I have a westie (10 months old) with skin problems and plan to try Burns food.Can anyone advice whether to get Canine Maintenance (protein 18.5%) or Mini Bites (protein 21%)? The mini bites specifically mention westies but I was thinking lower protein therefore the Maintenance one.

Any advice gratefully accepted.

i think theres a free advice line for burns where theyd asvise you about the best for your needs

Hi, I think it rather depends how quickly he has/is maturing -at 10 months some Westies have reached their adult hight (about 11") and weight (16-18lbs) but others are still at the lanky "teenager" stage and obviously still filling out. If he is the former I would suggest the Maintenance and if you think he is still growing - the puppy bites. I agree ask Burns for advice. One of my Westies was a bit itchy/scratchy from 12-18 months, and I put him on Burns maintenance with about 2/3 oz fresh chicken to "get his nose in", it worked like a dream, though he did not scratch so badly that he broke the skin or had scabby/sore places. In November when we had snow, I ran out and had to feed him on a regular diet that the other dogs have, for a few days, and he seemed ok so I continued. He doesn't seem to need the Burns anymore now, and is back on an "ordinary" diet, perhaps he just grew out of it. Hope it works for your Westie.
A few tips for itchy Westies, if you use Shake n Vac or Febreeze -stop using them. Wash his bedding in non-bio powder with an extra rinse cycle, dont bath him any more often than you absolutely have to (unless your vet has prescribed special baths), and consider having him hand stripped or scissored rather than clipped. Be 100% sure that he is flea free at all times by using a veterinary precscribed drop on flea treatment like Frontline or Stronghold, rather than shop bought products.