What is the best dry food for Jack Russells
Best Dog Food for Jack Russells
DogFoodAdvisor is reader supported See how
All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
Whats the best dog food for Jack Russells?
When it comes to selecting the best food for a Jack Russell Terrier, its important to consider their individual needs, including their age, activity level, and any specific dietary requirements or sensitivities.
Here are some general guidelines to help you choose the right food for your Jack Russell Terrier:
Look for a high-quality dog food that provides a balanced blend of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. The food should meet the nutritional requirements set by organizations such as the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
Consider your Jack Russells life stagewhether its a puppy, adult, or senior dogand select a food formulated specifically for that age. Each life stage has different nutritional needs, and specialized formulas can cater to those needs accordingly.
Jack Russell Terriers are energetic, and active dogs, so a diet rich in high-quality proteins is important. Look for dog foods that list animal-based proteins (such as chicken, turkey, or fish) as the main ingredients. Avoid products that rely heavily on plant-based protein sources.
Healthy fats are essential for maintaining your Jack Russells skin and coat health, as well as providing a source of energy. Look for recipes that include sources of beneficial fats such as omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil or flaxseed) to promote a healthy coat and support overall well-being.
Jack Russell Terriers are typically small to medium-sized dogs. If you choose a dry food, make sure the kibble size is appropriate for their mouth size to make it easier for them to chew and digest.
Some Jack Russell Terriers may have specific dietary sensitivities or allergies. If you notice any signs of digestive upset, skin issues, or other allergic reactions, consult with your veterinarian to identify potential allergens and consider a limited ingredient diet or specialized formulas.
Here is our list of the best food for Jack Russells designed to help dog parents make an informed choice when buying food for their pet.
Youll also learn the answer to each of the most frequently asked questions we get about Jack Russells.
The Turkey Formula is one of 13 wet recipes included in our review of the Zignature wet product line.
Zignature Turkey Formula derives the bulk of its meat protein from turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 45.5% protein, 22.7% fat and 23.8% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
Read our review of the full Zignature Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Turkey, turkey broth, turkey liver, peas, turkey meal Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 45.5 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies and Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Usually feed my dogs the Zignature Turkey dry kibble and thought Id switch it up. They devoured the canned food. They are now sitting by their bowl area until I feed them."
Homestyle Recipe Beef Dinner With Garden Vegetables & Sweet Potatoes is one of 12 wet recipes included in our review of the Blue Buffalo Homestyle product line.
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Beef Dinner With Garden Vegetables & Sweet Potatoes derives the bulk of its meat protein from beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38.6% protein, 27.3% fat and 26.1% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 71%.
Read our review of the full Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipes Dog Food (Wet) range here
Main Ingredients Beef, beef broth, beef liver, carrots, peas Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 38.6 AAFCO Standards Adult Maintenance Best For Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Blue Buffalo"We had tried a variety of canned options as well as making homemade broth to put on her dry dog food. Since buying this, Charlie is licking her chops as we are opening the can! She eats her whole bowl immediately and licks the bowl!"
Grain-Free Pure Bison, Lentil And Carrot is one of 10 dry recipes included in our review of the Canidae Grain-Free Pure product line.
Canidae Grain-Free Pure Bison, Lentil And Carrot derives the bulk of its meat protein from bison. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30.6% protein, 14.4% fat and 47% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.
Read our review of the full Canidae Grain Free Pure Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Bison, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Lentils Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 30.6 AAFCO Standards Adult Maintenance Best For Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Ive never seen my dog scarf up her food quite like this before. And good poops. I tend to rotate food about every 6 months as is typically recommended but I dont know if we will want to move away from this one."
Freestyle Beef Recipe With Apples Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Raw is one of 5 raw recipes included in our review of the Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried-Raw product line.
Nulo Freestyle Beef Recipe With Apples Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Raw derives the bulk of its meat protein from beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 44.2% protein, 29.5% fat and 18.3% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
Read our review of the full Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food (Freeze-Dried) range here
Main Ingredients Beef, beef heart, beef liver, beef kidneys, ground beef bone Type Grain-free, freeze-dried raw Protein Percentage 44.2 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies and Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Nulo.com"My puppy eats nutri source but is never excited about it :( we tried "the honest kitchen" he didn't like it but he goes crazy for this! I'm so glad that he actually enjoys his food now. Thanks Nulo!"
Active Life Formula Small Breed Salmon, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe is one of 16 dry recipes included in our review of the American Journey Active Life product line.
