Homemade Food For Westies: Recipes & Diet Guide
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We know you want to ensure your furry friend is eating the healthiest food possible, and we’re here to help. This guide will provide tips and recipes for making homemade food for your West Highland White Terrier (aka Westies). By cooking your dog’s food, you can be sure that every ingredient is healthy and nutritious. Not only will your dog love the taste of this food, but it will also benefit from all its nutrients.
Today, we cover everything you need to know about how to make homemade food for your Westies! Let’s get started!
West Highland White Terrier Homemade Dog Food Benefits
Here are some of the main benefits of cooking for your West Highland White Terrier
Board-certified veterinary nutritionists and diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, Jennifer A. Larsen, DVM, MS, Ph.D., and Joe Bartges, DVM, Ph.D., also agree that switching to homemade dog food comes with significant advantages, such as diet management, appeasing picky eaters, bond-building, combatting food intolerance and allergies issues, and avoid concern over dog food recalls.[1]
Further benefits include preventing many conditions associated with a poor diet, such as obesity, poor skin, coat condition, pancreatitis, diabetes, and reduced immunity.
Food And West Highland White Terrier Health: Why Feed Homemade?
West Highland White Terriers generally live between 12 to 16 years. This breed’s most common health problems include keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), copper toxicosis, and patellar luxation. Conditions like allergies, legg-perthes disease and craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO) are also common in the breed. Other minor and less common health problems this breed suffers include globoid cell leukodystrophy and skin disease.[2]
How Can A Homemade Diet Help West Highland White Terrier Health Issues?
West Highland White Terrier Homemade Dog Food Risks
Here are some of the risks you need to keep in mind.
Research by the University of California Davis, School of Veterinary and two studies published in The Journal Preventive Veterinary Medicine and The Journal of Nutritional Science found that most homemade dog food recipes lack key essential nutrients, and other recipes used dangerously high levels of some nutrients.[7][8][9]
Here are the findings:
It’s vital to understand that dogs’ nutritional requirements are unique. We recommend consulting a veterinary nutritionist who can address your West Highland White Terrier’s dietary needs and help you make nutritionally balanced recipes or recommend a homemade food service for convenience.
West Highland White Terrier Nutritional Guidelines to Follow
According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AFFCO), the entity that supervises the nutritional value of commercial dog food, there are six essential nutrients all dog meals must contain to ensure a balanced and healthy diet for dogs.
A homemade diet should also consider your pup’s weight, health conditions, size, and activity level.
Below is a breakdown of each nutrient and its importance.
| Nutrient | Food | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | Chicken, lamb, turkey, beef, fish, yogurt and cooked eggs | Builds and repairs muscles and other body tissues. Needed to make new skin cells, grow hair, hormones, enzymes and more. |
| Carbohydrates | Oats, brown rice, potatoes, and whole wheat | Source of energy for dogs and supplies glucose needed by the brain, nervous system and other critical organs for normal function. |
| Fat | From meats and oils such as olive or sunflower oil, fish oil, canola oils among others | Responsible for providing quality energy, growth and development. Supports the function of body cells, nerves, muscles, and tissues. |
| Minerals | Calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, zinc, etc. | Common functions include the formation of bone and cartilage, nerve and muscle function, fluid balance regulation, the transportation of oxygen in the bloodstream and hormone production. |
| Water | Water | Hydration is critical in dogs. A dog that loses too much water (10% to 15% of the water in his body) can get very sick and even die. Ensure they have water available throughout the day. |
| Vitamins | A, B, C, D, E, and K | Keeps skin and coat healthy, strengthens bones and teeth, and gives them the overall energy that they need to function. |
Recommended Supplements For West Highland White Terriers
Here are the top recommended supplements for West Highland White Terriers based on their main health susceptibility issues.
Always consult your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet. You can get personalized nutritional advice from a registered vet nutritionist through Vetster anytime, anywhere. You can also chat with an online vet and ask them questions about your dog’s nutritional needs.
