The Rundown
Best Overall: Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Recipe
“Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Recipe is definitely a quality food for less. It is made with superfoods to guarantee healthy meal every time.”
Best For Morkie Seniors: CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Puppy
“CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Puppy is a limited ingredient dog food that gives Westies all they need. It has DHA that helps in the eye development of your little puppies.”
Best For Westie Seniors: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior
“Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior is excellent for senior Westies. It has the nutrients needed by less active dogs.”
Ever been curious about what kind of dog is on the Cesar dog food? That’s one of these small breed pups – a West Highland White Terrier!
They’re cheerful, playful, and pretty adorable, and you’ll only find West Highland Terriers white in color. But they also come with some health conditions you need to be aware of.
Choosing the best food for Westies can keep them happy and healthy, and if you look after them well enough they’ll be around for more than a decade.
Table of Contents
- The Rundown
- Best Food For Westies in 2022
- Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Recipe
- CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Puppy
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior
- CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Real Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
- American Journey Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- Nature’s Recipe Small Breed Grain-Free Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe
- Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food
- Acana Singles Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
- Solid Gold Leaping Waters Chicken & Salmon Recipe
- Royal Canin West Highland White Terrier Dry Dog Food
- Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Recipe
- Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
- Questions & Answers
Best Food For Westies in 2022
Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Recipe
Best Overall: Great Ingredients, Value For Money
PROS
- Great protein and fat levels for the West Highland White Terrier
- Contains DHA for an extra Omega boost
- Salmon is the protein source
- Added species-specific probiotics
CONS
- No glucosamine
- Some Westies may be sensitive to potatoes or legumes
West Highland White Terrier parents looking for a super quality dog food that doesn’t cost an arm and a paw, the Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Recipe would be perfect. It’s loaded with superfoods for a healthy meal every time. The only downside is that it may not be the best dog food for West Highland White Terrier pups who don’t deal well with potatoes or legumes.
Quality Food for Less
Pet parents may be surprised at the price of this dog food in relation to its quality! It’s right up with the top contenders when it comes to quality, but it has a seriously nice price tag.
Superfoods, antioxidants, Omegas, and DHA make a great meal. It contains no glucosamine, but at this price it’s easy to buy it separately.
CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Puppy
Best For Westie Puppies
PROS
- Limited ingredient dog food
- Contains DHA for eye development
- High in Omegas
- Contains probiotics and prebiotics
CONS
- No flavor variation in puppy recipe
West Highland White Terrier puppies will get all they need in the CANIDAE Grain-Free. DHA helps the eyes and brain develop correctly, glucosamine makes joints strong from the start, and the Omegas make skin and coat shiny and healthy.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior
Best For Westie Seniors
PROS
- Senior-specific food recipe
- Contains L-carnitine for energy regulation
- Lower in fat and protein for less active dogs
- Contains DHA to keep aging eyes strong
CONS
- No flavor variations
- Not suitable for seniors allergic to chicken
West Highland White Terrier seniors will benefit from the mix of joint supplements, Omega fatty acids, added DHA, and L-carnitine in the Blue Buffalo. This food won’t be best for those who can’t tolerate chicken, and there are unfortunately no flavor variations.
CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Real Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
Best For Sensitive Stomach
PROS
- Limited ingredient grain-free recipes
- Various flavors available
- Contains Canidae’s HealthPLUS probiotics & antioxidants
- Joint supplements added
CONS
- Somewhat pricey
For Westies who have a sensitive stomach, CANIDAE Grain-Free Recipe would be the best dog food choice. With every flavor containing fewer than 10 ingredients, it’s easy to avoid problem ingredients if your West Highland White Terrier has allergies.
It also contains high levels of Omegas, glucosamine, and probiotics and antioxidants. This dog food is slightly pricey, but that’s the only thumbs-down we can give it.
American Journey Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Premium Option
PROS
- Quite affordable
- High in antioxidants
- Suitable for all life stages
- Grain free and contains nothing artificial
CONS
- Contains chicken meal, so don’t let the beef flavor fool you
The American Journey Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe contains all your Highlander dog will need to thrive. It’s high in protein (32%) and fat (14%), making it great for active, energetic pups.
Great for All Life Stages
You’ll find supplements to suit all life stages in this dog food! Glucosamine, DHA, and antioxidants help puppies grow, adults thrive, and seniors stay healthy.
Nature’s Recipe Small Breed Grain-Free Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe
Runner-Up Option
PROS
- Added vitamins and minerals
- Formulated for small breed dogs specifically
- Dense carbs for sustained energy
- Antioxidant-rich
CONS
- Dogs who are sensitive to chicken won’t like this dog food
If the high protein count of our Premium Option is too much for your West Highland White Terrier, the Nature's Recipe would be more suitable. Its numbers are great, and it contains superb supplements too, for adult Westies.
Perfect for Moderately Active Westies
With 25% protein and 15% fat, this dog food is right in the zone for healthy, active West Highland White Terrier dogs. There’s a good level of antioxidants, added vitamins and minerals, glucosamine, and decent Omegas.
Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food
Best for Skin & Coat
PROS
- Created for small breed dogs
- Contains DHA as well as Omegas
- Fortified with glucosamine and chondroitin
- Contains probiotics and prebiotics
CONS
- Not suitable for Westies with chicken allergies
- May be too high in protein and fat for less active pups
If your West Highland White Terrier suffers from dry skin and a brittle coat due to their allergies, the Merrick Lil' Plates Dry Dog Food is packed with all the healthy fats and oils they need to rejuvenate. It’s the best dog food for Westies who are not sensitive to chicken and get a fair bit of exercise during their days.
