Best Food for Cairn Terriers: Dosage, Routine & Tips
Pic1. 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 informative choice for your dog.
Important: this article is for adult Cairn Terriers. We will write a separate one for puppies.
1. Ideal % of raw ingredients in 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 stuff—like meat, fish, eggs, and veggies—in their dry or wet food. Why does it matter? High raw content is like what their wild ancestors munched, keeping their tummy happy and their energy buzzing. For Barry, his puppy scavenging days (more on that later) showed he craved real food—kibble with decent ingredients sorted him out.
2. Daily Dosage for Cairn Terriers
The dosage depends on your dog’s weight and activity level. Cairn Terriers are highly active dogs, and the owner should walk them at least for 3-4 miles every day at minimum. Barry gets lots of freedom off the leash and runs free daily. He explores, meets other dogs, plays chase with them and makes more than 3-4 miles a day. The rest of the time Barry has almost unlimited time in the garden all year round. 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. (Note: 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 double check for your food brand 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 really a personal choice, but here is our take on it.
My terrier had a food disorder 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. Anything. 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 out of the menu to stop him from getting tempted and scavenging on walks or nicking stuff from the table.
Another view on the matter is to ask yourself, how often do you take your dog along on trips? Heading to a dog show, off on holiday, or popping to the holiday cottage? Lugging raw food about might not be practical. 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 digestion system, and anxiety and with time can develop into a more serious illness.
Barry and I go away now and then, so my choice was simple: kibble all the way, always the same brand and flavour.
5. How to choose the right 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.
Go to a website that will help you compare different dog food brands. We find it helpful to use the website All About Dog Food, as it has 700+ different brands and has an easy way to navigate the website and apply filters
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 it gradually—mix old and new over 7-10 days (check a guide online). It saves upset tummies and other hassles. Barry’s stuck with his kibble since that puppy fiasco—no need to rock the boat.
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 vet’s or a breeder.
Do not feed your dog human food. Does your dog like cheese, bacon, fatty parts, 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 dietic 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
Barry’s thriving on his kibble and routine—fit, happy, and no more sock disasters. Find what works for your Cairn! Does your dog have a favourite food? Ever had to switch their diet? Spill your story in the comments or sign up for our puppy guide coming soon.
Does your dog have a favourite food? Have you ever had to switch your diet? Comment below