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10 Best Dog Foods for Boxers With Gas – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Elizabeth Gray

By Elizabeth Gray

boxer dog tilted head

Fun-loving, goofy, and energetic, Boxers are a great fit for active families and individuals. Unfortunately, the stub-tailed pups sometimes contribute more than a sense of fun to the household atmosphere.

Vet turned author James Herriot wrote a memorable tale of Cedric the “farting Boxer,” and if your dog also suffers from a similar condition, you’re likely in the market for a remedy. Flatulence in dogs is often tied to their diet, and your vet may suggest a food change.

To help you out, we’ve collected reviews of what we believe are the 10 best dog foods for Boxers with gas. After you read our reviews, check out the accompanying buyer’s guide for more insights into choosing your Boxer’s new diet, and get ready to clear the air at home!

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A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2024)

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription
  • Fresh food made without fillers or preservatives
  • Nutritionally balanced
  • Shipped directly to your house
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Iams Adult Large Breed Dry Food Iams Adult Large Breed Dry Food
  • Cost-effective, large bags are available
  • Contains fiber and prebiotics for digestion
  • No soy ingredients
  • Third place
    Royal Canin Breed Health Boxer Diet Royal Canin Breed Health Boxer Diet
  • Scientifically backed nutrition, targeted for Boxer health needs
  • Added taurine for heart health
  • No soy or bean ingredients
  • Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed
  • Science-backed nutrition
  • No soy and beans
  • Contains glucosamine, antioxidants, and calcium
  • Farmina N&D Ocean Dry Dog Food Farmina N&D Ocean Dry Dog Food
  • Legume and soy-free
  • Free of common allergens
  • Made with non-GMO ingredients
  • The 10 Best Dog Foods for Boxers With Gas

    1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall

    The Farmer's Dog fresh food turkey recipe in bowl being served to white dog

    Main Ingredients: Pork, sweet potato, potato, green beans
    Protein Content:  9%
    Fat Content:  7%
    Calories:  311 kcal/ 1/2 lb

    The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Pork Recipe is our pick for the overall best dog food for Boxers with gas. It is a small company that produces nutritionally balanced meals tailored to your dog’s specific health needs. They use simple, whole food ingredients such as meats and veggies to create highly digestible food with no cheap fillers or preservatives.

    Feeding this food is like cooking for your Boxer in your kitchen, except The Farmer’s Dog also ensures that your dog receives all the correct levels of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. The Farmer’s Dog is available via an online subscription, where food is cooked and shipped fresh directly to your door on a recurring schedule.

    You can easily adjust your shipping frequency if needed. However, shipping is unavailable to Alaska, Hawaii, or international addresses. As a fresh dog food, it’s a bit more expensive than other commercial options.

    Pros
    • Fresh food made without fillers or preservatives
    • Nutritionally balanced
    • Shipped directly to your house

    Cons
    • No shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally


    2. Iams Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food – Budget Buy

    Iams Adult Large Breed Real Chicken Dry Dog Food

    Main Ingredients: Chicken, ground whole grain barley, ground whole grain corn
    Protein Content:  22.5%
    Fat Content:   12%
    Calories:  351 kcal/cup

    Our choice for the best food for Boxers with gas for the money is Iams Adult Large Breed Chicken and Rice. This cost-effective recipe is available in two large bag sizes, 30 pounds and 38.5 pounds, ideal for controlling the food budget.

    Although it’s a lower-cost recipe, it doesn’t contain soy or other bean ingredients, which commonly contribute to causing gas. Added fiber and prebiotics help support healthy digestion, which is another step in helping ease gas pains.

    Included fatty acids and glucosamine provide extra support for bones and joints and are vital for large Boxers that put a lot of stress on their skeletal system. Iams Large Breed is highly rated by users, but some mentioned that the kibble could be challenging for older dogs to eat. The food also contains some ingredients from China, which many dog owners prefer to avoid.

    Pros
    • Cost-effective, large bags are available
    • Contains fiber and prebiotics for digestion
    • No soy ingredients
    • Includes fatty acids and glucosamine

    Cons
    • Contains some ingredients from China
    • Kibble may be hard for older dogs to eat


    3. Royal Canin Breed Health Boxer Diet

    Royal Canin Breed Health Boxer Diet (1)

    Main Ingredients: Brown rice, brewer’s rice, chicken fat, chicken by-product meal
    Protein Content:  24%
    Fat Content:  18%
    Calories:  335 kcal/cup

    A diet made just for your Boxer’s unique needs comes from one of the biggest names in the global pet food industry. Royal Canin Breed Health Boxer Diet relies on the company’s extensive research into all aspects of pet nutrition, bringing you a diet with additives to address specific Boxer health issues.

    For example, with many Boxers at risk of heart problems, this recipe contains added taurine, which is a nutrient that’s beneficial for cardiac health. It also features an antioxidant blend to strengthen cells and boost immune health.

    The recipe is free from soy and bean ingredients, with nutrition designed to be as absorbable and digestible as possible. Royal Canin is one of the highest-priced on our list. Although it receives good reviews overall, some users note that their dogs don’t like the taste or have difficulty eating the kibble.

