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Table of Contents
Boxer Dog Food – Feeding Requirements
You have a new Boxer dog in your home and want to ensure you are feeding it the appropriate diet in terms of nutrition and quantities to keep your Boxer healthy and active.
You may ask “What type of diet is best?” Kibble, Wet Food, Fresh Food, Homemade, Raw.
The best source of information on a specific diet that meets the individual health needs of your new Boxer is your veterinarian. They will give you a recommended diet that is usually based on 4 criteria.
Boxer Dog Food – 4 Criteria for Determining Daily Feeding Requirements
- Breed of Dog
- Size or weight of the dog
- Age of the dog (puppy, adult, senior)
- Activity Level
While there are general guidelines for feeding your new boxer, which are usually based on the number of cups and times per day, it is important to ensure that their diet well-balanced nutrition..
Diets should also take into account the amount of water your Boxer needs because water plays a role in metabolism and proper hydration.
To help simplify this, we calculated the types and quantities of both food and water a Boxer needs based on the 4 criteria above and put the data into tables for reference and discussions with your veterinarian.
We used the recommended guidelines from The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and in the veterinary scientific literature.
Let’s look at each of the criteria to determine the types and quantities of food needed at each stage of development.
Disclaimer: We are NOT veterinary professionals. The data in these tables is based on guidelines set by scientific agencies but should be used as guidance only. Please discuss specific diet and nutrition needs for your Boxer with your veterinarian.
Boxer Dog Food – Breed of Dog
Boxers are muscular dogs that require a lot of activity to help expend their pent-up energy.
To support muscular muscle growth, development, and maintenance Boxers need a diet that is higher in protein than the recommended quantities for all breeds.
The AAFCO guidelines recommend a minimum of 18% protein of dry matter in their diets. However, most experts recommend that Boxers consume 20-25% protein in their diets especially if they are active.
For puppies, the AAFCO recommends a minimum of 22.5% protein while the experts recommend 25-30% in order to support the puppy’s growth and development.
According to the National Research Council of the National Academies, 2006 Publication Your Dogs Nutritional Needs, A Science-Based Guide For Pet Owners, the Veterinary Committee recommended that a dog’s diet should contain
- Up to 50% carbohydrates by weight
- At least 5.5% of Fats
- At least 10% protein
- 70-80% water
Based on these guidelines and assuming the following feeding recommendations
- Puppy – 2.5 to 3.5 cups fed 3 to 4 times daily
- Adult – 2 to 5 cups fed twice daily
- Senior – 1.5 to 2 cups fed twice daily
The daily Boxer dog food requirements are listed in the table below.
Table 1 – Boxer Dog Food – Daily Feeding Requirements based on Breed
| Life Stage | Weight Range | Quantity of Food in Ounces (grams) | Carbohydrates in Ounces (grams) | Fats in Ounces (grams) | Protein in Ounces (grams) | Water in Ounces (Milliliters) |
| Puppy | 10-25 lbs (4.5 – 11.3 kg) | 20 (567) – 28 (794) | 10 (283) – 14 (397) | 1.1 (31) – 0.77 (22) | 5.6 (159) – 7.84 (222) | 15 (444) – 21 (621) |
| Adult | 50-70 lbs (22 – 32 kg) | 16 (454) – 40 (1134) | 8 (227) – 20 (567) | 0.88 (25) – 2.2 (62.4) | 4 (113) – 10 (284) | 12 (355) – 30 (887) |
| Senior | 40 -60 lbs (18-27 kg) | 12 (340) – 16 (454) | 6 (170) – 8 (227) | 0.33 (9) – 0.88 (25) | 3 (85) – 4 (113) | 9 (266) – 12 (355) |
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Boxer dog food requirements are based on several criteria, the first being the breed of dog. Boxers are a muscular breed that needs more protein.
Another important factor to consider is their size and weight. It is important to balance the quantity of food provided with proper nutrition so that they don’t develop obesity which is becoming an epidemic in dogs.
In the article Obesity in Dogs, VCA Animal Hospitals, Weir, Williams, and Downing, cite data from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention that 50% of dogs in North America are overweight.
The amount of food should also take into account the total amount of food being fed to your Boxer which includes both meals and treats/snacks.
