Do you have an Australian Shepherd at home? So, you already know that their loyal and energetic nature makes them a popular and much-loved dog breed.
Like all herding dogs, Australian Shepherds need a high-quality diet that’s rich in protein and healthy fats. This diet is essential for their energy levels and supporting their double-thick and glossy coat.
It’s one thing to know what type of diet your Australian Shepherd needs, but it’s quite another selecting the correct dog food from the grocery store shelves. Every bag of dog food undoubtedly claims to be the “best,” and it’s rare to find a bag of food that says explicitly, “Pick me; this is the best food for Australian Shepherds specifically!”
Then, of course, there’s the element of considering your particular dog. While Australian Shepherds (and other breeds of dogs) have a similar nature, each dog has its own personality and dietary requirements.
What one Australian Shepherd finds delicious, another may not like at all – that’s picky eaters for you! Some dogs may have more than just fussy eating for you to worry about.
At Spot & Tango, we believe in creating dog food that’s good enough for humans to eat. That’s why we use only the finest human-grade ingredients. We understand that every dog is different, and as such, what’s the perfect dog food for one dog is just not suitable for another.
To help you select the best dog food for your Australian Shepherd based on your dog’s specific needs, requirements, and stage of life, we have pieced together this helpful dog food guide and review.
We’ve selected three best wet dog foods and three best dry dog foods for Australian Shepherds. Check it out below.
Best Dog Foods for Australian Shepherds
To help with your selection of the best dog food for your Australian Shepherd, here are our picks in 2022.
Our Top 3 Wet Dog Foods
- All Around Favorite: Beef & Millet
- For Allergies: Lamb & Brown Rice
- For Seniors: Turkey & Red Quinoa
Our Top 3 Dry Dog Foods
We’ve picked these food options with your Australian Shepherd in mind. Whether you’re a pet parent to a pup or a senior dog, rest assured that the food options you’re about to discover will cater perfectly to their needs.
Best Wet Dog Food for Australian Shepherds
To get our list off to a good start, we’re starting with our range of fresh wet dog food for Australian Shepherds. This range of food is frozen to seal in the freshness of the all-human-grade ingredients.
Once you’ve selected the right option for your pet, we will package it and send it to your door. You can store these wet food meals in your freezer and simply defrost them when it’s time for your pet to eat.
Besides that, due to the freshness of our ingredients, Spot & Tango food has a delicious aroma that will appeal to your pup’s dazzling sense of smell. They will be so pleased about it, that they will recognize it when you refill their bowl with another S&T meal.
For those who prefer scooping and serving dry food, after all, it’s so convenient; simply scroll down to our section on best dry dog food for Australian Shepherds, where you find our top pick of three options.
Here is our pick for the best dog all-rounder favorite food for an Australian Shepherd dog:
Spot & Tango Beef & Millet Wet Food
Clean ingredients combined with the most popular protein on the market.
Ingredients: |
Beef, Millet, Cranberries, Carrots, Spinach, Parsley, Peas, Eggs, Safflower Oil, Vegetable Stock, Apple Cider Vinegar, Vitamins and Minerals. |
Why we love it:
- Contains 50% USDA-approved high-quality ground beef
- Easy to chew and digest
- Includes gluten-free carbs (millet)
The Beef & Millet wet food is such a great all-rounder food because it’s complete and balanced and absolutely delicious. Not many Australian Shepherds will reject a bowl of Spot & Tango Beef & Millet.
Experienced vet nutritionists have carefully created this meal. As a result, it’s the ideal food for Australian Shepherds at any stage of life, including puppies, adults, and senior dogs.
We only use human-grade fresh ingredients, including USDA-grade beef and prime quality veggies too. Millet, which is a grain-free carbohydrate (it’s actually a seed), is ideal for dogs with sensitivities to gluten and grains.
Unlike other “grain-free” dog foods on the market, the Beef & Millet wet food does not contain unhealthy fillers and additives, meaning that this is the best possible grain-free food choice for your Australian Shepherd.
For a healthy dose of antioxidants, we have included cranberries in the ingredients. These are ideal for restoring active muscles and reducing any inflammation in your dog’s system.
Each and every ingredient in the Beef & Millet recipe is cooked separately to perfection before being combined. This is the best way to lock in flavors and ensure the goodness of the ingredients isn’t lost by overcooking.
Try the Beef & Millet today, and if your Australian Shepherd doesn’t love it, we will give you a refund.
Best Wet Dog Food for Australian Shepherds with Allergies
Spot & Tango – Lamb & Brown Rice
A novel protein source for American Shepherds who have common allergies
Ingredients: |
Lamb, Brown Rice, Blueberries, Carrots, Spinach, Eggs, Peas, Parsley, Safflower Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Vegetable Stock, Vitamins and Minerals. |
Why we love it:
- Soft, easy to digest texture
- Includes human-grade lamb, a good source of protein for dogs
- Includes gluten-free brown rice for allergy-prone dogs
Dogs with allergies go through a world of pain. They itch, they scratch, and worst of all, you have to watch the discomfort helplessly.