For further dog nutrition guidance, consult “Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets: the Healthful Alternative” by Donald R. Strombeck, DVM, Ph.D., a renowned veterinary expert. This book is the go-to resource for healthy homemade dog nutrition for most pet nutritionists.
Health Dietary Changes In West Highland White Terriers
West Highland White Terriers experiencing the issues below might benefit from the dietary adjustments outlined in this table.
| Condition | Dietary Needs & Adjustments |
|---|---|
| Coat Color Changes | Increase amino acids which can be found in protein (>75 grams per 1000 calories) |
| Concurrent GI Signs | Avoid foods with tryptamine and histamine such as dairy or fermented vegetables and meats. This includes bacon. Try a simple ingredient food trial. |
| Chronic Itching and Dermatitis | Fortify the diet with vitamin E, vitamin B, Zinc, omega-6 and the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil. Add a dog probiotic. Try a simple ingredient food trial. |
| Dull Coat and Scaling | Adjust EPA and DHA levels in the diet. Adding fish oil can promote healthier coats by reducing itchiness and flakiness in the skin due to its omega-3 fatty acid content. |
| Dandruff and Crustiness | Add Zinc and Vitamin A levels |
If your West Highland White Terrier suffers from skin allergies or joint pain, adding dog fish oil may help bring relief. The AKC states that fish oil promotes healthier coats by reducing itchiness and flakiness in the skin due to its omega-3 fatty acid content. Other significant effects include promoting improved immunity (especially against cancer) while strengthening heart health in dogs.
West Highland White Terrier Calorie Requirements
The caloric needs of dogs are based on their weight. An adult West Highland White Terrier usually weighs between 15 and 20 pounds, meaning most West Highland White Terriers need between 472 and 587 calories daily.
Ensure you adhere to the 10% guideline when giving treats to your dog. Food should account for 90% of calories, while treats comprise 10%. For example, if your West Highland White Terrier weighs 18 lbs., he would require 543 calories daily. With treats included, that’s 489 calories from food (90%) and 54 from treats (10%). Typically, most adult dogs have two meals a day. Hence, you should divide 489 into two meals of 245 calories each.
Pregnant or lactating West Highland White Terriers may need up to 2 to 4 times the food they usually need as the mother’s energy requirements increase after delivery and during lactation. Be sure to talk to your vet.
You can use our dog calorie calculator to find the exact caloric needs of your dog based on his weight.
Homemade Dog Food For West Highland White Terrier Puppies
A West Highland White Terrier puppy’s dietary requirements differ from an adult’s West Highland White Terrier.
Compared to adult dogs, puppies require higher protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus levels. Inadequate or excessive amounts of these nutrients can lead to deficiencies, hindered growth, or lifelong health complications.
According to the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN), puppies need approximately twice as many calories per pound of body weight as adult dogs of the same breed.
However, many assume puppies require more food and calories daily because they grow quickly. This is not necessarily true. Dr. Justin Shmalberg, DVM, a veterinary nutritionist at Nom Nom, advises that to promote normal growth, most puppies need a similar number of calories and the same type of food from 4 to 12 months of age. West Highland White Terrier puppies should be fed 3 to 4 times daily. As your puppy ages (between 6 and 12 months), you can switch to 2 to 3 meals daily at scheduled intervals.
Skipping meals is not advisable during your puppy’s growth and development. As previously stated in our nutritional guidelines, a puppy’s diet should include a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, water, and vitamins to ensure proper growth and development.
Homemade Dog Food Delivery Service
If you struggle to find time to cook for your West Highland White Terrier but wish your dog could eat whole, fresh homemade foods more often, a homemade dog food delivery service might be the perfect solution.
Open Farm is one of our favorite options. They offer various fresh, homemade dog food options tailored to your dog’s unique dietary needs, age, health conditions, and nutritional goals. For example, if your West Highland White Terrier suffers from food-related health issues such as allergies or illnesses, Open Farm can create a customized recipe that caters to those needs. Their meals are made with real, human-grade ingredients and delivered to your doorstep.
