Boston Terriers are popular family pets thanks to their size, good temperament, and playful attitude. However, Bostons are often prone to another smelly trait: gas. Excessive gas (flatulence1) in dogs is often related to diet, as poorly digested food sits too long in the colon. Certain foods and ingredients are regular culprits as well. To help your Boston Terrier be seen and not smelled, we’ve collected reviews of the 10 best dog foods for Boston Terriers with gas. Hold your nose and start reading!
A Quick Look at Our Favorites (2023)
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Best Overall
The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe
Fresh ingredients, highly digestible
No fillers or preservatives
Personalized recipes
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Best Value
Iams Proactive Adult Healthy Weight
Low in fat
Convenient and affordable
Contains prebiotics and fiber for improved digestion
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Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN
Formulated specially for dogs with digestive issues
Highly digestible and absorbable
Science-backed nutrition
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Best for Puppies
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Small Breed
High in protein
Contains live probiotics for digestibility and gut health
Highly absorbable
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Vet’s Choice
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet
Limited ingredients, no chicken
No preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors
No ingredients from China
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The 10 Best Dog Foods for Boston Terriers With Gas
1. The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall
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Main ingredients: Chicken, Brussels sprouts, chicken liver, bok choy
Protein content: 11.5%
Fat content: 8.5%
Calories: 295 kcal/half pound
Our pick for the best overall dog food for Boston Terriers with gas is The Farmer’s Dog Chicken recipe. The Farmer’s Dog produces fresh, highly digestible dog food from real meat and vegetables. Their recipes contain no cheap fillers and are made without preservatives.
Your Boston Terrier will receive personalized diet recommendations tailored to their age and health conditions. The food is gently cooked and shipped fresh to your house regularly. Unfortunately, The Farmer’s Dog does not ship to Alaska or Hawaii at this time. Because it’s made with whole ingredients, this recipe is higher-priced than many on our list. Overall, users seem to love it, based on the many positive reviews and testimonials we found.
Pros
Fresh ingredients, highly digestible
No fillers or preservatives
Personalized recipes
Cons
Doesn’t ship to Alaska or Hawaii
More expensive than many other brands
Our choice for the best dog food for Boston Terriers with gas for the money is Iams Proactive Health Healthy Weight diet. High-fat foods are one potential cause of gas in dogs, and choosing a recipe like this one may improve your Boston Terrier’s digestive issues.
Fresh ingredients, highly digestible
No fillers or preservatives
Personalized recipes
- Fresh ingredients, highly digestible
- No fillers or preservatives
- Personalized recipes
Doesn’t ship to Alaska or Hawaii
More expensive than many other brands
- Doesn’t ship to Alaska or Hawaii
- More expensive than many other brands
Main ingredients: Chicken, ground whole grain corn, ground whole grain sorghum, ground whole grain barley
Protein content: 20%
Fat content: 9%
Calories: 307 kcal/cup
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This recipe also contains fiber and prebiotics to improve digestion further. Made without soy (another gas-causing ingredient), Iams Healthy Weight is affordable, convenient, and available in many grocery chains and pet stores. However, Boston Terriers with food sensitivities are not well-matched to this food because it contains chicken. Users gave this recipe positive reviews overall, but some noted that picky eaters might not like it. It also features a lower protein content than many other brands on our list.
Pros
Low in fat
Convenient and affordable
Contains prebiotics and fiber for improved digestion
Cons
Lower protein content
Picky eaters may not like it
For Boston Terriers with serious tummy trouble, consider Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diet EN. This prescription diet is specially formulated to be easily digestible and highly absorbable. Not only will your gassy Boston be able to process their food with ease, but they can also make maximum use of the nutrients within it as well.
Low in fat
Convenient and affordable
Contains prebiotics and fiber for improved digestion
- Low in fat
- Convenient and affordable
- Contains prebiotics and fiber for improved digestion
Lower protein content
Picky eaters may not like it
- Lower protein content
- Picky eaters may not like it
Main ingredients: Brewer’s rice, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn, chicken meal
Protein content: 23%
Fat content: 10.5%
Calories: 397 kcal/cup
Purina relied on scientists, vets, and animal nutritionists to create this recipe, and all that research doesn’t come cheap, so buying this food will put a dent in your bank account. It is lower in fat and contains adequate protein to fuel an energetic Boston Terrier. Users report good results with this food overall, although small dog owners mentioned that they wished the kibbles were smaller.
Pros
Formulated specially for dogs with digestive issues
Highly digestible and absorbable
Science-backed nutrition
Cons
Requires a prescription
Expensive
For gassy Boston Terrier puppies, Purina Pro Plan Puppy Small Breed Formula provides a digestible, protein-rich solution. Made with live probiotics, this recipe is higher in fat than the others on our list, but that’s normal for puppy food. You’ll need to balance the nutrients needed for healthy growth with decreasing the amount of gas your dog produces.
