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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Havanese

The Havanese is a small companion bred to be at your side all day — and that constant, busy little life runs on a surprisingly precise fuel budget. At 7–13 pounds, a few extra calories go a long way, and their famous silky coat and small-breed teeth both live or die by what goes in the bowl.

Here is exactly how to feed a Havanese on freeze-dried raw: measured by weight, with the lean protein, omega-rich fats, and tooth-friendly texture that keep this Cuban charmer bright-coated, light on their feet, and happy.

  • Adult weight7–13 lb
  • SizeToy
  • EnergyModerate
  • Lifespan14–16 years
  • CoatLong, silky single coat — low shedder
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A healthy Havanese
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Havanese's body needs

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

  • Tiny toy-breed frame

    Needs: Calorie-dense, precisely measured food

    Freeze-dried raw packs real nutrition into very small portions, so a 7–13 lb dog gets complete nutrition without overfeeding. Measured by weight, it makes portion control simple.

  • Long, silky show-stopping coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids & whole-food fats

    Whole animal and fish fats nourish the skin barrier from within, keeping the Havanese's hallmark coat shiny and soft and easing dryness between baths.

  • Small-breed dental risk

    Needs: Low-filler, natural texture

    Minimally processed raw skips the starchy, sticky fillers that feed plaque, and natural chews help scrape teeth — important for a breed prone to dental disease.

  • Busy, spirited little personality

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

    83% meat, organs and bone fuels lean muscle and steady energy for all the play and following-you-around — without carb fillers that spike and crash.

  • Patella & knee sensitivity

    Needs: Lean body weight + joint nutrients

    Staying lean takes load off small knees, while real bone and organ supply natural glucosamine and omega-3 to support comfortable joints.

How much to feed a Havanese

Quick answer: a healthy adult Havanese (7–13 lb) needs about 1.1–2.0 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)
7 lb 1.1 oz 0.5 oz
9 lb typical Havanese 1.4 oz 0.7 oz
11 lb 1.7 oz 0.8 oz
13 lb 2.0 oz 1.0 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 Havanese

For a Havanese we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — or as a nutrient-dense topper while you transition. The whole-food fats feed that signature silky coat from the inside out.

Lean, light single proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit this small, easy-keeping breed, while omega-rich Salmon supports skin and coat. Portions are small, so just add water, serve, and let the rich raw flavor do the rest.

Recipes for Havaneses

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Daily support for Havaneses

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Treats Havaneses love

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Feeding a Havanese by life stage

  • Puppy: Havanese puppies have tiny stomachs and can drop their blood sugar if meals are too far apart. Feed a complete diet across 3–4 small meals a day on a steady schedule, and keep growth gradual to protect developing knees.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist across two to three measured meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition — with a dog this small, treats count, so trim meals to make room for them.
  • Senior: Older Havanese stay long-lived (often 14–16 years) but slow down. Keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, trim portions as activity dips, and lean into omega-3 and joint-supporting nutrition.

Common Havanese concerns — and the diet connection

  • Dental diseaseCommon in small breeds; a low-filler whole-food diet avoids the sticky starches that feed plaque, and natural chews help keep teeth cleaner between brushings.
  • Patellar luxation & knee strainLargely structural, but keeping a Havanese lean removes excess load on small knees, while bone- and organ-sourced glucosamine and omega-3 support joint comfort.
  • Skin & coat healthThat long silky coat depends on whole-food fats; an omega-3-rich, minimally processed diet supports the skin barrier and a glossy, less-flaky coat.
  • Weight gainAt 7–13 lb the calorie budget is small and easy to overshoot. Measured freeze-dried raw makes honest portions easy and keeps a Havanese light on its feet.

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

Feeding a Havanese: what to know

A Havanese is tiny, so the margin for error is tiny too. A handful of extra treats is a meaningful share of their daily calories, and excess weight puts real strain on the small knees this breed is prone to. Feed to body condition — you should easily feel the ribs and see a gentle waist from above.

Because they are toy-sized, split the day into two to three measured feedings rather than one big bowl. Weigh portions instead of eyeballing them; with a dog this small, even a tablespoon too much adds up fast.

Havanese feeding questions

How much should I feed my Havanese?
A healthy adult Havanese (7–13 lb) needs only about 1–2 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two to three small meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is very little by volume — feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.
What is the best food for a Havanese with a silky coat?
A whole-food, omega-rich diet does the most for coat shine. Complete freeze-dried raw with real animal and fish fats — especially Salmon — feeds the skin and coat from the inside, keeping that long Havanese coat soft and glossy.
How do I switch my Havanese to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Because portions are small and raw is rich, start at the lower end of the range and watch that the stools stay firm.
Is raw food good for a Havanese's teeth?
It helps. A low-filler raw diet skips the sticky starches that feed plaque, and natural single-ingredient chews give a gentle scrubbing action — useful for a breed prone to dental disease. It complements, but does not replace, regular tooth brushing.
My Havanese is a picky eater — will they eat raw?
Most do, eagerly. Freeze-dried raw is intensely meaty and aromatic, which tends to win over fussy toy breeds. Start by using it as a topper over their current food, then shift the ratio toward raw over a week or so.

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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.