Hello, pet parents! Welcome to my ultimate guide on feeding Shetland sheepdogs.
In this guide, I will cover how much to feed a Shetland Sheepdog, how often to feed a Shetland Sheepdog, when to feed your Shetland Sheepdog, what foods to feed your Shetland Sheepdog, what foods to avoid feeding your Shetland Sheepdog, and other questions you may have about your Shetland Sheepdog’s nutrition.
You can read the article to the end or go through the table of contents below and jump to the section that answers the questions you have on your mind.
- Shetland Sheepdog Nutritional Requirements
- The Factors Affecting the Feeding of a Shetland Sheepdog
- Shetland Sheepdog Feeding Quantity
- Shetland Sheepdog Feeding Frequency
- Shetland Sheepdog Feeding Schedule
- The Kind of Food Should To Feed Your Shetland Sheepdog
- The Kind of Food To Avoid Feeding Your Shetland Sheepdog
- When To Transition Your Shetland Sheepdog From Puppy Food To Adult Food
- Why Your Shetland Sheepdog Is Not Eating
- Why Your Shetland Sheepdog Is Always Hungry
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Shetland Sheepdogs were originally bred for herding, so they are full of energy and excellent runners. They are loved for their affectionate nature, loyalty, and protective instincts. They are also extremely intelligent and will need both mental and physical exercises to stay healthy.
I have created this ultimate guide to feeding your Shetland sheepdog for curious and new pet parents to solve your dog’s nutrition problem. I will go into detail on every feeding question you may have based on my experience working for a veterinarian.
Let’s jump into the article.
Shetland Sheepdog Nutritional Requirements
Shetland sheepdogs are small dogs that require the proper nutrients in specific amounts to grow healthy. Like other dog breeds, if some of these nutrients are present in excess amounts or less, it would end up endangering the overall health of your dog.
Your Shetland sheepdog’s meal should primarily consist of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins to meet their nutritional requirements for a healthy lifestyle.
The size of a Shetland sheepdog will require adequate and quality nutrients to maintain its body weight. Failure to do so can result in health issues and prevent your dog from reaching its peak size.
Your Shetland sheepdog’s protein source must be animal protein like chicken, turkey, lamb, and beef. Their fat source can be fish oil or vegetables. Their source of fiber can come from wholesome, healthy vegetables like cabbage, carrots, sprouts, and broccoli.
Nutritional Requirement for a Shetland Sheepdog Puppy
The diet of a Shetland sheepdog puppy should consist of 22% protein, 8% fat, and 6% fiber. Shetland sheepdog puppies are energetic and have a high metabolism. They grow fast and will require quality nutrients to keep up. They require protein for building healthy muscles and minerals for strong bones; carbohydrates for energy; and fats for maintaining a healthy coat.
Nutritional Requirement for an Adult Shetland Sheepdog
The meal plan for a mature and adult Shetland sheepdog should consist of 18% protein, carbohydrates, 5% fat, and fiber. At this stage, Shetland sheepdogs are most active and will need protein and carbohydrates to keep their weight and energy level optimal. However, you should avoid overfeeding your pet at this stage, as they are prone to obesity and will develop health issues.
Nutritional Requirement for a Senior Shetland Sheepdog
Your Shetland sheepdog is less active at this stage than at previous stages. At this age, your pet’s food should ideally contain 30% protein, 5% fat, and fiber. Senior Shetland sheepdogs will need minerals and vitamins added to their food to strengthen their bones and immune system.
The Factors Affecting the Feeding of a Shetland Sheepdog
Some factors will affect the diet of your Shetland sheepdog, such as the size of the breed, its age, its activity level, and its underlying health conditions.
Let’s take a quick look at those factors before we jump into the quantity of food to feed your dog.
Size consideration
The average length of a Shetland Sheepdog for males and females is 33–41 cm (13–16 inches) from the sole of their feet to their shoulder. The weight of a Shetland sheepdog is 5.0 to 10.9 kg.
Both males and females are of the same size, so both will require the same number of calories to meet their nutritional requirements.
Age consideration
Shetland sheepdog puppies will require more calories at their growing stage due to their high metabolic rate. They need to be fed a lot if you want them to grow into strong, healthy dogs.
Adult Shetland sheepdogs should not be fed more often than their puppy counterparts. The adults have a slow metabolism that can lead to stomach bloating and indigestion if they’re fed excessively.
Your senior Shetland sheepdog will be less active and require fewer calories than when they were younger. Doing otherwise might lead to obesity and other serious health problems.
