Top 6 Best Puppy Food For Australian Shepherd Puppies
Puppyhood is an important life stage for all dogs. And starting your Australian shepherd puppy on high-quality dog food is crucial as he transitions to adulthood.
You know a complete and balanced diet will see your Aussie puppy get healthy bones, muscles, and a shiny coat. Choosing the wrong diet may cause your puppy to develop digestive issues, weak immunity, and malformed joints. And I’m sure that’s not the direction you want to take- hence the reason you are looking for the best puppy food for Australian shepherd puppies that will leave your dog healthy and happy.
With that, in this section, we have reviewed our top seven recipes we know will meet your puppy’s nutrition needs without triggering tummy issues.
Key Nutritional Needs Of the Australian Shepherd Puppies
As puppies grow, they will require specialized nutrients tailored for their bodies. Messing up on what you give your puppy should not be an option. So, which are these crucial nutrients that will prove to be beneficial to your dog?
Proteins
Proteins are key nutrients needed by every Australian shepherd puppy. These proteins support and build healthy muscles.
When choosing the best puppy food for Australian shepherd puppies, look for a diet with high-quality proteins. And that leads us to the next question. Which are the best sources of high-quality proteins? Quality proteins sources include beef, chicken, lamb, and fish.
As always, look for a recipe with real meat meals as the first ingredients. A recipe with these meat meals carries high proteins levels compared to a recipe with fresh meat.
While still at that, avoid recipes using meat by-products as sources of protein. Don’t get such. Your puppy doesn’t deserve such low-quality proteins during this vital growth stage.
So, what does AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) state about the percentage of proteins needed by puppies? The AAFCO states that every puppy recipe should have a minimum of 22 % of protein. And the high it is, the better for your dog.
Complex Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are other key nutrients that your puppy needs. These carbohydrates provide your dog with the necessary energy needed to support its active lifestyle.
As always, strive to look for complex carbohydrate sources, as they are easier to digest than simple carbohydrates. Some of these include quinoa seeds, oatmeal, and brown rice.
Fats
Fats are also integral nutrients that your dog will need. Although we humans don’t like fats a lot because of the bad publicity they have, you can never skip including fats in your dog’s recipe.
So why are fats important in your dog’s recipe? These fats give your dog that healthy and shiny coat. Some healthy fats like omega fatty acids are great for the heart health of your puppy.
Importantly, you should ensure the diet you give your Aussie puppy only uses healthy fats.
Fibers
Fiber is another key ingredient you cannot skip giving to your dog. This fiber helps support your dog’s digestive health.
Moreover, fiber helps keep your dog full in between meals. Lastly, fiber is important as it gives your puppy well-formed stool.
Other key elements to consider—
These are the other ingredients that will also be important if added to your dog’s recipe.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Yes, puppy Australian shepherds will need glucosamine and chondroitin. As a dog susceptible to joint issues like hip dysplasia, starting to protect it earlier will cause no harm.
This glucosamine helps maintain your dog’s joint health. At the same time, chondroitin helps to replenish the synovial fluid levels
Probiotics
Of late, most dog food brands have known the advantage of including pre and probiotics. These live bacteria help in supporting your dog’s tummy health. After consuming a diet full of these healthy bacteria, diarrhea and gas issues will be a thing of the past.
Best puppy food for Australian shepherd puppies
Top 6 best puppy food for australian shepherd puppies
| Editor’s choice | NUTRO ULTRA Puppy dry dog food |
| First runner up | Blue buffalo life protection formula natural puppy large breed dry dog food |
| Best food for puppies with allergies | Purina pro plan sensitive skin & sensitive stomach puppy dry dog food |
| Best dry dog food for Australian shepherd puppies | Wellness complete health natural dry puppy food |
| Best grain inclusive puppy food | Hill's science diet dry dog food |
| Best wet food for Australian shepherd puppies | Instinct grain-free wet puppy food |
Best Puppy Food For Australian Shepherd Puppies
Editor’s Choice: NUTRO ULTRA Puppy Dry Dog Food
The NUTRO ULTRA puppy dry dog food is a great recipe suitable for your Australian shepherd puppy. Compared to most dog food, this recipe has various proteins sources included. These are chicken, salmon, and lamb. As we earlier discussed, puppies will need high levels of proteins as they grow. These proteins are crucial in building lean muscles.
