It’s no secret that nutrition plays a vital role in overall health and wellness. As dog owners, it is up to us to provide our four-legged friends with the best diet possible.
Boxers are lively, cheerful, and devoted medium to large breed dogs that like many other purebreds, suffer from some genetic health conditions. A well-balanced, nutritious diet that is appropriate for their age, size, and activity level along with routine veterinary care, can help your Boxer live a long, happy, and healthy life.
There is no shortage of dog food options in today’s world and quite frankly, shopping for the right one can be very overwhelming. Food is never a one-size-fits-all kind of thing and you will need to work with your veterinarian to find out what works best for your dog.
We have taken the hard part out of your search by getting straight to the reviews. Here is a list of the top dog foods for Boxers on the market today.
A boxer’s expert skill of offering up their owners the “puppy dog face” has us often wishing we could give them a home-cooked meal. Well, this is as close you can get without creating a balanced diet yourself! Our best overall pick for dog food for boxers is Nom Nom Beef Mash. This fresh and limited-ingredient diet is made from only the very best ingredients, such as high-quality beef, potatoes, eggs, carrots, and peas.
This recipe offers the perfect nutritional balance (veterinary nutritionist-approved) as well as special care for dogs who may be prone to dietary allergies or sensitivities, like our boxers. It contains no artificial additives or processed fillers. It does contain russet potatoes to add structure and texture, but they are easily digestible. Additionally, carrots give a boost of fiber to support the digestive system. Each ingredient is cooked separately, so contamination from other ingredients is very unlikely.
While this food is only available on a subscription basis, it does come pre-portioned for your boxer. This will help you keep their weight under control, particularly if they are lazier than the regular dog!
Pros
High percent of protein, fat, and moisture
No artificial additives
Carrots for extra fiber
Pre-portioned for weight control
Cons
Available on a subscription-only basis
Potatoes offer little nutritional value
2. Purina One True Instinct Real Turkey & Venison Dog Food – Best Value
Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct is a lower-priced dog food that can give you the best value for your money if you are on a stricter budget. It has an excellent balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
This food is enriched with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to cover the nutritional needs of adult dogs. The omega-6 fatty acids help support healthy skin and coat. Most dogs take well to the taste of this food and not many pet parents have trouble getting them to eat it.
There are some more questionable ingredients in dog food, including artificial colors and flavors. The brand Purina has had an above-average number of recalls in the past, but they are transparent when discussing the issues surrounding the recall.
Royal Canin Boxer Adult Dog Food is tailor-made for the Boxer breed to offer them the nutrition they need to thrive. Formulated with precise protein content and L-carnitine provide a foundation for maintaining an ideal weight and proper muscle health. The added taurine, EPA, DHA, and antioxidants offer all-encompassing health support for your Boxer.
Royal Canin Boxer gets our pick for third choice because breed-specific foods are not so common but are very beneficial. This choice is a bit pricier than some of the others, but that’s typical of high-quality foods.
Royal Canin also makes wet food for Boxers for those that prefer to go the canned food route. It can also be added with dry food for some versatility. Recommended by veterinarians, this is a great choice for any boxer owner. Other than the complaints about the heavy price tag, some owners did have dogs that didn’t take well to the taste.
Pros
Designed specifically for Boxers
Full of added nutrients
Brand recommended by veterinarians
Cons
Expensive
4. Royal Canin Boxer Puppy Dry Dog Food – Best for Puppies
Royal Canin gets the choice for best for Boxer puppies as well with their Royal Canin Boxer Puppy Dry Food. As you can guess, this food is formulated specifically for the little ones and is designed to meet all their nutritional needs. Recommended for Boxer puppies 8 to 15 months old, this a great choice that can easily be transitioned into the Royal Canin Boxer Adult food.
This formula contains a mixed antioxidant, including vitamins C and E for immune and growth support. The protein content and L-carnitine help keep them at a healthy weight with proper muscle support. The high quality of the protein and the added prebiotics help with digestive health. The kibble has even been specially designed so that puppies can easily pick it up and chew.
