Top 5 Best Dog Foods For Boxers [2021 Buyer’s Guide]

Boxers are smart, energetic and friendly dogs. Most boxers are of medium size, about 50 to 70 lb at full size. They are descendants of the Olde English Bulldog and were originally used for hunting large, powerful game such as wild boar, bears, and bison. They can be brown, brindle or pure white.

In the United States, boxers consistently place on the top 10 list of most popular dog breeds. Their droopy eyes and squishy jowls paired with a happy and affectionate temperament make them impossible to resist!

However, the boxer is prone to certain health problems, which need to be recognized if you want this high-energy hound to live a happy and healthy life. A place to start is in picking the right food for your boxer. For dogs, especially breeds that face specific health issue, the right food is the foundation to a healthful existence.

Boxers – A Special Breed with Special Nutritional Needs

Boxers are a high-energy, muscular working dog. This means that they can eat A LOT! The average boxer will consume about 1500 calories a day. That’s almost as many calories as a human consumes daily.

OK, so now you might be wondering if you can simply leave a bowl of food out and let your boxer self-regulate his food intake. Why don’t we feed them that way? Well, let’s take a look.

• Bloat: Boxers have a deep, wide chest and are prone to gastric dilatation and volvulus, also known as bloat. This condition is a life-threatening, medical emergency in which the stomach actually twists itself inside the dog’s body. While vets do not know exactly what causes bloat, it seems that dogs wolfing down large amounts of food and exercise after feedings are contributing factors. Boxers are known to be a little bit gluttonous when it comes to their food and this energetic breed will be bouncing around whenever he’s allowed to do so. Any dog, but especially dogs prone to bloat, should receive several small, controlled meals a day. They should also be encouraged to be calm after mealtime.
• Weight Gain: Although you rarely see a boxer that looks overweight, this breed is actually prone to excessive weight gain. Because they are a stout and muscular breed, weight gain is not always as apparent in a boxer, with owners usually incorrectly attributing weight gain to extra girth or thickness on their dog. Boxers are also prone to joint problems, mainly in their hips and carrying around excess weight can worsen this issue.
• Hypothyroidism: It’s hard to imagine, but this high-energy breed is prone to suffer from hypothyroidism. This thyroid disorder will make your dog seem lethargic and tired. It can also cause hair loss and skin problems in dogs. This disorder will also make your dog think he’s hungry when he’s not causing him to consume more food than he should.

If your dog still seems to be suffering an allergic reaction, whether you home cook your dog’s meals or buy commercial dog food, chicken is an extremely common, yet often overlooked, canine allergy. It may be difficult to resist your boxer’s sad eyes and puppy face, but you should also never feed your boxers dinner scraps as already mentioned they are extremely prone to allergies.

So How Do You Pick Proper Food?

When shopping for food for boxers, it is important to search for food with high-quality ingredients that won’t set off their allergies. Again, common dog allergens include wheat, soy, corn, and chicken. It is also important that your boxer’s food is properly balanced.

This means in the crude analysis you should see protein, fat, and then fiber. We will discuss each of these macronutrients below in further detail. You should also ensure that your dog’s food contains extra vitamins and minerals to support him as he moves through his life stages. These can include antioxidants and probiotics, but should definitely include essential fatty acids.

For the first week or so, incorporate a ¼ of the new food into his feedings. If there are no adverse reactions, you can move to ½ the new food ½ the old food the week after. If you still don’t notice any negative side effects, you can then move to mostly new food, including only ¼ of the old food in his dish. Finally, you can move to feeding only the new food.

All dogs should be fed food that consists first of protein, then of fat, then carbs in the appropriate amounts. So, what does that mean, exactly? Well, let’s take a look.

Protein: Primary in Your Dog’s Diet

All dogs need protein to make up a large part of their diet. After all, all dogs are carnivores and need protein to build strong, lean muscle and to keep their energy levels high. Skimp on the protein and you’ll end up with a tired, lethargic pup.

Protein should be the first ingredient on the list. Protein is not the first ingredient? Ditch the food. A quality dog food will always have a higher makeup of protein than anything else. As long as they are not allergic, chicken is a good source of protein for dogs. They can also have beef, lamb, fish, or meat meals.

Meat meal is concentrated, dried meat, which provides a large amount of protein. Most dog food will have a mix of meat and then meat meal. Although there may be a larger amount of “meat” than “meat meal”, it is important to remember that meat meal is highly concentrated. While wet meat may be made up of 70% water and 18% protein, meat meal can contain “just 10% water and a whopping 65% protein.”

Focus on Fat

Fat is also important in a dog’s diet. Fat ensures that your pup has extra energy and calories to burn off. It makes their food smell and taste good and it also helps them maintain a soft, shiny coat.

