

One particular concern with gluten and grain free diets is the prevalence of potatoes, peas, and legumes. These ingredients have been tentatively linked to a condition known as Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy or an enlarged heart. We aren't sure of exactly what’s causing the link yet, but just to be safe, speak with your vet and try to avoid foods that list those ingredients in the first three positions.

 

Brands To Avoid

Although many brands prioritize price over nutrition, there are three which we see repeatedly in recalls with red-flagged ingredients sitting prominently on the shelves. If you want to give your Sheltie the best nutrition available, we recommend running from the following brands.

Kibbles N Bits: Sure, it may be a dynasty at this point, but Kibbles and Bits uses every single ingredient we told you to avoid. It’s cheap, low quality, and full of empty calories.

Alpo: The picture on the front may be of a healthy, athletic dog, but the food inside is anything but healthy. It uses lower quality ingredients, corn and soy for the few dry options, and has been recalled more times than we can count.

Ol Roy: The Walmart brand famous for large bag sizes and tiny price tags has the nutrition to match that price tag. It’s low on quality ingredients and high on fillers. Plus, the kibble is hard and difficult to chew for mouths with smaller teeth and jawbones. Skip it.

Sheltie Feeding Chart

Shelties need quality nutrition to maintain weight, and it’s vital you keep an eye on their consumption. Your vet is the best resource for specific feeding amounts and plans, but here’s an idea of what to expect.

Puppies: Sheltie pups should have care when consuming calories because you don’t want to cause weight gain too fast. Your vet will probably change feeding recommendations rapidly through their quick maturation period.

Adults: Most Shelties will receive between 3/4 and 2 cups of food per day depending on activity level and recommended serving sizes for the specific food you choose.

Seniors: Sheltie seniors will have similar feeding recommendations as their younger counterparts, but your vet may alter amounts based on activity level and weight gain.

Final Thoughts

Your Shetland Sheepdog is an energetic, life-loving companion full of curiosity and loyalty. Support that energy and athleticism with the right type of foods and you should be able to enjoy your companion’s antics for many, many years.

Foods that provide plenty of quality protein plus complex carbohydrates for energy throughout the day are great, but you may have to switch to limited ingredient formulas if your Sheltie develops allergies. Making sure there’s a single protein source and no cheap fillers can help alleviate skin issues and digestion difficulty.

Whatever you do, make sure that your Sheltie maintains a proper weight because even an extra few pounds can be devastating for your Sheltie’s bones and joints. Healthy weights encourage your Sheltie to remain active throughout its life and give your furry companion a head start in the senior years with better muscle tone and more protected joints.

A quality companion deserves quality food, so deliver it and reap the benefits.