Guide to Boxer Dog Food

Good Dog Nutrition Starts with the Best Dog Food

If you have questions about boxer dog food, how to guarantee healthy dog nutrition or the best dog food for boxers, read on...

Credit: boxercab/Flickr

Most veterinarians and pet care experts recommend that you stick with high quality dry dog food without a lot of fillers. The brands you can find in discount pet stores such as PetSmart or Petco—or even online—are usually adequate. Brands like Eukanuba, Iams and Science Diet do cost a bit more than the grocery store brands, but they're also better nutritionally for your dog. They're getting a higher quality of food... and isn't that what you want for your furry loved one?

One important point to remember is that it is always best to pick a boxer dog food and then stick with it. Your dog doesn't need variety. Variety may upset his stomach or result in runny stools. Once you find a kind of food your dog seems to enjoy, keep feeding him or her the same thing all the time.

Or... Go the "All Natural" Route - the BARF Diet

Another option is to go with the BARF diet for your boxer. The Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or "BARF" diet is easy to prepare. You are basically feeding him "bones and raw food", adding in or taking out supplement as needed.

Giving your boxer a raw, natural diet (as opposed to commercially prepared one) makes the feeding task flexible and you get to control the quality of the food your boxer is getting.

It is better to first understand the principles behind this feeding method. And there are excellent reference books available on this subject matter.

Basically, the BARF diet is made up of raw meat and raw meaty bones, raw processed vegetables plus dairy products, eggs, fish, offal, muscle meats, fruit and maybe some supplements. It is a very balanced diet and you get to control the ingredients as well as the quality. Some people leave out dairy products or grains.

If you're looking for a great source of natural dog food, try the Only Natural Pet Store. They have a big selection of dog food, as well as vitamins and supplements.

Make the Best Dog Food for Your Boxer

If you're really ambitious, you might even think about creating your own dog diet food. I know... it seems a bit over the top, but I have known some boxer lovers who cook for their dogs! I barely have enough time to cook for the humans in my family, but that's just me. If this is something that interests you, then follow these principles...

Learn about dog nutrition needs. Do you really know all there is to know about your canine companion's nutritional needs? Many pet owners think they're doing what's best for their dogs when it comes to food, but in reality they rely on pure instinct more than science. Dog nutrition shouldn't be a guessing game, even when it comes to your pooch. Think about it – if you were left to feed yourself based only on what you craved and had no knowledge of what your body needs to function, would you be eating 5 servings of fruit and veggies or would you head straight for the Ding Dong case at the market?

A dog's diet can be as complex as any human's (including yours!), and it's absolutely essential that you, as an owner, hit all of the vital nutritional bases. A deficiency of certain vitamins and nutrients can lead to upset tummies, overly dry or oily skin, brittle bones, weight issues, and, in some of the worst cases, death. A balanced and proper diet is the building block of your dog's overall health – if he doesn't get the right blend of nutrients, the most impeccable care otherwise won't mean a thing. But with the right diet, his defenses against disease and disorders are infinitely stronger than a dog whose owner hasn't put much thought into an eating plan.

Don't be afraid to mix it up! For the most part, pre-packaged food is so great because it helps you cover all of the major nutritional requirements a healthy, fairly young dog has. This where many owners trip up simply because of the ease of the decision. Most think that the major choice is between dry and moist food, when in reality the best diet you can provide your dog is one varied in ingredients, textures, and nutritional value.

Dogs, of course, are carnivores, and that instinct remains in their blood to this day. They continue to hunt prey (poor Kitty), love sausage-flavored treats, and adore the great crunch they get when chowing down on a bone. Those varied elements should give you a little bit of insight into how diverse your dog's diet can be.

It's not all about meat. Building some portion of his diet from meat gives you many of the crucial nutrients he needs for energy and growth, but he also needs fiber and carbohydrates to aid in digestion and stability. You could throw down a bowl of dry food every day and maybe give him a treat of moist food once a month, but how would you like it if the tables were turned and he insisted on feeding you pancakes every day for the rest of your life? Not such a sunny outlook, is it?

Make it a real meal. No one ever said you had to rely on a bag or can of food to feed your dog. You cook for your family all the time. Doesn't your dog deserve similar treatment? Most owners say they'd love to cook for their pups but just don't know where to start, and that's where my little recipe book comes in. You just need access to some of the best dog food recipes out there, and you can find it here.

Give him some green. Your dog needs a well-balanced diet, and the best way to accomplish that is through a wide variety of ingredients. Did you know that many dogs love veggies? In fact, if your dog likes to nibble on grass, he may appreciate some veggie-oriented recipes. Give it a shot and see what you – and your dog – think. After all, the worst that could happen is an improvement in your pooch's health!

In Summary...

The only set rule when it comes to boxer dog food is to make sure his meals satisfy the unique nutritional requirements any dog has. You don't have to stick to the bag or the can, and you don't have to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen. Making dishes for your dog can be a family event, and nothing expresses gratitude better than a big, sloppy, wet kiss.

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