Why You Should Not Give Human Food To Boxers
Vets and dog trainers dont recommend giving your dog human food and for good reasons. Over time theyll get used to it and get so spoilt that they wont want to eat anything else. But, if you keep them on a steady diet of good-quality dog food thats made from real ingredients, then youre offering them the best nutrition possible. For added convenience, there are automated dog feeders available that you can use to disperse food to your boxer at selected intervals.
Heres a comprehensive feeding guide for Boxers, published by Atlanta Boxer Rescue.
After all, pets dont have to eat human food because theres such a wide variety of dog food available out there that comes in all types of different flavors. Plus, youre also training them to develop good and healthy eating habits. Dogs that are exclusively fed a dog food diet are less likely to misbehave when guests are around because theyre used to eating their food anyway. If your boxer is suffering from allergies, then you might need to consider feeding them dog foods with limited ingredients instead.
Also, the last thing you want is a dog that eschews its dog food because its now used to eating off your plate. Over time, your dog will lose its manners and start taking the steak from your plate without invitation. You might think youre nice to your dog, but youre not doing it any favor.
The Appropriate Nutrition For Common Boxer Health Issues
Some health conditions are more popular among Boxers than other dog breeds. Each breed inherits some genes that can be associated with certain health issues.
It doesnât mean that Fido is going to develop these conditions. It just means that Boxers have a higher chance as compared to other breeds.
However, itâs possible to reduce the risk by proactively feeding Boxer with the right nutrients. Here we list the most common Boxers health issues and how certain nutrients can reduce risk.
A quick reminder: if you think your special pal suffers from any of these conditions, schedule an exam with your veterinarian to confirm your suspicions. Even with healthy dogs, these dietary recommendations may help prevent future problems. Always check with Fidoâs doctor before making changes in his diet.
Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials
- Budget-friendly.
Blue Buffalo only use real meat as their first listed ingredient, and this high-quality protein means that the Boxer will maintain his healthy muscles and cell regrowth. It also contains both mega-3 and 6 fatty acids that will promote joint and hair health, promoting a healthy coat from the inside out. It is grain free and has Blue Buffalos special Lifesource bits, which is a specially designed formula containing antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that will promote a healthy immune system.
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Formulated For Your Dogs Age
Lastly, youll want to choose food that is suitable for your dogs age. Puppies need more nutrients than grown Boxers, merely because theyre growing at a fast rate and putting on muscle. More vitamins, nutrients, and joint-healthy fats like glucosamine are perfect for puppies and their developing bodies. Additionally, while adult Boxers may have difficulty picking up small pieces of food, puppies can choke on larger pieces and need overall smaller food pieces. The perfect menu for your Boxer will include the nutrients they need at their age, and it will be an appropriate size for them to eat safely.
To Kibble Or Not To Kibble
I always have to cover whether a breed is better off with wet food or dry kibble. And Ive mentioned the pros and cons of both options as well.
The good thing about canned food is that it has more moisture and is more tempting for picky eaters. Luckily, boxers love to eat, and they dont skimp on the water either. Dry food, even the premium variety, is more economical, and there is no reason to recommend canned food over dry one for your Boxer.
However:
There is a problem that needs mentioning. Boxers have a short muzzle and a brachycephalic jaw, which makes chewing slightly tricky for them. Most Boxers face difficulties when chewing large sized kibbles. That is why dog foods explicitly created for this breed have a differently shaped kibble.
Many brands have even come up with their own patented kibble shape for short-muzzled dogs. If your Boxer is still unable to chew correctly, consider switching to canned food to make its life easier.
Now, we have all the key aspects of your Boxers diet covered. Lets return to my list of best dog foods for boxers.
Related:
Found the one you wish to try? Maybe not!
I have a lot more to recommend but first, lets get all your questions out of the way.
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Buyers Guide: Selecting The Best Dog Food For Boxers
Boxers need a pretty specific diet to support muscle mass, heart health, and general wellbeing. Whether you choose one of the foods weve reviewed above, or you continue looking for other options, there are a few things you need to be on the lookout for to ensure the food you choose is adequately formulated for a Boxers dietary needs.
Tips For Feeding Your Boxer
While your Boxer is young, you may want to feed him three meals a day to make sure he gets enough food to support his growth and development. In adulthood, however, it is recommended that you feed your Boxer twice a day once in the morning and once in the evening.
Because the Boxer grows to over 50 pounds at maturity, he technically qualifies as a large-breed dog and should be fed a dog food formulated for large breeds. These recipes are made with plenty of protein to sustain your dogs lean muscle mass with limited fat content to control calories.
To determine how much to feed your Boxer, refer to the feeding recommendations on the package because each recipe is different in terms of calorie content youll need to determine your dogs daily portion based on his weight and age.
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Taste Of The Wild High Prairie Formula
First 5 ingredients: Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes,
A taste of the wild is exactly what your boxer will taste when it wharfs down a bowl of Taste of the Wild High Prairie.