    Pros
    • Scientifically backed nutrition, targeted for Boxer health needs
    • Added taurine for heart health
    • No soy or bean ingredients
    • Special antioxidant blend for cellular health

    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Some dogs may not like the taste
    • Kibble may be hard to eat


    4. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed

    Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken Meal & Oat Recipe

    Main Ingredients: Chicken meal, whole grain wheat, whole grain oats
    Protein Content:  24%
    Fat Content:  11%
    Calories:  394 kcal/cup

    For the youngest gassy Boxers, consider Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken Meal and Oat diet. Like Royal Canin, Hill’s spends a lot of time and money researching and testing its dog food, creating recipes with data-backed nutritional value.

    Free from soy and beans, this recipe is high in protein and full of calcium to help your Boxer puppy grow at the correct rate. It also contains glucosamine to maintain joint health and antioxidants for an overall immune boost. Made with both chicken and wheat, common allergy triggers, Hill’s is not a good choice for Boxers with early signs of food sensitivities.

    Pros
    • Science-backed nutrition
    • No soy and beans
    • Contains glucosamine, antioxidants, and calcium

    Cons
    • Not a good choice for puppies with food sensitivities


    5. Farmina N&D Ocean Medium and Maxi Adult

    4Farmina N&D Ocean Codfish & Orange Ancestral Grain Medium & Maxi Adult Dry Dog Food

    Main Ingredients: Cod, dehydrated cod, herring oil
    Protein Content:  30%
    Fat Content:  18%
    Calories:  400 kcal/cup

    Another great choice for Boxers with gas is Farmina N&D Ocean Codfish and Orange Ancestral Grain dry food. It is high in protein, 90% of which comes from animal (in this case, fish) sources. It is grain-inclusive and legume and soy-free. Since it’s free of wheat and chicken, Farmina may be a good option for Boxers with food intolerances.

    Made with non-GMO ingredients, the food also contains fatty acids and glucosamine. Farmina is one of the higher-priced options on our list, and the largest bag available is only 26.5 pounds.

    Another point to keep in mind is the food’s high calories per cup amount and protein content. Less active Boxers could quickly put on too much weight eating it if portions are not carefully calculated.

    Pros
    • Legume and soy-free
    • Free of common allergens
    • Made with non-GMO ingredients
    • Fatty acids and glucosamine included

    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Largest bag available only 26.5 pounds
    • High calories per cup


    6. Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dry Food

    Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin and Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

    Main Ingredients: Salmon, barley, rice
    Protein Content:  26%
    Fat Content:  16%
    Calories:  467 kcal/cup

    For Boxers prone to tummy trouble, consider Purina ProPlan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Salmon and Rice diet. This recipe is formulated for easy digestion and maximum nutrient absorption. It also contains live probiotics and prebiotic fiber to soothe and support the digestive process.

    Pro Plan is soy-free and includes fatty acids to nourish the skin and joints. Purina manufactures this food in the USA, although some ingredients are sourced from China. The recipe has a high calorie content, which means your dog will need to eat less to meet its nutritional needs.

    Most users report good results with Pro Plan, especially for dogs with allergies and stomach issues. Some mentioned that the kibble has a strong fish odor.

    Pros
    • Formulated for sensitive digestion
    • Soy and legume free
    • Includes live probiotics and prebiotics

    Cons
    • Some ingredients from China
    • Fishy odor
    • High calorie content


    7. Nutro Natural Choice Adult Dry Food

    NUTRO Natural Choice Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food

    Main Ingredients: Chicken, brewer’s rice, chicken meal
    Protein Content:  22%
    Fat Content:  14%
    Calories:  343 kcal/cup

    Nutro Natural Choice Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Diet is a cost-effective option for Boxers with gas, with an affordable price and multiple bag sizes available, including 40-pound bags.

    It’s made without by-products, which some dog owners prefer to avoid. The non-GMO ingredients do not include soy or legumes, which are common gas-causing culprits.

    The fatty acids and antioxidants help support skin, joints, and overall immune system health. Nutro contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives either. Because it contains chicken, it probably won’t be a good choice for Boxers with food allergies. Although most users were happy with the recipe, some said their dogs were not fans of a recent formula change.

    Pros
    • Non-GMO ingredients, no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
    • Cost-effective, multiple bag sizes available
    • Includes fatty acids and antioxidants

    Cons
    • Not a good choice for Boxers with food sensitivities
    • Some dogs dislike recent formula change


    8. Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Adult Dry Food

    Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Real Beef + Brown Rice Recipe with Ancient Grains Adult Dry Dog Food

    Main Ingredients: Deboned beef, pork meal, brown rice
    Protein Content:  26%
    Fat Content:  15%
    Calories:  386 kcal/cup

    If your Boxer is looking for a change in flavor from the usual chicken dog food, consider Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Real Beef and Brown Rice diet. Although it’s made in the USA, Merrick does use a supplier in China to source B vitamins. The recipe is made with real beef, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

    It is soy, pea, and bean-free but contains fatty acids and glucosamine. Although beef is the number one protein source, it includes several other meat and fish ingredients, which may complicate any future diet trials if your Boxer develops food allergies. Users report that the kibble may be a bit small for bigger dogs and that picky dogs may not enjoy the flavor.

