Shetland Sheepdogs are intelligent, sensitive dogs that can be great friends or loyal protectors to their rightful owners. However, this breed of small Collie-like animals has an instinctive wariness towards strangers, making them perfect guard dogs!
If you have a sheltie, you know that they are active dogs that need a high-quality diet to stay healthy. But with so many dog food brands on the market, it can be hard to know what is best for your furry friend.
Never fear; we’re here to help. This blog post will share the best dog food brands for shelties. We’ll also suggest some tips on looking for good quality dog food to make the best choice for your pup.
Here are the 12 most popular dog foods for Shelties.
- Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream
- Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real
- American Journey Puppy Lamb & Sweet Potato
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
- Nulo Freestyle Senior Grain-Free
- CANIDAE PURE Petite Adult Small Breed
- Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Small Paws
- Purina Beneful Healthy Puppy With Farm-Raised Chicken
- Natural Balance LID. Limited Ingredient Diets Puppy
- VICTOR Purpose Nutra Pro Dry Dog Food
- Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food
- Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Shredded Blend Chicken
Taste Of The Wild Pacific Recipe
If you want to give your Sheltie a taste of the wild, then this is one option for him. It’s made with salmon and ocean fish meal which are both high-quality ingredients that will provide plenty of nutrients so he can grow up healthy!
The big, juicy flavor of the Sheltie will drive him wild. Plus, it’s full of omega fats that help your pup grow up healthy and strong!
It doesn’t contain any chicken, so everyone can enjoy this delicious fish dish without getting sick or allergic reactions from them too ( commonly used protein).
His stomach is supported with every bite, thanks to living, naturally occurring microorganisms.
For example, yucca schidigera helps reduce stool odor and gas, while sweet potatoes provide slow-release energy sources that are also grain-free for your pet’s healthy lifestyle!
Wild Feat is a natural food for your furry friend that provides antioxidants and probiotics to help your Shelties maintain digestive health.
Important minerals are combined with amino acids to be absorbed more efficiently, ensuring maximum benefit from this nutritious dish! This K9 Strain probiotic is made with species-specific strains that help support your pup’s health.
It also has antioxidants and prebiotics to provide a healthy environment for their immune system!
This product only comes from trusted sources, so you can feel good about giving them this supplement every day of the year.
Key Features:
- It contains real fish as the #1 ingredient
- High in protein (27%) to help support bones, joints, and lean muscles
- It is packed with vitamins and minerals from real fruits and superfoods
- It contains omega fatty acids for skin and coat health
- Nutrients for the energy your furry friend needs to thrive!
Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken And Sweet Potato
This recipe is excellent for smaller dogs like Shelties because the kibble pieces are small and crunchy.
It has potatoes, peas, or other legumes (like chicory root) instead of grains like rice which can make your pup’s digestive system runny!
Probiotic ingredients keep everything running smoothly, too- so this will be an excellent food choice.
This chicken recipe is a great way to get your child more of what they need – glucosamine for growing joints, apples, and blueberries that provide antioxidants that fight infection.
Plus, it has flaxseed oil rich in omega-3s!
Luckily, this delicious dry food for small puppies features real deboned chicken as the first ingredient and includes DHA to support healthy brain development.
In addition, it’s formulated with prebiotics and probiotics, so you can feel good about giving your pup something tasty without worrying if it’s safe enough!
This grain-free formula is also packed full of nutrients like omega-three fatty acids, which help keep skin supple or tooth decay, preventing properties that will keep his smile bright throughout life.
Key Features:
- Small breed puppies need a grain-free diet that is rich in protein.
- Their food uses deboned chicken as the first ingredient and is high in omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
- The kibble is small and crunchy, which helps reduce plaque and keep teeth clean.
- It is cooked in the USA in a facility that meets the highest quality and safety standards.
American Journey Puppy Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe
This recipe offers a delicious and healthy trio of meats with lamb, chicken meal (a high-quality protein), turkey, and Menhaden fish meal. Combine this with your pup’s favorite dishes for an extra boost in glucosamine content!
