As the pet parent of a Border Collie, you’ll know just how energetic this breed is. Bred to herd sheep in hilly Scotland, this dog is used to working hard and playing hard. With energy levels that are rarely depleted and fantastic stamina, it’s no wonder that this breed is still used as a herding dog today on many farms and ranches across the world.
As you’ll know, your Border Collie requires a massive amount of attention and exercise. As the Border Collie is such a clever dog, it means you probably have your work cut for you. By now, you realize that your bouncy, intelligent dog is a bundle of energy that needs a diet that supports its energy levels, good physical health, and mental ability.
Choosing the best food for your Border Collie can prove challenging if you don’t know what you’re looking for. One of the biggest problems pet parents face is knowing which brand is best. There are many factors to consider when it comes to your pet’s diet including nutrients, coat condition, dental health, digestion, and age, to name a few.
Feeding your pet is not as simple as picking up the first bag of dog food you come across. Most pet foods out there claim to be the “best” for all dogs, but with so many factors to consider, that’s unlikely to be the case. A dog food that ticks all the boxes for your dog’s specific breed and needs isn’t likely to be found in your local grocery store.
When shopping for food for your Border Collie, it’s good to remember that Border Collies can be pretty susceptible to diarrhea. This happens when the digestive system struggles to process something properly – most commonly allergens such as wheat and soy found in cheaper dog foods.
Soy is a plant-based protein source that is often used as an alternative to meat in dog food. While it has health benefits, some dog breeds are more sensitive to it and benefit more from a diet that includes fresh meat.
At Spot & Tango, our focus is on creating the highest quality real food for dogs. If it’s good enough for humans, it’s good enough for our loyal canine companions. We use top-quality, human-grade ingredients rich in nutrients to ensure that your pet receives delicious, healthy food catered just for their needs.
We have carefully selected the six best wet and dry dog food options for Border Collies and presented them below! This should help you choose a dog food that is suited to your Border Collie’s unique nutritional needs.
You can use our personalized quiz to create the perfect meal plan for your dog here or continue reading to discover some of the best dog foods for Border Collies in 2022.
At a Glance – Our 6 Best Dog Foods for Border Collies of 2022
Here is the list of our top dog food picks for Border Collies 2022:
Our Top 3 Wet Dog Foods
- All Around Favorite: Beef & Millet
- For Allergies: Lamb & Brown Rice
- For Seniors: Turkey & Red Quinoa
Our Top 3 Dry Dog Foods
These food options have been selected specifically with Border Collies in mind. Whether your Border Collie is an energetic pup or a spritely senior, we are sure these food options will suit your pet’s needs perfectly.
Best Wet Dog Food for Border Collies
At Spot and Tango, our range includes both wet and dry dog food options. Our wet food meals are cooked in small batches to ensure all the nutritional goodness is locked in. Each ingredient is cooked slowly and separately on low heat.
Once cooked, the ingredients are mixed and frozen to maintain freshness shortly before delivery. Our wet food meals can be stored in your freezer and quickly defrosted when dinner time comes around. You might be a little envious of these wet food dinners; they have a delectable aroma and are good enough for humans to eat!
Spot & Tango Beef & Millet Wet Food
High in protein, preservative-free with an appetizing aroma
Ingredients: |
Beef, Millet, Cranberries, Carrots, Spinach, Parsley, Peas, Eggs, Safflower Oil, Vegetable Stock, Apple Cider Vinegar, Vitamins and Minerals. |
Why we love it:
- Appetizing aroma (and flavor)
- Contains USDA-certified ground beef
- Gluten-free millet included as a healthy grain
- Contains powerful antioxidants (cranberries)
Our Beef & Millet recipe is a tasty, complete, and balanced meal. This meal, made with whole food ingredients sourced from trusted farms and food suppliers in the US, contains vegetables and fruits that are non-GMO (non–genetically modified).
The beef and eggs are both from human-raised animals and free from antibiotics and hormones, meaning your Border Collie is eating good food without additives or nasty fillers. Your Border Collie won’t be turning up their nose at this dish.
The star ingredient in the Beef and Millet wet fresh food has to be the high-quality beef, sourced locally from farms and places with similar values as Spot & Tango. Together with the eggs, this is a meal full of proteins and completely gluten-free.
