The boxer is a hard worker with a reputation for bravery and independence so you may have seen one patrolling the mall with a security guard.
Yet underneath that strong and active exterior is a lot of labor and commitment to protecting their loved ones. When it comes to maintaining their health, you need to understand how much to feed a Boxer puppy.
It’s important to remember that there are many developmental phases for a boxer puppy, each with its own set of nutritional requirements.
We have included a Boxer puppy feeding chart to help you take care of this breed.
How Much Should A Boxer Puppy Eat?
Your Boxer’s dietary needs will vary depending on factors such as his or her size, age, and level of daily activity.
The daily food intake for a Boxer may range from one cup to four cups. Meal sizes for Boxers depend not just on weight but also on the sort of food they eat.
Due to their medium size, boxer puppies need three daily meals and around four cups of food every day. That’s because they put in a lot of effort and need to maintain high levels of energy and muscular mass since they are working dogs.
Boxer Puppy Feeding Chart
The amount of energy a dog requires when at rest, known as its “resting energy need” (RER), varies depending on the breed. The following formula may be used to determine a boxer puppy’s RER:
By the age of 8 weeks, a boxer puppy weighs around 17 pounds. In order to get the resting energy requirement (RER) for a boxer puppy that weighs around 7 kilograms (about 17 pounds), we must first convert the weight to kilos and then apply the RER formula, which is as follows:
1 pound = 0.45359237 kilos
17 pounds = 7.711 kg (rounded to three decimal places)
RER (in kcal/day) = 70 x (body weight in kg) 0.75 RER (in kcal/day) =
RER = 70 x (7.711 kg)^0.75 RER = 529 kcal/day (rounded to the nearest whole number)
As a result, the daily caloric requirements for a boxer puppy weighing 17 pounds (7.711 kg) are predicted to be close to 529 kilocalories while they are at rest.
Keep in mind that RER is only a rough estimate of how many calories your dog requires per day; other variables, including their age and activity level, will need to be included in as well.
4 Week Old Boxer Puppy
Even at 4 weeks of age, a Boxer puppy should not be weaned from its mother’s milk or formula. They still can’t chew food properly.
Keeping the puppy clean and warm is essential during this time, as is giving it enough milk or formula to help it thrive.
6 Week Old Boxer Puppy
It is recommended that a Boxer puppy begin eating solid food at the age of 6 weeks. Choose a premium puppy food that has been developed with their unique nutritional requirements in mind.
Provide modest, regular meals three to four times a day. At the beginning, feed the puppy just a quarter to a half cup every day, and gradually increase the quantity as it grows.
If you notice any stomach trouble, reduce the quantity you’re eating or switch to a different meal. This is also a great time to begin the puppy’s early training and socializing.
8 Week Old Boxer Puppy
A Boxer puppy should go to solid food at 8 weeks of age. Feed them many tiny meals a day, averaging around 1 to 1 1/2 cups.
Choose up a premium puppy food that has all the essential nutrients for your new pet’s healthy development. Always have clean water available, and keep an eye out for any symptoms of food intolerance or gastrointestinal distress.
10 Week Old Boxer Puppy
It’s possible that a Boxer puppy’s development rate may reduce after the age of 10 weeks. To keep them healthy, give them high-quality puppy food in many little meals throughout the day.
The daily ration should be around 1 1/2 cups, split between the three meals. Exercise, socializing, and the introduction of obedience training should all be high priorities.
12 Week Old Boxer Puppy
When a Boxer puppy is 12 weeks old, it may be ready to graduate to a higher kibble size. Provide three meals a day totaling around 1 1/2 to 2 cups of food.
Keep a close eye on their eating habits and weight gain, and alter their food intake accordingly. This is a pivotal time for training and socializing, so be sure you provide lots of both.
14 Week Old Boxer Puppy
A Boxer puppy’s development and growth is still ongoing even at 14 weeks of age. It is important to keep feeding them three times a day, and to stick with a high-quality puppy food.
Provide around 2 and a half cups of food daily, split between three meals. Starting now is a great opportunity to introduce more advanced training methods like obedience or agility programs.
16 Week Old Boxer Puppy
A Boxer puppy may be able to make the switch to adult dog food around 16 weeks of age. It’s recommended to consult your vet about what kind of diet would be finest for them.
Throughout a day, give them around 2 and a half cups of food. This is a pivotal time for further education and integration into society.
6 Months – 12 Months Old Boxer Puppy
When a Boxer puppy is between the ages of 6 and 12, he or she is in the midst of the transition from puppyhood to adolescence.