In addition, he gets all three types and flaxseed, which helps keep his coat shiny without any harmful chemicals found within commercial brands today like salmon oil. He can do so, too, by giving them more omega 3 fatty acids.
This recipe is a great way to get your Shelties all of the nutrients their body needs while still enjoying tasty treats!
It’s made with grain-free ingredients like peas and chickpeas, which provide an energy source and are rich in antioxidants.
In addition, the dried kelp gives them immunity support and calcium for strong bones.
These omega-3s come from several sources like salmon oil and flaxseed, which help keep your fellow adventurer’s skin healthy.
In addition, this recipe is grain-free with no corn or soy; it makes an excellent choice for puppies that can Easily be allergic to these foods due to their sensitive stomachs!
This recipe is an excellent option for those who love the big, meaty taste or larger Shelties with muscle mass.
Key Features:
- Grain-free & soy-free dog food for puppies
- Nutritionally dense with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
- Made with high-quality proteins including lamb, chicken, and salmon
- It helps to maintain a healthy immune system
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
The Blue Buffalo company is a leader in the pet food industry, focusing on holistic care for pets. The brand only uses quality ingredients and includes meat from real animals and whole grains to provide your furry friend with all of the nutrients they need!
In addition, with an exclusive blend called LifeSource Bits that Vets And Pet Nutritionists have approved, you can be sure it will make them happy.
This recipe is rich in protein and contains 16 different vitamins. Unfortunately, it also has fat, which helps you feel fuller for longer!
The list of healthy ingredients includes lamb meat (rich in iron), brown rice cakes made from raw grains high in fiber with no gluten or corn products used whatsoever; carrots provide beta-carotene to your diet while pumpkin provides vitamin A – all three support normal skin function too.
Some owners who switched their dogs to this brand after having trouble with other dry dog foods have noticed significant improvements in the stool quality and coat health of these pets.
Even picky eaters seem satisfied when they’re eating Blue Buffalo! It also has fresh fruits & vegetables for nutritional balance.
This provides essential vitamins like calcium needed when building new bone tissue and protection against tooth decay because it includes phosphorus in an appropriate ratio with other nutrients.
Hence, Shelties don’t get too much or lack any particular vitamin section.
Key Features:
- Healthy muscle development and energy levels with high-quality protein and carbs
- Strong bones and teeth with calcium, phosphorus, and essential vitamins
- Joint health and mobility support with glucosamine
- Immune system health with vitamins, chelated minerals, and antioxidants
- It has no corn, wheat, soy, or chicken (or poultry) by-product meals
Nulo Freestyle Senior Grain-Free
Nulo Freestyle is the first and only premium, all-natural dog food formulated with various ingredients to keep your pup healthy.
It’s free from unnecessary additives like artificial flavors or preservatives, so you can feel good about giving it as a treat!
In addition, the food is made without common allergens such as chicken and egg proteins, so it’s excellent for Shelties with allergies to these ingredients. It also contains glucosamine & chondroitin, which help promote joint health!
The Nulo Freestyle senior formula is made with wholesome vegetables and fruit fish meal for a balanced diet.
In addition, your aging dog will enjoy the added benefit of probiotics that help keep its tummy working well!
Good nutrition is the best way to enjoy an old dog’s longevity. This includes L-carnitine supplements that support metabolism and healthy bones, probiotic bacteria.
These aid in digestion by aiding 40 trillion cells per gallon of yogurt or other similar foods consumed daily (which most dogs don’t like), calcium for strong teeth. At the same time, phosphorus helps the immune system fight off illnesses!
Key Features:
- The grain-free senior diet helps dogs maintain healthy hips and joints
- It does not contain chicken or egg proteins which can cause allergic reactions in some dogs
- Includes glucosamine and chondroitin to support proper joint health
- It contains L-Carnitine to help an older dog’s metabolism stay strong
- Probiotics aid in proper digestion
- Calcium and phosphorus help maintain strong bones
CANIDAE PURE Petite Adult Small Breed Grain-Free
Give your furry friend a meal crafted with her health and overall well-being in mind. CANIDAE PURE Petite Adult Small Breed Grain Free Dog Food is made from only wholesome ingredients.
