Australian Shepherds, also called Aussies, are a fun dog breed. These dogs fall somewhere in between medium and large breeds and are known for their exceptional intelligence and natural herding instincts.
So, you can expect the dogs to have a whole lot of energy.
And while this makes for great fun, this also means you need to feed them the right type of food. This is to ensure that all their nutritional needs are met and that you allow the dog to live the healthiest life possible.
But what kind of food meets an Australian Shepherd’s nutritional needs? On that note, do Australian Shepherds even have specific nutritional needs?
Like any dog, most Australian Shepherds require a balanced diet to sustain their energy and stay healthy. And in this article, we’ll be discussing the specific nutritional needs of Aussies and a couple of tips to find the best dog food for your canine.
What Are an Australian Shepherds Nutritional Needs?
One of the best ways to determine what kind of food your dog needs is their size and habits. Generally, Aussies are medium-sized dogs, though some grow to be a bit larger than usual. On top of that, these are naturally active and energetic pets, so you can expect them to require a fair amount of food. Some specific brands, like Spot and Tango, have food indications specifically for that breed so you can look them up.
Since dogs are natural carnivores, Australian Shepherds require high-quality animal proteins in their diet. Additionally, they also need a healthy balance of fatty acids to keep them energized and healthy.
On top of that, Australian Shepherds have a double coat. This means that they need extra support in their diet to keep their coat as healthy as possible.
If you have a very active Aussie, you need to provide them with a fair amount of carbohydrates and fiber to promote a healthy metabolism. With that said, make sure not to feed your pet too much plant material, as dogs have a hard time digesting it.
Whole grains should be no problem for a dog to digest. The FDA is currently investigating a potential link between heart disease and grain-free dog food, which is why we recommend keeping your dog away from grain-free food.
These are the basic nutritional needs of an Australian Shepherd. This can serve as a good benchmark for deciding what to feed them, but keep in mind that you may have to make some adjustments depending on the tastes and needs of your specific pet.
Understanding Canine Nutrition
When determining what to feed a dog, the Association of American Feed Control Officials’ guidelines for canine diets is a great place to start. The guide recommends feeding your puppies a 22% animal protein diet. This is one of the primary nutritional needs of all canines and shouldn’t be skipped over.
When they reach adulthood, you can reduce the protein down to 18%, but it should still be their food staple. So, while all dogs have their own unique needs and concerns, keep in mind that animal protein is a constant for all canine diets.
Figuring Out Your Aussie’s Nutritional Needs
When building a diet plan for your Aussie, you need to consider their own unique needs and tastes. This is because Aussies are very special and hyper dogs, and the amount and type of food you feed them depend on their size and activity.
To start, you need to make sure to check out the nutritional needs of your dog based on its age. Puppies and adult dogs require different food to sustain their lifestyle, which is very important to remember.
Additionally, it might be a good idea to weigh your Aussie. This will give you an idea of how much food they need and whether they are within the ideal weight range for their size and age.
Lastly, you need to consider how much your dog runs around and plays. Since Aussies are naturally hyper and energetic dogs, there’s a high chance that your dog shares these traits. And if you believe that your Aussie runs around a lot, then they need a lot of food to give them the energy they need.
However, if you have an older pet that isn’t as hyper anymore and prefers resting most of the day, then you might have to put them on a tighter diet. This is to ensure that they don’t eat too much and start gaining weight, which could lead to a host of problems.
Conclusion
Your pet’s diet is the one thing you can control to ensure that they live a happy, long, and healthy life. This is why you need to create a proper diet plan whenever you bring an Australian Shepherd into your home.
While they don’t have any hyper-specific needs, these dogs are on the larger side of medium and have a lot of energy. This is why they require high-quality dog food with a fair amount of animal protein to power them throughout the day!
