Best Dog Treats for Boxers: Your Complete Guide to Boxer-Approved Treats

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Best Dog Treats for Boxers – Introduction

Welcome to our blog post – the ultimate guide to the best dog treats for Boxers!

If you’re a proud Boxer owner looking for the perfect treats to spoil your furry companion, you’ve come to the right place.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore a variety of delicious and nutritious treats that are not only loved by Boxers but also approved by them.

Say goodbye to the hassle of searching through countless options, because we’ve done the research for you. Get ready to discover the best treats that will have your Boxer wagging their tail with joy. Let’s dive right in!

4 Types of Best Dog Treats for Boxers

1. Natural & Healthy
   • Contains 100% natural ingredients and does not have any chemical or synthetic fillers.
2. Fresh/Raw
   • Can be found in nature and can be consumed in a raw form
3. Dental Treats
   • A reward to promote good oral hygiene
4. Commercially Purchased
   • Any treat sold through a retail or online store that is labeled for commercial use with required ingredient listings

What Are The Best Dog Treats for Boxers?

The best dog treats for Boxers are the ones that:

1. They enjoy eating
2. Are healthy and contain meat or other human-grade food as their main ingredients
3. 100% natural and doesn’t contain cheap fillers and synthetic materials that can cause inflammation and digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea.
4. Are raw, whole foods such as fruits & vegetables that provide flavor and fiber.

In fact, the study, A Survey of Dog Owners’ Attitudes toward Treats, reported the results of a self-selected owner survey of 1833 dog owners, which revealed that 83% use dog treats as a reward for good behavior and as a training and sports-related reward.

Source: A Survey of Dog Owners’ Attitudes toward Treats: Journal of Applied Welfare Science, Morelli, et. al, Jan-Mar 2020

The study also reported that there were vast differences in both the types of treats used as well as how much the owners used.

So, what do veterinary professionals recommend as the Best Treats For Boxers?

Veterinarians have written a number of articles on their recommendations regarding dog treats.

• What Dog Treats Do Vets Recommend – Post.bark.co
• Coated With Fur: A Vets Life – Book by Kristen Nelson, DVM
• Recommended Safe Dog Treats – Deborah Shores, DVM
• Dr. Rachel Barrack – Animal Acupuncture Founder

In addition, Expert veterinary panels have been asked what are the best dog treats to give your dog (Boxer).  Most veterinarian’s recommendations on dog treats fall into 4 main categories:

Veterinarian-Recommended Dog Food Treat Categories

Most veterinarians recommend natural or raw foods as the main source of treats, to help manage weight and prevent obesity.

However, this may not always be feasible based on time constraints and costs.  Therefore, commercially purchased treats may be your best option.

In this case, try to select the treats that have meat (chicken, turkey, beef, or fish) as the first several ingredients or contain human-grade foods as their main ingredients.

For additional information read our articles on:

Best Dog Treats for Boxers – Potential Issues

Feeding Boxer treats can cause unwanted issues that can affect the health of your Boxer.

One of the main health issues, that is becoming an epidemic is obesity.

According to a study published by the Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) in 2014, 75% of Veterinarians believe that pet obesity has worsened over the past 5 years.  This is in part due to the amount and kinds of treats we feed our dogs.

Most veterinarians recommend that treats make up no more than 10% of the dog’s daily calorie intake.

For perspective, let’s look at the market demographics & owner perceptions to determine if they align with the veterinarian’s recommendations.

4 Veterinarian-Recommended Treat Categories for Best Dog Treats For Boxers

Now that we know a little bit about the size and scope of the dog treat market and how dog owners perceive the purpose and frequency of treats, it’s time to go into more detail on the 4 veterinarians’ recommended Best Treats for Boxers.

Best Dog Treats for Boxers – Natural & Healthy

One of the best ways to identify healthy treats is to look for the Association For Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutritional adequacy label which is usually found in small print on the packaging.

The AAFCO reviews product ingredients and provides their approval if the treats meet the requirements for being “healthy”.

In addition, The American Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) maintains a list of foods that can be harmful to your pets.

