8 Best Dog Food For Border Collies To Keep Them Healthy

If you are into running and jumping, Border Collies are the best companions.

They are active and athletic, one of the best sports dogs around, and it is not uncommon for them to win competitions in sheepdog trials, those that require acrobatic skills and athleticism.

They are extremely intelligent and reliable. In the past, herdsmen relied on Border Collies to guard and take care of the flock so that no one would go astray.

Today, they are loyal, reliable pets you can rely on to look for the house or other pets.

As such, you need a dog food that will optimize all the skills, intelligence, and athleticism of the Border Collie. Dog food that will keep your intelligent pet alert, active, and always on guard.

But what is the best border collie dog food? We will discuss some of the best in the market.

8 Best Border Collie Dog Foods

Here are our Top 8 Picks for Border Collie Dog Foods-

Merrick’s Grain-Free Real Potato Recipe

Merrick's Grain-Free Real Potato Recipe

This dog food is the best overall option for the nutrients it packs and the option it provides.

It has excellent protein content necessary for muscle buildup and is high in calories needed by an athletic and active dog breed such as a Border Collie.

You can have chicken or beef options; it contains a turkey meal, lamb meal, and salmon meal, so it has lots of protein for your beloved pet.

It has sweet potatoes and fruits such as blueberries, apples, and pears. It also contains flaxseed and salmon oil which contain omega fatty acids good for the heart.

Those foods contain many antioxidants that are vital for boosting the immune system.

They are also rich in fiber and best for promoting healthy digestion, which is crucial for the quick absorption of nutrients.

It has glucosamine and chondroitin, which are best for keeping joints and ligaments strong.

PROs

  • This dog food provides other meat options to avoid allergens from chicken.
  • It is grain-free but provides a lot of carbohydrates.
  • It has a high protein content.
  • It is excellent for keeping joints healthy.
  • It has essential fruits and veggies.

CONs

  • It is expensive.
  • Border Collies that are picky eaters don’t like it.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo always has a holistic approach to their dog food products, including as many healthy ingredients necessary for maintaining a dog’s health, and this one is no exception.

It has excellent meat and protein ingredients and many carbohydrate sources, ideal for an active dog such as a Border Collie.

It contains deboned chicken and chicken meal, brown rice, and grains such as barley and oatmeal.

It also has fruits and vegetables like peas and blueberries, but what makes them stand out are the “LifeSource bits,” which contain antioxidants and a range of vitamins such as C, B, and D3.

It also contains calcium and phosphorus, vital minerals that keep bones and teeth strong and healthy.

The antioxidants boost the immune system and protect border collies from sickness and infection.

PROs

  • It has LifeSource bits that contain a wide range of vitamins and antioxidants.
  • Border Collies love those whole grains.
  • This dog food is best for keeping bones, teeth, joints, and ligaments strong and healthy.

CONs

  • Some border collies find those bits unpalatable.
  • It is expensive.

Ollie Fresh Dog Food

Ollie Fresh Dog Food

What makes Ollie ideal is that their dog food is 100 fresh and natural, with no artificial additives, fillers, or ingredients.

Everything is real: meats, fruits, grains, and veggies, and this is what most border collies love, a taste of the real.

Unlike other dog food that has chicken, this one either has beef cubes or lamb meat. They have vegetables such as kale, squash, and peas.

Beef cubes are ideal for puppies, while lamb is primarily for adult Border Collies.

For those with no food allergy, chicken and turkey could be an option.

Organic and homemade, it does not have additives that may cause allergies. It has a high protein and fat content and a good amount of carbohydrates.

The fruits and vegetables ensure that your lovable pet gets all the essential nutrients.

PROs

  • This dog food is mostly organic, fresh, and natural.
  • It does not contain fillers and additives, and it has fewer chances of having allergens.
  • You can customize it and choose meat for your pet.
  • It has high-quality ingredients.

CONs

  • It is very costly.
  • It has a shorter shelf life than other dog foods.
  • Customizing can be meticulous and time-consuming.

Purina Pro Plan Puppy Dry Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan Puppy Dry Dog Food

Your Border Collie puppy needs all the protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals as it grows for muscle buildup, immunity, and energy for playing and other activities.

But there are others that can optimize all their capabilities and even make them healthier than usual.

This Purina dog food for puppies contains lots of DHA and omega-3 fatty acids. DHA is ideal for brain development and helps border collies to be more focused and alert.

Omega 3 fatty acids help puppies develop a healthy heart, which is vital for active dogs who run a lot.

This dog food consists of chicken and chicken byproduct meals, which are the primary protein source, while rice and whole-grain wheat are the sources of carbohydrates and other minerals.

PROs

  • It has DHA, which is very important for the brain development of your Border Collie pup.
  • It has excellent protein and carbohydrate content.
  • It also contains calcium and phosphorus, essential for bone buildup.
  • It is easy to digest.

CONs

  • Byproduct meals are cheaper and of lower quality.
  • Some puppies don’t like it.

