Adopting a Mini Australian Shepherd puppy comes with its challenges such as deciding on what to feed them, as a puppy owner. You want what is best for them, which is why understanding how much to feed a Mini Australian Shepherd is important.
It is necessary to know the right amount to feed your puppy to avoid overfeeding or underfeeding them.
You should know how many calories they need for their age group and the type and amount of nutrients they need for their growth and development.
This article explains in detail the Mini Australian Shepherd feeding chart as well as the best food for Mini Aussies and many more!
How Much Should A Mini Australian Shepherd Puppy Eat?
This depends on certain factors such as activity level, age, health, size, the brand of food, and whether they eat homemade, raw, kibble, or wet food.
Most commercially manufactured dog food will come with a guideline in the package on the amount of food that you should feed your puppy according to their age.
For homemade and raw foods, you should consult with your vet to ensure that your Mini Aussie is getting all the necessary nutrients.
If your puppy is suffering from health issues, your vet may recommend a specific type of food and supplements to help them recover quickly.
Ensure that your puppy’s food contains good quality protein, lean fats, healthy carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
Best Dog Food For Mini Aussie Puppies (2022)
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Dog Food (Editor’s Choice)
- IAMS Puppy Dry Dog Food (Runner-Up)
Mini Australian Shepherd Feeding Chart
It is helpful to know the exact number of daily calories that your puppy needs to stay healthy and active as well as achieve all the growth milestones.
A Mini Australian Shepherd puppy feeding chart will provide you with this information
To know exactly the number of calories that your Mini Aussie needs per day, you should find out their RER (resting energy requirement).
This is calculated by multiplying the weight of your Mini Aussie in kilograms to the power of ¾ by 70.
If your puppy is less than four months old, they need three times their RER and if they are between 5 and 12 months old, they need two times their RER.
4-Week-Old Mini Australian Shepherd Puppy
During this age, your puppy is still with the mother but will start roaming more and they should not be separated yet.
They are still fully dependent on the mother for milk, but you can introduce kibble. If they are not interested in eating kibble, you should not force it as it may be early.
Some puppies may start eating the kibbles while others may not. Put some on a plate and see whether your Mini Aussie is ready for some puppy food.
6-Week-Old Mini Australian Shepherd Puppy
A 6-week-old Mini Aussie is starting to be weaned off the mother’s milk, but they can still feed on the mother.
You may notice that the mother will begin to slowly move away from the puppies to encourage them to feed on the kibble.
Feeding your puppy ¼ cup of food four times a day is enough at this age. The puppy should now be interested in the kibble.
8-Week-Old Mini Australian Shepherd Puppy
The puppy should be fully weaned at this age as they should be ready to be moved to their new home if they have been adopted or bought.
They should be relying on puppy food and fully off the mother’s milk.
You should feed your puppy one cup of food divided into four mealtimes throughout the day. Your Mini Aussie may not eat that much food as they are adjusting to their new environment.
10-Week-Old Mini Australian Shepherd Puppy
A ten-week-old Mini Aussie should have adopted to their new home and have increased appetite. They should eat four times a day and the amount can be between 1 and 2 cups per day.
Your puppy is burning more calories and is more active, but you should watch the amount of food you are giving them to avoid unnecessary weight gain.
12-Week-Old Mini Australian Shepherd Puppy
At 12 weeks old, your puppy is growing faster and hungrier. Depending on the size of your puppy, they should eat between 2 and 3 ½ cups of food per day divided into three meals.
Ensure that you keep them active so that they make use of the calories and not keep it as excess fats.
14-Week-Old Mini Australian Shepherd Puppy
At this stage, the amount of food depends on the activity level of your Mini Aussie.
However, you should still stick to three mealtimes so that the food has enough time to digest and pass through the intestinal tract. Your puppy should eat 2 to 3 ½ cups a day.
16-Week-Old Mini Australian Shepherd Puppy
At 16 months, your Mini Aussie needs more nutrients as their activity level increases and are experiencing a growth spurt.
Therefore, you should increase the food to 3 1/3 cups, but still eat three times per day.
6 Months – 12 Months Old Mini Australian Shepherd Puppy
Between the ages of six and twelve months, you can reduce the amount to 2 1/3 cups but if your puppy is involved in a lot of physical activities the amount can increase to 3 cups per day.
This purely depends on your dog. You should feed them two times per day.
12 Months & Above Mini Australian Shepherds
From the age of 12 months, your dog is now an adult, and they can transition to adult food. you can continue feeding your Mini Aussie two times per day or reduce it to one meal.
The amount is different for each dog, but it ranges from 2 1/3 to 3 ¼ per day.
