West Highland White Terrier: feeding, nutrition and health

Feeding a West Highland White Terrier: what matters

For the Westie, skin is the main nutrition topic, not joints or the heart. Food rich in omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA from fish oil) helps calm the inflammatory side of atopic dermatitis and can reduce the need for medication. Cheap fat sources with no declared omega-3 content tend to make skin problems worse instead.

If a food allergy is suspected, the most reliable approach is an elimination diet using a single new protein source the dog hasn't had before, such as duck, fish, or insect protein, for at least 8 weeks, with no treats or table scraps at all. Only after improvement do you gradually reintroduce the original ingredients to confirm the culprit.

Because the daily portion is so small, it's easy to underestimate how precisely a Westie needs to be fed. A daily ration of around 60 to 90 g of kibble means that even one extra treat a day can add up to a sizeable percentage of total intake, so it's worth weighing food on a kitchen scale rather than eyeballing a scoop.

What to watch for

• Chicken, beef, and dairy protein are the most common triggers of food allergy - consider them first if itching becomes chronic.
• Small portions and a high risk of weight gain - even a small extra treat is a large share of daily energy for an 8 kg (17.6 lb) dog.
• Cheap foods with no declared omega-3 content - for an allergy-prone breed, it's worth paying more for better quality food.
• Rapid puppy growth - given the risk of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, choose a small-breed food rather than an energy-dense large-breed formula.

Practical feeding tips

• Weigh the daily ration on a kitchen scale - on such a small dog, even a few extra grams make a difference.
• For chronic itching or ear infections, try an 8-week elimination diet with a single new protein source under your vet's supervision.
• Choose a food with declared EPA and DHA content, or add a quality fish oil supplement.
• Limit treats to small pieces of lean meat or vegetables and subtract them from the daily kibble ration.
• Reduce the ration by 20 to 30 percent after neutering or spaying, or excess weight will show up quickly.

Feeding schedule by age

Health risks that diet affects

Atopic dermatitis and food allergies

The Westie is one of the breeds most often affected by chronic itchy skin. Some cases are environmental (dust mites, pollen), others are food-related, most often a reaction to chicken, beef, or dairy protein. For recurring itching, paw licking, or ear infections, an 8-week elimination diet with a single new protein source under your vet's guidance is often worthwhile.

Pulmonary fibrosis (so-called Westie lung disease)

A progressive lung tissue disease specific to this breed, causing coughing and worsening shortness of breath in middle age and beyond. No direct link to diet has been proven, but keeping the dog lean reduces the overall strain on the heart and lungs and makes breathing easier.

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease

An inherited condition where the head of the thigh bone degenerates in young dogs, typically between 4 and 12 months of age. Rapid growth and excess weight during the puppy stage increase strain on the joint, so at-risk puppies are better suited to a small-breed food with controlled energy content rather than a large-breed puppy formula.

Copper-associated liver disease

Westies are known to accumulate copper in liver tissue, which can lead to chronic liver damage. Foods high in copper, for example from liver by-products, are best limited in predisposed dogs, and liver values should be checked if a liver problem is suspected.

Obesity

Small size and low energy expenditure mean that even everyday human snacks can easily cover a large share of a Westie's daily needs. Energy needs drop by 20 to 30 percent after neutering or spaying, and on such a small dog that has to be reflected in an accurately weighed ration, not a guess by eye.

Temperament and exercise

The Westie is lively, confident, and curious, with bursts of explosive energy over short stretches - it loves to bark, dig, and hunt small rodents. It does better with several shorter walks and bouts of play than one long outing.

It's a small but food-driven breed that learns to beg easily and packs on weight fast if an owner gives in to those pleading eyes at the table. Given its low body weight, just a few extra grams a day is enough to cause noticeable weight gain within months.

This breed's sensitive skin means diet and treats aren't just a matter of weight - they directly affect how much itching and inflammation the dog experiences. Westie owners need to watch the diet more closely than owners of less allergy-prone breeds.

Coat: A double coat with a hard, wiry white outer layer and a dense undercoat; needs regular hand-stripping or clipping and does not shed.