One of the best ways to assist your Australian Shepherd with allergies is to eliminate food from your pet’s diet that may spark an allergic reaction.
However, eliminating allergy-inducing foods doesn’t mean that your Australian Shepherd now has to eat every meal bland. Instead, choose a dog food that includes the right ingredients for allergy-prone dogs.
Australian Shepherds are a breed that may develop skin allergies. This often happens with chicken. In these instances, it’s best to choose a dog food that includes a non-chicken protein source.
If your dog is experiencing any allergic reactions to food, choosing the Spot & Tango Lamb and Brown Rice wet food is a good choice.
Developed by our very own vet nutritionists, the Lamb and Brown Rice is a perfectly complete and balanced meal providing hypoallergenic qualities for Australian Shepherd puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs too.
Let your Australian Shepherd try out our Lamb & Brown Rice wet food today. If your dog doesn’t like it, we’ll give you a refund!
Best Wet Dog Food for Australian Shepherd Seniors
Spot & Tango – Turkey & Red Quinoa
A recipe that checks all the boxes for older Australian Shepherds
Ingredients: |
Turkey, Red Quinoa, Spinach, Apple, Eggs, Peas, Parsley, Carrots, Safflower Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Vegetable Stock, Vitamins and Minerals. |
Why we love it:
- Includes turkey, a hypoallergenic poultry meat
- A good source of antioxidants
- Includes a gluten-free carbohydrate (red quinoa)
- Easy to chew and digest
Australian Shepherds have a life expectancy of about 12-15 years if well cared for, but their dietary needs will change as they age. You must give them the best food for them to have the best quality of life.
You may start to notice that your Australian Shepherd will slow down a little later in life and may even start to have some trouble with their joints in the elbows and hips.
This is often the result of a highly active lifestyle throughout their upbringing. If and when they do slow down, you should monitor your dog’s calorie intake to avoid obesity, which would put further stress on their joints.
A diet that is high in the vitamins and minerals needed to support your aging dog will be very important. Australian Shepherds will likely live a long and healthy life if you take good care of them, so giving them the best food available is of utmost importance.
The Turkey & Red Quinoa wet dog food is designed with the specific nutritional requirements of senior dogs in mind. Now, your pet needs a diet that includes high-quality protein and a careful balance of carbohydrates, healthy fats, minerals, and vitamins to support this next life stage.
That said, vet nutritionists carefully create the Turkey & Red Quinoa wet dog food with the needs of older and possibly sensitive dogs in mind.
Quinoa, which is an excellent source of protein, is also a superfood! And the apple content provides a great dose of antioxidants, essential for brain function and maintaining healthy muscles.
Give your dog a serving of the Spot & Tango Turkey & Red Quinoa, and if your pet doesn’t love it, we’ll give you your money back.
Best Dry Dog Food for Australian Shepherds
The Spot & Tango range of Unkibble is perfect for dogs who like dry food or a combination of wet and dry food. Unkibble is packed with fresh, whole-food ingredients and doesn’t include any questionable fillers and low-quality animal by-products.
The unique Fresh Dry™ process used also ensures that while the kibble is crunchy and dry, none of the nutrients are lost.
You can store the Spot & Tango Unkibble in your pantry, garage, or closet – as long as it is a clean, dry space.
Best Dry Dog Food for Australian Shepherds on a High Protein Diet
Spot & Tango – Beef & Barley
Loaded with healthy beef protein for your Australian Shepherd
Ingredients: |
Beef, Barley, Beef Liver and Heart, Beets, Green Beans, Carrots, Cranberries, Green Beans, Rosemary, Kelp, Mix Tocopherols, Salt, Vitamins, and Minerals. |
Why we love it:
- High-quality organ protein provides a provide boost
- Includes green beans for added vitamins and irons
The Australian Shepherd is considered an energetic dog, and thus your Australian Shepherd could benefit from a high-protein diet.
A dog food rich in high-protein helps to build muscle and support the energy levels of an energetic Australian Shepherd.
Furthermore, the calories in high-protein dog food are more efficiently used by an energetic dog like the Australian Shepherd. In fact, dogs that don’t receive enough protein can actually experience muscle loss and see a noticeable drop in energy levels.
Lastly, high-protein dog food that’s optimal for the Australian Shepherd is low in carbohydrates. Carbs are a non-essential component of a healthy diet for most dogs, but especially useful for energetic Australian Shepherds.
The Spot & Tango Beef & Barley Unkibble includes USDA-certified beef and a selection of nutrient-dense organ meat that’s delicious and highly beneficial to your pet. The recipe is also low in carbohydrates.