American Journey Active Life Formula Small Breed Salmon, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe derives the bulk of its protein from fish. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 18.9% fat and 43.1% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.
Read our review of the full American Journey Protein & Grains Dry Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Deboned salmon, menhaden fish meal, brown rice, chicken meal (a source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate), rice bran Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 30 AAFCO Standards Adult Maintenance Best For Dogs Chicken Cuisine is one of 4 fresh recipes included in our review of the Nom Nom Fresh product line.
Nom Nom Chicken Cuisine derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 37% protein, 26.1% fat and 29% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 71%.
Read our review of the full Nom Nom Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, sweet potatoes, squash, water sufficient for processing, spinach Type Grain-free, fresh Protein Percentage 37 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies and Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at NomNomNow.com"Tula gets so excited when it's mealtime. She no longer has skin issues, her coat looks wonderful and her stools are the best they've ever been. I can't imagine ever feeding her anything but Nom Nom!"
More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
Jack Russells are a small breed of dog known for being highly intelligent with lots of character. They are officially called Russell Terriers. The American Kennel Club (AKC) consistently ranks Jack Russells within the top 100 most popular breeds in the United States.
Here are the most frequently asked questions we get about Jack Russells:
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperament do Jack Russells have?
Jack Russells have a huge personality and the following characteristics:
- Highly intelligent
- Eager to please
- Playful
- Happy with other dogs and pets
- Good with children
- Energetic
How much exercise do Jack Russells need?
Jack Russells are highly energetic and intelligent so will need plenty of exercise, playtime, and mental stimulation. Activities and training such as agility, flyball, rally, and lure coursing will help to wear them out physically and mentally.
Best Dog Food For Jack Russell Terriers
Choosing the best dog food for Jack Russells can be a bit of a challenge, to say the least. Typically the dog food which is readily available, convenient and mass-marketed are usually the sort of dog food that is full of nasties, generally low quality and not very good for them. To help you find the best Jack Russell food weve put together this resource to help you. We want to ensure all the Jack Russells out there are being fed proper healthy food :).
In this article, we will try and cater for all needs especially when it comes to budget and will list all the best Jack Russell dog foodoptions at different budgets. However, we have also ensured that we have only included the best andhealthy dog food for Jack Russells. Dog food that does not include the usual artificial colours, flavouring and fillers.
Each of theJack Russell Terrier dog food option listed below are from Amazon. So you will be able to read other peoples reviews and experiences with them.
We have made sure we only list the verybest food for Jack Russells. The kind that we would feed our very own very much loved Jack Russell.
Our Top Pick Dry Food
Our Top Pick Wet Food
Best Dog Food For Jack Russells
When trying to work out which is the best Jack Russell food, try and remember:
- To go for a Balanced diet
- Always choose good quality ingredients
- Which are free of preservatives, colourings and flavourings
- Look for nutritional statements such as complete, balanced
- Learn to understand the ingredient lists
We will go into more detail on these items below. Once you ave a good grasp if these then you will be in good stead to buy the best food for your doggie.
Nutritional Statements For Dog Food
Dog food companies have to adhere to strict guidelines from the regulators which are overseen bythe Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). So as an example if a dog food were to state on its packaging that its food is complete and balanced thenthat claim has to be validated.
This can be validated in one of two ways:
- The analysis of the ingredients or the actual recipe has to meet the guidelines for the Nutrient Profile. Look out for statements on the packages that look like; is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles
2. The second way to validate these claims is to undergo controlled trials with dogs. For this method lookout for a variant of the following on the packaging; animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that (name of product) provides complete and balanced nutrition.
Reading The labels
Another way that the Regulators can help us buyers is by having strict rules on the way dog food is labelled. The Food and Drug Administration enforces the following rules with labels:
- The 95% Rule For a dog food to claim it contains asingleingredient then the food must be made up of 95% of that ingredient (not including water). For an example say the dog food is called Beef For Dogs thenat least 95% of the ingredients must be beef
- The 25% Dinner Rule If the labelled ingredient makes up between 25% and 95% then it falls under the Dinner rule.
- The 3% With Rule When the mentioned ingredient only makes up no more than 3%.
- The Flavor Rule This is the surprising one for many of us. This means that the label can include any meat it likes on the packaging as a flavour, even if there isnt a trace of that meat in the food. As long as a detectable flavour can be detected by specially trained animals.
