Smart, spirited and always on the move — Australian Shepherds are born to work hard and play hard. But with all that energy comes a higher demand for the right fuel. Behind every zoomie and focused gaze is a body that needs targeted nutrition to stay strong, sharp and healthy for the long run.
In this guide, we explore what optimum eating looks like for your Aussie, from high-quality protein and healthy fats to the nutrients that support joints and body condition. Whether you're navigating puppyhood or fine-tuning your adult dog’s diet, here's what to feed to help them thrive — not just keep up.
Read more: Australian Shepherd breed insights: care, personality & expert tips
How nutrition can help common Australian Shepherd health concerns
Joint issues
Australian Shepherds are an active breed and can be prone to hip dysplasia (where hip joints aren't developed properly) and arthritis. Joint-friendly nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids from fish and ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties like turmeric, can be incredibly beneficial.
Try this:
Include gently cooked meals with omega-3-rich fish oil, found in all Lyka meals (except Hypoallergenic Pro), to support joint health.
Lyka’s Joint Supplement is formulated with active ingredients like Green-lipped mussels and curcumin extract, known for their anti-inflammatory properties, to support joint health
Read more: Hip dysplasia: how can your dog’s diet help?
Overweight or obesity
Regular exercise and stimulation are key to a thriving Australian Shepherd. But if their exercise routine is lacking and they’re not on a portion-controlled diet, they can easily gain weight. Unnecessary weight gain can put additional strain on their backs and joints and can contribute to other health conditions.
Try this:
Custom-portioned, high-protein, low GI carbohydrate meals, like Lyka, provide your dog with all the steady energy they need to stay fit and healthy without risking overfeeding.
Read more: Lyka's vet guide to healthy dog weight (with charts and video)
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How to choose the best food for your Australian Shepherd
Fresh food, raw, wet or dry? Supermarket, pet shop, or delivered to your door? There are so many dog food options on the market — where do you begin?
Complete and balanced
Australian Shepherds, like all pups, need a complete and balanced diet containing the right nutrients in the right proportions.
Australia has pet food standards, but they’re largely unregulated. Many brands follow AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) or FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) guidelines.
Meeting AAFCO and FEDIAF standards is just the start. Lyka meals are formulated by a team of Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists to ensure they’re complete and balanced for all life stages.
Read more: Dog food ingredients: a glossary of common and confusing terms
Optimal nutrition for your Australian Shepherd
Not all dog food is created equally. Variety and quality of ingredients and cooking methods can all impact the nutrient availability of your dog’s food.
Many raw dog food options present a good balance of high-quality protein, fresh produce, and superfoods. But not all dogs can easily digest raw food, especially pups with a weakened immune system, or digestive issues.
Dry food (kibble) often contains high amounts of carbohydrates and synthetic vitamins and minerals. The animal protein used in kibble is often pet-grade, like meat meal or meat by-products, that vary in quality and are not subject to the same checks as human-grade meat. Kibble is usually cooked at high temperatures, which can reduce digestibility and can lead to the potential formation of harmful compounds, like acrylamides.
Home cooking can be a great option for your dog, but making sure each mouthful is complete and balanced is not easy to do without expert guidance.
Lyka meals are made using human-grade ingredients and are gently cooked then snap-frozen to retain their nutritional value and digestibility. Each meal is high in protein and custom-portioned to meet your dog’s daily needs.
Want to dig deeper into which type of food is best for your Australian Shepherd? We’ve created a series of guides to help you make an informed decision.
Read more: Freshly cooked vs kibble for dogs: which is better?
Read more: Freshly cooked vs raw meat for dogs: which is better?
Read more: Freshly cooked vs home cooking for your dog: which is better?
Read more: Freshly cooked vs wet food for dogs: which is better?
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How much food does an Australian Shepherd need?
Serving size recommendations based solely on weight don’t tell the full story. Your dog’s energy level, lifestyle and body condition score are all part of the picture.
That’s why Lyka calculates your Australian Shepherd’s portion sizes based on their personal profile, not just on their weight.
Establish a consistent feeding routine with your Australian Shepherd to support their digestion, especially if they have a sensitive stomach.
Do Australian Shepherd puppies and senior dogs need special food?
Not necessarily. Nutrient-dense, real food meals formulated for all life stages — like Lyka — cover the daily requirements of both growing pups and dogs in their golden years.
Read more: What should puppies eat? Expert nutrition tips for optimal development
Read more: Why real food is the healthiest choice for senior dogs
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New to Lyka? Let’s rethink dog food together
Parenting an Australian Shepherd comes with plenty of decisions. Choosing what’s in their bowl is one of the most important.
Designed by Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists and made with real, human-grade ingredients, Lyka meals are custom-portioned to match your dog’s needs.
Australian Shepherds across Australia are already thriving on Lyka — yours could be next.
Join our pack of proud Australian Shepherd parents today.
