Boxers are one of the more popular breeds in the United States. While they are fun-loving and a great choice for many families, Boxers are prone to large bouts of gas. As you’d guess, most of this breed’s gas problem is linked with what they eat. Therefore, by choosing quality food for your Boxer, you can also control their gas to some extent.
However, many dog foods are not specifically designed to reduce gas. Therefore, choosing one that works for your Boxer can be challenging. For this reason, we’ve reviewed 10 of the best gas-relieving foods for Boxers so that you can make the best decision for your dog.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription
Grain-free
Turkey as the primary ingredient
Limited ingredients used
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Best Value
Gentle Giants Chicken Dry Dog Food
Chicken as the first ingredient
Grain-inclusive
High in fruits and veggies
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Country Vet Naturals 24/14 Healthy Diet Dry Dog Food
Prebiotics and probiotics
Whole grains utilized
Can be used for weight control
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Best for Puppies
Country Vet Naturals 28/18 Healthy Puppy Dog Food
Prebiotics and prebiotics included
Chicken meal as the primary ingredient
Designed for puppies
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Vet’s Choice
Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach
High in omega fatty acids
Grain-inclusive formula
Added probiotics and prebiotics
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The 10 Best Dog Foods for Boxers with Gas
1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall
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Main Ingredients: USDA Turkey, Chickpeas, Carrot, Broccoli, Spinach
Protein Content: 38%
Fat Content: 26%
Calories: 382 kcal/1/2 lb
For most Boxers with gas, we highly recommend The Farmer’s Dog Turkey Recipe. Thanks to its use of fresh ingredients, this recipe is the overall best dog food for Boxers with gas. Most boxers have gas because they are sensitive to something in their dog food. This recipe has very few ingredients, so there are fewer things for them to be sensitive to. Plus, there are no fillers or usual problem foods.
In the end, this leads to less gas (and a less smelly house!).
The first ingredient in this dog food is turkey. This ingredient provides the necessary protein and amino acids your dog needs to thrive. Furthermore, this recipe is completely grain-free. Instead, it includes chickpeas and carrots as the two main carbohydrate sources.
Lastly, chickpeas are quite high in fiber, which may help prevent gas, as well.
Pros
Grain-free
Turkey as the primary ingredient
Limited ingredients used
Free from grain, soy, gluten, artificial colors, and artificial flavors
Fresh ingredients
Cons
Subscription-based service
If you can ignore the bag design, Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Chicken Dry Dog Food is a great option. This dog food features quality ingredients and is designed specifically for larger dogs. While Boxers aren’t super large, they can be sizeable compared to smaller breeds. Plus, this formula is much cheaper than other options out there, especially when you consider the fact that its pricing hasn’t been raised in years. Therefore, it is easily the best dog food for Boxers with gas for the money.
Grain-free
Turkey as the primary ingredient
Limited ingredients used
Free from grain, soy, gluten, artificial colors, and artificial flavors
Fresh ingredients
- Grain-free
- Turkey as the primary ingredient
- Limited ingredients used
- Free from grain, soy, gluten, artificial colors, and artificial flavors
- Fresh ingredients
Subscription-based service
- Subscription-based service
Main Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Pearled Barley, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Peas
Protein Content: 22%
Fat Content: 9%
Calories: 358 kcal/cup
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This formula includes chicken as the main ingredient. Chicken meal appears as the first ingredient, which is a concentrated form of chicken—this recipe includes a lot more chicken than most other options out there.
Furthermore, this formula is grain-inclusive, which works better for many dogs out there. For this reason alone, we highly recommend it.
On top of the grains and chicken, this formula also includes a decent amount of duck, which increases the omega-fatty acid content. Prebiotics and probiotics help with digestive health, improving your dog’s immune system and decreasing gas. There are 12 different fruits and veggies in this formula, as well, which range from beets to cranberries.
Pros
Chicken as the first ingredient
Grain-inclusive
High in fruits and veggies
Fish meal included
Cons
Chicken is a common allergen
- See Also: Gentle Giants Dog Food Review
Like the previous recipe, this formula includes chicken meal as the primary protein source. Therefore, there is quite a lot of protein in this food. Plus, it also includes brown rice and several other grains. Because whole grains are utilized, this formula includes far more fiber than most other options out there. This fiber may help your dog’s gas problems by slowing down their digestion.
Chicken as the first ingredient
Grain-inclusive
High in fruits and veggies
Fish meal included
- Chicken as the first ingredient
- Grain-inclusive
- High in fruits and veggies
- Fish meal included
Chicken is a common allergen
- Chicken is a common allergen
Main Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Grain Sorghum, Pearled Barley, Brewer’s Rice
Protein Content: 24%
Fat Content: 14%
Calories: 402 kcal/cup
We also love that this formula includes prebiotics and probiotics. Both of these are vital for digestion health, so they can help with gas, as well. Wheat and soy are both not included. While these ingredients aren’t always a bad option for your canine, Boxers with digestion problems may have a hard time digesting these ingredients.
