What is The Best Dog Food For Boxer Dogs?

What’s the best dog food for Boxer dogs and puppies to help them live life to the full?  

It’s often been said that once you have a Boxer, you’ll never have another breed.  

This is something that Jan Patten, proud owner of Biff, the trampolining Boxer who starred in the 2016 John Lewis Christmas TV ad, wholeheartedly attests to.  

“They’ve got such expression,” she revealed to Country Life magazine. “They’re real clowns, constantly making us laugh. You have to have a big sense of humour to own a Boxer, but once you live with one, there’s no other dog.” 

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Renowned for their incredibly loyal and affectionate nature, the Boxer breed has a long and distinguished heritage, thought to date back to ancient Assyrians, as long ago as 2000 BC, before being developed in Germany into the distinctive dog we know and love today. 

Indeed, The Kennel Club describes the Boxer in glowing terms, stating: “His clean outline, glossy coat and the nobility of his beautiful head and expression have brought the breed many admirers.” 

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“Intelligent, playful and energetic,” is how Pet Plan portrays this muscular, athletic breed, adding: “Boxers can adapt to most environments as long as they get plenty of exercise. They might come from a hunting background, but their even temperaments make them kind and charismatic pets.” 

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In her bestselling book, My Animals and Other Family, TV presenter Claire Balding wrote fondly about a Boxer called Candy, who was a faithful friend and fearless protector throughout her childhood, penning: “The dog became so devoted that she leapt 20ft out of a bedroom window to keep up with the pram.” 

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These high-energy, people-loving dogs will thrive on lots of attention, positive reward-based training, plenty of exercise as well as the right nutrition to keep them happy and healthy. Discover the best food for Boxers with our detailed guide below.

The best dog food for Boxers

When it comes to choosing good dog food for Boxers, we have you covered.

Burgess in-house vet, Dr Suzanne Moyes MVB MRCVS, who oversees recipe development and product production, advises: “When choosing food for Boxers, it’s essential to bear in mind that the optimum diet for your dog supplies the correct number of calories and balance of nutrients for their life stage and lifestyle.  

“This means calculating the nutrient content and dietary components such as protein, fat, carbohydrate and vitamins and minerals required. All Burgess Dog Food is a complete food. This means, whatever kibble variety you choose for your Boxer, will contain all the nutrients they need in the correct balance.” 

Got a question about canine nutrition and the best food for the Boxer breed? Keep reading, as Dr Moyes provides some answers... 

Q: Can dog food for Boxers make a difference to possible health issues? 

A: With their short, square-shaped muzzle and black mask, the Boxer’s expressive face is unmistakable. Boxers are what’s known as a brachycephalic breed (brachy, meaning short and cephalic, meaning head). This means it can sometimes be difficult for them to breathe normally (causing heavy panting or noisy breathing) and they are prone to overheating, especially in hot summer months.  

As The Kennel Club notes, some brachycephalic dogs, such as Boxers, may have an excess of skin, which creates folds, especially around the front of the face. These folds can make a warm, moist environment that is perfect for bacteria and yeast to grow, possibly leading to infection and severe itching. 

Because they can sometimes suffer from itchy skin, choosing a hypoallergenic recipe that’s designed for dogs with sensitivities could be the best dog food for Boxer dogs. 

In fact, food allergies are one of the most commonly found allergies in dogs and can impact the skin. Some of the more common dog food allergy symptoms include itching and sneezing, itchy paws, hot spots, skin rashes, scaly or oily skin, pigmented skin, and skin that has more of a leathery texture. 

With no artificial colours or added preservatives, the entire Burgess Sensitive dog food range is hypoallergenic, providing a balanced, digestible diet for those dogs who suffer from sensitive skin. Incorporating this into Boxer feeding, if necessary, will help with their wellbeing. It's also worth finding out more about whether your dog could be allergic to your house.

