The 15 Best Dog Foods for Collies: Our 2023 In-Depth Feeding Guide

Always consult with your veterinarian before significantly changing your Collie’s diet. Gastric dilation-volvulus, or bloat, is a risk for larger breeds like Collies. To reduce the risk, feed smaller, more frequent meals, and avoid exercise immediately before and after eating.

However, whole meats are mostly water; whereas meals have already had most of their moisture content removed. You can often find good premium dog foods that combine these two ingredients. The food may have whole chicken as the first ingredient followed by chicken meal. For a high-quality diet that won’t aggravate your senior Collie’s food allergies, try this Blue Buffalo Basics Healthy Weight Turkey & Potato Adult Recipe.

Common signs include itchy skin, ear infections, and gastrointestinal issues. Hypoallergenic diets or those with limited ingredients may be beneficial. Like many large breeds, the Collie also prone to certain musculoskeletal issues like hip dysplasia.

Despite eating a diet which doesn’t provide the natural components they may need, as a scavenger, they will adapt and survive for some time. Still, there’s a world of difference between surviving and thriving. A dog’s stomach is not anatomically designed to digest and ferment carbohydrates (the main ingredient in kibble). Even grain-free kibble often contains high levels of starchy carbs, including rice, potato, legumes, & lentils. Feeding a dog kibble puts their digestive system under pressure, spikes insulin, glucagon and cortisol throughout the day, which taxes the pancreas.

Some plant protein is okay but it’s better if the food has plenty of animal protein such as meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. If your Collie is very large, you may want to consider feeding a dog food made for large breed dogs. This large breed formula from Now Fresh uses 100 percent fresh turkey, salmon, and duck. It has no grains, wheat, beef, corn, or soy,  so it can also be a good choice for dogs with allergies or food sensitivities.

Here are the top recommended supplements for Collies based on their main health susceptibility issues. Avoid Artificial Preservatives, Colors, and Sweeteners – Artificial preservatives have been linked to various health problems in humans and animals. How much grooming you’ll have to do largely depends on whether you have the smooth or rough coat variety. Also, plan on consistent training and socialization to keep your dog friendly and well-mannered. Known for their long multicolored coats, their tapered noses, and their friendly personalities, the Collie is one of the best family dogs around.

As a growing puppy, your dog may need a third meal for the first six months or so until he reaches most of his adult size. Choosing a large-breed puppy food will ensure that he gets the right blend of nutrients without a risk of growing too quickly. In addition to choosing a healthy and high-quality diet for your Collie, you also need to think about the practical aspects of feeding him and keeping his food fresh.

Collie eye anomaly is a condition in which changes and abnormalities happen to the eyes, eventually leading to blindness. Collie nose is also known as nasal solar dermatitis and it is a condition in which the nose oozes, peels, and loses color. It may seem minor, but it can develop into cancer if left untreated.

From there, divide it by the daily number of meals you plan to feed your dog. When your Collie reaches 12 months or his adult size, switch to a large-breed adult diet. Again, this will provide ample protein to maintain lean muscle mass with healthy fats to sustain the breed’s high energy requirements. Feed your dog two meals a day unless he is highly active and needs a third meal to keep his energy up.

Foods that are easy to digest and do not produce excessive gas can also help prevent bloat. Hip dysplasia is a concern in Collies, potentially leading to arthritis and mobility issues. Diets rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce joint inflammation.

With their responsiveness, grace, and intelligence, Collies do very well at dog sports like herding, agility, and obedience. And, with their love of attention, they shine in the spotlight. Our mission at ProDog Raw is to help as many dogs as possible thrive. The signs of a dog thriving will be plain to see by you as their human companion.

Using a slow feeder bowl can also encourage your dog to eat more slowly. If you’re interested in a collie, make sure to do plenty of research to ensure that the breed is right for your lifestyle. Talk to collie owners, reputable breeders, rescue groups, and veterinary professionals. Active and working Collies have higher energy requirements.

This recipe features deboned turkey as a lean source of protein with digestible grain-free carbohydrates and a blend of omega fatty acids. It contains calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth with supplemental L-carnitine for lean muscle mass. To start your Collie puppy on the right foot, try this Now Fresh Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy Recipe. This recipe features 100% fresh turkey, salmon, and duck to grow healthy muscles with a balance of omega fatty acids for energy as well as skin and coat support.

Your dog can also benefit from prebiotics and probiotics for healthy digestion, and glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support. For holistic, natural nutrition designed specifically for large-breed puppies, try this Precise Holistic Complete Large & Giant Breed Puppy Formula. This recipe features real chicken as the main ingredient with lamb and salmon for supplemental protein and omega fatty acids. It also contains prebiotics and probiotics to support healthy digestion with fresh fruits and vegetables for antioxidants and nutrients.