This formula isn’t designed explicitly for weight control, but the company advertises that it can be used in that manner. Therefore, this formula may work best for overweight and obese Boxers who also have digestion issues.
Pros
Prebiotics and probiotics
Whole grains utilized
Can be used for weight control
Chicken meal as the first ingredient
Cons
Expensive
- Country Vet Naturals Healthy Puppy Dog Food – Best for Puppies
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Main Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat, Brewer’s Rice, Fish Meal
Protein Content: 28%
Fat Content: 18%
Calories: 422 kcal/cup
When your Boxer is a puppy, it is vital that they are fed appropriate puppy food. After all, they require very specific nutrition when growing to ensure that they develop properly. Improper nutrition when your Boxer is younger can lead to health issues later on.
Prebiotics and probiotics
Whole grains utilized
Can be used for weight control
Chicken meal as the first ingredient
- Prebiotics and probiotics
- Whole grains utilized
- Can be used for weight control
- Chicken meal as the first ingredient
Expensive
- Expensive
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Main Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat, Brewer’s Rice, Fish Meal
Protein Content: 28%
Fat Content: 18%
Calories: 422 kcal/cup
Chicken meal is included as the primary ingredient in this formula. However, chicken fat is included as well. Therefore, this formula includes the proper amount of protein and fat that your puppy needs to thrive.
Probiotics and prebiotics are both included, as well. Both of these help improve your dog’s overall digestion, which can help prevent gas. This formula is all-natural, as well, which means that it is free from many of the troublesome ingredients that may both your dog’s stomach.
Pros
Prebiotics and prebiotics included
Chicken meal as the primary ingredient
Designed for puppies
Cons
Expensive
Purina Pro Plan is one of the longest-lasting dog food companies on the planet. They put a lot of research into each of their foods, which means that they are typically highly recommended. Our vet recommends the Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula for Boxers that need a bit extra digestion help.
Prebiotics and prebiotics included
Chicken meal as the primary ingredient
Designed for puppies
- Prebiotics and prebiotics included
- Chicken meal as the primary ingredient
- Designed for puppies
Main Ingredients: Salmon, Barley, Rice, Oat Meal, Canola Meal
Protein Content: 26%
Fat Content: 16%
Calories: 467 kcal/cup
Unlike most of the formulas on this list, the primary meat in this recipe is salmon. Salmon contains high levels of omega fatty acids, which can benefit our dogs in a number of ways. However, salmon can also increase gas output in some dogs, so proceed cautiously.
This formula is grain inclusive. However, there are several different types of grain included. Some of them are whole, but others are not. Therefore, this formula isn’t necessarily as high-quality as other options.
We do like that this food includes probiotics and prebiotics, which can support your dog’s immune health.
Pros
High in omega fatty acids
Grain-inclusive formula
Added probiotics and prebiotics
Cons
Some lower-quality ingredients
For adult Boxers, Nutro Natural Choice Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe is a solid option. Like most options on this list, this formula features chicken as the primary protein. As long as your Boxer isn’t allergic to chicken, this protein option works great. On top of whole chicken, it also includes chicken meal.
High in omega fatty acids
Grain-inclusive formula
Added probiotics and prebiotics
- High in omega fatty acids
- Grain-inclusive formula
- Added probiotics and prebiotics
Some lower-quality ingredients
- Some lower-quality ingredients
Main Ingredients: Chicken, Brewers Rice, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Whole Grain Barley
Protein Content: 22%
Fat Content: 14%
Calories: 343 kcal/cup
We love those whole grains are included throughout this recipe. Whole grains are very high in fiber, which helps ensure that your dog’s digestion works properly. Therefore, they may help reduce gas.
With that said, this formula doesn’t include GMO ingredients. It also doesn’t include any by-product meal, wheat, or soy. Some dogs are sensitive to these ingredients, so their absence often works well for Boxers.
There are also a lot of omega-fatty acids included in this formula. These may help improve your dog’s skin and coat. Plus, antioxidants also help keep your dog’s immune system in working order.
Pros
Chicken as the main ingredient
Essential antioxidants included
Natural fiber added
Cons
High in grains
Once upon a time, Victor was one of the most expensive dog foods on the market. However, over the last few years, they have started to place about average in terms of cost. Still, their ingredients remain the same, which means that they have great quality for what you’re getting.
