What’s the Best Fresh Food for Australian Shepherds?

Fresh dog food is made with whole ingredients—such as meat, veggies, and grains—and is cooked rather than heavily processed, like traditional kibble.

Unlike traditional kibble, which is heavily processed to be shelf-stable, fresh food is often gently cooked and refrigerated or frozen to preserve its nutritional value. It’s formulated to meet your dog’s dietary needs while offering a taste and texture that many dogs prefer.

Fresh food is often recommended by veterinarians for dogs who benefit from a more natural, wholesome diet.

If you’re looking for the best fresh food for your Australian Shepherd, Chewy’s Get Real Fresh Food is an excellent option. Made with real, wholesome ingredients and gently cooked to retain nutrients, Get Real is specially formulated to support your pup’s health at every life stage.

Get Real is a meal subscription featuring pre-portioned packs that are delivered right to your door. There are three recipes to choose from, and the food is delivered frozen so you can thaw it before serving.

Another fresh food option for Aussies is JustFoodForDogs. It’s available in frozen or a shelf-stable form, with several flavors and recipes to choose from. It also has veterinary diets available to support Australian Shepherds with specific health needs.

Fresh food diets offer several potential benefits—particularly for active dog breeds like the Australian Shepherd.

Australian Shepherds need at least an hour or two of exercise every day. Because of this, they burn calories quickly and need reliable energy throughout the day.

Since fresh dog food is nutrient-dense and made with high-quality protein sources, it can help fuel your Aussie’s active lifestyle.

The balanced blend of proteins, healthy fats, and vitamins in fresh food can support your dog’s skin and coat health—helping them look as good as they feel.

This is a big perk for Australian Shepherds in particular, who tend to have food allergies that result in dry, itchy skin.

Fresh foods are typically easier for dogs to digest compared to heavily processed kibble. For Australian Shepherds, who can be prone to food sensitivities, this can help reduce the risk of gastrointestinal issues.

One less-glamorous but very real perk of fresh food is improved stool quality. With fewer fillers and more digestible ingredients, dogs eating fresh food often produce smaller, less odorous stools.

Always talk to your veterinarian about the best dog food for your pup—they are your best source of intel when it comes to your specific Aussie’s health.