Activity Level
Athletes are required to maintain a strict diet compared to non-athletes, so you should also keep your Shetland sheepdog away from certain foods if you want to maintain its athletic abilities.
You wouldn’t want to feed your Shetland sheepdog a meal high in fat and sodium, like cheap fast food, which would make him sluggish and lethargic.
These fast foods don’t contain the nutrients that would make your dog perform to the best of their abilities and make them slow to learn new tricks or obey your commands.
Health Consideration
Shetland Sheepdogs are prone to certain health conditions, which should be taken into consideration in their diets if you wish to manage or prevent those issues.
Some health issues that affect your Shetland sheepdog include hip dysplasia, mitral valve disease, retinal dysplasia, luxating patella, cataracts, and hearing disorders.Â
These health problems could be avoided or mitigated by eating or avoiding certain foods from the start, rather than treating them as they arise.
It might be tempting to cut corners and go for the cheapest food. But engaging in such an act in the long run could lead to pain, seeing your Shetland sheepdog sick, frequent visits to the vet, and thousands of dollars in expenses.
Shetland Sheepdog Feeding Quantity
Your Shetland sheepdog, just like any other dog breed, will require different amounts of food according to their stage of development. The amount of food a puppy will need will be different than the amount of food an adult will need to meet their nutritional requirements.
On average, feed your Shetland sheepdog puppy 0.30 to 0.70 cups of food that has 150 to 580 kcal per day; feed your adult Shetland sheepdog 0.7 to 1.3 cups per day that has 580 to 785 kcal per day; and feed your senior Shetland sheepdog 0.75 cup per day that has 410 kcal per day.
I will provide you with charts below to help you plan your dog’s meals from its puppy years to its senior years. However, this meal plan is not one-size-fits-all. It’s just a general guideline that should be followed based on your dog’s needs and recommendations from your vet or dog nutritionist.
How Much To Feed a Shetland Sheepdog Puppy
For your Shetland sheepdog puppy to grow into healthy adults, the meal should be high in protein and low in fat, which can be obtained from animal meat.
A Shetland sheepdog puppy should be given 0.30 to 0.7 cups of food per day that contains 150 kcal to 580 kcal of nutrients based on its age, weight, size, gender, and physical activity.
The feeding requirement of your puppy is given in detail in the charts below:
| Age | Daily FoodQuantity (Cups) | Kilocalories(Per day) | Protein | Fats |
| 2 – 3 months | 0.30 | 150 – 345 | 15-25% | 10-15% |
| 3 – 6 months | 0.30 – 0.38 | 340 – 475 | 15-25% | 10-15% |
| 6–12 months | 0.38 – 0.70 | 475 – 580 | 15-25% | 10-15% |
Following the guidelines above will aid in bone development and muscle growth, and strengthen their immune system to fight off common bacteria and viruses that can lead to some health complications.
How Much To Feed an Adult Shetland Sheepdog
Following the above guidelines will aid in bone development and muscle growth, as well as strengthen their immune system to combat common bacteria and viruses that can cause health complications. This is done by reducing the feeding frequency to two times per day.
A mature and adult Shetland sheepdog puppy should be given 0.7 to 1.3 cups of food per day that contains 580 to 785 kcal of nutrients based on its age, weight, size, gender, and physical activity.
The chart below will give you an understanding of the daily consumption needs of adult Shetland Sheepdogs to help you with their meal plan.
| Age | Daily Food Quantity(Cups) | Kilocalories(Per day) | Protein | Fats |
| 1–7 years | 0.7 – 1.3 | 580 – 785 | 18-25% | 10-15% |
How Much To Feed a Senior Shetland Sheepdog
Senior Shetland sheepdogs are generally less active than their younger counterparts due to fragile bones and joints. This means their meals will contain fewer calories, protein, and fat.
Geriatric Shetland sheepdogs are often plagued with health issues. Some of these issues can be alleviated by supplementing your senior dog’s diet with vitamins and minerals to help revive his or her weakened immune system and fragile bones.
Senior and geriatric Shetland sheepdog puppies should be given 0.75 cups of food per day that contains 410 kcal of nutrients based on their age, weight, size, gender, and health issues.
The table below gives you some details about the meal plan of an older Shetland sheepdog.
| Age | Daily Food Quantity(Cups) | Kilocalories(Per day) | Protein | Fats |
| 8 years and above | 0.75 | 410 | 28-32% | 8-12% |
You can continue giving your senior dog the same food you give your adult Shetland sheepdog, only in a smaller quantity as they don’t need as many calories as adult dogs. However, you should still consult your vet or pet nutritionist to be on the safe side.