Other than that, this complete nutrition has a blend of superfoods like coconut, chia, kales, and blueberries that are here to provide your dog with the necessary nutrients as he grows.
Consequently, this well-crafted recipe features natural ingredients sourced from trusted farmers. In this NUTRO ULTRA Puppy Dry Dog Food, you will not find any questionable ingredients.
All you find is healthily sourced and natural ingredients that will satisfy and nourish your Aussie puppy.
After starting your Australian shepherd puppy on this balanced diet, your dog will have great eyesight, shiny coat, well-formed poop, and subsequently, vet visits will be hard to come.
Overall on most reviews we’ve gone through on Amazon, pet parents can attest they have seen remarkable change after starting their dogs on this recipe.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| With three sources of high-quality protein | Expensive |
| High digestible sources of carbs like whole brown rice | |
| No animal by-products used | |
| Grain-free food for puppies |
First Runner Up - Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food
Has your puppy been scampering and hiding under the couch anytime he sees you grab his food bowl? Then it shows you need to look for another dog food that your dog will be happy to consume.
And when you opt for this Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food, your puppy will always wag his tail when it’s mealtime.
All because of one thing, this canine food is super delicious and contains real meat proteins that canines love.
First, this puppy food for Australian shepherd puppies has real chicken meat as the first ingredient, a healthy protein source. These proteins will be key in building your dog’s muscles as he transitions to adulthood.
Besides its recommendable levels of proteins, this recipe has a precise blend of the finest complex carbohydrates like brown rice, oatmeal, and barley that are gentle on your dog’s tummy, unlike other carbs sources. The sources of carbs provide your dog with plenty of energy.
This dry dog food for Australian shepherd puppies has remarkable levels of amino acids and other multivitamins that will nourish your pet. And all these key nutrients have been healthily sourced and selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists.
The menhaden fish meal in this diet provides omega 3 fatty acids that ensure your dog has a healthy heart and brain.
Other than that, the flaxseed oil in this super delicious recipe provides omega 6 fatty acids that give your dog a healthy coat and healthy joints
Another thing I know you will like about this recipe is the well-sized kibble that has been tailored for your dog’s small jaws. With that, each kibble is well structured to promote pick up and chewing.
Even when going through most reviews on Amazon, dog owners who have started their dogs on this recipe say the dogs now have well-formed poop.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, or soy | Expensive |
| No artificial flavors or preservatives | Inconsistency of quality in some batches |
| With essential fatty acids to promote a healthy skin | |
| Well shaped kibble | |
| Real animal protein used | |
| The recipe has high-quality ingredients to nourish your active breed |
Best Food for Puppies with Allergies: Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Sensitive Stomach Puppy Dry Dog Food
Dogs with food sensitivities will need a diet considerate of their condition, and when you start your dog on this food from Purina Pro Plan, you won’t be frustrated. The key thing, this recipe has salmon as the first ingredient, providing your dog with a high-quality protein source that will build its muscles during this intensive growth phase.
This salmon is also a key source of omega fatty acids that support your dog’s heart and skin health.
This dog food for puppies has rice, great for those puppies sensitive to other grains. This rice provides healthy carbohydrates that ensure your dog is full of energy every time.
Consequently, this Purina Pro Plan recipe for puppies has DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) sourced from fish oil that supports cognitive function.
This recipe also has a precise blend of antioxidants from healthy and natural ingredients. These antioxidants ensure your puppy has a strong immunity.
Besides that, the included amino acids and multivitamins all work together to maintain the overall health of your puppy.
