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Border Collies are energetic and intelligent dogs. If you are looking for an affectionate, biddable, and playful companion to accompany your active lifestyle, the Border Collie is the perfect fit. These beautiful dogs have medium-length, wavy coats that require daily grooming. Each dog has unique care needs, and before bringing a Border Collie home, you need to determine which supplies are vital for their care.
In this article, we’ll discuss the essential Border Collie supplies you need to have on hand before you bring your new puppy home. Additionally, we’ve highlighted our favorite products for each item so that you have somewhere to start.
The 28 Essential Border Collie Supplies
Food and Feeding Supplies
1. Food and Water Bowl
Food and water bowls are typically the first items new pet owners purchase. Many people prefer to feed their dogs at specific times but you should provide constant access to water to avoid dehydration. Frisco Stainless Steel Double Dog Bowls with Melamine Stand with Melamine Stand is our favorite food and water bowl for the Border Collie.
The two removable stainless steel bowls are easy to wash, and with the non-skid feature, you can prevent your excitable dog from making a mess out of their meal.
2. Travel Food and Water Bowl
Border Collies are energetic dogs, and they require a lot of exercise. Therefore, it will be in your best interest to have portable food and water bowls when you embark on extended outdoor adventures.
The Frisco Travel Collapsible Silicone Dog & Cat Bowl is a compact, collapsible set of bowls you can clip onto your belt loops, backpack, or travel bag. The silicon material makes it easy to clean all surfaces of the bowls.
3. Puppy Food
- Our Choice: Purina Pro Plan Puppy Dry Dog Food
If you bring home a Border Collie puppy, you will need to feed them age-specific food. Puppies require high-quality protein and nutrients to develop properly, so look for puppy food certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
We like Purina’s Pro Plan’s Puppy Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula with Probiotics Dry Dog Food because it provides a healthy protein (chicken) as the primary ingredient. It also contains DHA, antioxidants, and essential minerals that will help your Border Collie grow healthy and strong.
4. Adult Food
Once your puppy grows into an adult, you will need to transition to adult foods. As with puppy food, ensure you are providing your Border Collie with a healthy, AAFCO-certified meal.
An excellent option for this category is The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food subscription service. The recipes are formulated by vets, using real meat as the main ingredients, and it’s simple to use and delivered right to your door. The team at The Farmer’s Dog even helps you portion out the meals to make feeding your dog as easy as can be.
5. Food Mat
- Our Choice: Frisco Silicone Dog & Cat Food Mat
Dogs can be messy creatures, especially when they are eating or drinking. To minimize some of the mess your pet will surely make, you can buy a food mat to place under their food and water bowls. We like Frisco’s Silicone Dog & Cat Food Mat for several reasons. First, the silicone material makes the mat easy to wash or wipe down quickly.
Likewise, the raised edge around the mat’s perimeter helps keep spilled food and water off your floors. The simple wave design is more than just a stylistic choice; it also helps keep the food and water bowls from being pushed around.
Treats and Toy Supplies
6. Dog Treats for Skin and Coat Care
Border Collies have beautiful, medium-length fur that requires attentive care to keep in prime condition. To boost the health of your dog’s skin and coat, you can feed them specialized treats such as the Plato Original Real Strips Salmon Recipe Dog Treats.
They contain salmon as the first ingredient, which includes omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which are essential to the condition of your dog’s skin and coat. Plus, the salmon flavor is tasty!
7. Dog Dental Chews
- Our Choice: Greenies Regular Dental Dog Treats
Dental care is essential for all dogs. For dogs over the age of 3 years, there is an 80%–90% chance that they have some form of periodontal disease. Therefore, it is more than likely that your Border Collie may experience dental issues, especially without proper preventive care.
While dog dental chews are not the only way that you should be caring for your dog’s teeth, they are an excellent supplement to their dental care. We especially like Greenies Regular Dental Dog Treats, which are made with vitamins, minerals, and other valuable nutrients. You can start using these treats once your pup gets all their adult teeth, at about 6 months old.
8. Chew Toy
- Our Choice: KONG Classic Dog Toy
Playful dogs like the Border Collie need entertainment, and toys are an absolute necessity. A sturdy chew toy is sure to keep your dog’s attention for long periods of time. KONG’s Classic Dog Toy is made in the United States and comes with several customization options.
For instance, you can choose the size you want as well as the hardness of the toy. It can also be stuffed with treats to keep your pet preoccupied and eager to play.
