The Best Dog Food for Australian Shepherds in 2022

The Farmer’s Dog Company had strong values pertaining to wanting to provide every dog with the healthiest, freshest diet possible without the use of preservatives, fillers or un-listed chemicals. They cater to the individual dog by looking at the results of a questionnaire to ensure your dog gets perfectly tailored meals to meet their needs, with four protein options available including pork, turkey, chicken and beef. 

Not only that, but The Farmer’s Dog offers 50% off for the first two weeks to give every buyer a fair shot with a half-price trial period, and will reimburse any unhappy customer so long as the leftover food goes to a shelter.

Read in-depth review.

Because Australian Shepherds have a good appetite, they can put on weight easily despite being energetic and active. That’s why it’s important to give them foods that will support their high energy needs, but at the same time, promote a healthy weight as well. The Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight is such a food – made with quality protein, whole grains, veggies, fruit and supplements, this formula is one of the best dog foods for Aussies as it’s highly palatable, nutritious but low in calories.

This formula contains deboned chicken as its first ingredient and primary protein choice, as well as lots of healthy produce and whole grains, including brown rice, sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, spinach, blueberries and others. It’s also enriched with vitamins, minerals and beneficial supplements such as L-Carnitine, which helps dogs burn fat more efficiently. Importantly, it’s free from by-product meals, wheat, soy, and artificial flavors and preservatives.

Take a look at our Blue Buffalo Dog Food Review.

If your Aussie has a sensitive stomach and coat and skin issues, it’s a good idea to eliminate coarse grains from her diet and focus on other wholesome foods and ingredients. The Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch can help you with that – this grain-free, high-protein formula is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help promote the well-being of canines. It’s a perfect Australian Shepherd dog food choice, especially for animals who struggle with digestive issues.

The formula contains herring, salmon and whitefish meals as its primary protein sources, which makes it rich in healthy fats, particularly beneficial for skin and coat health. It also contains quite a few fruits and veggies, including peas, blueberries, cranberries, apples, carrots, spinach and others. The food is also enriched with minerals, vitamins and supplements, including L-Carnitine which helps support lean muscle mass. What this dry dog food doesn’t contain is grains, gluten and potatoes. Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch is one of 5 dog food recipes mentioned in our Earthborn Holistic Dog Food Review.

For Aussies with serious digestive issues and food allergies, dog foods packed with various ingredients are a no-no. For such sensitive canines, simple recipes containing only healthy, necessary ingredients are the best option. The Canidae Grain-free Pure Sky formula is exactly like that – with only eight key ingredients and whole foods for gentle digestion, this dog food is an excellent choice for all sensitive Australian Shepherds.

Fresh duck is the first ingredient and the primary protein source is in this dry dog food. Turkey, sweet potatoes, peas, chicken fat and alfalfa are also a part of the ingredients list, and so are the added supplements, including minerals and vitamins and a probiotics mix. This high-protein food helps highly active canines develop and maintain muscle mass while promoting healthy digestion. Importantly, this simple recipe limited in ingredients doesn’t translate to bland taste – whether or not your pooch is grain-sensitive, he’ll love the delicious taste of this food.

Find out more about CANIDAE Dog Food.

If your Aussie is an older dog or a senior who still loves running around like he’s a young pup, the Hills’ Science Diet Adult 7+ Active Longevity food may be the perfect food choice for him. This formula provides precisely balanced nutrition for older dogs that promotes well-being and youthful energy. But importantly, it’s not high in calories – particularly important for senior dogs.

Chicken, whole grains, vegetables and fruits, including whole grain wheat, sorghum, barley and oats, apples, broccoli, carrots and cranberries, make the basis of this delicious dry dog food. Naturally packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, including L-Carnitine that supports healthy weight, it’s clinically proven to promote health of older canines, including senior Aussies. Importantly, this biology-based formula is free of artificial fillers, including colors, flavors and preservatives.

Read our full brand review.

