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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier is a small, muscular dog with a fast metabolism, a flat 'brachycephalic' face, and a real tendency to put on weight — three things that make how you feed one matter more than its size suggests.

Here is exactly how to feed a Boston Terrier on freeze-dried raw: small, calorie-honest portions split across the day, with the nutrition that protects their joints, eyes, coat, and easy breathing.

  • Adult weight12–25 lb
  • SizeSmall
  • EnergyModerate to High
  • Lifespan11–13 years
  • CoatShort, smooth — moderate shedder
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A healthy Boston Terrier
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Boston Terrier's body needs

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

  • High metabolism, compact build

    Needs: Calorie-dense, nutrient-rich meals

    Freeze-dried raw packs real meat, organ and bone into a tiny serving — perfect for a busy little dog fed two or three times a day without bulking up the bowl.

  • Prone to weight gain

    Needs: Precise, measured portions

    Extra pounds strain a Boston's breathing and knees. Measured freeze-dried raw, fed by weight rather than by the begging, keeps this stocky breed trim and light on its feet.

  • Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps)

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

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

  • Short, smooth coat & prominent eyes

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier and support eye and coat health from the inside, keeping that sleek tuxedo coat glossy.

  • Brachycephalic, overheats easily

    Needs: Low-inflammation whole-food diet

    A lean body and a minimally processed, filler-free diet reduce inflammation and excess weight — both of which make breathing easier for a flat-faced dog.

How much to feed a Boston Terrier

Quick answer: a healthy adult Boston Terrier (12–25 lb) needs about 1.8–3.8 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)
12 lb 1.8 oz 0.9 oz
15 lb 2.3 oz 1.1 oz
18 lb typical Boston Terrier 2.7 oz 1.4 oz
21 lb 3.2 oz 1.6 oz
25 lb 3.8 oz 1.9 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 Boston Terrier

For a Boston 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.

Lean single-protein recipes like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod are ideal for a weight-prone small breed; richer Beef suits more active or underweight Bostons. The morsels are easy for a short-muzzled dog to pick up and chew — just add water and serve.

Recipes for Boston Terriers

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Daily support for Boston Terriers

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Treats Boston Terriers love

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Feeding a Boston Terrier by life stage

  • Puppy: Boston puppies grow quickly on a small frame. Feed roughly 5–7% of current body weight across 3–4 small meals a day to fuel steady growth without piling on weight that stresses developing knees.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two or three small meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition rather than to the bag.
  • Senior: Older Bostons slow down but still love to eat. Trim portions to prevent weight gain, keep protein high to hold onto lean muscle, and lean into joint- and eye-supporting nutrition.

Common Boston Terrier concerns — and the diet connection

  • Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breathingA flat face means less tolerance for heat and exertion, and every extra pound makes breathing harder. Measured raw feeding and a lean body condition are the most direct way diet can help a Boston breathe easier.
  • Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps)Largely structural, but lean weight plus joint nutrients — natural glucosamine from bone and cartilage, omega-3 from fish — help support comfortable, stable knees day to day.
  • Eye conditionsThose prominent eyes benefit from whole-food antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids that support eye and tear-film health as part of a balanced, minimally processed diet.
  • Weight gain & joint loadBostons gain weight easily, and excess weight compounds both breathing and knee problems — a measured, calorie-honest raw diet is the simplest lever you control.

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

Feeding a Boston Terrier: what to know

Bostons are small but persistent beggars, and weight creeps on fast on a compact frame. Feed to body condition, not to the eyes: you should easily feel the ribs and see a tucked waist from above.

Because their metabolism runs high, split the daily amount into two or three small meals rather than one large one — it suits their digestion and keeps energy steady through the day.

Boston Terrier feeding questions

How much should I feed my Boston Terrier?
A healthy adult Boston Terrier (12–25 lb) needs roughly 2–4 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split into two or three small 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 a Boston Terrier that gains weight easily?
A measured, complete freeze-dried raw diet of lean single proteins like Chicken or Cod makes portion control easy and keeps calories honest. Weigh each meal and feed to body condition rather than to your Boston's appetite.
How many times a day should I feed a Boston Terrier?
Because Bostons have a high metabolism, two or three small meals a day suit them better than one large meal — it supports steady energy and is gentler on a flat-faced dog's digestion.
How do I switch my Boston Terrier to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. The small, easy-to-chew morsels suit short muzzles well — it is rich, so start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline.
Does a Boston Terrier need joint or skin support?
Many benefit from both. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine for the knees Bostons are prone to slipping, and omega-3 fats support the skin, short coat, and prominent eyes.

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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.