Shetland Sheepdog Feeding Frequency
Your Shetland sheepdog’s meal frequency will vary the same as the feeding amounts, which are majorly dependent on its age. Below is a list of how often to feed your Portuguese water dog:
How Often Should You Feed Your Shetland Sheepdog Puppy?
•     During the weaning process or at 8 weeks old and below, feed them four times a day at equally spaced intervals.
•     8 weeks to 3 months old: feed them four times a day at equally spaced intervals.
•     4 months to 12 months old: gradually transition to feeding them three times a day with equally spaced time intervals
| Age | Optimal Feeding Times |
| 2 – 5 months | 7:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. |
| 6 – 12 months | 8:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. |
| 1 year and above | 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. |
How Often Should You Feed Your Adult Shetland Sheepdog?
You should feed your adult Shetland sheepdog two times a day, with 12 hours of spacing between meals. One in the morning and one in the evening is ideal.
How Often Should You Feed Your Senior Shetland Sheepdog?
You should feed your senior Shetland Sheepdog two times a day except given a specific schedule by a vet.
Shetland Sheepdog Feeding Schedule
•       Shetland Sheepdog puppies should be free-fed or fed in the morning, afternoon, evening, and night due to a faster metabolism in comparison to their adult colleagues.
•     Adolescent Shetland sheepdog should be fed in the morning, afternoon, and evening to help them transition properly into an adult.
•     Adult and Senior Shetland sheepdogs should also be fed in the morning and in the evening unless stated differently by your vet or pet nutritionist.
As a general rule, you should feed your Shetland sheepdog a few hours before going to bed in the evening, so they have enough time to digest the food before going to sleep.
In total, we shouldn’t spoil our companions with treats as they may grow too attached to them. Treats should be heavily used as a reward when training your dog.
| Age | Optimal Feeding Times |
| 2 – 5 months old | 6:00 am, 11:00 am, 4:00 pm, and 9:00 pm |
| 6 – 12 months | 7:00 am, 12:00 pm, 5:00 pm |
| 1 – 6 years | 7:00 am, 7:00 pm |
| 7 years and above | 7:00 am or 7:00 pm if fed once a day;7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. if fed twice a day. |
The Kind of Food Should To Feed Your Shetland Sheepdog
The food you feed your Great Dane should specifically cater to large breeds and contain the required nutrients necessary for a strong and healthy dog.
The kind of food to feed your Portuguese water dog includes dry dog food, wet dog food, home-cooked food, and Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) to ensure they eat a balanced diet.
Let me touch on these few points to help you understand what to feed your dog:
Dry Dog Food: Dry dog food, or kibble, is a portion of commercial pet food made by grinding and mixing up ingredients like meats, grains, and nutritional additives, which are then shaped into little kernels and cooked at high temperatures to remove the water content. Dry dog food contains more carbs, less fat, less water, and sometimes less protein. Dry dog food is often recommended by vets due to its lower cost, dental health benefits, convenience, weight loss support, and playtime perks.
Wet Dog Food: Wet dog food, or canned food, is made by mixing up and cooking the ingredients before adding or extracting varying amounts of water. Unlike dry dog food, wet dog food contains more water, fewer carbs, more fat, and often more protein. They are recommended by veterinarians due to their high water content, taste, ease of eating, and high nutritional profile.
Home-Cooked Diet: Home-cooked diets are a great option for pet parents who are not into commercial dog food and want to go the extra length to prepare a meal for their furry companion. Feeding your dog a home-cooked meal gives you control over its nutrition and can put your mind at ease that you are always providing the best care for your dog.
BARF Diet: Biologically Appropriate Raw Food is a diet that includes raw meat, raw eggs, crushed animal bones, fruits, vegetables, probiotics, and other natural ingredients. BARF diets are used as a substitute for processed foods with preservatives. However, consult your vet before feeding your pet a raw diet to avoid health complications from harmful substances.
The Kind of Food To Avoid Feeding Your Shetland Sheepdog
We should take caution before giving whatever food we’re eating to our Shetland sheepdog. They have large appetites, which makes it tempting to hand them whatever we find ourselves eating.
There are certain human foods, fruits, and vegetables to avoid feeding your Shetland sheepdog because these foods contain toxins that are harmful to your pet that could lead you to frequent trips to the vet.
Human food to avoid feeding your Shetland sheepdog includes chocolates, coffee, gums, peanut butter, candies, cooked bones, etc.
