Border Collies are the athletes of the canine world — smart, agile, and packed with energy. With their boundless enthusiasm and intense drive, their nutritional needs match their high-performing personalities.  

Feeding a Border Collie properly isn’t just about filling their stomachs; it’s about fuelling their active bodies, mental sharpness, muscle recovery, and long-term health. 

In this guide, we break down what your Border Collie really needs in their bowl — from optimal protein sources to treats that support joint health and digestion. Whether you’ve just brought home a Border Collie pup or you’re looking to refine their diet, this will help you make more confident, informed choices about the best food for your high-energy companion. 

Read more: Border Collie breed insights: care, personality & expert tips

How nutrition can help common Border Collie health concerns 

Joint issues 

Border Collies are incredibly active, but their high activity levels can put strain on their joints. Hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis are not uncommon, particularly as they age or if they’ve had a very active working life. 

Try this: 
Look for foods with anti-inflammatory ingredients like omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, turmeric, and ginger. These can help manage joint inflammation and support mobility. Lyka’s meals are packed with such superfoods, gently cooked to retain their nutritional value and digestibility. 

Read more: Hip dysplasia: how can your dog’s diet help?

Sensitive stomachs 

Despite their robust appearance, many Border Collies have sensitive digestive systems and may react to ingredients in their diet. 

Plant protein like legumes (peas, beans, and lentils) are often used in dog food as a cheaper alternative to meat protein. In the right amounts, legumes do have some nutritional benefits, but in large quantities they can lead to gassiness.  

Your dog’s microbiome should be diverse and balanced, equipped to digest a variety of ingredients without triggering diarrhoea or wind. A great way to support your pup’s gut microbiome is with a real food diet, containing a wide range of high-quality ingredients including prebiotic dietary fibre to nourish good bacteria and promote healthy bowel movements. 

Try this: gently cooked proteins (like Lyka) are more digestible than proteins in dry food, according to this study. 

Read more: Sensitive stomachs in dogs: how to relieve your pup's discomfort 
Read more: Understanding your Border Collie's health issues: how real food can help 

How to choose the best food for your Border Collie 

Fresh food, raw, wet or dry? Supermarket, pet shop, or delivered to your door? There are so many dog food options on the market — where do you begin? 

1. Complete and balanced 

Border Collies, like all pups, need a complete and balanced diet containing the right nutrients in the right proportions. 

Australia has pet food standards, but they’re largely unregulated. Many brands follow AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) or FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) guidelines. 

Meeting AAFCO and FEDIAF standards is just the start. Lyka meals are formulated by a team of Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists to ensure they’re complete and balanced for all life stages. 

Read more: Dog food ingredients: a glossary of common and confusing terms 

2. Optimal nutrition for your Border Collie 

Not all dog food is created equally. Variety and quality of ingredients and cooking methods can all impact the nutrient availability of your dog’s food. 

Many raw dog food options present a good balance of high-quality protein, fresh produce, and superfoods. But not all dogs can easily digest raw food, especially pups with a weakened immune system or digestive issues. 

Dry food (kibble) often contains high amounts of carbohydrates and synthetic vitamins and minerals. The animal protein used in kibble is often pet-grade, like meat meal or meat by-products, that vary in quality and are not subject to the same checks as human-grade meat. Kibble is usually cooked at high temperatures which can reduce digestibility and can lead to the potential formation of harmful compounds, like acrylamides. 

Home cooking can be a great option for your dog, but making sure each mouthful is complete and balanced is not easy to do without expert guidance. 

Lyka meals are made using human-grade ingredients and are gently cooked then snap-frozen to retain their nutritional value and digestibility. Each meal is high in protein and custom-portioned to meet your dog’s daily needs. 

Want to dig deeper into which type of food is best for your Border Collie? We’ve created a series of guides to help you make an informed choice. 

Read more: Freshly cooked vs kibble for dogs: which is better? 
Read more: Freshly cooked vs raw meat for dogs: which is better? 
Read more: Freshly cooked vs home cooking for your dog: which is better? 
Read more: Freshly cooked vs wet food for dogs: which is better? 

How much food does a Border Collie need? 

Serving size recommendations based solely on weight don’t tell the full story. Your dog’s energy level, lifestyle and body condition score are all part of the picture. 

That’s why Lyka calculates your Border Collie’s portion sizes based on their personal profile, not just on their weight. 

Establish a consistent feeding routine with your Border Collie to support their digestion, especially if they have a sensitive stomach. 

Do Border Collie puppies and senior dogs need special food? 

Not necessarily. Nutrient-dense, real food meals formulated by Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists for all life stages — like Lyka — cover the daily requirements of both growing pups and dogs in their golden years. 

Read more: What should puppies eat? Expert nutrition tips for optimal development 
Read more: Why real food is the healthiest choice for senior dogs 

Why I choose to feed my dog Lyka 

What's in your Border Collie's bowl can be a game-changer when it comes to their health. Hear from Steph and her experience parenting Annie.

Since switching to Lyka, Arnie’s fluffy coat has transformed from head to paw. His fur is shinier, softer, and healthier than ever – people are always commenting on how amazing his coat looks! I also love knowing that Lyka’s joint-supporting formula will help keep his active joints strong and supple for years to come.

– Steph and Arnie (he's on Lyka)

New to Lyka? Let’s rethink dog food together 

Parenting a Border Collie comes with plenty of decisions. Choosing what’s in their bowl is one of the most important. 

Designed by Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists and made with real, human-grade ingredients, Lyka meals are custom-portioned to match your dog’s needs. 

Border Collies across Australia are already thriving on Lyka — yours could be next. 

Join our pack of proud Border Collie parents today.