50% off your first order. Redeem Now

Dog Food Chevron
Cat Food Chevron
More Chevron
See Plans & Pricing Account

FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso packs a long, dense Himalayan double coat and a flat, short-nosed face onto a small 12–18 lb frame — a combination that makes skin, coat, and steady weight the things their diet has to get right.

Here is exactly how to feed a Lhasa Apso on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the nutrition that supports their coat, their eyes and kidneys, and their small-dog teeth.

  • Adult weight12–18 lb
  • SizeSmall
  • EnergyModerate
  • Lifespan12–15 years
  • CoatLong, dense double coat — moderate shedder
Build my dog's plan → Shop recipes
A healthy Lhasa Apso
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Lhasa Apso's body needs

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

  • Long, dense double coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, helping keep that floor-length coat glossy and the skin underneath calm and flake-free.

  • Small breed, prone to dental disease

    Needs: Low-starch, whole-food diet

    Minimally processed raw skips the sugary, starchy fillers that feed plaque — supporting cleaner teeth in a small mouth where dental trouble is common.

  • Compact frame, easy to overfeed

    Needs: Tiny, precise portions

    At 12–18 lb a few extra treats go a long way. Calorie-dense freeze-dried raw is measured by weight, making it easy to keep a Lhasa lean and light on the joints.

  • Sensitive eyes and kidneys

    Needs: Clean, moisture-friendly nutrition

    Real meat and organ with no artificial fillers, rehydrated with water at every meal, supports hydration and a low-inflammation diet for eye and kidney health.

  • Smart, food-motivated watchdog

    Needs: High-value, single-ingredient rewards

    Lhasa Apsos train best on food. Pure freeze-dried meat treats reward without the fillers — and count toward the daily total so portions stay honest.

How much to feed a Lhasa Apso

Quick answer: a healthy adult Lhasa Apso (12–18 lb) needs about 1.8–2.7 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
14 lb typical Lhasa Apso 2.1 oz 1.1 oz
16 lb 2.4 oz 1.2 oz
18 lb 2.7 oz 1.4 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.

Get exact portion →

What to feed a Lhasa Apso

For a Lhasa Apso 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. Rehydrating each meal with water also adds the moisture this eye- and kidney-sensitive breed benefits from.

Omega-rich recipes like Salmon and Wild-Caught Cod support that long coat and sensitive skin, while gentle Chicken suits everyday feeding and fussy eaters. Just add water and serve in small, measured portions.

Recipes for Lhasa Apsos

Shop all →

Daily support for Lhasa Apsos

Shop all →

Treats Lhasa Apsos love

Shop all →

Feeding a Lhasa Apso by life stage

  • Puppy: Lhasa Apso puppies are tiny and need frequent fuel — feed 3–4 small meals a day to keep blood sugar steady, at roughly 5–7% of current body weight, adjusting as they grow. Soft, rehydrated freeze-dried raw is easy for small mouths.
  • Adult: Feed a measured amount split across two meals a day, to a lean, hand-felt waist. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not the bag — a few ounces matter a lot on a small dog.
  • Senior: Older Lhasas slow down but still love their food. Trim portions to match lower activity, keep protein high to hold lean muscle, and lean into omega-3 and moisture-rich meals to support aging eyes, kidneys, and coat.

Common Lhasa Apso concerns — and the diet connection

  • Skin & coat upkeepThat dense, long coat depends on the skin underneath. An omega-rich, whole-food diet supports the skin barrier and a healthy coat, and helps ease the dryness and flaking small long-coated breeds can develop.
  • Dental diseaseCommon in small breeds like the Lhasa. A low-starch raw diet avoids the sugars that feed plaque, and supports cleaner teeth alongside regular brushing and dental care.
  • Kidney healthThe Lhasa Apso can be prone to inherited kidney concerns. Real-food nutrition with high-quality animal protein, no artificial fillers, and added moisture at every meal supports healthy hydration and kidney function.
  • Eye conditionsThis breed is predisposed to several eye issues. While diet can't prevent inherited disease, omega-3 fatty acids and a low-inflammation, antioxidant-rich whole-food diet support overall eye and tissue health.
  • Healthy weightExtra pounds strain a small frame and small joints. Measured, calorie-dense freeze-dried raw makes it easy to keep a Lhasa lean — the simplest lever for a longer, more comfortable life.

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

Feeding a Lhasa Apso: what to know

A Lhasa Apso is small, so small mistakes show up fast. A handful of extra kibble or a few rich treats can mean real weight gain on a 15-lb dog — feed to body condition, where you can feel the ribs under the coat and see a waist from above.

Because the long coat hides the body, run your hands over your Lhasa weekly instead of trusting your eyes, and weigh portions rather than scooping. Their flat face also means they eat and breathe with less margin, so keep meals measured and unhurried.

Lhasa Apso feeding questions

How much should I feed my Lhasa Apso?
A healthy adult Lhasa Apso (12–18 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's far less by volume than kibble — feed to a lean waistline you can feel under the coat and adjust every few weeks.
What's the best food for a Lhasa Apso's coat and skin?
An omega-rich, whole-food diet. Freeze-dried raw recipes like Salmon and Wild-Caught Cod deliver the omega-3 fatty acids that feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting that long, glossy coat and calmer skin beneath it.
How do I switch my Lhasa Apso to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Rehydrate each meal with water and start at the lower end of the portion range — raw is rich, and a small dog needs only a little.
Is raw food good for a small breed prone to dental issues?
It can help. A low-starch raw diet skips the sugary fillers that feed plaque, supporting cleaner teeth — though it works best alongside regular tooth brushing and routine dental care.
My Lhasa Apso is a picky eater — will they like freeze-dried raw?
Usually yes. Freeze-dried raw is intensely meaty and aromatic, which tempts fussy small dogs. Try a gentle single protein like Chicken, rehydrated warm, and use pure freeze-dried meat treats as high-value training rewards.

THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE

If your dog won't eat it, it's on us

Try Lhasa Apso's first plan risk-free. If they turn up their nose, we'll make it right — money-back, and skip, pause or cancel anytime.

  • 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
Build my dog's meal plan →

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.