Best Dog Food for Boston Terriers [2023 Review]

Boston Terriers are energetic dogs with voracious appetites. For this reason, you should be careful when choosing which food to feed them. If you don’t know where to start, I prepared this guide to specifically help you find the best dog food for Boston Terriers.

Best Dog Food for Boston Terriers

After testing different food in the market for various dog breeds, I have settled on the following as the best options for Boston Terriers.

Lily’s Kitchen Wild Woodland Walk Complete Dry Food 

Lily’s Kitchen is an established brand that houses a variety of dog foods. The Lily's Kitchen Wild Woodland Walk Complete Dry Food is a grain-free, delicious, and complete recipe is easily one of the best food for a Boston Terrier puppy. The first ingredients, fresh, free-range, bone-free venison meat, makes this food an excellent source of natural nutrients with quality proteins and essential amino acids.

The meal has glucosamine and chondroitin to support the joints and bone of your ever-active Boston Terrier. It also has clear salmon oil that makes it one of the best sources of Omega-3 fatty acids to help keep your dog’s coat, heart, brain, and joints in perfect health.

This product is available in seafood, duck, and chicken flavors and comes in 1kg, 2.5kg, 7kg, and 12kg packs. With that variety, you can choose the right taste and amount for your Boston Terrier. 

Lily’s complete meals have crunchy and delicious kibbles that will help your dog develop strong teeth. The kibbles also have healthy vegetable prebiotic making them easy to digest and good for sensitive stomachs.

It is 100% free of any derivatives, preservatives, and fillers. The other ingredient, sweet potatoes, makes the food easy to digest while the fruits provide the necessary dietary fiber and vitamins. 

What I Like 

• Free of meat by-products and grains 
• High crude protein level
• Healthy vegetable prebiotic
• All-natural ingredients with no fillers and no artificial preservatives. 
• Packed with glucosamine and chondroitin to help aid bone and joint support

What I Do Not Like

• Not suitable for puppies younger than four months old 
• A bit pricey 

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo has earned its unmatched reputation from how they use high-quality ingredients and its exclusive LifeSource Bits. The Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food is another excellent product from them, it has deboned-chicken as the first ingredient. Blue Buffalo Life boasts superior nutrition and offers ultimate protection with their dry dog food product.

Therefore, it is a good source of quality protein to help your dog build healthy muscles. The meal supports immune system health, life stage requirements, and a healthy oxidative balance from a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and essential minerals. It also has glucosamine that helps promote healthy joints.  

The rich combination of ingredients provides Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids that ensure your Boston Terrier has a healthy skin and a shiny coat. In addition to that, the crunchy kibbles give your dog a nourishing dental formula and healthy teeth.

The nutrients from the fresh vegetables, fruits, and alfalfa meal guarantee constant energy supply for an active life. Finally, this meal has no fillers, chicken by-products, or artificial preservatives and comes with a useful and detailed feeding guide.

What it Contains

• 24% Crude protein (min) 
• 14% Crude fat (min)
• 5% Crude fiber (max)
• Moisture (10.0% min)
• Calcium (1.0% min)
• Phosphorus (0.7% min)
• Omega 3 fatty acids 0.5% min
• Omega 6 fatty acids 3.0%
• Glucosamine 400 mg/kg min
• Caloric Content 3,627 kcal/kg, 378 kcal/cup

What I Like 

• High protein and carbohydrates content
• Suitable for agile and active dogs like Boston Terriers.
• Crunchy Kibble promotes a healthy dental system
• Observes AAFCO dog food nutrient standards

What I Don’t Like

• Contains yeast, which may cause allergy to some dogs
• Instructions on the packaging are a bit ambiguous

Halo Natural Dry Dog food, Small Breed Recipe

This Halo natural recipe consists of a whole turkey, duck, or goose without adding any rendered meal. It also comes with lentils, chickpeas, and natural-non-GMO vegetables. The meal comes packed with small nutrient-rich kibbles that are great for your Boston Terriers’ tiny mouths, short digestive tracts, and, perfect for dogs with sensitive stomach.

This dog food is a vital source of carbohydrates for your dog, courtesy of the sweet potato ingredient. Both protein and carbohydrates provide your ever-active Boston Terrier with enough energy for a whole day of running and play.

This dog food is rich in Omega fatty acids that work together to maintain your dog’s healthy skin and shiny coat. It also packs a great blend of vitamin supplements that work together to provide a healthy lifestyle for your pet. 

There is also salmon oil in this recipe, making it naturally rich in EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids.

