Fresh dog food for Australian Shepherds

Australian Shepherds are built for activity – whether it’s herding, agility, or running. To keep up, they need vet-formulated meals to fuel sustained energy, strong joints, and a healthy body.  

Learn why fresh dog food is the ideal diet for your Aussie.

What’s the best dog food for Australian Shepherds?

The best dog food for Australian Shepherds is complete and balanced, with nutrient levels suited to their activity, health concerns, and life stage.

But not all dog food is the same.

Essential nutrients are more easily absorbed if they’re delivered via highly digestible real ingredients. It’s the same principle as a healthy human diet.

Fresh dog food is made without artificial preservatives, sugars, or unnecessary fillers like beet pulp – ingredients commonly used in ultra-processed dry food.

Compared to raw food, gently cooked fresh meals can be easier on the stomach, while still maintaining nutrient integrity.

Why choose Lyka for healthy Australian Shepherds

Australian Shepherds have high energy demands and place consistent stress on their joints, which makes optimal nutrition essential. Their diet plays a key role in supporting mobility, maintaining a healthy weight, and promoting long-term wellness.

Lyka dog food is designed for active dogs like Australian Shepherds. Each meal is formulated by Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists for targeted support across key areas of Aussie health.

Joint support for active Aussies

Australian Shepherds are the ultimate athletes, depending on strong joints to stay active. But they can be prone to hip dysplasia and arthritis, making joint care vital. Lyka meals include Omega-3 (EPA and DHA) from fish oil or algae oil, to help manage inflammation, while high-quality protein maintains muscle mass for stablised joints.

Healthy weight management

Even highly active Australian Shepherds can gain weight if their calorie intake consistently exceeds their needs. Maintaining a lean body condition reduces unnecessary strain on joints and supports long-term mobility. Each Lyka meal offers balanced macronutrients and low-GI carbohydrates for steady energy and metabolic stability. Your Aussie’s Lyka plan is personalised based on their size, activity level, and health to ensure appropriate calorie intake with some space for an occasional treat.

Active ingredients for oral health

Dental disease is one of the most common health conditions in dogs, with up to 80–90% affected by age three. While brushing and regular veterinary dental care are essential, the right nutrition can help support your Australian Shepherd’s oral health. Lyka meals include kelp (Ascophyllum nodosum), an ingredient associated with reduced plaque and tartar accumulation.

Supports gut and digestive health

Digestive health plays a key role in your dog’s nutrient absorption, immune function, and overall wellbeing. Lyka meals contain naturally occurring prebiotics from fibre-rich wholefood ingredients (like psyllium husk and a variety of fruits and vegetables) that help support a healthy, balanced gut microbiome.

Better for them. Easier for you.

Healthier dog food, delivered conveniently on a flexible plan.

A healthy dog running down the hallway
A person holding a bowl of Lyka dog food
Perfectly portioned.

Just peel and serve.

1

Choose your flexible meal plan

Get a custom meal plan based on your dog’s health needs.

2

Cooked daily, delivered direct

Meals are prepared daily, snap-frozen and delivered direct.

3

Enjoy total flexibility and control

Switch up meals, skip an order, pause, delay or cancel.

Real food. Real results.

With over 27 million Lyka meals devoured around the country, hundreds of Dachshunds are thriving with better weight management, shiny coats, and healthy teeth.
4.9/5 on Trustpilot
4,200+ reviews

FAQs

What's the best dog food for Dachshunds with IVDD?

With their short legs and long bodies, it’s no surprise where their ‘sausage dog’ monikers have come from. But their body shape can cause problems: up to one-quarter of Dachshunds suffer from clinical signs relating to Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).

So, what should sausage dogs with IVDD eat? Lyka meals are rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients like omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil and sardines, to reduce painful inflammation and support your Dachshunds' spinal health.

Do different dog breeds need different food?

Different dog breeds don't need different food, as long as their meals provide for their daily nutritional and energy needs.

How do I choose the right diet for my Australian Shepherd?

When choosing Australian Shepherd dog food, look for minimally processed food made with real, whole ingredients and formulated to be nutritionally complete.

Kibble is convenient but highly processed. Raw diets retain nutrients but may not suit all dogs. Home-cooked meals can lack balance unless guided by a veterinary nutritionist.

Lyka meals are formulated by Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists and made with gently cooked, real food ingredients.

Are there specific nutrients that Australian Shepherds need more of?

Active breeds, like Australian Shepherds, benefit from nutrients that support recovery and mobility. Omega-3 fatty acids help regulate inflammation, while antioxidants support cellular health. Nutrients such as taurine and L-carnitine also play a role in supporting heart health and energy metabolism.

Are grain-free diets better for Australian Shepherds?

Not necessarily. If your dog has a grain allergy or sensitivity, then a grain-free diet can help. But some grain-free diets have simply replaced grain with a high proportion of legumes that can cause digestive issues and have been linked to an increase in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

How much protein, carbs and fats should my Australian Shepherd be eating?

Australian Shepherds benefit from a high-protein, low-fat diet with balanced, low-glycaemic index carbohydrates.

What are the most common diet concerns for Australian Shepherds?

Whether your Aussie is a working dog or loves a long off-leash run, they need the right kind of diet to support their active bodies.

Diets containing high-glycaemic index carbohydrates are rapidly digested and can contribute to energy fluctuations and weight gain if not balanced with activity. Low-glycaemic index carbs provide a steadier release of energy.

Does my Australian Shepherd need a special diet to address future health concerns?

We want our dogs to live a long and healthy life. It’s much easier to maintain health than treat conditions when they arise. Feeding them a fresh food diet from an early age is part of a holistic approach towards preventative healthcare that helps reduce the risk of some chronic diseases over time. But it’s never too late for your Aussie to benefit from a change to fresh.

Do I need to give my Australian Shepherd extra supplements?

If your Australian Shepherd has a complete and balanced, nutrient dense diet, like Lyka, they’ll get all their daily requirements. But if your pup has a health condition, it can be helpful to give them targeted supplements for an extra boost.

Lyka’s Joint Supplement contains anti-inflammatory support to amplify the benefits of Lyka meals for improved mobility and joint function.