Border collies are intelligent, energetic and exceptional working dogs, making them perfect for farms. Because of these traits, they need strong guidance, training and diet from the very start, especially if they aren’t being put to work and are simply your newest companion. To give your Border Collie the best start and the most fulfilling life, they need the right puppy food.
Our guide will explore how long a Border Collie should eat puppy food, the best food options to choose from, and how much you should be feeding your Border Collie per day.
- How Long Should a Border Collie Eat Puppy Food?
Discover how long you should feed puppy food to a Border Collie
- What Food is Best for a Border Collie Puppy?
Choose between dry, wet and raw food for a Border Collie puppy
- How Much Should a Border Collie Eat Per Day?
Here’s how much you should be feeding your Border Collie pup
- What Brands Are Recommended for a Border Collie Puppy?
Here are the brands we recommend at Fetch
- Frequently Asked Questions
We answer some common queries
How Long Should a Border Collie Eat Puppy Food?
As a medium sized breed, Border Collies should be given puppy food until they are around 12 to 14 months old. Medium-sized breeds usually reach maturity and their expected adult height and weight just after they turn a year old, so they can usually be moved to adult food around this time.
If you are unsure when it’s time to move on to adult food, you can always check the guidance on your puppy food bag or contact an expert for a wellbeing consultation. When transitioning, don’t move them all at once; start with a 75:25 puppy food to adult food ratio, and move to 100% adult food over the course of 7-10 days.
What Food is Best for a Border Collie Puppy?
Border Collies are active dogs, so they need a diet that reflects this. Consider our table below for an idea of the best option to go for:
| Dry puppy food | Wet puppy food | Raw puppy food | |
| Convenience | Excellent – has great shelf life | Good – once opened, it needs to be refrigerated and eaten | Low to moderate – can expensive and hard to store |
| Typical cost | Lower, but it can depend on quality | Low to High – depends on the quality | Higher |
| Storage | Easy and shelf-stable | Refrigerate after opening | Requires reliable fridge/freezer space |
| Portion control | Easy, especially when weighed | Easy, although several trays or tins may be needed | Requires careful weighing, thawing and cleaning |
| Palatability | Good for most puppies | Often very appealing | Often very appealing |
| Water content | Low | High | Varies |
| Food-safety risk | Relatively low when stored correctly | Relatively low when stored correctly | Higher bacterial and cross-contamination risk |
| Best suited to | Most healthy puppies and busy households | Fussy eaters, mixed feeding and puppies needing more dietary moisture | Owners committed to strict hygiene and veterinary nutritional oversight |
What can matter more than the format of puppy food is your pup’s life stage, measured portions and controlled growth. Border Collies grow rapidly, like all puppies, and need specialised puppy food that supports this, no matter the format. You can browse our full collection of puppy food here.
How Much Should a Border Collie Eat Per Day?
How much a Border Collie should eat in a day depends on various factors, such as their current weight, predicted weight and activity level. The amount can also depend on whether you're feeding dry, wet or raw puppy food.
Medium-sized breeds like Border Collies usually need two meals a day and between 1,000 and 1,350 calories per day; this number is closer to the larger if your Border Collie is a working dog or more active.
You can find out exactly how much food your Border Collie needs in a day by using our puppy food calculator below.
Puppy Feeding Calculator
What Brands Are Recommended for a Border Collie Puppy?
At Fetch, we recommend the following brands for your Border Collie puppy:
● Nourish Rite Grain Free Puppy – Chicken: Nourish Rite dry puppy food is a staple here at Fetch. Complete with 60% chicken, turkey and salmon and rich in amino acids, vitamins and minerals, this option is perfect for growing pups.
● Cobbydog Salmon and Squash Cold Pressed Puppy Food: Cobbydog dog food can be eaten by puppies well up into their old age, so there’s no transitioning when they get older. Made with Tumeraid to help manage inflammation and support joints, Cobbydog is a healthy, supportive option. Its cold-pressed formula also makes it easier to digest.
● Naked Pup Rabbit: if you want to feed your puppy raw food but don’t want to source all of the ingredients yourself, Naked Pup is the perfect starting point. It comes complete with 90% rabbit alongside butternut squash and seasonal greens, providing your puppy with a complete meal.
● Champer Wet Dog Food: for a canned wet puppy food option, Champer for cognitive support, healthy skin and joint health. Champer is available in various flavours such as lamb, beef, turkey and salmon, and even comes with chamomile if you have an anxious puppy.
We recommend browsing through our collection of puppy food to find the best choice for your pooch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients should I look out for in Border Collie puppy food?
As medium-sized working dogs, look out for:
● Named proteins
● Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids
● Minerals such as calcium and phosphorus
● Natural prebiotics, such as chicory root
What are common dietary mistakes when feeding a Border Collie puppy?
Common dietary mistakes made with Border Collies include free feeding (leaving food out all day) and the wrong meal frequency, as these mistakes can lead to unwanted weight gain or loss. Guessing the sizes can also make your puppy unhealthy; always adhere to the feeding guidelines on your food box, or contact a canine nutrition specialist to get the very best diet possible for your puppy’s breed.
How do I transition my Border Collie puppy to adult food?
Start transitioning your puppy over to adult food when they are 12 to 14 months old, and gradually transition over by mixing the food for 7-10 days.
Are there any health issues that Border Collies have?
Border Collies are known to have a few health issues, such as hip dysplasia, epilepsy and “Collie eye anomaly,” an inherited eye disorder that can affect the retina and cause blindness.
Can I feed my Border Collie homemade food?
Yes, you can feed your Border Collie homemade food, but you must get the portion sizes and nutritional balance right. Puppy food must contain proteins, digestible carbohydrates (no filler) and safe vegetables like carrots and peas. Avoid toxic foods such as garlic and onions.