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When it comes to nutrition, all dogs share the same basic requirements for protein, fats, and carbohydrates. But it can still be helpful to consider breed-specific traits when selecting a food for your Australian Shepherd, since different formulas will cater to different health and behavioral tendencies.
Aussies are best known for their intelligence and boundless energy. They often work as herding dogs, and they sport a lustrous double coat that requires special care. As such, these medium-sized dogs do best on a diet that fuels their active lifestyle while strengthening muscles, protecting joints, and promoting skin and coat health.
There’s a wide range of good options available, which is great—but it can also complicate your search for the right dog food. To that end, we’ve surfaced ten AAFCO-compliant foods that speak to the particular needs of Australian Shepherds. Remember, your veterinarian is an excellent resource and can help you determine if one of these formulas is a good match for your Aussie. It’s always advisable to get the green light from them before proceeding with any diet changes.
Best For Working Aussies: Inukshuk 30/25 Professional Dry Dog Food
Many Aussies thrive when they have a job to do. If your Aussie herds livestock or performs in agility, they need a food that fuels their energy reserves and aids in muscle repair. This AAFCO-compliant formula is designed for medium to large dogs who are highly active. It packs in 578 calories per cup and a generous 33.33% protein on a dry matter basis. It also contains high fat, which is an important energy source for dogs.
Herring oil and flaxseed provide minimum levels of omega-3s (1.3%) and omega-6s (4.10%). These support your Aussie’s hard-working joints and keep their double coat shiny and healthy. You’ll also find nutrient-dense organ meat and taurine for heart health.
Key Nutrients:
- 578 kcal/cup
- Protein: 33.33%
- Fat: 27.78%
- Crude Fiber: 3.89%
Best for Aussie Puppies: Orijen Amazing Grains Puppy Food
To fuel growth and maintain energy levels, puppy foods like Orijen’s Amazing Grains contain more calories than adult food, plus higher fat content and balanced calcium levels. This puppy formula also delivers high levels of protein, making it a good fit for many active Aussie pups.
This food is comprised of up to 90% poultry and fish ingredients, including chicken, turkey, herring, mackerel, and salmon. This aids in muscle development and gives puppies the energy they need to explore. It also contains WholePrey ingredients like nutrient-dense organ meat.
In addition, this kibble is coated in a layer of freeze-dried raw for extra flavor. A fiber-rich grain blend of quinoa, chia, and whole oats contributes to a healthy digestive system. For developing joints and coats, it contains approximately 3% omega-6 fatty acids and 1.2% omega-3 fatty acids.
This food is on the pricey side, but plenty of pet parents stand by its benefits.
Key Nutrients:
- 528 kcal/cup
- Protein: 43.18%
- Fat: 22.73%
- Crude Fiber: 4.55%
- Calcium: 1.4%
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Best for Young Aussies: Purina Pro Plan Sport Performance 30/20 Dry Food
By the time your Aussie reaches maturity, usually around 18 months, it’s time to make the switch to adult food. At this stage, they’ll need fewer calories—but still enough to support an active lifestyle.
This high-protein food will power your young Aussie’s energetic capers while keeping muscles lean, strong, and capable of enduring vigorous activity. Glucosamine and fatty acids provide joint support. There are also amino acids that nourish and repair muscles after exercise.
Vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids contribute to a healthier coat. Plus, a healthful blend of antioxidants, B vitamins, and arginine promotes cognition, a helpful bonus during your Aussie’s training years.
If your dog likes variety, Purina carries this formula in several flavors, including Beef & Bison, Salmon & Cod, Salmon & Rice, and Turkey, Duck, & Quail.
Key Nutrients:
- 484 kcal/cup
- Protein: 34.09%
- Fat: 22.73%
- Crude Fiber: 3.41%
- Calcium: 1.3%
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Best for Senior Aussies: Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind 7+
Most Aussies are considered seniors when they’re about 9 years old. To keep them mobile well into their golden years, they need senior food that protects and nourishes their hard-working joints.
With EPA (an omega-3 fatty acid) and glucosamine, Purina’s Bright Mind formula should keep your older Aussie enjoying their favorite physical activities like hiking, swimming, and running. This recipe also provides lots of protein (32.95% on a dry matter basis) to help dogs maintain muscle mass as they get older. And to prevent weight gain, it has less fat and calories than the brand’s Sport formula.
Additionally, this formula includes antioxidants to bolster aging immune systems. Live probiotics keep the digestive system performing optimally, while Vitamin A and linoleic acid promote skin and coat health.
This food should also help maintain your clever Aussie’s brainpower with enhanced botanical oils that promote memory, attention, and trainability.
Key Nutrients:
- 423 kcal/cup
- Protein: 32.95%
- Fat: 15.91%
- Crude Fiber: 3.41%
- Calcium: 1.1%
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Best for Skin & Coat Health: Blue Buffalo True Solutions Perfect Skin & Coat
Good nutrition goes a long way towards maintaining your Aussie’s magnificent double coat. If they’ve been experiencing dry skin or brittle fur, your Aussie may benefit from a diet change.
Many pet parents report softer fur and less itching after transitioning to this formula. Created by a team of veterinarians and nutritionists, this omega-rich food is designed to strengthen the skin barrier and improve coat health.
