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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Collie

The Collie is an athletic, whip-smart herding dog that switches between all-day field worker and devoted couch companion — and that split personality is exactly why how you feed one matters.

Here is how to feed a Collie on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the clean protein, omega-3s and joint nutrition that fuel a working brain, a healthy double coat, and a long life.

  • Adult weight50–75 lb
  • SizeLarge
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan10–14 years
  • CoatDouble, medium-to-long — moderate shedder, blows coat twice a year

A top-50 most popular dog breed

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A healthy Collie
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Collie's body needs

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

  • High-drive herding athlete

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

    Real meat, organ and bone fuel lean muscle and sustained energy for agility, herding and long daily exercise — no carb fillers that spike and crash.

  • Sharp working mind

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA)

    Whole-food fish and animal fats supply the DHA that supports focus, learning and memory in a breed bred to think on its feet.

  • Dense double coat that blows twice a year

    Needs: Omega-3s + bioavailable protein

    Animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting a soft, full coat and easing the heavy seasonal shedding Collies are known for.

  • Skin-sensitive breed

    Needs: Low-inflammation whole-food diet

    Minimally processed raw skips the starchy fillers that can aggravate the skin issues some Collies are prone to, keeping nutrition simple and clean.

  • Fast, eager eater & deep chest

    Needs: Measured, calorie-honest meals

    Freeze-dried raw is fed by weight in two meals, making portion control easy and keeping a Collie lean — the single biggest lever for a long, healthy life.

How much to feed a Collie

Quick answer: a healthy adult Collie (50–75 lb) needs about 7.5–11.3 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 weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
50 lb 7.5 oz 3.8 oz
56 lb 8.4 oz 4.2 oz
62 lb typical Collie 9.3 oz 4.7 oz
68 lb 10.2 oz 5.1 oz
75 lb 11.3 oz 5.6 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 Collie

For a 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. The high animal-protein content fuels lean herding muscle and steady, all-day energy without carb-driven spikes and crashes.

Lean single proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit weight-watchers and sensitive dogs; omega-rich Salmon is a strong pick for a double coat and an active mind. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Collies

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Daily support for Collies

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Treats Collies love

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Feeding a Collie by life stage

  • Puppy: Collie puppies grow fast and benefit from controlled, steady growth to protect developing joints. Feed roughly 5–8% of current body weight across 3–4 meals a day and avoid overfeeding — lean, gradual growth is the goal.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and dial portions up for a hard-working agility or herding Collie, down for a relaxed family companion.
  • Senior: Activity tapers but appetite often stays. Trim portions to hold a lean weight, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint- and omega-supporting nutrition for aging joints, coat and eyes.

Common Collie concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip dysplasia & joint wearLike most larger herding dogs, Collies can face joint stress. Real bone and cartilage supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3s help support comfortable joints, and keeping your Collie lean takes daily load off them.
  • Skin & coat sensitivityCollies can be prone to skin conditions. A whole-food, omega-rich, low-filler diet supports the skin barrier and a healthy coat, while skipping the starchy ingredients that can aggravate sensitive skin.
  • Bloat (deep-chested build)Gulped meals raise bloat risk. Feeding two smaller measured meals a day, rather than one large bowl, helps your Collie eat at a calmer, safer pace.
  • Working brain & lean muscleAn active, intelligent Collie runs on clean animal protein and fat — supporting sustained energy, lean muscle and the DHA that feeds a sharp mind — not on carbohydrate fillers.

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

Feeding a Collie: what to know

Collies are enthusiastic, sometimes rushed eaters — gulping meals can lead to stomach upset and raises bloat risk in a deep-chested breed. Feed two measured meals a day rather than one large bowl, and use a slow-feed bowl if your Collie inhales their food.

Energy needs swing widely with the day: a Collie doing agility or herding can burn far more than a relaxed family dog. Feed to body condition — you should feel the ribs easily and see a waist from above — and re-check portions whenever activity changes.

Collie feeding questions

How much should I feed my Collie?
A healthy adult Collie (50–75 lb) needs roughly 8–11 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 to a lean waistline and adjust for activity level.
What is the best food for an active, agility Collie?
A complete freeze-dried raw diet built on high animal protein fuels lean muscle and steady energy for herding and sport. Omega-rich recipes like Salmon also support the focus and recovery a working Collie needs.
How do I switch my Collie to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Because Collies can eat quickly, serve in two measured meals — a slow-feed bowl helps if your dog tends to gulp.
Will raw feeding help my Collie's coat and shedding?
It can support it. The omega-3s and whole-food fats in freeze-dried raw feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting a soft, full double coat and helping manage the heavy seasonal shedding Collies are known for.
Does my Collie need joint or omega supplements?
Many Collies benefit from both. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural joint nutrients, and our Hip & Joint and Skin & Coat Omega chews add targeted support for active joints and a healthy coat.

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  • Vet-formulated
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  • 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.