For their continued health and development, they’ll need to eat a premium adult dog food. Adjust the frequency and quantity of feedings based on your pet’s weight gain or loss.
Feed them around two and a half to three cups each day. Throughout this phase, they are still learning new skills and interacting with others, making it an essential part of their development.
12 Months & Above Boxer
A Boxer’s nutritional needs change as it reaches adulthood, but it’s never too late to start feeding it premium adult dog food. Provide two meals daily, adjusting the quantity of food based on their weight.
Provide around 3 to 3 1/2 cups of food daily, split between two meals.
Maintain a program of regular exercise and training, and watch out for any signs of age-related health decline. To keep them healthy and happy, it’s essential to take them for regular checkups at the vet.
Understanding Boxer Puppy Nutritional Needs
Growing and developing boxer pups need a certain diet. It’s crucial to feed your puppy a high-quality diet that has a good variety of nutrients.
Boxer pups need a high-protein, moderate-fat diet for optimal growth and energy. Bone health may be supported by making sure the meal has enough calcium and phosphorus.
Depending on its age and degree of activity, the calorie requirements of a Boxer puppy may range from around 275 to 1,650 per day.
A Boxer puppy requires between 300–400 calories per day when they are 8 weeks old, and 700–800 calories per day when they are 6 months old.
The best dog chow will be made with wholesome ingredients and won’t include any unnecessary fillers or artificial additives. Authentic meats and seafood, whole grains, and produce should all be included as ingredients on the label.
How Many Times A Day To Feed A Boxer Puppy?
More tiny meals spread out throughout the day are ideal for a boxer puppy’s development and growth. Puppies of different ages have different dietary needs and feeding schedules.
A Boxer puppy of 6 weeks old has to be fed 3-4 times a day, with each meal consisting of only a few bites.
Puppies need to be fed three times a day until they are three months old, then twice a day until they are 12 months old.
When the daily calorie intake is split up into many smaller meals, it’s easier on the digestive system and promotes healthy development in children. Training and housebreaking are aided by establishing a consistent eating pattern.
Kibble Vs Wet Food For Boxer Puppies
Boxer pups may get all the nourishment they need from both dry kibble and wet food. Yet, the two are not identical.
Dry kibble offers the advantages of being portable, simple to store, and lasting for a long time. Crunchy kibble is good for your teeth because it encourages chewing, which may reduce plaque.
Yet, some pups may prefer wet food because to its increased moisture content and inherent tastiness. In addition, it may help you stay hydrated, which is crucial to your health.
The preference and dietary requirements of each puppy are unique, thus the choice between kibble and wet food must be made carefully.
Switching From Puppy Food To Adult Food
From the time they are born until they reach one year of age, Boxer pups need a premium puppy chow. After they reach this age, it’s usually okay to switch them over to an adult formula.
It’s best to gently switch a young Boxer over to adult diet to prevent any stomach problems.
The new adult food should be introduced to the puppy by adding a tiny quantity into the existing puppy food and gradually increasing the amount of new food over the period of a week.
The puppy’s age, weight, and level of physical activity should all be considered before settling on an adult formula. An animal hospital is the best place to get advice on what to feed a Boxer adult dog.
What If My Boxer Puppy Won’t Eat?
Many factors might be at play if a Boxer puppy suddenly stops eating. Make sure the food you’re giving your puppy is fresh, of good quality, and suitable for its age and nutritional requirements.
Illness, stress, dental issues, and even just a change in habit may all cause lack of appetite in Boxer pups. See a vet if your puppy hasn’t eaten in more than a day or two so that you can rule out any serious health problems.
Sometimes getting a puppy to eat may be as simple as presenting a more appetizing food, feeding it by hand, or making mealtime less of a stressful experience.
Can You Freefeed A Boxer Puppy?
Leaving food available for a puppy to graze on all day is considered free feeding, which is not advised for Boxer pups. Since free-feeding might induce overeating and weight gain, it is not recommended for Boxer pups.
A Boxer puppy’s joints will feel the burden of excess weight if it is fed too much too soon, and obesity is a risk factor for a host of health issues later in life.
Instead, it’s best practice to give a Boxer puppy many smaller meals throughout the day and keep an eye on their weight to make sure they’re developing normally.
Best Puppy Dog Food For Boxer
1. Blue Buffalo Baby BLUE Healthy Growth Formula
Editor’s Choice
Blue Buffalo Baby BLUE Natural Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food gives your pet the ideal start. High-quality protein from genuine chicken initially supports muscular growth.
DHA and ARA in our formula improve cognitive function and retinal health in your dog. This natural dog food has all the nutrition your puppy needs with whole grains, garden vegetables, and fruit.
