Bred over many, many years to be faithful herders, our Border Collies are hardy and active types. A medium-sized dog when fully grown, our Collies and Collie pups don’t have too many unique dietary needs compared to some other breeds. But like all other canines, they rely on protein for growth and need food with optimal fat to support their active lifestyles.In this article, we’ll explore what the best dog food for Border Collies looks like, and help you choose an ideal product for your little puppy.
Quick Review: Top-3 Dog Foods For Border Collies
 | Best Puppy Food Merrick Grain Free Puppy Dry Dog Food
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| | Best Adult Food WholeHearted Grain Free All Life Stages
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| | Best Cheap Food Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein GFree
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A Look At The Best Dog Food For Border Collies
Border Collies aren’t brachycephalic like Pugs, nor are they especially prone to joint complications like giant-sized Mastiffs. They won’t need specially crafted small kibble once fully grown, nor do they need exceptionally high protein to maintain a certain muscle mass. Because of this, the best dog food for Border Collies is going to be developed for the needs of medium-sized puppies or adults.
How To Spot The Best Food For Border Collies
Start by looking at the key macronutrients your specific dog requires. As omnivores, our pooches can’t synthesize every amino acid they require for a healthy, happy life — so begin your search by checking whether your Border Collie dog food contains sufficient lean, animal protein.
The Best Food For Border Collie Puppy…
Puppies always use more protein in their day-to-day lives than grown dogs. Try to ensure that your Border Collie puppy food provides upward of 25% protein and that you can understand where it comes from. Sometimes this will be a ‘whole meat’ like boneless lamb, and sometimes, it will be a mix or whole meats and meat meals (e.g. chicken meal).
Border Collie puppies also require a relatively generous serving of animal or oil-based fats to keep them in top form. Try to get your paws on a puppy recipe with at least 15% fat (a slightly higher minimum than the 10% that you might sometimes hear), while staying within the daily recommended calories for their weight and age. The daily k/Cal requirements of your Border Collie pup will decrease as he gets closer to his full-size, so use our dog food calculator to get a rough figure.
Besides these two essential canine macronutrients, your Border Collie puppy food should provide:
- B Vitamins for energy;
- C, A, K, E, and D vitamins for various other functions;
- Trace minerals that will help his cellular processes; and
- Dietary grain- or vegetable-based fiber.
The Best Food For Border Collie Adults
Adult dogs are bigger, so it’s sometimes surprising to new owners that they need less protein and fat. Your Border Collie won’t likely need to grow anymore after reaching 30 to 45 pounds, so you will need a maintenance formula instead. The best dog food for Collies once they’re fully grown will have at least:
- 22% protein;
- 12% minimum fat; and
- Mineral and vitamin supplements or fruit and veg inclusions that satisfy their daily recommended intake.
Another thing to look out for in the best Border Collie food is whether or not the manufacturer has used synthetic additives for preservation or flavoring. It’s not hard these days to steer clear of chemical preservatives, so try opting for a naturally preserved product.
Last but not least, the best dog food and puppy food for Border Collies should not contain by-products that you’re unsure about. Commonly, unknown meat by-products only feature in dog food when a manufacturer is trying to cut costs — but your pet deserves healthy food with named meats that will help him flourish!
The Best Border Collie Food: Brands We Love
If you’re ever unsure of what a respectable dog food brand looks like, be sure to check out our Brands page for the low-down on each. And when it comes to the best food for Border Collies, we’ve already picked out a few top-notch options to save you some shopping time.
- Merrick;
- Fromm;
- Nutro;
- Taste of the Wild;
- Blue Wilderness; and
- WholeHearted.
The Best Food For Border Collie Puppies
- Merrick Grain Free Puppy Dry Dog Food
Pros
- As boneless chicken and chicken meal are the top two ingredients, this is rich in protein and a good source of doggy glucosamine!
- Includes sweet potatoes, which are nutrient-rich and full of dietary fiber to aid digestion;
- Flaxseed oil contributes to this recipe’s high Omega acid content;
- Offers 28% protein alongside 12% fat; and
- Provides your cute puppy with brain-healthy DHA.
Cons
- Includes some potatoes, which some puppies might be averse to.
- Fromm Four Star Surf and Turf Dog Food
Pros
- Offers 30% protein and a rich selection of animal meats;
- 19% fat means your puppy won’t have to rely on grain-based carbohydrates for energy;
- It’s 100% corn-free, as well as wheat- and soy-free;
- Its unique Surf’n’Turf flavor may well be a happy change from plain old chicken!
