Best Dog Food for Cairn Terriers
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What’s the best dog food for Cairn Terriers?
Cairn Terriers (Cairn meaning ‘pile of stones’) are a small breed of dog originating from the Highlands of Scotland.
They have a double coat that is harsh and wiry on top and downy beneath and come in many colors, including red, black, sand and gray.
They are busy little earthdogs historically bred to root out foxes and other small, furred prey in the rocky Scottish countryside.
According to figures from the American Kennel Club, Cairn Terriers are ranked as the 70th most popular dog in the US.
To avoid your Cairn Terrier gaining weight, it’s important to control their calorie intake. Opt for a dog food that is formulated to meet the energy needs of a moderately active dog, and be mindful of portion sizes.
Look for dog food that includes sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil or flaxseed. These fatty acids can promote healthy skin, a shiny coat, and support overall well-being.
Avoid dog foods with excessive fillers, artificial preservatives, and by-products. These can be less nutritious and may cause allergies or sensitivities in some dogs.
Remember, if you have any specific concerns or questions about your Cairn Terrier diet, seek advice from your veterinarian.
In the meantime, read our recommendations for the best dog food for Cairn Terriers below. You can also find out more information about Cairn Terriers on our breed page.
Best Dog Food for Cairn Terriers February 2026
Here are The Dog Food Advisor's best dog food brands for Cairn Terriers for February 2026.
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Best Dry Dog Food for Cairn Terriers
Nulo Freestyle Adult Small Breed Salmon & Red Lentils
Nulo Freestyle Adult Small Breed Salmon & Red Lentils is one of nine dry recipes featured in our review of the Nulo Freestyle Dry product line.
This formula derives the majority of its protein from fish, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids — ideal for supporting your Cairn Terrier’s double coat and overall health. Dry matter label analysis shows it contains 34.4% protein, 18.9% fat, and 38.7% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 55%.
Designed for small breeds, this recipe comes in extra-small kibble sizes, making it easier for your dog to eat. It’s formulated to support the higher metabolism of small dogs, with 84% of protein coming from real meat sources like salmon, turkey, and lamb ensuring your dog gets a high-quality meal.
Read our review of the full Nulo FreeStyle Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Rich in omega fatty acids
- Small kibble size
- High protein
Main Ingredients Deboned salmon, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal, lamb meal, red lentils Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 34.4% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Cairn Terriers Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I’ve long understood the value of buying a quality food, with fewer ingredients that I can pronounce, less fillers, and meat as one of the top ingredients. So I was glad to see how quickly my dog took to eating the Nulo small breed. Not only did she eat it readily but there has been no stomach issues from the change. I will definitely continue to feed Nulo."
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Best Wet Dog Food For Cairn Terriers
Halo Small Breed Grain-Free Chicken & Salmon
This recipe gets the majority of its protein from chicken, a lean, high-quality meat source, whilst also including chicken broth for flavor and moisture, chicken liver, and salmon. The combination provides a high meat content and omega-3 fatty acids, which support your Cairn Terrier’s coat and overall immune system.
Halo Small Breed Grain-Free Chicken & Salmon is one of two wet recipes included in our review of the Halo Canned product line and we rewarded it our highest rating. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43.2% protein, 22.7% fat, and 26.1% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%.
With no poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, or soy, and no artificial colors or preservatives, this recipe is easy to digest.
Read our review of the full Halo Grain Free Dog Food (Canned) range here
Things we like
- Free from corn, wheat, soy
- Contains omega-3 fatty acids
- High protein
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, salmon, carrots Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 43.2% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Cairn Terriers Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Of course my babies think this is wonderful. I give a little along with dry food just to vary their diet."
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Best Fresh Dog Food For Cairn Terriers
Nom Nom Chicken Cuisine
Nom Nom Chicken Cuisine is one of four recipes featured in our review of this fresh food product line.
Each meat and vegetable is gently cooked individually, then mixed in batches to preserve vital nutrients and maximize digestibility. Plus, Nom Nom recipes are customizable, so you can tailor them to suit your small breed’s specific needs.