Pros
- Real chicken first ingredient for protein
- Contains DHA and ARA for cognitive function
- Wholesome whole grains, garden veggies, and fruit
- A blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
- No chicken by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy
2. Purina ONE Natural High Protein Dry Puppy Food
Runner-Up
If you’re searching for healthy dry puppy food then check out Purina ONE Natural, High Protein Dry Puppy Food. Real chicken is the first ingredient in this tasty, nutritious puppy chow, delivering protein for strong muscles and a healthy heart.
It also has a SmartBlend of high-quality, readily digested omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals for a lustrous coat and healthy skin.
Pros
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Contains DHA, a nutrient found in mother’s milk.
- Four antioxidant sources for strong immune system
- High-quality, easily digestible ingredients.
- Delicious crunchy bites and tender meaty morsels.
Cons
- Contains some corn and wheat
3. NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE Puppy Dry Dog Food
If you want a tasty, natural way to nourish your puppy then try NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE Puppy Dry Dog Food!
This high-quality kibble for pups under 1 year old has actual chicken as the first ingredient and no chicken by-product meal, maize, wheat, or soy. Omega-3 fatty acids like DHA help brain and ocular development and deliver protein.
Pros
- High-quality protein for muscle development and growth
- No GMO, chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, or soy.
- Brain and eye growth from omega-3 fatty acids like DHA.
- Helps build strong bones and joints with calcium
- Healthy immunity from essential antioxidants
4. Purina Pro Plan High Protein Puppy Food
Searching for a nutrient dense dog food? Check out Purina Pro Plan High Protein Puppy Food! This formula contains high-quality protein from lamb and omega-3-rich fish oil to create lean muscles and enhance brain and eyesight development.
It also includes guaranteed live bacteria for digestive and immunological health, antioxidants for your puppy’s growing immune system, and calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals for healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids enrich your puppy’s skin and hair.
Pros
- Protein-rich lamb is the first component.
- Omega-3 fish oil DHA for puppy brain and visual development.
- Live probiotics enhance digestive and immunological health
- Antioxidants strengthen and improve a puppy’s immune system.
- Calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals for bones and teeth,
- Vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat
Cons
- Lamb, may not suit all pups
5. Wag Dry Dog Food Chicken
Wag Dry Dog Food is what you’ve been looking for if you want to feed your dog a natural diet without sacrificing flavor or quality.
Cage-free American chicken is the first ingredient in our Chicken & Lentil Recipe, which also boasts no fillers like corn, wheat, or soy.
Our grain-free recipe delivers complete and balanced nutrition to support your dog’s health and wellness with 35% protein and a healthy dosage of omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed and salmon oil.
Pros
- Chicken for high-quality protein
- Flaxseed and salmon oil contain omega-3 fatty acids
- Grain-free
- Created by vets with protein, fat, and minerals
Cons
- Not for ingredient-allergic pets.
Is A Raw Diet Healthy For A Boxer Puppy?
Raw feeding a Boxer puppy is a contentious issue with no clear consensus on whether or not it is healthy for the dog.
Yet, some owners and vets are worried about the potential for bacterial contamination and nutritional imbalances in a raw diet, despite the fact that others feel it might give advantages including better digestion and coat health.
It’s crucial to check in with your vet before feeding your Boxer puppy a raw food diet to make sure they’re getting all the nutrients they need, and to learn the best practices for preparing and handling raw meat to prevent your puppy from becoming sick. Also, choose a reliable raw food supplier.
How Much Do Boxer Puppies Grow Each Week?
Most of a Boxer puppy’s development occurs in the first six months of its life, although it may continue to develop swiftly beyond that.
The typical growth rate for a Boxer puppy is 2-4 pounds per week for the first several months of life. A Boxer puppy, depending on its size and gender, may gain 30-60 pounds by the time it is 6 months old.
To make sure your Boxer puppy is developing normally, keep an eye on his or her size and weight. A puppy’s growth and development may be supported by proper nutrition and activity, both of which can be evaluated by a veterinarian.
How Much Water Should A Boxer Puppy Drink?
A constant supply of cool, fresh water is essential for the health of a Boxer puppy. Puppy development necessitates that they consume more water than an adult dog would.
Considerations such as the Boxer puppy’s size, age, and degree of activity help determine the ideal water intake.
Puppies need half an ounce to an ounce of water per pound of body weight every day. A Boxer puppy weighing 20 pounds, for instance, should need 10 to 20 ounces of water each day.
Puppy water consumption should be closely monitored to prevent dehydration. Lack of enough hydration may be detrimental to a puppy’s health.