It includes potatoes, sweet potato & carrots to ensure maximum nutrition for small breeds who have sensitive stomachs or allergies without the worry of corn gluten content found within other brands’ recipes!
You can keep your pup fit with this limited ingredient of wet dog food! Made from real salmon, peas & lentils; raw coated for a wag-worthy taste; immunity-boosting antioxidants & probiotics to help support the immune system.
This delicious recipe is made with 8 key ingredients, starting from real salmon. It’s a grain-free freeze-dried kibble that raw coats to give your dog the wag-worthy taste they love!
The small size makes it perfect for adult dogs who are just getting started or have grown up too fast–you won’t be able to get enough of these tasty treats once you try them out yourself!.
Key Features:
- Grain-free and easy to digest
- It includes essential fatty acids for a healthy coat
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Made with sustainably sourced ingredients
Hill’s Science Diet Chicken Meal
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food provides you with a healthy and balanced lifestyle for your pup. Made from wholesome ingredients such as a savory chicken meal.
This nourishing recipe supports brain development by delivering precise nutrition essential in building up cells responsible for thinking skills like memory or decision-making abilities.
It also helps eyes stay strong against age-related diseases, which can affect both vision levels.
Hill’s Science Diet provides your dog with the nutrition he needs for a lifetime of health and happiness.
This canned food is manufactured in America, containing only top-quality ingredients that meet rigorous standards on purity and safety measures.
Every element meets these high requirements to ensure you’re giving yourself or your pup nothing but good times!
Milled specifically sized like human foods so small dogs can enjoy them too; no need to worry about getting chunkier than expected while eating their favorite dish.
The all-natural ingredients in this supplement help support your puppy’s immune system.
In addition, it is made from high-quality products without any artificial colors or flavors so that it won’t spoil their appetite for food!
Puppies can use this diet until they reach one year old at 25 lbs full grown weight (or when they enter puberty).
Key Features:
- It supports healthy brain and eye development in growing puppies
- Delicious and highly digestible recipe
- Antioxidant and vitamin E and C blend work together to help support a healthy immune system.
- Made with natural, high-quality ingredients
Purina Beneful Healthy Puppy With Farm Raised Chicken
With Farm-Raised Chicken as the #1 ingredient, along with accents of real peas and carrots to help create delicious bite-sized kibble made especially for puppies.
Each cup is packed with 29 grams of protein, supporting the strong muscles your puppy needs to play jump explore his world.
DHA supports healthy brain development while calcium-rich formula promotes.
The Healthy Puppy dry dog food recipe is a high-quality, 100% complete, and balanced nutrition for puppies. It comes from one of the most trusted brands in pet foods – Purina!
This means that you can be sure your pup has everything they need to stay healthy while also being happy with their taste buds on every bite.
Thanks again to this brand’s commitment toward quality ingredients without artificial flavors or preservatives. The 23 essential vitamins & minerals found within this kibble will lay down some serious foundations when it comes time to feed them real meals.
Key Features:
- US farm-raised chicken is the #1 ingredient
- Accents of real peas and carrots to create delicious, bite-sized kibble
- Loaded with 29 grams of protein to support strong muscles
- DHA helps support healthy brain and vision development
- The calcium-rich formula promotes healthy hips and joints
Natural Balance LID. Limited Ingredient Diets Puppy Grain-Free
The Sheltie pup with a sensitive digestive system will love this product’s extra help. Limited ingredient formulas only include items essential for digestion.
It’s gentle on their little tummies! This recipe is a great way to get all the nutrients your pet needs without having any animal proteins. It also uses duck, so it’s simple for their digestive system and easy on them!
There are also added vitamins that help with developing immunity-boosting properties. In addition, Menhaden fish oil will support his joints & coat; this means no more joint pain or shiny coats from cheap store brands anymore.
This farm-raised duck is the number 1 ingredient, and it’s formulated with DHA from marine sources to help support neural development!
It does not contain any added peas, pea protein lentils, legumes, corn, wheat, or soy – so you can be sure your pup gets all their nutritional needs without having anything artificially mixed in alongside them too!
