Best dog foods for Blue Heelers.
The Blue Heeler, also known as the Australian Cattle Dog, is an energetic and adventurous breed originally developed for herding. They thrive on daily exercise and mental stimulation, so a high-quality diet is essential to support their active lifestyle.
When selecting food for your Blue Heeler, consider their age, health, metabolism, and activity level. Nutritional needs vary across life stages—puppies, adults, and nursing mothers each require specific nutrients.
To ensure optimal health, focus on the six essential nutrients every dog needs:
- Water: Comprising 70% to 80% of a dog’s body weight, water is crucial for bodily functions, including nutrient transport and temperature regulation. Dogs should drink about one ounce of water per pound of body weight daily.
- Proteins: Blue Heelers require proteins for muscle development. Look for high-quality protein sources like whole meats and named meat meals, which provide essential amino acids.
- Fats: Essential fatty acids (like Omega-3 and Omega-6) are vital for energy and skin health.
- Carbohydrates: These provide energy and aid digestion, coming from plant-based sources like grains and potatoes.
- Vitamins: Important for overall health, vitamins support immune function and growth. A complete dog food should meet AAFCO guidelines.
- Minerals: Essential for bone health, oxygen transport, and nerve function, minerals are crucial for your dog’s overall well-being.
When reading dog food labels, look for real meat as the first ingredient and avoid fillers like corn and soy. The Guaranteed Analysis (GA) section on the label reveals the food’s nutrient composition, helping you choose the best diet for your Blue Heeler.
The Top 5 Dog Foods for Blue Heeler Dogs
- Best Overall: Instinct Nature’s Variety Skin & Coat Health Raw Boost Recipe with Real Chicken Adult Dry Dog Food $79.95 per 18-lb bag ($4.44-lb)
- Best Price-Effective: Diamond Naturals Senior Formula $40.99 per 35-lb bag ($1.17-lb)
- Best for Senior Dogs: Victor Purpose Senior Dry Dog Food $62.99 per 40lb bag ($1.57-lb)
- Best for Active Dogs: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Recipe with Red Meat Dry Dog Food $62.98 per 22-lb bag ($2.86-lb)
- Best for Puppies: Wellness Complete Health Puppy Dry Dog Food $69.98 per 30-lb bag ($2.33-lb)
Instinct Nature’s Variety Skin & Coat Health Raw Boost Recipe with Real Chicken Adult Dry Dog Food
Instinct Pet Food, founded in 2002, produces all-natural frozen and freeze-dried raw dog food in the USA.
Their Nature’s Variety Skin & Coat Health Raw Boost Recipe features high-protein kibble combined with freeze-dried raw chicken and wholesome ingredients. It’s grain-free, and high in protein and fat, making it ideal for active breeds like Blue Heelers.
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Menhaden Fish Meal, Chicken Meal, Peas, Tapioca
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 32.5% min, Crude Fat 20% min, Crude Fiber 4% Max
- Calories: 529 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Active dogs of all breeds
- Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
- Key Benefit: The grain-free combination of high-protein kibble and freeze-dried raw ingredients helps promote healthy skin and a lustrous coat.
- Price: $79.95 per 18-lb bag ($4.44-lb)
Diamond Naturals Senior Formula Dry Dog Food
Established in 1970, Diamond Foods manufactures dry dog food in the USA. Their Naturals Senior Formula provides balanced nutrition for medium and large breeds, featuring cage-free chicken, brown rice, and superfoods like kale and blueberries.
It’s a budget-friendly option, free from artificial additives, with good meat quality.
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Cracked Pearled Barley, Ground White Rice
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 25% min, Crude Fat 11% min, Crude Fiber 3% Max
- Calories: 347 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Senior dogs of all breeds like Bassets and giant dogs like Black Russian Terriers
- Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight
- Key Benefit: Glucosamine and chondroitin support healthy joints, omega fatty acids support skin and coat health, and superfoods, including fruits like blueberries and oranges, provide your large breed dog with vitamins and minerals.
- Price: $40.99 per 35-lb bag ($1.17-lb)
Victor Purpose Senior Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
Introduced in 2007, VICTOR offers high-quality nutrition at a reasonable price, manufacturing kibble in Mt. Pleasant, Texas.
