What Is The Best Dog Food For Blue Heelers? – Our 2020 Picks
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Did you know that Blue Heelers are famous Australian cattle dogs? Their working personality includes rounding up cattle and herding them to pastures or open. Therefore, their diet requires special attention to support their active nature.
However, so many food brands will get your head spinning, and it’s quite challenging to determine which formula suits his nutritious needs.
Considering the fact this breed spends most of its time in the open, it will need meals rich in proteins and minerals.
To discover the best dog food for blue heelers, follow our guide! We got you covered!
7 Top-Rated Dog Food For Australian Cattle Dog
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | INGREDIENTS | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Best Overall
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Taste of the Wild Best Overall |
✓ Buffalo ✓ Sweet Potatoes ✓ Chicken Meal ✓ Lamb Meal ✓ Peas |
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|
Large Breeds
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Hill's Science Large Breeds |
✓ Chicken Meal ✓ Wheat ✓ Oats ✓ Sorghum ✓ Corn Gluten Meal |
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|
All Life Stages
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Purina Pro Plan Sport All Life Stages |
✓ Chicken ✓ Corn Gluten Meal, ✓ Brewer’s Rice ✓ Animal Fat Preserved with Mixed-Tocopherols ✓ Poultry By-Products |
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|
Dry Food
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Blue Buffalo Dry Food |
✓ Deboned Chicken ✓ Chicken Meal ✓ Brown Rice ✓ Barley ✓ Oatmeal |
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|
Senior Dogs
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Wellness Complete Health Senior Dogs |
✓ Deboned Chicken ✓ Chicken Meal ✓ Oatmeal ✓ Ground Barley ✓ Ground Brown Rice |
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|
Strong Muscles
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Diamond Naturals Strong Muscles |
✓ Beef Meal ✓ Peas ✓ Ground White Rice ✓ Egg Product ✓ Dried Yeast |
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|
Best Budget
 |
Iams ProActive Health Best Budget |
✓ Chicken ✓ Corn ✓ Sorghum ✓ Chicken By-Product Meal ✓ Beet Pulp |
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Taste of the Wild - Best Overall
If you want your blue heeler to experience all-natural ingredients, then consider trying Taste of the Wild High Prairie dry dog recipe. It is formulated to satisfy nutritious needs while keeping your pet’s health in balance. For that reason, it’s our number one choice when it comes to dog food.
This formula combines buffalo meat, as the primary protein source, with a couple of supplemental proteins including bison, lamb, venison, and chicken. Fresh fruits and veggies will level the ingredients, providing much-needed vitamins, minerals, and carbs.
For canines struggling with food sensitivities, Taste of the Wild has plenty of probiotics to stimulate their GI tract.
Finally, offer your four-legged friend a chance to try a perfect mix of ingredients this recipe unites. We are 100% sure he will love it!
For more highest rated dog food picks click here.
Hill's Science - Ideal For Large Breeds
Hill’s Science Large Breed Food is an excellent choice for large growing pups who require plenty of calories. Their formula features a tasty blend of chicken and oats, with additional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
The meal will stimulate your pet’s health and allow proper development, which is crucial in early life. To support strong joints and bones, this food is enriched with glucosamine, chondroitin, and calcium.
Obviously, there is no need for additional supplementation in the form of pills, which some vets recommend. It should be noted that this product doesn’t contain artificial ingredients such as colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Overall, whether you need a balanced food for your pup, or you want a nutritious diet to breed him through early months, then Hill’s Science is one of the best!
Purina Pro Plan Sport - Fit For All Life Stages
The appeal with this formula lies in the “sporty” focus, and it’s a customer favorite. Whether you are dealing with puppies or senior canines, the Purina Pro Plus Sport will assist your Blue Heeler to keep the lean muscle tonus and make him healthy.
Considering dogs require a lot of physical activity, this product is designed to make their body function better. The Purina Pro Plus Plan features 30% protein from real chicken and 20% fat, with the goal to keep your pet going.
The combination of omega fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and glucosamine will increase the mobility and guide your dog through all life stages.
To conclude, if you want your pet to lead a long and healthy life, then Sport All Life Stages Dry Dog should be your next choice.
