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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is an athletic, tireless herding dog with a high-octane metabolism and joints that work hard every single day — which makes feeding one a question of fueling real work, not just filling a bowl.

Here is exactly how to feed an Aussie on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the clean protein and joint-supporting nutrition an active working build depends on.

  • Adult weight40–65 lb
  • SizeMedium
  • EnergyVery High
  • Lifespan12–15 years
  • CoatDouble, water-resistant — heavy seasonal shedder
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A healthy Australian Shepherd
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Australian Shepherd's body needs

Every Australian Shepherd trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • High-drive working athlete

    Needs: High-quality animal protein & fat

    83% meat, organs and ground bone delivers the dense, clean fuel an Aussie burns through — steady all-day energy from real food, not the carb fillers that spike and crash.

  • Hip & elbow dysplasia risk

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

    Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, while omega-3s help calm joint inflammation — and keeping an Aussie lean takes daily load off those hard-working joints.

  • Water-resistant double coat, heavy seasonal shedder

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, easing the blow-out shedding Aussies are known for in spring and fall and keeping the merle coat dense and glossy.

  • Can gain weight as they age

    Needs: Measured, calorie-honest portions

    Aussies slow down before their appetite does. Freeze-dried raw is fed by weight, so portions stay precise and a maturing Aussie holds the lean, visible waist that protects its joints.

  • Eye-health predisposition

    Needs: Whole-food antioxidants & omega-3

    A minimally processed diet rich in real organ meats and fish-sourced omega-3 supplies the natural antioxidants and DHA that support overall ocular health through life.

How much to feed a Australian Shepherd

Quick answer: a healthy adult Australian Shepherd (40–65 lb) needs about 6.0–9.8 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
40 lb 6.0 oz 3.0 oz
46 lb 6.9 oz 3.5 oz
52 lb typical Australian Shepherd 7.8 oz 3.9 oz
58 lb 8.7 oz 4.4 oz
65 lb 9.8 oz 4.9 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Australian Shepherd

For an Australian Shepherd we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — or as a high-value topper while you transition.

Richer recipes like Beef or Salmon suit hard-working, high-mileage Aussies, while leaner Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod helps the easy-keepers and weight-watchers. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Australian Shepherds

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Daily support for Australian Shepherds

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Treats Australian Shepherds love

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Feeding a Australian Shepherd by life stage

  • Puppy: Aussie puppies are athletic but should grow steadily, not explosively, to protect developing hips and elbows. Feed roughly 5–8% of current body weight across 3–4 meals, and hold off on high-impact running and long hikes until they finish growing around 12–16 months.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two meals, and flex the amount with the season's activity. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not the bag.
  • Senior: Many Aussies stay energetic well into their senior years, but metabolism eventually dips. Trim portions to hold a lean weight, keep protein high to preserve working muscle, and lean into joint-supporting nutrition.

Common Australian Shepherd concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip & elbow dysplasiaLargely genetic, but lean body weight plus joint nutrients — natural glucosamine and chondroitin from bone and cartilage, and anti-inflammatory omega-3 — help support comfortable, lasting mobility in an active breed.
  • Weight gain with ageDespite their drive, maturing Aussies can put on weight as activity tapers. Measured raw feeding by weight keeps calories honest and protects the lean condition that eases joint load.
  • Heavy seasonal shedding & skin healthA water-resistant double coat sheds hard twice a year; a whole-food, omega-rich, low-filler diet supports the skin barrier and a dense, healthy coat from the inside out.
  • Eye-health predispositionAussies are prone to several inherited eye conditions. While diet cannot prevent genetic disease, whole-food antioxidants and omega-3 DHA support general ocular health alongside regular veterinary checks.
  • Sustained energy & lean muscleWorking and sporting Aussies run on clean animal protein and fat for sustained energy and muscle maintenance — not on carbohydrate fillers that burn fast and leave them flat.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Australian Shepherd: what to know

An Aussie's energy demands swing with the season and the job. A dog running flyball, herding, or hiking daily may need the top of its range; the same dog resting through a quiet winter needs noticeably less. Feed to the work in front of you, not a fixed number.

Because some Aussies become food-motivated gulpers and others quietly pack on weight in their middle years, weigh portions instead of eyeballing them and re-check the amount every few weeks — you should feel the ribs easily and see a waist from above.

Australian Shepherd feeding questions

How much should I feed my Australian Shepherd?
A healthy adult Aussie (40–65 lb) needs roughly 6–10 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble — feed to a lean waistline and adjust for activity every few weeks.
What is the best food for a high-energy, working Australian Shepherd?
An active Aussie thrives on a high-protein, high-fat complete diet. Richer freeze-dried raw recipes like Beef or Salmon supply the dense, clean fuel a working or sporting dog burns through, without the carb fillers that cause energy crashes.
Does an Australian Shepherd need joint support?
Most benefit from it, given the breed's hip and elbow risk and demanding activity. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your Aussie lean is the most effective joint protection there is.
How do I switch my Aussie to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Smart, food-motivated Aussies usually take to it quickly — it is rich, so start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline.
Why does my Australian Shepherd shed so much, and can food help?
Aussies blow their double coat heavily in spring and fall. Diet won't stop seasonal shedding, but a whole-food diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids feeds the skin barrier and supports a denser, glossier coat with less dry, excess fall-out.

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  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.