Best Wet Dog Food for Border Collies with Allergies
Spot & Tango – Lamb & Brown Rice
A nutritious meal filled with allergy-friendly protein, the optimum choice for Border Collies with skin and food allergies
Ingredients: |
Lamb, Brown Rice, Blueberries, Carrots, Spinach, Eggs, Peas, Parsley, Safflower Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Vegetable Stock, Vitamins and Minerals. |
Why we love it:
- Contains lamb, a good source of protein for dogs
- Includes gluten-free brown rice for allergy-prone dogs
- Includes blueberries which can decrease the risk of diabetes in dogs
- Gentle on the digestive system
Dogs that struggle with allergies can suffer a variety of symptoms. Signs of an allergic reaction include itching skin, wheezing and runny discharge from the eyes and nose. These symptoms can present singularly or all at the same time. Other allergic symptoms can affect the digestive system, like vomiting and diarrhea.
When any of these symptoms occur in your bed, it can leave you feeling pretty helpless, especially as dogs can’t communicate what the problem is. However, a simple way to help your Border Collie is to remove foods that contain allergens from their diet and select a dog food that caters to allergy-prone dogs.
Border Collies can be allergic to soy, a common ingredient in most dog food brands as it is a good alternative protein source. However, if your dog is allergic to soy, this can cause problems like pruritus (constant itching) and discomfort. Selecting the Spot and Tango Lamb and Brown Rice is an excellent choice as it contains fresh, human-grade, high-protein lamb and gluten-free brown rice.
Dogs love blueberries which, aside from having antioxidant properties, can also reduce the risk of diabetes by promoting healthy blood sugar levels and weight loss.
The Spot and Tango Lamb and Brown Rice wet food meal ticks all the health-benefit boxes you could wish for in dog food. With delicately balanced nutrients, it’s the perfect hypoallergenic meal alternative for Border Collies.
Feed your Border Collie our Lamb & Brown Rice wet food today and if your dog doesn’t like it, we’ll give you a refund.
Best Wet Dog Food for Senior Border Collies
Spot & Tango – Turkey & Red Quinoa
Rich and nourishing food source ideal for older Border Collies
Ingredients: |
Turkey, Red Quinoa, Spinach, Apple, Eggs, Peas, Parsley, Carrots, Safflower Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Vegetable Stock, Vitamins and Minerals. |
Why we love it:
- Includes turkey, a source of phosphorus, proteins, and riboflavin
- Contains gluten-free (red quinoa)
- Contains apple, a source of fiber
- Easy on the digestive tract and mouth
While Border Collies are known to be tough dogs who can take a few blows from frightened livestock, the intensity of their work or playtime can eventually wear them down.
Senior dogs will benefit from a protein boost in their diet to help build back the lean muscle they lose after their herding days. Protein in their diet will also keep their hair and nails strong, leading to overall better health.
They also need enough carbohydrates and treats to help them stay active and continue to perform their work at a steady pace. But ensure that you don’t overdo the treats, as this tends to result in an overweight dog. Border Collies are known to suffer from hip dysplasia, usually hereditary, which gets more severe with age.
This is common genetically in the breed, but a healthy diet can help reduce the likelihood of hip dysplasia. Poor diet and overfeeding can result in a hip giving away, leading to lameness. When training this high-energy dog, always go easy with the high-calorific rewards.
Collies also tend to be prone to renal atrophy. In such cases, their diet should include well-balanced meals with lower levels of protein.
Spot & Tango Turkey & Red Quinoa fresh food is bursting with healthy immune-boosting antioxidants, hypoallergenic ingredients and vitamins and minerals. Senior Border Collies require that little bit extra when it comes to their dietary requirements.
They tend to have worked hard all their lives and, in their twilight years, need a little more to boost their energy levels and support their digestive systems.
Enriched with riboflavin, found in turkey and quinoa, Spot and Tango Turkey & Red Quinoa is the perfect solution for older dogs that may be struggling with reduced energy levels.
Riboflavin is an essential component required to support your Border Collie’s digestive system. It helps the enzymes in your dog’s body break down fat, carbohydrates, and protein and convert them into energy.
