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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Tibetan Spaniel

The Tibetan Spaniel is a small, alert companion with a big appetite for watching the world from the windowsill — and a small frame that makes every bite count. At 9–15 pounds, a Tibbie has very little margin for extra weight, which is exactly why how you feed one matters so much.

Here is how to feed a Tibetan Spaniel on freeze-dried raw: in precise, calorie-honest portions that protect their knees, support their eyes, and keep that lion's-mane coat in top shape.

  • Adult weight9–15 lb
  • SizeSmall
  • EnergyLow to moderate
  • Lifespan12–15 years
  • CoatSilky double coat with a lion's-mane ruff — moderate shedder
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A healthy Tibetan Spaniel
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Tibetan Spaniel's body needs

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

  • Small frame, easy to overfeed

    Needs: Precise, calorie-honest portions

    Measured freeze-dried raw makes tiny portions easy to get right — a few grams off matters on a 12-pound dog, and staying lean is the single biggest lever for a long, healthy life.

  • Prone to patellar luxation (loose kneecaps)

    Needs: Lean weight + joint support

    Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, while keeping a Tibbie lean takes load off those small, vulnerable knee joints.

  • Eyes at risk for retinal issues

    Needs: Whole-food antioxidants & omega-3

    Minimally processed raw delivers vitamin A, taurine and DHA from real animal and fish sources — nutrients that support overall eye and nerve health.

  • Long silky coat with a lion's-mane ruff

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, keeping that feathered coat glossy and easy to maintain.

  • Alert, sometimes picky watchdog

    Needs: Highly palatable real food

    83% meat, organs and bone is naturally appealing to choosy small dogs — no carb fillers needed to make the bowl interesting.

How much to feed a Tibetan Spaniel

Quick answer: a healthy adult Tibetan Spaniel (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 Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel

For a Tibetan Spaniel 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 eater over.

Gentle single-protein recipes like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit sensitive tummies and weight-watchers, while Salmon adds skin-and-coat omegas for that signature ruff. Just add water and serve a measured amount twice a day.

Recipes for Tibetan Spaniels

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Daily support for Tibetan Spaniels

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Treats Tibetan Spaniels love

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Feeding a Tibetan Spaniel by life stage

  • Puppy: Tibetan Spaniel puppies need small, frequent meals — at least three a day on a steady schedule — to keep blood sugar stable in such a tiny body. Feed a complete all-life-stages or puppy raw and weigh portions carefully.
  • Adult: Feed a measured amount twice a day to a lean, visible waist. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not to those pleading watchdog eyes.
  • Senior: Activity slows but appetite often does not. Trim portions to prevent creeping weight, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint- and eye-supporting nutrition.

Common Tibetan Spaniel concerns — and the diet connection

  • Patellar luxationSmall-breed knees do best at a lean body weight; measured raw feeding plus natural glucosamine from real bone and cartilage support joint comfort and ease day-to-day load.
  • Progressive retinal atrophyWhile largely genetic, a whole-food diet rich in vitamin A, taurine and DHA omega-3 supports normal eye and nerve health throughout life.
  • Weight gain in a small frameA few extra ounces is a lot on a 12-pound dog; calorie-dense freeze-dried raw fed by weight keeps portions honest and a Tibbie trim.
  • Coat & skin conditionThat long, feathered ruff thrives on omega-rich whole-food fats, which support the skin barrier and keep the coat glossy and low-maintenance.

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

Feeding a Tibetan Spaniel: what to know

Tibbies are small dogs with small stomachs, so a few extra treats or an overfilled bowl adds up fast. Feed to body condition — you should easily feel the ribs and see a tucked waist from above — and weigh portions rather than eyeballing them.

Their calorie-dense freeze-dried raw means the daily amount looks tiny in the bowl; that is normal. Puppies in particular need small, frequent meals, since toy-sized breeds can be prone to low blood sugar between feedings.

Tibetan Spaniel feeding questions

How much should I feed my Tibetan Spaniel?
A healthy adult Tibbie (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 looks like very little in the bowl — feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.
What is the best food for a picky Tibetan Spaniel?
Tibbies can be choosy, and real-food freeze-dried raw is naturally appealing — 83% meat, organs and bone with no filler. Start with a gentle single protein like Chicken or Cod, and use a little as a topper if your dog needs convincing.
How do I switch my Tibetan Spaniel to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Because raw is rich and Tibbies are small, start at the lower end of the portion range and watch the waistline.
Does my Tibetan Spaniel need joint support?
Many do — the breed is prone to patellar luxation (loose kneecaps). Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your Tibbie lean is the most effective knee protection there is.
Why does my Tibetan Spaniel bark so much, and does diet help?
Tibbies were bred as monastery watchdogs, so alert barking is in their nature — that is behavioral, not dietary. A steady feeding routine and stable blood sugar do, however, help keep a small dog calm and even-tempered.

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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.