The grain component of the recipe is barley, which is low cholesterol, high fiber, healthy grain.
When these ingredients are paired with antioxidants and vitamins, they pack a powerful nutritional punch! And of course, there’s no real need to mention this, but we include no additives or sugars in our meals.
If your Australian Shepherd needs a high protein diet, serve up a bowl of Beef & Barley Unkibble. We are confident that your dog will love it!
Best Dry Dog Food for Australian Shepherds with Sensitive Stomachs
Spot & Tango – Chicken & Brown Rice
A “bland diet” that’s anything but bland
Ingredients: |
Chicken, Brown Rice, Apples, Chicken Liver and Gizzard, Carrots, Ginger Root, Sweet Potatoes, Sunflower Seeds, Mixed Tocopherols, Kale, Kelp, Salt, Vitamins, and Minerals. |
Why we love it:
- Delicious, yet gentle on the stomach
- Contains high-quality protein from chicken
- Includes ginger to ease digestion and reduce nausea
- Healthy brown rice in each piece of kibble
If you start to find that your Australian Shepherd is having stomach problems and you’ve taken them to the vet to rule out any health concerns, it may be time to start looking at their food.
While a typical Australian Shepherd may thrive on a diet high in protein and fat to support their muscular body, it may be that your dog just doesn’t need or desire such an intense lifestyle, and a diet that is extra high in protein may not be the best option for them.
While regular dog food available at the grocery store is undoubtedly filled with grain and potato, our Chicken & Brown Rice Unkibble is not!
We understand that a high-quality dog food designed by vet nutritionists specifically for sensitive stomachs is the only way to ensure that your Australian Shepherd can enjoy dinner time without vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea.
That’s why we developed our Chicken & Brown Rice Unkibble in the first place.
Each scoop is filled with vitamins, minerals, and easily digestible protein – what more could you want for your beloved pet!
Ready to try the Spot & Tango Chicken & Brown Rice Unkibble? Serve it to your dog today and witness the happiness in each bite.
Best Dry Dog Food for Overweight Australian Shepherds
Spot & Tango – Duck & Salmon
Lean proteins and tapioca fiber to help manage your pup’s weight
Ingredients: |
Duck, Salmon, Apples, Carrots, Spinach, Flax, Sweet Potatoes, Parsley, Chia Seeds, Kelp, Salt, Tapioca, Mixed Tocopherols, Vitamins, and Minerals. |
Why we love it:
- Includes two high-quality protein sources
- Incorporates healthy grain-free carbohydrates
- Includes a healthy dose of fiber and vitamins
Just like humans, Australian Shepherds can put on extra weight if they overeat or eat the wrong food.
According to data from the 2018 Pet Obesity Survey, more than 50% of dogs in the United States are overweight. This means that these dogs are at risk of heart failure, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis.
An overweight Australian Shepherd is at risk of a reduced lifespan and a poor quality of life if you don’t act immediately.
At Spot & Tango, we recognized the problem in commercial dog foods packed with questionable fillers and additives. We came up with our own solution – a vet nutritionist designed dog food that’s low on potato and grain fillers and rich in nutrients.
Your healthy, active, and maturing Australian Shepherd must have a balanced and complete diet with the inclusion of fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and lean meat. That’s everything you will find in the Duck & Salmon Unkibble!
While being prime protein sources, duck and salmon are also great sources of iron and omega-3s for dogs.
The grain-free recipe makes it perfect for dogs with food allergies and sensitive skin, and the carbohydrates (in the form of flax and tapioca) will ensure that your dog’s tummy feels nice and full for longer. The lean protein and tapioca fiber will help your overweight Australian Shepherd to slim down.
Each bag of Duck & Salmon Unkibble is provided with a custom scoop so that you can measure and serve just the right amount of food for your Australian Shepherd based on weight, age, and energy levels.
If it’s time to get your Australian Shepherd’s weight under control, give the Duck & Salmon Unkibble a try. Your dog will fall in love with this recipe!
Final Thoughts
The Spot & Tango range of fresh wet and dry Unkibble meal choices is designed for Australian Shepherds at every stage of life.
There isn’t a specific food for all Australian Shepherds. You should adapt the meals to your pup’s age, level of activity and dietary needs and allergies. That way your Australian Shepherd will be having the nutrients needed to live a healthy and long life.
Whether you’re looking for a good all-rounder, a high-protein diet, or food for allergies and sensitive stomachs, the Spot & Tango range is a fine choice.
You may also decide to switch the food you give your dog from time to time, to make their meals more interesting and fun.
Consider taking our quiz and plan your dog’s meals according to what is perfect for your dog’s personality and specific needs. There is a multiple recipe selection, so you can make your choices twice or three times tastier!
Check out Spot & Tango website and let us help you to find the best food for your Australian Sherpherd dog!