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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Havapoo

The Havapoo is a clever little companion — a Havanese crossed with a Toy or Miniature Poodle — that stays under 15 pounds and lives in your lap and at your feet. Small dogs run on small, calorie-dense meals, so every bite has to count.

Here is exactly how to feed a Havapoo on freeze-dried raw: tiny, precise portions of real meat that protect their teeth, joints, and luxurious coat without packing on weight.

  • Adult weight9–15 lb
  • SizeSmall
  • EnergyModerate
  • Lifespan14–16 years
  • CoatWavy to curly, low-shedding — mat-prone
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A healthy Havapoo
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Havapoo's body needs

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

  • Tiny body, fast metabolism

    Needs: Small, calorie-dense meals

    Freeze-dried raw is concentrated real nutrition, so a Havapoo gets everything it needs from a small measured portion — no bulky bowls of filler to overfeed.

  • Small teeth, prone to gum disease

    Needs: Low-residue, dental-friendly food

    Minimally processed raw breaks into small pieces and leaves none of the starchy, sticky residue that feeds plaque on small, crowded teeth.

  • Luxurious low-shed, mat-prone coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, keeping that wavy coat soft, supple and easier to keep mat-free.

  • Patella & hip-joint sensitivity

    Needs: Joint support + a lean frame

    Real bone and organ supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3s ease joint inflammation, and staying lean keeps load off small knees and hips.

  • Clever, lightly active companion

    Needs: High-quality, honest protein

    83% meat, organs and bone fuels steady energy and lean muscle for daily walks and play, without the carb fillers that lead to weight creep in small dogs.

How much to feed a Havapoo

Quick answer: a healthy adult Havapoo (9–15 lb) needs about 1.4–2.3 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)
9 lb 1.4 oz 0.7 oz
11 lb typical Havapoo 1.7 oz 0.8 oz
13 lb 2.0 oz 1.0 oz
15 lb 2.3 oz 1.1 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 Havapoo

For a Havapoo 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. It is rich and protein-dense, so a little goes a long way for a small dog.

Lean single proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit easy-keepers and sensitive tummies, while Salmon adds skin- and coat-loving omega-3s for that wavy, mat-prone fur. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Havapoos

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Daily support for Havapoos

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Treats Havapoos love

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Feeding a Havapoo by life stage

  • Puppy: Havapoo puppies are tiny and can dip into low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) if meals are spaced too far apart — feed small amounts 3–4 times a day. Use a rich, complete raw diet so each little meal is nutrient-dense.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist split across two meals. A few ounces a day is plenty for most Havapoos — weigh portions and adjust to body condition rather than the bag.
  • Senior: Older Havapoos slow down but rarely lose their appetite. Trim portions to prevent weight gain, keep protein high to hold lean muscle, and lean into joint- and coat-supporting nutrition.

Common Havapoo concerns — and the diet connection

  • Periodontal (gum) diseaseSmall, crowded teeth make Havapoos especially prone to plaque. A low-residue, minimally processed raw diet leaves less sticky build-up than starchy kibble, supporting a cleaner mouth alongside regular brushing.
  • Patellar luxation & Legg-Calve-PerthesSmall-breed knees and hips are vulnerable. Keeping your Havapoo lean takes pressure off those joints, while real bone and organ provide natural glucosamine and omega-3 to support joint comfort.
  • Weight gain in a tiny frameOn a small dog, even a little extra weight is a lot. Measured, calorie-dense freeze-dried raw makes precise portioning easy and helps keep a Havapoo at a healthy weight.
  • Coat & skin upkeepThat low-shedding wavy coat thrives on omega-rich, whole-food nutrition that supports the skin barrier from the inside — softer fur is easier to keep free of mats.

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

Feeding a Havapoo: what to know

Because a Havapoo is so small, a few extra treats or a heaped scoop adds up fast — a single biscuit can be a big slice of a tiny dog's daily calories. Weigh meals on a kitchen scale rather than eyeballing them, and keep treats under 10% of the day's intake.

Their small mouths also matter. Freeze-dried raw breaks into small, easy pieces and skips the starchy, sticky residue that feeds plaque, so it is gentle on a tiny jaw while still giving real chewing texture.

Havapoo feeding questions

How much should I feed my Havapoo?
A healthy adult Havapoo (around 9–15 lb) needs roughly 1.5–2.5 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 — weigh each meal and feed to a lean waistline.
What is the best food for a small dog like a Havapoo?
A complete freeze-dried raw diet of lean single proteins (Chicken or Cod) is ideal — concentrated real nutrition in small portions that are easy on small teeth and easy to measure precisely.
How do I switch my Havapoo to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Raw is rich, so for a small dog start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline as you go.
Is raw food good for my Havapoo's teeth?
Small breeds are prone to gum disease, and minimally processed raw leaves far less starchy, sticky residue than kibble. It supports a cleaner mouth, but it does not replace regular brushing and dental checks.
Does my Havapoo need supplements?
A complete and balanced raw diet covers the essentials. For the breed's mat-prone coat and small-dog joints, a skin & coat omega and a hip & joint supplement can be helpful additions — check with your vet before adding anything new.
Are Havapoos easy to keep at a healthy weight?
They can gain weight quietly because they are so small. Weigh portions, count treats toward the daily total, and feed to body condition — you should feel the ribs easily and see a waist from above.

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  • Vet-formulated
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  • 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.