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.
Top 6 Dog Foods for Boxers with Ratings |
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Brand |
Type | Rating |
1. Taste of the Wild, Canine Formula |
Grain Free Dry Food | Check Price |
2. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Boxer Puppy dry dog food | Dry Food | Check Price |
3. EUKANUBA Breed Specific Adult Dry Dog Food | Dry Food | Check Price |
4. Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Recipe for Dog | Grain & Gluten Free Dry Food | Check Price |
5. Orijen Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food | Grain Free Dry Food | Check Price |
6. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach and Skin Dry Dog Food | Dry Food | Check Price |
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
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35-45%; Sources: Chicken, eggs tuna & lean beef |
Fats
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15-30%; Sources: Seafood, walnuts, flaxseed oil & cod liver oil |
Carbohydrates |
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Not required daily; Sources: Yams, beans, fruits & oatmeal can be given occasionally (avoid grains) |
Vitamins & Minerals |
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Daily intake varies; Sources: Bananas, Cantaloupe, Mango, Pears, Watermelon, Raspberries, Oranges, etc. |
Water |
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1.3 ounces per pound of body weight |
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
It is a plant based dry food that includes moderate amount of meat as its main ingredient. The protein content is approximately 28%.
Why should you choose it
Comes in easy to chew kibbles, it provides the essential natural nutrients important for the development and growth of puppies. The formula also contains I-Carnitine i.e. a potent fat burner essential for them till 2 years of age.
Why should you choose it
Comprising of high-quality animal proteins, Eukanuba is a specially formulated nutritious food for adult boxers. It contains both L-carnitine and natural taurine that are often recommended for female boxers, especially during pregnancy.
Why should you choose it
Made from selective natural ingredients that offer high quality proteins and complex carbohydrates, it is a both grain and gluten free. It doesn’t contain poultry products or even foods like corn, wheat, soy or artificial fillers. This is a good option for mixed breeds like boxer-Labrador, boxer-mastiff, and boxer-pit bull.
Why should you choose it
Be it an older boxer or a young adult, this commercial dog food has received several awards across the world. Made in USA, it is a premium grain free formula that is biologically appropriate and contains deboned chicken, turkey, whole eggs and Atlantic mackerel.
Why should you choose it?
Composed of digestible and natural ingredients that are blended with peas, carrots, grains and apples, this can be recommended to boxers to gain weight. The food is available in canned as well as dry forms.
Why should you choose it?