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Shetland Sheepdogs (or Shelties) are high-energy bundles of long, silky fur. Their characteristic long coat can reach the ground, and they are double-coated dogs. Shelties come in 6 approved colors, and their long coat sheds seasonally. Finding the best dog food for Shetland Sheepdogs is important for their health and well-being.
They are a medium-sized herding breed, weighing about 15-25 pounds. Shelties are smart, good with children, and enjoy a busy, active lifestyle like other herding breeds. They excel in sports such as Frisbee, agility, and obedience. A relatively long-lived breed, your Sheltie will keep you on your toes for 12-14 years.
Shelties are generally a healthy breed, but you should be aware of some health concerns and how diet can affect them. It's essential to work with your veterinarian to choose the best Shetland Sheepdogs dog food brands. Today, I'll share eight recipes that I often recommend to my patients in my veterinary practice.
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Health of Shetland Sheepdogs
Shelties are one of the few medium-sized breed dogs prone to hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a developmental orthopedic disease in which the “ball and socket” joint of the hip does not form properly.
Genetics plays a large part in the development of the disease, and it is important to ensure that your pup's parents have their hips certified – the current best method being the PennHip technique. While screening helps eliminate the genes in breeding stock, it is still possible for Shelties to develop hip dysplasia.
While there is a genetic component to these diseases, significant nutritional risk factors play a part during puppyhood. These risk factors are rapid growth and excess dietary calcium intake.
To be safe, don't overfeed your Sheltie. Being overweight puts more strain on your dog's hips and joints, leading to early-onset arthritis and hip dysplasia. It's also essential to feed a recommended breed and age-appropriate food.
The Best Dog Food for Shetland Sheepdogs
(for Common Health Problems)
Before switching your dog to any new diet, always consult with a veterinarian. Remember that no article on the internet can replace a consultation with a vet, including this one.
Speaking of overfeeding, Shelties can be prone to obesity. Being overweight or obese can lead to problems with their skin, digestion, and joint health. It is essential to consider your dog's activity level, as sedentary or older Shelties require fewer calories.
Eukanuba Weight Control Adult
It can be challenging to monitor your Sheltie's body condition with all that thick fur, so talk to your veterinarian about their weight and body condition score. If you are concerned about your Sheltie's weight, a good food to check out is Eukanuba Weight Control Adult.
Eukanuba is a trusted brand that is a bit more affordable than other premium dog foods. It is excellent for Shelties who need to lose a pound or two while supporting their overall health.
It contains omega-3 fatty acids (keeping that coat shiny and skin healthy) and Eukanuba's trademarked DENTADEFENSE kibble structure that helps to reduce tartar. High fiber content keeps your dog feeling fuller for longer, and whole-grain barley will help control blood glucose levels steadily between meals.
Shelties can also have difficulty with dentistry. It is crucial to start at-home dental care as early in life as possible, including daily tooth brushing with a dog-safe enzymatic toothpaste. Regular check-ups (once or twice a year) with your veterinarian can also help you monitor his oral health.
Hill's Prescription Diet Oral Care t/d
Don't despair if it is impossible to brush your Sheltie's teeth. I recommend Hill's Prescription Diet Dental Care t/d as the best dog food for Shetland Sheepdogs suffering from dental trouble.
This small bite formula is fantastic for Shelties. The kibble shape and composition allow it to stick to the teeth when bitten. As your dog chews, the matrix of the kibble gently pulls away accumulated plaque from the surface of the tooth and along the gum line. This diet isn't just good for the teeth – it is a complete, balanced diet for adult dogs.
The Best Dog Food for Shetland Sheepdogs Puppies
A solid foundation of nutrition starts in puppyhood. Most pups are fully weaned by 6-8 weeks of age and should be on a balanced puppy-specific food. As mentioned above, it is important not to overfeed your Sheltie – a practice that could predispose him to obesity and hip dysplasia.
Eukanuba Puppy Growth
When I'm asked to recommend the best dog food for Shetland Sheepdogs in the puppy stage, I choose Eukanuba Puppy Growth. This food contains over 20 nutrients found in mother's milk, including brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acid DHA. Shelties are smart, and this food will help promote healthy brain development.
In dogs, the digestive tract is home to many lymph nodes that make up the immune system. Prebiotics and an appropriate fiber content not only help support proper digestion but also boost the immune system.
Purina Pro Plan Focus Chicken and Rice
Don't despair if you can't find Eukanuba or it is out of your price range. Another best dog food for Shetland Sheepdogs puppies is the Purina Pro Plan Focus Chicken and Rice.
Purina has created a great all-around puppy food for multiple breeds. It stands out for the smart Sheltie due to its DHA content. The small kibble size also makes it easy for the long-nosed herder to pick up and chew.
The Best Dog Food for Adult Shetland Sheepdog
Most Shelties don't start putting on weight until they are out of puppyhood. Even though they often can have a high energy level, they are easy keepers and easily become overweight.
Royal Canin Medium Weight Care Adult
It is a good idea to feed Royal Canin Medium Weight Care Adult if your Sheltie isn't overweight yet, as it may help to prevent unwanted weight gain. Royal Canin is a premium food that has stood the test of time.
They have made great strides in canine nutrition – providing more “tailor-made” products for your dog's particular needs. A great benefit to this food is the ingredients list and how you are instructed to feed your dog.
The feeding guide on the side of the bag provides a range for feeding dogs based on their activity level – low, medium, and high. Attention to detail can help prevent overfeeding.
High Energy Shetland Sheepdogs
Shelties are very popular agility dogs, and many perform at top levels. Regardless of what level you compete at, providing the best dog food for Shetland Sheepdogs is vital to your athlete.
In this situation, I recommend Bully Max High Performance Premium Dry Dog Food. Dogs don't start to burn protein for energy until they've been running for about 30 minutes. Agility athletes are dashing in a very short amount of time, meaning they need less protein and more carbohydrates than, say a foxhound.
Royal Canin's agility formula meets 21% protein and 42% carbohydrate requirements. It also includes glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate to help keep your Sheltie's joints in top form.
The Best Dog Food for Senior Shetland Sheepdog
Shelties live a relatively long life and have similar needs to other herding breeds as they age. Joints can suffer from arthritis, and teeth may be missing in these golden years. These issues need to be considered when switching to the best dog food for Shetland Sheepdogs in their golden years (9 years+).
Nutro Wet Senior
The Nutro Wet Senior is an excellent choice for dogs in this category. Nutro diets are not available in every pet store but are easily found online. Seeking them out can make a world of difference in your senior Sheltie.
Nutro has combined tasty chicken, oat bran, and a published minimum level of joint-protecting glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate to keep your Sheltie on his toes. No teeth? No problem. This soft canned formula is easy to pick up and chew.
Royal Canin Medium Aging
The Royal Canin Medium Aging is another choice as the best dog food for Shetland Sheepdogs in their senior stage of life. If your Sheltie still enjoys the “crunchies,” look no further than Royal Canin. This food can easily be paired with a canned diet like Nutro and provides premium nutrition.
This unique senior formula provides high DHA, EPA, and antioxidants for brain health support. Royal Canin is known for its research and development into kibble size and matrix composition – the kibble of this food is unique in that it quickly absorbs water. Adding water to the kibble can make it as soft as your dog needs it to be as she gets older.
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