A smaller, apartment-friendly version of the Australian Shepherd, Mini Aussies have spiked in popularity over the past few years thanks to their adorable teddy bear faces, intelligence, and energetic personalities.

If you’re considering getting one of these fluffy balls of fun, you might be wondering what you should feed your Mini Aussie to help them stay fit and healthy. While these dogs are generally fairly healthy overall, they are prone to a few health conditions that might benefit from certain diets.

To help you decide between the countless dog diets on the market, we’ve collected reviews of what we think are the best dog foods for Mini Aussies. No matter what age, energy level, or weight your Mini Aussie is, there’s an option on this list for you!

A Glance at Our Winners in 2024

The 8 Best Dog Foods For Mini Aussies

1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall

Our pick for the best overall dog food for Mini Aussies is a fully customizable diet from The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food. This company works with a veterinary nutritionist to design a dog food recipe tailored to your Mini Aussie’s specific dietary needs. If your pup has food sensitivities, weighs a little too much, or is getting on in years, The Farmer’s Dog will adjust their diet as needed to compensate. All the diets are made with whole food ingredients (meats and veggies) nutritionally balanced to meet all U.S. standards and cooked fresh for shipping straight to your door.

The Farmer’s Dog is only available via online subscription plans and is a bit pricier than many grocery or pet store brands simply because of the ingredients used and how it is prepared. Unfortunately, Mini Aussie owners in Alaska or Hawaii won’t be able to feed The Farmer’s Dog, as the company only ships to the lower 48 states.

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2. Iams ProActive Health Dry Dog Food – Budget Buy

Our pick for smaller budgets is Iams ProActive Health Adult Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food. Mini Aussies are often too fond of eating and wind up becoming overweight. This diet helps curb that problem thanks to its lower fat and calorie content. Iams Healthy Weight also contains fiber, which both helps your dog feel full faster and helps the digestive process. It also contains ingredients to support metabolism. Iams products are generally widely available in stores.

Users generally have positive things to say about this diet, noting that it did seem to help their dogs lose weight. Some reported that picky dogs didn’t care for the taste or kibble shape of this food.

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3. Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Dry Dog Food

Developed for medium-sized dogs, right in the Mini Aussies’ weight range, Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Medium Dry Dog Food fits right into the active lifestyle of these pups. The proteins in this food are highly digestible, providing energy and muscle-building pop for the Mini Aussie. The kibble design encourages dogs to chew thoroughly, helping them clean their teeth and eat more slowly. This diet contains antioxidants, fatty acids, and prebiotics to support overall immune health, the skin and coat, and digestion.

Royal Canin Medium does contain by-products, which some dog owners prefer to avoid. Some users also reported that the kibble was a bit too big for some medium dogs.

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4. Purina ProPlan Puppy Food

For high-energy Mini Aussie puppies, consider Purina Pro Plan Sport Development 30/20 Chicken & Rice High Protein Puppy Food. This diet is designed for the budding canine athlete or pups who are always on the move! The high protein content helps encourage sustained growth and build muscle as your Mini Aussie gets older. It also contains nutrients such as glucosamine to support bone and joint health, extra important for active pups.

Purina ProPlan Sport Development contains other nutrients keyed on brain health, encouraging mental as well as physical strength in your Mini Aussie puppy. As one of Purina’s more specialized over-the-counter diets, this one could be tough to find in stores if online shopping isn’t an option for you.

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5. Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d Dry Dog Food

While Mini Aussies are generally considered a healthy breed, some of the common health concerns they do have involve bone problems, such as hip dysplasia. Combine that genetic health history with an already active dog and your Mini Aussie’s joints could require some support at some point.

If so, consider Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d Joint Care Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food, a food formulated to improve joint health and mobility. This diet contains glucosamine and fatty acids, both known for their ability to aid in easing joint pain and strengthen cartilage. Hill’s j/d diet also keeps the calories under control because an overweight dog puts even more stress on their joints.

This diet does require a prescription and, like many vet-prescribed diets, is on the high side when it comes to price.