Understanding Mini Australian Shepherd Puppy Nutritional Needs
Puppies have different nutritional requirements than adult dogs which is why it is important to understand the needs of your Mini Aussie.
Since Mini Australian Shepherd is an active and busy breed, they need a diet that provides them with enough energy.
You should stick to meals that have real ingredients such as chicken, lamb, fruits, vegetables, and fish oil, and avoid foods with fillers and grains.
Mini Aussies require 18% protein in their diet to help them in developing healthy, strong, and lean muscles. They need 5% fat which fuels their daily activities.
They require between 5% to 8% carbohydrates to provide them with energy. They also need antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to help in brain and vision development as well as healthy skin and coat.
Probiotics help with digestion; therefore, you should find a dog food formula that comes with live probiotics. Sources of protein include deboned chicken and lamb.
How Many Times A Day To Feed A Mini Australian Shepherd Puppy?
The feeding frequency of your Mini Aussie depends on their activity level and age. between the ages of 8 and 12 weeks, they should eat four times a day.
From three months to five months, they should eat three times per day. From six months to one year old, the number reduces to two mealtimes. After one year, your puppy can eat one or two meals.
The food should be divided into equal portions for easy digestion and for your puppy to feel full throughout the day.
Kibble vs Wet Food For Mini Australian Shepherd Puppies
You can feed your Mini Aussie kibble or wet food depending on your vet’s recommendation. Both types of food have their advantages and disadvantages.
Generally, dogs like wet food because they are more appetizing, smell more like meat, and contain more water content.
However, wet food is expensive, high in calories, and has a higher chance of causing dental issues as your Mini Aussie grows.
Also, wet food need refrigeration once opened and if it is not handled with the proper care and sanitation, it may cause food poisoning.
On the other hand, kibble is cheap, easy to store, and can help clean your dog’s teeth, hence preventing dental issues.
If you have concerns about which type of food your puppy needs to eat, speak to your vet about it.
Switching From Puppy Food To Adult Food
When your Mini Aussie puppy reaches adulthood at around the age of 9 months, you change their diet from puppy food to adult dog food.
This is because as adults they now have different nutritional requirements such as fewer calories and foods that provide enough energy and those that help in maintaining lean muscles.
The process of switching from puppy food to adult food should be done slowly to avoid upsetting your Mini Aussie’s tummy.
The transitioning should take between 7 and 10 days, where the puppy food is slowly decreased while the adult food is slowly increased until your dog can finally eat adult food only.
What If My Mini Australian Shepherd Puppy Won’t Eat?
Mini Aussie puppies have great appetites, that is why it can be worrying to see them not eating. In some cases, this might be a huge concern while for others it may not.
If you have recently adopted the puppy, the change in environment may be making them lose appetite and may need time to adjust to the new place. Also, if you have changed the brand or type of food, they may need more time to get used to their new food.
However, if you have not changed anything that may affect them, you should take them to the vet for a medical exam as they may be suffering from a health condition that is causing a lack of appetite.
Can You Freefeed a Mini Australian Shepherd Puppy?
Free feeding is where you leave your dog’s portion of food for the day out in the morning so that they have access to it throughout the day. Although this method of feeding is convenient and easy for the dog owner, it may not be a healthy way of feeding your Mini Aussie.
This is because if your puppy has continuous access to food the chances of them overeating are high which may lead to weight gain.
Also, you will not be able to track when they are hungry and the amount of food that they need. Additionally, free feeding makes it hard to train the puppy to follow a certain routine such as feeding schedules.
How Long to Feed A Mini Australian Shepherd Puppy?
Most Mini Australian Shepherds reach their adult size at the age of 9 months while others may continue growing for a few months.
Therefore, 9 months is the time to stop feeding your Mini Aussie puppy food and transition to adult food.
Mini Aussi puppies need a complete and balanced food specifically designed for their growing and developing needs.
Puppies need specific nutrients and more calories than adult dogs as they experience most of the growth. As adults, Mini Aussie will need food that gives them energy and helps in maintaining healthy muscles.
Monitor the amount of food your puppy is consuming, if they leave some on their plate it could be a sign that they are full or they now need fewer calories.
Best Puppy Dog Food For Mini Australian Shepherd
1. Blue Buffalo Protection Formula
Editor’s Choice
Blue Buffalo dog food features real chicken as the first ingredient. This provides high-quality protein to your dog to ensure that they develop strong and healthy muscles. It also features garden vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
This dog food is specifically formulated for a growing puppy as it contains ARA and DHA, which are the fatty acids found in the mother’s milk. Blue Buffalo formula is filled with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.
Pros
- Enhances vision and cognitive development.
- Protects the body against diseases.
- Provides a healthy oxidative balance.
- No artificial flavours and preservatives.
Cons
- May cause loose stool in some dogs.
