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Best Dog Food for Border Collies 2024
Written by Joe Holyoake
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 03/25/2024, edited: 03/25/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
If there’s one thing to be said about life with a Border Collie, it’s that parents are unlikely to ever be bored. These are dogs who are both energetic and clever, which is what made them such a favorite with British shepherds in the past. These traits mean that they need lots of long walks and training sessions to keep them occupied.
It also means they need high-quality dog food to keep their muscles and brains in working order. This can be achieved with high levels of protein and plenty of vitamins and minerals.
If your Border Collie is active, you don’t have to be too worried about calorie count, as they’re sure to burn it off. However, this often changes as they reach their latter years, so it’s often worth switching to a senior formula to prevent weight gain.
Without further ado, here’s Wag!’s pick of the best dog food for Border Collies.
Overview
Open Farm Gently Cooked
Best vet recommended fresh dog food for Border Collies
There’s a trend taking the canine world by storm, and that’s fresh dog food. These meals use natural ingredients and avoid overcooking to create food that looks more like that consumed by humans.
The Open Farm Gently Cooked range is a prime example. Among the human-grade ingredients are real meat, vegetables and oils.
These are all only gently cooked and the final product is shipped frozen for parents to thaw at home.
Why go to all this fuss? Well, proponents believe the less intensive cooking method retains more of the nutritional goodness and makes for a more digestible meal.
Many parents witness a difference in their pet’s appearance and demeanor once they start on fresh dog food.
And it gets the thumbs-up from Dr Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants.
“Open Farm dog food is formulated with high-quality ingredients and does not contain any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors,” she says.
“The company also prioritizes the use of ethically sourced and humanely raised ingredients.”
Open Farm Gently Cooked flavors
- Surf and Turf
- Grass-fed Beef
- Grass-fed Beef and Brown Rice
- Homestead Dinner
- Holiday Dinner
- Harvest Chicken
- Harvest Chicken and Brown Rice
- Chicken, Salmon and Pork (Puppy)
Open Farm Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The meals are recommended by Dr Georgia Jeremiah, one of our veterinary consultants
- The ingredients are all human-grade and can be traced back to audited farms
- The slow cooking method is thought to make the food more digestible for your dog
- The wide range of flavors helps feed pets with intolerances or discerning palettes
Considerations and Concerns
- The products have to be kept in the fridge or freezer, which may be an inconvenience
- The premium nature of the formulation comes at an added cost
- The meals aren’t customized to your dog’s dietary requirements unlike some other fresh dog food companies’ offerings
What Pet Parents Say About Open Farm Gently Cooked
“Finally, humane dog food from sustainable farms! As a vegan, this dog food is super important to me. It is the only dog food on the market (that I’ve found) that has incredibly strict and measured regulations on the human treatment and life quality of the farm animals.
In a perfect world my dogs wouldn’t require meat in their diet but they do…Added bonus: the sustainable farms that are sourced have a much lighter impact on the environment which is another perk. And my dogs love it!”
“I have a VERY picky Ridgeback that has fought me for over a decade on the types of dog food I give her. To this day she will still grab mouthfuls of dry dog food, spit it on the floor and individually inspect each kibble and maybe decide to eat them if she’s hungry enough.
Not only is she [super] picky but she also sometimes has eye watering gas from the foods. I switched her to this wet and dry food 5 months ago, she eats it without concern and even though she does still have some gas it has no smell!
She’s also more energetic overall which is a big difference from other foods I have given her in the past. I won’t give her anything but Open Farm foods now. It’s worth the money!”
Read more reviews on Consumer Rating.
Images sourced from the Open Farm website. Copyright Open Farm.
Acana Highest Protein
Best dog food for working Border Collies
Border Collies were originally bred to herd sheep in tough conditions and while they’re more likely to be a family pet these days, there are still some Border Collies out there putting in an honest day’s work.
If you’re the parent of such a dog, you need to take this into consideration when picking a dog food recipe. Acana Highest Protein is a top choice.
As the name suggests, this is a formulation with 35% crude protein and better yet, this comes from real meat or fish — in all four of the recipes, this is true of the first three ingredients.
Your dog is sure to appreciate the freeze-dried meat or fish coating, as well.
As well as this, there’s a wealth of vegetables and fruit for fiber and vitamins, plus a complete absence of artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
This is why we believe Acana Highest Protein is the best dog food for Border Collies who spend their days helping out on the farm.
