The best kind of food for a West Highland Terrier
West Highland White Terriers are well known for a tendency towards skin allergies and irritation, often referred to informally as Westie skin or Westie itch, which makes a limited-ingredient or sensitive-skin recipe a more relevant starting point for this breed than for most dogs, though not every Westie will need one.
Feeding a West Highland White Terrier
A small breed
An adult West Highland White Terrier typically weighs 6.8–9.1 kg, so a healthy West Highland White Terrier eats a modest amount compared with other breeds. Every feeding guide on a bag is written per kilo of body weight, not per breed — start there, then adjust to the dog in front of you.
Life stage
A small breed is usually done growing at 10–12 months, which is roughly when a puppy food has finished its job. With a typical lifespan of 12–16 years, there is a long adult stretch in the middle; switch to a senior food when your vet thinks it is worth it rather than on a birthday.
Small mouths, crowded teeth
Smaller breeds get dental disease more often than big ones, largely because the same number of teeth are packed into a shorter jaw. Kibble size is worth checking, and a dental chew counts towards the daily 10% of calories from treats.
How much should a West Highland White Terrier weigh?
Adult 6.8–9.1 kgfully grown at 10–12 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 1.1–1.5 kg | 17% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 1.8–2.5 kg | 27% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 3.7–4.9 kg | 54% |
| 10–12 months | Fully grown | 6.8–9.1 kg | 100% |
A guide, from the same rule of thumb our puppy growth predictor uses — each age is that share of the way to maturity for a small breed. Puppies grow fastest early, so a real puppy usually sits a little above the middle rows. Weigh yours and ask your vet if the number worries you.
Complete dog foods that suit a West Highland White Terrier
Complete foods from our range, matched to a West Highland White Terrier's size band and what the breed typically needs. Stock levels and delivery dates are live on each product.
Pedigree Can in Jelly Puppy 6 Pack
Complete Pedigree puppy food in jelly with chicken, lamb and poultry recipes
£10.15
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Salmon
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for dogs, built on fresh and dried salmon
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Duck
Cold-pressed grain-free duck food with fruit and botanicals, in two bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Turkey
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% turkey, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Turkey
Grain-free cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs, gentle on sensitive stomachs
£69.69
Forthglade British Classics Chicken Family Lunch
Complete Forthglade wet dog food with 75% chicken in a 395G tray
£2.45
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
Harringtons Just 6 Dry Dog Food Lamb
Grain-free lamb dry dog food in 2KG and 12KG sizes, with size-specific formulas
From£13.99
Why skin comes up so often with this breed
Westies have a genuine, well-documented tendency towards atopic dermatitis and other skin conditions, which can be triggered or worsened by a range of factors including environmental allergens as well as, in some individual dogs, specific food ingredients. This reputation is strong enough that many vets and owners consider skin health from early on rather than waiting for a problem to appear.
It is worth being clear that not every Westie develops skin problems, and diet is only one possible contributing factor among several, including fleas, environmental allergens and general skin care. A vet should be involved in diagnosing an actual skin condition rather than assuming diet is automatically the cause.
What to look for in a recipe
A recipe built around a single named protein, without a long list of mixed meats and derivatives, gives the clearest picture if you are trying to identify or avoid a specific trigger. Added omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, common in recipes marketed for skin and coat health, are also worth looking for given the breed's known tendencies.
A double-coated breed like the Westie also benefits from good general coat condition regardless of any skin issues, so a decent quality protein source and balanced fat content support that even in a Westie with no diagnosed skin problems at all.
What we'd point you towards
A sensitive-skin or limited-ingredient recipe from a range such as James Wellbeloved, alongside skin and coat support products where a vet has recommended them, covers both the everyday diet and any additional support a Westie with known skin sensitivity might need.
If your Westie already does well on a standard recipe with no history of skin issues, there is no need to switch pre-emptively; the breed's reputation for skin problems is real but not universal, and a dog doing well should generally be left on a food that suits them.
Common questions
- Do all West Highland Terriers get skin problems?
- No, not all of them, though the breed does have a well-known tendency towards skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis. Some Westies go through life with no significant skin issues at all, so it is worth watching your own dog rather than assuming a problem will definitely occur.
- Is Westie itch caused by food?
- It can be one contributing factor in some individual dogs, but environmental allergens, parasites and general skin care all play a role too, and a vet is best placed to work out what is actually triggering skin problems in a specific dog rather than assuming diet alone is responsible.
- What should I do if my Westie is scratching a lot?
- See a vet to rule out fleas, environmental causes and infection before assuming it is food-related, since itching has many possible causes in this breed. A vet can also advise on whether a diet trial is worth pursuing as part of investigating the cause.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.