2. Purina SmartBlend Natural Healthy Formula
Runner-Up
The first ingredient in this puppy food is chicken. Your puppy needs protein to grow strong muscles and develop a healthy heart.
The DHA in this dog food is similar to the one found in the mother’s milk. The kibbles are easily digestible and contain premium ingredients such as omega-6 fatty acids.
This puppy food delivers great taste to your dog with its tender meaty morsels and deliciously crunchy bite.
Pros
- Encourages healthy skin and shiny coat.
- Supports the immune system.
- No preservatives.
- Supports healthy muscle growth.
Cons
- Causes diarrhea for some dogs.
3. Hill’s Science Diet Healthy Development Chicken Dog Food
Hill’s Science dog food supports the development of your puppy and comes in small kibble sizes and chicken flavours.
It contains DHA from fish oil to provide the nutrients needed for eye and brain development.
This dog food provides high-quality protein for your growing puppy for building lean muscles. It is vet recommended and made with natural ingredients and uses a balanced set of minerals.
Pros
- Promotes strong bones and teeth.
- Supports cognitive and vision development.
- Helps your puppy develop strong muscles.
Cons
- Runny stool for some dogs.
4. Purina Pro Plan Focus Formula
Purina Pro Plan formula contains lamb as the main ingredient and contains DHA from the fish oil that nourishes the development of the brain and eyes.
The lamb is a good source of protein to help your puppy build lean and strong muscles.
It is fortified with live probiotics as well as antioxidants, vitamin A, omega-6, phosphorus, calcium, and other minerals for the overall health of your puppy.
Pros
- Supports healthy digestion.
- Nourishes the skin and coat.
- Helps develop strong bones and teeth.
- Develops the immune system.
Cons
- Causes bloody stool and vomiting in some dogs.
5. Iams Proactive Health Smart Chicken Dog Food
This dog food contains real, farmed chicken as its main ingredient and contains essential minerals to support the growth of your puppy.
It is recommended by the vets and contains 22 important nutrients similar to the ones found in the mother’s milk.
This kibble is enriched with omega-3 and antioxidants. It does not have any fillers, flavors, or artificial preservatives.
It is designed to provide nutritional requirements to your dog throughout all stages of development, from puppyhood to adulthood.
Pros
- Supports digestion.
- Supports healthy weight.
- Supports the immune system.
- Promote healthy cognition.
Cons
- Causes runny eyes and ear infections in some dogs.
Is A Raw Diet Healthy for A Mini Australian Shepherd Puppy?
Feeding your Mini Australian Shepherd raw dog food means that you are giving them an uncooked diet that mostly consists of bones, muscles, organs, dairy, raw eggs, fruits, and vegetables.
Raw foods are known to have certain benefits including healthier skin, shinier coats, cleaner teeth, better digestive health, and improved energy levels.
Unfortunately, certain potential risks come with feeding your puppy raw foods. Raw foods have parasites and bacteria that may be harmful to your dog.
Most raw foods are also not properly formulated; hence your puppy may not get all the necessary nutrients that they require for their development.
Therefore, if you want to feed your puppy a raw food diet, you should speak with a vet to come up with the right foods and amounts.
How Much Do Mini Australian Shepherd Puppies Grow Each Week?
You can monitor the weight of your Mini Aussie weekly to make sure that they maintain a healthy weight and you can notice any changes at an early stage.
Your puppy adds some weight weekly, though it may not be a huge difference.
Since Mini Aussies are small breed dogs, they gain around 5 to 8 ounces of weight each week, which is about a 5% to 10% increase in weight every day. Most of the growth happens between the ages of zero to 11 weeks old.
Should You Feed A Mini Australian Shepherd Puppy Supplement?
The urge to keep your Mini Aussie healthy may make you feed them supplements, however, if your puppy is eating a complete and balanced diet that provides all the necessary nutrients, there is no need to feed them supplements.
This is because supplements are meant to supply a nutrient that is missing in your puppy’s food.
Your vet may recommend you give your puppy supplements if they have a health condition or if they are on a raw diet. Always consult with your vet before adding supplements to your Mini Aussie’s diet.
How Much Water Should a Mini Australian Shepherd Puppy Drink?
Mini Australian Shepherd puppies need to drink water to stay hydrated and have good digestion. The normal amount of water that your puppy needs to drink is around ½ to 2 ounces per pound of their body weight.
The amount may vary depending on certain factors such as diet, level of physical activity, dehydration, and medications.
Monitor the drinking habits of your puppy so that you can notice in case there is a change. If your Mini Aussie is drinking less or excessive water than normal, you should contact your vet as they could be having a medical condition.
You can always leave the water out for it to be accessible for your puppy.
