Collards Dog Food Explored
Key Takeaways
Choosing Collards means opting for a hypoallergenic, single-protein diet that focuses on digestibility and skin health. By avoiding common "fillers" like wheat gluten and dairy, Collards provides a gentle, balanced meal using high-quality meat and slow-release energy from brown rice. It is an ideal choice for pets with sensitive stomachs or itchy skin, helping to maintain overall vitality and a healthy gut.
To ensure your pet thrives on this gentle, premium diet, we recommend a 7-day gradual transition. You can also make life easier by using our Repeat & Save service - the smartest way to ensure you never run out of Collards while getting 5% off every repeat order.
Collards is a high-quality, British-made pet food brand that focuses on "Hypoallergenic" nutrition.
Let's face it, it is heartbreaking to watch your dog struggle with itchy skin, a dull coat, or an upset tummy. As many pet owners feel overwhelmed by the endless rows of dog food at the supermarket, most of which are packed with cheap "fillers" like wheat and soya that offer very little real nutrition.
As a result, when your dog isn’t eating the right food, the effects show. Constant scratching leads to sore patches, and digestive issues mean more unpleasant clean-ups for you.
Over time, poor-quality ingredients can zap your dog’s energy, leaving them sluggish and unlike their usual happy selves. You want the best for them, but finding a truly honest, healthy meal feels like a minefield.
That is where Collards comes in. By using hypoallergenic ingredients and single-source proteins, Collards removes the nasties and focuses on what actually matters.
As a result, in this guide, we will show you how to transform your dog's health through simple, high-quality nutrition.
What is Collards Dog Food?
Collards is a premium, hypoallergenic dog food brand manufactured in the UK. It is specifically formulated for dogs with digestive sensitivities or skin allergies. By utilising single-source proteins (such as turkey, lamb, or salmon) and excluding common allergens like wheat gluten, dairy, and eggs, it provides a highly digestible, complete nutritional profile for all life stages.
What Makes Collards Different?
Collards takes a different approach to many of their recipes are:
- Hypoallergenic, as they avoid common allergens like wheat gluten, dairy, and eggs.
- Highly Digestible, due to them using quality proteins and gentle carbohydrates like brown rice, the food is easy for dogs to process.
- Balanced Nutrition, for every bag contains a blend of vitamins, minerals, and oils designed to support a dog's health from their nose to their tail.
Collards is built on the philosophy that a dog’s diet should be simple and nutritious, as many mass-produced dog foods contain "fillers" - cheap ingredients like wheat, dairy, or soya - that provide little nutritional value and can often cause itchy skin or upset tummies as a direct response as well.
Understanding the Ingredients
What are the key ingredients in Collards?
Collards focuses on high-quality, functional ingredients: single-source animal proteins for muscle maintenance; whole grain brown rice and barley for sustained energy (Low-GI); chicory root as a natural prebiotic for gut health; and yucca extract to reduce stool odour. The recipes are free from wheat, soya, and dairy fillers.
To understand why Collards is good for your dog, you have to look at the back of the bag.
Here is a breakdown of the key components found in their range, but please always read teh back of the bag you are interested in to see how it fares for your pet.
What Meat is Used in Collards Recipes?
Dogs are primarily meat-eaters, and protein is the building block of their muscles and energy. As a result, Collards uses specific meat sources like turkey, chicken, lamb, or salmon.
Importantly, they use a single meat source in many of their recipes.
Is Brown Rice Safe for My Dog's Digestion?
While some diets are grain-free, Collards often uses brown rice.
This is a "complex carbohydrate," meaning it releases energy slowly throughout the day, and it is also packed with more fibre to help their digestion as well.
Sorghum and Barley
These traditional grains are often included because they are low-GI (Glycaemic Index).
As a result, they help to prevent sugar spikes and keep your dog feeling full for longer.
Chicory Root
This is a natural prebiotic, and it feeds the "good" bacteria in your dog’s gut, which strengthens the immune system.
Does Collards Help Reduce Dog Poo Odour?
A small but clever addition.
As here Yucca extract is known to help reduce the "pong" of dog waste by breaking down certain compounds in the gut.
The Importance of Life Stages
What is the Best Collards Food for Older Dogs?
Collards Senior recipes are tailored for ageing metabolisms and reduced activity levels. They feature a lower fat content to prevent obesity and are enriched with joint-supportive compounds, specifically glucosamine and chondroitin. These ingredients help maintain cartilage health and mobility in dogs aged seven years and older.
| Pet Type | Focus | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | Growth & Development | High protein, calcium for bones, and DHA for brain health. |
| Adult | Maintenance | Balanced energy, Omega oils for a shiny coat and healthy skin. |
| Senior | Joint Health & Weight | Lower fat, added glucosamine and chondroitin for stiff joints. |
Managing Sensitive Stomachs and Skin
Is Collards good for dogs with itchy skin?
Yes, Collards is highly effective for dogs with dermatological sensitivities. Most canine skin irritations are triggered by common allergens like wheat or artificial additives. Collards eliminates these triggers, replacing them with hypoallergenic ingredients and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which actively support skin barrier repair and promote a glossier, healthier coat.
Does your dog scratch their ears constantly? Do they have "wind" or soft stools?
These are often signs of a dietary intolerance. Because Collards is hypoallergenic, it removes the most common triggers for these issues.
As a result, many owners find that after four to six weeks of switching, the scratching stops and energy levels stabilise.