This formula derives the bulk of its protein from chicken, providing a high-quality, easily digestible protein source. Dry matter label analysis shows the recipe contains 37% protein, 26.1% fat, and 29% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 71%.
Free from by products and packed with moisture, this food is an excellent choice for picky eaters and provides a nutritious meal overall.
Read our review of the full Nom Nom Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Things we like
- Customizable recipes
- High in moisture
- Free from by-products
Main Ingredients Chicken, sweet potatoes, squash, water sufficient for processing, spinach Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 37% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Cairn Terriers Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Mya has suffered from colitis & IBS for many years, and she’s also the pickiest with food. Since being on Nom Nom she is eating much better & has perfect poop!!!"
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Best Dog Food For Cairn Terrier Puppies
The Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters Whole Grain Chicken & Oat Small Breed Blend
Made with fresh ingredients and minimal processing, The Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters Whole Grain Chicken & Oat Small Breed Blend is 100% human-grade, offering top nutrition for your puppy.
This recipe gets the majority of its protein from cage-free chicken, a high-protein and easily digestible meat that’s perfect for your Cairn Terrier puppy. It also includes oats, veggies, salmon oil, and probiotics in the right proportions for small dogs.
Dry matter label analysis shows the recipe contains 27.8% protein, 17.6% fat, and 46.5% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.
The Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters Whole Grain Chicken & Oat Small Breed Blend is one of 10 dry recipes included in our review of the product line.
Read our review of the full The Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters (Dry) range here
Things we like
- 100% human-grade ingredients
- Contains probiotics
- Correct proportions for small breeds
Main Ingredients Chicken, oats, barley, chicken liver, carrots Type Grain-Inclusive Protein Percentage 27.8% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Cairn Terriers Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at TheHonestKitchen.com"My sweet pup and granpup love these tasty, scrumptious, nutritious clusters of pure wholesome deliciousness! So grateful to THK for this “human grade” kibble for my lovable dogs. Honest Kitchen has the perfect food blend for any dog’s daily nutrition needs. "
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Best Affordable Dog Food For Cairn Terriers
Solid Gold Mighty Mini Chicken, Chickpea & Pumpkin
This grain and gluten-free Chicken and Hearty Vegetable Recipe is packed with easily digestible protein, a unique blend of nutrient-dense superfoods, and omega fatty acids to support gut health, coat condition, and overall immune function.
Solid Gold Mighty Mini Chicken, Chickpea & Pumpkin Recipe is one of 14 dry recipes included in our review of this product line.
With the majority of its protein coming from chicken, this meal offers a high-quality, high-protein choice for your Cairn Terrier at an affordable price. Dry matter label analysis shows it contains 33.3% protein, 20% fat, and 38.7% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 60%.
Read our review of the full Solid Gold Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- High protein
- Gluten and grain free
- Affordable
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, chickpeas, peas, pea protein Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 33.3% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Cairn Terriers Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My three toy breed pets love this food. I’m so glad that I decided to try it for them. Perfect size for little mouths, quality ingredients & good price."
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Best Dog Food For Cairn Terriers With Allergies
Redbarn Air Dried Fish Recipe
Free from common meats such as chicken, beef, and turkey, Redbarn Air Dried Fish Recipe derives the majority of its protein from fish, making it an excellent choice for dogs with allergies. It is alsp rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which is particularly beneficial for Cairn Terriers, as it supports skin and coat health while boosting the immune system.
This is one of five dry recipes included in our review of the Redbarn Air Dried product line. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36.4% protein, 25% fat and 30.6% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 69%.
A complete and balanced recipe with a blend of wholesome ingredients such as salmon oil, flaxseed, miscanthus grass, and vitamins and minerals. Plus, it’s grain-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO which is a bonus for dogs with food sensitivities.
