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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Scottish Terrier

A Scottish Terrier is a big-drive dog in a compact 18-to-22-pound frame — spirited, intelligent, and surprisingly easy to over-feed once those short legs slow down. With a Scottie, small portions and clean, calorie-honest food matter more than the size of the dog suggests.

Here is exactly how to feed a Scottish Terrier on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the nutrition that supports their wiry double coat, their thyroid, and a lean, agile body.

  • Adult weight18–22 lb
  • SizeSmall
  • EnergyModerate to High
  • Lifespan11–13 years
  • CoatWiry double coat — low shedder, needs hand-stripping
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A healthy Scottish Terrier
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Scottish Terrier's body needs

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

  • Small frame, easy to over-feed

    Needs: Tiny, precise portions

    Freeze-dried raw is calorie-dense and measured dry, so a Scottie's whole day is just a few ounces — fed by weight, it keeps portion creep from hiding under all that coat.

  • Wiry black double coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, helping that iconic wiry coat and beard stay glossy, supple, and slow to mat.

  • Prone to hypothyroidism

    Needs: Lean weight + whole-food nutrition

    Weight gain and dull, brittle coat can shadow thyroid issues; a measured, low-filler raw diet keeps a Scottie lean and the coat well-fed, making real changes easier to spot.

  • Spirited, high-drive terrier

    Needs: Quality animal protein

    83% meat, organs and bone fuels lean terrier muscle and steady energy for digging, running and nose work — without the carb fillers that spike and crash.

  • Bright, food-motivated mind

    Needs: Enrichment-friendly food

    Fast-rehydrating freeze-dried raw works in puzzle feeders and snuffle mats, turning a small meal into the mental work a clever Scottie craves.

How much to feed a Scottish Terrier

Quick answer: a healthy adult Scottish Terrier (18–22 lb) needs about 2.7–3.3 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)
18 lb 2.7 oz 1.4 oz
19 lb 2.9 oz 1.4 oz
20 lb typical Scottish Terrier 3.0 oz 1.5 oz
21 lb 3.2 oz 1.6 oz
22 lb 3.3 oz 1.7 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 Scottish Terrier

For a Scottish 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 a picky terrier across.

Lean single-protein recipes like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod keep calories honest for a weight-watching Scottie, while richer Beef suits the more active, harder-working dog. Just add water and serve a small, measured portion.

Recipes for Scottish Terriers

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Daily support for Scottish Terriers

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Treats Scottish Terriers love

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Feeding a Scottish Terrier by life stage

  • Puppy: Scottie puppies are small but grow fast — feed roughly 5–7% of current body weight across 3–4 small meals a day, adjusting as they grow. Frequent little meals suit their size and keep energy steady.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, hand-felt waist, split across two meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not the bag — a Scottie's calorie needs are easy to overestimate.
  • Senior: Older Scotties slow down but stay opinionated about food. Trim portions to match lower activity, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and watch weight closely given the breed's thyroid tendency.

Common Scottish Terrier concerns — and the diet connection

  • HypothyroidismA common Scottie concern that often shows as weight gain and a dry, brittle coat — a measured, omega-rich raw diet helps keep weight in check and supports coat and skin while you and your vet monitor.
  • Skin & coat upkeepThe wiry double coat does best fed from within; whole-food omega-3s support the skin barrier and a supple coat, and recurring skin trouble is worth a vet check as it can shadow thyroid issues.
  • Weight managementOn a small, low-activity day a Scottie's calories add up fast — measured freeze-dried raw fed by weight makes a lean body condition simple to maintain, easing load on joints and overall health.
  • Energy & lean muscleActive, digging, hunting terriers run on clean animal protein and fat for sustained energy and muscle maintenance — not on carbohydrate fillers.

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

Feeding a Scottish Terrier: what to know

Scotties are small but mighty, and their calorie needs are modest — it is easy to tip one into extra weight without noticing under all that coat. Feed by weight, not by eye, and check body condition with your hands: you should feel the ribs easily beneath the wiry outer coat.

Because Scottish Terriers are highly intelligent and food-motivated, mealtime is a chance to work their mind. Freeze-dried raw rehydrates fast, so it slots neatly into snuffle mats, puzzle feeders, and slow bowls that turn a small meal into real enrichment.

Scottish Terrier feeding questions

How much should I feed my Scottish Terrier?
A healthy adult Scottie (18–22 lb) needs roughly 3–4 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 — feed to a lean, hand-felt waist and adjust every few weeks.
What is the best food for a Scottish 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 small meal and feed to body condition rather than to your Scottie's appetite.
How do I switch my Scottie to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Independent or picky terriers usually come around fast once they taste real meat — start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline.
Can I use my Scottish Terrier's food for puzzle feeders?
Yes — that is a great fit. Freeze-dried raw rehydrates quickly and portions are small, so it works well in snuffle mats, slow feeders, and treat dispensers that give a clever, food-motivated Scottie real mental work at mealtime.
Does a Scottish Terrier need a coat or skin supplement?
Many double-coated Scotties benefit from extra omega-3 for the wiry coat and skin. A whole-food raw diet already supplies omega-rich animal and fish fats, and a dedicated skin-and-coat omega can be added if your dog's coat needs more support.

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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.