Quinoa can also support weight loss in obese dogs. Border Collies who are not as active as they were when young could benefit from a low-calorie diet, preventing obesity and subsequent issues like hip dysplasia. Lastly, the humble apple in this sumptuous meal provides necessary dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamins A and C. Plus, it helps keep your dogs’ teeth clean and promotes fresh breath.
At Tango and Spot, our vet nutritionists take all the needs of the older Border Collie into consideration when creating meals to support and optimize their wellbeing.
Feed your dog a serving of the Spot & Tango Turkey & Red Quinoa, and if your pet doesn’t scarf it down, we’ll give you your money back.
Best Dry Dog Food for Border Collies
UnKibble is Spot and Tango’s new take on dry food. Unlike commercial dry foods, this range is a fusion of wet and dry food, gently dehydrated using the Fresh Dry™ process. This ensures that the kibble retains all the nutrients of its ingredients and remains fresh, crunchy, and palatable.
Our dry food is appetizing for Border Collies who prefer a bit of crunch with their dinner. It contains meat, fresh fruit and vegetables, and some starch. Our dry food has the same nutritional value and quality as our wet options, and tastes just as scrumptious.
Dog Food for Border Collie on a High Protein Diet
Spot & Tango – Beef & Barley
Healthy and nutritious, high-quality protein, ideal for Border Collies
Ingredients: |
Beef, Barley, Beef Liver and Heart, Beets, Green Beans, Carrots, Cranberries, Green Beans, Rosemary, Kelp, Mix Tocopherols, Salt, Vitamins, and Minerals. |
Why we love it:
- It is made with organ meat rich in nutrients, offering an additional protein boost to your best friend.
- Includes kelp which promotes healthy skin and coat.
- Contains green beans, full of vitamins and iron, so your dog can be full of energy all the time.
- Has a delicious aroma , that will leave any dog drooling.
The Border Collie is considered a highly active dog and thus could benefit from a high-protein dog food due to that simple fact alone. A dog food rich in protein helps to build muscle and support the energy levels of a highly active Border Collie.
Furthermore, the calories in high-protein dog food are more efficiently used by a highly active dog like the Border Collie.
In fact, dogs that don’t receive enough protein can actually experience muscle loss and see a noticeable drop in energy levels.
High-protein dog food that’s optimal for the Border Collie is low in carbohydrates – a non-essential component of a healthy diet for most dogs, but especially unessential for a highly active Border Collie.
Spot & Tango Beef & Barley Unkibble provides high levels of protein in the form of beef, liver, and heart ingredients included in this recipe, to ensure that your Border Collie’s energy levels are adequately supported.
This food is perfect for younger dogs that need protein to encourage growth. In addition, this recipe also contains barley which is high in fiber and low in cholesterol – both essential factors to consider when choosing the right dog food for your Border Collie.
If your Border Collie needs the support of a super nutritious, high-protein diet, feed them Spot & Tango’s Beef & Barley UnKibble. If your dog doesn’t love it, we’ll give you a refund!
Best Dog Food for Border Collies with Sensitive Stomachs
Spot & Tango – Chicken & Brown Rice
Sensitive stomach-supporting food for Border Collies
Ingredients: |
Chicken, Brown Rice, Apples, Chicken Liver and Gizzard, Carrots, Ginger Root, Sweet Potatoes, Sunflower Seeds, Mixed Tocopherols, Kale, Kelp, Salt, Vitamins, and Minerals. |
Why we love it:
- Includes ginger to aid digestion and reduce nausea.
- Contains Sunflower seeds which improve skin and coat.
- Contains brown rice, the best carb for sensitive tums.
- Gentle on the digestive system.
Border Collies aren’t known for having widespread stomach issues, but on the off chance that they suffer from a sensitive stomach, you should ensure that their diet is low in fat, as fat is more difficult to digest than carbohydrates and proteins.
Make sure you analyze the protein and fiber sources in your Spot & Tango meals to understand the exact mix of food groups that works best for your Border Collie.
It is also preferable to keep meals bland and devoid of any seasoning. Find out if they are allergic to any food ingredient, such as lactose, gluten, beef, soy, or nuts. Some Border Collies also may have a nutrient deficiency that affects the gastrointestinal tract’s digestive capabilities. The quality of ingredients in your dog’s diet can make a huge difference in their gut health.