How Can We Identify Natural and Healthy Treats?

• Treat is labeled as “100% Natural Ingredients”.  This can be verified by the ingredient list.
• Homemade treats made by you.
• Ingredient lists do not contain ingredients listed as “By-products”
• No Chemical Preservatives – Propylene Glycol, Propyl gallate, BHT
• No Cheap Fillers – Gluten, Corn & Wheat – Are not digested by your dog
• No Synthetic Ingredients – acetates, chlorides, glutinates, nitrates, succinates – are used to mimic natural vitamins & minerals found in whole foods.

What To Look For On The Label For Natural & Healthy?

If the dog treat is not whole food but is commercially manufactured and packaged, it can still be a healthy treat.

Look for the following ingredients on the label

• Chicken, Turkey, Beef, Liver, Fish, and Peanut Butter as the main ingredients listed.
• Contains Natural Fillers – Beet pulp, tomato pumice, beans (fiber), and Sweet potatoes.  They are all good sources of fiber.
• Contains Natural Preservatives – Vitamin E (Tocopherol), Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), dried egg whites, and Rosemary.

The best treats for boxers should be healthy & natural.  Visit your local farmers market, or Whole Foods grocery store for natural, healthy treats.  If purchasing online be sure to review the ingredient label.

Best Treats for Boxer Dogs – Fresh/Raw Treats

What is a raw treat?  It is any treat that can be found in growing in nature that can be harvested and safely consumed.

These include fruits and vegetables.  The table below lists the fruits and vegetables that veterinarians recommend that are both flavorful so that your boxer will eat them and provide fiber.

Fruits	Vegetables
Blueberries   Strawberries Blackberries Raspberries Bananas Apples Watermelon Pumpkin Puree	Carrots   Green Beans Sugar Snap Peas Cucumbers Peppers -be sure to remove the seeds

Dog foods and Treats that contain a high proportion of peas, lentils, and other legumes or potatoes in various forms have been linked to a condition known as Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) that leads to enlarging of the heart which causes reductions in function and is often fatal.

Other Fresh foods and homemade dog treats for boxers include

• Baked dark or white meat chicken or turkey with the fat and Skin removed.
• Rotisserie Chicken – cut into bite-size chunks.
• Baked or dehydrated Sweet Potato cubes

Fresh/Raw foods are the easiest treat to provide because these are the foods we typically eat and have readily available.

They are best when purchased in the season because they contain the most antioxidants and vitamins.

Chicken and turkey are easy and often inexpensive treat options.

Best Dog Treats for Boxers – Dental Treats

Dental treats are a reward for your boxer and provide additional oral hygiene benefits.

Dental treats help to clean plaque & tartar from your boxer’s teeth helping them maintain healthy gums.

Some products such as Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Dental Chews promote that their treats are meant to prevent tartar from building up on the teeth.

We use and recommend Purina Pro Plan Dental Dental Chews. Our two Boxers love them and we feel good it is helping to prevent Tartar Buil up on their teeth.

Greenies Regular Dog Dental Treats are another popular brand of treats to help maintain oral health.  These treats are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council.

When purchasing dental treats look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s approval on the packaging.

Boxer Treats – Rawhides and Bully Sticks

Rawhides and Bully Sticks can be choking hazards or cause digestive upset so they are never 100% safe for your Boxer.

They can be safe if your dog takes the time to chew them into smaller pieces which reduce the risk of choking and are more easily digestible.

Bully sticks can be a viable treat for your Boxer, visit Bully Sticks to learn more about their options. Best bully sticks for boxers.

Best Bully Sticks | Healthy, Rawhide-Alternative Dog Chews | SHOP NOW!

Healthy Snacks for Boxers – Commercially Purchased

In the study, “Who’s Been A Good Dog?” – Owner Perceptions And Motivation For Treat Giving, 69% of the people participating reported giving their dogs shop-bought treats on a daily basis.

Dr. Kristen Nelson, DVM recommends paying attention to the amount of fat in commercial treats which can increase the number of calories in the treats you are providing to your Boxer.

