Fresh Food for Icelandic Sheepdogs
Given their friendly expression, waterproof coat, and sense of adventure, it’s no surprise that Icelandic sheepdogs descend from a Viking companion dog. Members of the fox-like spitz family, Icelandics were bred to herd sheep on a rugged landscape—witness their endurance and intelligence. Their warm fur varies in length and color, but always includes white, and is fairly low maintenance, despite seasonal shedding. Beyond the fields, the breed makes a fun, affectionate family companion, provided they get lots of physical (and mental!) exercise. Otherwise, a bored Icelandic can behave poorly. These dogs instinctively keep watch over their human family—and bark whenever a perceived intruder approaches.
What’s the best dog food for Icelandic sheepdogs?
A diet of fresh dog food for your Icelandic sheepdog is the best way to support their health and happiness—along with daily exercise, regular vet care, and a sense of adventure.
Why fresh is best for your Icelandic Sheepdogs
Highly processed kibble can contribute to many issues that can compromise your Icelandic Sheepdogs’s health. Recipes from The Farmer’s Dog are made with fresh, human-grade ingredients, steamed to retain nutrients, and pre-portioned to help maintain weight.
Feed Fresh TodayProtect joints
Icelandic sheepdogs are prone to joint issues. Maintaining a lean body condition can help. And fresh food from The Farmer’s Dog contains Omega-3 fatty acids, proven to reduce inflammation and improve arthritis. Even if kibble contains these healthy fats, they can go rancid sitting on the shelf for long periods. Rancid fats don’t deliver the intended health benefits, and in fact can contribute to inflammation. Fresh food delivers these powerful nutrients intact to your Icelandic sheepdog.
Dial up dental health (and fresh breath!)
For dogs like Icelandic sheepdogs, who may be prone to dental disease, don’t look to a dried pellet to clean teeth. Kibble is an ultra-processed food—it sticks to teeth, contributing to plaque, and it can contain substances that actually fuel inflammation in the tissues of the body, including the mouth. Eating for dental health means eating for overall health. A fresh, whole-food diet promotes a healthier immune system, which helps ward off dental infections—and it doesn’t stick to teeth.
Know what’s in the bowl
For Icelandic sheepdogs with dry and itchy skin, sensitive stomachs, or other signs of food allergies and sensitivities, it’s important to know exactly what you’re feeding—something that can be impossible with kibble, which often contains ingredients not listed on the bag. Allergies and intolerances to food are all too common and many dog owners notice symptoms clear up when they switch to fresh food.
Maintain a healthy weight
It’s critically important to avoid overfeeding any dog, big or small. Being even a little overweight can increase your Icelandic sheepdog's odds of developing a host of diseases like arthritis, diabetes, and even cancer. A fresh-food plan, tailored to your dog’s needs, and delivered in pre-portioned packs, makes weight maintenance easy.
Read more about dog food and Icelandic Sheepdogs
- 5 Science-Backed Benefits of Fresh Food
- The Wonder of Your Dog’s Paws and How To Take Care of Them
- What Should I Feed My Dog With Itchy Skin?
- The Gas Guide: What To Know About Canine Flatulence