Best Dog Food For Westies
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More
The West Highland White Terrier (Westie) makes wonderful companions. They’re the perfect pet for an apartment or condo, and they are guaranteed to be your best friend for life.
If you want to enjoy your Westie’s company for as long as possible, feed it a healthy diet specific to its nutritional needs. You may not realize it, but Westie breed dogs may need a different type of food than larger breeds to meet their unique energy requirements.
Keep reading to learn more about your Westie’s unique nutritional needs and to receive some tips for picking the best dog food to meet those needs.
Compare Best Dog Food For Westies
|
Protein
7% Min |
Protein
25% Min |
Protein
36% Min |
Protein
32% Min |
Protein
9% Min |
|
Fat
5% Min |
Fat
15% Min |
Fat
15% Min |
Fat
12% Min |
Fat
7% Min |
|
Fiber
2% Max |
Fiber
4% Max |
Fiber
5.0% Min |
Fiber
3.5% Max |
Fiber
2% Max |
|
Calories
1246 kcal/kg |
Calories
361 kcal/cup |
Calories
396 kcal/cup |
Calories
349 kcal/cup |
Calories
1,540 kcal/kg |
Special Dietary Needs Of Westie Dogs
When you look at a small-breed dog compared to a larger breed, it seems obvious that it will need less food. Smaller stomachs have less room for food, after all, and it would seem to make sense that a little dog doesn’t need as many calories as a bigger dog.
Not only could you be wrong about that, but you might have other misconceptions about feeding small breed dogs. Here are some of the things to look for Westies:
- Calorie-Dense. Westies have very fast metabolisms, which, you may be surprised to learn, means that they need more calories per pound of body weight than larger breeds. In fact, Westie dogs may need up to 40 calories per pound.
- Antioxidants. Not only do Westies have fast metabolisms, but they also have long lifespans. Feeding your dog an antioxidant-rich diet will help keep it healthy for as long as possible by boosting its immune system.
- Dry Food. Westies have small mouths, which often leads to dental problems. Good Dry food is preferable to wet food for small dogs because it helps clean plaque and tartar off their teeth.
- Fatty Acids. Healthy fats provide a concentrated source of energy for small breed dogs, but they also play a role in supporting healthy skin and coat as well as brain development in puppies.
While keeping each of these things in mind, you’re now prepared to learn how to choose the best dog food for Westies. Here’s what you need to know:
The Top 5 Best Dog Foods For Westies
Choosing a small-breed, specific food for your dog is the best way to ensure that its unique nutritional and energy requirements are being met. From there,
look for a recipe made with high-quality ingredients with no by-products or artificial additives. That’s a great place to start.
Here are our top 5 picks for the best dog food for Westies that you should consider:
Nom Nom Pork Potluck Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 7% Min
- Fat: 5% Min
- Fiber: 2% Max
- Calories: 1246 kcal/kg
- Rich in protein, fat, and calories
- Highly digestible with plenty of fiber
- Prepared fresh and delivered pre-portioned
- Wet food may not be best for some Westies with dental problems
- More expensive than most dry food options
It is made with all-natural ingredients including premium animal proteins, fresh fruits, and vegetables for balanced nutrition.
We like Nom Nom’s Porkalicious Potluck recipe for the Westie breed because it is higher in calories than some Nom Nom recipes and has a closer ratio of protein-to-fat.
Because it is a fresh food product, it is also high in moisture to support your dog’s hydration and digestion. It also retains more of its original nutritional integrity because it hasn’t been cooked at high temperatures.
This recipe is still rich in protein and contains fresh fruits and vegetables for digestible, natural sources of key nutrients as well.
Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Small-Breed Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 25% Min
- Fat: 15% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 361 kcal/cup
- Real chicken as the #1 ingredient
- Made with digestible grain-free carbohydrates
- Antioxidants in every bite for healthy immunity
- Supplemented with glucosamine for joint health
- Made with an unnamed animal fat (poultry fat vs. chicken fat)
- Above Avg. in cost
It features real chicken as the #1 ingredient with sweet potato and pumpkin for digestible carbohydrates. This recipe is rich in antioxidants for healthy immunity with plenty of fiber and healthy fats. Plus, it is supplemented with glucosamine for joint health and mobility.