The fact that this formula is grain-free alone makes it a perfect meal for allergy-prone Boston Terrier. Your dog will reap natural nutrients from the secondary ingredients of fresh vegetables and fruits free from any genetic modifications. The vegetables make it a great source for minerals and dietary fiber.

What it Contains 

• 27% Crude protein
• 1% Crude fat
• 5% crude fiber
• 10% Moisture
• Vitamin E 225IU
• 0.90% Omega 3 fatty acids 
• Calorie Content (ME calculated: 3,760 kcal/kg K13 kcal/cup)

What I Like

• Great source of protein
• Supports sensitive stomachs like that of Boston Terriers
• Easily digestible and mineral are easy to absorb

What I Don’t Like 

• Carbs contentment is lower when compared with other Boston Terrier foods
• It does not mention any probiotics bacteria that help with the digestion of kibble

Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free, Natural Dry Dog Food

The Whole Earth Farms has a combination of salmon and whitefish to provide your Boston Terrier with super nutritional needs. You don’t need to worry about any dog allergies because the mixture is entirely grain-free with no wheat, corn, and soy.

It comes in both kibbled and canned forms to give your dog a variety of classic grain-free diets. If you want to explore natural dog food, this is the best pick for you. It is without any food colors and artificial preservatives.

The diet features high-quality protein as the first ingredient and fresh vegetables and fruits that provide your four-legged friend with natural goodness. This particular meal provides your Boston Terrier with added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients necessary for your dog’s hyperactivity and healthy joints.

Your Boston Terrier dog will derive maximum protein from other secondary ingredients; fresh, flavourful sweet potatoes, and fresh apple. The food has dried fermentation products, which are added to provide enzymes that aid the dog with digestion.

Whole Earth farm diets contain chelated minerals chemically attached to the protein to make the minerals easier to absorb. With such standards, the recipe supports easier digestibility, increased energy, healthier skin, and coat.

What it Contains  

• 24% Crude Protein (Min)
• 14% Crude Fat (Min)
• 3.55% Crude Fiber (Max)
• 11% Moisture (Max)
• 0.12 Taurine* (Min)

What I Like

• Active source of both proteins and carbohydrates
• Provides enough energy for hyperactive dogs
• Ideal for sensitive stomachs 
• Great meal for allergy-prone dogs
• Available in bot canned and Kibble form
• Has an excellent fat-to-protein ratio
• Rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene

What I Don’t Like

• No probiotics mentioned in its ingredients
• The packaging’s instructions are a little confusing

Taste of The Wild Grain Free High Protein Dry Dog Food 

The Taste of the Wild grain-free recipe has the real wild venison as its first ingredient. That alone makes it rich in amino acid and quality protein for boosting your dog’s healthy muscles. This Taste of the Wild dog food is perfect for senior Boston Terriers, as each serving is full of fruits and superfoods that can help an aging dog to thrive.

The other ingredients of fresh fruits, legumes, and vegetables are also beneficial in creating complete antioxidant protection and irresistible taste for your Boston Terrier. Plus, this meal has selenium and Vitamins E, making it practical for a healthy immune system.

It has a blend of Omega 3 and omega-six fatty acids that, together, maintain your dog’s healthy skin and shiny coat. Moreover, the inclusion of taurine makes it a perfect food for boosting healthy heart conditions in dogs.

While this food does not contain any artificial preservatives, it’s rich in antioxidants to support a healthy immune system for your dog. It has zero grain, corn, and wheat. So, your pet companion is free from food-related allergies.

What it Contains 

• 32% Crude Protein
• 18% Crude Fat
• 4% Crude Fiber
• Moisture 10%
• Zinc 150mg/kg
• Selenium 0.35 mg/kg
• Vitamin E 150IU/kg
• Taurine 0.12%
• Omega 6 Fatty acids 2.8%
• Omega 3 Fatty acids 0.3%

What I Like

• Rich source of fiber for your dog
• Good source of protein
• Antioxidant formula made of selenium 
• Contain chicory root is rich in inulin
• Provides a reasonable Caloric Content 
• No artificial flavors or preservatives
• Kibbles have probiotics 
• Nutrient content Meets AAFCO standards

What I Don’t Like 

• It contains canola which can be controversial because it is derived from genetically modified rapeseed
• It is quite costly

What to Look in Food for a Boston Terrier?

While Boston Terriers may be miniature, they love to run around and have endless play. To help your pet continue with an agile and energetic lifestyle, you must ensure that they get a proper supply of a balanced diet.

A typical diet for a Boston Terrier must contain protein, fat, vitamins, carbohydrates, and minerals. Chicken, fish oil, fat, and plant-based diets are excellent sources of such nutrition. 

