Curious and intelligent, lively and affectionate, Cairn Terriers are a breed that brings smiles to all who meet one of them. Small, but brave, these determined creatures expend a lot of energy for their tiny frame and require a nutritious and balanced diet that is heavy on protein. The best dog food for Cairn Terriers is meat based with many minerals and essential vitamins to keep them consistently happy and healthy.
From their humble beginnings to Hollywood stars, the Cairn Terrier is a breed that just won’t quit!
About Cairn Terriers
History: From the Scottish Highlands to the Silver Screen
One of the first terrier breeds, the Cairn Terrier has origins dating back to 12th century Scotland. Originally used in the Scottish Highlands as ratters to track and eliminate badgers, foxes, rats and other vermin, Cairn Terriers have evolved into excellent companion animals and excel in dog sports such as agility and flyball. The name Cairn Terrier comes from the cairns that dot the Scottish landscape providing landmarks for travelers for centuries.
Registered by the American Kennel Club in 1913, these vivacious, work loving dogs were adopted by the United States of America with open arms. J. Edgar Hoover bred the Cairn Terrier for most of his life and would frequently give the puppies away to high ranking government officials as gifts. Their adorable square faces and high energy made them a favorite of Hollywood as well. Cairns became stars in television and film with The Wizard of Oz’s Toto being the most popular example.
Physical Appearance: Scruffy with Pride
Distinctive erect pointed ears and bright intelligent eyes are the first thing that you notice about a Cairns Terrier. The breed standard was set in 1987 and accepts the wide variety of coloring that is indicative of the breed. Their outercoats are shaggy and thick to protect a soft inner and plush inner coat, making them a breed that can withstand a diverse amount of weather conditions. Their coats can be cream, deep red, light grey, apricot, black or brindle.
The Cairn Terrier is not a big pup. Healthy males weigh a mere 14 pounds and have a height of only 10 inches. Healthy females are slightly smaller at 13 pounds and 9.5 inches when they have reached maturity. Both sexes average 15 inches in length. They have a well muscled, short-legged body upon which their small, wide head balances expectantly, always looking for something to do.
Demeanor: A Loving Fur Ball of Energy
The origin story of the Cairn Terrier is still very much part of their personality. Working dogs at heart, these loveable and feisty dogs are playful, active and very smart. They are extremely affectionate pets and bond closely with their humans. But they also have an endearing stubborn streak that requires early and committed training.
Naturally curious, the Cairn Terrier can be considered a flight risk as their desire to explore can easily overcome their willingness to listen to commands from their human best friends.
And do not expect your Cairn Terrier dog to be a good guard dog. While they may make a racket, their love for humankind is too strong for them to give an intruder anything but a flurry of wet sloppy kisses.
Nutritional Requirements
The Cairn Terrier does not have complex nutritional requirements. Because of their size they are relatively cheap to feed, so providing your beloved dog with the highest quality dog food does not break the bank.
The best food for Cairn Terriers is full of protein to help maintain their muscle and fuel their high levels of brain activity. Choose a dog food brand that has meat as the first ingredient to make sure that the protein is coming from the best source. Stay away from corn, wheat and soy, as these plant products are common allergens to which the Cairn Terrier is prone.
Adult
A healthy adult Cairn Terrier needs about 450-520 calories per day depending on their activity level. Meal time is best done twice a day as these pups tend to vomit when they have an empty stomach.
Senior
Senior Cairns have very similar nutrition requirements to adult Cairns. They need less calories per day, only 341 to 360 daily depending on activity level, but they still require high amounts of protein to keep them healthy into their twilight years.
How to Feed a Cairn Puppy
Cairn Terrier puppies grow quickly and need a lot more protein, fat and calcium in their dog food than adults. They also need to eat more often as they have smaller stomachs and cannot get all their nutritional needs in just two feedings. Up until the age of six months, puppies require feeding three times a day.
Macronutrients for Cairn Terrier: Proteins, Carbs, Fats split
To be sure your Cairn Terrier is receiving an optimal balance of healthy food, it is ideal to look at the macronutrients in dog food. The percentage of protein, carbs, and fat is laid out by The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). The following are their recommendations for dog food for Cairn Terriers:
Note the high levels of protein required to keep this breed active and healthy. The best food for Cairn Terrier dogs must contain primarily animal protein, so look for high quality dog food brands and always read the ingredients before bringing one home to your Cairn Terrier dog.