Blue Buffalo - Best Dry Food
One of the numerous benefits of Blue diet is the real meat ingredient. This meal features rich deboned chicken combined with brown rice, fruits, and veggies. Additional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants make this product one of the best dry food in the market.
The small bites are processed at a low temperature which helps prevent any degradation, while preserving the flavors. We should point out that formulation doesn’t contain corn, soy, or wheat. Therefore, it’s excellent for dogs with food sensitivities and allergies.
Furthermore, this meal is well-suited match for canines prone to diseases such as cancer. The high percentage of antioxidants will support their immune system and keep the cells healthy.
In summary, give your Blue Heeler the best combination of flavors the mother nature has to offer, and you won’t be sorry.
Wellness Complete Health - Fit For Senior Dogs
With age, the metabolism of your Australian Cattle Dog starts to slow down. For that reason, you should offer him an all-natural ingredient formula the Wellness pet care provider features.
The mix of deboned chicken and barley promotes digestion, which is essential for older canines. Additionally, the supreme source of proteins, easily digestible carbs, glucosamine, and chondroitin will make your pooch feel vibrant and happy.
This Core formula is designed to help your pet manages a healthy weight while keeping his coat beautiful and joints strong. Plus, green tea extract will eliminate free radicals and fight the cell destruction.
In the end, the Wellness Complete Health for Adult Dogs has the power to rejuvenates his body and make him feel youthful.
Diamond Naturals - For Strong Muscles
The Diamond Naturals formula contains classic beef flavor, and it’s packed with meat-rich protein. This meal is designed to promote muscle building blocks and to provide plenty of energy. Therefore, it will help your Blue Heeler stay active and strong.
Also, the combination and digestible carbs and healthy fats will offer your pooch a complete and balanced diet. In addition to main carbohydrates, such as rice and flour, there are a couple of fruits and veggies included as well.
The highly digestible proteins will support a healthy digestive system in your pooch. However, beef is a common allergen among dogs, so you should pay attention to any changes in your pet’s behavior.
The bottom line, the Diamond pet food family offers more than a decent choice of components, which will stimulate mobility and strong muscles in your dogs.
Iams ProActive Health - Best Budget
Are you one of those pet parents who doesn’t shy away from corn? If that’s the case, then Iams Proactive will match your pet’s nutritious needs.
First of all, the recipe includes real chicken as its first ingredient, combined with grains, fruits, and vegetables. Considering the number of components, this is undoubtedly a budget-friendly option.
With 25% of proteins and 14% of fats, this well-balanced formula, is ideal for moderately active canines. The Iams Proactive Healthy diet is designed to support your pet through every stage of life and help him stay vital. Furthermore, the recipe features L-carnitine which burns excess of fats and manages healthy metabolism.
Even though Iams Proactive Healthy Dog Food, is an affordable option, the manufacturer doesn’t skimp on the ingredients and offers the best in that price range.
Facts About Australian Cattle Dogs
- Size – males go between 18 and 20 inches tall, while females between 17 and 19 inches.
- Weight – it ranges between 30 and 50 pounds for both.
- Temperament – the Blue Heeler is an extremely active breed, and it requires continuous mental and physical activity. If he is bored or lonely, then he becomes destructive. Your pet might chew and tear up things he shouldn’t. So, be prepared to keep him busy!
- Life span – 12 to 15 years
- Children and other pets – the Australian Cattle Dog would be an excellent addition to your family. He is best with children. The same rule applies to pets if you have any.
Common Health Concerns
Osteochondrosis Dessicans
Osteochondritis dissecans, also known as OCD is a health condition that affects various joint in Canines. Due to their active nature, Blue Heelers are prone to this disease.
The first symptoms appear as a barely noticeable limp and the dog is unable to bear his weight. Over the time, the limpness tends to get worse.
Arthritis
There is a common misconception that arthritis is linked to older dogs. However, it can affect canines of all ages, and some breeds are prone to it, such as Australian Cattle Dogs. If your pet has a hard time getting out of the bed, then this might be a sign of arthritic change.
Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
Many musculoskeletal issues have been reported in Blue Heelers, and one of them is hip and elbow dysplasia. Unfortunately, this is an inherited disease that causes a joint to develop improperly.
The initial sign is lameness in his legs, but the x-ray is the most appropriate way to diagnose the problem.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a common eye condition that happens in blue heelers. This disease causes retinal deterioration and vision issues.