The food is developed by veterinary nutritionists who adhere to AAFCO nutritional guidelines. In our experience, using Open Farm saves you time, allowing you to focus on more important things like walks or training your dog. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about the hassle of meal planning, grocery shopping, or cooking, and you can mitigate the risks of cooking for dogs.
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Best Homemade Food For West Highland White Terriers
The best homemade food for West Highland White Terriers is a balanced diet that provides optimal nutrients for proper function while considering your dog’s nutritional goals and health. We highly recommend Open Farm or JustFoodForDogs as the best homemade food for West Highland White Terriers.
Don’t feel like cooking for your West Highland White Terrier? Here is the most comprehensive guide to help you find the best dog food for West Highland White Terriers
West Highland White Terrier Homemade Food Tips
Before sharing our favorite West Highland White Terrier homemade food recipes, follow these best practices when preparing your dog’s next meal.
How To Cook Homemade Food For West Highland White Terriers ( Video)
Watch this video and learn how to cook homemade meals for West Highland White Terriers.
Best West Highland White Terrier Homemade Dog Food Recipes
Browse the best homemade dog food recipes for West Highland White Terriers that will make your pup beg for more.
We’ve also included a special treat recipe for your West Highland White Terrier, enriched with the health benefits of our favorite ingredient: dog CBD oil. CBD oil might help with issues like seizures, anxiety, arthritis, inflammation, pain, and overall wellness.
Note: Consult your vet before adjusting your dog’s diet. The recipes below don’t specify serving sizes since they depend on your dog’s breed, weight, age, activity, and health. As a guideline, consider feeding the equivalent amount you’d give in kibble, but always consult your veterinarian for proper portioning.
Blueberry-Banana CBD-Infused Dog Treats
Treat your West Highland White Terrier with these nutritious, therapeutic, and delicious homemade CBD dog treats. They are made with bananas, a great source of essential vitamins and minerals (like potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6). Banana also aids with digestion and energy. Coconut is added for skin and coat, digestion and helps reduce allergic reactions.
Remember to consult your vet to ensure CBD is safe for your dog and that you are giving the correct dosage. Alternatively, you can buy commercially available CBD dog treats so your pup can experience CBD’s benefits without the cooking.
Ingredients
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Brush a dog biscuit baking tray with coconut oil.
- Mash the ripe banana in a bowl until smooth. Ensure there are no large chunks left.
- In a medium-sized bowl, blend the gluten-free flour and oats.
- In another bowl, whisk the egg until it’s beaten. Add coconut oil, water, mashed banana, unsweetened applesauce, and fresh blueberries. Mix until well combined.
- Gently pour the wet mixture into the bowl containing the dry ingredients. Stir until you get an even consistency. Drizzle in the CBD oil and give it another stir to ensure even distribution.
- Use a tablespoon measure to scoop out portions of the mixture. Press each scoop firmly into the dog treat baking mold.
- Place the tray in the oven and bake the treats for 30 to 40 minutes. They should be firm to the touch and slightly golden when ready.
- Once the treats have cooled, transfer them to an airtight container for storage.
Chicken & Rice Delight
Ingredients
Directions
- Chicken preparation. Cut the chicken into half-inch pieces. In a frying pan with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, cook the chicken on medium heat for about 15 minutes or until fully cooked. Remove the chicken pieces and set aside the pan drippings.
- Rice preparation. In a pot, cook the rice according to the package instructions or until it’s soft and fluffy. Once done, set aside.
- Gravy creation. Over medium to low heat, warm the chicken drippings in the pan. Combine ½ cup of water or chicken broth with ½ cup of flour. Gently stir until it becomes a smooth mixture. Continue cooking until it evolves into a thick gravy consistency.
- Combining ingredients. Add the cooked chicken, rice, peas, and carrots to the gravy. Simmer the mixture for approximately 10 minutes or until the veggies are tender.
- Cooling. Let the stew cool down to room temperature before serving to ensure it’s safe for your dog.
Turkey, Vegetable & Quinoa Feast
Ingredients
Directions
- Cooking the turkey. Over medium heat, cook the ground turkey in a non-stick skillet until fully done. Ensure it’s crumbled well to make it easier for your dog to digest.
