6 Best Dog Foods for Boxers

A diet full of essential minerals and vitamins in a combination of home cooked and packaged foods is essential for a healthy boxer to offer the required energy. In particular, calcium rich foods are very important to support the bone and joint health. Known for its athletic build and being highly active, a boxer also needs at least 30 minutes of exercise daily.

Boxer breed dietary and nutritional requirement guide

Adult boxers are strong, weighing around 60 to 70 pounds and can grow up to 25 inches in height.  A strict dietary plan with occasional treats is recommended instead of free feeding. For active boxers, a combination of the best dog foods should offer the following nutrients:

Nutrient	Required For	Recommended Daily Intake
Protein	Bone growth Developing strong muscles Tissue repair	35-45%; Sources: Chicken, eggs tuna & lean beef
Fats	Better coat & skin Proper digestion Maintaining stable body temperatures	15-30%; Sources: Seafood, walnuts, flaxseed oil & cod liver oil
Carbohydrates	Providing energy Aiding in digestion	Not required daily; Sources: Yams, beans, fruits & oatmeal can be given occasionally (avoid grains)
Vitamins & Minerals	Improving bone & joint health Vitamin A for developing shiny coat & hair Vitamin B for protecting the nervous system L-Cartine & Taurine for promoting stronger heart	Daily intake varies; Sources: Bananas, Cantaloupe, Mango, Pears, Watermelon, Raspberries, Oranges, etc.
Water	Better digestion Absrobing nutrients	1.3 ounces per pound of body weight

How much food should a boxer eat?

The estimated calorie requirement for an adult boxer is between 1,600 and 2,800 per day. For older boxers, the requirement is 1150 Cal. Strict control in the amount of food offered is important as overfeeding might eventually lead to serious health problems like obesity, bloating, hip dysplasia or diabetes.

Typically an adult will eat about 2 cups of food every day, divided into two meals.

Homemade vs. store-bought food: Which one is recommended?

It is up to the owner to decide whether to go for homemade or store-bought foods. A combination of both homemade and high quality packaged foods is ideal to take care of the dietary needs. However, if you are not able to provide the required nutrition to your pet at home, it’s wise to buy any of the canned dog foods. There are two factors to keep in mind when picking the suitable option for your dog:

• Go For Filler Free Products: Expensive brands contain less filler as compared to cheaper brands. Fillers are ingredients having zero calories and nutrients.
• No Additives & Coloring: This can be easily done by avoiding cheap dog foods available in the market.

Organic grain-free dog foods like Orijen and Royal Canin are especially good for supporting the digestive system. Commercial foods may be a good option for overweight or underweight boxers too, as it may be difficult to keep the calorie-count in check in home-cooked meals.

Best foods for boxers with sensitive stomach and food allergies

For boxers with sensitive stomach or conditions like Colitis, high protein foods are beneficial, and preferable compared to foods containing grains. If the dog is suffering from pancreatitis, its diet should be rich in omega-3 fatty acids, pancreatic enzymes, amino I-glutamine and medium-chain triglycerides.

Orijen dog foods are estimated to contain 23% carbs (chickpeas, red & green lentils, pinto beans, etc.) and 36% proteins (chicken, eggs, flounder, mackerel, etc.). It also has chicory, a good source of fiber and a prebiotic, which can improve the digestive system functioning in boxers with gas problems.

Foods Good for boxers with skin allergies

Taste of the Wild, a grain-free formula with ingredients such as potatoes and peas, not only provide better digestible energy but are also healthy for dogs with sensitive skin. Similarly, Wilderness Blue Buffalo High Protein Dry Adult Dog Food offers a blend of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants needed to keep the skin and coat healthy.

The market has several hypoallergenic dog foods as not every kind of food is right for your pet. It is better to pick any food that uses unique protein sources instead of wheat, soy, gluten, eggs, etc. Taste of the Wild presents some 100% grain free and hypoallergenic options.

What foods are best for boxer puppies?

For the first 4 weeks, mother’s milk and later home cooked food is recommended for boxer puppies. Use a food processor for blending cooked white chicken breast meat, baby peas, soft cooked carrots and a bit of soaked rice. A milk replacer might be added to the mixture to offer a soupy yet highly nutritious meal. Pups between 2 to 6 months need to be fed 6 and 3 times a day.

After 8 weeks, reduce the quantity of milk replacers and blend only the solid food instead. This will eventually make sure the pup gets accustomed to chunkier food sequentially. It will be best to introduce dry packaged foods like Orijen Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food between 8 to 12 weeks.