Key Features:
- Farm-raised duck is the number 1 ingredient
- Formulated with DHA from marine sources to help support neural development
- It does not contain any added peas, pea protein, lentils, legumes, corn, wheat, or soy
- Produced in the USA using the world’s finest ingredients
VICTOR Purpose Nutra Pro Dry Dog Food
The busy pup needs food that can keep them strong and healthy. VICTOR Purpose Nutra Pro Dry Dog Food is the perfect recipe for active dogs.
It has high protein levels to help build muscle mass and low carbs, making it sustainable during intense exercise sessions or long days at work!
It’s also ideal for smaller breeds who need more nutrients per calorie intake – like growing puppies or pregnant females (or any other time when their weight might change).
A USA-sourced and made dog food. The VPRO blend is a nutrient-rich recipe high in protein with low carbs.
It contains premium chicken meals from fresh chickens raised without antibiotics or artificial hormones – meaning they get to enjoy life as nature intended!
Plus, this bizarrely fantastic combination promotes superior digestibility rates due to its unique mix of soluble & insoluble fibers plus probiotics for an immune-supporting effect.
They are made from gluten-free grains, Fortified with vitamins and minerals for your dog’s optimal health.
Amino acids are included in this high-quality formula to help maintain muscle mass during intense activity levels!
Key Features:
- A protein-rich diet with low carbs
- Fortified with vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, protein, and amino acids
- Made from gluten-free grains for dogs with moderate to high levels of daily activity
- Unique VPRO Blend promotes superior digestibility and immune system
Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food
The Sheltie mix is an excellent option for seniors looking to strengthen their aging immune system with the help of some superfoods.
Ingredients rich in antioxidants include coconut, chia seed egg product kale pumpkin spinach blueberries apple carrots.
This new recommendation from the team at senior dog food provides your pet with all-natural sustenance that will keep them strong and healthy as they age!
His diet comprises three proteins: chicken, lamb, and salmon. The first two ingredients are rich in protein and provide other essential nutrients such as iron for red blood cells.
This gives him the energy to perform all tasks needed each day by our canine companion! Of course, this keeps them full longer, but it ensures their brain stays active so they can be agile about the house or go on walks around town easily.
This recipe is perfect for those seniors who are less active than they used to be and need a lower calorie count.
When you’re looking for high-quality dog food that’s safe and healthy, your pet conspirator has just the right recipe.
All these meals are specially formulated with only real ingredients to make sure they provide complete balanced nutrition, including:
chicken by-product meal (nothing else), corn-soy protein-free; no artificial flavors or preservatives, so it tastes great too!
Key Features:
- Promotes healthy coat and skin with a blend of 15 superfoods
- The first ingredient is chicken, providing a rich source of protein
- Recipe specially formulated for senior dogs using only high-quality, natural ingredients
- Sourced from trusted farmers
Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Shredded Blend Chicken
The Purina Pro Plan is an excellent option for dogs aging seven-plus, as it provides them with chicken and other ingredients they need to stay alert in their golden years.
Over the years, many people have switched their Shelties over to senior food at around 7+ years of age.
This is because Purina Pro Plan has created this kibble, emphasizing older dogs and cats in mind–about right for your old friend!
The first ingredient starts as a chicken which provides him some B vitamins and helps promote DHA absorption by providing omega 3s – crucial nutrients needed when you’re thinking clearly or want more energy every day.
This recipe is grain-inclusive and uses rice as the main carbohydrate ingredient, with soybeans also listed. This dish has been fortified for slowing gut health and adding prebiotic fiber!
It’s perfect if you want to keep your immunity strong while feeling young–it’ll help support his weakening body against illness to stay fit without taking any chances or resorting back to eating unhealthy food again.
Their delicious chicken and rice kibble recipe don’t compromise on nutrition or flavor, creating a wholesome meal that makes you both happy.
With the crunchy texture combined with tender shredded pieces for dogs to enjoy at their own pace – they’ll be returning!