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small-Breed Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 36% Min
- Fat: 15% Min
- Fiber: 5.0% Min
- Calories: 396 kcal/cup
- Made with deboned turkey and salmon meal
- Fortified with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
- Rich in dietary fiber for healthy digestion
- DHA for healthy brain development
- Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients
- Somewhat expensive compared to other puppy foods
Made with deboned turkey and salmon meal, this recipe is rich in protein and healthy fats for strong muscles and brain development. This recipe is fortified with antioxidants and essential nutrients for immunity and contains plenty of protein to support your puppy’s digestive system.
Merrick Lil’ Plates Small Breed Senior Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 32% Min
- Fat: 12% Min
- Fiber: 3.5% Max
- Calories: 349 kcal/cup
- High protein content
- Highly digestible for sensitive digestion systems
- Formulated uniquely for senior dogs
- Not all dogs will enjoy it – some reviews say that their dogs didn’t like the flavor
- Contains high-carbohydrate sweet potato and other plant ingredients
This Merrick Lil’ Plates Small Breed Senior Recipe is uniquely formulated to meet the nutritional needs of aging small breed dogs and it contains plenty of protein.
Made with real chicken and sweet potatoes, you can bet that this recipe is also easy on your senior dog’s digestion.
Ollie Hearty Beef Eats Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 9% Min
- Fat: 7% Min
- Fiber: 2% Max
- Calories: 1,540 kcal/kg
- Rich in protein and healthy fats for energy
- Fresh fruits and vegetables for natural nutrition
- Higher in calories to meet energy requirements
- Grain-free recipe (but doesn’t contain legumes)
It is particularly good for Westies because you’ll receive specific feeding instructions to meet your dog’s high energy needs.
We like Ollie’s Hearty Beef Eats recipe for the Westie breed because it contains more calories and fat than some recipes, making it an energy-dense source of nutrition for this active breed.
It contains fresh fruits and vegetables for balanced nutrition as well as plenty of fiber for healthy digestion.
How To Choose The Best Dog Food For Westies?
When shopping for the best dog food, you need to keep your dog’s basic nutritional needs in mind. All dogs need at least 18% crude protein and 5% fat in their diets, but West Highland White Terrier may need a little more when it comes to fat.
Because they have very fast metabolisms, a calorie-dense diet is required to provide the energy they need. Your White Terrier dog may need anywhere from 30 to 40 calories per pound of body weight to keep up with its metabolism.
Though fat is the most concentrated source of energy available to your Westie dog, protein is essential as well.
Protein fuels your puppy’s growth and development and then helps it maintain its lean muscle mass as an adult. Look for high-quality sources of animal protein as the first ingredient, such as meat, poultry, or fish.
White Terrier dogs do not have specific requirements when it comes to carbohydrates, but digestible sources like whole grains, legumes, potatoes, and vegetables are a valuable source of energy, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients. Look for a recipe that contains between 3% and 5% fiber; anything too much higher might upset your dog’s digestion.
Other beneficial ingredients to look for in small breed dog food include fresh fruits and vegetables, probiotics, and chelated minerals. Fruits and vegetables provide natural sources of key nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Chelated minerals are synthetic supplements, but they are highly bioavailable. Probiotics help support healthy digestion.
How Much Should You Feed Westie?
When your Westie dog is a puppy, you should feed it four small meals per day for the first three months, then reduce to three meals per day.
Keep in mind that small breed puppies burn through energy very quickly when they are growing, so you may need to adjust your feeding schedule if your puppy isn’t growing at the proper rate. In terms of how much to feed it, refer to the feeding recommendations on the package because every recipe is different in terms of calories.
Check the package every two weeks or so and make adjustments according to your puppy’s age and weight. You can also check with your veterinarian to make sure your puppy is growing properly.
What About Food Allergies And Sensitivities?
While any dog can develop food skin allergies or sensitivities, some of the breeds most likely to develop them are smaller breeds. It may be difficult to tell when your dog is a puppy whether it is sensitive or allergic to an ingredient in its food and many dogs don’t develop allergies until later in life.
If your Westie has skin problems or recurrent ear infections, however, it is a potential indication that something is not right with its food. Consider switching to a limited ingredient recipe or a grain-free formula for a few weeks to see if things improve.
If they do, you’ll have identified the source of the problem, and you can simply keep feeding your dog a recipe that doesn’t cause a reaction.
Best Dog Food For Westies: Summed Up
Because Westies have high energy requirements, it is important to feed your dog a small-breed recipe. From there, you have your choice of brands, as long as you pick one made with high-quality proteins, healthy fats, and digestible carbohydrates. If you’re not sure where to start your search, try one of our top 5 picks for the best dog food for Westies reviewed above.
