FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE
How to feed a Bearded Collie
The Bearded Collie is a tireless Scottish herding dog with a working engine and a famously profuse double coat — two traits that decide exactly how a Beardie should be fed.
Here is how to feed a Bearded Collie on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the protein, fat and joint nutrition that fuel a herder and keep that long coat in good shape.
- Adult weight45–55 lb
- SizeMedium
- EnergyHigh
- Lifespan12–14 years
- CoatLong, shaggy double coat — moderate, regular shedder
What a Bearded Collie's body needs
Every Bearded Collie trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.
Tireless herding drive
Needs: High-quality animal protein
83% meat, organs and bone fuels lean muscle and steady, all-day energy for a working herder — without the carb fillers that spike and crash.
Profuse double coat
Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids
Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting a healthy, less-matted coat and easing seasonal shedding.
Hip dysplasia risk
Needs: Joint support + lean weight
Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3s calm joint inflammation, and staying lean takes load off the hips.
Athletic medium build
Needs: Lean protein, honest calories
Measured freeze-dried raw fed by weight keeps a Beardie trim and agile — the single biggest lever for long-term joint comfort and a longer life.
Sharp, curious mind
Needs: Stable, whole-food fuel
Minimally processed raw delivers steady energy for training and mental work, without the starchy fillers that can leave a busy dog flat.
How much to feed a Bearded Collie
Quick answer: a healthy adult Bearded Collie (45–55 lb) needs about 6.8–8.3 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.
| Ideal adult weight | Freeze-dried per day | Per meal (×2) |
|---|---|---|
| 45 lb | 6.8 oz | 3.4 oz |
| 48 lb | 7.2 oz | 3.6 oz |
| 51 lbtypical Bearded Collie | 7.7 oz | 3.8 oz |
| 54 lb | 8.1 oz | 4.1 oz |
| 55 lb | 8.3 oz | 4.1 oz |
Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active pets need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.
What to feed a Bearded Collie
For a Bearded Collie we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — or as a topper while you transition.
Lean single proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit easy keepers, while richer Salmon adds the skin-and-coat omegas a double-coated Beardie thrives on. Just add water and serve.
Recipes for Bearded Collies
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Feeding a Bearded Collie by life stage
- Puppy: Bearded Collie puppies grow into a medium athletic frame, so steady growth protects developing joints. Feed roughly 5–8% of current body weight across 3–4 meals and avoid overfeeding — fast growth can raise hip dysplasia risk.
- Adult: Feed to a lean, athletic waist split across two meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition under that coat, not the bag.
- Senior: Activity eases with age but appetite often does not. Trim portions, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint- and coat-supporting nutrition.
Common Bearded Collie concerns — and the diet connection
- Hip dysplasiaLargely genetic, but lean weight plus joint nutrients (glucosamine from real bone and cartilage, plus omega-3) help support comfort and day-to-day mobility.
- Coat & skin healthThat long double coat depends on a healthy skin barrier — an omega-rich, whole-food, low-filler diet supports skin and coat condition and helps tame heavy shedding.
- Weight & joint loadKeeping a Beardie lean with measured raw feeding reduces strain on the hips and supports the agility this active herder relies on.
- Energy & lean muscleA working herding dog runs on clean animal protein and fat for sustained energy and muscle maintenance — not on carbohydrate fillers.
Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.
Feeding a Bearded Collie: what to know
A Beardie is built to work all day, so it runs best on clean animal protein and fat rather than carb fillers that spike then fade. Feed to a lean, athletic body condition — you should feel the ribs easily under the coat and see a waist from above, which the coat can hide.
Many Beardies eat quickly and stay busy, so weigh portions instead of eyeballing them and re-check the amount every few weeks, especially after any drop in activity or a quieter season.
Bearded Collie feeding questions
How much should I feed my Bearded Collie?
What is the best food for a Bearded Collie's coat?
How do I switch my Bearded Collie to raw?
Does a Bearded Collie need joint support?
How often should I feed a Bearded Collie?
THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE
If your dog won't eat it, it's on us
Try Bearded Collie's first plan risk-free. If they turn up their nose, we'll make it right — money-back, and skip, pause or cancel anytime.
- Vet-formulated
- AAFCO complete & balanced
- Pathogen-tested every batch
“Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He’s leaner, with more energy on our walks.”
— Jenna & Cooper“My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was.”
— Priya & Luna
Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.