Moreover, as food for dogs with sensitive skin and stomachs, this recipe has been fortified with probiotics that promote the overall health of your dog’s digestion system. After consuming this high-quality recipe, your dog will have well-formed poop, and gas issues will be a thing of the past.
When going through most reviews on amazon, dog parents like the healthy ingredients on this Purina Pro Plan recipe. Some like how their dogs get excited when it’s mealtime, compared to earlier when they were on other dog food for puppies.
The only concern that some pet parents have is that consistency in terms of quality has not been there.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A high protein formula | Some pet parents complain there has been inconsistency in terms of quality |
| Rich in omega 6 fatty acids | |
| Fortified with probiotics for tummy health | |
| Healthy and quality ingredients used | |
| Made in the USA | |
| With antioxidants and minerals for overall body health |
Best Dry Dog Food for Australian Shepherd Puppies: Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Puppy Food
Have you been giving your skinny Australian shepherd ordinary puppy food? But no change can be seen? Then it’s time you ring the changes and start your furry friend on a high protein recipe like this one called Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Puppy Food.
This recipe is a complete and balanced nutrition that has real chicken as the first ingredient, providing your dog with plenty of proteins that leave it with well-built muscles while still retaining that healthy weight.
Other than that, this nutritious and delicious puppy food for Australian shepherd puppies has grains like oatmeal and ground barley sources of complex carbs that provide energy. Moreover, these grains contain nutrients that nourish your puppy.
The calcium and phosphorus in this recipe will be crucial in supporting your dog’s musculoskeletal development.
The included ground flaxseed provides omega 6 fatty acids that ensure your puppy has glowing skin and coat. Whereas the salmon meal and salmon oil contain omega 3 fatty acids that ensure your puppy’s heart, eyes and joints are healthy as he transitions to adulthood.
Other vital ingredients in this wellness complete health natural recipe for puppies are the pre and probiotics.
These pre and probiotics maintain the health of your dog’s sensitive digestion system. After consuming this food for Australian shepherd puppies, rarely will your dog have bloat or a runny stool.
And that’s capped with the included fiber that overall ensure your dog has a healthy digestive system.
Blueberries and spinach are antioxidant-rich ingredients that support the health of your dog’s immune system.
The glucosamine in this food for puppies cushions the health of your puppy’s joints. At the same time, taurine keeps your dog heart-healthy.
Finally, all the ingredients here are natural with no artificial flavors or preservatives that can be harsh on your dog’s tummy.
When going through pet parent’s reviews on Amazon, some say so far they have seen nothing wrong since starting their dogs on this food. However, a few of them say their dogs got ill after consuming this recipe.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| With deboned chicken and chicken meal crucial sources of proteins | Not suitable for dogs allergic to chicken |
| This recipe has wholesome grains like oatmeal | |
| No filler or artificial ingredients. | |
| Fortified with pre and probiotics | |
| This recipe has calcium, phosphorous, and glucosamine for overall bones and joint health. |
Best Grain Inclusive Puppy Food: Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food
Hill’s Science is one of the reputable brands when it comes to the manufacture of dog food— and one of their best formulations is this Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food Puppy
This high-quality food has ingredients happily recommended by US veterinaries. Thus you will be confident when giving it to your puppy.
The first ingredient in this recipe is chicken meal that ensures your dog has adequate protein levels needed for healthy muscles.
And if you have been looking for a grain-inclusive diet, you should not have trouble introducing your dog to this dry food.
These grains are barley, corn, sorghum. And they provide healthy carbs to fuel your dog. Other than that, the flaxseed here is a source of omega 6 fatty acids that nourish and support the coat health of your puppy.
Another thing, this puppy food for Australian shepherd puppies has guaranteed levels of DHA from fish oil that ensure your dog has a healthy brain and eyes
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| USA veterinary recommended recipe | Not perfect for those dogs allergic to grains |
| High-quality proteins from chicken meal | |
| With DHA to support healthy eye development | |
| Well sized kibble | |
| No artificial fillers |
Best Wet Food for Australian Shepherd Puppies: Instinct Grain-Free Wet Puppy Food
If your puppy is not a fan of dry food, you can opt to use wet or canned food. And one of the best-canned puppy food for Australian shepherd puppies is this Instinct Grain-Free Wet Puppy Food.