Unlike protein, however, boxers don’t require excessive amounts of fat. They have a short coat that is easily maintained. They are also prone to weight gain. Your boxers food should have around 15% fat, which is about average for dog food. Like protein and carbs, fat has its place in your boxer’s diet but it needs to come from a legitimate source.

A quality dog food will use ingredients like “fish oil” or “salmon oil”. Flaxseed oil is also a healthy fat source.

These types of fats have the added benefit of providing your pooch with essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fatty acids are great for your dog’s heart, will help keep his skin and coat healthy and provide joint support. All of these benefits are extremely important for a boxer who may be predisposed to allergies, heart problems, and joint problems.

Crucial Carbs

Complex carbohydrates are also an important part of the makeup of a healthy food. With this macronutrient, however, it is especially important to carefully vet the food sources. Dogs should never eat food with large amounts of corn or wheat in it. However, they can definitely benefit from carb sources such as green peas, sweet potatoes, and flaxseed.

Carbohydrates are the sources of fiber in a dog’s diet and it has been shown that high fiber diets help keep dogs regular, reduces anal gland problems, and can help with colitis and diabetes in dogs. Fiber is also helpful in the maintenance of a healthy weight.

Carbs also give your dog’s food its shape and texture. Kibble is hard and when a dog eats, the hard kibble can help scrape tartar off his teeth for better oral health.

TOP DOG FOODS FOR BOXERS COMPARISON

Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Top 5 Best Dog Foods for Boxers

1. Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food

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Taste Of The Wild Grain Free High Protein Dry Dog Food High Prairie Adult - Venison & Bison 30Lb

• A taste of the wild with ROASTED BISON; REAL MEAT is the #1 ingredient; optimal amino acid profile, protein rich for LEAN, STRONG MUSCLES
• High protein ingredients with added vitamins & minerals; fruits and vegetables as SUPERFOODS for hard-working ANTIOXIDANTS; fatty acid blend for SKIN & COAT

Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Taste of the Wild is a dry dog food that is meant to mimic what your dog would eat if he were in the wild. This formula contains no soy or corn and is also grain free! It does contain chicken meal, which would only be a problem if your dog has a chicken allergy. This inexpensive dog kibble comes in a variety of flavors, which is a feature we really like in any dog food brand, as we like to spice up our dog’s life.

This dog food features highly digestible sources of protein, as well as antioxidants. It also contains an optimal blend of fatty acids to help keep your dog’s coat healthy and his joints happy. Finally, the Taste of the Wild is enriched with probiotics for ideal gut flora.

For a boxer, this dog food is almost perfect if maybe slightly high in fat. The Taste of the Wild packs a protein punch with a crude analysis of a whopping 32% protein. As far as fat goes, this tasty kibble has an 18% fat content. The fat content is a little high for a boxer, but fairly average. This dog food has 4% fiber for a healthy gut from healthy complex carbohydrate sources such as peas, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.

The bottom line? This dog food is cheap and has the almost perfect makeup to help you raise a healthy boxer. Packed with protein and enriched with omegas and antioxidants, your lucky boxer will not be lacking in nutrients with this food based on an ancestral dog’s diet.

2. Wilderness Blue Buffalo High Protein Dry Adult Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Adult Dry Dog Food, Duck 24-Lb

• Packaging May Vary
• Contains One (1) 24-Lb Bag Of Blue Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food, Duck

Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Wilderness Blue Buffalo High Protein dog food has the perfect makeup for an energetic, bouncy boxer. This kibble has an optimal 34% protein with a prime 15% fat makeup. This will keep your boxer lively all day long and is perfect for his genetic makeup. Again, we really like that this dog food comes in a variety of flavors.

This formula also includes Blue Buffalo’s standard LifeSource bits, which are meaty bits, which are a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. LifeSource bits are cold pressed to help preserve the integrity of the ingredients. This formula also provides omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and is enriched with glucosamine to help promote longevity and joint health, and well as keeping your dog’s coat shiny.

This meat-rich formula is corn, soy, and wheat-free. It contains no chicken but does have chicken meal in it. It also has no artificial flavoring, colors, or preservative agents. This complex carbohydrate-rich dog food acquires its fiber source from sweet potatoes, potatoes, and peas.

The bottom line? This dog food has the ultimate ideal makeup for a high-energy boxer. Perfectly balanced, in terms of fat and protein, this kibble also has high-quality sources of fiber and is free of most dog allergens.

3. Natural Ultramix Adult Dry Dog Food

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Natural Ultramix Adult Dry Dog Food, 30-Pound

• Ideal For Active Adult Dogs Through Their Golden Years
• Chicken With Other Protein Sources And Pieces Of Fruits And Vegetables For Antioxidants, Vitamins, And Fiber

Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Natural Ultramix for adult dogs contains no soy, wheat, or corn. It is also free of preservative agents, artificial coloring, and artificial flavor. This dog food is also reasonably priced and specially formulated for active dogs.

