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Best Dog Food for Boston Terriers 2024
Written by Joe Holyoake
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 03/25/2024, edited: 03/25/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Nicknamed ‘The American Gentleman’, the Boston Terrier is a good-natured canine that has found a place in many homes in the USA and beyond. If you’re among that number or hoping to join it soon, you might be wondering what these dogs need by the way of feeding every day. Well, there are a few things to take into consideration.
The first is that the Boston Terrier is a small breed and it would be a wise choice to give them dog food designed for their size. This will be more nutrient-dense as their appetites will be naturally smaller than, say, a Newfoundland’s. Kibble will be more appropriately sized for their mouths, too.
The second thing to bear in mind is that this is a breed at risk of Brachycephalic Syndrome as a result of their Bulldog ancestry. This makes it extra important to avoid obesity, as excess weight can exacerbate symptoms such as panting and overheating. Look for dog food with high levels of protein and controlled amounts of fat for this reason.
And finally, Boston Terriers are known to be more prone to allergies, so you might have to go for a limited-ingredient diet to prevent itching or upset stomachs — this might be the reason your dog is so gassy.
A lot to think about, then. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of the best dog food for Boston Terriers.
Overview
Raised Right
Best fresh dog food for Boston Terriers
There’s a good case to be made for giving fresh dog food to your Boston Terrier. You only have to take a closer look at Raised Right’s offering to see why.
“Raised Right offers a human-grade dog food consisting of only whole foods and no fillers or synthetic additives such as vitamin and mineral powders,” explains Dr Jeremiah.
“Their ingredients can also be traced back to the source, and each batch is tested for safety.”
Better yet, this mix of meat, vegetables, fruit and oil are only gently cooked to preserve the nutritional goodness, more of which is absorbed by a dog’s body.
These meals are delivered frozen, ready for a parent to defrost ahead of dinnertime.
This type of dog food is ideally suited to Boston Terriers. The recipes tend to be high in protein and low in carbs, while the limited number of ingredients used suits those with allergies.There’s a decent array of flavors, as well.
That’s why it’s made our list of the best dog food for Boston Terriers.
Raised Right flavors
- Turkey (adult)
- Beef (adult)
- Pork (adult)
- Chicken (adult)
- Turkey and Pumpkin Pate (adult)
- Beef and Pumpkin Pate (adult)
- Pork and Pumpkin Pate (adult)
- Chicken and Pumpkin Pate (adult)
- Turkey (puppy)
- Beef (puppy)
- Chicken (puppy)
Raised Right Dog Food
Why Wag! Likes It
- The wide variety of recipes is useful for feeding Boston Terriers with allergies to certain ingredients
- The meals can be tailored to your pet’s exact age, weight and dietary requirements
- The high protein levels and modest carbohydrates can help keep a dog in healthy shape
- The food is recommended by Dr Georgia Jeremiah, pet food expert
Considerations & Concerns
- The meals have to be stored in the fridge and freezer, which might be inconvenient for some parents
- The cost of such premium formulas is higher than most dry or wet dog foods
- The specific benefits of fresh dog food have been questioned by some pet experts
What Pet Parents Say About Raised Right
“A great change in his diet. I went to 75% Raised Right and 25% dry food. His energy level went up and his coat was smoother. Wonderful product.”
“Our puppy came to us with significant dysbiosis and we use Raised Right to feed him well, no artificial ingredients and wonderful balanced food to meet his growing needs while [feeding] his gut. He is doing so much better on the food, thank you for having a quality product for owners to be able to purchase for their dogs!”
Read more reviews at Raised Right.
Wellness Core RawRev Small Breed Original
Best dry dog food for Boston Terriers
When it comes to finding the best dry dog food for Boston Terriers, Wellness Core RawRev is an excellent small breed option for multiple reasons.
First of all, there’s the huge level of 38% crude protein, which comes from deboned turkey as the first ingredient, plus a mix of meals, organs and pulses.
What’s more, this dry kibble also has some freeze-dried raw turkey in the mix too, which makes it particularly appealing to carnivores.
These are all ideal for ensuring a healthy weight and appearance.
And finally, the fact there are both grain-free and grain-inclusive options is handy for parents of particularly sensitive Boston Terriers — if one doesn’t quite work, there’s always an alternative to try.
Although all of these animal products are rich in minerals, the recipe has also been fortified with glucosamine and chondroitin to help with joint health, as well as Omega fatty acids, taurine and antioxidants — this spells good news for your dog’s coat, immune system and digestion.