Formulated specially for dogs with digestive issues
Highly digestible and absorbable
Science-backed nutrition
- Formulated specially for dogs with digestive issues
- Highly digestible and absorbable
- Science-backed nutrition
Requires a prescription
Expensive
- Requires a prescription
- Expensive
Main ingredients: Chicken, corn gluten meal, poultry by-product meal
Protein content: 33%
Fat content: 20%
Calories: 482 kcal/cup
This recipe is high in absorption and nutrient availability, leaving less behind to cause gas. The kibble is puppy-sized, and most dogs seem to love the taste. Because it contains chicken and wheat, two common allergens, this recipe is not a good option for puppies showing signs of early food sensitivities.
Pros
High in protein
Contains live probiotics for digestibility and gut health
Highly absorbable
Most puppies love the taste
Cons
Not a good option for dogs with food sensitivities
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet is made without many ingredients that commonly cause gas, including soy, peas, and dairy products. It’s also chicken-free, making it a potential option for Boston Terriers with food allergies. Made with only nine ingredients, this recipe is designed to be gentle on the stomach.
High in protein
Contains live probiotics for digestibility and gut health
Highly absorbable
Most puppies love the taste
- High in protein
- Contains live probiotics for digestibility and gut health
- Highly absorbable
- Most puppies love the taste
Not a good option for dogs with food sensitivities
- Not a good option for dogs with food sensitivities
Main ingredients: Deboned salmon, salmon meal, brown rice
Protein content: 24%
Fat content: 14%
Calories: 384 kcal/cup
It’s manufactured in the USA and is free of preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors. Merrick also states that they don’t get any ingredients from China. Not all dogs will like the fishy smell and taste. However, owners whose dogs did eat it reported good results in controlling potential food sensitivities.
Pros
Limited ingredients, no chicken
No preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors
No ingredients from China
Cons
Some dogs don’t care for the taste or smell
Since it’s high in protein, Wellness Small Breed Complete Health provides plenty of fuel for an active Boston Terrier while avoiding many ingredients that can cause gas. However, it is slightly higher in fat than other recipes on our list. It uses three different protein sources, including chicken meal, so it is not recommended for dogs with possible food sensitivities.
Limited ingredients, no chicken
No preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors
No ingredients from China
- Limited ingredients, no chicken
- No preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors
- No ingredients from China
Some dogs don’t care for the taste or smell
- Some dogs don’t care for the taste or smell
Main ingredients: Deboned turkey, chicken meal, salmon meal
Protein content: 28%
Fat content: 15%
Calories: 408 kcal/cup
Wellness Small Breed is made with non-GMO ingredients and includes added fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, and probiotics. It is made in the USA without preservatives but contains some ingredients from China. Some users report that the kibble has a strong smell. Others stated that their picky dogs wouldn’t eat the food.
Pros
High in protein
Non-GMO ingredients
Added fatty acids, glucosamine, antioxidants, and probiotics
Cons
Strong smell
Some ingredients sourced from China
For older Boston Terriers struggling with gas, Hill’s Science Diet Small Paws 7+ Chicken Meal, Barley, and Brown Rice is a low-fat diet option to consider. It does contain some ingredients that may cause gas, which is why we ranked it lower on our list. Hill’s is a respected pet food brand, with decades of nutrition research in formulating their recipes.
High in protein
Non-GMO ingredients
Added fatty acids, glucosamine, antioxidants, and probiotics
- High in protein
- Non-GMO ingredients
- Added fatty acids, glucosamine, antioxidants, and probiotics
Strong smell
Some ingredients sourced from China
- Strong smell
- Some ingredients sourced from China
Main ingredients: Chicken meal, cracked pearled barley, brown rice
Protein content: 16%
Fat content: 11%
Calories: 362 kcal/cup
This recipe features a lower overall calorie count for older dogs with decreased activity levels. It also includes antioxidants and fatty acids. While it receives positive reviews overall from owners, some report that it seems to have a strong odor.
Pros
Low in fat and calories
Includes antioxidants and fatty acids
Cons
Strong smell
Contains some ingredients that may cause gas
Nutro Ultra Adult is a high-protein formula with three animal sources and a blend of superfoods. With no soy or peas, this recipe also contains beet pulp, a natural source of fiber and prebiotics. According to the company, Nutro uses only non-GMO ingredients, sourced from trusted farmers. Because it contains chicken, it’s unsuitable for Boston Terriers with potential food allergies. In addition, the multitude of ingredients will make it trickier to perform a novel (new) protein diet trial should one be needed in the future. Most users would recommend this food to others, but some mentioned that picky eaters might dislike this recipe.