Some reviews complained that their puppies did not take to the food as they had hoped. This is a pricier option that may not be the best choice for those on a strict budget.
Pros
Made specifically for Boxer puppies
Helps support growth and immunity
Easy to transition into the adult version
Cons
Expensive
Some puppies refused to eat the food
5. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food is a great choice for a balanced, nutritional diet for adult Boxers. The company even has a version titled Ancient Grains, for those that do not prefer grain-free options. The High Prairie Grain-Free dry dog food has no grains, corn, wheat, artificial colors, or flavors.
This dog food is fairer priced than some other competitors but also being high quality with real meat as the number one ingredient. This food also contains prebiotics and probiotics for digestive health and is supplemented with taurine for heart and muscle health.
Well-reviewed by many, the biggest complaints among dog owners are that some more sedentary dogs tend to gain weight on this food. It also has a lower level of omega-3 fatty acids than some other brands.
Pros
No grains, corn, wheat, artificial flavors, or artificial colors
Real meat is the number one ingredient
Supplemented with taurine for muscle and heart health
Excellent source of prebiotics and probiotics
Contains omega 3 fatty acids for coat, eye, and brain health
Cons
Low Level of omega 3 fatty acids
May cause weight gain in sedentary dogs
6. Diamond Naturals Senior Formula Dry Dog Food – Best for Seniors
Our beloved senior dogs can have some different, more specific nutritional needs as they age, and Diamond Naturals Senior Formula Dry Dog food is designed just for that. This food is formulated with glucosamine and chondroitin for the needed joint support to keep seniors comfortable.
Diamond Naturals is made in the USA by a family-owned company and they strive to use quality ingredients, with real chicken being the number one ingredient in this senior formula. The precise balance of protein and fat is geared toward older dogs to help them maintain a healthy weight.
Free from corn, wheat, and any artificial colors and flavors, this can be a great choice for senior Boxer owners. Some reviewers struggled with their dogs not finding the food appetizing. Any dog that suffers from a food allergy or sensitivity to chicken should opt for a chicken-free formula.
Pros
Designed specifically for senior health
Added glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support
No corn, wheat, artificial flavors, or colors
Cons
Some dogs did not find the food appetizing
7. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Denali Dinner – Best Wet Food
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Denali Dinner High Protein Grain Free, Natural Wet Dog Food is a great choice for Boxer owners that prefer canned food or are wanting to include it in their Boxer’s diet. Not only is this food tasty for your pup, but it is also naturally grain and gluten-free and made from high-quality ingredients with protein from a blend of wild salmon, venison, and halibut. It is also packed with fruits, vegetables and is enhanced with extra vitamins and minerals.
This food is free of by-products, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, and preservatives. It is created to support healthy muscle growth and promote a healthy, active lifestyle that Boxers need. The biggest complaint from some dog owners aside from the expense was that it caused unpleasant amounts of gas and had a strong smell.
Pros
Can be an entrée or mixed with dry food
Made from salmon, venison, and halibut
No by-products, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, or preservatives
Cons
Caused gas in some dogs
Expense
Smells like fish
8. Freshpet Vital Fresh Cuts Chicken Recipe Fresh Dog Food
If you are looking for some other fresh food for your Boxer, then the Freshpet Vital Fresh cuts is another great way to add fresh ingredients to your dog’s typical dry dog food diet. This can be fed and a full meal but it would get very pricey for large dogs like Boxers. Freshpet is non-GMO verified and free of preservatives and meat by-products.
Freshpet Vital Fresh Cuts is full of gently cooked, nutrient-rich protein, fruits, vegetables, and tender shreds of natural fresh chicken. The antioxidant-rich sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, spinach, and cranberries provide excellent nutritional benefits for your four-legged family member(s).