Listed below is a Boxer Dog Food feeding requirement table, which we calculated and summarized based on the weight and size of the dog.
We utilized the feeding guidelines for key macronutrients from the National Research Council’s Your Dog’s Nutritional Needs publication.
Table 2 – Boxer Dog Food Requirements Based on Size and Weight
| Weight (lbs) | Weight in (kgs) | Quantity of Daily Food in Ounces | Quantity of Food in Kilograms | Carbohydrates in Ounces (kg) | Fats in Ounces (kgs) | Proteins in Ounces (kgs) | Water |
| 10 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 0.14 | 2.4 (0.07) | 0.27 (0.01) | 1.34 (0.04) | 3.60 (0.11) |
| 20 | 9.1 | 9.6 | 0.27 | 4.8 (0.14) | 0.53 (0.02) | 2.68 (0.08) | 7.20 (0.20) |
| 30 | 13.6 | 14.4 | 0.41 | 7.2 (0.21) | 0.75 (0.02) | 4.03 (0.11) | 10.80 (0.31) |
| 40 | 18.2 | 19.2 | 0.54 | 9.6 (0.27) | 1.04 (0.03) | 5.38 (0.15) | 14.4 (0.41) |
| 50 | 22.7 | 24 | 0.68 | 12 (0.34) | 1.32 (0.04) | 6 .00 (0.17) | 18.0 (0.51) |
| 60 | 27.2 | 28.8 | 0.82 | 14.4 (0.41) | 1.58 (0.05) | 7.20 (0.21) | 21.6 (0.62) |
| 70 | 31.8 | 33.6 | 0.95 | 16.8 (0.48) | 1.85 (0.05) | 8.40 (0.24) | 25,2 (0.71) |
| 80 | 36.4 | 38.4 | 1.09 | 19.2 (0.55) | 2.11 (0.06) | 9.60 (0.48) | 28.8 (0.82) |
Sources for Assumptions: Boxer Dog Diaries.com and BARC London
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Boxer Dog Food – Age of the Boxer
Boxer dogs require different quantities of food to keep them healthy and active based on their particular life stage.
Puppies who are undergoing rapid growth and development often need to eat more often than adult and senior Boxer dogs.
Conversely, senior Boxer dogs don’t require as much food because they are less active than puppies and adults.
It’s important to provide your Boxer with the appropriate quantities of food based on their stage of life.
Based on the AAFCO guidelines and the National Research Council’s recommendations, we calculated the recommended quantities, feeding schedule, and macronutrients required for each life stage for Boxer dogs in the table below.
Table 3 – Boxer Dog Food – Feeding Requirements Based on Age
| Age | Weight in Pounds (Kilograms) | Amount of Food Required | Carbohydrates in Ounces (kg) | Fats in Ounces (kg) | Protein in Ounces (kg) | Water in Ounces (ml) |
| 1 month | 5.5 (2.5) – 9 (2.8) | 1 cup | 4 (0.11) | 0.44 (0.1) | 2.24 (0.06) | 6 (142) |
| 3 months | 22 (10) – 26 (11.8) | 3 cups | 12 (0.34) | 1.32 (0.04) | 6.72 (0.19) | 18 (532) |
| 6 months | 41 (18.6) – 46 (21.8) | 3.25 cups | 13 (0.37) | 1.43 (0.04) | 7.28 (0.21) | 19.5 (577) |
| 9 months | 52 (23.6) – 61 (27.7) | 4 cups | 16 (0.45) | 1.76 (0.05) | 8.96 (0.25) | 24 (710) |
| 1 year | 57 (25.9) – 68 (30.9) | 5.5. cups | 22 (0.62) | 2.42 (0.07) | 12.32 (0.35) | 33 (976) |
| 2 – 8 years | 57 (25.9) – 80 (36.3) | 3.25 – 4.25 cups | 13 (0.37) – 17 (0.48) | 1.43 (0.04) – 1.87 (0.05) | 7.28 (0.21) – 10.08 (0.29) | 19.5 (577) – 25.5 (754) |
| 8+ years | 52 (23.6) – 75 (34.1) | 2 -3 cups | 8 (0.23) – 12 (0.34) | 0.88 (0.02) – 1.32 (0.04) | 4.48 (0.13) – 6.72 (0.19) | 12 (355) – 18 (532) |
Calculations for Daily Food Requirements were based on calorie data per cup of dry dog food in dunloggvet.com – How Many Calories Should Your Dog or Cat Eat Daily?
