Best Dog Foods For Border Collies
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Border Collies are one of the most popular farm dogs because of their sheep-herding capabilities and intelligence.
Despite the fact that they are mostly kept as house dogs these days, they still retain the energetic personality that they had as working dogs.
Compare Best Dog Foods For Border Collies
|
BEST FOR ALLERGIES
2. Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Sensitive Systems Formula Adult Dry Dog Food |
BEST FOR WEIGHT LOSS
3. Nutro Lite and Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food |
BEST FOR PUPPIES BORDER COLLIE
5. Wellness Core® Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food |
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|
Protein
28% Min |
Protein
26% Min |
Protein
24% Min |
Protein
20% Min |
Protein
34% Min |
|
Fat
9% Min |
Fat
16% Min |
Fat
10% Min |
Fat
10% Min |
Fat
12% Min |
|
Fiber
5% Max |
Fiber
3% Max |
Fiber
25% Max |
Fiber
7% Min |
Fiber
6% Max |
|
Calories
409 kcal/cup |
Calories
438 kcal/cup |
Calories
3047 kcal/kg, 240 kcal/cup |
Calories
442 kcal/cup |
Calories
3,492 kcal/kg or 342 kcal/cup ME |
However, before we discuss the appropriate dog food products for them, we must first talk about the key considerations when buying dog food for Border Collies.
Factors to consider include ingredients, meat percentage, branding, dog’s age, dog’s reproductive status, and nutritional adequacy.
Our Criteria
We try to use the criteria recommended by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association when choosing the best dog foods for Border Collies. We look for foods that meet the following criteria as much as possible:
- Foods that are AAFCO-approved, preferably with food trials.
- Good quality control is essential.
- Nutrition is more important than ingredients that sound good to the dog’s owner. Clever marketing should not be the deciding factor in choosing the food you buy for your dog. You will not be eating the dog food; your dog will. You must choose the food that is best for him, even if the ingredients don’t sound appealing to you.
- We prefer dog foods that have been formulated by veterinary nutritionists.
- We give great consideration to nutritional research done by the company.
The foods we are recommending are what we believe are the best dog foods for Border Collies.
Best Dog Foods For Border Collies Reviewed
Our top recommended products cater to different stages of life for Border Collie dogs, including puppies and seniors. We also offer options for overweight dogs and those with sensitive conditions. This ensures you have a wide range of options to choose from for your Border Collie.
Canidae PURE Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 28% Min
- Fat: 9% Min
- Fiber: 5% Max
- Calories: 409 kcal/cup
- Real chicken as a lean source of animal protein
- Limited number of ingredients to reduce allergies
- Contains a total of 9% crude fat
- Expensive to feed as a staple diet
- Some dogs may be sensitive to chicken ingredients
It features a limited number of ingredients and is grain-free which means that it also has a low risk for triggering food allergies and sensitivities.
This recipe features fresh chicken as a lean source of protein and contains just 9% crude fat.
As a bonus, it is supplemented with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption and probiotics for digestion.
Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Sensitive Systems Formula Adult Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 26% Min
- Fat: 16% Min
- Fiber: 3% Max
- Calories: 438 kcal/cup
- Affordable
- Good quality dry dog food
- Helps regain lost weight
- New formula contains chicken
- May not work for other dogs
Those with allergies to chicken, beef, and lamb may enjoy this food because it contains salmon.
This crunchy kibble keeps your dog’s gums and teeth healthy. It is easily digestible to provide your Border Collie with most nutrients that it requires for an active lifestyle.
Nutro Lite and Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 24% Min
- Fat: 10% Min
- Fiber: 25% Max
- Calories: 3047 kcal/kg, 240 kcal/cup
- Impressive ingredient quality
- Works for different breeds
- Improves dog’s energy levels
- Stops irregular shedding
- More expensive than other brands
- Some dogs may experience dry skin
It contains a unique blend of fiber and protein to ensure that your dog is supplied with adequate nutrition.
This product also ensures good nutrition without excess calories. It also contains various antioxidants to ensure that your dog stays healthy and alert.
This product is available in chicken and lamb flavors, so you can choose one depending on your dog’s appetite.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Senior
Product Info
- Protein: 20% Min
- Fat: 10% Min
- Fiber: 7% Min
- Calories: 442 kcal/cup
- Features real chicken as the first ingredient
- LifeSource Bits provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
- Supplemented with glucosamine and chondroitin for strong bones and joints
- Contains some plant proteins (pea protein and alfalfa meal)
This Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula features chicken and brown rice in a nutritionally complete recipe designed specifically for older Border Collie dogs.