Chicken as the main ingredient
Essential antioxidants included
Natural fiber added
- Chicken as the main ingredient
- Essential antioxidants included
- Natural fiber added
High in grains
- High in grains
Main Ingredients: Beef Meal, Grain Sorghum, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Chicken Fat, Yeast Culture
Protein Content: 24%
Fat Content: 12%
Calories: 347 kcal/cup
This formula includes 77% meat protein, which comes from beef meal. This protein is made up of quality, absorbable amino acids that your Boxer needs to thrive. Plus, it also includes several kinds of whole grains to increase the fiber content. However, all the grains used are gluten-free, which may be helpful for your dog’s stomach.
With that said, this formula has been reported to increase gas in some dogs. Therefore, we recommend trying it, but be aware that you may need to switch dog foods again. If that is the case, then we recommend trying a dog food higher on this list.
Pros
High in meat protein
No gluten included
Grain-inclusive
Cons
May increase gas in some dogs
Doesn’t include many fruits, veggies, or added ingredients
- Wholesome Sensitive Skin & Stomach with Salmon Protein
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Main Ingredients: Salmon Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Ground Rice, Pearled Barley
Protein Content: 22%
Fat Content: 12%
Calories: 355 kcal/cup
For some Boxers, Wholesome Sensitive Skin & Stomach with Salmon Protein may help control their gas. This formula is designed for those with a sensitive stomach, which means that it is free from the ingredients that commonly irritate stomachs. In fact, it is free from peas, lentils, and legumes—three ingredients that can be hard for some dogs to digest, leading to extra gas.
High in meat protein
No gluten included
Grain-inclusive
- High in meat protein
- No gluten included
- Grain-inclusive
May increase gas in some dogs
Doesn’t include many fruits, veggies, or added ingredients
- May increase gas in some dogs
- Doesn’t include many fruits, veggies, or added ingredients
Main Ingredients: Salmon Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Ground Rice, Pearled Barley
Protein Content: 22%
Fat Content: 12%
Calories: 355 kcal/cup
This formula does include salmon as the main protein, though. Salmon can cause more gas in some dogs, so this formula won’t necessarily work for every dog out there.
We do like the inclusion of whole grains in this formula. Brown rice and oatmeal add extra fiber and nutrients to the dog food. Many Boxers benefit from this fiber, as it helps regulate the digestive system.
Pros
Added whole grains
Free from peas, lentils, and legumes
Added taurine for heart health
Cons
Salmon may increase gas in some dogs
Expensive
Health Extension Original Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe is very high in chicken, which is easy to digest and works great for most Boxers. With deboned chicken and chicken meal, your dog should get all the amino acids they need to thrive. On top of the chicken, this formula also includes ground brown rice and oatmeal. Both of these are high in fiber, which helps regulate the digestive system.
Added whole grains
Free from peas, lentils, and legumes
Added taurine for heart health
- Added whole grains
- Free from peas, lentils, and legumes
- Added taurine for heart health
Salmon may increase gas in some dogs
Expensive
- Salmon may increase gas in some dogs
- Expensive
Main Ingredients: Organic Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat
Protein Content: 24%
Fat Content: 18%
Calories: 418 kcal/cup
This formula can be used for all life stages. Therefore, you can start your Boxer on it when they are a puppy and not worry about finding new food once they become an adult. Only premium formulas tend to be good for both puppies and adult dogs.
Furthermore, this food includes joint-supporting ingredients like glucosamine, as well as omega fatty acids. It doesn’t include any added gluten, wheat, or soy, making it gentler on your dog’s stomach.
With that said, this formula is extremely expensive compared to other options on the market. Plus, it isn’t explicitly designed for sensitive stomachs and doesn’t contain any probiotics.
Pros
Includes deboned chicken as the first ingredient
Plenty of added nutrients, like omega fatty acids
Cons
No probiotics
Very expensive
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Low Fat Gastrointestinal Dog Food
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Main Ingredients: Brewer’s Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Wheat, Barley, Natural Flavors
Protein Content: 20%
Fat Content: 5.5%
Calories: 248 kcal/cup
If your dog’s digestion is bad enough to warrant a prescription, then we recommend Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Dog Food. This food does require a vet’s prescription, though, so it is only for dogs with serious problems.
Includes deboned chicken as the first ingredient
Plenty of added nutrients, like omega fatty acids
- Includes deboned chicken as the first ingredient
- Plenty of added nutrients, like omega fatty acids
No probiotics
Very expensive
- No probiotics
- Very expensive
Main Ingredients: Brewer’s Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Wheat, Barley, Natural Flavors
Protein Content: 20%
Fat Content: 5.5%
Calories: 248 kcal/cup
This food is surprisingly low in protein and meat-based ingredients. The primary meat source is chicken by-product meal, which isn’t the best option for most dogs. Plus, it includes refined wheat and “natural flavors,” which are also considered low-quality ingredients.