Looking for fresh food to feed your puppy? Try Ollie’s Fresh Chicken with Carrots Meal, it also contains rice so it is good for pups with sensitive stomachs.
Boxer Dog Food Requirements – Activity Level
Boxer dogs are a muscular breed that requires a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to help prevent destructive behaviors.
When deciding on how much to feed your Boxer it is important to take into account the amount of activity both walking and playing that your Boxer receives.
If you have an active Boxer and you not feeding it enough you will have a hungry boxer on your hands.
We have calculated the calorie needs based on activity and weight to help you determine the quantity of food your Boxer dog needs.
Then, we used that to determine the amount of macronutrients and water that are required based on the National Research Council’s document Your Dogs Nutritional Needs, A Science-based Guide for Pet Owners
Table 4 – Boxer Dog Food Requirements Based on Activity
| Weight lbs (kg) | Resting Calories | Active Calories | Amount of Needed in Cups | Carbohydrates in oz (gr) | Fats in oz (gr) | Proteins in oz (gr) | Water in fl oz |
| 20 (9.1) | 382 | 1,140 | 2.5 | 10.0 (284) | 1.1 (31.2) | 5.6 (158.7) | 15.0 |
| 25 (11.4) | 474 | 1,420 | 3.0 | 12.0 (340) | 1.3 (36.9) | 6.7 (189.9) | 18.0 |
| 30 (13.6) | 595 | 1,795 | 3.75 | 15.0 (425) | 1.7 (48.2) | 8.4 (238.1) | 22.5 |
| 35 (15.9) | 669 | 1,340 | 3.75 | 15.0 (425) | 1.7 (48.2) | 8.4 (238.1) | 22.5 |
| 40 (18.2) | 745 | 1,490 | 3.25 | 13.0 (369) | 1.4 (39.6) | 7.2 (204.1) | 19.5 |
| 45 (20.5) | 790 | 1,650 | 3.25 | 13.0 (369) | 1.4 (39.6) | 7.2 (204.1) | 19.5 |
| 50 (22.7) | 820 | 990 | 3.25 | 13.0 (369) | 1.4 (39.6) | 7.2 (204.1) | 19.5 |
| 55 (25.0) | 880 | 1,050 | 2.0 | 8.0 (227) | 0.88 (24.9) | 4.0 (113.4) | 12.0 |
| 60 (27.3) | 935 | 1,120 | 2.5 | 10.0 (284) | 1.1 (31.2) | 5.0 (141.7) | 15.0 |
| 65 (29.5) | 1,000 | 1,185 | 2.75 | 11.0 (312) | 1.2 (34.0) | 5.5 (155.9) | 16.5 |
| 70 (31.8) | 1,050 | 1,260 | 3.0 | 12.0 (340) | 1.3 (36.9) | 6.0 (170.1) | 18.0 |
When walking your Boxer we use, and recommend Joyride Harness which fits your Boxer well and gives you the control you need when walking your Boxer.
Try the Joyride Walking Bundle that comes with the Joyride Harness, Leash, and poop bag dispenser.
Boxer Dog Food Criteria Summary
There are 4 criteria used to determine how much food to feed your Boxer dog. The criteria are
- Breed of the Dog
- Size and Weight
- Age of the dog
- Activity Level
The tables above are general guidelines to help determine how much food your Boxer needs on a daily basis based on science-based guidelines.
These are intended to be a starting point for discussions with your veterinarian.
It is essential that your veterinarian makes the final recommendations on the best diet and quantity of food for your Boxer based on their specific health and nutritional needs.
Feed your Boxer the appropriate amount and types of food and you will have a healthy and active Boxer.
Discoverboxerdogs.com are Mary and Chris Kustanbauter. We reside in Red Lion, PA with our two Boxers, Duke and Katie, who are both rescue dogs. We have been working with Adopt A Boxer Rescue for the past 17 years and have adopted 5 Boxers from this fine organization. To learn more visit our Home, Boxer Dog Family, and Blogs Pages Visit us on social media on Facebook – Discoverboxerdogs.com, Instagram, and Pinterest.