The Best Dog Food for Border Collies (Senior, Puppy, Adult)

Border collies are high-energy dogs that were bred to herd sheep on the rough terrain bordering England and Scotland. Researchers consider them to be the world’s most intelligent breed. If you own a border collie, you know that these dogs need lots of daily exercise. They excel at sports like catching frisbees, obedience, and agility training, which keep them physically and mentally stimulated. And feeding them the best dog food for border collies will ensure that they have the physical and mental energy they need to be their best.

These medium-sized, athletic dogs have a double coat that can either be rough or smooth. While black and white coats are most common, they can be virtually any color or pattern. A high-quality diet will ensure that their fur is thick and luxurious.

We’ve reviewed and ranked the best dog foods for border collies based on their stage of life, potential health issues, and whether they prefer kibble or canned.

A-Z Top Picks for Dog Food for Border Collies

#1 Best Overall: Hill’s Science Diet Oral Care Dry Dog Food

Our choice for the overall best dog food for border collies is Hill’s Science Diet Oral Care Dry Dog Food.

This unique dry kibble is formulated with clinically proven interlocking fiber technology to remove plaque and tartar from your adult dog’s teeth while it freshens their breath. In addition to improving oral care, this great-tasting recipe will support your border collie’s overall health and vitality. It’s made with natural ingredients, including real chicken protein as the first ingredient. Added vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants provide the nutrition your dog needs to stay healthy during the prime of life. Plus, omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E will keep your pal’s skin healthy and coat glowing.

Hill’s #1 veterinarian-recommended formulas are formulated by a team of specialists, including veterinarians, food scientists, and nutritionists to ensure that your pet gets the precise nutrition she needs at every stage of her life. They’re made in the U.S.A. and they never contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or chicken by-product meal.

The only drawback to this product that we could find is that some customers have reported that the kibble pieces are too large for their dogs.

Pros and Cons of Hill’s Science Diet Oral Care Dry Dog Food

Overall Best

Hill's Science Diet Adult Oral Care Dry Dog Food

• Made with natural ingredients
• Added vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants
• Veterinarian-recommended
• Remove plaque and tartar

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2. Best for Puppies: CANIDAE Pure Limited Ingredient Dry Puppy Food

Our selection as the best food for border collie puppies is the Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Dry Puppy Food.

This food is made with a limited number of wholesome, real-food ingredients. Chicken is the first ingredient. It also includes lentils, peas, dried whole eggs, and fresh vegetables. It also contains Canidae’s HealthPlus blend of probiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids.

This grain-free, hypoallergenic formula is perfect for pups with sensitive digestive systems. It’s formulated with nutrients that will support your border collie puppy’s digestive and immune systems, healthy joints, skin, and coat.

However, it’s important to remember that a grain-free diet does not suit every dog. Also, some customers have reported that a lot of the kibble is just dust in the bottom of every bag.

Pros and Cons of the CANIDAE Pure Limited Ingredient Dry Puppy Food

Best Puppy Food

Canidae PURE Limited Ingredient Puppy

• Made with wholesome, real-food ingredients
• Grain-free, hypoallergenic formula
• Supports your puppy’s digestive and immune systems
• Contains antioxidants and probiotics

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3. Best for Seniors: Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Senior Vitality Dog Food

We know that seniors often need a little extra help, so that’s why we recommend Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Senior Vitality Dog Food.

This dry dog food is specially formulated to support the special dietary needs of dogs seven years old and above. The recipe includes carefully selected, quality ingredients that senior dogs can digest easily. It contains antioxidants to support a healthy heart as well as vitamins C and E to promote a healthy immune system. This food also provides additional nutrients to support your aging border collie’s desire to interact, energy, brain health, and a soft, shiny coat.  

Unfortunately, some customers have reported that their dogs do not like this food, while others have found the kibble to be a little too large for their older dogs to eat.