If he’s neutered or very inactive, you would need to decrease his calories so he wouldn’t put on extra weight. Ensure they have constant access to clean water, as dehydration can lead to serious health issues. Active dogs especially need ample hydration to support their energy levels. Preventing obesity in Collies involves maintaining a balanced diet with controlled portion sizes and ensuring regular exercise. Monitor their food intake, keep treats to a minimum, and ensure they get daily physical activity. Regular veterinary check-ups can help keep track of their weight.

Below is a list of the most common toxic ingredients dogs need to avoid. Remember to consult your vet to ensure CBD is safe for your dog and that you are giving the correct dosage. Alternatively, you can buy commercially available CBD dog treats so your pup can experience CBD’s benefits without the cooking. An adult Collie usually weighs between 50 and 75 pounds, meaning most Collies need between 1165 and 1577 calories daily.

This breed has natural protective instincts, though they are bsy no means aggressive or territorial. The only problem is that their herding instincts run deep, so they may have a tendency to nip at the heels of children, dogs, or other pets. AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.

Raw diets should be prepared under the guidance of a veterinarian or a canine nutritionist to ensure they meet all of your Collie’s nutritional requirements. The best type of dog food for a Collie is a high-quality, balanced food rich in proteins and moderate in fats and complex carbohydrates. Look for foods where the first ingredient is a high-quality protein source, such as chicken, beef, or fish. Ensure that the food is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of medium to large breeds. Vitamins and minerals play a significant role in Collie’s diet.

Most dog food experts today recommend that dogs should eat a diet that is relatively high in protein and moderate in fat. A healthy adult Collie should do well on this kind of diet. Good Sources of Fat – You should also look for foods that have named sources of fat. Your dog needs fat in his diet as a source of essential fatty acids (EFA) and as a way to distribute the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Here again, your dog can absorb fat from animal sources such as fish oil and chicken fat better than from plant sources.

You can also chat with an online vet and ask them questions about your dog’s nutritional needs. Avoid Lower Quality Ingredients – Lower quality ingredients can include things such ass meat or animal digest; unnamed meat by-products; and corn and wheat gluten. It’s always important to watch your dog and notice if he’s gaining or losing weight with the amount of food you are feeding.

Animal proteins like meat, poultry, and fish are the best sources of protein for dogs because they are complete proteins containing all 10 essential amino acids. The best diet for a Collie is balanced and appropriate for their life stage and energy needs. This typically includes a combination of high-quality protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fibre from vegetables and berries. When deciding the best food for a Collie, it’s essential to consider the canine anatomy and digestive system.

Maintaining an ideal weight is also crucial, as excess weight can exacerbate common problems. Discover more about the benefits of raw dog food and explore our entire range of grain free dog food. Many dogs have a soft spot for chicken, making this dish a universal canine favorite. This easy-to-make recipe ensures your Collie gets a nourishing and delightful meal. This batch yields approximately four servings, which can be stored in your refrigerator.

These days there are lots of specialized dog foods for dogs with allergies and food intolerances. There are limited ingredient diets and plenty of foods with novel proteins, grain free and gluten free foods. But some dogs don’t need quite that degree of specialization in their diet. Growing Collie puppies can eat most good quality puppy foods. If you have a Collie puppy from a line that produces very large adults, we would recommend a large breed puppy food. Ask your breeder about the parents of your puppy and how large they are as adults.

It features chicken as the main ingredient which also provides natural glucosamine and chondroitin in addition to being a lean source of protein. This recipe also contains fresh fruits and vegetables for balanced nutrition. The two most common causes of bad breath in dogs are poor digestion and gum/ teeth decay.

But the first mention of the collie wasn’t until around the year 1800. When transitioning your Collie to a new food, gradually over 7-10 days. Start by mixing a small amount of the fresh food with the old, gradually increasing the fresh food and decreasing the old. The MDR1 gene mutation in Collies affects drug metabolism, including certain dewormers and sedatives. While this mutation does not directly relate to diet, awareness of it is essential when considering supplements or medications that may be added to food. Two of the conditions to which the Collie is prone are breed-specific – Collie eye anomaly and Collie nose.

Also, find the top raw brands for Collies in our best raw dog food post. If your Collie suffers from skin allergies or joint pain, adding dog fish oil may help bring relief. The AKC states that fish oil promotes healthier coats by reducing itchiness and flakiness in the skin due to its omega-3 fatty acid content. Other significant effects include promoting improved immunity (especially against cancer) while strengthening heart health in dogs. With all ingredients, including animal protein, the more specific the ingredients, the better. For example, chicken meal is considered better than “poultry meal” because ingredient is more specifically identified.

Dog food companies are supposed to provide calorie content statements on the label of foods but it can be hard to find. If you can’t find the calories listed on Check this for Omnivorous animals the label, check the company’s web site. Collies can suffer from food allergies or sensitivities, manifesting as skin irritations or gastrointestinal issues.

They set voluntary standards for pet food labeling at the local, state, and federal level. Look for foods that have met the minimum standards set by AAFCO. You will find these statements of nutritional adequacy on the dog food label.