Border Collie Food Calculator: How Much to Feed a Border Collie
Quick answer: An average adult Border Collie (36 lb / 16 kg) needs about 910 kcal a day if spayed or neutered — roughly 2.4 cups of a typical dry food, split into two meals. Border Collie puppies need more per pound: about 1.7 cups a day at 2 months, rising to 2.9 cups by 9 months.
A starting point, not a prescription. Weigh your dog every 2-4 weeks and adjust by about 10% if they gain or lose weight you didn't intend. Treats should stay under 10% of daily calories.
Border Collie puppy feeding chart by age
Daily amounts for an average Border Collie puppy at 380 kcal per cup. Check your food's calories per cup and use the calculator for your puppy's actual weight.
| Age | Typical weight | Calories / day | Cups / day | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 months | ~10 lb (4.5 kg) | 657 kcal | 1.7 | 4 |
| 3 months | ~16 lb (7.3 kg) | 937 kcal | 2.5 | 3 |
| 4 months | ~22 lb (10 kg) | 969 kcal | 2.6 | 3 |
| 5 months | ~26 lb (12 kg) | 978 kcal | 2.6 | 3 |
| 6 months | ~31 lb (14 kg) | 1007 kcal | 2.6 | 2 |
| 9 months | ~34 lb (15 kg) | 1094 kcal | 2.9 | 2 |
Adult Border Collie feeding chart
| Weight | Spayed / neutered | Intact | Very active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lighter adult (27 lb) | 733 kcal (1.9 cups) | 825 kcal (2.2 cups) | 1146 kcal (3.0 cups) |
| Average adult (36 lb) | 910 kcal (2.4 cups) | 1024 kcal (2.7 cups) | 1422 kcal (3.7 cups) |
| Heavier adult (45 lb) | 1076 kcal (2.8 cups) | 1210 kcal (3.2 cups) | 1681 kcal (4.4 cups) |
Calculated with RER = 70 × kg^0.75 and WSAVA-style life-stage factors (puppies tapering from 3.0 at 3 months to 2.0 from 6 months, 1.6 neutered, 1.8 intact, 2.5 very active). Starting points only — adjust to your dog's body condition.
What does it cost to feed a Border Collie?
Turn these daily amounts into a monthly budget for kibble, wet, fresh, or raw food.
Open the Dog Food Cost CalculatorFrequently asked questions
How much should I feed my Border Collie?
An average adult Border Collie (36 lb / 16 kg) needs about 910 kcal a day if spayed or neutered — roughly 2.4 cups of a typical dry food, split into two meals. Border Collie puppies need more per pound: about 1.7 cups a day at 2 months, rising to 2.9 cups by 9 months.
How much should I feed a Border Collie puppy?
It depends on age and current weight. Using a typical growth curve, a Border Collie puppy eats about 1.7 cups at 2 months, 2.5 cups at 3 months, 2.6 cups at 4 months, 2.6 cups at 5 months, 2.6 cups at 6 months, 2.9 cups at 9 months. Weigh your puppy every couple of weeks and recalculate, because amounts rise quickly.
How many times a day should a Border Collie eat?
Four meals a day until about 3 months, three until 6 months, then two meals a day for life.
When should a Border Collie switch to adult food?
As a medium breed, Border Collies typically reach adult weight by around 12-15 months. Most owners switch around the time a puppy reaches adult size. See our guide on when to switch puppy food to adult food.