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6. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Dry Dog Food

Another diet option for the active Mini Aussie, Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is made with multiple protein sources and includes fruits and vegetables. We’ve included this diet on our list for pet parents who favor grain-free diets, however, these foods are not without controversy. You should check with your vet to determine if your Mini Aussie truly needs to avoid grains because most dogs do not. Taste of the Wild is made in the USA and contains no artificial flavors or colors.

Most users reported good experiences with this diet, although some questioned whether there had been a recent recipe change that made their dogs avoid eating. Some also found the kibble too hard for their dogs to chew.

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7. Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach Canned Dog Food

If your Mini Aussie prefers canned food to dry, consider feeding Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Canned Dog Food. This tasty food is also beneficial to Mini Aussies with delicate tummies or skin issues. The main ingredients are easy-to-digest and added fatty acids and vitamin E target skin and coat health. This diet contains meats, grains, and vegetables in a stew-like texture. Science Diet foods are routinely sold and recommended by veterinarians. For those who like to support good causes when they shop, Hill’s maintains partnerships with many animal shelters, helping to provide food for the rescued pets.

This diet receives positive reviews overall from users, although some did note that the food has a strong smell. Another random complaint was that the can is hard to open using the pull tab.

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8. Nutro Natural Choice Senior Dry Dog Food

When your Mini Aussie gets a little older, it’s time to switch to senior dog food. Nutro Natural Choice Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food is one option to consider. Because your Mini Aussie might (finally!) slow down a little as they age, this diet is lower in fat and calories to help keep their weight under control. It also contains added calcium to help strengthen aging bones and antioxidants to boost your older dog’s immune system. Nutro is made with non-GMO ingredients, making this a good option for those pet parents who prefer to avoid them.

Most users reported positive experiences with this diet, although some noted it has a strong smell for a dry diet. Also worth noting is that this food does contain split peas, a legume. Legumes as food ingredients are being investigated as a potential contributor to heart problems in pets.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Food for Your Mini Aussie

With so many diet options available for your Mini Aussie, narrowing them down to your final choice can seem overwhelming. Here are some points to consider that may help make choosing the best food for your dog simpler.

What Life Stage Is Your Mini Aussie In?

As you learned in reading our reviews, dog diets are formulated specifically for the nutritional needs of a certain phase of your dog’s life. Senior dogs are not puppies when it comes to energy levels or nutrient requirements. As a general rule of thumb, puppy diets are for dogs under a year old, while senior diets are usually for those older than 7 years. Adult diets are for those in between years. However, every dog ages a little differently so follow your vet’s recommendation on when to switch life-stage diets.

Good Advertising Does Not Equal Good Nutrition

Globally, the pet food industry is a massive behemoth that just gets bigger every year. With so much money to be made, dog food brands are under immense pressure to attract buyers to their products. Because of this, they often jump on food fads (such as grain-free diets) or use words like “premium” and “all-natural” in their labeling to convince pet parents that their food is of higher quality.

The problem is, those words aren’t regulated to the point that you can feel confident in knowing what they actually describe. There are no standards for either premium or natural ingredients in the dog food industry. All dog food in the U.S. must meet the same minimum nutritional standards anyway, regardless of what ingredients they use or how much they charge.

Does Your Mini Aussie Have Special Health Needs?

Diet alone isn’t always the cure for what ails your Mini Aussie. If you suspect your pup has joint problems, bad skin, or digestive issues, don’t just swap out their diet and call it a day. Any diet changes should be done, slowly, first of all, or you really might be dealing with tummy trouble.

Additionally, medical issues should always be diagnosed and managed by a veterinarian. Many conditions may require a combination of solutions, often including a special diet.

Final Thoughts

As the best overall dog food for Mini Aussies, The Farmer’s Dog offers custom nutrition in a kitchen-cooked meal. Our budget pick, Iams ProActive Health Adult Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food. cuts down on the calories, not the taste. We hope reading these reviews gives you the information you need to provide the perfect meal for your beloved Mini Aussie.

See also:

• How Long Do Mini Australian Shepherds Live? (Average Lifespan Data & Facts)
• Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd: The Differences (With Pictures)

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Featured Image Credit: Ermolaev Alexander, Shutterstock