This food is a bit on the pricey side and must be stored in the refrigerator and used within 7 days of opening. The expense and short shelf life were the biggest complaints on this food, but the short shelf life is expected with fresh ingredients.
Pros
Non-GMO verified and free of preservatives and meat by-products
Made from fresh chicken, fruits, and vegetables
Great for full meal or topper for dry food
Cons
Expensive
Short shelf life
9. CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe – Best for Allergy Sufferers
Some Boxers suffer from food allergies or sensitivities and it’s important to be aware of foods that are best suited for those that are sensitive or suffer from food allergies. CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food is formulated with eight wholesome ingredients with salmon being the number one ingredient on the list.
The added vegetables provide some extra nutrition while a blend of probiotics, antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals support their system and provide overall health. There are no fillers, and this food is free of corn, wheat, soy, grain, or artificial ingredients.
This food may be a bit pricey but it’s a great choice if you are looking for a limited-ingredient dog food that is high quality. It does smell like fish, which is normal for salmon-derived foods, but it can be unpleasant for owners to smell.
Pros
Great for allergy sufferers or those with sensitivities
Free of grain, soy, wheat, corn, and other fillers
Limited ingredient, whole food recipe
Cons
Smells like fish
Pricey
10. Wellness Complete Health Adult Lamb & Barley Recipe
Wellness is growing increasingly popular in the luxury pet food market and the Complete eHealth Adult Lamb and Barley recipe is a great choice for Boxers and other adult dogs. Formulated for whole-body nutritional support, this food is made without any GMOs or meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives.
This formula is enriched with omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, and taurine, giving it all-encompassing health benefits. Wellness Complete advises that their food is made in the USA using only the finest globally sourced ingredients.
The main complaint among reviews was that this food was not appetizing for all dogs. The good news is that this brand does offer a wide variety of flavors and formulations if the lamb and barley recipe does not match with your dog’s taste buds.
Pros
Made without GMOs, meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives
Enriched with omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, and taurine
Lamb is the first ingredient
Cons
Not appetizing for all dogs
11. Rachael Ray Nutrish PEAK Northern Woodlands Recipe
Rachael Ray Nutrish PEAK Northern Woodlands Recipe is derived from turkey, duck, and quail with turkey as the number one ingredient. This dog food contains 30 percent high-quality protein and is formulated to be nutrient-dense. There are added vitamins, minerals, and taurine for overall health benefits.
Made without any grains, gluten, fillers, or artificial flavors or preservatives, Rachel Ray Nutrish PEAK Northern Woodlands comes at a better price than some other competitors but does have lower overall quality than some of the other competitors.
Rachel Ray has had some controversy with her pet foods in the past, but overall, this is a well-rated food that many reviewers love for their dogs.
Pros
No grains, gluten, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
Real turkey is the number one ingredient
Fair price
Cons
Not as high quality as other options
Buyer’s Guide: How To Choose the Best Dog Food for Boxers
Do Boxers Need a Special Type of Food?
Boxers can eat the most high-quality kibble that is appropriate for their age. They do have some genetic health concerns, which is why it is important to ensure they are getting a high-quality diet that can help lower the risks of developing these conditions or reduce their impact. It’s best to speak directly with your veterinarian to determine the right food choice and overall dietary needs for your Boxer.
Per the American Veterinary Medical Association, large breed dogs like Boxers tend to live shorter lives than their smaller counterparts. Because of this, they are considered seniors between 5 and 6 years of age.
Boxers and Food Allergies/Sensitivities
While dogs most frequently suffer from allergies that are due to environmental triggers such as pollen, molds, dust mites, or flea bites, they can also suffer from food allergies or sensitivities and Boxers are not exempt. It is important to note that there is a difference between a food allergy and food sensitivity.
Food allergies will trigger a prompt immune response and a sensitivity will not. Sensitivities tend to be more gradual and are caused by a reaction to an ingredient in the food. If your Boxer suffers from food allergies or sensitivities, you must speak with your veterinarian to properly diagnose any issues and come up with a treatment and nutritional plan.
