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Scottish Terrier feeding guide: how much and how often

Daily calories, portions by age and practical feeding tips for the Scottish Terrier.

For a dog that looks this solid, a Scottie eats surprisingly little: about 120 to 170 g of a typical dry food a day, roughly 1.25 to 1.75 cups, split into two meals. The breed gains weight easily, partly because its build and skirt of coat make extra fat hard to spot.

Feel along the ribs and look for a slight tuck behind them; if you cannot find either through the coat, cut the portion by about 10 percent and check again in a month. For a dog this short, a standard floor-level bowl is usually comfortable, and a wide, shallow shape helps keep the beard out of the food.

The beard soaks up water and gravy like a sponge. Wiping it after meals prevents staining and the slightly sour smell that a permanently damp beard develops, and it is a good daily chance to check the mouth and teeth.

Scottish Terrier feeding in numbers

Illustrative adult portions

DogWeightCaloriesDry food per day
Female, relaxed lifestyle9 kg510 kcal140 g (1.5 cups)
Female, typical pet9 kg580 kcal155 g (1.5 cups)
Male, typical pet10 kg610 kcal165 g (1.8 cups)
Male, very active10 kg760 kcal205 g (2 cups)

Puppy portions need measured weight, growth stage and the food’s energy content. A breed-average curve is not a feeding plan. Calculate with measured inputs and review the result with your vet.

Bowl capacity

900 ml

17 cm across

Product height estimate

17.5 to 23.5 cm

not a veterinary recommendation

Rough drinking estimate

0.5 to 0.5 L

keep fresh water freely available

Adult examples assume midpoint breed weights, neutered pets and food with 370 kcal per 100 g. Cups assume 100 g per cup; actual food density varies. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Feeding guides for similar-sized breeds