American Journey Salmon and Sweet Potato Dog Food

American Journey Salmon and Sweet Potato Dog Food

If you want to put your athletic Border Collie on a fish diet without sacrificing protein and essential nutrients, you can try this one from American Journey.

With salmon meat and turkey meal, your dog can meet the required dietary allowance for building muscles and much more.

Salmon is a rich source of glucosamine and chondroitin, vital nutrients for keeping joints and ligaments strong and healthy.

With a sweet potato recipe, the Border Collie will have enough energy and much for any grinding activities or doing acrobats.

The fruit and vegetable components, like blueberries and carrots, carry many vital vitamins and antioxidants that boost the immune system.

This dog food also has a lot of omega fatty acids for the heart and DHA for brain development.

PROs

  • The diet provides a good balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates for overall well-being.
  • It is rich in fiber which helps in digestion and faster metabolism.
  • This dry dog food is grain free.
  • It contains real deboned salmon.

CONs

  • It can make the stool of your lovely pet dog hard.

Canidae Life Stages Dry Dog Food

Canidae Life Stages Dry Dog Food

This one is not specific to any dog or breed but contains many nutrients and minerals which will benefit your pet, be it a border collie puppy, an adult dog, or even a senior dog.

The protein comes from chicken meal, turkey meal, fish meal, and lamb meal, probably one dog food that offers a variety of animal protein meals in the market.

The energy source comes from brown rice and peas, while antioxidants and other vitamins come from a healthy dose of papaya fruit.

It sports an excellent ratio of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Still, it also contains a lot of probiotics, which are necessary for promoting healthy digestion and boosting the immune system.

Though a dry dog food, it is free of additives and artificial flavors, reducing your pet’s risk of a food allergy.

PROs

  • It has a high-calorie content, best suited for highly active border collies.
  • It is very versatile; it suits Border Collies of all ages.
  • You can feed it to other dogs aside from your lovable border collie.
  • It boasts many animal protein meals, providing high-quality protein.
  • It has probiotics, which are vital for the immune system and digestive health.

CONs

  • It is pretty expensive

Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food

Farmer's Dog Fresh Dog Food

Another fresh dog food on the list, Farmer’s Dog, can provide a meal rich in protein needed for muscle buildup.

It has excellent fat and carbohydrate content to ensure that your border collie has the energy and stamina to keep going all day.

Customized for your dog’s health needs, it is free of additives, fillers, and possible allergens, usually in many dog foods.

All ingredients are natural, organic, and human-made; you can be sure that it is fresh.

To get the best dog meal possible, you provide Farmer’s Dog with details of your pet: the age, breed, and activity level.

Then they can create one that will keep him healthy and optimize his abilities, one that also suits the taste of your pet dog.

PROs

  • It provides high-quality ingredients for your pet.
  • They customize dog foods that suit your pet’s needs and wants.
  • It is free of possible allergens that may cause a food allergy.
  • The ingredients are all USDA-approved.

CONs

  • It has a shorter shelf life than other dog foods.
  • Providing dog details can be time-consuming.
  • It is pretty expensive than other dog foods.

Acana Grasslands Dry Dog Food

Acana Grasslands Dry Dog Food

It is an excellent option if you want your Border Collie pet to build more muscles but have enough energy.

It has high-quality ingredients that provide lots of protein without sacrificing other nutrients for keeping the dog healthy.

The main ingredients include lamb, eggs, duck, and even quail; all are excellent protein sources.

Those protein sources are ideal for building leaner muscles and making your pet stronger.

Others, such as liver and tripe, contain nutrients vital for boosting the immune system and strengthening bones and joints.

It does not contain grains, so the carbohydrate content is lower than usual. Better to give your dog other food for energy sources if it ever needs one.

PROs

  • It has excellent, high-quality protein needed for muscle buildup.
  • It is ideal for border collie picky eaters, with its excellent novel ingredients.
  • It contains fruits and vegetables that are easy to digest.
  • It is rich in fiber and promotes healthy digestion and faster metabolism.
  • It is grain free.

CONs

  • It is low in carbohydrates.
  • The kibble size might be too big for your pet to bite.
  • Since it is grain-free, your dog might miss some essential nutrients.
  • It is expensive.

Final Thoughts

Border Collies are exceptional dogs, brilliant, athletic, and acrobatic.

They have been a companion of humans for hundreds of years, tasked to do some things which only creatures of high intelligence can do.

It is only proper that Border Collie owners mind the dog food brands they will use.

Not only do they need to keep them healthy, for that is true of any pet, but they also have to optimize their skills and intelligence.

And giving the dog the proper nutrition, you as a dog owner can be sure that they can remain healthy and have that alertness and intelligence which characterizes their breed.

The result is a beautiful, fun time playing and engaging with your pet dog.

Steven Bosque

Steven Bosque

Hi, I'm Steven - author of the dog care blog Dobermannclub. I'm a self-taught blogger and long-time pet parent, with a passion for helping others learn how to care for their own pup.

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