What Active Australian Shepherds Need From Their Meals Beyond Just More Food

Written by Kelly Gredner RVT, VTS (Nutrition)

This comprehensive Australian Shepherd feeding guide provides everything you need to know to properly nourish your energetic companion. From decoding food labels to adjusting portions for activity levels, we'll cover the specific dietary needs of Aussies at every life stage.

Your Australian Shepherd is more than just a strikingly beautiful dog; they are an active, intelligent companion whose health and vitality are closely linked to what’s in their bowl. Their energy and sharp intellect require thoughtful fuel. But this is where uncertainty often creeps in for owners. Are you feeding the right amount for their activity level?

Here at Tom&Sawyer, we understand these concerns and are dedicated to helping you provide the nutrition your Australian Shepherd needs to thrive.

That uncertainty can be resolved by one simple fact: at their core, Australian Shepherds are working dogs.

Their herding lineage helps explain their fuel requirements. It calls for a diet built around high-quality nutrition, not just more volume in their bowl. For a breed with this much drive, digestible protein matters for supporting lean muscle and everyday recovery.

And then there are the healthy fats.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids provide concentrated energy and help support skin, coat, and normal body function. This focus on quality ingredients aligns with the needs of an active dog, especially when paired with complete and balanced nutrition.

Science actually offers a clearer explanation for this. Dogs can use nutrients from both animal and plant sources, and carbohydrates can serve functional and energy roles in canine diets, even though dogs do not have a strict dietary requirement for carbohydrates in the same way they do for essential amino acids and fatty acids. ¹ In practice, this means an Aussie’s diet should be centered on complete nutrition: digestible protein, appropriate fat, useful energy sources, and a full spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals.

Once you understand your Aussie's nutritional requirements, the next question is how to best deliver them. The options can feel overwhelming. Let’s compare the most common types of dog food to help you make an informed choice for your active companion.

Kibble is easily the most popular choice for dog owners, and we understand why. It offers unmatched convenience, a long shelf life, and an affordable price point. But does that convenience come with trade-offs? Some dry foods are highly processed and low in moisture by design, which may matter for owners trying to support hydration and ingredient transparency. Quality varies widely from brand to brand, so the ingredient panel, calorie content, and nutritional adequacy statement matter more than the format alone.

High moisture in wet food is a great way to boost your dog's water intake. Plus, many picky eaters find it more appetizing. That said, there are a couple of practical trade-offs. Wet food is generally more expensive than kibble and must be refrigerated after opening. The soft texture also means you still need a consistent dental care routine rather than relying on the food itself to keep teeth clean.

The philosophy behind raw feeding is simple: provide a diet closer to what a dog’s ancestors ate. Some owners report seeing changes like improved coat appearance or stool quality. That said, the risks are significant. Sourcing, handling, and balancing a raw diet is complex, with a real danger of bacterial contamination for both dogs and humans, as well as nutritional imbalance if meals are not formulated correctly. ²

At Tom&Sawyer, our approach bridges the gap between raw and processed foods. We use human grade ingredients that are gently cooked to create complete, balanced meals with recognizable ingredients, while reducing the pathogen concerns associated with raw meat. This method provides the moisture of fresh food and the transparency of a whole-food diet. While it requires freezer space and is a premium investment, it offers balanced nutrition in a format many dogs find highly appealing.

Your Aussie’s nutritional requirements won’t stay the same forever. Their needs evolve. What fuels a rambunctious puppy is worlds away from what sustains a graceful senior dog.

Puppies are little energy furnaces. Their bodies are working overtime, requiring appropriate calories and protein to support growth. For medium-to-large, active breeds, however, this creates a specific challenge. Growth should be steady, not excessive. In growing dogs, excess calories or inappropriate mineral balance can contribute to orthopedic risk, and calcium and phosphorus levels should be appropriate for the puppy’s size and growth stage. ³ We have found that feeding these active youngsters three or four small, measured meals a day is a practical way to support steady intake and keep their digestive systems comfortable.

Once your Aussie reaches adulthood, the game changes from growth to maintenance. The goal now is to sustain lean muscle and everyday energy for every adventure.

Your dog’s activity level is the single biggest factor here. A working dog on a farm has vastly different caloric needs than a family companion who lives for weekend hikes. Their food portions should reflect that reality. One thing to be aware of is that energy needs can change after spaying or neutering, so you may have to adjust food intake to prevent weight gain. For most adults, two measured meals a day is plenty.