This product is formulated to mimic the diet of the wolf, the ancestor to all dogs. As the name states, Taste of the Wild High Prairie contains zero grain.
Instead this dry kibble is loaded with roasted red meat, healthy fruits, vegetables and legumes that support a happy and healthy K9 diet.
This particular formula from Taste of the Wild supports a high energy diet, which is perfect for boxers who have more energy than the majority of dog breeds.
This product also contains vitamins, antioxidants, and prebiotics to support a healthy digestive tract and improve overall health.
When you feed your Boxer this product you are also providing them with healthy omega fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6.
Pros
- Not ideal for boxer puppies
Final Verdict: Best Boxer Puppy Food
The type of puppy food you decide to feed your Boxer is up to you. There are so many high-quality options on the market, you shouldnt find it tough to keep your pup satiated and full of energy. Just know that lower-quality foods might taste good to your pup, but they will also fill them up with artificial ingredients that wont be any good for their health.
Focus on the options that feature whole foods such as real meat instead of meal. Oils shouldnt be present unless theyre fish or animal fats. There should never be artificial ingredients in play. Dont overlook the Ollie Fresh Dog Food, which has all the nutrients your Boxer puppy needs, with no fillers to worry about. Another awesome option is the Royal Canin Boxer puppy food because its not only high quality but also budget-friendly compared to other similar foods on the market.
Hopefully, our reviews list of the best dog food for Boxer puppies has made your job easier.
What kind of food are you feeding your Boxer puppy? Please share your tricks, tips, and experiences in the comments section below. Wed love to read them!
Featured Image Credit: FiledIMAGE, Shutterstock
Contents
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For Sensitive Stomach & Skin
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula dry puppy food is a good way to begin your puppys development in a healthy way, from a young age.
Salmon is listed as the first ingredient, showing that it contains real meat and protein. With its high protein content, your boxer will enjoy the taste as well as the benefits that come with it, such as strong muscle development.
This kibble is made From the finest ingredients for a range of nutritional benefits end it contains right which is known to be great for dogs who have sensitive stomachs. The ingredients that specifically selected and each of them serves a functional purpose.
The live probiotics aid the digestive system and immunity, while the natural prebiotic fiber allows the multiplication of good intestinal bacteria, which also aids the digestive system.
For your boxers vision and brain development at this sensitive stage, Purina Pro Plan puppy formula has included Omega Rich oils. For strong teeth and bones, they have included phosphorus, calcium, as well as other minerals so that your dog can meet developmental milestones.
He will also have an irresistible coat because of the vitamin A, sunflower oil, and omega-6 fatty acids. This all amounts to a balanced diet in a tasty package.
Pros
- Omega-rich for brain and vision
Cons
Whole Earth Farms Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- The first ingredient is high-quality protein, made with a blend of pork, beef, and lamb.
- No corn, soy or wheat ingredients.
- Crafted with a Wholesome Harvest Blend that provides omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat and antioxidants for a healthy immune system.
- Developed with veterinarian and nutrition experts.
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy joints.
Whole Earth Farms have created this grain free dry food using multiple protein sources, vitamins and minerals, using only natural and nutritious ingredients from the earth. The main ingredients are pork meal, beef and lamb for all your Boxers protein needs. Potatoes and sweet potatoes provide your Boxer with the energy that he needs with these natural carbohydrates.
Peas and apples provide your Boxer with antioxidants and fiber to keep his immune system healthy and to keep his digestive system in tip top condition. Salmon oil also assists the health of your Boxers heart and joints which he is known to suffer with. Whole Earth Farms prides itself on using American ingredients using the earths goodness.
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Buyer’s Guide: Choosing The Best Boxer Dog Food
Do Boxers Require Special Food?
Boxers can consume the highest quality kibble acceptable for their age. They do have certain inherited health issues, which is why it is critical that they consume a high-quality diet that can help minimize the odds of acquiring these illnesses or lessen their impact. To establish the best food and overall dietary needs for your Boxer, consult with your veterinarian immediately.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, large breed dogs, such as Boxers, have shorter lifespan than their smaller counterparts. As a result, they are classified as seniors between the ages of 5 and 6.
Food Allergies/Sensitivities in Boxers
While dogs are most commonly allergic to environmental causes such as pollen, molds, dust mites, or flea bites, they can also suffer from food allergies or sensitivities, and Boxers are not immune. It is vital to distinguish between food allergies and food sensitivities.
Food allergies will provoke an immunological response, whereas sensitivities will not. Sensitivities are more gradual and are produced by a response to a dietary item. If your Boxer has food allergies or sensitivities, you must consult with your veterinarian to thoroughly evaluate the problem and develop a treatment and nutritional plan.
Food Allergy Symptoms
Purina Pro Puppy Large Breed
- Budget-friendly dog food.