Low in fat and calories
Includes antioxidants and fatty acids
- Low in fat and calories
- Includes antioxidants and fatty acids
Strong smell
Contains some ingredients that may cause gas
- Strong smell
- Contains some ingredients that may cause gas
Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain sorghum
Protein content: 24%
Fat content: 15%
Calories: 362 kcal/cup
Pros
Made from non-GMO ingredients
No soy or peas
Beet pulp for natural fiber and prebiotics
Cons
Not suitable for dogs with food sensitivities
Picky eaters may not like the taste
This recipe should only be used with veterinary approval and requires a prescription. Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein is designed for dogs with suspected food allergies or specific digestive issues. It does contain soy protein, but in a form already broken down small enough to escape notice by the dog’s immune system.
Made from non-GMO ingredients
No soy or peas
Beet pulp for natural fiber and prebiotics
- Made from non-GMO ingredients
- No soy or peas
- Beet pulp for natural fiber and prebiotics
Not suitable for dogs with food sensitivities
Picky eaters may not like the taste
- Not suitable for dogs with food sensitivities
- Picky eaters may not like the taste
Main ingredients: Brewer’s rice, hydrolyzed soy protein, chicken fat
Protein content: 22%
Fat content: 14%
Calories: 376 kcal/cup
This also makes it easier to digest, hopefully avoiding any gas that digesting soy would typically cause. As a result of careful research and study, Royal Canin also helps prevent other common health concerns, like bladder stones. It is one of the highest-priced brands on our list and not appropriate for use in all cases of gassy Boston Terriers, which is why it is ranked lower.
Pros
Formulated for digestive issues and food allergies
Also helps prevent bladder stones
Cons
Requires a prescription
Expensive
If you need a wet food option for your Boston Terrier, Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Sweet Potato and Venison might work. We haven’t included any other grain-free options on our list because most contain peas, which are known to cause gas. This recipe does not, but you should still check with your vet to determine if a grain-free diet is suitable for your dog.
Formulated for digestive issues and food allergies
Also helps prevent bladder stones
- Formulated for digestive issues and food allergies
- Also helps prevent bladder stones
Main ingredients: Sweet potatoes, venison broth, venison
Protein content: 6%
Fat content: 4%
Calories: 376 kcal/13 oz can
Since it’s made with a novel protein (venison) and free of chicken ingredients, Natural Balance may be a good, non-prescription diet for Boston Terriers with food sensitivities. Users report that this recipe has a very soft texture, even for a canned recipe. It may be best for dogs with bad teeth.
Pros
Limited ingredients, no peas
A good option for food sensitivities
Cons
More expensive than dry food on average
Soft texture
Limited ingredients, no peas
A good option for food sensitivities
- Limited ingredients, no peas
- A good option for food sensitivities
More expensive than dry food on average
Soft texture
- More expensive than dry food on average
- Soft texture
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Food for Boston Terrier with Gas
Here are some additional points to keep in mind to help you narrow down your choices now that you’ve checked out our reviews.
Is Your Boston Terrier Getting Other Treats?
It’s all well and good to change your dog’s diet in hopes of decreasing their gas, but your efforts may be in vain if your pup also receives other treats. Spicy foods, dairy products, and high-fat foods are also potentially associated with excess gas in dogs. Many human food items fall into that category, but dog treats can also be high in fat. Cut out these extra snacks to help decrease your Boston Terrier’s gas.
How Old Is Your Boston Terrier?
While decreasing gas will make your life more pleasant, it’s vital that you also feed your Boston Terrier the right food for their stage of life, especially puppies. Fast-growing puppies have much different nutritional needs and require a diet formulated just for them. Some older dogs can continue to thrive on adult dog food up until a certain age, so check with your veterinarian to determine the right time to switch.
Does Your Boston Terrier Have Other Health Problems?
If you’re managing multiple health problems, you’ll need to be more careful when choosing a diet. For example, is your Boston Terrier overweight as well as gassy? Do they have bladder stones or another medical condition? In addition, some dogs are excessively gassy due to an issue with digesting or absorbing their food. Those Boston Terriers may require additional medical intervention beyond just changing their diet. As always, work closely with your veterinarian when diagnosing and managing medical conditions.
Conclusion
Our top pick for Boston Terriers with gas, The Farmer’s Dog, offers fresh, highly digestible nutrition. Our best value choice, Iams Healthy Weight, is an affordable, low-fat recipe. Purina EN is the prescription choice for dogs with diagnosed digestive struggles. Pro Plan Small Breed Puppy is high in protein and readily absorbed. Merrick Healthy Grains Salmon is the non-GMO, limited ingredient option for food-sensitive Boston Terriers. No matter what’s causing your Boston Terrier’s gas, we hope these reviews help you find a diet choice that will help clear the air.
Featured Image Credit: Image Credit: bubutu, Shutterstock