In addition, dogs with a shortened skull often have a shortened jaw, but the number and size of teeth will stay the same This can mean that the teeth become overcrowded, causing dental and gum problems. 

Choosing dry kibble food over wet canned food for your Boxer dog or puppy diet can help. The RSPCA stresses the importance of feeding your dog the right food, stating: “Some owners favour wet foods for their dog over dry. However, dry dog food may have the added benefit of exercising their chewing muscles and provide a mild cleaning effect on the teeth.” 

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DID YOU KNOW?

All varieties of Burgess dog food consist of tasty, munchy kibbles, which are fortified with calcium to support healthy teeth and bones. Perfect for your Boxer dog or puppy's daily food.

What should you consider when choosing the best food for Boxer dogs? 

A: Look for good dog food for Boxers that use recipes that include premium ingredients such as lamb, turkey and salmon and contain no artificial colours or added preservatives. Also choose a variety that’s suitable for your dog’s life stage because their nutrition needs change over the years. 

Burgess Sensitive dog food range caters to your dog at every stage of their life – all the way through from puppy to senior. Sensitive puppy food is suitable for both Boxer puppies from 6 weeks to 12 months old and nursing mothers. Sensitive adult dog food is designed for dogs over the age of 12 months. For Boxer dogs over the age of 7, sensitive senior dog food is a perfect option. We cater to Boxer puppy, adult and senior diets.

Each nutritious, tasty recipe contains: 

• Taurine to support a healthy heart 
• Antioxidants to support your dog’s immune system 
• Prebiotics to help maintain a healthy gut 
• Fatty acids and zinc to help maintain a healthy skin and glossy coat 
• Calcium to support strong bones and teeth 
• Yucca extract and beet pulp to help avoid smelly, runny poos! 

DID YOU KNOW? 

Dogs are not, as is often believed, classified as carnivores, but as omnivores. This means they benefit from a healthy diet that contains both animal and plant-based foods such as grains. Even wolves in the wild derive nutrition from both plant and animal sources. Canines also need a little bit of fibre in their diet to help maintain a healthy gut.  

***** With a whole host of five-star reviews, here’s a snapshot of what happy customers have told us about our Burgess Sensitive Dog Food range: 

“My puppy loves this food, and I will buy it into adulthood.” 

“My dogs love this food and it’s great for their skin.” 

 “Great puppy food, our dog loves it. The subscription service is great too.” 

“Both dogs are really healthy and love the food.” 

“Super quick delivery, large bags of food for a brilliant price!” 

“Dog loves it and I’m saving money.” 

“Brilliant service and quality food.” 

“My dog enjoys it and it's settled his sensitive stomach. We tried various diets, and this was the only one that settled him.” 

What are the benefits of feeding a dry kibble dog food for a Boxer over wet canned food? 

A: Dry kibble dog food is widely acknowledged to be a great way to deliver a nutritious, balanced, complete diet. It’s a dog food that’s carefully crafted to provide exactly the right balance of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fats that your Boxer dog or puppy needs in their diet, in an easy-to-feed form. 

Dry dog food stays fresh inside the pack until you’re ready to serve it to your dog – and, by following the on-pack instructions, it’s easy to measure out exactly the  right sized portion, to help your Boxer maintain their muscular, athletic frame. 

Make sure your dog always has plenty of fresh, clean water available alongside their Boxer dog or puppy dog food. If you are feeding them a dry food, you’ll find they’ll need a little more. 

When introducing a new food to your Boxer puppy or dog, you should do it gradually to avoid upsetting their digestion. Mix in the new food with the old over a period of 7 to 10 days until the new food completely replaces the old diet. 

DID YOU KNOW?

Complete foods are those that will deliver all your dog’s required nutrients in their daily ration. Complementary diets have high or low levels of certain nutrients and are therefore only complete when fed in conjunction with other foods. All the foods in the Burgess Dog Food range are complete. This means that you can be sure you are providing the best food for the Boxer breed with all the nutrients they require in exactly the right proportions, so you don’t have to worry about balancing their diet. 