9. Fetch Toy
- Our Choice: Chuckit! Ultra Rubber Ball Tough Dog Toy
Border Collies are herding dogs, and they have a lot of energy to release. Playing fetch is a great way to burn off that pent-up energy, as it allows your dog to run in quick bursts. The Chuckit! Ultra Rubber Ball Tough Dog Toy is a set of two tough rubber balls with a high bouncing capability. They also float in the water, which is ideal if your pup enjoys swimming and playing in the pool.
10. Puzzle Toy
All dogs need mental stimulation, but smart dogs need much more of it. Without a task to occupy their mind, an intelligent breed like the Border Collie may get into mischief. To prevent that, provide your dog with a puzzle toy to keep them challenged.
A great puzzle toy to start with is the Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Brick Puzzle Game Dog Toy. You can change the difficulty levels, and your dog can start with a simpler solution before graduating to more complex puzzles.
Walking Supplies
11. Retractable Leash
- Our Choice: Flexi Comfort Nylon Tape Retractable Dog Leash
Border Collies require ample walking time, but they shouldn’t be allowed to roam free. Keeping your dog on a leash is a matter of safety, especially in parks or walking trails where dogs are required to be leashed.
To control how much your dog can wander, you need a retractable leash such as Flexi’s Comfort Nylon Tape Retractable Dog Leash. The leash comes in a variety of colors and sizes, so you can choose the one that is perfect for your needs. The handle is designed with an ergonomic, soft grip so that your hand doesn’t ache after a long walk. Most importantly you can quickly apply the breaks with one hand to stop your pup wandering into dangerous areas.
12. Classic Leash
There are some situations, like during dog training, at veterinary visits, or on busy streets where you will need to keep tighter control of your dog. A retractable leash can be a nuisance in these circumstances, so having a classic leash on hand is a good idea.
We like Doggy Tales Braided Rope Dog Leash for the reflective lining and comfortable handle, not to mention the variety of colors.
13. Dog Collar
To ensure the dog leash is effective, you naturally will need a dog collar. Chai’s Choice Comfort Cushion 3M Polyester Reflective Dog Collar comes in various color and size options, and it is made of a reflective material for your dog’s safety. The mesh padding is soft and breathable, allowing your dog to wear it comfortably.
14. Dog Winter Boots
A leash and collar are essential walking supplies, but one item that fewer dog owners think of is winter boots. In the winter, the cold weather and sidewalk salt can leave your dog’s exposed paws cracked and painful.
To protect their sensitive paws, you can provide them with winter boots such as Bark Brite’s All Weather Reflective Neoprene Dog Boots. The boots come in a few sizes and colors. Additionally, they have a lined interior to help control your dog’s temperature.
15. Dog Treat Pouch
- Our Choice: H&H Pets Treat Training Bag
Another handy item to have on walks is a treat pouch. Leash training can be a long process; without a treat on hand, it can be difficult. Bringing a treat pouch like the H&H Pets Treat Training Bag allows you to have a treat ready for your dog no matter where you are.
There are several pockets in this model, and you can store more than just dog treats. There is a compartment for waste bags, for items such as a phone or a set of keys, and a zipper enclosure for valuables such as cash.
16. Waste Bags
- Our Choice: Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags
Cleaning up after your dog is a key part of being a responsible dog owner. Having poop bags on hand will allow you to clean up your dog’s waste while on a walk.
We especially like the Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags since they are made from 65% recycled plastic and come in scented and unscented varieties. The scented bags are lavender-scented to cover any foul stench with a fresh odor.
Comfort Supplies
17. Dog Bed
Even energetic dogs need a comfortable place to rest. While a dog bed might not keep your Border Collie from trying to snuggle with you in your own bed, it will provide them with their own safe, comfortable space to sleep.
FurHaven’s Velvet Waves Perfect Comfort Orthopedic Sofa Cat & Dog Bed is an especially comfortable option, and the velvet material provides a soft, warm place to curl up. Plus, the orthopedic foam base supports your dog’s joints and pressure points.
18. Pheromone Calming Spray
- Our Choice: Adaptil Travel Calming Spray for Dogs
Puppies coming into new homes and experiencing new things like vet visits and car rides can feel quite stressed at these times. Pheromone calming sprays are designed to reduce stress and tension, allowing your dog to feel safe during times of change.
Adaptil Travel Calming Spray for Dogs mimics the pheromones from a mother dog. Each spray lasts for 4–5 hours. You can use it on their bed at home, in the car, and on their collar and you won’t notice the smell at all.
