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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Norfolk Terrier

The Norfolk Terrier is a tiny working dog with a terrier-sized appetite for activity — fearless, busy, and built lean at just 11–12 pounds. At that small size, every bite counts, so the quality and the precise amount of what goes in the bowl matters enormously.

Here is exactly how to feed a Norfolk Terrier on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the nutrition that protects their teeth, heart, joints, and wiry coat.

  • Adult weight11–12 lb
  • SizeSmall
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan12–16 years
  • CoatWiry double coat — moderate shedder
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A healthy Norfolk Terrier
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Norfolk Terrier's body needs

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

  • Tiny frame, big energy

    Needs: Calorie-dense, nutrient-dense food

    At 11–12 lb a Norfolk eats very little by volume, so every bite must carry real nutrition — 83% meat, organs and bone fuels their busy terrier engine without empty filler.

  • Prone to dental disease

    Needs: Low-starch, chewable whole food

    Small breeds build tartar fast on starchy diets. Minimally processed raw skips the sugary fillers that feed plaque, and the firm freeze-dried texture gives small teeth real work to do.

  • Heart-watch breed (mitral valve)

    Needs: Lean weight + omega-3s

    Whole-food animal and fish fats supply the omega-3s that support heart and circulatory health, while staying lean keeps everyday load off the heart.

  • Knees & hips to protect

    Needs: Joint support + a lean body

    Real bone and organ provide natural glucosamine and chondroitin, and omega-3s ease joint inflammation — but staying trim is what truly protects a small dog's kneecaps.

  • Wiry double coat

    Needs: Omega-rich whole-food fats

    Animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, keeping that hard, weather-ready coat healthy through the breed's twice-yearly shed.

How much to feed a Norfolk Terrier

Quick answer: a healthy adult Norfolk Terrier (11–12 lb) needs about 1.7–1.8 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)
11 lb typical Norfolk Terrier 1.7 oz 0.8 oz
12 lb 1.8 oz 0.9 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 Norfolk Terrier

For a Norfolk 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 high-value topper while you transition. The dense, meaty texture also gives those small jaws something to actually chew.

Lean single-protein recipes like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit this weight-watching breed, while omega-rich Salmon supports the skin, coat, and heart. Just add water and serve in a small, measured portion.

Recipes for Norfolk Terriers

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Daily support for Norfolk Terriers

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Treats Norfolk Terriers love

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Feeding a Norfolk Terrier by life stage

  • Puppy: Norfolk puppies are small with fast metabolisms, so feed 3–4 small meals a day to keep blood sugar steady. Use a complete raw diet formulated for growth or all life stages, and feed to a healthy, not chubby, body condition.
  • Adult: Two small measured meals a day suit an adult Norfolk. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to a lean, visible waist rather than to the bag.
  • Senior: Older Norfolks slow down but still love to eat. Trim portions to match lower activity, keep protein high to hold lean muscle, and lean into omega-3 and joint-supporting nutrition for heart and knees.

Common Norfolk Terrier concerns — and the diet connection

  • Dental diseaseVery common in small breeds. A low-starch whole-food diet avoids the sugary fillers that feed plaque, and the firm freeze-dried texture helps give small teeth something to work against between brushings.
  • Myxomatous mitral valve diseaseA heart watch-out in the breed. A lean body keeps load off the heart, and omega-3 fatty acids from real meat and fish support heart and circulatory health as part of a balanced diet.
  • Patellar luxationLoose kneecaps are aggravated by extra weight. Measured raw feeding keeps a Norfolk lean, while natural glucosamine from bone and cartilage supports the surrounding joint tissue.
  • Hip dysplasiaLargely genetic, but a lean weight plus joint nutrients (glucosamine from bone, omega-3) help ease day-to-day comfort and take strain off the joint.

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

Feeding a Norfolk Terrier: what to know

A Norfolk Terrier is small, so portions are small — which means a few extra treats or a heaping scoop can quickly become real weight on an 11-pound frame. Feed to body condition: you should feel the ribs easily and see a waist from above.

Because the margin for error is so narrow on a little dog, weigh portions rather than eyeballing them, and keep treats to a small fraction of the day's food. Staying lean is the single best thing you can do for a Norfolk's knees and heart.

Norfolk Terrier feeding questions

How much should I feed my Norfolk Terrier?
A healthy adult Norfolk (11–12 lb) needs roughly 1.5–2 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two small 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 Norfolk Terrier's teeth?
A low-starch, whole-food diet is your best dietary ally against the dental disease small breeds are prone to. Complete freeze-dried raw skips the sugary fillers that feed plaque, and its firm texture gives small teeth something to chew. Pair it with regular toothbrushing.
How do I switch my Norfolk to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Because portions are tiny on a small dog, measure carefully and start at the lower end of the range, then adjust to body condition.
Does a Norfolk Terrier need a supplement?
Many benefit from extra omega-3s for heart, skin and coat support, and joint support is worth considering given the breed's knee and hip watch-outs. A complete raw diet covers the basics; targeted supplements add focused support.
How is a Norfolk Terrier different from a Norwich Terrier?
They are two distinct but very similar small working terriers. The easiest tell is the ears: a Norfolk's fold over, while a Norwich's stand straight up. Their feeding needs are nearly identical — small, lean, nutrient-dense meals.

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  • "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.