This food is low in fat, which may be better for dogs with sensitive digestion systems. However, that also means that this food is low in calories, so you may need to feed your dog more overall. Because this food is so expensive, this feature will only increase the amount of money you’ll spend.
Pros
Low in fat
Contains omega fatty acids
Cons
Requires a vet’s prescription
Low in calories
Some low-quality ingredients
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Food Options for Your Boxer
Boxers can have some serious gas. Luckily, food can sometimes be helpful in controlling this excessive gas. After all, most gas is caused by what your dog eats.
Low in fat
Contains omega fatty acids
- Low in fat
- Contains omega fatty acids
Requires a vet’s prescription
Low in calories
Some low-quality ingredients
- Requires a vet’s prescription
- Low in calories
- Some low-quality ingredients
However, not just any food will do in this regard. You have to choose food that is high-quality and suitable for reducing gas. Typically, those that are easier on the stomach are the better option.
In this section, we’ll take a look at what ingredients are often best for dogs with excessive gas, as well as other features to look for.
Are Boxers Naturally Gassy?
Many people assume that their Boxer is naturally gassy. After all, many Boxers have excessive gas. However, this isn’t necessarily true. Instead, Boxers are simply prone to sensitive digestion. In other words, they are more sensitive to the ingredients in their food, which can cause extra gas.
If you have a Boxer, you don’t simply have to live with the extra gas. Instead, it is often better to find food that doesn’t upset your dog’s stomach, which should in turn reduce their gas. If your dog is having extra gas, something in their food likely isn’t agreeing with them. What exactly that is, though, can vary.
Common Troublesome Ingredients
What exactly upsets your dog’s stomach will vary. However, there are some ingredients that tend to be troublesome for many dogs. You should typically avoid these ingredients, when possible, as they are more likely to cause gas. However, if you already know that your dog does fine with one of these ingredients, then there is no reason to avoid them.
Here are some things we do recommend avoiding:
Dairy
Soy
Peas
Beans
Beef
Potato
Fiber can also be troublesome for some dogs. However, other dogs find fiber helpful, as it tends to slow down their digestion. The source of the fiber may matter to some dogs, as well. Therefore, added fiber may upset your dog’s stomach, but fiber from a natural source may not.
- Dairy
- Soy
- Peas
- Beans
- Beef
- Potato
Similarly, fatty foods may also upset your dog’s stomach. Fat tends to be harder to digest, which can cause stomach problems. However, your dog does need some fat and you cannot remove it from their food completely.
If you decide to change your Boxer’s food, be sure to do it slowly. Boxers are extra-sensitive to changes in their food—even necessary changes. We recommend introducing new foods as slowly as possible. Stop introducing a new food if your dog starts experiencing increased stomach problems.
Specific allergies can also cause gas. If your dog is still gassy after cutting out common sensitivities, you may need to look into the possibility of food allergies.
Other Ways to Reduce Gas
On top of choosing the correct food, there are other ways to reduce your dog’s gas, as well. Keep in mind, that diet is the primary way to reduce your dog’s gas so many of these steps won’t be effective unless your dog is also on suitable food.
Many Boxers tend to be food-oriented, which can make them eat too fast or too much. Be sure to measure the amount of food your dog gets and don’t overfeed them. In the short term, this can cause increased gas. However, this problem can also lead to obesity over a longer period of time.
Try cutting up your dog’s food into multiple meals. Less food on their stomach at a time may help with digestion. You may also want to try slow feeders and other methods of reducing the speed that they eat. In extreme cases, we recommend using an electronic slow feeder, which only releases a small amount of food at a time.
Conclusion
Boxers are prone to all sorts of gas, usually because of digestion sensitivities. The Farmer’s Dog Turkey is the best food for most gas-prone Boxers, as it doesn’t contain many ingredients. Therefore, there are fewer ingredients for your dog to react to. Plus, it is grain-free, which may also help with gas problems.
If you’re on a budget, you may also want to try Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Chicken Dry Dog Food. This formula utilizes quality ingredients and is much cheaper than other options on the market. Plus, it doesn’t include many of the troublesome ingredients Boxers are often sensitive to. If you’re looking for a high-fiber and protein option with prebiotics and probiotics, you can also go with Country Vet Naturals Healthy Diet Dog Food.
We hope that one of the ingredients on this list helps reduce your Boxer’s gas. Keep in mind, that you may need to try multiple options before you find one that doesn’t upset your dog’s stomach.
Featured Image Credit: Chris Shafer, Pexels
Sources
vetinfo.com boxerforums.com allboxerinfo.com
- vetinfo.com
- boxerforums.com
- allboxerinfo.com
