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Enter your border collie's weight to get personalised daily portions in grams and cups.
About the Border Collie
Border Collies are the most active of all dog breeds. A working or highly active Border Collie may need twice the calories of a sedentary dog.
Typical adult weight: 14–20 kg. This range is important — a Border Collie at the lower end of the weight range needs significantly fewer calories than one at the upper end.
How many calories does a Border Collie need?
We calculate calorie needs using the veterinary RER formula: 70 × weight(kg)⁰·⁷⁵, then multiply by a lifestyle factor. For a typical neutered adult Border Collie, the lifestyle multiplier is approximately ×2.0.
| Weight | Daily kcal (neutered adult) | Dry kibble (3,500 kcal/kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | 468 kcal | 134g / 1.1 cups |
| 10 kg | 787 kcal | 225g / 1.9 cups |
| 15 kg | 1,067 kcal | 305g / 2.5 cups |
| 20 kg | 1,324 kcal | 378g / 3.2 cups |
| 25 kg | 1,565 kcal | 447g / 3.7 cups |
| 30 kg | 1,795 kcal | 513g / 4.3 cups |
| 35 kg | 2,015 kcal | 576g / 4.8 cups |
| 40 kg | 2,227 kcal | 636g / 5.3 cups |
Practical feeding tips for Border Collies
- Weigh the food: Use a kitchen scale rather than a scoop — cup measurements are inaccurate and can vary by 20–30% depending on kibble size.
- Split into 2 meals: Most adult dogs do best with two meals per day. This reduces the risk of bloat (especially important for large breeds) and keeps blood sugar stable.
- Count treats: Treats should make up no more than 10% of daily calories. If your Border Collie gets regular treats, subtract their calorie value from the daily food portion.
- Recalculate every few months: Body weight and lifestyle change. Recalculate whenever your dog's weight changes by more than 5%.
- Monitor body condition: You should be able to feel your Border Collie's ribs with light pressure but not see them. A visible waist from above is a good sign of healthy weight.