Their Purpose Senior Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food is nutrient-dense and gluten-free, featuring glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support. It’s a budget-friendly choice without artificial additives, ideal for aging Blue Heelers.
- First 5 Ingredients: Beef Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Whole Grain Millet, Grain Sorghum, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols)
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 27% min, Crude Fat 11.5% min, Crude Fiber 4.5% Max
- Calories: 360 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All breeds from small Border Terriers to Giants like Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and medium-sized Blue Heelers
- Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
- Key Benefits: VICTOR is made with only Natural Plant-Based Preservatives
- Price: $62.99 per 40lb bag ($1.57-lb)
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Recipe with Red Meat Dry Dog Food
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Recipe with Red Meat is a protein-rich dry dog food made from real meat, fruits, and veggies, free of artificial additives.
Though it has excellent meat and fat quality, its high carb content reduces protein and fat levels, making it an average-quality option.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Beef, Beef Meal, Pea Protein, Pea Starch, Tapioca Starch
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 30% min, Crude Fat 15% min, Crude Fiber 6% Max
- Calories: 393 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All fairly active breeds, from your Blue Heeler to the little Scottish Terrier and the massive Neapolitan Mastiff
- Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight
- Key Benefit: Essential, high-quality protein for healthy muscle development, and excellent fat and meat quality for energy for your active adult Blue Heeler.
- Price: $62.98 per 22-lb bag ($2.86-lb)
Wellness Complete Health Puppy Dry Dog Food
Wellness Complete Health Puppy Dry Dog Food is a high-quality, mid-priced option, made with premium proteins, wholesome grains, and omega fatty acids for whole-body health.
Free of artificial additives, it supports brain development, energy, and skin health. With balanced protein, fat, and carbs, it’s highly recommended for growing puppies.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Ground Barley, Peas
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 29% min, Crude Fat 18% min, Crude Fiber 4.5% Max
- Calories: 450 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Puppies of all breeds like Dalmatians and Blue Heelers
- Feeding: To be determined according to age and breed
- Key Benefit: Protein-rich formula features chicken, lamb, and salmon, with chicken as the first ingredient.
- Price: $69.98 per 30-lb bag ($2.33-lb)
American Journey Active Life Formula Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe Dry Dog Food
American Journey Active Life Formula is a high-quality, affordable dog food featuring quality chicken and fiber-rich grains.
Free from controversial ingredients, artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors, it offers complete nutrition for active dogs of all breeds. It’s highly recommended for dogs like Blue Heelers.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Rice Bran, Peas
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 25% min, Crude Fat 15% min, Crude Fiber 6% Max
- Calories: 342 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All breeds, from the small Shetland Sheepdogs to the Blue Heelers, and the giant Dogue de Bordeaux.
- Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight
- Key Benefit: Antioxidant and nutrient-rich vegetables plus easily digestible, fiber-rich grains
- Price: $49.99 per 28-lb bag ($1.79-lb)
What Should You Consider While Buying Dog Foods for Blue Heelers?
Blue Heelers need a balanced diet of high-quality protein, with food containing at least 18% protein and 5% fat.
Feeding guides on dog food bags are estimates, so adjust based on your dog’s activity, health, and weight.
Feed adult Blue Heelers twice daily, ensuring meals are split to prevent bloat. Puppies need food three to four times a day.
Diet options include kibble, raw, and home-cooked meals, with proper supplementation for raw or homemade diets under professional supervision.
Avoid harmful ingredients like BHA, white flour, artificial additives, and unspecified meat meals. Ingredients like corn syrup, rendered fat, and farmed salmon should also be avoided due to health risks.
Feeding raw meat can expose dogs and humans to bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. If using a raw diet, follow safety guidelines from the FDA or CDC to minimize contamination risks.
Final Thoughts
Your Blue Heeler’s nutrition begins with a balanced diet. Essential nutrients include water, protein, fats, carbs, vitamins, and minerals.
Consult your vet regularly to ensure your dog’s food meets their needs. If necessary, your vet may recommend prescription food or supplements for additional nutrients.