Keeping this breed will require you to keep a keen eye on your dog’s protein consumption, as it is essential for general growth and muscle development. Below, I discuss some of the best nutrients to feed your Boston Terrier. 

Focus on Protein Rich Food 

Every dog, including the Boston Terrier, needs a lot of protein in its food. Although dogs are naturally carnivorous, domestication has turned them into omnivores. For this reason, they need plenty of proteins for proper growth and health.  

So, while some dogs can thrive on vegetarian meals, they regularly need meat to get the required amount of protein. However, your dog does not necessarily need a high-end meat diet.

Whatever diet you choose for your dog it should have the required amount of protein. Almost all the food brands in the market have protein. Chicken and turkey are the best because they are low in cholesterol.

Avoid Grains 

Boston Terriers are picky when it comes to food because of their sensitive stomachs. Grains can cause puppy gas and bloat to your dog. Try to keep your dog’s grain intake to the bare minimum and, if possible, do not give any at all. 

Dog foods without grains tend to be more expensive than those with grain. This cost is because grains are sources of carbohydrates. However, since you don’t want your pet to get stomach upsets due to a bad diet, I recommend you stay clear of food with too many grains.

Mix Dry and Canned Food

Most dogs like canned instead of dry food since they are tastier and have a more appealing aroma. However, I recommend that you find a good balance between the two for your Boston Terrier.

Too much or too little of either can mess with their health and growth. Canned dog food packs more protein and fat than dry food. These foods also contain fewer artificial food flavors and preservatives. 

On the other hand, dry food is better for teething puppies and stays longer than canned food. 

Avoid Food with Allergens

Boston Terriers are prone to allergies. While it is hard to determine which type of food they are allergic to, you should avoid common allergens like beef, dairy, and grains. 

Common allergy symptoms in dogs include:

• Rashes and sore 
• Excessive hair loss 
• Diarrhea
• Itching and scratching (more than usual)
• Excessive flatulence

If your dog presents any of the above signs, take them to a veterinarian. They will help you figure the source of your dog’s allergic reactions and advise you accordingly.

Avoid Salt and Sugar

It is highly advisable to keep your dog away from a sugar and salt-containing diet. Too much salt, sugar, and even fat can be a source of weight gain and heart problems. Giving your Boston Terrier sugary and salty food can mess with their susceptible digestive system.

Do not make it a habit to give your canine human food as they may contain an unsuitable amount of salt and sugar.

Follow Feeding Instructions Keenly

Boston Terriers are small breed dogs. Therefore, they need between 30 to 40 calories per pound of their body weight. You can use the numbers and the calorie content indicated on the dog food you buy to make the calculations. 

To avoid the hassle, you should go for high-quality small-breed dog food for your Boston Terrier. Follow the feeding recommendation and schedule on the packaging. The amount of food your dog eats will depend on their age, body weight, and activity levels. 

The feeding program and pattern change as your dog grows. Therefore, always check the feeding recommendations whenever your dog increases body weight or after every six months. Always check with your vet for guidance on what and how to feed your Boston Terrier. 

How to Choose the Best Boston Terrier Food?

You cannot just visit a store and pick any dog food for your pet. Certain conditions and factors will determine the type of food you buy for your Boston Terrier. Below is a guide to help you choose the best food for your Boston Terrier.

The Age of Your Boston Terrier

The nutritional needs for Boston Terriers vary depending on age. Your veterinarian should be aware when the dietary requirement of your dog changes. Puppies have a different nutritional need from adult Terriers. It would help if you fed your dog with food that is appropriate for its growth stage.

It is important to note that your dog requires a specific amount of proteins and calorie count to develop into adulthood. For example, the Boston Terrier puppy’s metabolism and nutritional requirements change as they usher in maturity. Therefore, you must get the right formula for their age.

The senior Boston Terriers also need special nutritional care. At this stage of their life, dogs have low-calorie food, high fiber, fatty acids, and protein. Lack of knowledge on this aspect may expose your dog to frustration and physical discomfort.

The Activity Level of Your Boston Terrier

People keep Boston Terriers for a different function. While some will have them as simple pets, some people enroll these dogs for agility competitions. An athletic Boston Terrier should consume more of a nutrient-dense diet to compensate for the energy lots. 

For a pet, you could consider the food that would be helpful in weight management. A pet involved in less body exercise and activity should consume low calories because they cannot burn them quickly. If they accumulate calories, they could develop heart and other medical conditions. even add unnecessary weight.

