Does Your Boxer Have Digestive Issues? Then You’ll Be Looking For The Best Dog Food For Boxers With Sensitive Stomachs.
Like other purebred dogs, Boxers can be prone to genetic health conditions that impact different systems in the body.
They can experience heart, eye, and joint problems, in addition to a digestive condition commonly called “Boxer Colitis.”
We’ll take a closer look at sensitive stomach in Boxers, and also break down the options for the best dog food for Boxers with sensitive stomachs.
A proper diet, in addition to good veterinary care, can be very beneficial in controlling your Boxer’s digestive upset.
In a rush? Here are our top five choices for the best dog food for Boxers with sensitive stomachs:
| BEST DOG FOOD FOR BOXERS WITH SENSITIVE STOMACHS | BENEFITS | OUR RATING |
|
|---|---|---|---|
  | Blue Basics | Limited Ingredient, Grain Free Dry Dog Food |  |
  | Nutro | Limited Ingredient, Grain Free Wet Dog Food | |
  | Merrick | Limited Ingredient, Grain Free Wet Dog Food | |
  | Wellness Simple | Limited Ingredient, Low Grain Potato Option, Dry Dog Food |  |
  | Natural Balance | Limited Ingredient Wet Dog Food | |
You can find out more about these and lots of other options in the article below.
But first, let’s take a look at why Boxers can have tummy trouble!
Products included in this article were carefully and independently selected by the Happy Puppy Site team. If you decide to make a purchase from one of the links marked by an asterisk, we may earn a small commission on that sale. This is at no extra cost to you.
Do Boxers have sensitive stomachs?
Yes, many Boxers can be said to have sensitive stomach issues.
Although Boxer Colitis is technically a disease of the bowel, or large intestines.
Here’s a brief rundown on what this condition is, including the signs and symptoms.
What is Boxer Colitis?
Boxers, especially those 4 years of age and younger, can be prone to an inflammatory bowel disease that goes by two names: Granulomatous Colitis (GC) and Histiocytic Ulcerative Colitis (HUC).
The primary symptom of Colitis in your Boxer is chronic diarrhea, often accompanied by mucus and blood in the stools.
Some dogs will also experience gas, vomiting, painful defecation, and if the condition is severe, weight loss.
Colitis in Boxers is thought to be an immune system disorder, which means that your dog’s immune system attacks the lining of the intestines and causes inflammation.
Some recent research indicates that the presence of the E. Coli bacteria in the gut can also be a contributing factor.
It’s important to see your vet for a diagnosis and to discuss treatment options such as anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medications.
But a lot of owners and vets find that it can help to use the best dog food for Boxers with sensitive stomachs.
Feeding Boxers with sensitive stomachs
Besides medicine, your Boxer can also benefit from the right kind of dog food for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
A dog food made for dogs with sensitive stomachs can help control the uncomfortable symptoms of Colitis. It’s important to look for food that has limited ingredients and is grain free.
Many Boxer experts report that food with a single protein source like fish or chicken, combined with non-grain vegetables such as potato or rice, can be very helpful.
Let’s take a look at some of the best food for Boxers with sensitive stomachs.
Best dog food for Boxers with sensitive stomachs
When choosing a food for your Boxer, keep in mind that a bland diet with simple, easy to digest ingredients is always best for dogs with digestive problems like diarrhea.
You don’t want to put any added stress on your dog’s already sensitive system.
These sensitive stomach dog foods are all excellent options for your Boxer.
Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
The Wellness Simple blend* is one of the front-runners for best dog food for Boxers with sensitive stomachs.
This line is a limited ingredient, low grain free diet made for dogs with food allergies and sensitivities.
You can choose a protein source (duck, salmon, lamb, or turkey) that’s combined with a non-grain vegetable like potato.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Dog Food
The fish and sweet potato variety of this Natural Balance Limited Ingredient food* can be a good choice for your Boxer.
The single source protein and limited carb formula is designed for dogs with food sensitivities.
You can also choose other protein sources like chicken.
CALIFORNIA NATURAL Adult Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
This California Natural limited ingredient* option is a good choice.
It contains easy to digest chicken and rice for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
And it’s also good for food sensitivities and ingredient intolerances.
Dry dog food for Boxers with sensitive stomachs
For convenience reasons, many owners feel the best dog food for Boxers with sensitive stomachs is a dry food.
If you prefer to feed your dog kibble, there are quite a few sensitive stomach options to choose from.
Here’s some great dry dog food for Boxers with sensitive stomachs.
Royal Canin Maxi Nutrition Sensitive Digestion Dry Food for Dogs
This Royal Canin dry food* is made for large sized dogs with sensitive digestive systems.
It promotes balanced intestinal flora and good stool quality for digestive health.
Taste of the Wild Canine Formula Dry Dog Food
Taste of the Wild* is a popular brand that’s grain free.
The vegetable ingredients are sweet potatoes and peas for easy digestibility.
And the quality protein options include salmon, venison, bison, and lamb.
BLUE Basics Limited-Ingredient Formula Adult Dry Dog Food
This popular Blue Basics Limited Ingredient food* combines a single animal protein source with non-grain vegetables for easy digestion.
You can choose turkey, salmon, lamb, or duck combined with potato, oatmeal, and brown rice.
Best canned dog food for Boxers with sensitive stomachs
Looking for a quality canned dog food for Boxers with sensitive stomachs?
Here are a few quality limited ingredient brands to consider.
Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Entre Classic Wet Dog Food
Purina Pro Plan* is specially formulated for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
This particular Purina canned food contains easy to digest salmon and rice, designed to aid your Boxer’s sensitive digestive system.
Dave’s Restricted Bland Diet, Chicken & Rice For Dogs
Dave’s restricted bland diet* is a great choice for dogs suffering from diarrhea.
This is a plain chicken and rice wet food, designed to be easy on your dog’s digestive system.
Merrick Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diet Wet Dog Food
Merrick’s limited ingredient, grain free canned food* features a single source of animal protein (chicken, duck, lamb, salmon, or turkey).
It also uses peas as the primary vegetable ingredient.
One of the top contenders for best dog food for Boxers with sensitive stomachs due to it’s limited ingredient, grain free wet formula.
Wet dog food for Boxers with sensitive stomachs
There are plenty of wet dog food options for Boxers with sensitive stomachs.
Like quality dry food formulas, the best dog food for Boxers with sensitive stomachs in wet form will have limited ingredients (including a single animal protein source) and preferably be grain free.
CANIDAE Grain Free PURE Dog Wet Food
This is Canidae’s limited ingredient and grain free option* that is designed to be easily digestible for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Protein choices include duck, turkey, lamb, and fish, with added non-grain vegetables such as peas and potatoes.
NUTRO Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Wet Dog Food
NUTRO’s grain free, limited ingredient canned food* comes in either fish and potato or lamb and potato varieties.
There are just 5 key ingredient sources, which is helpful for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
With limited ingredients and no grain, it’s definitely a contender for the best dog food for Boxers with sensitive stomachs.
Nature’s Recipe Wet Dog Food Cuts in Gravy
Nature’s Recipe* makes two easy to digest varieties: chicken, rice, and barley or lamb, rice, and barley.
It contains no corn, wheat, or beef.
Puppy food for sensitive stomach Boxers
Because Colitis and its accompanying symptoms can start at an early age for Boxers, choosing the right puppy food is especially important.
As with adult dog food for Boxers with sensitive stomachs, look for limited ingredient, grain free food that’s made for puppies.
ROYAL CANIN BREED HEALTH NUTRITION Boxer Puppy dry dog food
Royal Canin makes a dry food just for Boxer puppies*.
What makes it unique? It contains ingredients that support your puppy’s digestive health and intestinal flora.
It also contains antioxidants to boost the developing immune system.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food – Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Formula
The puppy option in the Natural Balance limited ingredient line* contains lamb as the single source of animal protein, with added brown rice for digestive health.
It also contains ingredients that promote brain development.
Wellness Complete Health Natural Wet Canned Puppy Food
Prefer wet food for your Boxer puppy? Wellness* makes a canned puppy formula with chicken and salmon.
Plus added nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits like sweet potato, carrot, and apple.
Best dog food for senior Boxers with sensitive stomachs
Experts recommend that a senior Boxer’s diet should be both very palatable and easily digestible.
Some senior formula dog foods contain added ingredients that many not agree with your dog’s digestive system.
Look for limited ingredient senior formulas like these..
CANIDAE Grain Free PURE Dry Dog Food Senior Formula
This is Canidae’s limited ingredient diet* and the version for senior dogs contains fresh chicken and whole vegetables like peas and lentils for easy digestion.
There are only 9 key ingredients in this senior kibble.
BLUE Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Senior Wet Dog Food
If your senior Boxer prefers wet food, the BLUE Basics limited ingredient line* makes a senior formula with turkey and potato, both of which are easy on sensitive stomachs.
It contains no ingredients that are common allergens for dogs.
Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Senior Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food by Nature’s Variety
This is Instinct Raw’s* unique senior formula that contains pieces of real freeze-dried chicken in addition to kibble made with chicken and non-grain vegetables like chickpeas and peas.
There is no potato, corn, wheat, or soy.
What is the best dog food for Boxers with sensitive stomachs?
Every dog is an individual, so you may have to experiment with different brands of food and different animal protein sources before you find the best one for your Boxer.
Whether your Boxer has been diagnosed with Boxer Colitis, or has other digestive issues like food sensitivities or intolerances, you can find a quality food for your dog’s unique needs.
Remember that it is always best to stick with a limited ingredient, grain free diet, either wet or canned.
Try foods with a single animal protein source.
Many Boxer owners report success with fish and potato recipes, but chicken and lamb may also work.
You can also control your dog’s diarrhea by limiting treats and table scraps. Avoid processed treats and highly-seasoned human food. Some bland, boiled white meat chicken with rice can help get your dog back on track after a bout of diarrhea.
Affiliate link disclosure: Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.
References
- Craven, M., Mansfield, C.S., Simpson, K.W. “Granulomatous Colitis of Boxer Dogs.” Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 2011.
- Mansfield, C. “Histiocytic Colitis in Boxers and Other Large Bowel Disease.” World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings, 2007.
- Kathrani, A., Werling, D., Allenspach, K. “Canine breeds at high risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease in the south-eastern UK.” The Veterinary Record, 2011.
- German, A.J., Hall, E.J., Kelly, D.F., et al. “An Immunohistochemical Study of Histiocytic Ulcerative Colitis in Boxer Dogs.” Journal of Comparative Pathology, 2000.
- Mansfield, C.S., James, F.E., Craven, M., et al. “Remission of Histiocytic Ulcerative Colitis in Boxer Dogs Correlates with Eradication of Invasive Intramucosal Escherichia coli.” Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2009.
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