Wellness Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The crude protein level of 38% is sure to keep a Boston Terrier in lean shape
- The addition of freeze-dried raw turkey elevates the formula above other kibble
- The recipe is supplemented with crucial minerals and fatty acids, such as glucosamine and taurine
- The options of grain-free or grain-inclusive formulas is massively helpful
Considerations & Concerns
- The price of around $4/lb at the time of writing might not be within budget for many parents
- The company has issued three product recalls in the past, although not since 2017
- The formulas both contain chicken-derived ingredients, which makes it unsuitable for dogs with poultry allergies
What Pet Parents Say About Wellness Core
“There [are] freeze dried turkey pieces in this plus the bits are tiny and easy for my 18 pound dog to crunch. She is a very picky eater, but she [likes] this Wellness Core Raw Rev turkey dog food!”
“I’m in dog rescue and have rehabilitated hundreds of dogs. Feeding them quality food is key to get them on the road to living a full and happy life & this food has been an all time favorite.”
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Image from Chewy. Copyright Wellness Pet Company.
Nulo Freestyle Small Breed Limited+
Best dog food for Boston Terriers with gas
They might not like to hear it, but Boston Terriers have a reputation for being a little flatulent.
There are lots of recommendations to limit this, perhaps by making sure dogs don’t eat too quickly. Sometimes, however, the foul smells are down to a food intolerance.
Trying a limited-ingredient dog food might help in this regard — Nulo’s Freestyle range has one of the best choices you can find.
Not only is it grain-free, but there’s one source of protein and that’s turkey, both in the form of meat and meal.
Despite this, the crude protein level is still 30%, which will keep a Boston Terrier at a healthy weight.Look further down the ingredient list and you won’t spot other often-triggering ingredients, such as chicken, corn, wheat, eggs or peas.
However, probiotics have been added to ease the digestive process and hopefully lessen wind, while Omega fatty acids help with coat and skin health.
Nulo Dog Food
Why Wag! Likes It
- The high-protein, low-carb formulation will help keep Boston Terriers trim
- The limited number of ingredients might help dogs with allergies causing flatulence
- The recipe has been supplemented with Omega fatty acids, probiotics and L-Carnitine
- The kibble size is more appropriate for small breeds
Considerations & Concerns
- The price of $3.72/lb when bought in bulk at the time of writing is on the costlier end of the scale
- The limited ingredient list might still contain something that your dog can’t tolerate
What Pet Parents Say About Nulo
“Our 8 year old mixed breed has suspected IBD that is thankfully well managed with food, but he gets very bored and is picky.
He LOVES Nulo and has actually put on some weight, which in his case is not a bad thing, it means he is eating and absorbing the food. Highly recommend for picky and/or food sensitive pups!”
“My dog Looey is a picky eater, we never buy the same bag of food twice. Sometimes he will not continue to eat the same food for more than a month, but he has been enjoying Nulo for over a month now.”
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Image sourced from the Chewy and Nulo websites. Copyright Nulo.
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Small Breed
Best vet recommended wet dog food for Boston Terriers
Boston Terriers are at heightened risk of developing Brachycephalic Syndrome and in certain cases, dry dog food can become a choking hazard for dogs with restricted airways.
In these instances, a transition to wet dog food might be a sensible move.
The addition of flaxseed and salmon oil means the food is heavy on Omega fatty acids, too — this helps keep coats and skin in tip-top condition.
We’re particularly fond of Blue Buffalo’s Homestyle recipes. Designed for small breeds, this pair of products both contain real meat and broth as the first two-listed ingredients, followed by brown rice and antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables.
And best of all, it gets the thumbs up from Dr Georgia Jeremiah, a pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants.
“Blue Buffalo dog food products cater to different life stages, sizes, and breeds of dogs,” she says.
“They offer formulations containing limited ingredients, which may be beneficial for dogs with certain dietary sensitivities.”Blue Buffalo Homestyle Flavors
- Small Breed Lamb Dinner with Garden Vegetables
- Small Breed Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables
Blue Buffalo Dog Food
Why Wag! Likes It
- The recipe is specifically designed around the nutritional needs of small breeds, like the Boston Terrier
- The first listed ingredient in both recipes is real chicken or lamb, rather than byproducts or meals
- The food has been recommended by Dr Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert
- The wet formula might be easier for dogs with Brachycephalic Syndrome to eat
Considerations & Concerns
- The food is formulated to meet the AAFCO nutrient standards for Maintenance, so it isn’t suitable for puppies or pregnant mothers
- The fact there are only two flavors might pose a problem for parents of picky dogs
- The company has issued several product recalls, although none since 2017
What Pet Parents Say About Blue Buffalo
“My dog is very old & has lost his teeth. I was delighted to find this dog food, which my dog finds delicious but which is also very nutritious and high in protein.”