As your Australian Shepherd enters their senior years, activity level may decrease, which means their calorie needs may change and weight gain can become easier if portions are not adjusted. At the same time, preserving muscle mass becomes a top priority. This calls for high-quality, digestible protein and careful body condition monitoring. Foods that support aging joints, along with appropriate fiber for digestive regularity, may also be helpful depending on the individual dog and your veterinarian’s guidance.

Figuring out the right nutrition for your dog is a huge step, but it only solves half the puzzle. The practical question becomes, how much food actually goes into the bowl?

The guidelines printed on a bag or package of dog food are a decent starting point. But they are just that. A start. The real answer to "how much should my Australian Shepherd eat?" is always tailored to your individual dog's metabolism, age, body condition, and, most importantly, activity level.

Your dog’s body condition is your best guide. You should be able to feel their ribs without pressing hard and see a clear waistline from above. Adjust portions up or down to maintain this ideal state.

A common scenario is an owner with a very active Aussie simply increasing the volume of standard food. This isn't always the best approach.

A working dog’s diet is about much more than just calories. It has to provide complete nutrition that supports activity, body condition, and recovery. For the active Australian Shepherd, this proactive approach can be the key to a long, healthy life.

All that running and jumping puts stress on an Aussie's joints. One of the most practical things you can do is keep them lean, because excess weight can worsen mobility and joint stress. Hip dysplasia is a multifactorial condition influenced by hereditary factors, growth, exercise, and nutrition, so maintaining healthy weight and appropriate nutrition matters. ⁴

We build our recipes with this reality in mind. You'll find our formulas incorporate ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin, all chosen to support everyday mobility. Omega-3 fatty acids have research support as part of osteoarthritis management in dogs, although supplements and therapeutic diets should be discussed with your veterinarian. ⁵

For eye health, overall nutrition and veterinary screening matter more than any single ingredient. While our fresh meals are nutritionally complete, sharing a small snack can be a nice bonding moment. Just be cautious. Not everything on your plate is safe, and some common foods are very toxic to Australian Shepherds.

For a safe treat in moderation, consider these options:

Carrots, blueberries, or green beans

Plain cooked sweet potato

Apple slices (always remove the core and seeds)

Conversely, this list contains items you must never feed your Aussie, as they can cause serious harm:

Grapes and raisins

Chocolate

Onions, garlic, and macadamia nuts

Xylitol (a common sweetener)

Alcohol and cooked bones

If you suspect your dog has eaten something toxic, it is an emergency. Contact your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline immediately. Don't wait.

At Tom&Sawyer, we've crafted fresh, human grade meals with active breeds like yours in mind. No more guesswork, no more compromise — just thoughtfully portioned, nutrient-rich food that can match your Aussie's lifestyle.

Get started with Tom&Sawyer today . Join Australian Shepherd owners who've made the switch to fresh. Because your brilliant athlete deserves meals built with care.

Are Tom&Sawyer meals right for an Australian Shepherd puppy?

It depends. Australian Shepherd puppies grow quickly, and that rapid growth calls for extra calcium, phosphorus, and other nutrients to support healthy bone and joint development — which may be more than our regular meals provide on their own. We recommend speaking with your veterinarian about an Australian Shepherd’s specific needs. Tom&Sawyer® meals are formulated to support adult dogs, and some are also suitable for extra small, small, and medium breed puppies with the use of our Puppy Booster.

How should I feed Tom&Sawyer to my Australian Shepherd puppy?

Since every puppy’s needs are different, work with your veterinarian to confirm the right amount for your dog. You can use Tom&Sawyer meals as a topper to help support their nutrition during this stage.

What health concerns should Australian Shepherd owners keep in mind?

Hip dysplasia is a common concern for Australian Shepherds, and while it’s influenced by genetics, keeping your Aussie at a lean body weight is one of the most practical ways to reduce joint stress. Omega-3 fatty acids and joint-support nutrients may help as part of a broader mobility plan. Eye health is also worth monitoring in this breed — regular veterinary screening matters more than any single ingredient.

Kayser E. The role of carbohydrates in canine and feline nutrition. Journal of Animal Science. 2024. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11188962/

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Get the Facts! Raw Pet Food Diets can be Dangerous to You and Your Pet. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/get-facts-raw-pet-food-diets-can-be-dangerous-you-and-your-pet

VCA Animal Hospitals. Nutritional Considerations for Large and Giant Breed Dogs. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/nutritional-considerations-for-large-and-giant-breed-dogs

Merck Veterinary Manual. Hip Dysplasia in Dogs. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/arthropathies-and-related-disorders-in-small-animals/hip-dysplasia-in-dogs

Barbeau-Grégoire M, et al. A 2022 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Enriched Therapeutic Diets and Nutraceuticals for Canine and Feline Osteoarthritis. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9499673/