- As it’s an all-life-stages Fromm recipe, you won’t need to transition your little Collie over to adult food!
Cons
- Fromm definitely is a top-shelf brand, and this line of Four Star food might be somewhat pricey.
- Nutro Ultra Puppy Dry Dog Food
Pros
- Starting with the delicious macronutrients, this Nutro blend offers 28% protein to help your Collie pup grow strong and thrive;
- A carefully balanced recipe, this includes 15% fat for longer-lasting energy release;
- Omega-3 and -6 acids from sources like sunflower oil and flaxseed will maintain your Collie’s sleek, silky fur and strengthen his skin;
- Uses naturally-preserved fish oil as a beneficial source of DHA and glucosamine; and
- Pumpkins, spinach, apples, blueberries, and kale are just a few of the fiber-packed, vitamin-rich greens you’ll find in here!
Cons
- It’s not grain-free and contains some brewer’s rice.
Best Dog Food For Border Collies: Adults
- Taste of The Wild Grain-Free Premium High Protein Dry Dog Food
Pros
- Your grown Collie will get 32% delicious protein from a variety of sources;
- With 18% total fat, this is a great blend for active dogs who require sustained energy release throughout the day;
- The probiotic content will aid your Collie’s digestion, making this a suitable choice if you’ve got a pooch with a sensitive tummy;
- Omega acids in this duck recipe come from its real egg content; and
- This recipe includes beneficial fiber from natural vegetables such as sweet potatoes and peas.
Cons
- Nothing that we’re able to spot!
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free
Pros
- Starting with bone-free salmon, the top two ingredients are natural, named, lean protein sources that we know and love;
- Chicken and menhaden meals provide your grown-up Border Collie with glucosamine, an excellent dietary addition that will protect your pooch’s hips and joints;
- A generous 34% protein will help maintain your Border Collie’s muscles;
- Contains a healthy amount of fat, at the 15% level; and
- Like every Blue Wilderness product out there, it’s free from all artificial flavors and animal by-products.
Cons
- Not for us, we love this recipe!
- WholeHearted Grain Free All Life Stages Dry Dog Food
Pros
- The ingredients list starts with beef and beef meal, two reliable and recognizable animal proteins for muscle maintenance;
- You’ll also find lentils, pea protein, and garbanzo beans, for an extra protein boost!
- Salmon oil offers glucosamine and Omega fats for skin- and joint-protection;
- Includes DHA that boosts your best friend’s vision; and
- If your fluffy friend doesn’t fancy beef, it’s also available in salmon, duck, lamb, and chicken flavors!
Cons
- While it’s a great formulation overall, we’d prefer to see more vegetables and real fruits in here for fiber.
- Royal Canin Medium Adult
Pros
- Added antioxidants and probiotics for immune and digestive health
- Fatty acids for skin and coat health
- Acceptable calorie count for a maintenance diet
Cons
- Does use chicken byproduct as the main protein source
FAQ
Should I be supplementing my pet’s Border Collie dog food?
These days, there is rarely a need to supplement Border Collie dog food — or any other AAFCO-approved dog food, for that matter. Before you add any vitamins to your pooch’s diet or supplement it with any minerals, it is worth knowing that commercial pet food is designed to include everything your pup or grown dog needs.
Adding anything extra to his diet without explicitly being recommended to do so by a vet may actually lead to an excess of the nutrient that you’re adding. Because you may be upsetting the already-balanced nature of his diet, we would always advise you to consult a professional before supplementing his Border Collie food.
How do I know if my Border Collie puppy is weaned?
It can be hard to know if your puppy is weaned just by looking at him for the first time. A puppy’s weaning period is complete when they are ready for and capable of eating solid food — although it may still need to be softened or moistened for a little while. As a very rough rule of thumb, Border Collie puppies are usually fully weaned by eight weeks of age, either naturally by their mothers or with the help of a breeder.
While every puppy is unique, no dog will be ready for solid food before he has started teething. Once their teeth start to irritate or hurt their mother at around 3 to 4 weeks of age, this is when the natural weaning process usually begins. Always get a vet’s advice or speak to your breeder if you’re unsure, as they will be able to provide you with more specific information on your particular puppy.
Helpful Links
- https://www.pfma.org.uk/_assets/docs/fact-sheet/PFMA-fact-sheet-puppynutrition.pdf
- https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/dog-vitamins-and-supplements
Last update on 2025-01-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
