The 7 Best Puppy Foods For Australian Shepherds

Buyers Guide

Real food is the way to go if you want your Aussie to grow up large and robust. There is no such thing as the “perfect” cuisine, but here are some guidelines to keep in mind.

Puppy Food compared. Adult Food

You want puppy food if your dog is still developing. This meal is a bit more costly, but it is well worth it, particularly because it will only be required for around 18 months.

Puppy food has more protein and fat, but that’s not the only difference—different vitamin and mineral ratios will help your puppy develop strong bones, a healthy brain and eyes, and a healthy digestive system. Pregnant and breastfeeding moms should also be given dog chow.

Proteins and fats that are appropriate

Puppies need a lot of energy, particularly energetic breeds like Aussies. Puppy food must have at least 8% fat and 22% protein, although the optimal level is somewhat greater.

A protein content of 26-30% is great for creating strong muscles and sustaining your growing puppy throughout the day and night.

Don’t attempt to restrict your puppy’s calorie consumption since obesity isn’t a worry with growing dogs and balanced meals.

Grain or no grain?

Carbohydrates are another important component of a balanced diet, and whole grains are the way to go. Grain-free diets were previously fashionable, but it turns out they aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.

Other vegetable fillers, such as potatoes and sweet potatoes, aren’t much healthier, and new research connect grain-free diets to an increased risk of heart disease.

According to newer studies, whole grain maize, rice, wheat, sorghum, oats, and other grains are superior. Brown rice is advised if your dog has digestive issues.

Vitamins, vegetables, and other ingredients

Along with meat and grains, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals are essential. Avoid anything rich in peas or legumes, which have lately been linked to heart disease. Other vegetables, on the other hand, are high in vitamins and minerals.

Regulation ensures that your dog gets all of the essential vitamins, but additional benefits like prebiotics, probiotics, and antioxidants aren’t always available. Chelated minerals are more easily absorbed.

Reviews

Life Protection Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice Dry Food by Blue Buffalo

Because it finds such an excellent combination of nutrients and digestibility, the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Formula is our pick for best overall puppy food.

This puppy chow is strong in protein and healthy fats, as well as a variety of other beneficial nutrients, including as omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which are particularly vital for growing pups.

It is also abundant in vitamins like as calcium and phosphorus, which are necessary for healthy development. LifeSource Bits, which resemble darker chunks of kibble, boost the vitamin content of Blue Buffalo diets like this one.

This kibble is formulated with easy-to-digest whole grains, particularly brown rice. The smaller kibble size also aids digestion, so even little pups will have no problem tasting it. Our only complaint is that the salt level is a touch excessive.

Pros

• Bits from Healthy LifeSource
• Protein, omega acids, and vital vitamins are abundant.
• Whole grains are nutritious and easily digested.

Cons

• Sodium content is higher.

 

Nutrish Bright Puppy Natural Real Chicken & Brown Rice by Rachael Ray

Rachael Ray Nutrish Bright Dog food is our best value choice for feeding a developing puppy on a budget. Low-cost food is frequently low-quality, yet this puppy chow manages to compete with much more costly alternatives.

It contains genuine chicken as the first component and is strong in protein to help all breeds of pups thrive. A freshly developed recipe takes into account the most recent studies.

This includes reducing the amount of peas in the diet after a research revealed a relationship to heart disease. However, this dish contains soybeans, a plant-based protein source that many consider to be a subpar component.

Pros

• In response to complaints, the pea content was rapidly reduced.
• Chicken protein is abundant.
• Low-cost option

Cons

• Soy protein is present.

 

Dry Dog Food Wellness CORE Digestive Health Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice

Wellness Core Digestive Health Puppy Formula is one of the finest puppy feeds for a developing Australian Shepherd, with a specific emphasis on digestive health.

If your dog is having difficulty adjusting to dry food, the higher price tag of this delectable chow may be worth it. It contains prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes that aid in the growth and development of your puppy’s stomach and digestive system.

It also includes all of the elements required to promote cognitive growth, a robust immune system, and a silky, healthy coat. Many of the essential vitamins and minerals are found in fruits and vegetables such as pumpkin, beets, blueberries, and pomegranates.

