Best Dog Food for Blue Heeler

Blue Heelers, or Australian Cattle Dogs as they are otherwise known, are an excellent breed of dog. They are hard workers, incredibly intelligent, and one of the most loyal breeds around, so there’s no question why they are so popular.

Most of the time, people who have Blue Heelers have them actively working, and this active lifestyle can have a direct impact on the amount that you should be feeding your dog.

The level of exercise that your Blue Heeler eats will also have a direct impact on the type of food that you should be feeding them. 

There are lots of different types of dog food that are perfect for active dogs like the Blue Heeler which can make it difficult to find the one that is right for your dog.

But there’s no need to worry because we’ve put together this guide to the Best Dog Food for Blue Heeler to help you. It’s packed with all of the information you need to know about what your Blue Heeler should be eating to ensure you buy the right food for them.

So with no further ado, let’s take a look. 

In a hurry?

If you need dog food for your Blue Heeler in a hurry we would recommend buying the Taste of the Wild Salmon Dog Food. This dog food is packed with great features that are guaranteed to benefit the health of your dog, including:

• A variety of size options ranging from 5 pounds through to 28 pounds. 
• It uses real smoked salmon as the main ingredient for lots of protein and lots of flavor. 
• It is packed with whole grains such as chia seed and quinoa for additional protein. 
• The recipe avoids all wheat, corn, and artificial ingredients that could upset your dog’s stomach. 

Best Overall: Taste of the Wild Salmon Dog Food

Our favorite dog food for Blue Heelers on the market is the Taste of the Wild Salmon Dog Food formula.

This adult dog food is an excellent choice for your Blue Heeler and it is available in bags from 5 pounds all the way up to 28 pounds so that you can try it with your dog before you invest.

It comes in a flavor that is more unique for dog food as its main ingredient is real smoked salmon which provides lots of protein. This recipe only uses meat from reputable sources, and it excludes any wheat, corn, or artificial ingredients that could upset your dog’s stomach.

Additionally, it includes healthy whole grains for added protein and proprietary probiotics for gut health and digestion, so it is an all-around great choice for your Blue Heeler. 

Pros

• Available in 5lb, 14lb, and 28lb bags 
• Uses real smoked salmon as the main ingredient for lots of protein
• Only uses ingredients from trusted and reputable sources
• Contains no wheat, corn, or artificial ingredients that are bad for your dog
• Includes proprietary probiotics for gut health and better digestion
• Contains healthy whole grains like quinoa and chia seed for extra protein

Cons

• No notable drawbacks 

Runner Up: Diamond Naturals Dry Dog Food

We also love the Diamond Naturals Dry Dog Food and think that this is a brilliant option for your Blue Heeler. This formula is suitable for dogs of all life stages, making it a great choice if you own more than one dog of different ages.

It is only available in 16oz bags but it is packed with nutrients that are guaranteed to be a hit with your dog. The main ingredient in this recipe is real cage-free chicken which is packed with natural, high protein that will give your Blue Heeler lots of energy.

This is enhanced with natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to ensure your dog gets an optimal amino acid profile.

Additionally, it includes probiotics to support gut health, and fatty acids to support your dog’s skin and coat, so it is clear that this is one of the best options for your Blue Heeler. 

Pros

• Available in 16oz bags 
• Contains real cage-free chicken for natural, high protein
• Has an optimal amino acid profile to support strong and lean muscles
• Enhanced with natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for better health
• Contains proprietary probiotics to support gut health 
• Includes a healthy fatty acid blend to support your dog’s skin and coat

Cons

• No notable drawbacks 

Alternative: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula

Alternatively, you could choose to feed your Blue Heeler the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula dog food. Blue Buffalo is undoubtedly one of the best dog food brands around, and this formula does not disappoint.

This dog food is available in bags ranging from 6lb through to 30lb bags and is packed with goodness for your Blue Heeler. It contains real meat as the main ingredient for high protein, and also includes Omega 3 and 6 to support your dog’s coat and skin.