Common Health Problems
Are Cairn Terrier Hypoallergenic? The simple answer is, Yes! They are considered this as they tend not to produce a reaction in those with allergies.
Cairn Terriers are sturdy little dogs with relatively few health problems if they are being fed a healthy diet of quality food with all the macronutrients that they need.
Most health problems for this breed are hereditary, so when looking to purchase one of these adorable fur balls it is always best to go through a reputable breeder so that you can be confident in knowing the lineage of your new best friend.
Craniomandibular Osteopathy (Abnormal Bone Proliferation)
A common affliction for Cairns, this craniomandibular osteopathy disease is also known as “lion’s jaw”. A tragic illness that presents as swelling of the jaw, drooling and/or difficulty eating, this affliction is extremely painful for your dog and is horrible to watch.
Occurring in puppies of 3 to 8 months of age, lion’s jaw is a bone disorder where fully formed bone is reabsorbed and replaced with immature bone several times. Luckily, this process is not fatal and stops when the puppy reaches one year old.
While there is not much that can be done on a food level since this is a hereditary disease, it is important to monitor your Terrier’s eating and consult your veterinarian right away if your dog is unable to eat regular dog food. They may prescribe a liquid food diet to ensure that your dog stays as healthy as possible.
Portosystemic Shunt (Portal Vein Abnormality)
Cairn Terriers can also suffer from this bypass of the liver by the circulatory system. Commonly known as “liver shunt”, symptoms include weight gain, vomiting, seizures and depression. Treatment can range from surgery to dietary changes depending on the case.
Cairns affected by this disease have very different food needs than that of a healthy adult Cairn. Veterinarians recommend quality food with natural ingredients. The food should also have less protein. Use food where meat organs are substituted for protein sources such as egg and dairy.
Obesity
Cairn Terriers are very susceptible to weight gain. If not controlled, obesity can lead to joint problems, digestive issues and heart disease. Keep in mind that neutered and spayed Cairn Terriers gain weight more easily than their intact counterparts, so keep an eye on your pet and adjust food amounts as necessary if you notice them becoming overweight.
To avoid ending up with an overweight Cairn Terrier on your hands make sure that you only feed them their allotted calorie allowance, do not leave food down between meals and go easy on the treats in training.
Recommendations for the Best Dog Foods for Cairn Terriers
1. Wellness Core Natural Dry Dog Food Small Breed
Wellness Core Natural Dry Dog Food Small Breed is the perfect food for Cairn Terriers. With turkey and chicken meat protein as its main ingredients, this dog food is packed full of everything your energetic little fuzzball needs to live a healthy life. It contains rich in omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics and taurine to help your pooch’s heart, core muscles and brain remain in tip top shape throughout adulthood.
Wellness uses only non GMO ingredients to make wholesome food without any meat by-products, fillers or artificial preservatives. The best ingredients for the best dog food!
Simply Perfection Super Premium Lamb and Brown Rice Dog Food is another great option. Real lamb kibble brings all the protein your Cairn's needs and the added A, E, B12 and D2 vitamins secure the perfect nutritional balance. Fibers from vegetables support better digestion and the fatty acids will help every area of your pet's skin and coat stay moisturized and healthy.
This product is wheat, corn and soy free making it an ideal choice for a Canin Terrier with food allergies.
Is your Cairn Terrier still a puppy? Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy Real Chicken Recipe High Protein Dry Dog Food is the optimal choice. With ingredients that are protein and fat rich, this dog food is crafted to provide your growing pal with the right amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals for ideal growth.
Probiotics help your puppy’s digestion and DHA, the perfect omega 3 fatty acid for brain development, guarantees that the progress of your Cairn Terrier is happy and healthy.
Conclusion
The best dog food for Cairn Terriers is Wellness Core Natural Dry Dog Food Small Breed. It has all of the protein power your Carin Terrier requires and is mineral and vitamin rich to easily fulfill their nutritional needs. With Wellness’ commitment to high quality, non GMO ingredients, you can rest easy knowing that your beloved canine is always getting the best dog food.
Full of love, brains and energy, Cairn Terriers spend their lives giving their all to make the human best friend happy. Luckily, it is easy for us to reciprocate. All we need is to be enthusiastic about the exercise, generous with the cuddles and feed them the best dog food for Cairn Terriers to ensure a long and happy life.
