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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Australian Terrier

The Australian Terrier is a small, spirited working terrier — bred to chase rodents underground, wired to dig, bark, and stay busy. That high-drive personality lives in a compact 15–20 lb frame, which means every calorie counts and portions are tiny.

Here is exactly how to feed an Australian Terrier on freeze-dried raw: small measured meals matched to their weight, with the lean protein, joint support, and coat nutrition this hard-working little dog actually needs.

  • Adult weight15–20 lb
  • SizeSmall
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan11–15 years
  • CoatHarsh double coat — blue & tan, sandy, or red
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A healthy Australian Terrier
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Australian Terrier's body needs

Every Australian Terrier trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • High-drive working terrier

    Needs: Lean, high-quality animal protein

    83% meat, organs, and bone fuels the lean muscle and steady, all-day energy this busy little hunter burns through — without carb fillers that spike and crash.

  • Small frame, big appetite

    Needs: Precise, weight-based portions

    At 15–20 lb, a few extra ounces matter. Measured freeze-dried raw fed by weight keeps an Aussie Terrier lean — the single biggest lever for a longer, healthier life.

  • Prone to luxating patella & joint issues

    Needs: Joint support plus a lean body

    Real meat, organ, and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin; omega-3s calm joint inflammation, and staying lean takes load off small, vulnerable knees and hips.

  • Harsh blue-and-tan double coat

    Needs: Whole-food omega-3 fatty acids

    Animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, keeping that coarse double coat in condition and easing the dryness this breed's sensitive skin is prone to.

  • Sensitive skin, dries out easily

    Needs: Low-inflammation whole-food diet

    Minimally processed raw skips the starchy fillers that can feed chronic skin irritation, supporting a calm, healthy coat from the inside out.

How much to feed a Australian Terrier

Quick answer: a healthy adult Australian Terrier (15–20 lb) needs about 2.3–3.0 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
15 lb 2.3 oz 1.1 oz
16 lb 2.4 oz 1.2 oz
17 lb typical Australian Terrier 2.6 oz 1.3 oz
18 lb 2.7 oz 1.4 oz
20 lb 3.0 oz 1.5 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Australian Terrier

For an Australian Terrier we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs, and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — or as a topper while you transition from their current food.

Lean single-protein recipes like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit this weight-sensitive breed beautifully; richer Beef is a good choice for very active or underweight dogs. The morsels are small and easy for a little mouth — just add water and serve.

Recipes for Australian Terriers

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Daily support for Australian Terriers

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Treats Australian Terriers love

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Feeding a Australian Terrier by life stage

  • Puppy: Australian Terrier puppies grow fast in a small body. Feed roughly 5–7% of current body weight across 3 meals a day to support steady growth, and adjust as they fill out — never free-feed.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two meals a day. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not the bag — small dogs gain weight on surprisingly little.
  • Senior: Activity eases with age but appetite rarely does. Trim portions slightly, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint-supporting nutrition for aging knees and hips.

Common Australian Terrier concerns — and the diet connection

  • Luxating patellaThis small-breed kneecap issue is aggravated by extra weight. Measured raw feeding and a lean body condition reduce the strain on the joint, while real bone and organ supply natural joint-supporting nutrients.
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes diseaseA hip-joint concern seen in young small-breed dogs. Keeping a growing Aussie Terrier lean and well-nourished supports healthy joint development and eases day-to-day comfort.
  • Weight gainIn a 15–20 lb frame, even small overfeeding shows up fast and stresses the joints. Weighing freeze-dried portions keeps calories honest and a lean waistline easy to maintain.
  • Skin & coat conditionThis breed's skin dries out easily and shouldn't be over-bathed. An omega-rich, whole-food, low-filler diet supports the skin barrier and keeps the harsh double coat healthy from the inside.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Australian Terrier: what to know

An Australian Terrier is small but mighty — and with a frame this compact, even a few extra ounces of food add up fast. Feed by weight, not by the begging, and you should be able to feel the ribs easily and see a waist from above.

Because their daily portion is small, the quality of every bite matters more, not less. Weigh meals rather than scooping by eye, and keep treats to a tiny fraction of the day so this energetic terrier stays lean and joint-friendly.

Australian Terrier feeding questions

How much should I feed my Australian Terrier?
A healthy adult Australian Terrier (15–20 lb) needs roughly 2–3 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble — feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.
What is the best food for an Australian Terrier with a sensitive stomach or skin?
A complete freeze-dried raw diet of lean single proteins like Chicken or Cod is gentle and minimally processed, skipping the starchy fillers that can trigger skin and digestive irritation. The omega-rich whole-food fats also support this breed's easily-dried coat.
How do I switch my Australian Terrier to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Because raw is rich and portions are small, start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline closely.
Does an Australian Terrier need joint support?
Many do, given the breed's risk of luxating patella and other small-dog joint issues. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your terrier lean is the most effective joint protection there is.
Why is my Australian Terrier always hungry and digging?
This is a busy, high-drive working breed that thrives on activity and mental engagement, not extra food. Feed measured meals to body condition, channel the energy with exercise and play, and use a tiny portion of treats rather than boosting the bowl.

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  • Vet-formulated
  • AAFCO complete & balanced
  • Pathogen-tested every batch

  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.