Regardless if it is the origin of the boxer, its size, or its name, there is an idea in people’s minds that this is somehow a dangerous dog. Nothing is further than the truth as Boxers are one of the most playful, kind, and well-tempered dogs in existence. While they don’t suffer the same dietary issues like their Bulldog and Mastiff cousins, there are still several things a pet owner needs to know if they want to find the best dog food for Boxers.
As this is a very active dog that demands a lot of exercise, it will also require a lot of calories, which is thankfully not a difficult task anymore. Another important issue is the size of the bites the dog is eating, as they are known to stuff their little fawns in more food that they can chew.
Finally, all high-quality dog food needs to have some additional ingredients such as vitamins and minerals that will promote the dog’s health and well-being.
What is Boxer Food?
There aren’t many products marketed exactly as dog food for Boxers, as they have the same nutritional needs as many other medium-sized active breeds. That being said, there are some ingredients found in dog food that will react better with your Boxer than others and will give you more energy with less filler.
Most rules when looking for the best dog food for boxers are the same as when searching good food for any other type of dog. You want to see high-quality ingredients with good animal protein and no detrimental fillers such as wheat, corn or soy. Additionally, you want to look at some good, organic carbs, and just a little bit of dietary fiber, especially when feeding senior dogs.
On top of looking for good dog food that will fit a medium active dog, we also need to look for a relatively small kibble that will be able to match with their fawn and will not give them gasses or indigestion.
Best Dog Food for Boxers on the Market Today:
The market is very big when it comes to dog food, and it seems to be getting bigger every day. While we are long passed the point of customer loyalty when it comes to the products we buy, there is still a reason why some brands are more liked than others, and that is that they provide us with a good product.
Regrettably, there is no such thing as a dog food for Boxers that will fit every boxer at every period of their life, so some research and contemplation are necessary. You will be using different food for your puppy boxer than you are with your old companion.
Take note that this list is formed for regularly sized boxers that don’t have any serious medical issues. If your dog is really big, or exceptionally small, you will need to consult with your veterinarian if they can use any of the products from our list or should use something else instead.
1. Best for Adult Boxers
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Boxer Adult
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Boxer Adult
To start off with a bang, this is probably the best food for most Boxers that are around. Royal Canin is a well-known brand, and they have been producing high-quality dog food for a while now. This makes it all the better that they have made formula with specifically dog food for Boxers in mind.
Nothing on the list will keep you wanting, as the food is an awesome mix of excellent protein and additional ingredients. These answer to all kinds of issues that some Boxers tend to have, such as cardiac sensitivity and muscle energy.
Finally, this kibble is specifically made with the Boxer’s short muzzle in mind, otherwise called a brachiocephalic jaw. The shape and size encourage the dog to chew its food and doesn’t force air down their throat. All in all, unless there are some unforeseen issues, such as an allergy to chicken which is the main ingredient of this dry dog food, this should be the best option for most dog owners.
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2. Best Puppy Boxer Food
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy – Venison & Bison
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy – Venison & Bison
Unlike adult dogs, puppies need much more protein as they grow each day exponentially for months. Taste of the wild goes a step further here by using animal based protein that is not only extremely compact but is also considered a novel protein, meaning that your puppy is very unlikely to have an allergic reaction.
The fact that the kibble is protein dense is very important here, as the chews need to be very small to accommodate the puppy Boxer’s face. While Boxer puppies are not as droopy as they are when they gown up there are still some issues with air trapping.
Finally, all Taste of the Wild dog food for Boxers is made in the USA under strict FDA guidelines, ensuring that all of the ingredients are safe and high-quality.
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3. Best for Sensitive Stomachs
AvoDerm Natural Chicken Meal Dry Dog Food
AvoDerm Natural Chicken Meal Dry Dog Food
While most Boxers are quite sturdy when it comes to their diet, at least once it has passed to the digestive tract, there are times when our furry friends become sensitive and need something that will be lighter on their tummy. This is where AvoDerm comes in with their Chicken Meal formula that opts for a less protein intensive and more relaxed mixture that will not upset your dog’s digestion.
Also, this dry dog food should be used if your dog is recovering from an illness or is otherwise less active. It is a nice mix or chicken meal and avocados that your dog will love joined with all the vitamins, minerals, and oligo-elements your dog will need to be healthy and active.
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4. Best Balanced Diet
Wellness Core Original Turkey & Chicken
Wellness Core Original Turkey & Chicken
There are several advantages that this dog food for Boxers has compared to its competitors. Primarily, it doesn’t use chicken, opting rather for turkey. Turkey is one of the best choices when it comes to dog food as it is at the same time a dense energy source, a healthy novel protein, and it is very affordable compared to similar products in the same class.