Read our review of the full Redbarn Gently Air Dried Powerfood Dog Food (Air-Dried) range here
Things we like
- Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, and Non-GMO
- Fish as only meat
- High protein
Main Ingredients Ocean fish, sunflower oil, dicalcium phosphate, miscanthus grass, coconut flour Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 36.4% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Cairn Terriers Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at RedBarn.com"Our pup has significant allergies and Redbarn air dried chicken and fish are perfect for his diet. We travel in our RV and are planning to take Redbarn on our trips."
How we review dog foods
We read the label.
This may sound simple, but there are thousands of dog foods on the market, and the label is the only source of reliable, standardized and government-regulated data available on every one of them. This includes the AAFCO nutrient profile, the Guaranteed Analysis and the ingredients.
We use our algorithm.
We take the data and enter it into our unique algorithm to produce a different set of figures, including the Dry Matter Analysis (the nutrient levels after water has been removed). This algorithm gives us a base score range on our five-star rating system.
We refine the score.
We take into account other factors, such as the quality of ingredients and the nature of the first few ingredients on the list (and therefore the most prevalent in the food), and narrow the score. The key ingredients are explained in-depth in the review.
Our expert nutritionist takes over.
At this point, our expert pet nutritionist, Laura Ward, goes through the review to check and approve it. She has the authority to make small discretionary changes to the star-rating based on her judgment of a food. We now have our final star-rating.
What other information do we include for dog parents?
Each dog food review includes sample consumer reviews and links to other reviews. It also includes the brand’s recall history. Our Best Dog Food pages also include consumer reviews.
Why we don’t just feed foods to our dogs.
Despite what other dog food review sites claim, simply giving a food to a dog and seeing if they eat it is completely unscientific and has little value as a review method. If you give a kid candy, they’ll happily eat it, but it doesn’t mean it’s good for them. And no one food suits every dog.
It’s also dangerous for dogs. We rate every dog food, good and bad. Why would we deliberately feed a dog bad dog food?
That said, we understand that personal experience of a food is important to dog parents and include consumer reviews on our pages.
What about lab-testing dog food?
Lab-testing dog food can provide useful, in-depth information, but as mentioned, there are thousands of dog foods on the market. We’d love to test them all, but there isn’t a facility in the country that could. Therefore, it’s impossible to have a fair universal rating system using lab tests.
It’s worth noting that dog food brands carry out their own testing. This ensures compliance with AAFCO and FDA pet food standards, as well as checking for pathogens.
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Dog Food Advisor has been impartially reviewing dog food since 2008. We are the most trusted dog food review site in the United States, with a 4.9-star TrustPilot rating.
Here's why:
We do not accept money, gifts, samples or any other incentives in exchange for special consideration in writing our reviews.
We rate every dog food in the same way, using the only information we believe is equally available for all foods, reliable and therefore fair: what’s on the label. It’s the only way for any review site to rate every dog food on the market.
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To view more top dog foods by category… click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
Here are the most frequently asked questions we get about feeding Cairn Terriers:
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is a Cairn Terrier?
Cairn Terriers stand about 9 to 10 to inches (23 to 25 cm) tall, are about 15 inches (38 cm) in length and weigh about 13 or 14 pounds (5 to 6 kg). They have a broad head and small, erect ears. Their body is compact, legs are relatively short and their tail is natural and carried high.
What temperament do Cairn Terriers have?
Cairn Terriers are a wonderful family companion, fun and entertaining and great with children. They are curious, quick to learn and like all Terriers very independent — although they can be stubborn so need to know who is in charge with early obedience training.
How much exercise do Cairn Terriers need?
Due to their small size Cairn Terriers can thrive in any setting from a small apartment to large farm, providing they have a sufficient amount of exercise, eg a long daily walk or vigorous play for 20 to 30 minutes a day.
What health conditions do Cairn Terriers have?
Cairn Terriers are generally a healthy breed, however, possible conditions that may affect them are diabetes, hip dysplasia, dental issues and allergies.
Regular veterinary check-ups and a balanced diet are important for maintaining their health and well-being.
Final word
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