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
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 weight | Freeze-dried per day | Per meal (×2) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 lb | 4.5 oz | 2.3 oz |
| 39 lb | 5.9 oz | 2.9 oz |
| 48 lbtypical Border Aussie | 7.2 oz | 3.6 oz |
| 57 lb | 8.5 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 pets need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.
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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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?
What is the best food for a high-energy Border Aussie?
How do I switch my Border Aussie to raw?
Does a Border Aussie need joint support?
How big does a Border Aussie get?
THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE
If your dog won't eat it, it's on us
Try Border Aussie'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.