When Purchasing Commercial Dog Treats, Look For These On The Packaging

• Healthy Treats will have the Association for Feed Control Officials seal on the labeling.
• Should have meat or Sweet Potatoes as the major ingredients.
  • Chicken Breast
  • Turkey
  • Beef
  • Fish
  • Beef Liver
• Avoid cheap fillers and synthetic ingredients that were described earlier.  Instead, select treats that use
  • Beet Pulp
  • Tomato Puree
  • Fiber From Beans
  • Sweet Potatoes
• Look for Natural preservatives like
  • Dried egg whites
  • Rosemary
  • Vitamin C (Ascorbic)
  • Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E)

Commercial Dog Treats can be a healthy option for your boxer.  A little time reviewing product labels and packaging can ensure you are feeding your Boxer the healthiest treats possible.

Ollie has a great selection of all-natural dog treats including Beef and Sweet Potato, Chicken and Apple and Sweet Potato Treats.

Market Demographics & Consumer Insights

Commercial purchase data is provided in an article titled:

Pet Snacks And Treats Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product, By Pet Type (Dogs, Cats), By Distribution Channel (Supermarket & Hypermarkets, Specialty Pet Stores, Online), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2030 

The data shows that the Global Size of the Pet Treat Market is 33.2 Billion USD and is expected to continue to grow through 2030.

• Dog Treats account for 67% of the global Pet Treat Market
• Owners are shifting toward vegan food including treats to help reduce food allergies (itchy skin, paws, and ears) and digestive problems, such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Now that we have some perspective on the market for dog treats, let’s examine

“Why do dog owners give treats to their dogs?”

According to A Survey of Dog Owners Attitudes Toward Dog Treats, February 2019 with 1833 participants:

• 83% use treats regularly, mainly to reward a dog’s behavior or during training or sports Activities.
• The most commonly used treat types among owners were biscuits and Dental Care treats.
• Owners usually give the pet 1 to 5 treats every day.
• Most owners read the labels of the treats they purchase to review the ingredient list and claimed health benefits.
• 75% of Owners follow the feeding instructions on the product packaging.

So how do most dog owners select the type of treat to give their pet

Flavor	n=321	18%
Brand	n=72	4%
Shape	n=46	3%

In another study “Who’s Been a Good Dog?” Owner Perceptions and Motivation For Treat Giving, published in Preventive Veterinary Medicine – 15 September 2016 owners’ attitudes and motivations toward providing treats were measured.

The demographics for the study were:

• 50% Male and 59% Female
• 75% of the dogs were 6 years old and younger
• 72% of the sample population had female owners
• Owners 30 and under were 7% of the population

Key findings

• 96% of owners interviewed reported feeding treats to their dogs.
• A majority of owners provided multiple treat types.

Best Dog Treats for Boxer – Summary

Choosing the best dog treats for your Boxer doesn’t have to be a dog-gone chore! We’ve unveiled the four treat treasures that will turn tail wags into tailspins of joy:

• Nature’s Bounty: Unleash the power of natural & healthy treats, packed with real food ingredients and pawsome flavors. From freeze-dried fruits to oven-baked veggie chews, these treats nourish your Boxer’s body and satisfy their taste buds.
• Fresh & Raw Revolution: Ditch the kibble and delve into the world of fresh & raw treats. Meaty bones, raw veggies, and frozen fruit popsicles offer a taste of the wild, stimulating your Boxer’s instincts and keeping their chompers clean.
• Dental Delights: Don’t forget the importance of a sparkling smile! Dental treats, both homemade and commercially available, help keep plaque at bay and gums healthy, ensuring your Boxer can flash those pearly whites with confidence.
• Shop Smart & Snack Happy: Let’s face it, convenience matters. Commercially purchased treats offer a reliable source of tasty rewards, perfect for training sessions or on-the-go adventures. Just remember to choose options with wholesome ingredients and avoid the pitfalls of excessive fillers and artificial flavors.

Remember, the best dog treats for Boxers are a mix and match of these categories, tailored to your pup’s unique needs and preferences. So, get ready to experiment, unleash the creativity, and discover the treat treasure chest that awaits your furry friend!