While today most high-end dog food for Boxers is made without any wheat, soy, or corn, this product is 100% grain free. This removes all overwhelming sources of carbohydrates that may influence your dog becoming overweight. This means no rice, no oats, or any other grain, focusing rather on peas as the main filler for the kibble.
Finally, the product is proudly made in the US and as a Wellness Guarantee, which inspires confidence in the quality of the product.
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5. Best for Exceptionally Active Dogs
Eukanuba Breed Specific
Eukanuba Breed Specific
If you have an exceptionally active Boxer, you should be well aware of that fact by now. Additionally, your dog didn’t become so active to expect running every day if you haven’t been active as its owner. While Eukanuba mirrored other breed specific dog food for Boxers, they have given it a special spin, including glucosamine and other joint health supplements in the mix. These are essential if you have a very active Boxer that loves to run and jump and does that fairly often.
Your active dog spends a lot more energy when it is running around, jumping, and chasing its ball that it would just be walking alongside you. This doesn’t only mean that it needs more energy and more protein for their muscles, but also additional help for their joints. Arthritis and joint pain acre somewhat common in older Boxers, and using food that has supplemented glucosamine is one of the ways to prevent problems.
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Boxer Food Buyers Guide
If you have inspected our list of best dog food for Boxers, you may have seen a pattern of sorts. While high-quality food was to be expected, all of the meats on the list are very rich in protein. Additionally, all of the food contains supplements and other ingredients that aim to help the dog’s joints and cardiovascular health. As far as internal requirements for Boxers go, these are the basics. If you feel that your dog needs a little bit more, you may want to add something through treats, or maybe even raw food, but the list above should inform your decision when it comes to best practices.
Apart from the inside of your Boxer, there is that mouth that you need to worry about for a bit. You will notice that most dogs that belong to this breed gobble their food directly rather than chewing it. Because of this eating habit, you will want to feed your dog primarily dry dog food and preferably one that is very small and irregular in size.
Physiology of Boxers
Boxers are a mid-sized breed that is special in the way that they are very cheerful and very active. This activity is what drives most of their organs to be made for performance, as they usually have a large quantity of lean muscle that can be easily visible under their fur.
They are good runners, but balancing between their muscles and hearth is not really optimized, meaning that they sometimes have cardiovascular problems. These problems should be addressed through nutrition and a proper dog’s diet, as prevention is much easier than treatment. Additionally, there are some issues that impact large breed dogs such as hip dysplasia, as well as food allergies.
Their molosser face is what causes the most issues in the boxers life, and influences the dog’s dietquite significantly. Due to their brachiocephalic jaw, they sometimes have trouble breathing through their mouth. Additionally, they should avoid wet food as it tends to give them gas and indigestion.
Boxer Nutrition
Nutritional needs of a Boxer will be based on three variables.
Primarily, the age of the dog will determine how much protein, as well as how much food, in general, the dog should eat. Puppies need more protein than adult dogs and much more protein than senior dogs.
Second of all, the dog’s size will tell you if you should expect any joint problems or issues with their knees or hips. Larger dogs suffer from these issues more often, meaning that you should take some precautionary measures.
Finally, there is genetics. Some Boxers are breed with something else than health in mind and might suffer the same illnesses and problems their parents did. To combat this, you will want to have a health chart from the breeder that cited any possible diseases in the past.
Boxer Puppy Diet
For boxer puppies, a high protein diet is of the essence. Their food should be full of meat-based protein sources as well as fat. Puppy formula should ensure a steady weight gain, as well as good health of the ever-growing puppy.
Food for Adolescent Boxers
As your Boxer grows, you will need to think about introducing additional ingredients to their diet. While you should still avoid complex carbohydrates, fresh fruits, as well as some vegetables, would be beneficial to add more vitamins and minerals to the dog’s diet. Nevertheless, protein is of the essence, and you shouldn’t forget about the main dish.
Senior Boxer Food
As your Boxer grows older, it will need less protein as they are less active. Senior Boxers still like to walk and even run around, but it is not as much as before. At this stage, you want your dog’s diet to have a little bit more dietary fiber. Additionally, you will want to get your elderly dog some supplements to help with their joints and their general health.
Supplements
Boxers need the same array of supplements as other dogs, with the main difference being supplements for joint health such as glucosamine.
Always try to get a good balance of vitamins and minerals, as well as omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids that are usually found in fish oil.
You should always inspect your daily driver dog food to see if there is an ingredient missing that you want, and you should supplement that. Also, consult with your vet if there are some special needs that your dog has that you should take care of with supplements.
Conclusion
Boxers are a beautiful breed and a good option for both experienced dog owners and first-time pet owners. They are quite active and don’t fit with everyone’s lifestyle, but if they do they quickly become your best friend. To keep your Boxer happy and healthy you should only use the best dog food for Boxers. Also, use only supplements and treats that you find to fit your dog best.
Spending just a little bit of time on research will ensure that your little Boxer will run around you for years to come.
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