Wheaten terriers are a devoted, friendly breed. Their medium size and happy temperament make them excellent family pets. The dogs need the right food to stay healthy and keep their gorgeous coats shiny. However, finding the best dog food for your wheaten can be easier said than done. We’re here to make the task easier by sharing reviews of our top 10 picks. We’ll also answer some common questions about wheaten terriers’ diets.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

Image Product Details

Best Overall

The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription

Human-grade food

Pre-portioned

Delivered to your door

Click to Save 50%

  • Get Free Shipping

Best Value

American Journey Active Life Formula

Reasonably priced

High-quality ingredients

No preservatives

Check Price

ACANA Wholesome Grains Limited Ingredient Diet

Limited ingredient, grain-inclusive

Contains novel proteins

Ideal protein level

Check Price

Best for Puppies

Royal Canin Medium Puppy Dry Dog Food

Formulated for puppies

30% protein for growing puppies

Pups love the taste

Check Price

Vet’s Choice

Tiki Dog Wildz Lamb Recipe Grain-Free

Calorie-dense

Made with lamb

Check Price

The 10 Best Dog Foods for Wheaten Terriers

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

Click Here to Save 50% + Get Free Shipping with The Farmer’s Dog

Main ingredients: Chicken, brussel sprouts, chicken liver, bok choy, broccoli

Protein content: 11.5%

Fat content: 5%

Calories: 590 kcal/pound

The Farmer’s Dog is our #1 pick for wheaten terriers, and it might be right the right choice if you value feeding your dog fresh, human-grade food. Some owners claim the Farmer’s Dog diet alleviated their dog’s skin and stomach issues. The subscription-based service ships customized, pre-portioned packages right to your door. That eliminates the hassle of measuring dog food or making last-minute trips to the pet store. What we don’t like about the Farmer’s Dog’s website is that you can’t view recipes unless you answer a brief questionnaire. However, the company states that all its recipes meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines for dog food. The Farmer’s Dog’s high-quality ingredients and convenience make it our overall best dog food for wheaten terriers.

Pros

Human-grade food

Pre-portioned

Delivered to your door

Cons

Must be refrigerated or frozen

Requires a subscription

2. American Journey Active Life Formula – Best Value

Chewy’s in-house brand offers consumers the best dog food for wheaten terriers for the money. The recipe’s fish oil benefits wheaten terriers since it can alleviate itchy skin and support a silky coat. All of the ingredients in this wallet-friendly recipe have a purpose. There are no fillers or artificial ingredients. Consider American Journey if you need a grain-inclusive formula that does not contain wheat or corn. The “natural flavor” and variety of animal proteins make this recipe unsuitable for dogs with protein and other allergies.

Human-grade food

Pre-portioned

Delivered to your door

  • Human-grade food
  • Pre-portioned
  • Delivered to your door

Must be refrigerated or frozen

Requires a subscription

  • Must be refrigerated or frozen
  • Requires a subscription

Pros

Reasonably priced

High-quality ingredients

No preservatives

Cons

Contains unspecified “Natural Flavor”

3. ACANA Wholesome Grains Diet – Premium Choice

This recipe from ACANA is one of the few limited-ingredient formulas that contain grains.

Reasonably priced

High-quality ingredients

No preservatives

  • Reasonably priced
  • High-quality ingredients
  • No preservatives

Contains unspecified “Natural Flavor”

  • Contains unspecified “Natural Flavor”

Some dog owners stated their pups enjoyed the food but had to switch to a lower-priced brand. While the protein content comes from duck, the recipe contains fish oil. It’s far enough down the ingredient list that it may be tolerable for wheaten terriers with fish intolerances but not true allergies. Talk to your vet if you have any concerns about giving your dog food that contains fish oil.

Pros

Limited ingredient, grain-inclusive

Contains novel proteins

Ideal protein level

Cons

Expensive

May not be suitable for dogs with fish allergies

4. Royal Canin Medium Puppy Dry Dog Food – Best for Puppies

Royal Canin is a favorite of dog breeders. This recipe meets wheatens and other puppies’ nutritional needs, which will be 23 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Most reviewers state their puppies love the taste and have healthy coats. Critics feel this Royal Canin formula is overpriced for what it contains. While ingredients like chicken by-product meal, corn, and wheat have fallen out of favor with some dog owners, they are still legitimate sources of nutrients most dogs tolerate.

