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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Border Aussie

The Border Aussie is a Border Collie crossed with an Australian Shepherd - which means you are feeding two of the hardest-working, fastest-thinking dogs on earth in a single, athletic medium-sized body.

That tireless brain and engine run on real fuel. Here is exactly how to feed a Border Aussie on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the protein and fat that match their working drive.

  • Adult weight30–65 lb
  • SizeMedium
  • EnergyVery High
  • Lifespan12-15 years
  • CoatDouble, weather-resistant - seasonal shedder
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A healthy Border Aussie
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Border Aussie's body needs

Every Border Aussie trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Relentless working drive

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

    83% meat, organs and bone fuels lean muscle and steady, all-day energy for a herding athlete - without the carb fillers that spike and crash.

  • High-octane metabolism

    Needs: Calorie-dense, clean fuel

    Freeze-dried raw packs real nutrition into a small, easy-to-measure serving, so an active Border Aussie gets the energy it needs without bulky, filler-heavy bowls.

  • Thick weather-resistant double coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, easing the seasonal shedding and keeping the coat dense and glossy.

  • Hip dysplasia risk (from both parent breeds)

    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 joints.

  • Sharp, food-driven mind

    Needs: Engaging, real-food meals

    Rich, single-protein freeze-dried raw makes mealtime a reward worth working for - easy to use in puzzle feeders and training without piling on empty calories.

How much to feed a Border Aussie

Quick answer: a healthy adult Border Aussie (30–65 lb) needs about 4.5–9.8 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 weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
30 lb 4.5 oz 2.3 oz
39 lb 5.9 oz 2.9 oz
48 lb typical Border Aussie 7.2 oz 3.6 oz
57 lb 8.6 oz 4.3 oz
65 lb 9.8 oz 4.9 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Border Aussie

For a Border Aussie we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base - real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler - or as a high-value topper while you transition.

Their athletic build thrives on clean, protein-dense recipes: Chicken and Wild-Caught Salmon fuel lean muscle and a glossy double coat, while richer Beef suits the hardest-working days. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Border Aussies

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Daily support for Border Aussies

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Treats Border Aussies love

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Feeding a Border Aussie by life stage

  • Puppy: Border Aussie puppies have a fast metabolism and need 3 meals a day (add a midday feeding). Feed roughly 5-8% of current body weight and grow them at a steady, moderate pace - controlled growth protects developing hips and joints.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist across two meals about 12 hours apart, and adjust up or down with their workload. Use the chart below as a starting point and tune to body condition, not the bag.
  • Senior: Activity eases but appetite often stays. Trim portions, keep protein high to preserve the lean working muscle they are built on, and lean into joint-supporting nutrition.

Common Border Aussie concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip dysplasiaA risk inherited from both parent breeds. Largely genetic, but lean weight plus joint nutrients (glucosamine from real bone and cartilage, omega-3) help support comfort and day-to-day mobility.
  • Coat & skin healthThat dense double coat needs fuel: a whole-food, omega-rich, low-filler diet supports the skin barrier from the inside and helps keep seasonal shedding and dryness in check.
  • Energy & lean muscleA working dog runs on clean animal protein and fat for sustained energy and muscle maintenance - not on carbohydrate fillers that leave them flat between bursts.
  • Healthy weight & focusAn under-exercised Border Aussie gains weight quietly; measured raw feeding to body condition keeps them lean, sharp, and ready to work.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Border Aussie: what to know

A Border Aussie burns serious calories. Plan on one to two hours of hard activity a day, and feed to match the work - an under-fed working dog loses muscle and focus, while a couch-bound one gains weight fast.

Feed to body condition, not to the bowl: you should feel the ribs easily and see a clear waist from above. Re-check the portion every few weeks, and dial it up on heavy-exercise days and back on rest days.

Border Aussie feeding questions

How much should I feed my Border Aussie?
A healthy adult Border Aussie (30-65 lb) needs roughly 4.5-10 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble - feed toward the higher end on heavy-activity days and to a lean waistline.
What is the best food for a high-energy Border Aussie?
A complete, protein-dense freeze-dried raw diet. Athletic, hard-working dogs thrive on clean animal protein and fat - recipes like Chicken, Salmon, or Beef deliver sustained energy and lean muscle without filler.
How do I switch my Border Aussie to raw?
Transition over 7-10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Smart and food-motivated, most Border Aussies take to it fast - start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline.
Does a Border Aussie need joint support?
It is worth considering. Both parent breeds carry hip dysplasia risk, so freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your dog lean and well-exercised is the most effective joint protection there is.
How big does a Border Aussie get?
Border Aussies are medium-sized dogs, typically 30-65 pounds and about 18-23 inches tall, reflecting their Border Collie and Australian Shepherd parentage. Feed to their individual weight and body condition rather than a one-size number.

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  • 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
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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.