How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Border Collie Puppies
Border Collie puppies are highly energetic little bundles of joy. A breed renowned for its intelligence and drive, the Border Collie puppy needs puppy food that is uniquely designed to match the pace of its active lifestyle.
If all puppies require calorie-dense food to fuel their development, this is even more true of the Border Collie, a breed that needs vigorous daily exercise to satisfy its drive. To this end, all Border Collies should be fed a puppy formulation as adult foods lack the correct nutrients and vitamins to support the growing Border Collie puppy’s needs.
The best dog foods for Border Collies are nutritionally balanced to support a healthy rate of growth.
Feeding Border Collie Puppies
Border Collie breeds require high-octane puppy food to help them through their critical developmental periods. This diet should be rich in high-quality proteins and should also be calorie-dense.
To help determine how many calories a Border Collie puppy needs, it is best to start with the suggested serving size on the bag of food. This can be adjusted until the dog’s weight and appetite are both at satisfactory levels.
The correct proportion of calcium to phosphorus is also important in puppy food to prevent overly rapid bone growth which could lead to later problems with the bones and joints. Complete and balanced puppy food will ensure these requirements are met.
The optimal diet for the growing Border Collie puppy should contain 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat at an absolute minimum. The best dog foods for Border Collie puppies prioritize ingredients that are easy to digest and that are rich in antioxidants.
As your Border Collie approaches one year of age, it is important to start transitioning them from puppy food to adult dog food. Adult dog food should contain 17 percent protein and 5 percent fat, although higher levels of protein can be beneficial for active working dogs.
Dietary Requirements for Border Collie Puppy Foods
Border Collies need a diet that is high in protein to provide optimal nutrition to guide them through their critical developmental phases. Protein should be the foundation of a good diet. Whole meats are the preferred protein source, but meat meals are also a good basis for high-quality food.
Since Border Collies are not known to express food sensitivities, the main priority for any carbohydrates included in a diet for the Border Collie puppy is that the foods are easily digestible. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are all excellent choices for carbohydrate sources.
Border Collie puppies require healthy fats to provide them with the energy they need to function and grow. In addition to this, fats encourage the development and maintenance of healthy skin and coats. Healthy fats are ideally sourced from animal origins, such as fish oil, which is rich in essential omega-3 fatty acids.
Fish oil helps to improve joint mobility and support a healthy nervous system, which are both key factors in keeping your Border Collie puppy healthy and active. However, certain plant-based oils can also provide vital omega-3 and 6 fatty acids.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Border Collie Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best foods for a Border Collie breed:
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Whole proteins heading up the ingredients list
One of the first ingredients in any diet that is ideally suited to the Border Collie puppy should be a high-quality protein of animal origins. Whole meats are the preferred protein choice; however, meat meals also provide an excellent nutritional basis.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
All puppies can benefit from helpful vitamins, minerals, and supplements to support their development and growth. Among the most important things to look for in a high-quality puppy food are glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.
A powerhouse supplement that supports brain development, DHA is also an excellent addition to any puppy food.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All foods appropriate for the Border Collie puppy should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.