    Pros
    • Soy, pea, and bean-free
    • Different flavor option
    • Includes fatty acids and glucosamine

    Cons
    • Does contain one ingredient from China
    • Multiple protein sources may complicate future diet trials
    • Small kibble


    9. Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie with Ancient Grains

    Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie With Ancient Grains

    Main Ingredients: Water buffalo, pork, chicken meal
    Protein Content:  32%
    Fat Content:  18%
    Calories:  445 kcal/cup

    Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie is a popular brand due to its high-protein recipes, but most are grain-free and contain peas and other legumes. Because of this, they aren’t the best options for Boxers with gas.

    However, Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie with Ancient Grains diet is an exception. It’s made with protein from multiple sources and contains no soy or legumes. It’s full of healthy grains, superfoods, and fruit. Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie also includes probiotics and prebiotics for additional digestive support.

    Fatty acids, taurine, and glucosamine are also included. Taste of the Wild is a family-owned brand and manufactures its food in the USA. However, they source some nutrients from China. Although it contains many unusual proteins, it still includes chicken high on the ingredient list, ruling it off the list for Boxers with food sensitivities.

    Pros
    • High in protein from multiple animal sources
    • No soy or legumes, unlike many recipes from Taste of the Wild
    • Includes probiotics, prebiotics, taurine, fatty acids, and glucosamine
    • Made in the USA by a family-owned company

    Cons
    • Contains chicken
    • Contains some ingredients from China


    10. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food

    Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Green Pea & Duck Formula Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

    Main Ingredients: Duck, duck meal, potato
    Protein Content:  24%
    Fat Content:  10%
    Calories:  370 kcal/cup

    As we mentioned, almost all grain-free diets contain peas and beans, making them less ideal for Boxers with gas. However, if you want to avoid grains and gas, Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Grain-free Duck and Potato gives you the option. Since it’s made without common allergens, including chicken, this recipe may be a good option for Boxers with suspected food sensitivities.

    Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food is free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives and is rich in fiber to support digestion. It doesn’t come in a bag larger than 24 pounds, which could be less convenient if your Boxer is a big eater.

    Some customers reported that the price and formula had changed recently, which is unpopular with some dogs and owners. In addition, check with your vet to determine if your dog would benefit from grain-free food before making the switch, as not all pups need to avoid the ingredients.

    Pros
    • Limited ingredients, allergy-friendly
    • One of the only grain-free options without peas and beans
    • No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives

    Cons
    • Largest available bag is only 24 pounds
    • Not all dogs need grain-free food
    • Recent price increases and formula changes not well-received

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    Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Dog Food for Boxers With Gas

    Before you decide which brand makes the most sense for your Boxer with gas, here are some additional points to keep in mind.

    Check the Ingredients

    You may have noticed that we made a point to only include diets without soy, peas, or other legumes. That’s because the ingredients are among those known to be associated with flatulence in dogs.

    We couldn’t review every possible diet suitable for Boxers with gas, but avoiding these ingredients is a good baseline to use when selecting a food.

    boxer dog lying on autumn leaves
    Image By: larstuchel, Shutterstock

    Check the Fat Content

    Diets high in fat are another potential source of excessive gas in Boxers. If you switch to food without the ingredients we mentioned and your dog is still gassy, look at the fat percentage. You might need to look for one lower in fat. In extreme cases, your vet may even recommend switching to low-fat prescription food.

    Don’t Forget the Treats

    It’s not just your Boxer’s regular diet that could be causing gas. Keep a close eye on any treats they eat, especially table scraps or other human foods.

    Treats are more likely to contain milk products (cheese especially.) Cheese and peanut butter, two common human foods offered as treats, are both high in fat. Spicy foods can also cause gas.

    Rule Out a Medical Issue

    Sometimes, your Boxer could be gassy due to a medical issue. Dogs can suffer from several digestive and nutrient absorption diseases that can cause excessive gas.

    If you’ve already tried changing your Boxer’s diet and cutting out fatty treats, it might be time to investigate further. Your veterinarian is the first place to start, although they may suggest a referral to a veterinary internal medicine specialist if needed.

    Boxer
    Image Credit: Myriams-Fotos, Pixabay

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    Conclusion

    Our top overall pick, The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Pork Recipe, features simple nutrition with no unnecessary fillers. Our best value pick, Iams Large Breed Chicken and Rice, is cost-effective but still soy-free. Royal Canin Boxer Diet offers breed-specific nutritional support. Hill’s Chicken Meal and Oat Large Breed provides science-backed nutrition without common gas-causing ingredients. Farmina Codfish and Orange is a chicken-free recipe packed with protein and fatty acids. We hope our reviews of the 10 dog food recipes, plus the buyer’s guide, provide some helpful information as you search for food that won’t give your Boxer gas.


    Featured Image Credit: Charlotte Yealey, Pixabay

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