Border Collies are highly intelligent and energetic dogs, always eager to please their pack leaders. They’re a resilient breed, but despite their hardy nature, Border Collies can be prone to health issues that impact their quality of life, particularly concerning their skin, joints, and digestion. 

All dog parents want to ensure our pups live long, healthy, and happy lives and the key to enhancing your Border Collie’s healthspan and lifespan lies in their diet.  

That’s where real food comes in. 

Fresh food meals with the right balance of high-quality protein, healthy fats, and fresh ingredients can significantly improve their overall wellbeing. 

Whether you’re looking for natural ways to address skin issues, boost joint health, or improve digestion, real food can make a significant difference. 

1. Skin allergies  

Skin allergies are a common concern for Border Collies, often triggered by food or environmental factors, like grass or pollen.  

Signs of Border Collie allergies (atopic dermatitis): 

• Red and itchy skin 

• Inflammation 

• Recurring ear infections 

• Hives 

• Incessant licking or grooming 

• Chewing their paws 

When a dog has contact with an allergen, it triggers their immune system which releases histamines to defend their body against the attack. It’s the histamines that cause the red, itchy and inflamed skin. Although food intolerances don’t trigger an immune response, they can cause similar skin irritations.  

Addressing allergies and intolerances is usually the same, and it begins by removing the trigger. If it’s food-related, an elimination diet is the only way to identify the problematic ingredient. Environmental allergies can be harder to control, especially if the trigger is pollen, grass, or another contact allergen. A thorough wipe down after exercise can help minimise seasonal allergies.  

The gut microbiome plays a vital role in a dog’s immune system, which is connected to allergy treatment.  

An easy way to nourish good gut bacteria is with a real food diet containing prebiotic dietary fibre from fresh vegetables. 

Our meals are bursting with fresh ingredients to nourish dogs from the inside out, strengthen their immune defence and help to restore skin health, including: 

🐟 Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) and vitamin E: known to boost skin and coat health. 
🌱 Spirulina: a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory superfood. It’s been shown to reduce allergic inflammation.  
🍄 Shiitake mushrooms: a bioactive food that can boost your dog’s immune response.  

2. Joint issues: hip dysplasia and arthritis 

Border Collies can be susceptible to joint issues like hip dysplasia and arthritis — painful conditions that can affect mobility.  

Hip dysplasia 

Hip dysplasia is a common genetic disease in Border Collies causing problems in their back legs. The abnormal development of the hip socket means the hip ball can easily slide out of place (dislocation). 

Although hip dysplasia in Border Collies can be hereditary, it can also be caused when puppies grow too quickly because of too much calcium in their diet. 

Hip dysplasia can often lead to arthritis as the body tries to compensate for the unstable joint.  

🐶 Read more: How slow-growth feeding promotes safe puppy growth →

Arthritis 

Arthritis is caused by the deterioration of cartilage and synovial fluid which normally prevent the joint bones from grinding against each other. The result is painful inflammation and impaired mobility. Some dogs may experience the growth of bone spurs too.  

Arthritis is linked to a dog’s genetics and some breeds can be more prone to developing it than others. It’s not just an age-related problem for senior Border Collies, it can also be caused by injury, disease, or repeated stress.  

For active dogs like Border Collies, prevention is key.  

Although you can’t change your dog’s genetics, you can protect their limbs against stress and injury and give them real food that supports joint health. Anti-inflammatory foods containing the right ratio of essential fatty acids (EFAs) are a great place to start.  

AAFCO recommends an omega-6 to omega-3 limit of 30:1 — a high ratio that can trigger inflammation. Lyka meals contain a lower ratio of between 2:1 and 3.8:1 to maximise the benefits of both fatty acids.  

All our meals contain fish oil full of EFAs to support common joint ailments in Border Collies. We use a wide variety of vegetables and plant superfoods, rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals, to protect joints and joint fluid, including: 

🥥 Coconut: full of potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to support supple joints. 
🌱 Fennel seeds: an anti-inflammatory superfood for swollen joints and arthritis 
🧡 Turmeric: contains the active ingredient curcumin which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to fight chronic inflammation and arthritis symptoms. 

Excess weight puts unnecessary stress on the joints. Maintain your dog’s ideal body condition score with custom-portioned, fresh food diets high in protein with a low-GI load, like Lyka. 

3. Sensitive stomachs 

Border Collies are known to suffer from digestive issues, like sensitive stomachs which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, gassiness, or constipation – unpleasant for both pup and parent. 

Digestive problems are one of the most common reasons to visit the vet and can be triggered by food sensitivities, infections, or an imbalanced microbiome. It can also be a sign of chronic enteropathy: a broad diagnosis for long-term symptoms of gut issues with no known cause.  

If they’ve ingested something that doesn’t agree with them, or they’ve picked up a pathogen, their body will try to purge the problem. You can tell a lot about a dog’s health just by looking at their vomit and poo, but it’s always best to speak to a vet if your dog is showing any signs of illness. 

A healthy pup has a robust and balanced microbiome that digests food effectively and supports a strong immune response. An imbalanced gut microbiome can lead to digestive issues. Likewise, an upset tummy can impact the bacterial balance in the gut.  

Maintaining your dog’s gut health or restoring it after illness is central to their wellbeing and can prevent secondary illnesses.  

The secret to good digestion is real food that supports gut health.  

Each Lyka meal contains bioavailable ingredients including high-quality proteins and fresh vegetables, gently cooked so they’re easy on the stomach.  

🥦 Prebiotic fibre: Lyka meals contain soluble and insoluble fibre from vegetables like broccoli, kale, spinach, carrots and cabbage, to nourish good gut bacteria and promote healthy bowel movements.  
🐟 Omega-3 fatty acids: meals enriched with omega-3 from fish and fish oil may reduce intestinal inflammation, leading to more settled stomachs.  
❌ Free from pro-inflammatory ingredients: dogs with gut issues may be intolerant to ingredients like wheat, corn, soy, dairy, and lectins. Lyka avoids these pro-inflammatory ingredients that can irritate the gut and may contribute to chronic enteropathy. 

Read more: How Lyka helped Sparky the Border Collie's sensitive tummy →

Why choose Lyka for your Border Collie? 

Nourishing your dog with real food goes far beyond meeting their basic needs, it’s about providing them with the best diet so they can lead a long, healthy, and happy life by your side. 

Developed by Co-founder and Integrative Veterinarian, Dr Matthew Muir, alongside board-certified nutritionists, Lyka meals are made with fresh, real food ingredients to boost skin and coat health, address joint inflammation, and support healthy digestion. 

Help your dog thrive in life with Lyka. Is your Border Collie ready to feel the difference?