Prebiotic fiber supports beneficial bacteria in your pup’s intestinal tract, while guaranteed live probiotics help support good digestion.
Key Features:
- It contains high-quality protein, including real chicken as the number 1 ingredient.
- It is fortified with guaranteed live probiotics to support digestive and immune health.
- Hard kibble mixed with tender meaty pieces create a delightful experience for your dog.
- The EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid, and glucosamine help support his joint health and mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shelties Nutritional Intake
Shelties are a small breed of dog, and as such, they don’t require a lot of food. They only need about 250-300 calories per day.
However, their diet must be high in protein to maintain their muscle mass. Some good protein sources for shelties include chicken, beef, lamb, and fish.
Shelties should also have plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet to ensure that they’re getting the nutrients they need.
The Shetland Sheepdog is a hardworking and loyal dog with an intelligent personality. The standard says they typically stand between 13-16 inches tall, weigh 11 to 24 pounds at maturity (when fully grown), have short hair that may be either black or white in coloration.
Some even WORK as herding dogs! You should provide your pup plenty of daily exercise because they love being active.
To keep your Sheltie healthy and happy, they must have the proper diet.
The National Research Council of America’s top nutritionists recommends an average daily caloric intake for dogs between 660-750 calories per day depending on their size (20 pounds or more).
If you’re looking at feeding a sedentary lifestyle with no exercise routines, then reduce this amount slightly; however, if there are activities like running around outside all day long, then increase accordingly.
Growing puppies need more food than adult dogs and young ones.
For example, a Sheltie pup weighing 15 pounds will eat 591 calories per day when they’re just out of nursing or weaning age, but their energy expenditure can only support about one-third.
Small to medium dogs require more nutrients than larger breeds.
To help your Sheltie meet their energy needs, you should feed a food that has been specially formulated for small or moderate size pets like yours!
The best way is by checking with the manufacturer before buying any brand new product that will work well in terms of quantity ( calorie content per ounce) and quality.
Common Health Problems Found In Shelties
In Progressive Retinal Atrophy, or PRA for short (a disease that can not be detected until later in life). Affected dogs often begin with night vision problems and progress to a loss of day-time sight.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment available to help alleviate either condition; all hope seems lost when looking out over these canines’ futures!
Owners might notice that their dog is acting differently than before, like not wanting to go downstairs or losing its way in the dark.
To fix this problem, mix dry kibble with cooked key veggies, including carrots (but leave out any condiments), broccoli, and sweet potatoes- since these are essential for optimum Sheltie eye health!
Shelties are also prone to several health problems, including Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), cataracts, PRA, hip dysplasia, von Willebrand disease (vWD), and epilepsy.
CEA is a genetic eye disorder that can cause blindness. Cataracts are a common problem in older Shelties and can lead to blindness.
PRA is a genetic disorder that causes dogs to go blind. Hip dysplasia is when the hip joint is malformed and can cause lameness and arthritis.
vWD is a blood clotting disorder that can lead to excessive bleeding. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes seizures.
How Much Should I Feed My Sheltie?
Shelties are a small dog breed, but they have similar caloric needs as more giant breeds because of their active lifestyle.
A healthy adult shekel weighing anywhere between 11 and 24 pounds can use up to 300 calories per day if it’s not overweight or underweight!
Adult Shelties are an energetic breed and require just under 600 calories each day to keep them going.
However, if your dog works all day or gets plenty of exercises, you may want to provide as much as 900kcal per diem, so they have enough energy!
On the other hand, Senior dogs are usually less active than younger ones.
But it’s not uncommon for Shelties in their senior years to stay playful and require around 500 calories per day, just like any other adult pet does (though this number may change depending on what kind of lifestyle they lead).
So it’ll help ensure that you don’t Gain weight with your aging pup!
Conclusion
You now have all the information needed to decide what type of food you want for your Sheltie.
By following these recommendations, not only will they be fed with high-quality ingredients, but they can also enjoy happy, robust lives!
You’ve come this far in reading our article.
We hope that knowing some things before going out shopping helps ease any anxiety or fear of being faced with making choices on something new, like choosing premium pet foods.
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