“We ordered this canned dog food item for [its] size (a perfect one feeding size) and its composition (a pate with a good mixture of chicken, vegetables and brown rice, oatmeal and barley).
He loved it from the first feeding and continues to "chow it down" at each feeding. I will buy again and recommend it to any small breed where you don't want to feed a grain free diet.”
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Blue Buffalo Company Ltd.
Cesar Wet Dog Food
Best budget-friendly dog food for Boston Terriers
There’s no two ways about it — feeding a dog well can be an expensive business. Look around hard enough, however, and you can find top-quality meals with a more tolerable price-tag.
Cesar’s wet dog food range is a prime example. When bought in bulk, it’s possible to find trays at just over $1 each.
These still have real meat as the first-listed ingredient and all the vitamins and minerals recommended by the AAFCO.
What’s more, these trays — and all of Cesar’s food — are designed for the nutritional needs of small breeds, like the Boston Terrier.
Plus, there’s a huge range of meat flavors to accommodate Boston Terriers with allergies.
What’s the drawback? Well, there’s not much really. The protein levels aren’t extraordinarily high, so they might not be suitable for pets on a weight-loss regimen.
Other than that, this is still one of the best dog foods for Boston Terriers, only accessible to a greater number of parents.
Cesar Wet Dog Food Flavors
- Classic Loaf in Sauce Beef
- Classic Loaf in Sauce Beef and Chicken
- Classic Loaf in Sauce Chicken and Liver
- Classic Loaf in Sauce Chicken and Veal
- Classic Loaf in Sauce Dried Ribeye Steak
- Classic Loaf in Sauce Duck
- Classic Loaf in Sauce Filet Mignon
- Classic Loaf in Sauce Grilled Chicken
- Classic Loaf in Sauce Grilled Steak and Eggs
- Classic Loaf in Sauce Lamb
- Classic Loaf in Sauce Porterhouse Steak
- Classic Loaf in Sauce Smoked Bacon and Egg
- Classic Loaf in Sauce Top Sirloin
- Classic Loaf in Sauce Turkey
- Classic Loaf in Sauce Chicken and Beef (Puppy)
- Loaf and Topper in Sauce Angus Beef with Bacon and Cheese
- Loaf and Topper in Sauce Filet Mignon with Bacon and Potato
- Loaf and Topper in Sauce Ham and Egg with Potato and Cheese
- Loaf and Topper in Sauce Rosemary Chicken with Spring Vegetables
- Loaf and Topper in Sauce Rotisserie Chicken with Bacon and Cheese
- Filets in Gravy Filet Mignon
- Filets in Gravy New York Strip
- Filets in Gravy Prime Rib
- Filets in Gravy Rotisserie Chicken
- Filets in Gravy Turkey Filets
- Filets in Gravy Wood-Grilled Chicken
Cesar Dog Food
Why Wag! Likes It
- The price is a lot lower than other wet dog food brands without a huge drop in quality
- The first listed ingredient is always meat, often followed by broth and organs
- The range includes a huge variety of meats and three different forms (filets, loafs and, loafs and sauce)
- The meals are all produced with the nutritional requirements of small breeds in mind
Considerations & Concerns
- The company had to recall a limited number of dog food products in 2016 due to the risk of plastic contamination
- The wet dog food range only includes one recipe suitable for puppies and pregnant mothers
- The nutritional stats aren’t quite as impressive as some of the other options on our list
What Pet Parents Say About Cesar
“This was a good choice when my little terrier had some teeth pulled. She loved all the flavors, the food is easy to serve, not messy or smelly. Easy open containers. The only bad thing is she wants this over her regular food now. This will be a special treat for her.”
“Our hound dog loves Cesar "classic loaf!" We top off his dry food with two packets of Cesar as his special evening meal. He licks his bowl clean. The packets are easy to take along when we travel, too. The plastic container is recyclable.”
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Mars, Inc.
FAQ
What dietary requirements do Boston Terriers have?
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