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Top Dog Food Brands for Miniature American Shepherds
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Miniature American Shepherds have only been around in the United States since about the 1980s, but they are becoming increasingly popular among dog lovers. They are similar to Australian Shepherds, but smaller, so better suited to families that have less space.
Most Miniature American Shepherds tends to weight about 20 to 30 pounds and stands about five to six inches shorter than their Australian counterparts. It’s a high-energy breed that tends to adapt better when it has a job to keep its attention occupied. They make great family dogs because they can help with children and burn off energy playing with the children in the home.
Like many small- to medium-sized dogs such as the Miniature Australian, they are active and burn a lot of calories, but they aren’t able to consume a lot of food because of the size of their stomachs. This can make it tough for them to get enough calories and nutrition from their food and requires their owners to carefully select nutrient-rich food.
Miniature American Shepherds tend to be very healthy, active dogs, but do suffer from a few health risks. Medially Luxating Patella or floating kneecaps is one of the most common issues. Miniature breeds tend to have a higher risk for problems like this because dogs with shorter legs are chosen for breeding to ensure puppies are also born with shortened legs. Unfortunately, this can also mean their short legs are very straight and have a problem bending at the joint.
Common health problems include:
- Hip dysplasia
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Food allergies
- Medially Luxating Patella
This breed also tends to be more anxious, especially when they are not getting enough physical activity or attention. Sometimes, this is caused by shyness and they don’t like to be around strangers or strange situations, but for others, it is actually a problem with anxiety. These dogs are smart and active and they need to be challenged. Dietary improvements can help if your Miniature American Shepherd is suffering from anxiety, but it’s also important to increase his activity and ensure he’s getting enough physical and mental stimulation.
High-Quality Food for Miniature American Shepherds
The best food for Miniature American Shepherds is about what you’d expect for any dog breed: nutrient-rich, high-quality ingredients, and made with no unnatural preservatives or filler ingredients. Beyond that, you’ll want to consider your dog’s specific needs in addition to breed guidelines.
For instance, is your Miniature American Shepherd overweight or underweight? Does he tend to like to eat one larger meal, making it tough to get enough calories into him to last the day? Are there any food allergies? Is your puppy picky when it comes to flavors or eating habits? You’ll need to consider all of these things when picking a food, in addition to choosing something that is just an all-around quality brand.
If you do want to use your dog’s diet to improve his overall health, it’s important to speak to your vet about your concerns. Feeding your dog high-quality food is always a good idea, but treating a specific health issue with a dietary change can be risky. It’s smart to consult an expert and make sure that nothing further is needed or that the food choices you are making truly will help with the condition.
So, whether you are looking for the latest grain-free dog food, raw food packed with vitamins and minerals, dry dog food, puppy food, or some other high-quality dog food, just what dog food for Miniature American Shepherds is best to ensure a well-balanced diet? Read on to find out our best dog food reviews.
Our Top Three Picks for Best Foods for Miniature American Shepherds
This food is great for all adult dogs that have digestive issues or suffer from skin sensitivities, as can be the case with Miniature American Shepherds. The brand includes plenty of gut-healthy fiber and prebiotics to ensure gut health stays on track. This food is also great for a dog’s skin and coat and helps support cell health with its antioxidant complex.
Benefits of Royal Canin Medium Sensitive Digestion Formula
- Made with high-quality ingredients
- Perfect for dogs that engage in moderate activity
Drawbacks of Royal Canin Medium Sensitive Digestion Formula
- Can be tough to find, especially if you aren’t ordering online
This food from Orijen contains high-quality proteins such as chicken, turkey, eggs, wild-caught fish, and fruits and vegetables. 85% of the makeup of the food is animal-based ingredients, including bone, bone marrow, muscle, and organ meat. This ensures your Miniature American Shepherd gets food that provides adequate amounts of amino acids, as well as calcium, phosphorus, glucosamine, chondroitin, vitamins A, B and D, and minerals including iron and zinc.
This food also contains ingredients that might seem a little unusual, but are actually quite healthy for breeds like Miniature American Shepherds, such as butternut squash, blueberries, cranberries, and licorice. It also contains fenugreek which is good for the health of your dog’s kidneys.
Orijen Adult Dog food uses no preservatives or artificial additives in its food.
Benefits of Orijen
- Ingredients are freshly farmed and fished on a daily basis
- Protects kidney health
- Colon cleansing
- Insulin regulating
- No ingredients come from China
Drawbacks
- Some dogs are picky about foods and might prefer another option
- There are mixed opinions on feeding wheat, so you if you are concerned you should speak to your vet about your specific dog’s health.
This is a less expensive option that is great for active breeds. It contains more protein than some other dog foods, which is great for dogs that have a lot of energy and tend to burn off a lot of calories every day. This food also features ingredients that support healthy joints. Features the Eukanuba 3D Dentadefense System that has been shown to reduce tartar within a 28-day period.
Benefits of Eukanuba Premium Active Formula
- Contains naturally-sourced glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate to support good joint health
- Specially designed for active dogs
- Affordable
Drawbacks of Eukanuba Premium Active Formula
- Might contain levels of protein too high for less active dogs
Conclusion
Choosing the right food for your Miniature American Shepherd can go a long way to ensuring a happy, healthy life for your puppy.
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