High in Omegas
The Omegas are some of the highest we’ve seen in this dog food. It also contains DHA, which is an Omega-3 fatty acid that’s usually found in puppy food. It’s super for an extra skin and coat boost.
You’ll also find joint supplements, prebiotics, and probiotics in a small kibble size to suit little mouths and teeth.
Acana Singles Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
Best Limited Ingredient
PROS
- Variety of recipes makes it easy to avoid certain ingredients
- Enriched with vitamins and minerals
- Premium quality ingredients
- Biologically appropriate dog food
CONS
- Pricey option
If your West Highland White Terrier’s vet has recommended a limited ingredient diet, try out these recipes. There are multiple flavors to choose from, so if your dog is allergic to a particular ingredient, it’s easy to avoid it and still give them some tasty choices.
All Life Stages
The Acana Singles Grain-Free Dog Food is suitable for puppies, adults, and seniors. DHA and EPA are helpful for puppies and oldies to keep their eyes and brains strong. Glucosamine keeps old and young joints tough and flexible. Omegas keep skin and coat sleek from the start.
Solid Gold Leaping Waters Chicken & Salmon Recipe
Best Wet Food
PROS
- Contains wholesome, real-food ingredients
- Avoids carrageenan
- Higher in fat than many wet foods
- For medium or small breed
CONS
- High-calorie, so be careful when adding it to your pup’s daily intake
Be careful when adding a canned food to your West Highland White Terriers dry dog food – the calorie count can get too high. But it’s a good idea to have one for dogs who can’t manage dry dog foods due to illness or injury. The Solid Gold Leaping Recipe contains only wholesome ingredients, and is high in protein and fat.
Royal Canin West Highland White Terrier Dry Dog Food
Best Breed-Specific
PROS
- Enriched with DHA and EPA
- Unique kibble design for easy eating
- Contains joint supplements
CONS
- Contains some low-quality filler ingredients
If you’re looking for something that’s specific to Westies, the Royal Canin Dog Food is your best choice. In our honest opinion, it’s not of the highest quality and contains low-quality ingredients like chicken by-product meal, corn, and brewer’s rice. But if you want something that is created for Westies specifically, you could try it.
Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
Criteria #1: Ingredient Quality
Westies are known for their sensitive tummies, so it’s essential that their dog food is packed with wholesome, natural ingredients. We’ve made sure there’s nothing artificial in any of our dog foods on this list, and that they only contain good stuff. Some are grain-free, while others may contain brown rice or other immune system-boosting grains.
Because these small breed guys and girls can be sensitive to different ingredients, we’ve made an effort to select a variety of protein sources. We’ve also specified which ingredients in each food may be problematic, and which are limited ingredient, so check carefully before choosing one for your dog!
Criteria #2: Fat Count
Small breed dogs need a decent amount of fat to give them the energy for their day. Every dog food on this list contains a good amount of fat from healthy sources.
We’ve included some dog foods with higher fat counts for the active Westies, and some with lower fat counts for the seniors and less energetic pups.
Criteria #3: Joint Support
This is another thing that many pet parents don’t realize. Just because your pooch is a small breed, it doesn’t mean they don’t need joint support! Glucosamine and chondroitin are essential to keep their little joints strong instead of fragile.
The best dog food for a West Highland White Terrier should contain glucosamine and chondroitin to help prevent conditions such as knee and hip dysplasia and patellar luxation.
We’ve mentioned if a particular food doesn’t contain either of them, but they’re easy to buy separately so your small breed doesn’t have to miss out.
Criteria #4: Omegas
Because these little dogs tend to suffer from allergies, their skin and coat can become dry, itchy, and dull. The Omega 3 and 6s they get from their dog food can go a long way towards keeping their skin and coat moisturized and soft.
Every food on this list has good Omega 3 and 6s. Some have more than others, and we’ve explained which would be best for skin and coat specifically.
Criteria #5: Affordability
Affordability is always a consideration. Happy pet parent, happy pet! Feeding your dog great quality food doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor.
While some of these dog foods are pricey, our Best Value option is suitable for every pet parent. It’s also just as healthy and nutritious as the rest of the dog foods on the list.
Questions & Answers
What are Westies’ nutritional requirements?
Westies are small in stature and active ones do best with around 700 calories a day. Less active pups and seniors could make do with about 450 calories, but it will all depend on your individual West Highland White Terrier. If you aren’t sure, go with the instructions on the manufacturer’s packaging.
White West Highland Terriers should get a minimum of 18% protein in their food, although we recommend up to 25% or so. Westie puppies need a minimum of 22% protein. Active Westies will require about 12% fat to fuel their little bodies, while less energetic ones can do with 5%. Puppy food should have about 8% fat.
You’ll want a premium animal protein as the first ingredient. That should be followed by healthy, wholesome vegetables and fruits. Other great things to see in a dog food are chelated minerals, joint supplements, Omegas, and a fiber of between 3 and 5%.
Avoid dog food with corn, wheat, soy, and artificial ingredients. Westies are also known for their sensitive tummies, so make sure you avoid food ingredients that your particular pup doesn’t deal well with (or just doesn’t like – Westies are notoriously picky eaters!).
What health concerns do Westies suffer from?
These little dogs have quite a list of things they’re predisposed to. Here are some common health issues you’ll need to be aware of and look out for:
- Obesity (can contribute to other health problems)
- Food allergies (sensitive stomach)
- Knee, elbow, and hip dysplasia
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
- Patellar Luxation
- Addison’s disease
- Dermatitis
- Dry eye
- Cataracts
- Copper Toxicosis
- Craniomandibular Osteopathy
- White Shaker Dog Syndrome
Keep in mind that choosing the best dog food can improve these conditions, but it won’t heal them. Your West Highland White Terrier will still need treatment.