Providing a balanced and nutritious diet could satisfy sensitive stomachs. Dogs with sensitive stomachs should eat food that is appropriate to their life stage. At Spot & Tango, we are dedicated to ensuring that your Border Collie with stomach sensitivity is catered to with meals that keep them healthy and comfortable.
Made to suit the specific requirements of your Border Collie with a sensitive stomach, Spot & Tango makes planning meals easy. We also ensure that all meals are made of natural ingredients, free from artificial additives, preservatives, and fillers. These also include fresh fruits, vegetables, and all-natural proprietary supplements.
Our proprietary algorithm recommends what your Border Collie needs to help manage their sensitive stomach. Developed by veterinarians and animal nutritionists, these human-grade meals are routinely tested and licensed by the USDA. Our meal ingredients are all locally sourced and prepared in small batches.
Spot & Tango Chicken & Brown Rice Unkibble is beneficial for Border Collies that suffer from a sensitive stomach. Filled with supporting ingredients, such as ginger which settles the stomach and aids with nausea, bloating, and flatulence, it’s a good choice when looking for a kibble that helps a sensitive stomach. Ginger can also act as a natural anti-inflammatory and immune booster; this is the kibbles’ super ingredient. Combined with brown rice, which is one of the best carbohydrates for sensitive stomachs, it’s rich in fiber, aids digestion, and can minimize gastritis symptoms.
This easily digestible food will see your Border Collie enjoying dinner time again without the stressful vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea associated with inevitable gastritis caused by unsuitable dog food. Introduce your Border Collie to Spot & Tango Chicken & Brown Rice UnKibble today, and if your pet doesn’t enjoy it, we will refund you.
Best Dry Dog Food for Overweight Border Collies
Spot & Tango – Duck & Salmon
Super lean protein, vegetable infused, aiding with weight loss for your overweight Border Collie
Ingredients: |
Duck, Salmon, Apples, Carrots, Spinach, Flax, Sweet Potatoes, Parsley, Chia Seeds, Kelp, Salt, Tapioca, Mixed Tocopherols, Vitamins, and Minerals. |
Why we love it:
- Contains grain-free carbohydrates
- Packed with fiber and vitamins
- Includes super lean protein
- Gorgeous savory aroma
Chief among possible health conditions as a result of obesity is hip dysplasia. Medium sized dogs such as Border Collies tend to be more genetically predisposed to this condition, since the load of the overweight Border Collie’s physique rests heavily on its hips and that.
Just as in humans, this can aggravate dysplasia conditions. In addition, overweight dogs such as Border Collies are also quite susceptible to diabetes and elbow dysplasia.
So, you need to ensure that they are discouraged from begging at the dinner table for scraps and only eating designated portions at fixed mealtimes.
Diet plays a significant role in the causes of obesity, so it stands to reason then that good dog food can be integral to weight loss and weight maintenance.
However, the convenience of a low-cost dog food chosen from the shelf of your local grocery store, possibly packed with additives and fillers, can come with a heavy price tag eventually, when you’re faced with an overweight pet and high vet bills.
Our vet nutritionists are mindful that artificial preservatives, ingredients and colorants are no longer the way to go as these can cause weight gain in your pets, just as they can in humans.
Salmon and duck are lean protein sources high in omega-3s and essential for your Border Collie’s heart health, brain function, and vision. Dogs suffering from food and skin allergies will benefit from eating this hypoallergenic kibble infused with many natural ingredients.
Tapioca is a healthy carbohydrate source, naturally low in cholesterol and unhealthy fats. It’s a key ingredient for maintaining a healthy weight in overweight Border Collies, even helping them feel fuller for longer.
Final Thoughts
The Spot & Tango range of fresh wet and dry UnKibble meal choices are formulated to support your Border Collie at every milestone in life.
Whether you are looking for a dog food that can support a sensitive stomach and helps with weight maintenance or just high-quality dog food full of nutritional goodness, the Spot & Tango meal range is the ideal choice.
Are you ready to improve your dogs’ health and wellbeing? Visit our website and discover all our wet and dry recipes today.