The fruits and vegetables to avoid feeding your Shetland sheepdog include grapes, avocado, garlic, onions, etc.
You should always check the ingredients on the food label to see if these ingredients are present in the food. Or you can simply consult a vet or pet nutritionist to check the ingredients with them.
When To Transition Your Shetland Sheepdog From Puppy Food To Adult Food
You should transition your Shetland sheepdog puppy from puppy food to adult food when he’s around 10–12 months old.
Transitioning your adolescent Shetland sheepdog from puppy food to adult food is an important stage in your dog’s development. Puppy food contains more calories and nutrients than adult food to meet the nutritional requirements at that stage of life.
Transitioning needs to be gradual by introducing adult feed bit by bit until you get to 100% adult feed.
However, feeding your adult puppy food will fill them with more protein and fat than their body requires and will lead to obesity due to the high fat content the body doesn’t need for optimum growth.
| Â Day | Puppy Food | Adult Food |
| Day 1 – 2 | 75% | 25% |
| Day 3 – 4 | 50% | 50% |
| Day 5 – 6 | 25% | 75% |
| Day 7 – 8 | 0% | 100% |
Why Your Shetland Sheepdog Is Not Eating
Your Shetland sheepdog will not eat if it has one or a combination of the factors listed below:
Illness, dental problems, teething, medication, separation anxiety, time of day, spoiled food, stress, and picky eaters
Shetland sheepdogs can be picky eaters, which is why it’s advisable to avoid spoiling your pet with treats. However, you should see a vet as soon as possible if the symptoms persist.Â
Why Your Shetland Sheepdog Is Always Hungry
Shetland sheepdogs, like other dog breeds, are big eaters. Other reasons may be a deficiency in some nutrients, learned behaviors, too much stress, or a lack of food training.
Excessive exercise will make your dog’s body burn faster, thus making them hungry after such exercises. Worms could be another reason your dog is always hungry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Shetland Sheepdogs eat a lot?
Shetland sheepdogs eat a lot, but this should not be encouraged as they are prone to obesity, which can cause a host of health issues in your dogs. This is why proper feeding and a schedule need to be in place to train your dog.
Can Shetland Sheepdogs become vegetarians?
As a whole, Shetland sheepdogs can live on a vegetarian diet as long as their diet consists of enough nutrients, proteins, fats, and calories to meet their nutritional requirements.
However, you should consult a pet nutritionist or veterinarian to plan a vegan diet for your dog breed to prevent health complications that can arise from an uncertain practice.
Can Shetland Sheepdogs eat bones?
Shetland sheepdogs can eat bones as they contain a great deal of minerals that meet their nutritional requirements. Also, eating bones will strengthen your teeth and gums as well as improve dental hygiene.
However, you should follow some guidelines laid down by the American Kennel Club before giving bones to your Cocker spaniel. One of the guidelines is to throw away the raw meat bones given to your furry friend after three to four days.
What human food can I feed my Shetland Sheepdogs?
You can feed your Shetland sheepdog different types of human foods, such as beef, chicken, pork, turkey, salmon, tuna, and eggs. They can also eat noodles, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, unsalted peanuts, parsnips, and other foods such as rice and pasta, yogurt, cheese, and peanut butter.
What fruits and vegetables can I feed my Shetland Sheepdog?
Shetland sheepdogs can eat many types of fruits, such as strawberries, apples, bananas, raspberries, peaches, mangoes, pears, blueberries, plums, melon, pineapple, oranges, and kiwi fruit. They can also eat vegetables such as pumpkin, carrots, peas, corn, cauliflower, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, and more.
Should you give your Shetland Sheepdog supplements?
Your Portuguese water dog doesn’t need to be given supplements if you feed it a commercial diet that meets its nutritional requirements. However, you may need to feed them supplements if you feed them home-cooked meals as recommended by your vet or dog nutritionist.
Final Thoughts
Shetland sheepdogs are, in my opinion, one of the cutest dog breeds out there. Hence, their wide need for them as a therapeutic dog. They have to be fed with the optimum nutrition required for their growth to stay healthy without any nutrition-related health issues.
Options such as dry, wet, raw, and homemade diets are all great for them. You can free-feed your Shetland sheepdog puppies, but you have to draw up a strict plan as they go on. It is also essential to know what foods are healthy and should be avoided, as some are toxic.
However, if you desire more information on how to take care of your Shetland sheepdog, you should contact the nearest vet for information on essential nutrients, and you can also see a pet nutritionist for a regimen schedule for your pet.