The manufacturers of this recipe are aware that a puppy needs high levels of proteins during development hence why 95 % of the ingredients are real meat and organs.
With such high levels of proteins, your puppy will grow with strong and healthy muscles.
The first ingredient here is cage-free chicken, a source of healthy proteins.
Another thing, this canned food suitable for your Aussie puppy has responsibly sourced ingredients key sources of nutrients that support your puppy’s growth
Every bite in this wet puppy food has an awesome taste that will awaken those taste buds of your puppy. After every meal, your puppy will be left licking its lips, yearning for more.
Worth noting, per your preference, you can use this recipe as the main food for your puppy. Alternatively, you can mix it with dry kibble to enhance palatability.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A grain-free recipe | Some pet parents still complain that their dogs develop watery stool after taking this recipe |
| With whole-food ingredients | |
| Made in the USA | |
| High levels of proteins used |
Factors to Consider When Looking For the Best Puppy Food for Australian Shepherd Puppies
When getting puppy food, you don’t just pick any food bag labeled as best for puppies. You need to look into detail what’s offered. Nevertheless, as a responsible Aussie owner, here is what you should check in each recipe for your dog.
The Ingredient List
It’s crucial to check the ingredients list in each recipe. The reason being, you need to confirm the ingredients here are not culprits of triggering stomach or other food allergies issues on your dog. For example, if your dog is allergic to wheat, don’t take puppy food with this ingredient.
Also, avoid food for puppies with questionable ingredients
Is This Recipe Following AAFCO STANDARDS?
AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) is one of the non-profitable organizations mandated to regulate the pet food industry. Each year they outline guidelines on which all food brands must follow.
All responsible pet food manufacturers should follow these guidelines and should indicate that on the bag.
What Kind Of Food Should I Feed My Australian Shepherd Puppy?
Australian shepherd puppies can be fed canned, dry, or homemade food. As always, you should consider the quality of the recipe you are starting your puppy on. Check for one with high-quality proteins, low levels of fats, carbs, and fiber.
Best Puppy Food for Mini Australian Shepherd
The best puppy food for mini Australian shepherd puppies is this Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Puppy Small Breed Dry Dog Food. This recipe has ARA (Arachidonic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) that support retinal and cognitive functional health, respectively. Also, it has chicken, a premium source of proteins that help build healthy muscles. Lastly, the garden veggies and fruits provide plenty of macro and micronutrients tailored to nourish your dog.
Is Royal Canin Good For Australian Shepherd?
Royal canin is a brand that manufactures breed-specific recipes. Although popular, some pet parents dislike some of the recipes from royal canin. Most say they contain many grains and animal by-products that may not suit your Australian shepherd puppy. However, when it comes to price, most recipes from royal canin are pocket-friendly.
How Often Should I Feed My Australian Shepherd Puppy?
Puppies need to be fed quite often compared to adults. For Australian shepherd puppies, you should feed them 3- 4 times a day. When doing so, don’t give them a lot of food as they risk becoming overweight.
Ensure you give them small shares 3-4 times. After transitioning to adulthood, you can feed them twice daily using high-quality adult dog food for Australian shepherds.
What Should You Avoid Feeding Your Australian Shepherd Puppy?
Avoid giving your dog these foods
- Chocolate
- Xylitol
- Garlic
- Onion
- Macadamia
The Final Thoughts on the Best Puppy Food for Australian Shepherd Puppies
The diet you give your Australian shepherd puppy will be crucial. Choose the wrong recipe, and your puppy may be undernourished, become overweight, or develop a sensitive stomach.
However, with the listed foods, your Australian shepherd puppy will develop healthy muscles, a shiny coat, and strong bones.