Symptoms of Food Allergies
Frequent scratching
Skin issues
Digestive disturbances
Chronic ear or paw infections
Swelling
Most Common Food Allergens for Dogs
Chicken
Beef
Egg
Dairy products
Corn
Wheat
Rice
Barley
Oats
Image Credit: Dmitry Kalinovsky, Shutterstock
Before You Buy
There are many aspects to take into consideration before you decide on the best food for your Boxer. As mentioned, it is highly recommended you discuss this decision with your veterinarian as well.
Check the Ingredients
The ingredient list is very important to determine what all your Boxer will be consuming. The ingredient list may not be able to tell you the overall quality of the ingredients, but it does provide a list of everything that is included in the food. This is especially important for dogs that have special dietary needs or suffer from allergies.
It is important to avoid foods that are full of fillers, artificial colors or flavors, heavy amounts of by-products, or any harmful ingredients. A licensed veterinarian will be able to give you information on what types of ingredients to avoid, and what to look for before you make your purchase.
Read the Label
The label will contain all the information you need to determine all you need to know about a particular food. Labels can be difficult to read, time-consuming, and even misleading, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual.
Dog food labels are required by the Food and Drug Administration to tell you eight key pieces of information regarding your dogs’ food. Individual states may have some more precise label requirements as well.
As for the eight key pieces of information disclosed by the FDA, this includes:
Product name
Net weight of the product
Name and address of the manufacturer
Guaranteed analysis
List of ingredients
Intended animal species
Statement of nutritional adequacy
Feeding guidelines
Get An Age-Appropriate Food
Ensuring your Boxer is fed not only a high-quality but one that is age-appropriate is very important for their overall health. Puppies, adult dogs, and seniors have different dietary requirements, so it is essential to feed a dog food that is geared toward their age group so that they are getting fed a diet that meets their current nutritional needs.
Image Credit: lenkadan, Shutterstock
Check the Price
As a general rule, the higher the quality, the higher the price of the food. Dog food can get quite expensive and large dogs like Boxers will require higher amounts of dog food at each feeding compared to smaller breeds.
If you are on a budget, it’s best to look at the different options you have that can provide your dog with great quality food that does not break the bank. This is another area where your veterinarian can come in with some great advice.
Opting for low-quality food due to the low-price tag is never recommended and could lead to health issues that end up being even more expensive and/or have devastating effects.
Decide Your Preferred Food Type
Most dog owners choose to feed dry kibble since it is formulated to meet nutritional needs and is the most convenient dog food source. Of course, there are other types of food on the market like wet canned food, fresh food, and even freeze-dried kibbles.
A lot of canned foods and fresh food varieties can be included as toppers within the dry kibble to give your dog a more versatile meal. You will have to find what food type works best for you and your dog, the good news is that there is no shortage of options!
Conclusion
Nom Nom Beef Mash Dog Food is a great overall choice that gives your Boxer a high-quality food that meets all the necessary nutrition requirements at a fair price. However, Purina One True Instinct is a great value for the money coming in as the most low-cost food on the list that will give your Boxer all they need to thrive. Royal Canin Boxer is geared specifically for the breed and though a bit pricey, is highly recommended by veterinarians covers a Boxer’s dietary needs.
As you can see, there is no lack of options for your Boxer’s food and the reviews speak for themselves. Remember to consult your veterinarian for advice on your Boxer’s dietary needs.
I am a wife, mother, nature enthusiast, animal lover, and business major. I was born and raised in Ohio but now live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We share our home with a German Shepherd, several snakes, tarantulas, and a couple rescue cats. he importance of proper animal care, with an emphasis on reptiles and exotics since their care requirements can be much more complex. I am also a huge advocate for bully breeds. I feel most at home in the forest either on horseback or in hiking boots....Read more