Pros and Cons of Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Senior Vitality Dog Food

Best Senior Food

Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Senior Vitality

• Specially formulated for dogs seven years and older
• Contains quality ingredients that senior dogs can digest easily
• Contains antioxidants to support a healthy brain
• Added Vitamine E for a healthy coat

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4. Best Dry Food: Purina Pro Plan Sport Active 26/16 Formula Dry Dog Food

The best dry food option is the Purina Pro Plan Sport Active 26/16 Formula Dry Dog Food.

Purina created this food to support the nutritional needs of high-energy dogs that live an active outdoor lifestyle. It’s perfect for athletic breeds like border collies.

Chicken is the first ingredient in this super-premium formula. It helps to maintain lean muscles and a conditioned body with 26% protein and 16% fat. This 100% complete and balanced kibble is rich in antioxidants that will support your pet’s healthy immune system. Plus, it’s easily digestible, so your pet can absorb the nutrients more easily.

This food also contain glucosamine from fish oil to provide support for joints. It is also enhanced with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and omega fatty acids to provide a balanced, healthy diet.

The only drawback to this food that we could find was that customers reported that some dogs didn’t like it.

Pros and Cons of the Purina Pro Plan Sport Active 26/16 Formula Dry Dog Food

Best Dry Food

Purina Pro Plan Sport All Life Stages Active

• Support the nutritional needs of high-energy dogs
• Chicken helps to maintain lean muscles
• Rich in antioxidants
• Easily digestible

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5. Best Wet Food: Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Canned Dog Food

Most dogs love wet food, so we recommend the Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Canned Dog Food which as a tasty choice.

This food is made with real lamb and nutritious veggies. It’s high in protein to maintain healthy muscles. And it’s made without added artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Each ingredient in this delicious recipe was selected for a specific purpose. Each serving provides 23 essential vitamins and minerals. It features an optimal protein-to-fat ratio to promote your adult border collie’s ideal body condition. It also contains omega-6 fatty acid for their healthy skin and coat.

This food has tender slices of meat to entice your dog with tempting textures and a savory gravy that they’re sure to love. However, some pup parents reported that the thickness of the gravy is not always consistent between cans.

Pros and Cons of the Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Canned Dog Food

Best Canned Food

Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Lamb & Vegetables

• Made with real lamb and nutritious veggies
• No added artificial flavors
• Contains 23 essential vitamins and minerals
• Optimal protein-to-fat ratio

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Special Food Considerations for Border Collies

Border collies have an average lifespan of 10 to 14 years. The breed is prone to a number of health problems such as seizures, eye diseases (including collie eye anomaly), and hip dysplasia. Your veterinarian can educate you about these health risks and any preventative measures you can take, including diet.

Research indicates that certain chemical preservatives and gluten can increase seizure activity, so they should be avoided. Obesity in dogs can stress their joints and contribute to hip dysplasia, so exercise and a healthy diet are critical.

Choosing the Best Dog Food for Border Collies: What to Look For

If you’re shopping for the best dog food for your border collie, you need to consider three main factors: price, quality, and suitability.

Price

With dog food, as with most things, you get what you pay for. Inexpensive dog food is not a bargain because doesn’t include the nutrients your pet needs to maintain good health.  

Quality

Inexpensive dog food is made from inexpensive ingredients, including fillers that add bulk to the product but have no nutritional value. Some common fillers are meat and grain meals and by-products and corn and wheat gluten. High-quality dog food is made from real-food ingredients with names you can recognize, like chicken, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals.

Suitability

The best dog food for your dog will be appropriate for medium-to-large athletic breeds. It will also be formulated to provide your border collie with the nutrition it needs at this stage of its life: puppy, adult, or senior.

The Different Types of Dog Food for Border Collies: Pros and Cons Compared

When you’re shopping for the best dog food for your border collie, you need to consider the difference between the two types reviewed above: dry (kibble) and canned (wet). Here are the pros and cons of each type:

Dry Dog Food

Wet (Canned) Dog Food

Up Next

• Choosing the Best Dog Food: Everything You Need to Know — Check out our complete guide to dog food here. Whether you need food for large dogs, small dogs, puppies, or seniors, we’ve got you covered.
• The Best Dry Dog Food — Take a look at the very best dry food on the market today.
• The Best Wet Dog Food — Does your pup prefer wet dog food? Look no further!