Acana Highest Protein flavors
- Appalachian Ranch (beef, lamb and pork)
- Grasslands (lamb, duck and fish)
- Wild Atlantic (herring, mackerel and redfish)
- Meadowland (chicken, turkey and fish)
Acana Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The high protein levels are perfect for replenishing the energy reserves of working dogs
- The recipes each contain at least three real meats or fishes
- The freeze-dried coating should make the flavor irresistible to canine taste buds
- The added probiotics and fibrous vegetables are good for digestive health
Considerations & Concerns
- The price of at least $3.36/lb at its cheapest makes it a particularly expensive option
- The Grassland and Prairie Ranch formulations aren’t suitable for some young puppies to eat
- The fat levels are high, so dogs eating it need to be very active or they could put on weight
- The company that owns Acana — Champion Pet Foods — was acquired by Mars Petcare in 2023
What Pet Parents Say About Acana Highest Protein
“My 80-lb. Lab loves this food, and she has done extremely well on it. Her dandruff is gone, and her coat is so shiny people think she is wet.
Many people have remarked that she has no "doggy" smell, even though we do not bathe her other than swimming her in lakes and streams.”
The cat tries to steal pieces of this food so we are going to buy the Wild Atlantic for cats for him.”“Our Maltipoo loves this food despite the fact that the pieces are a little large and harder for her to chew. We are adding a bit of water to this dry [food] in [the hope] it will be easier for her to chew…
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Mars Incorporated.
Merrick Puppy Plate
Best vet recommended dog food for Border Collie puppies
While there are dog foods designed for all life stages that will be suitable for puppies to eat, there are also lots of recipes specifically formulated for young canines.
Our pick of the bunch has to be Merrick Puppy Plate. These two recipes each contain 96% beef or poultry, with the remaining space filled up by vegetables, vitamins and minerals — this includes DHA to aid with healthy cognitive development.
Dr Georgia Jeremiah is also a fan. “Merrick products are made with high-quality, whole food ingredients, and they use no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors,” she says.
An obvious candidate for the best dog food for Border Collie puppies, then.
Merrick Puppy Plate flavors
- Beef
- Chicken
Merrick Puppy Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The recipes are heavy on USDA-inspected meat or poultry, a reputable source of protein
- The dog food contains good levels of DHA to help with brain growth
- The recipes contain no artificial colors, preservatives or flavors
- The product has been recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah
Considerations & Concerns
- The fact there are only two flavors might prove awkward for parents of fussy pups
- The company has issued multiple product recalls, with the most recent being in 2018
- The price of more than $3.70 per can at the time of writing puts it at the pricier end of things
What Pet Parents Say About Merrick
“My Shih Tzu "Chippy" loves this dog food. He ate the entire plate without leaving the bowl. This is a natural dog food made without any artificial by-products or artificial preservatives so you can feed good knowing you are feeding your dog something that is actually good for them.
My dog loves this food and will become part of his everyday diet. Highly recommend!”
I love that it is [grain-free] — my pup has to have grain free food. Overall, [I] feel great about feeding this product to my dog!!!”
“I love the fact that there are natural ingredients such as carrots, apples, sweet potatoes and real beef in [these] cans of dog food. The beef was in chunks, the food was moist and not like a dry texture which was great.
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Merrick Pet Care.
Orijen Senior
Best Dog Food For Senior Border Collies
Just as puppies have specific nutritional requirements, it’s the same for senior canines, too.
This is not only because they’ll be moving around considerably less, but there are usually new health priorities, such as creaking joints.
A whopping 85% of the recipe is animal-sourced ingredients, which makes for a huge 38% crude protein — ideal for muscle repair and energy levels.
This figure isn’t inflated by meals and byproducts, however. The first five ingredients are real poultry or fish, while there are dehydrated equivalents further down the list, too.
If you’re after the best dog food for Border Collie dogs in their twilight years, Orijen Senior is a superb option.
These are all rich in essential fatty acids that keep coats and skin looking healthy. The freeze-dried liver coating is sure to appeal to a dog’s carnivorous nature, too.
Orijen Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The protein-heavy formulation helps with muscle maintenance and repair
- The first five ingredients are real poultry or fish, rather than meals or byproducts
- The freeze-dried liver coating should make it enticing to even the fussiest of dogs
- The wide selection of vegetables, fruit and botanicals bring fiber and minerals into the mix
Considerations & Concerns
- The kibble might be difficult to chew for senior dogs with weak teeth
- The company that owns Orijen was acquired by Mars Petcare in 2023
- The cost of $4/lb when bought in bulk at the time of writing will be unfeasible for a lot of parents
What Pet Parents Say About Orijen
“My dog Po has been on this for probably the past 3 months and I am keeping him on this food until he passes. He absolutely loves this food…I wish Orijen had a couple [of] other proteins for senior dogs but I make sure he gets what he needs.
Po is a very buff boy on this food. If you want your senior dog to lose all that fat and [have] some muscle mass I recommend this food.”