Wellness Pet Food are well-known for their healthy, quality dog foods, and this particular recipe, Core Original, is no exception. If you have a growing Australian Shepherd dog, you need to focus on foods that are high in protein and that contain a wide array of nutrients, such as this formula. Containing lots of quality meat, this grain-free dry dog food is best suited for still developing or adult dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Turkey and chicken are the primary protein sources here, but ingredients such as peas, potatoes, flaxseed, salmon oil, spinach, broccoli, apples, blueberries, kale and other are also a part of the ingredients list, making this formula packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Of course, the product also contains added supplements, including probiotics for gentle digestion and Glucosamine and Chondroitin for healthy joints. The food doesn’t contain meat by-products, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Wellness CORE Original Deboned Turkey is one of 5 dog food recipes included in our Wellness Core Dog Food Review.

If your Aussie puppy is a picky eater, you need to focus on highly palatable, but still healthy and nutritionally-complete dog foods that will help her grow into s healthy, happy adult dog. The Purina Pro Plan Savor puppy dog food is such formula – delicious, nutritious and easily digestible, this is one of the best Australian Shepherd puppy foods on the market, especially for fussy eaters who demand only the most delectable formulas.

Made with chicken (first ingredient), fish meal and oil, grains, and important supplements, including probiotics for healthy digestion, this dry dog food has everything a growing puppy needs. Rich in protein and healthy fats, it supports muscle development and skin and coat health, while added vitamins, minerals and antioxidants support puppy’s developing immune system. Since the formula doesn’t contain veggies and fruits but instead a bunch of tasty ingredients, it’s best suited for super-picky pups who love delicious foods more than anything.

You may also like our guide on the Best Dog Food for Picky Eaters.

Just because your Aussie Shepherd is a tiny pup at the moment, doesn’t mean his nutritional needs are also small. In fact, puppies (as well as pregnant and nursing dogs) have the biggest nutritional needs as they’re still growing and developing. That’s why they need healthy, nutrient-rich foods that will support their high energy needs. And the Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition is the perfect formula for that – with plenty of protein and healthy fats packed into small kibble size, this is one of the best dog foods for mini Aussies.

Chicken meat, grains, fish oil and chicken fat make the basis of this nutrient-packed formula which is guaranteed to satisfy your little Aussie’s big appetite. This highly palatable food is also fortified with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which combined support proper development of the puppy’s immune system. Among many supplements, this puppy food contains L-Carnitine and taurine, ingredients known to help with fat metabolism and heart health. Royal Canin Small Puppy Dry Dog Food is one of the top 10 dog foods presented in our Royal Canin Dog Food Review.

If you want premium quality ingredients in your dog food, you need to check out Orijen. The company is well-known for using only fresh, wholesome foods in their pet formulas, and this particular Original recipe is no exception. Made with a host of nutrient-rich ingredients, this biologically appropriate, high in quality protein dog food is one of the best things you could serve your Australian Shepherd.

Packed with wholesome foods, including whole poultry, various fish, whole red and green lentils, whole peas and beans, pumpkin, butternut squash, kale, spinach, apples, pears and many other, this dry dog food has everything an adult Assie needs, and then some. Because it’s naturally full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, this kibble contains only one supplement – zinc. Needless to say, it’s free from anything artificial. Orijen dog foods are a bit more expensive than usual, but considering the number of quality ingredients they contain, it’s really no wonder. ORIJEN Original Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is one of 5 recipes included in our review of the Orijen Dog Food.

If you’re looking for a highly palatable wet dog foot at a reasonable price, you’ve found it – the Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Wet Dog Food is made with beef, chicken and rice, making it highly delicious in dog-terms, while added supplements make it nutritionally complete. This tasty formula is best suited for picky Aussies who prefer wet foods, or like it mixed with their regular kibble.

This dog food’s first ingredient is real beef, making it moderately high in protein for wet foods. Liver and meat products, including chicken, as well as rice, make the rest of the ingredients. Of course, the formula is also fortified with important vitamins and minerals, including vitamins E, D, A and B vitamins, and minerals zinc, potassium, manganese, calcium and others. The best way to use this tasty wet dog food is to either mix it with your dog’s favorite kibble or as a stand-alone meal, depending on your dog’s current nutritional needs. Purina Pro Plan Savor Classic Beef & Rice is one of 5 dog food recipes mentioned in our Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Review.