Westie puppies need to eat more frequently than adults, with portions that support steady growth without overfeeding. The feeding schedule changes as they grow, and getting it right during the first year sets the foundation for healthy weight management for the rest of their life.
Feeding Schedule by Age
8 Weeks to 4 Months: 3-4 Meals Per Day
Young puppies have small stomachs and high energy needs. Spread their daily food across 3-4 meals to keep energy levels steady and avoid digestive overload. Consistent meal times help with potty training too – puppies on a feeding schedule become predictable in their bathroom habits.
Start with the portion recommended on your puppy food’s packaging for your puppy’s current weight, divided across the meals. Adjust based on body condition: if the puppy is gaining too fast (can’t feel ribs easily), reduce slightly. If they’re thin (ribs very visible), increase.
4-6 Months: 3 Meals Per Day
Drop to three meals. This is the fast-growth phase – your puppy will roughly double in weight between 3 and 6 months. Increase portions gradually to match growth, but watch the body condition closely. A puppy that gets too heavy during this phase puts extra stress on developing joints.
6-12 Months: 2 Meals Per Day
Switch to twice daily – morning and evening. Growth is slowing down but the puppy still needs puppy-formula food (higher protein and calories than adult food) until around 12 months.
By 9-10 months, your westie is approaching their adult weight of 7-10 kg (15-22 lbs). If they’ve reached a healthy adult weight and body condition, you can begin transitioning to adult food. Transition gradually over 7-10 days: mix increasing amounts of adult food with decreasing amounts of puppy food to avoid digestive upset.
How Much to Feed
Exact portions depend on the specific food (calorie density varies between brands), your puppy’s current weight, and their activity level. The food packaging gives you a starting point, but your puppy’s body condition is the real guide.
The rib test works at any age: you should be able to feel the ribs easily with light pressure. If you can see them, the puppy is too thin. If you can’t feel them without pressing firmly, they’re getting too much food.
Weigh your puppy at least monthly and adjust portions as they grow. A food scale for measuring portions is more accurate than a measuring cup, especially with kibble where pieces vary in size.
What to Feed
Choose a puppy food formulated for small breeds. Small-breed puppy formulas have smaller kibble size and higher calorie density per cup, which matters for a westie’s small mouth and stomach.
If your puppy starts showing signs of allergies during this period (paw licking, ear scratching, skin redness around 6-12 months), consider switching to a limited-ingredient puppy food with novel proteins like duck or salmon. Allergies commonly first appear in this age range for westies, and catching it early with a dietary change can prevent a cycle of chronic skin issues. See our food for westies with allergies guide.
Treats and Training Rewards
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your puppy’s daily calories. During training-intensive periods (which is most of puppyhood), it’s easy to go over this. Use tiny pieces – pea-sized bits of high-value treats work just as well as large chunks for reinforcement.
Check treat ingredients carefully. Many popular puppy treats contain chicken meal, wheat flour, or other common allergens. If you’re feeding a limited-ingredient diet to manage developing allergies, one wrong treat undoes the work.
Water
Fresh water available at all times. Puppies drink more relative to their body weight than adults. If you’re crate training, offer water before crating and immediately after releasing, but remove the water bowl from the crate to help with potty training overnight.
When to Talk to Your Vet About Feeding
Your puppy isn’t gaining weight on schedule. Weight loss at any point during the growth phase. Persistent diarrhea or vomiting after meals. Food refusal lasting more than 2 days in a growing puppy. Signs of allergies developing (skin changes, ear issues, paw licking).
For the complete feeding guide covering adult and senior westies, see our best food for westies guide. For weight benchmarks at every age, see the westie weight guide.