Additionally, it is packed with life source bits to help your dog’s immune system. While this dog food is packed with protein and carbohydrates for healthy energy, it contains absolutely no animal by-products or common allergens that could be harmful to your dog.

With this in mind, we think this is one of the best options on the market for the Blue Heeler breed. 

Pros

• Available in 6lb, 15lb, and 30lb bags 
• Contains real meat as the main ingredient for high protein
• Includes omega 3 and omega 6 for a healthy coat and skin
• Comes with no animal by-product, wheat, or other ingredients that could be harmful 
• Includes “life source bits” for your dog’s immune system 
• Full of protein and carbohydrates to give your dog lots of energy

Cons

• Limited flavor range

Alternative: Nulo Senior Dry Dog Food

Another brilliant option for Blue Heelers is the Nulo Senior Dry Dog Food. This is a great choice if you do not want to invest in a large bag of dog food as it is available in a range of sizes from 4.5 pounds through to 26 pounds.

It is protein-rich which is primarily sourced from animals but is supplemented with protein from fruit and vegetables. Additionally, it includes glucosamine and chondroitin to support your Blue Heeler’s hips and joints, and also L-carnitine to keep your dog healthy and lean.

This dog food is completely grain-free to avoid allergens and is also packed with probiotics for gut health and a healthy immune system. With this in mind, there’s no question that this is one of the best options available. 

Pros

• Comes in 4.5lb, 6lb, 11lb, 24lb, and 26lb bags
• Protein-rich diet primarily sourced from animals
• Includes glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy hips and joints 
• Includes L-carnitine to keep your dog lean and healthy
• Packed with probiotics for gut health and immune system
• Grain-free to avoid any common allergens

Cons

• Only suitable for senior dogs 

Alternative: Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food

Finally, we cannot forget about the Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food. This formula is available in bags from 4lb through to 24lb and is packed with nutrients that will improve the lifestyle of your Blue Heeler.

This includes omega 3 fatty acids for your dog’s skin and coat, and taurine to support your dog’s heart and internal organs. It comes in a yummy fish flavor which is made up of salmon, sardine, and anchovies and is supplemented with probiotics and prebiotics for a healthy gut.

With all of this plus the fact that it is packed with natural fiber and protein to allow your dog to live a healthy life, there is absolutely no doubt that this is one of the best dog foods for Blue Heelers that exist. 

Pros

• Available in 4lb, 12lb, and 24lb bags
• Utilizes prebiotics and probiotics for a healthy gut
• Includes omega 3 fatty acids for skin and coat
• Supports your dog’s heart and internal organs as it includes taurine
• Packed with natural fiber and protein to support a healthy lifestyle
• Yummy sardine, salmon, and anchovy flavor 

Cons

• Very limited flavor range 

Best Dog Food for Blue Heeler Buyer’s Guide

Finding the perfect dog food for your Blue Heeler can be difficult, but there’s no need to stress because we’re here to help with this guide to the best dog foods for this breed.

The options that we have looked at above are some of the best available, but if you are still unsure, we’ve put together this buyer’s guide to help.

We’ve included all of the information that you need to know about feeding your Blue Heeler to ensure you make the purchase that is right for your furry friends. 

Ingredients to Look For

First, let’s take a look at the different types of ingredients that you should look out for in your dog food.

While there are lots of different types of dog food available, not all of these will be suitable for dogs who work and live active lifestyles as the Blue Heeler does. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the key ingredients you should look for when buying food for your working dog. 

The first thing that you should look for is high-quality protein. Protein is essential for every dog’s diet, but it is incredibly important to dogs that are working. For working dogs, not only is protein important, but it should be high-quality protein sourced from animals.

This can then be supplemented with protein from vegetables and whole grains, but it should primarily come from meat. As well as animal protein, you should also look out for foods that contain lots of fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

You will be able to find some of these things in meat, but you will be able to find them all in vegetables and fruit which can supplement the meat. 

