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The Boston Terrier may be a small-breed dog, but it definitely has a big personality. These little dogs are known for their black-and-white coloration as well as their pointed ears. Boston Terriers are sometimes referred to as the “American Gentleman” by breed enthusiasts and these dogs were specifically bred for show and companionship. Boston Terriers make great pets because they are friendly and eager to please – they also generally get along well with children. In order to keep your Boston Terrier healthy you not only need to provide him with enough daily exercise – you also need to make sure he has a healthy diet. Below you will find valuable information about meeting your Boston Terrier’s nutritional needs as well as some special considerations to make. You will also find recommendations for commercial dog foods for this loving breed.
Nutritional Needs for Boston Terriers
The Boston Terrier is a small dog that typically stands between 15 and 17 inches tall at maturity and weighs no more than 25 pounds. This little dog has a big personality – it is very friendly and playful, even goofy at times. What many people love about this breed is their devotion to their owners. Boston Terriers form very strong bonds with their human companions, even to the point of being protective of them around strangers and other dogs. Generally, however, the Boston Terrier is not an aggressive breed and it tends to do well with children, dogs, and other pets. The Boston Terrier was ranked 23rd in terms of AKC registration statistics in 2014 – it was ranked the same in 2013. This goes to show just how popular this little dog is.
Boston Terriers may be small but they have a good deal of energy and they love to play. In order to make sure that your Boston Terrier’s needs for energy are met, you should feed him a high-quality commercial dog food diet formulated for small-breed dogs. This diet should provide your dog with a balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates as well as vitamins and minerals. Protein is the most important nutritional consideration for dogs because it helps to support healthy growth and development of bones and tissues. Protein should come from animal-based sources like fresh meat and meat meals, not from plant-based sources. Fats are also very important – especially for small-breed dogs – because they are the most highly concentrated source of energy for dogs. Like proteins, fats should come from animal-based sources like fish oil and chicken fat rather than plant-based sources like canola oil and flaxseed.
In addition to protein and fat, your Boston Terrier needs some carbohydrate in his diet. Dogs do not have specific needs for carbohydrates, though they do need dietary fiber as well as the vitamins and minerals carbohydrates can provide. Whole-grain carbohydrates like brown rice and oatmeal are a good choice for dogs, though you can also go with gluten- and grain-free options like sweet potato or tapioca. On top of these carbohydrates you should also look for a pet food that provides probiotics for healthy digestion, chelated minerals, and other healthy supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin. You should also aim for a balance of both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which will help to keep your Boston Terrier’s skin and coat healthy.
Special Considerations for Boston Terriers
To make sure that your Boston Terrier’s diet is properly formulated, you should choose a commercial dog food product that is made specifically for small-breed dogs. These formulas are usually made with moderate levels of protein and carbohydrate as well as higher levels of fat than traditional dog foods – the extra fat will help to provide for your small-breed dogs high energy needs. Small-breed dogs have very fast metabolisms so they need a diet that will be dense in both energy and nutrients. Look for a food that comes in small kibbles (since Boston Terriers have small mouths) and divide your dog’s daily portion into three or four small meals so he doesn’t eat too much at once. Dividing up your dog’s meals will also ensure that his metabolism is fueled throughout the day.
Another important consideration to make when feeding Boston Terriers is that they do best on a small-breed puppy formula while they are still young. Small-breed puppies reach maturity much faster than large-breed puppies since they have a shorter ways to go. This being the case, your Boston Terrier puppy’s diet needs to provide enough energy to fuel his fast growth. Puppy formulas are typically high in both proteins and fat to ensure optimal growth. Switch your Boston Terrier over to a small-breed adult formula when he reaches about 80% of his maximum size – this could occur anywhere between 6 and 10 months of age. You may also want to feed your puppy freely until he reaches adult size and then scale back to three or four small meals per day.
Top Recommended Dog Foods for Boston Terriers
If you need some help in finding the right food for your Boston Terrier, consider one of the commercial dog food brands discussed below. Be careful when considering a breed-specific formula for your dog – do not just assume that the formula will meet your dog’s needs without evaluating the product for yourself. Consider the ingredients list to make sure that the product is of high-quality before offering it to your dog.
1. Blue Buffalo Basics Small Breed Adult Turkey & Potato Formula
The Blue Buffalo pet food company is known for producing high-quality, all-natural foods for dogs and cats. These foods are made with the finest quality ingredients without the use of artificial flavors, preservatives, and dyes. Blue Buffalo offers four different product lines of dry dog foods – the Life Protection line of natural foods, the Freedom line of grain-free foods, the Basics line of limited ingredient diets, and the Wilderness line of high-protein foods. The Boston Terrier breed is known for having sensitive stomachs and a propensity for developing food allergies – this is why the Blue Buffalo Basics Small Breed Adult Turkey & Potato formula is a good choice. This formula is made with a limited number of ingredients and it is exclusive of common food allergens. This formula contains deboned turkey, oatmeal and brown rice as the top three ingredients followed by turkey meal, peas and potatoes. The Blue Buffalo Basics Small Breed Adult Turkey & Potato formula is supplemented with chelated minerals, antioxidants, and a blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. It also has higher levels of protein to ensure that your small-breed dog’s needs are met.
2. Artemis Small Breed Adult Dog Formula
The Artemis pet food company follows a holistic approach to pet nutrition, ensuring that balance is achieved in all aspects of the animal’s life. Artemis offers a variety of different dry food products for dogs, all of which contain a precise blend of protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals. The Artemis Small Breed Adult Dog Formula is made with a careful blend of nutrients to ensure optimal weight levels and energy levels for your small-breed dog. This formula is made with chicken, chicken meal, turkey, fish meal, and barley as the first five ingredients followed by brown rice, chicken fat, oatmeal, and other healthy additives. This small-breed formula contains a blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well as a number of important antioxidants to support your Boston Terrier’s whole-body health and wellness. It is also made in a smaller kibble size to accommodate his small mouth. Simply put, the Artemis Small Breed Adult Dog Formula is a great choice for your small-breed dog.
3. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Formula
The Wellness pet food company is another company that follows a holistic approach to pet nutrition. This company offers a number of raw-inspired recipes that are made with top-quality ingredients like fresh meats and wholesome fruits and vegetables. The Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Formula is an example of Wellness’ commitment to quality, made with a blend of high-quality proteins and grain-free carbohydrates. This formula is made with deboned turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal as the top three ingredients, followed by potatoes and peas. The Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Formula is nutrient-dense and made in smaller kibble sizes for small-breed dogs – plus, it is made with high-quality proteins to ensure that your Boston Terrier’s energy needs are met. This formula is supplemented with glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy bones and joints as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for beautiful skin and coat.
If you want to make sure that your Boston Terrier grows properly and remains in good health you need to be very intentional about the diet you offer him. If you need suggestions for a good dog food to start with, consider some of the top-rated brands discussed above.
My wife has been giving our Boston a cup of chicken livers daily forever, he’s 7 and weighs 60#. Can we cut him off completely or what do you recommend?