- Preparing the feast. Combine the quinoa, cooked turkey, and water in a large pot. Bring this mixture to a boil.
- Simmering. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for approximately 15 minutes or until the quinoa becomes soft and translucent.
- Adding vegetables. Introduce the carrots, green beans, and spinach to the pot. Allow the mixture to cook for another 10 minutes, ensuring the vegetables are tender but not overly soft.
- Finishing touches. Once off the heat, stir in the fish oil and sprinkle turmeric, ensuring it’s mixed well.
- Storing. Let the meal cool to room temperature before serving. Extra portions can be refrigerated and consumed within five days.
Beefy & Veggie Medley
Ingredients
Directions
- Egg prep. Begin by boiling the eggs until they are hard-boiled. Once done, peel and finely chop them.
- Beef cooking. Brown the ground sirloin over medium heat in a large skillet, ensuring it’s thoroughly cooked. Once done, drain off any excess fat.
- Mix & combine. In a large mixing bowl or container, combine the cooked brown rice, browned sirloin, chopped eggs, diced or shredded carrots, peas or green beans, minced parsley, and the optional sprinkle of turmeric. Drizzle with olive or safflower oil.
- Stir together. Using a large spoon or spatula, gently mix all the ingredients until they are evenly distributed and well combined.
- Serve & store. Serve the mixture in your dog’s dish, ensuring it’s cooled to a safe temperature. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
If you want more homemade dog food recipes and cooking options for your West Highland White Terrier, cookbooks can be useful for various recipes. Our top pick is Home Cooking for Your Dog: 75 Holistic Recipes for a Healthier Dog.
Best Dog Cooking Practices
Ensure that your West Highland White Terrier’s meals are safe and nutritious with these tips.
Monitor Weight And Health
A dog’s weight and gut health are essential indicators of their health, and you need to track them when switching to a new diet (i.e., homemade). Maintaining a healthy weight is easier when your West Highland White Terrier is fed the right dog food. If your dog’s weight increases or decreases rapidly, it might be due to food-related health issues. A healthy gut can confirm a smooth transition to your dog’s new diet, among other health issues. However, identifying a healthy gut is not an easy task. Fortunately, an at-home dog gut health test can provide insight into your dog’s gut health.
Skin or coat issues, excessive tiredness, allergies, weight loss, malnutrition, and obesity can be caused by unbalanced and insufficient meal plans. If you detect any of these symptoms while feeding your dog meals, stop doing it immediately and seek expert advice.
What Foods Should Your West Highland White Terrier Never Eat?
Below is a list of the most common toxic ingredients dogs need to avoid.
Here is the complete list of toxic ingredients your West Highland White Terrier should never eat. Please print it out and put it on your refrigerator as a reminder.
West Highland White Terrier Raw Diet (BARF)
Raw dog food mimics dogs’ diet in the wild millions of years ago. Raw dog foods, organs, muscles, whole or ground bones, fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products are usually included. Several raw dog foods are available, including homemade raw dog food and store-bought (frozen, freeze-dried, and dehydrated).
As the risk of contamination and nutritional imbalance is higher when handling raw foods, preparing a BARF diet for your West Highland White Terrier requires a lot of extra care and planning. Raw dog diets are gaining popularity because of their fantastic health benefits for teeth, coats, digestion, and allergies.
Read our “raw diet for dogs” article to discover its advantages and risks. Also, find the top raw brands for West Highland White Terriers in our best raw dog food post.
Homemade Dog Food For Westies — Conclusion & Alternatives
If you want your West Highland white terrier to live a long and healthy life, you should feed it homemade dog food. Not only will your westie be healthier, but they’ll also have a shinier coat, brighter eyes, and more energy – thanks to their food’s fresh ingredients. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about them eating unhealthy additives or mystery meats again. Creating a nutritionally balanced diet for your pet must be done with your vet’s approval.
Read up on vegan dog food if your West Highland White Terrier is prone to food allergies or food-related health issues. Plant-based diets are also becoming increasingly popular for dogs with food sensitivities and other health issues.
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