Do West Highland Terriers need a grain-free diet?

Not as a rule. Grain-free is a choice some owners make, but there is no evidence that a Westie specifically needs it, and a well-made food with grain is just as capable of meeting their needs. Choose based on how your individual dog does on a food, not the presence or absence of grain alone.

How much should an adult Westie eat a day?

It depends on the specific food's calorie content, your dog's weight and how active they are, so always start from the feeding guide on the pack rather than a fixed number. Weigh the portion, split it across two meals, and adjust gradually if your dog is gaining or losing weight.

Are Westies prone to food allergies?

Some are, alongside the skin sensitivities the breed is known for more broadly, though not every itchy Westie has a food allergy specifically. If you suspect one, it is worth working through it with a vet rather than repeatedly swapping foods on your own, since an elimination process needs to be done properly to mean anything.

What treats are best for training a Westie?

Small, soft treats that can be broken into pea-sized pieces work well, since Westies respond quickly to frequent, tiny rewards during training. Keep an eye on the total number given in a session and reduce their main meal slightly on days with a lot of training to avoid piling on extra calories.

What to feed a West Highland Terrier

A West Highland Terrier is a small, sturdy dog with a big appetite for its size, and the two things that matter most at the bowl are keeping weight in check and being alert to skin sensitivities, which this breed is known for more than most. A complete food sized for small breeds, fed in a measured amount rather than free-poured, covers most of what a Westie needs.

Small body, easily overfed

Westies are compact dogs, usually somewhere between 6 and 10kg fully grown, and it does not take much extra food to tip a dog that size into being overweight. A small-breed kibble is worth choosing over a food designed for large dogs, because the pieces are sized for a smaller mouth and the calorie density is judged with a smaller dog in mind.

Weigh out a measured portion rather than filling a bowl by eye, and split it across two meals a day for an adult dog. A Westie carrying extra weight puts more strain on joints that are already working hard on short legs, so keeping an eye on their waistline as they age matters more than the breed's sturdy look might suggest.

The skin problem this breed is known for

Westies have a reputation for itchy, flaky or inflamed skin, sometimes called 'Westie itch', and while the underlying causes vary and are a matter for a vet to work through, food is one of the things owners often look at alongside everything else. A food built around a single named protein, without a long list of unnecessary additives, is a reasonable starting point if you are trying to narrow down what might be contributing.

If your Westie is already showing signs of a sore or itchy coat, do not switch food as a fix on its own — that is a conversation for a vet, who can rule out other causes such as parasites or allergies before food is changed. What you can do at home is watch how your dog's coat and skin respond to their current diet and mention any pattern you notice at their next check-up.

Treats and extras

Westies are food-motivated and quick to learn, which makes them easy to train with small, low-calorie treats, but it also means treats can add up fast relative to their size. Break treats into small pieces and factor them into the day's food rather than adding them on top of a full measured meal.

Dental chews are worth considering for this breed too, since small dogs are more prone to crowded teeth and the tartar build-up that comes with it. A chew sized for a small mouth does more good than one made for a much bigger dog.

Pedigree DentaStix Light daily dental chews for medium and large dogs

£2.35

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Common questions

Do West Highland Terriers need a grain-free diet?: Not as a rule. Grain-free is a choice some owners make, but there is no evidence that a Westie specifically needs it, and a well-made food with grain is just as capable of meeting their needs. Choose based on how your individual dog does on a food, not the presence or absence of grain alone.
How much should an adult Westie eat a day?: It depends on the specific food's calorie content, your dog's weight and how active they are, so always start from the feeding guide on the pack rather than a fixed number. Weigh the portion, split it across two meals, and adjust gradually if your dog is gaining or losing weight.
Are Westies prone to food allergies?: Some are, alongside the skin sensitivities the breed is known for more broadly, though not every itchy Westie has a food allergy specifically. If you suspect one, it is worth working through it with a vet rather than repeatedly swapping foods on your own, since an elimination process needs to be done properly to mean anything.
What treats are best for training a Westie?: Small, soft treats that can be broken into pea-sized pieces work well, since Westies respond quickly to frequent, tiny rewards during training. Keep an eye on the total number given in a session and reduce their main meal slightly on days with a lot of training to avoid piling on extra calories.

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.