Fresh Food for Shetland Sheepdogs
Great with young kids, and generally good with other dogs, Shetland sheepdogs blend easily into family life. These herding dogs hail from Scotland’s Shetland Islands and are known as Shelties for short. They love to play and are easy to train, excelling in the areas of obedience, agility, and herding, of course. Standing 13 to 16 inches, Shetland sheepdogs weigh anywhere from 15 to 25 pounds and have long, thick coats. They do shed, so you have to brush your Shetland sheepdog regularly, and you should own a good vacuum—a small price to pay for a beautiful dog with a great personality.
What’s the best dog food for Shetland Sheepdogs?
A diet of fresh food for your Shetland sheepdog is the best way to support their health and happiness — along with daily exercise, regular vet care, and the willingness to brush their gorgeous coats a few times a week.
Why fresh is best for your Shetland Sheepdogs
Highly processed kibble can contribute to many issues that can compromise your Shetland 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
Shetland 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 Shetland sheepdog.
Promote better digestion (and poops)
A fresh diet provides human-grade, highly digestible protein, which contributes to many facets of your Shetland sheepdog’s health. It supports optimal muscle growth and maintenance and a strong heart. Another hallmark of a digestible diet is what we call “high quality poops.” Research shows that a digestible, bioavailable diet affects the quality and quantity of your dog’s poop—making it less voluminous, and less stinky, than their poop on a kibble diet!
Know what’s in the bowl
For Shetland 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 Shetland 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 Shetland 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