Finally, you should look out for omega fatty acids and other types of vitamins. In particular, Omega fatty acids are essential in maintaining your dog’s skin and coat, something which is essential when they work outdoors.

In addition, you should also look out for ingredients such as taurine, glucosamine, and chondroitin, as all of these support dogs to live an active lifestyle by looking out for their joints and internal organs. 

Ingredients to Avoid 

Now that we’ve taken a look at the ingredients that you should look for in dog food for Blue Heelers, let’s take a look at the ingredients that you should avoid.

Even though you might not expect it from a working dog, Blue Heelers are actually prone to sensitivities when it comes to food, so let’s take a look at what you should avoid.

The main thing that you should avoid is food that could be harmful to your dog. This is especially important if you plan to add a small amount of human food to your dog’s meals.

While we would advise against including human food in your dog’s diet, a lot of people still choose to do it as it is safe as long as you avoid foods that are poisonous to dogs.

In particular, you should avoid chocolate, raisins, grapes, onions, and garlic. But the list of foods that are toxic to dogs is much longer than this, and you should always do your research before adding your own food to your dog’s meal.

Another thing that you should avoid feeding your dog is bones. This might come as a surprise because bones are something that you immediately link to dogs, but they can actually be very dangerous.

Especially when the bones are cooked. You should never feed your dog cooked bones as they are prone to splintering meaning they can injure your dog’s mouth while they are chewing.

Not only can they injure your dog’s mouth, but they can also damage their internal organs should the bone splinter during the digestion process, so you should never give your dog cooked bones to chew. 

Finally, you should consider allergens when buying dog food. The Blue Heeler is not prone to allergies as a breed, however, this doesn’t mean that your specific dog won’t suffer with them.

To be on the safe side, we recommend avoiding dog foods that contain soy, wheat, or corn as these are known to cause allergic reactions to lots of dogs. 

Health Conditions to Watch out For 

Finally, let’s take a look at how you can use your dog’s diet to prevent them from developing common health conditions. All dog breeds have links to health conditions, and the Blue Heeler is no different. 

While a lot of dog breeds have links to genetic conditions that can limit the length of their lives, the Blue Heeler mainly has links to conditions that affect their joints and other musculoskeletal issues.

These include arthritis, patellar luxation, and dysplasia in both their hips and elbows. While breeding plays a big part in whether or not your dog will suffer from these conditions, their chances can also be improved or worsened by their diet. 

If you feed your Blue Heeler a diet that is packed with supplements that will help their joints, then the chances of them developing these conditions will be reduced. In particular, we recommend looking for dog foods that contain glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as this will help improve the health of their joints.

You should also look for dog foods that are high in protein as this will help support their joints and keep them strong and healthy. So if you notice that your dog is beginning to limp, simply switching to a dog food that contains these supplements could help improve their problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I feed my Blue Heeler human food?

While a lot of people choose to feed their dogs human food, this is actually not a good choice. Even though our dogs might be enticed by the smell of human food, our food lacks the nutrients that dogs require to live strong and healthy lifestyles.

Additionally, a lot of foods that are safe for consumption by human beings are actually toxic to dogs and could cause disastrous health problems, and even death, if consumed in large portions.

So it is best not to feed your dog any human food, and to instead stick to food designed for dogs. 

How often should I feed my Blue Heeler?

Due to their natural herding instinct, Blue Heelers are incredibly active dogs. They can spend endless hours running about, and because of this, they require regular feeding to restore the calories that they are burning.

Every dog food will come with a suggested portion amount and you should follow this when feeding your Blue Heeler.

But instead of feeding your dog once a day, we would recommend splitting their portion throughout the day so that the calories they burn are regularly restored. 

How much food should I feed my Blue Heeler?

The general rule of thumb is that you should feed your dog between 20-30 calories for every pound of their body weight.

On average, an adult Blue Heeler can weigh anything between 30 and 50 pounds so this will give you an idea of the amount of food you should be feeding your dog.

However, if your Blue Heeler is a working dog you may need to feed them more calories to fit their lifestyle.