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
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 1.3–2.3 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 weight | Freeze-dried per day | Per meal (×2) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 lb | 1.3 oz | 0.7 oz |
| 11 lbtypical Tibetan Spaniel | 1.7 oz | 0.8 oz |
| 13 lb | 2 oz | 1 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 pets need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.
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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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?
What is the best food for a picky Tibetan Spaniel?
How do I switch my Tibetan Spaniel to raw?
Does my Tibetan Spaniel need joint support?
Why does my Tibetan Spaniel bark so much, and does diet help?
THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE
If your dog won't eat it, it's on us
Try Tibetan Spaniel'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
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.