Limited ingredient, grain-inclusive

Contains novel proteins

Ideal protein level

  • Limited ingredient, grain-inclusive
  • Contains novel proteins
  • Ideal protein level

Expensive

May not be suitable for dogs with fish allergies

  • Expensive
  • May not be suitable for dogs with fish allergies

Pros

Formulated for puppies

30% protein for growing puppies

Pups love the taste

Cons

Expensive

Contains fewer whole meat ingredients

5. Tiki Dog Wildz Grain-Free Wet Dog Food – Vet’s Choice

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Main ingredients: Lamb, water sufficient for processing, lamb liver, lamb lung, lamb kidney

Protein content: 10% minimum

Fat content: 11% minimum

Calories: 586 ME kcal/can

Finding wet dog food is difficult if your wheaten terrier can’t tolerate common animal proteins or grains. Enter Tiki Dog Wildz, the lamb-packed, grain-free wet food dogs love. Several owners of senior dogs say their toothless pups love this soft food. You can also mix the formula with dry food for an occasional treat. New Zealand lamb doesn’t come cheap, but this is a special recipe for special dogs. Tiki Dog is calorie-dense, so be mindful of portion sizes. Many dogs with protein allergies can tolerate grains, and you can talk to your vet before switching to this or any grain-free diet.

Formulated for puppies

30% protein for growing puppies

Pups love the taste

  • Formulated for puppies
  • 30% protein for growing puppies
  • Pups love the taste

Expensive

Contains fewer whole meat ingredients

  • Expensive
  • Contains fewer whole meat ingredients

Pros

Calorie-dense

Made with lamb

Cons

Expensive

Some dogs dislike the flavor

6. Fromm Gold Nutritionals Adult Dry Dog Food

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Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, chicken broth, oat groats, pearled barley

Protein content: 25% minimum

Fat content: 16% minimum

Calories: 418kcal/cup

Fromm’s Gold Nutritionals provides nutrition-packed grains in the form of oat groats, pearled barley, whole barley, white rice, and brown rice. This formula is free of corn, wheat, and soy. Unlike major national brands, it can be hard to find Fromm’s in stores. Fromm’s is a good choice if you want to support a small, family-owned business. The company owns and operates its manufacturing facilities and is known for responsive customer service.

Calorie-dense

Made with lamb

  • Calorie-dense
  • Made with lamb

Expensive

Some dogs dislike the flavor

  • Expensive
  • Some dogs dislike the flavor

Pros

Contains probiotics

Made in the USA

Cons

Hard to find in stores

Not for dogs with chicken allergies

7. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Dry Dog Food

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Main ingredients: Brewer’s rice, hydrolyzed soy protein, chicken fat, natural flavors, dried plain beet pulp

Protein content: 19.5% minimum

Fat content: 17.5% minimum

Calories: 332 kcal/cup

Dogs need protein in their diet, but an allergy can limit your food options. Wheaten terriers with certain allergies may require a food with hydrolyzed protein. You can buy this Royal Canin formula on Chewy, but you will need your vet’s authorization. Ask your vet about the hydrolyzed protein recipe if you’ve tried numerous over-the-counter dog foods but your pup still has allergy symptoms. While this specialized formula is expensive, some dogs with food allergies have other options, such as novel proteins or limited-ingredient food.

Contains probiotics

Made in the USA

  • Contains probiotics
  • Made in the USA

Hard to find in stores

Not for dogs with chicken allergies

  • Hard to find in stores
  • Not for dogs with chicken allergies

Pros

Hydrolyzed protein

Developed for dogs with allergies

Cons

Requires a vet’s authorization

Expensive

8. Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Recipe

Rachael Ray was a Food Network star before venturing into the pet food market. Her Nutrish line of dog food may interest you for two reasons. First, it’s a brand that is easy to find and widely available online and in stores. Secondly, proceeds from the sale of Nutrish benefit animals in need through the Rachael Ray Foundation.