The first two ingredients are salmon and salmon meal—lean proteins naturally abundant in skin-boosting omega fatty acids. There’s also fish oil for additional omega-3s and flaxseed for omega-6s. Blue Buffalo’s signature LifeSource Bits are included, too. These little morsels pack a punch of antioxidants.
Key Nutrients:
- 363 kcal/cup
- Protein: 26.67%
- Fat: 15.56%
- Crude Fiber: 5.56%
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Best for Food Allergies: Acana Singles Wholesome Grains L.I.D. Dry Food
Although food allergies are relatively rare in dogs, when they do occur it’s usually related to a common protein like chicken or beef. Most dogs can avoid future reactions by switching to a novel protein.
This lamb recipe is high in protein and contains omega fatty acids for joint and coat health. Protein comes from a single animal source, and the pared-down list of ingredients is gentler on dogs with sensitive systems.
Your Aussie’s digestive health is covered with a fiber-rich grain blend of oats, sorghum, and millet. A mix of prebiotics and probiotics, plus fiber-rich pumpkin, work together for better gut health.
For dogs allergic to lamb, the brand also carries a grain-inclusive duck formula. While less common, dogs with grain allergies may benefit from one of Acana’s grain-free options.
Key Nutrients:
- 371 kcal/cup
- Protein: 30.68%
- Fat: 19.32%
- Crude Fiber: 6.82%
- Calcium: 2%
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Best for Digestion: Wellness CORE Digestive Health
Aussies prone to digestive issues will benefit from a food that’s gentle on sensitive stomachs. Since a healthy digestive system is linked to improved vitality and higher energy levels, getting your Aussie’s tummy troubles resolved will make them feel their best.
Crafted with digestibility in mind, this formula is coated with probiotics and includes fiber-packed ingredients like pumpkin and papaya. Considerably lower fat levels also make it easier to digest. It nourishes a healthy gut microbiome with 100 million CFUs of beneficial microorganisms in every pound of kibble.
On top of improving your dog’s intestinal health, this food nourishes your Aussie’s lovely double coat with omega-3 fatty acids supplied by flaxseed. And strong joints are maintained with glucosamine from fish meal and chondroitin from herring meal.
Key Nutrients:
- 394 kcal/cup
- Protein: 33.33%
- Fat: 13.33%
- Crude Fiber: 4.44%
- Calcium: 2.2%
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Best Fresh: JustFoodForDogs Joint & Skin Support
Some Aussies will do well on fresh food as it tends to be higher in protein and aids in hydration. It’s also more palatable and a favorite among picky eaters.
Made with 100% human-grade ingredients, this recipe from JustFoodForDogs is formulated to promote healthy skin and joints. It can keep your active Aussie mobile with Type II Collagen, and it contains the brand’s exclusive Joint Care Plus supplement. Icelandic-sourced fish oil provides omega-3 fatty acids for joint health as well.
This food delivers an impressive 40.91% protein on a dry matter basis. It has a limited list of ingredients, and it’s lower in fat than most fresh foods, which makes it a good match for dogs with sensitive tums.
Key Nutrients:
- 1143 kcal ME/kg; 32 kcal ME/oz
- Protein: 40.91%
- Fat: 11.36%
- Crude Fiber: 9.09%
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Best Dry Food: Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon & Ancient Grains
Plenty of dogs thrive on dry kibble, and many pet parents prefer it because it’s convenient and generally more affordable. This formula from Open Farm features high levels of protein and moderate fat content. With salmon leading the list of ingredients, it’s also packed with omega-3 fatty acids to encourage healthy joints.
A healthful blend of ancient grains, including millet, quinoa, sorghum, and chia seeds add additional protein, fiber, iron, and B vitamins. Ingredients like pumpkin and apples add fiber, and coconut oil brings omega-9 fatty acids to the table. This digestible addition provides an excellent source of energy.
Key Nutrients:
- 3745 Kcal/kg
- Protein: 32.07%
- Fat: 16.74%
- Crude Fiber: 2.17%
- Calcium: 1.79%
Best Raw: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Super Beef Dinner Patties
While raw food won’t be a good match for every dog (especially puppies or immunocompromised dogs), pet parents who prefer raw food report benefits that will be of particular interest to folks with Aussies. Anecdotal evidence points to enhanced skin and coat health, higher energy levels, and improved digestion in dogs who’ve switched to raw.
Stella & Chewy prioritizes safety, and these freeze-dried patties undergo high-pressure processing to eliminate dangerous bacteria. Every recipe is then tested by a third party for Salmonella, E.coli, and Listeria.
Convenience-wise, these freeze-dried patties are hard to beat. Unlike frozen raw formulas, they don’t need to be refrigerated or stored in the freezer—a major win when you’re feeding a larger dog with a considerable appetite. They also meet AAFCO standards for complete and balanced nutrition.
Comprised of 95% beef, nutrient-rich organs, and bones, these patties contain tons of protein and higher-than-average fat levels, which is ideal for energetic dogs. They also include taurine, probiotics, and antioxidants. For variety, Stella & Chewy carry many other protein options, including novel proteins like rabbit, duck, and venison.
Key Nutrients:
- Protein: 46.32%
- Fat: 36.84%
- Crude Fiber: 5.26%
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How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts. We prioritized high-protein foods with higher-than-average fat and calorie levels to meet the high energy needs of Aussies. In addition, we included foods with omega fatty acids and glucosamine for joint support. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.