Cleaning Supplies
19. Carpet Cleaning Spray
- Our Choice: Hepper Bio-Enzymatic Odor & Stain Remover Spray
With pet ownership, there are plenty of messes to clean. If your dog makes a mess on your carpet, you need to have the tools on hand to clean it right away so that it doesn’t stain. One great product to clean up pet messes is our very own Hepper Bio-Enzymatic Odor & Stain Remover Spray. It doesn’t just clean messes; it also eliminates odors at the source. We even have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. It works on all surfaces and gets out even the toughest of stains, all while being safe to use around your pets and humans in the home..
At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!
20. Vacuum Cleaner
Border Collies have luxurious, long fur, and they tend to shed moderately. That means you will have a lot of dog hair around your home. While you may already have a vacuum cleaner in the house, it is useful to have a handheld cleaner to reach all of the areas where your dog’s fur may have settled.
With the Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet Cordless Hand Vacuum Cleaner, you can clean floors, furniture, and other surfaces quickly and efficiently.
21. Odor Elimination
Even a clean dog can have a bit of a “dog smell.” To keep your home from smelling like your pet, you can use odor-eliminator objects such as the Pet Odor Exterminator Lavender & Chamomile Deodorizing Candle.
Unlike your average candle, it uses enzymes to neutralize odors rather than attempting to overpower them with heavy fragrance. When using candles in a household with pets, make sure that they are kept out of reach from your animals.
22. Traveling Pee Pads
If you are a traveler, you’ll want to be prepared to take your dog along. That means having travel supplies for all of their needs. Traveling pee pads like the Bark & Clean Premium Activated Charcoal Traveler’s Dog Potty Pad can absorb urine to prevent messes. They are stored in compact packages, which can be placed in a backpack or in the glove compartment of your car.
Grooming Supplies
23. Brush
- Our Choice: Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush
Border Collies have dense, weather-resistant coats that require a pin brush to properly manage. Brushes such as the Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush are a great option for Border Collies, and they provide dual-action brushing. It has an ergonomic handle, which makes brushing a more comfortable task for you. With the two specialized sides, you can remove dead hair and then style the coat.
24. Eye Cleaning Wipes
- Our Choice: Optixcare Dog & Cat Eye Cleaning Wipes
Taking care of your dog’s eyes is an important part of grooming, and for dogs with longer hair, eye-cleaning wipes are even more valuable. Eye wipes can remove tear stains that have discolored your pet’s fur and may be irritating their eyes. We like Optixcare Dog & Cat Eye Cleaning Wipes due to their gentle cleansing with chamomile extract and conveniently packaged design.
25. Ear Cleaning Wipes
- Our Choice: TropiClean Ear Cleaning Wipes for Dogs
Border Collies are often fans of swimming, which may make them prone to ear infections. Checking your dog’s ears frequently is the best way to be aware of the presence of a possible infection, and to prevent it, you can clean their ears with ear-cleaning wipes. TropiClean’s Ear Cleaning Wipes for Dogs uses a mild cleanser for your dog’s ears.
26. Dog Shampoo
- Our Choice: Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Shampoo
Bathing your dog is vital to keeping them smelling and looking fresh. It also maintains the health and moisture of their skin and coat if you use a supportive canine shampoo. Our Hepper Oatmeal Shampoo with Colloidal Oatmeal is a great shampoo formula that includes gentle ingredients that can ease skin irritation. It also boosts the shiny quality of your dog’s coat, which will allow your Border Collie to look better than ever.
At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!
27. Nail Trimmers
- Our Choice: Safari Professional Nail Trimmer for Dogs
As daunting as it may seem, trimming your dog’s nails is an essential part of their grooming care. Thankfully, with training and practice, the process is not as intimidating as it may seem. In fact, for many dogs and dog owners, it can even be an opportunity to bond.
The Safari Professional Nail Trimmer for Dogs is a quality, long-lasting trimmer made of stainless steel. The handles have a plastic casing to help you maintain your grip while clipping your dog’s nails. Even better, the design of the trimmer allows right-handed and left-handed owners to use it with ease.
28. Deshedding Tool
- Our Choice: FURminator Long Hair Dog Deshedding Tool
Fur tumbleweeds could make a regular appearance in your house in shedding seasons if you don’t use a de-shedding tool. These work better than brushes to remove loose hair and can reduce shedding by 90% when used regularly.
The FURminator Long Hair Dog Deshedding Tool features a quality stainless steel edge, an ergonomic handle, and a useful eject button to release the built-up fur.
In Conclusion
Taking care of a dog is not an easy task. In addition to the essential items included in this list, dogs also need frequent training, exercise, veterinarian care, and more. If you’re committed to bringing a Border Collie home and caring for them, review our list and go from there. As you learn more about your dog’s individual needs, you will discover other items, tools, or supplies you may need.
Featured Image Credit: Annorak Nk, Shutterstock