This food is obviously on the pricier side, so if your dog is doing well on another type of food, there may be no need to convert.

Pros

• Full of digestive aids
• Promotes a healthy immune system and brain development
• There are several vitamin sources in fruits and vegetables.

Cons

• Expensive
• It is not required for every puppy.

 

Puppy Sensitive Skin and Stomach Purina Pro Plan

Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin and Stomach is highly recommended by our team of veterinarians at Hepper for Aussie puppies who struggle with digestion or have chicken intolerances.

The first component in this dish is salmon, a nutritious protein source rich in Omega fatty acids. This means that if your dog is allergic to chicken, this is an excellent alternative. Protein source allergies are among the most frequent in dogs, therefore this is an excellent choice.

It is a grain-free meal with the major grains being rice and barley, both of which are simple to digest, and additional ingredients that can benefit sensitive pups. Although we enjoy the majority of the components, one is contentious.

Menadione sodium bisulfite is a kind of vitamin K that has been associated to allergies and other health problems in certain studies.

Pros

• Chicken-free for pups with allergies
• Veterinary recommendation
• Ingredients that are easy to digest

Cons

• Menadione is present.

 

Grain-Free Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Food stands true to its name with ingredients including water buffalo, lamb meal, bison, and venison. This puppy chow has innovative proteins that offer it a distinct taste and nutrition.

It also contains healthful nutrients like as nutritious fruits and vegetables, probiotics that aid with gut health, antioxidants, and prebiotics. It also claims that its ingredients are sourced from reliable and sustainable sources.

With all of these benefits, it’s simple to understand why so many people like it, but there are some disadvantages. It is a grain-free diet with a high concentration of plant proteins, especially pea protein.

According to new FDA study, many grain-free diets aren’t as nutritionally sound as advertising would have you think. Peas, and specifically pea protein, have been related to various heart health difficulties. As a result, this diet is not appropriate for all pups.

Pros

• Various meat sources
• Fruits and vegetables that are high in nutrients
• Probiotics are included.

Cons

• Peas and plant protein are abundant.
• Grain-free food may not be suitable for all dogs.

 

Hill’s Science Diet is a science-based diet. Dry Dog Food Puppy Large Breed Chicken Meal & Oat Recipe

Hill’s Science Diet is a big supporter of research, and its extensive range of dog meals is designed for every breed of dog.

Their big breed puppy formula is an excellent alternative for Aussies since it is particularly developed for dogs weighing 50-90 pounds, which is the same weight range as an Australian Shepherd.

Their calcium support, in particular, is designed to assist bigger dogs in achieving their appropriate bone development rate. This supplement contains high-quality nutrients such as whole grains, salmon oil, and fruit and vegetable extracts.

It has a lesser protein and fat level than many of the other foods on our list, with just 24% protein and 11% fat, but it is still an excellent puppy chow.

Pros

• Designed specifically for huge breed puppies
• Ingredients of superior grade
• Calcium supplementation for good bone growth

Cons

• Protein and lipid levels are lower.

 

Original Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Dry Dog Food

The first components in this protein-heavy dog chow are real chicken and nutritious grains, and there’s a lot to like. The first component is chicken, and both chicken fat and fish oil are high in antioxidants.

It contains entire grains such as ground maize and sorghum and is nutritionally balanced. It’s also a less expensive alternative than many others on our list. However, the cheaper cost comes with a cost.

Some of the protein comes from chicken byproducts, which are less expensive and less nutritious than chicken. It also includes various artificial colors that have no nutritional value.

Although it has actual chicken as the primary component, the cheap price is most likely owing to shortcuts and subpar ingredients.

Pros

• Contains whole grains
• High in protein and essential nutrients
• Option at a lower cost

Cons

• Colors are synthetic.
• Contains byproducts of meat

Conclusion

There are a few best puppy foods for Australian Shepherds, and finding the perfect food is worth the effort. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Food is our top overall selection because of its balance and digestibility.

BestForPets (bestforpets.org) recommend Rachael Ray Nutrish Bright Puppy Natural Food because it offers more nutrients than other foods at the same price. Wellness CORE Digestive Health Puppy Food is an excellent choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Finally, for puppies that might benefit from it, our veterinarian recommends Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin and Stomach food, which is chicken free and simple to digest.