Q: How often should you feed a Boxer and how much? 

A: Puppies, with their small stomachs, need three or four small meals a day, while adult dogs generally have two meals a day. Sometimes, elderly dogs may benefit from three or four smaller meals.  

The key to avoiding over-feeding a Boxer is to follow the on-pack feeding guidelines and ensure you measure out their daily ration – don’t guess it – and then divide it up throughout the day. If you feed treats for training or when out on walks, this should also be taken into account.  

Remember that treats should be just that – something special, fed occasionally, in small amounts. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your Boxer dog or puppy's daily diet. 

Q: What human foods are dangerous to Boxers? 

A: Here are some of the main foods that are dangerous for dogs. You must keep these in mind when feeding your Boxer. If you suspect your Boxer has eaten any of the following, consult your vet immediately. 

• Alcoholic beverages:Can cause intoxication, coma, and death. 
• Chocolate, coffee, tea:Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous system. 
• Fat trimmings:Can cause pancreatitis. 
• Pits from peaches and plums:Can cause obstruction of the digestive tract. 
• Grapes and raisins:Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys. 
• Gravy:If made from meat juices, it can contain high levels of fat, which can cause pancreatitis, making it an unwise choice for dog food for a Boxer. 
• Large amounts of liver:Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones. 
• Macadamia nuts:Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscles. 
• Milk and other dairy products:Some adult dogs do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhoea. 
• Mouldy or spoiled food:Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhoea and can also affect other organs. They should not feature in your Boxer dog or puppy's diet.
• Mushrooms:Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death. 
• Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder):Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anaemia. Garlic is less toxic than onions. 
• Potato, rhubarb, and tomato leaves; potato and tomato stems:Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. This is more of a problem in livestock. 
• Raw eggs:Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain salmonella and aren't considered suitable dog food for a Boxer. 
• Raw fish:Can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly. 
• Excessive salt: If eaten in large quantities, it may lead to electrolyte imbalances. 
• Sugary foods:Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus. 
• Table scraps (in large amounts): Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced and if excessively fed can lead to obesity. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed as part of a boxer dog or puppy diet. 
• Xylitol:This artificial sweetener sneaks its way into all sorts of foods – from peanut butter to jellies and jams and is highly toxic to canines. After a dog consumes a significant amount of xylitol, there is a massive release of insulin from the pancreas. This, in turn, results in a dangerously low blood sugar level and symptoms such as weakness, trembling, seizures, collapse, and even death.  

TOP TIPS FROM PET PLAN TO HELP YOUR BOXER LOVE LIFE! 

Beyond knowing the best Boxer dog and puppy food, exercise makes a huge difference to their wellbeing. Whilst Boxers do need lots of exercise (around 2 hours a day), moderation is key when it comes to this breed. Due to their short snouts and propensity for overheating, it is best to spread walks and exercise throughout the day. 

Between walks, make sure your Boxer’s brain is getting a workout too – this intelligent breed needs plenty of mental stimulation to stop them from becoming bored. 

Boxers love to chase, so a simple game of “fetch” is enough to keep your Boxer happy. Just be careful your dog doesn’t overexert themselves and keep an eye out for signs of overheating such as excess panting. 

Due to their loyal natures, Boxers can be prone to separation anxiety so are usually happiest in households where someone will be around most of the day. If you do have to leave your dog alone for a few hours, make sure they have plenty of toys to keep them busy or have someone check in on them. 

Order online Boxer dog and puppy food from the Burgess Sensitive & Hypoallergenic Dog food range and save 10% with Subscribe & Save.

Need more advice?

If you’re at all unsure about the best food for Boxer breeds or have any concerns about specific nutritional requirements, ask your local veterinary practice for advice. You can use our online contact form to get in touch. 

Is your dog a Burgess dog? Join the Burgess Pet Club for exclusive offers and rewards.   

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