Australian Shepherd Puppy Feeding Chart
Table of Contents
Australian Shepherd puppies are known for being energetic, intelligent, and playful. These fluffy pooches belong to a medium-sized breed and are easy to train. But, very few people adopt them. Nurturing and raising them can be quite challenging if you are ignorant of which type of food to feed them, how much, how many times a day, and when to switch to dog food.
To increase their quality of life, it is necessary to serve them high-quality food that contains all sorts of nutrients. Also, you should determine the right amount of food to feed them. A 3-12 lbs Australian puppy should eat ½ to 1 cup of food in the first 12 weeks of his life. A 21-50 lbs dog should eat a minimum of 1 ½ to 2 ¾ cups of food at the age of 4 to 5 months.
In this guide, we are going to enlighten you about what their food should contain, how often they should eat, and the appropriate quantity of food they should eat, along with an Australian shepherd puppy feeding chart.
What Amount Of Food To Feed My Australian Shepherd Puppy?
The answer to this question is— it depends. Initially, it is reliant on the food quality you are feeding them. If you give them low-quality food, you will have to feed them a large amount. The bad thing about cheap food is that it is less digestible and contains fewer nutrients, so it does not fulfill their dietary requirements.
To make sure he develops properly and stays healthy throughout his life, we would recommend feeding them superior quality food. It has all the vital nutrients your puppy needs for optimal growth and development. Best of all, you will have to feed them less amount and expectantly with lower vet bills because he will generally be healthy.
To evaluate how much to feed them, you can rely on the general feeding recommendations given on the dog food packaging. However, you can also consult with the vet in this regard. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to feel their ribs but not see them. There should also be a bit of curve at the waistline. If she seems to be chubby, you are overfeeding her.
Australian Shepherd Puppy Feeding Schedule
To give you a clue of what amount of food to feed your Australian shepherd puppy, here is a feeding schedule based on their age.
Up To 2 Weeks
From birth to 2 weeks, she will be nursed by her mom, so you can’t start the weaning process during this period. If their mother is absent, you should feed them milk formula to fulfill their nutritional needs.
3 To 4 Weeks
By the third week, you can begin your Aussie’s weaning process. Many puppy parents will suggest a combination of hard food and water, but you can also utilize a milk alternative so that she won’t be able to feel the difference between her mommy’s milk and the new food you have fed her.
Ultimately, her mother will gradually stop feeding her as her teeth start to grow, which will make the bitch uncomfortable while feeding. In the 4th week, she should obtain ½ to ¾ cup of food that is mixed with either milk formula or water.
5 To 6 Weeks
At this stage, they are fully weaned and are ready to be switched to solid food. You should serve them food 4 to 5 times a day and lower the frequency to 3 times a day once they get older.
7 To 9 Weeks Old
Now, you can increase the amount of food to 1 ½ cup a day but make sure to feed them thrice a day. If you are willing to modify the food flavor, recipe, or brand, do it slowly to prevent stomach-related issues such as abdominal pain, vomiting, etc.
Australian Shepherd Puppy Feeding Chart By Weight
| Dog Weight In LBS | Birth To 12 Weeks | 4 To 5 Months | 6 To 8 Months | 9 To 11 Months | 1 To 2 Years |
| 3-12 | 1/2-1 Cup | 2/3-1 1/3 Cups | 1/2-1 1/2 Cups | Adult Portion | Adult Portion |
| 13-20 | 1/2-1 1/4 Cups | 1 1/8-2 Cups | 3/4-1 1/3 Cups | 1-1 1/2 Cups | Adult Portion |
| 21-50 | 1/2-1 1/2 Cups | 1 1/2-2 3/4 Cups | 1 1/8-2 1/3 Cups | 2-3 Cups | 2-4 1/4 Cups |
| 51-75 | 5/8-2 1/3 Cups | 1 1/2-4 Cups | 1 1/2-3 3/4 Cups | 2 1/2-4 3/4 Cups | 2 5/8-6 1/4 Cups |
| 76-100 | 1-2 2/3 Cups | 2 7/8-3 3/4 Cups | 2 7/8-6 1/3 Cups | 3 7/8-7 Cups | 5 5/8-11 Cups |
| 101+ | 2 2/3 Cups + 1/3 Cup For Every 10lbs Over 100 | 3 3/4 Cups + 1/3 Cup For Every 10lbs Over 100 | 6 1/3 Cups + 1/3 Cup For Every 10lbs Over 100 | 7 Cups + 1/3 Cup For Every 10lbs Over 100 | 11 Cups + 1/3 Cup For Every 10lbs Over 100 |
Australian Shepherd Puppy Feeding Chart By Age
| Puppy age | Minimum number of cups per day | Maximum number of cups per day |
| 4 to 5 months | 1 and ¾ cups | 3 and 1/3 cups |
| 6 to 8 months | 1 and 1/3 cups | 3 and ¼ cups |
| 9 to 11 months | 2 and 1/3 cups | 4 cups |
| 1 to 2 years | 2 and 1/3 cups | 5 and ¼ cups |
A List Of Foods Harmful To Puppies
- Garlic
- Onions and Chives
- Almonds
- Cooked Bones
- Fat Trimmings
- Liver
- Raw Meat
- Fish
- Apple Seeds
- Avocado
- Grapes and Raisins
- Persimmon
- Peaches and Plum Pits
- Rhubarb and Tomato Leaves
- Chocolate
- Macadamia
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Salt
- Sugar
- Yeast
Conclusion
We are hopeful that after reading our guide on the “Australian shepherd puppy feeding chart,” you now have a better idea of how many times a day, how much, and how long to feed your Aussie puppy food. Remember, you will want to get her on a routine and feed her at the same time thrice a day. Make sure to provide them the premium quality food to guarantee the best health for your furry companion. A feeding schedule is important because it forms a foundation that will impact her future well-being, health, and behavior.
References:
https://australianshepherds.org/finding-an-aussie/faqs/
https://www.petcarerx.com/article/how-a-healthy-dog-weight-can-prevent-disease/348
http://web.archive.org/web/20080421174712/http://www.theaustralianshepherd.net/health/feeding.shtml
https://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com/natural-diets-for-dogs.html