Hydrolyzed protein

Developed for dogs with allergies

  • Hydrolyzed protein
  • Developed for dogs with allergies

Requires a vet’s authorization

Expensive

  • Requires a vet’s authorization
  • Expensive

This recipe contains tasty protein like turkey, chicken meal, and venison. While the formula has mostly rave reviews, critics’ most common complaint was that their dogs didn’t like it. Some owners found the food to have an unpleasant odor. You can purchase a smaller 5.5-pound bag to see if your wheaten terrier likes the taste. Overall, this is an affordable dog food that is free of any artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.

Pros

Widely available in stores

Proceeds benefit animals in need

Cons

May have an unpleasant odor

Some dogs dislike the flavor

9. Solid Gold Holistique Blendz Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food

It can be challenging to find the right food if your wheaten terrier has a sensitive stomach. This recipe from Solid Gold contains live probiotics to support healthy digestion. Give this food a try if your pup has a tender tummy and enjoys the taste of fish. Superfoods like pumpkin, blueberries, and cranberry round out the ingredient list. Solid Gold considers itself “America’s first holistic pet food” and has a loyal consumer base. Dog owners who switch to this recipe say this food improved their pup’s coats and stools. Some long-time users have noted a recent price increase for the recipe.

Widely available in stores

Proceeds benefit animals in need

  • Widely available in stores
  • Proceeds benefit animals in need

May have an unpleasant odor

Some dogs dislike the flavor

  • May have an unpleasant odor
  • Some dogs dislike the flavor

Pros

Contains live probiotics

Formulated for sensitive stomachs

Cons

Expensive

Contains peas

Price recently increased

10. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Lamb & Oatmeal

Purina Pro Plan is a favorite of wheaten terriers, and happy owners report that their dogs lick their bowls clean. The ingredients in this sensitive skin and stomach recipe may help alleviate indigestion and skin issues. Lamb is a novel protein that is easier for some wheaten terriers to tolerate, and the live probiotics can aid in digestion. Some owners don’t like the smell of Purina Pro Plan, or the fact that kibble pieces easily crumble. Try this tasty food if your pup has a tender tummy and has turned up their nose at other recipes.

Contains live probiotics

Formulated for sensitive stomachs

  • Contains live probiotics
  • Formulated for sensitive stomachs

Expensive

Contains peas

Price recently increased

  • Expensive
  • Contains peas
  • Price recently increased

Pros

Contains live probiotics

Dogs love the taste

Cons

May have a strong odor

Kibble crumbles easily

Not for dogs with weight problems

Buyer’s Guide: Wheaten Terrier Dog Food

Below, we answer some of the questions you may have about feeding your wheaten terrier.

Contains live probiotics

Dogs love the taste

  • Contains live probiotics
  • Dogs love the taste

May have a strong odor

Kibble crumbles easily

Not for dogs with weight problems

  • May have a strong odor
  • Kibble crumbles easily
  • Not for dogs with weight problems

Are Wheaten Terriers Allergic to Chicken?

Wheatens have a reputation for having food allergies. However, the breed is not allergic to any one ingredient. You shouldn’t assume your dog has a food allergy without consulting your vet.

What Is the Difference Between a Food Intolerance and a Food Allergy in Dogs?

An allergy occurs when a food triggers an inappropriate immune system response. Many food allergies in dogs manifest as skin conditions and chronic ear conditions, not as stomach issues.

A food intolerance, on the other hand, often causes an upset stomach. Your wheaten terrier may experience symptoms like gas and loose stools if they eat food they are intolerant to.

Contrary to trends in the pet food industry, most dogs tolerate grains just fine. There is no need to switch your dog to a grain-free diet unless your vet recommends it. Grains provide vital nutrients that most dogs need to stay healthy. Animal proteins are the most common canine allergen, with beef, dairy, and chicken being the top three.

Do Wheaten Terrier Puppies Need Puppy Food?

Puppies of all breeds have different nutritional needs than their adult counterparts. Your wheaten terrier needs puppy food until they stop growing or when they reach their first birthday. Talk to your vet about when to switch to an adult dog formula.

Do Wheaten Terriers Need a Special Diet?