One of the first symptoms is difficulty seeing at night, widened pupils and sudden cataract. However, the progressive retinal atrophy doesn’t include pain, which is a good thing.
Deafness
Another inherited disease which occurs in many Australian Cattle Dogs. Many studies indicate that deafness is linked to colors. Born white puppies or pups with white hairs in the coat have more chances of developing deafness than others.
Eye Problems
Not many things will have a dramatic impact on your pooch, as losing the sight. Unfortunately, blue heelers can either develop or inherit a variety of eye conditions. Some of them may even cause blindness if not addressed immediately.
Cataract and glaucoma often affect this breed and can be extremely painful.
Willebrand's Disease
The Von Willebrand’s Disease is a common condition in blue heelers. It’s a blood clotting disorder, and the only way to determine symptoms is to perform a blood clotting time test.
Sadly, the disease doesn’t manifest right away. Your pooch might seem healthy until a serious injury happens, or surgery is performed.
Pyometra
There are two types of Pyometra, also known as the infection of the uterus:
- Open – with this type you blue heelers will have a foul secretion, such as vaginal discharge resembling tomato soup.
- Closed – the canine’s secretion is trapped inside, which causes the uterus to enlarge. It often ends up with abdominal swelling.
How To Feed A Blue Heeler
Nutritional And Dietary Requirements
We mentioned a couple of suggestions before. However, you must find a diet that matches your pet’s dietary and nutritious requirements.
- For puppies – go for food that will ensure proper development, 22% of protein and 8% of fat.
- For adults – choose nourishment which will support their active nature, 18% of protein and 5% of fat.
- For seniors – keep the balanced diet and avoid too many proteins and fast.
What To Look For In A Dog Food
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Supplements For Bone Health
With the amount of energy blue heelers spend, whether they are working with cattle or are house dogs, they require supplements to replenish lost vitamins and minerals.
In this case, consider giving them calcium, glucosamine, and chondroitin to prevent many musculoskeletal disorders.
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Probiotics And Antioxidants
Numerous studies have confirmed the importance of probiotics and antioxidants in blue heeler’s diet. They play an essential role in developing a healthy immune system, especially during the first few months.
In this case, food rich in probiotics and antioxidants will complement his nutritious needs.
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Protein And Fat
Canines are scavengers by nature. And, while they may eat anything you throw at them, dogs require high levels of meat protein. The same goes for fats.
The ideal combination regarding Australian Cattle Dogs would be:
- 18-32% of protein
- 8-22% of fats
How Much And How Often To Feed
The recommended daily amount is up to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry dog food. However, how much your blue heeler will eat depends on size, age, built, metabolism, and activity. Same as humans, dogs are individual creatures, and they don’t need the same amount of food.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vegetables can they eat?
Veggies are a primary source of fibers and natural vitamins and minerals. Therefore, they are a useful addition to any top-rated dog food. So, here are some options you should explore:
- Asparagus
- Carrots
- Cucumber
- Peas
- Pumpkin
- Sweet potato
What brand is best for those who have food allergies?
Any Australian Cattle Dog suffering from food allergies may benefit from Wild Calling’s Xotic Essentials recipes. Their formula includes exotic meats, such as rabbits, which isn’t common in commercial dog foods.
In this case, your pet will have a less chance of developing an allergy, or food sensitivity.
Read our recommendation for: Best Hypoallergenic dog Food
Are they prone to being overweight and fat?
Yes, blue heelers are certainly prone to obesity! For that reason, it’s essential to keep them fit, especially as they age. Pay attention to his feeding habits and use an appropriate recipe, to avoid this condition.
Read our recommendation for: Best Dog Foods for Weight Management
Conclusion
Parenting a blue heeler means you’ll never get bored. It is an exceptional breed, which requires freedom, but also a loving home.
When it comes to food choice, you have a wide selection, without compromising your pet’s health. But, before you make a final decision, get to know your pet, and then decide on the packaging.
What works for one canine doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for other. Provide your pooch the best ingredients mother nature has to offer.
If you don’t know where to start, then try our top 7 picks we reviewed above!
References:
The post What Is The Best Dog Food For Blue Heelers? – Our 2020 Picks appeared first on Woof Dog.
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