- Designed for puppies over 50 pounds.
- High protein formula for muscle development.
- DHA for brain development
Royal Canin have created this dry food with the puppy Boxer in mind, specifically from the age of 2 months up to 15 months. The main ingredients are chicken by-product meal, that provides protein rich nutrients which is great for muscle growth and cellular regeneration for the ever-growing Boxer puppy. The ingredients also list taurine, which is an amino acid that promotes the health of his heart, as well as EPA and DHA nutrients.
The smaller wave-shaped biscuits make it easier for the puppy Boxer to grasp the food with his flat face and underbite, and it also encourages chewing and slower eating which is better for his digestion. Royal Canin is a well-known and established brand that was created in 1968. It produces dog food across the world, and prides itself on using only the best scientifically researched food.
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Senior
This formula features lower fat and moderate fiber levels to support your pupâs metabolic needs. The protein comes from digestible lean chicken and chicken meal to be easy on the gut.
With a lower calcium content, this product should help prevent mineral deposits in the skin. The product features L-carnitine to support the metabolism and probiotics for digestive health.
Natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin provide for joint health. Vitamin E is included to boost immunity. Whole superfoods offer rich sources of antioxidants for cellular health and function.
Boxer owners say their pups like the flavor, and the kibble is easy to eat.
Freshpet Select Dog Food Roasted Meals
Image courtesy Freshpet
Tender Chicken with vegetable combination. Natural, US farmed chicken produced on a farm. There are no meat or by-product meals available. There are no preservatives used in these products. You can actually see the chicken and veggies in this dish!
Dog food for adult dogs. Freshpet thinks that dogs and cats require actual, nutritious food similar to the fresh foods we enjoy. Every meal is freshly prepared in our kitchens, where the fun begins.
They start with natural, nutritious ingredients that we softly steam until they retain their natural goodness and provide essential nutrients to dogs and cats in order to allow them to live their best lives.
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Navigating The Many Choices Of Dog Foods
- No grains at all.Until conclusive studies are complete, play it safe and offer a kibble with some level of healthy grains unless the veterinarian recommends otherwise
- Synthetic preservatives.These can be toxic. Butylated hydroxyanisole , butylated hydroxytoluene , and ethoxyquin, just to name a few, are linked to behavioral issues, organ damage, and some forms of cancer.
- Artificial coloring.Common dyes like Yellow #5 and #6 and Blue #2 are linked to behavioral and health issues.
- Artificial flavor enhancers.MSG is one of the worst, it is linked to anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and breathing issues.
- Generic animal digest, meats, oils, or fats.When anything is listed as ‘animal’, it is derived from a 4-D animal: dead, dying, diseased or disabled animals and can literally be any meat from any animal at all: minks from mink farms, roadkill, zoo animals, expired meats from supermarkets and butcher shops, etc.
- Fillers.Fillers are cheap ingredients that are put into dog food to bulk it up but they have little to no nutritional value. The ‘food’ goes right through their system a dog will eat but be hungry again soon afterward and this is one cause of coprophagia .
- These are the animal parts that are not fit for human consumption and includes such things as spinal tissue, lungs, spleens, hooves, tails, undeveloped eggs, etc.
- Made outside North Americasince meats from overseas can be questionable.
If you are not sure what is in your Boxer’s food
The Best Dog Food For Boxer Puppies Will Have
Tasty proteins! Your target protein range should be around the 30% mark, but a little more or less is usually fine. You know your puppy best, so youll be able to make a sound judgement based on his or her size, level of activity, and lifestyle more generally. More active dogs and larger, intact males will be in need of slightly more protein, while their smaller, female counterparts may not require as much.
Youll also want to ensure that youre picking the best dog food for Boxer puppies in terms of fat and calorie content. Around 14% is usually just right for the former, and your Boxer puppy food should have around 55 calories per lb of his body mass. As weve noted, keep your eyes peeled to ensure that your little one is getting a Boxer puppy food with chondroitin, glucosamine, and sufficient calcium for shiny and strong teeth.
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Best Food To Feed A Boxer Puppy With Allergies
More and more pet dogs today are suffering from seasonal, environmental, and food allergies.
The truth is, as our world becomes more toxic, both people and pups struggle more to stay healthy!
The best puppy food for Boxers with food or other allergies is often a limited ingredient diet puppy food.
Not only does limiting the ingredients in your puppys foods help isolate any potential food-related allergy triggers, but these recipes tend to be soothing to eat.
What To Do If My Boxer Puppy Doesnt Want To Eat
You should take the matter seriously if your puppy does not want to eat the food you gave him. This is because food literally sustained his life and if the problem goes on for too long it can cause more serious issues.
You should pay special attention to this situation, but there are a few things you can do before you visit your vet.
Prepare some bland food such as equal parts of white rice with plain boneless chicken and see if he would eat it. If he doesnt, then you would have no choice to see the vet and find out what the problem is.
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