Dogs with certain health conditions may require a special diet. Some breeds, including wheaten terriers, are more likely to develop protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) than other dogs. Your vet may recommend a particular food to help manage the condition if your dog develops PLE.

How Do I Switch My Wheaten to a New Dog Food?

The short answer is, “Slowly.” The last thing you want to do is feed your dog their current dog food at one meal, then feed them a bowl of the new food at the next. Switching to a new dog food should take at least a week, but there is no disadvantage to going slower.

You should start with a mix of 25% new food and 75% current food. Gradually increase the ratio of new food.

Conclusion

We hope these reviews make it easier to find the best dog food for your wheaten terrier. Our best overall choice is The Farmer’s Dog. This subscription-based brand offers fresh, human-grade food. We think Chewy’s in-house brand, American Journey, is the best value for the money. Their Active Life Formula Beef, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe might be right for your dog. The third food on our list is ACANA Wholesome Grains Limited Ingredient Diet Duck & Pumpkin. This is one of the few limited ingredient recipes that contain grains. Wheaten terrier puppies need a recipe formulated for growing dogs, and Royal Canin Medium Puppy Dry Dog Food is a favorite among dog owners and breeders alike. And our fifth pick is also our vet’s choice, Tiki Dog Wildz Lamb Recipe with Lamb Liver, Lung & Kidney Grain-Free Wet Dog Food. Consider this formula if your vet recommends a grain-free wet food with novel proteins. Talk to your vet or a certified veterinarian dietitian if you have any concerns about what to feed your wheaten terrier.

Sources

https://www.thefarmersdog.com/ https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/What-Is-AAFCO-and-What-Does-It-Do https://www.chewy.com/american-journey-active-life-formula/dp/136733 https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/fish-oil-for-dogs/ https://www.chewy.com/acana-singles-wholesome-grains/dp/286019 https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-medium-puppy-dry-dog-food/dp/48234 https://www.chewy.com/tiki-dog-wildz-lamb-recipe-lamb-liver/dp/213037 https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/how-tell-if-your-dog-has-food-allergies

https://www.reddit.com/r/Wheatens/comments/aapana/what_kibble_are_you_feeding_your_wheatens/ https://www.frommfamily.com/about/question-and-answer/company/where-is-fromm-made/ https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-veterinary-diet/dp/35621 https://www.petmd.com/dog/what-hydrolyzed-protein-dog-food

https://www.chewy.com/rachael-ray-nutrish-real-turkey-brown/dp/126240 https://www.rachaelrayfoundation.org/ https://www.chewy.com/solid-gold-holistique-blendz-oatmeal/dp/393966 https://www.chewy.com/purina-pro-plan-sensitive-skin/dp/129809 https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/how-tell-if-your-dog-has-food-allergies https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/digestive/c_dg_protein_losing_enteropathy https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/right-way-switch-dog-foods/

Featured Image Credit: Dora Zett, Shutterstock

Sources

https://www.thefarmersdog.com/ https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/What-Is-AAFCO-and-What-Does-It-Do https://www.chewy.com/american-journey-active-life-formula/dp/136733 https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/fish-oil-for-dogs/ https://www.chewy.com/acana-singles-wholesome-grains/dp/286019 https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-medium-puppy-dry-dog-food/dp/48234 https://www.chewy.com/tiki-dog-wildz-lamb-recipe-lamb-liver/dp/213037 https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/how-tell-if-your-dog-has-food-allergies

https://www.reddit.com/r/Wheatens/comments/aapana/what_kibble_are_you_feeding_your_wheatens/ https://www.frommfamily.com/about/question-and-answer/company/where-is-fromm-made/ https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-veterinary-diet/dp/35621 https://www.petmd.com/dog/what-hydrolyzed-protein-dog-food

https://www.chewy.com/rachael-ray-nutrish-real-turkey-brown/dp/126240 https://www.rachaelrayfoundation.org/ https://www.chewy.com/solid-gold-holistique-blendz-oatmeal/dp/393966 https://www.chewy.com/purina-pro-plan-sensitive-skin/dp/129809 https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/how-tell-if-your-dog-has-food-allergies https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/digestive/c_dg_protein_losing_enteropathy https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/right-way-switch-dog-foods/