As an added bonus, it contains Blue Buffalo LifeSource Bits for vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Wellness Core® Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 34% Min
- Fat: 12% Min
- Fiber: 6% Max
- Calories: 3,492 kcal/kg or 342 kcal/cup ME
- Supports clean teeth and healthy gums in large breed dogs
- Features real chicken as the first ingredient
- No GMO ingredients or artificial additives
- Some dogs may not like the smell or taste of the food
Unlike other dog food brands, this has a higher protein content and a grain-free formula compatible with your Border Collie pup.
This dog food mainly contains poultry meats such as chicken and turkey. Moreover, it does not contain any fillers, meat by-products, artificial preservatives, added colors, or flavors.
Border Collie Dietary Needs
Border Collies differ from other dog breeds because of their agility and active lifestyle. This breed benefits from a high-protein diet because their muscles require a lot of work.
They also need a moderate fat supply through their diet to give them the energy that they need. Unlike other dogs, they do not benefit much from carbohydrates, and also need lots of omega-3 fatty acids.
This helps them improve their coat’s quality and also gives them healthier skin. Border Collies also have higher energy levels than other dog breeds, which also explains their sheer need for a high protein diet.
Nutritional Requirements
There are a lot of things that a Border Collie might require, just like any other dog. This comprises carbs, fiber, fat, protein, minerals, and vitamins. These are essential building blocks that help maintain a dog’s health. Shown below are some nutrients that they need in order to survive.
- High-Quality Protein. Protein is the most important nutrient for any dog, but it is particularly important for large-breed dogs to maintain lean muscle mass. Look for premium animal sources for protein.
- Digestibility. Many large-breed dogs have sensitive stomachs, so you want to make sure that the recipe you choose is made with digestible ingredients and free from low-quality fillers and artificial additives that could upset their stomachs.
- Joint Support. Large-breed dogs have a higher risk of bone and joint problems than smaller breeds, so look for a recipe that contains joint-supporting nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin.
- Moderate Fat. Fat provides your dog with a concentrated source of energy as well as essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, but you want to keep the content moderate to avoid feeding your dog so many calories that he becomes obese.
How Much Should You Feed Your Border Collie By Age?
There are a lot of factors that influence your Border Collie’s diet, and these have to be noted. Border Collies should be kept within a reasonable weight range, which is ideal for their age group. Though there are feeding guidelines on a dog food product, sometimes those should not be followed. Here are some things that you must keep in mind while feeding dog food to your Border Collie.
- Puppies: Puppies have developing bodies and should be fed the most. So an average puppy should be consuming about 1500 calories on a daily basis. Also, this should be lowered as they get older so the reduction can start when they are about a year old. When puppies shift from their mother’s milk to external sources of food, they should be fed with high calorie dog food containing higher protein content and more moisture.
- Adults: Adults may need about 1109 calories per day, depending on their energy levels. In the case of an overweight adult, it should consume only about 800 calories or less until they hit their target weight. On the other hand, adults who are very active should consume more calories. Nursing or pregnant adult females should eat about 1500 calories as well.
- Seniors: As senior Border Collies are not as energetic as their younger counterparts, they should be fed a low fat diet. This means that they should eat only about 900 to 1000 calories per day. If feeding more food, they must be more active as well and shed the excess weight. This way, they will not get any deadly diseases that come with age.
Border Collie Food Allergies And Food Related Health Issues
Border Collies are not usually prone to developing food-related health issues and allergies. However, it sometimes depends on their genes and lifestyle, due to which they get such diseases. However, not all Border Collies with good genetic backgrounds are safe from diseases. Here are some examples of issues that they get regardless of their genetics.
- Obesity: This is usually dependent on a dog’s lifestyle and frequency of eating. If your Border Collie does not walk or run as much as it eats, then it will get obese. There are a lot of problems that come with obesity, such as heart problems, difficulty in breathing, and low energy levels. A clear indication of obesity in a dog is if they look too round for their breed.
- Hip dysplasia: This is not a high risk for Border Collies, but most older dogs run this risk. This is one of the most common skeletal diseases in dogs. Commonly, this is caused by being overweight and the lack of proper nutrients that support the joints. It can be acquired through genetic factors as well.
- Diarrhea: Diarrhea is not really a disease, but can be a symptom of one. This usually manifests when there are gastrointestinal disturbances in a dog’s body. It can be triggered by allergies, parasites, and sometimes cancer. Puppies are usually prone to this, especially if the food they eat is not compatible with them.
Final Thoughts
Border Collies are energetic pets that can be kept energetic by choosing the best dog food products. However, most of these products contain chicken, so it’s important to monitor your dog for chicken allergies before using them. Consult your veterinarian before making any purchases to ensure the best results.