It took a few weeks for my two guys to get used to it because I switched too quickly. They seem to like it and I have less poo to clean up!”
“The first two things that struck me was the packaging. It was vacuum sealed. Once we opened it, all we could smell was the fish. The dry food I’m switching from had no odor.
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Mars Petcare US, Inc.
Canidae Wet Dog Food
Vet recommended
Dr. Georgia Jeremiah says, “Canidae dog food is made with high-quality animal protein sources, providing essential amino acids, and is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, which can trigger allergies,” she says.
The Texas-based company makes both dry and wet food, but we’ve chosen the latter variety for this list — not only are these formulas heavy on meat and organs, but they’re calorie-dense to fill up active Border Collies.
Canidae All Life Stages wet dog food flavors
- Chicken and Rice
- Lamb and Rice
- Chicken, Lamb and Fish
- Less Active Chicken, Lamb and Fish
Canidae Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The first listed ingredients in all recipes are real meat or fish, organs and broth — excellent sources of proteins full of fatty acids
- The calorie-count of 504 per can is great for active Border Collies
- The product is recommended by pet nutrition expert, Dr Georgia Jeremiah
- The three recipes offer a little bit of variety for picky pups or those with intolerances to certain ingredients
Considerations & Concern
- The company has issued a product recall in the past, although that was in 2012
- The recipe might be too fatty for inactive or senior dogs
- A lot of the reviews mention the drier consistency, which suits some dogs better than others
What Pet Parents Say About Canidae
“I ordered a case of this when it was on sale and I wish I had ordered more because it is not cheap. As many have stated, the food is a bit dry and stiff compared to other wet foods, but I have not found this to be an issue. I use a butter knife to scrape out any that sticks to the sides of the can. I use it to stuff kongs, so the dry texture isn't really a problem.
In fact I like that I don't have to worry about gelatin or gravy leaking out of the Kong in my freezer. While my dog has only been with me for 6 months, of all the canned foods I have tried, she likes this one the best…”
“We have a special needs (blind) rescue that is the pickiest eater we ever had. He prefers dry food but will only eat 2 or 3 meals from each bag and then wants something new. We heard that Canidae was a [canned] food that came dry and sticky. Indeed it does.
Just the way he likes it. For those reviewers who were dismayed over the consistency of this food...add some water and you have what most other foods look like. Only more of it. Good stuff. Highly recommended.”
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Canidae.
American Journey Protein and Grains
Best budget-friendly dog food for Border Collies
We’ll concede that many of our picks for the best dog food for Border Collies are a little more expensive than a lot of other products on the market — that’s because they’re protein-heavy, which is costlier to manufacture than recipes full of carbs and filler ingredients.
That being said, there are good dog foods for Border Collies that are a little kinder on parents’ finances. American Journey is Chewy’s own brand of pet food that manages to find the right balance between quality and price.
The Protein and Grains range features crude protein levels of 25%, which is derived from real meat or fish as the first listed ingredients.
In addition to this, there are fibrous grains to ease with digestion and energy levels, plus antioxidant-rich vegetables and no artificial flavors, preservatives or colors.
And the price? Well, we found this to be as low as $1.79/lb when bought in bulk, which is a lot cheaper than some of our other options.
American Journey Protein and Grains flavors
- Beef
- Chicken
- Salmon
- Lamb
American Journey Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The lower price-point makes it accessible for a greater number of pet parents
- The first listed ingredient is real meat or fish, a top source of protein and fatty acids
- The absence of artificial ingredients suggests care has gone into the formulation process
- The choice of four proteins helps feed dogs with intolerances to certain meats or fishes
Considerations and Concerns
- The products are only available to buy through Chewy
- The grain-inclusive recipes might be difficult for some dogs to stomach (although American Journey has separate grain-free recipes)
- The protein levels can be beaten by other dog foods on our list
What Pet Parents Say About American Journey
“Our adult dog (black and tan hound mix) liked the food and we liked the value! The kibble is small. The chicken flavor was to our dog's liking but other flavors are also available.
The ingredients seemed premium with most of them being foods we could easily pronounce and recognize. It's great that it works across dog [life stages] so we don't have to change his food as he gets older. (He's 8 years old.)
We're really glad we gave American Journey a try! And it's cool that it's made by Chewy, a brand we know and trust.”
“This product must be good. My dog couldn’t wait to be served [and] stuck his whole head in the bag. I have three [dogs —] A 13 year old Lab German Shepherd mix, a 10 year old Rottweiler, and a 2 year old Australian Shepherd Border Collie mix.
It smelled better than most dry dog foods they have tried]. I would highly recommend.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Chewy, Inc.
FAQ
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