Should I Feed My Dog Wet or Dry Collard Food?
- Dry Dog Food (Kibble) is convenient and cost-effective, as the crunchy texture helps to scrape away plaque from the teeth.
- Wet Dog Food, which is often more palatable for picky eaters and has a high water content to support kidney health.
Use a kitchen scale to weigh the food. Measuring cups can be inaccurate, and even a tiny bit extra every day can lead to weight gain.
How Do I Safely Change My Dog’s Diet to Collards?
How do I transition my dog to Collards food?
To prevent gastrointestinal upset, transition your dog to Collards over a seven-day period. Begin by mixing 25% Collards with 75% of the current food for two days. Gradually increase the ratio to 50% on days three and four, 75% on days five and six, and move to 100% Collards by day seven.
To avoid stomach upset as best as you can, follow this gentle seven-day transition plan:
75% Old Food
50% Old Food
25% Old Food
Full Switch
*If your dog has an especially sensitive tummy, feel free to extend each stage by an extra day.
Frequently Asked Questions on Collards Dog Food
Across our range of local pet shops, we often get asked a lot of questions when it comes to this brand, with some of the most common ones being:
Is Collards dog food good for allergies?
Yes, Collards is specifically designed for dogs with allergies. It is a hypoallergenic food, which means it leaves out common triggers like wheat gluten, dairy, and eggs.
By using simple, high-quality ingredients, it helps to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.
Where is Collard's dog food made?
Collards is a British brand. The recipes are developed right here in the UK to meet the high standards of British pet owners and ensure the ingredients are fresh and sustainably sourced.
How to switch my dog to Collards?
You should switch your dog to Collards over seven days. Start by mixing 25% Collards with their old food for two days, then move to a 50/50 mix, then 75% Collards, before finally feeding them 100% Collards on day seven.
What is the Best Collards recipe for sensitive skin?
The Salmon and Potato or Salmon and Rice recipes are usually best for sensitive skin.
Salmon is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which help to soothe inflammation and promote a healthy, shiny coat.
Can puppies eat Collards adult food?
It is best to keep puppies on the specific Collards Puppy range. Puppies need more protein and calcium for their growing bones than adult food provides.
Once they reach 12 months, you can transition them to the Adult range.
How much Collards should I feed my puppy?
The amount depends on your puppy's age and expected adult weight. You can find a detailed feeding guide on the back of every bag, but it is important to adjust the portions as they grow to keep them at a healthy weight.
What is the difference between Collards and Canagan?
While both are high-quality foods, Collards focuses on being hypoallergenic and often uses gentle grains like brown rice.
Canagan is typically a grain-free, "biologically appropriate" diet with a very high meat content.
Is Collards dog food grain-free?
Most Collards recipes use healthy grains like brown rice and barley for energy.
However, they do offer specific grain-free options for dogs that cannot tolerate any grains at all.
Do collards help with smelly dog stools?
Yes, Collards includes Yucca extract, which is known to break down the compounds in the gut that cause smelly waste.
Because the food is highly digestible, your dog will also produce smaller, firmer stools.
Can I mix Collards wet and dry food?
Absolutely. Mixing the two can make mealtimes more exciting for picky eaters.
Just make sure to reduce the amount of kibble if you are adding wet food to prevent overfeeding.
Is this the Best dog food for wind and bloating?
Collards are excellent for the wind because it avoids "fillers" that ferment in the gut.
The inclusion of prebiotics like chicory root helps maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, reducing gas.
What is Yucca extract in dog food?
Yucca extract is a natural plant ingredient added to Collards to help reduce the odour of your dog’s waste.
It works by binding to ammonia in the digestive tract.
How does Collards dog food price compare over pack sizes?
Buying a 10kg or 12kg bag of Collards is much more cost-effective than buying smaller bags.
At Pets & Friends, we offer competitive prices and seasonal deals to help you get the best value for money.
Do Collards use artificial colours?
No, Collards is made with natural ingredients and contains no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives.
This makes it much gentler on your dog’s system.
How long does a 12kg bag of Collards typically last?
For a medium-sized dog (about 20kg), a 12kg bag will typically last around 40 to 50 days.
This makes it an affordable premium option for most households.
Why Shop for Collards at Pets & Friends?
Pets & Friends is more than just a pet shop; we're a community of pet lovers, backed by the experience of our parent company, Kennelgate, a family-run business that's been around for donkey's years.
Our whole approach is built on providing you with friendly, down-to-earth advice to help you give your pet the best life possible.
Furthermore, we believe that every pet is a friend, and as their owner, you're a friend of ours too. We're passionate about what we do, and we're here to help you every step of the way.
Here to Help, However You Shop
So, whether you are looking for the best Collards dog food price on a 2kg bag for a trial or wanting to bulk buy a Collards 10kg or 12kg bag for better value, we are one of the leading UK Collards stockists. Keep an eye out for our seasonal Collards dog food deals, and don't forget to grab some Collards wet food trays in delicious flavours like Turkey & Rice or Lamb & Rice to complete your order.
For all online orders, you can easily track your delivery or get in touch about returns.
In-store, our expert team can offer brilliant, practical advice on everything from finding the right hypoallergenic recipe for a sensitive tummy to fitting your dog with the perfect harness.
We're properly trained and genuinely love pets, so no question is too silly. We are committed to making sure you and your pet have a happy experience with us every single time.