The Feeding Schedule of Your Boston Terrier

Choosing the right food for your Boston Terrier depends on their feeding schedule. The Terrier breed is associated with sensitive skin and stomachs; hence, they need a strict feeding schedule. Giving your dog the right ingredients at the correct time can help them avoid age-related issues such as bloating.

If you feed your pet with dry food, be ready to provide them with a bowl of water. On the other hand, wet food contains a lot of fiber and water. Excessive hydration when you feed your pet with wet food may cause bloating and urinary infections.

It would be best if you were keen on your canine companion’s change in appetite and unfinished food. If their eating habit does not match your schedule, you change the type of food you give them. 

How Well Your Boston Terrier Responds to Certain Food

As a Boston Terrier owner, you need to understand their digestibility behavior. Digestion issues affect dogs as much as it affects people. If the food you are feeding your dog does not meet your dog’s nutritional needs, you need to change it. 

You can determine this based on how well your dog eliminates it. The poop tells you how well your dog’s digestive system accepts the food. You can also tell if the food is terrible for your dog if it has difficulty eliminating it. 

Your pet’s response to dry food may be different from how it responds to wet food. You could change to homemade meals for your Boston Terrier if you want to take control of what your dog eats. However, homemade meals may lack some of the essential nutrients for your dog.

Quality Label in the Food Packaging

The essential aspect that you need to check when buying food for your Boston terrier is the quality label. Depending on your state or country, you should never purchase dog food not approved by the relevant authorities.

If you buy in the United States, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) should approve your dog food. Such organizations set high health standards and determine whether the dog food meets the required nutritional requirements before hitting various store shelves. 

How Long You Want the Food to Last?

Before buying a specific type of food, you need to check the explanation label and the expiry dates. Always take the freshest meal that will last for a long time unless you want the food for lunch or supper. You should use food with a longer shelf life. 

Wet foods have shorter shelf lives than dry foods because of their high liquid content. However, when exposed to light and air, dry food becomes stale. The packing used on the food will also determine how long you use it. 

You need to check on factors like the BPA-free wet food can, more portable packaging, and high-quality plastic food pouches. These factors are associated with longer shelf lives of dog food. 

The Brand’s Credibility 

More than ever, pet owners vote with their wallets. You are more likely to buy dog food from a company whose ethical values align with yours. The type of company that makes food for your Boston Terrier will determine its standards, ingredients, and product service. 

Look for standout and reputable dog food manufacturers because they protect their brand names with quality products. Moreover, brands that have stayed in the market for long have passed the test of time.

The same should also apply to vendors and distributors. Established vendors have better service and retention policies. If you are new in the Boston Terrier field, you could consult with more experienced dog owners and even your veterinarian for referrals.

The Taste and Flavor of the Food

While the food might have several excellent ingredients, your finickity Boston Terrier might still reject it because of its taste. It would be best if you took the time to try out the food that tastes better for your pet. Well, it might need some trial and error and persistence. 

Dog food differs in taste and flavor. Based on this, your Boston Terrier might prefer a particular flavor over others. You should try and make this it’s favorite. When you want to change their diets, it is good to do it gradually over seven to ten days.

The Price of the Food

Every manufacturer and distributor has different prices for their dog foods. There are foods for Boston Terriers out there that best suit your dog’s needs. As a devoted Boston Terrier keeper, you always want to pick the best for your furry friend.

While the highest prices are associated with the highest quality standard and even the best brands, you need to buy food that fits your budget. You will always get something for your budget; make sure that the nutritional content and quality are good.

Your Boston Terrier’s Health and Other Special Conditions

There are specific instances in a dog’s life that require a particular diet regardless of breed and age. For example, the type of pregnant dogs may need certain nutritional content. 

On the other hand, dry food may not be advisable for teething puppies, and when your dog is unwell, they will need a special diet that will not interfere with their medication. 

Every time you suspect a behavior change in your dog, contact your vet. They will advise on the best meal or diet, depending on your dog’s condition.

Nature of the Food: Wet or Dry

The nature of the food is one of the most challenging questions that Boston Terrier owners ask themselves. Either choice has its pros and cons, so you need to make a wise choice. Dog foods that come in porches and can have an alluring aroma, and your dog might prefer them. 

However, sometimes you need to feed your dog wet food for some specific nutritional benefits. Wet food has more water and tends to be more expensive.

Dry foods have lower nutritional value — however, they are perfect for a solid dental formula.

Conclusion

Keeping a Boston Terrier requires you to be keen and dedicated. This breed has unique feeding habits and nutritional requirements. Therefore, always look for the correct specifications when you buy food for these furry companions.