Best Food for Cairn Terriers: Dosage, Routine & Tips
Dry balanced dog food with high % of raw ingredients
Food is one of the most important aspects of a dog’s health and well-being. It is important for Cairn Terriers’ energy level, mood and overall health and development. Online you can get many perspectives, pros and cons of choosing the right food for your dog. In this article, I will share my perspective and what I feed my Cairn Terrier, Barry, as well as the broader guidance, so you can make a more informed choice for your dog.
1. Ideal % of raw ingredients in a dog’s food
A dog trainer once told me the percentage of raw ingredients in dog food should be no less than 75%. Basically, the less junk, the better. Now, don’t get me wrong - this isn’t about tossing your dog raw steak. It’s the % of raw meat, fish, eggs, and veggies in their dry or wet food. Why does it matter? Dogs are carnivorous animals, hence, they need a high proportion of raw content in their wet or dry food.
2. Daily Dosage for Cairn Terriers
As a general guideline, the daily dosage depends on your dog’s weight and activity level. Cairn Terriers are highly active dogs, and the owner should walk them at least 3-4 miles every day. Barry gets lots of freedom off the leash and runs free daily. He explores, meets other dogs, and plays chase with them, so he spends lots of energy. Altogether, it keeps him fit, and he’s always hungry.
Terriers usually would never say no to an extra portion of food or a treat, so please be careful and don’t overfeed your dog. You should not give your dog much more food than the recommended amount on the dog food pack. The amount depends on the life stage (puppy, adult, senior), the dog’s weight and lifestyle. If you use dry food, try this simple dog food calculator (For example, Barry’s weight is 11.5kg, so I give him around 150g a day divided into two portions).
Your Cairn Terrier should be fit and active. When adults, they should have a visible waist (they are working dogs) and the dog’s ribs should not be covered in excess fat tissue. Lower or increase the dosage based on these simple tips, and if in doubt, consult with your vet. Note: the dosage includes regular food plus snacks.
Suggested feeding amount of dry kibble food (please check for your wet or dry food separately)
3. Feeding routine
Dogs thrive on consistency, much like toddlers, and enjoy a predictable daily schedule. To maintain a well-mannered, calm, and content dog, aim to schedule walks and meals at the same times each day. A consistent routine matters because it reduces anxiety and builds trust, helping your dog feel secure by knowing what to expect.
For adult dogs, it’s best to provide two meals daily - once after their morning walk and again in the evening. This routine not only satisfies your dog and promotes relaxation following their walk, but it also offers behavioural benefits. Sticking to a schedule can aid in house training, minimise accidents, and reduce destructive behaviour caused by boredom or stress.
4. Wet, dry or raw?
It is a personal choice, so please consult with your vets if in doubt.
Some would argue it should be wet food only, some prefer to make meals for their dogs, and some use kibbles from popular brands.
To help you make a choice, ask yourself:
A) How often do you take your dog along on trips? Do you take your dog to a dog show for a few days, or regularly go on holidays? Lugging raw food about might not be practical. While making meals on the way can be time-consuming. Switching from raw at home to dry food when travelling isn’t ideal either, as changing the dog’s food can often lead to an upset digestive system, anxiety and with time can develop into a more serious illness.
B) Does your terrier have food disorders? Many terriers do and mine was not an exception when he was a puppy. Barry would eat anything that looked chewy: plastic, swallow my socks (whoa), rotten apples on the walk, any human food. It was a disaster. After he got himself into trouble at the age of 6 months, I consulted with vets, and we agreed that dry food is the best choice for him. Human food, snacks, and smelly, tasty food were off the menu to stop him from getting tempted and scavenging on walks.
The choice is yours, and it depends on your lifestyle, time and energy you would like to put into preparing meals for your dog.
Barry and I go away now and then, so my choice was simple: we use kibbles, always the same brand and flavour.
5. How to choose the right food?
This section is for those who are choosing the right brand of wet, dry or raw food.
Each dog is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to food choices and owner preferences. However, below is our approach to choosing the right food for your furry friend.
We recommend investing your time in checking and comparing different food brands. We find it helpful to use the website All About Dog Food, or similar that has 700+ different brands and has an easy way to navigate the website and apply filters (valid for any dog food brands)
When choosing the food, consider the following parameters to filter out, so it will get you to a short-list faster
Type of food (Dry, wet or raw)
Dog’s age (puppy, adult, senior)
Dog’s weight (in kg)
Your budget (£0.1 - £12 per day)
Once you have shortlisted potential brands, dive into details and see the best value for money (over 75% of raw ingredients considered to be good + price). At this stage, you should have a pretty good idea of which brands will suit your dog, your lifestyle and your budget.
If unsure, consider ordering samples from the chosen brands. So your dog can choose itself.
6. Changing the dog’s food
Once you’ve found the perfect food, don’t change it often unless your dog refuses to eat it. If you have to switch, do so gradually - mix old and new over 7-10 days (check a guide online). It saves upset tummies and other hassles.
7. What to avoid
Do not overfeed your dog. Terriers have a wolf appetite and will eat food at any given opportunity. If your dog refuses the food for some time, then it is advisable to consult with vets or a breeder.
Do not feed your dog human food. Does your dog like cheese, bacon, fatty parts, or chicken bones? Every dog does. Please avoid giving your dog food from the table, as human food is not suitable for dogs. It can lead to food disorders, upset stomach and more, which can develop into a disease with time.
Dogs aren’t humans - they don’t crave variety, don’t need fancy flavours (swapping food is bad for their health), and won’t get bored with the same balanced stuff daily.
Safe treats?
Go for simple, dog-friendly nibbles: a few chunks of carrot, cucumber, or boiled potato, as well as plain boiled chicken, turkey and other dietetic meat. They’re low-risk, keep the wolf appetite in check, and won’t mess with their diet.
Barry’s favourite treat is a banana!
Wrapping Up
We hope this article helps you choose the right food for your dog. Find what works for your Cairn!
Does your dog have a favourite food? Ever had to switch their diet? Share your story in the comments below.