This dry dog food is prepared with the smallest amount of processing possible to help preserve the natural integrity of the ingredients. It is made with high-quality protein sources such as chicken and salmon.

Although we like a little more protein in foods for boxers, this natural dog food is still high in protein with a makeup of 25% protein. It also has the ideal fat content for a boxer at 15%.

The fiber content in this dog food comes from high-quality ingredients such as brown rice and real fruits and vegetables such as bananas, peas, and sweet potatoes.

The bottom line? Although we’d like to see slightly higher protein levels in this dog food, this food is made of high-quality, real ingredients and is minimally processed. It has an ideal fat content and contains no harmful fillers.

4. Orijen Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food

Orijen Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food, 5 lb

• High protein, low carbs
• Fresh meats, fruit, and vegetables

Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Orijen has an amazing reputation with vets and dogs breeders. This dry dog food for adults is ideal for an energetic dog with a makeup of an impressive 38% protein. It is slightly high in fat for a boxer with fat content at 18%, but again, this is a fairly average fat content.

Orijen’s food is made with high-quality ingredients, including human-grade meats. It also contains high-quality sources of fiber including pumpkin, squash, yams, and peas. This dog food also contains appropriate levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. This helps support joint and heart health and will keep your dog’s coat silky smooth.

Although this dog food does contain chicken, it is grain-free. It also contains antioxidant-rich super foods like spinach, cranberries, and blueberries. Picky eaters are also known to love this highly palatable food.

The bottom line? This delicious dog food is the highest in protein on the list. Although a little high in fat for a boxer, the fat content is basically average. Orijen is trusted by vets and dog breeders since it is formulated with care from high-quality, regional ingredients.

5. Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food

Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food, Original Turkey & Chicken, 26-Pound Bag

• Grain Free: 100% Grain Free, Complete And Balanced Everyday Nutrition For Your Dog
• Protein Focused Nutrition: Naturally Grain Free, Rich With Delicious Premium Proteins Including Turkey And Chicken Combined With Real Vegetables And Essential...

Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This all-natural adult dog food is wheat, soy, and corn-free. This dog food is perfectly formulated for a boxer’s diet. It contains 34% protein from high-quality meat sources such as turkey and chicken. Its fat content is also a reasonable 16%. This food also comes in a variety of different flavors.

This food formula contains no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed and fish oil, as well as is enhanced with glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints and hip support and well as a shiny, healthy coat.

This grain-free pet food also has high-quality sources of healthy fiber. It contains ground flaxseed, broccoli, kale, and sweet potatoes. It is also rich in probiotics and antioxidants. This food is also a great option for a sensitive stomach.

The bottom line? This all-natural dog kibble has optimum protein and fat content. It is also rich in healthy complex carbohydrates for adequate fiber. On top of this, it is infused with vitamins and fatty acids for optimal joint support.

In conclusion, all these foods are great options for a boxer dog’s diet. They all contain adequate amounts of protein and, although some are a little high in fat for a boxer’s diet, they are about average in terms of dog food.

Always remember to feed your boxer in small, controlled portions. Never allow him to free feed. Also, remember to keep him calm and don’t allow your dog to engage in rough play soon after a meal.

Keep in mind that your boxer dog may reject some of these foods, so the one that is right for your dog is ultimately objective.

We like the Wilderness Blue Buffalo High Protein Dry Adult Dog Food and the Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food as they come as close to perfect as is possible for a boxer’s diet. All these foods, however, are made by reputable and caring companies that use high-quality ingredients.

Mary Nielsen

I grew up in a household that was filled with animals. I believe that my fate as a dog-loving person was sealed in early childhood since my parents owned several dogs of varying sizes and breeds. There was no choice but to take care of and learn about dog habits and the best animal care practices — otherwise, I’d be clueless about how to go about the creatures I was surrounded by day and night.

As a life-long puppy lover, I know a thing or two about dogs and how to go about caring for them in the best way possible. Although I’m not a professionally trained dog behaviorist, trainer, or veterinarian, all of my knowledge and experience with canines comes from a place of love and a deep-rooted passion for dogs and animals in general.

Seeing as dogs kept me company throughout every stage of my life, I decided to follow a different path in my academic life and obtained a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Marketing Management and Digital Advertising, which ultimately allowed me to combine my professional training and personal experience by creating the ultimate dog lover’s resource website! Along with my husband, Dave, I run MySweetPuppy for like-minded dog lovers who want to have a single, clear, and reliable information source about anything and everything related to dogs and their well-being.