Reading the ingredient list
The most important thing to know when reading the ingredient list is thatingredients are ordered by weight.Often ingredients that contain large amounts of moisture such as beef, chicken, poultry or fish are usually placed near the top. However, there may be equally or more important ingredients lower down the list that dont contain so much water
Best Dry Food For Jack Russells
Dry dog food or kibble is convenient, good for dogs teeth and can provide important nutrients that dogs cant get elsewhere.
Eukanuba Dry Dog Food For Jack Russell
Specifically created for Jack Russells you really cant go wrong with Eukanuba For Jack Russells. This Jack Russell specific food contains the right amount of omega-6 and 3 fatty acids that Jack Russells need to have healthy skin and coat. This will also help reduce shedding which can be an issue for some households. It includes L-carnitine which helps to reduce body fat, keeps joints healthy and muscle nice and lean. It is also designed to keep their teeth nice and healthy.
Ingredients
Dried Chicken And Turkey (>30%), Maize, Wheat, Animal Fat, Rice, Sorghum, Barley, Dried Beet Pulp (>25%), Chicken Digest, Dried Whole Egg, Fish Oil,
Lilys Kitchen Adult Chicken & Duck
The ultimate dog food for Jack Russells when it comes to the best ingredients. Lilys Kitchen Adult Chicken & Duck contains 38% of freshly prepared meat (Chicken 31% Duck 7%), full of fruits, vegetables and botanical herbs with no derivatives, preservatives or fillers. They only use freshly prepared meat and no dried meat or meat meals. Just 100% natural ingredients of the highest quality. Simply fantastic quality dog food!
Ingredients:
Freshly Prepared: Chicken (31%), Duck (7%), Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Lentils, Pea Protein, Flaxseed, Chicken Liver (4%), Eggs, Chicken Gravy, Calcium Carbonate, Salmon Oil, Apples, Carrots, Spinach, Cranberries, Botanical Herbs (Alfalfa, Golden Rod Cleavers, Dandelion Root, Nettles, Celery Seed, Rosehips, Marigold Petals, Burdock Root, Milk Thistle, Chicory Root), Vitamins and Minerals.
Royal Canin Dog Food Jack Russell Complete
ROYAL CANIN Jack Russell Terrier Adult is specifically formulated with the nutritional needs of a Jack Russell. It is specifically designed to maintain muscle mass, protect their skin and coat, and help with dental care. Nutrients such as B vitamins, amino acids and fish oils are fantastic for the skin and coat. The unique shape and size of the kibble will reduce tartar buildup and promote good oral health.
Ingredients:
Dehydrated poultry protein, rice, maize, wheat, vegetable protein isolate*, animal fats, hydrolysed animal proteins, beet pulp, maize gluten, minerals, fish oil
AATU Free Run Chicken
AATU Chicken is made by an Ethically Awarded independent British company that handcrafts its recipes in small batches. AATU Chicken is naturally made without artificial colours, preservatives and artificial flavours and without GM ingredients. They use an interesting method of cooking the fresh meat and protein using their low & slowTM method which they state makes the food easier to digest. To reduce any potential allergies, its completely grain, white potato and Gluten free.
Crave High Protein & Grain-Free Dog Food with Lamb & Beef
Inspired by nature Crave aims to satisfy a dogs natural appetite by providing high-quality ingredients, a lot of fresh meat and grain-free.
This food has a very high protein percentage of 60% which comes from fresh meat which is fantastic for supporting strong and healthy muscles.
We like the fact thats its free from maize, soya and dairy which make it a particularly good option if your Jack Russell has a delicate stomach.
Ingredients:
Beef 20 Percent (including fresh beef (17 Percent), beef greaves protein (0,7 Percent)), dried lamb protein(16 Percent), dried chicken protein (16 Percent), poultry fat (10 Percent), turkey digest (3 Percent), potato flakes, lentils, pea protein, dried beet pulp,tapioca starch, minerals, dried apple pulp, sunflower oil, rosemary extract.
Best Wet Food For Jack Russells
Now lets take a look at the best wet food for Jack Russell Terriers. We have some great options here for you, ranging from very fair priced up to the top end of the budget, all containing top-notch Ingredients.
Forthglade Grain-free Variety Adult Dog Food
The Forthglade Grain-free variety pack is a great dog food for Jack Russells, especially considering the low price. At the time of writing, each punnet costs 1.15p which is a great price for the quality youre getting. Its meat content is high at 75% meaning your Jack Russell will get all the protein it needs whilst burning off all that energy. The variety pack consists of 4x Turkey, 4x lamb and 4x Duck which provides a nice variety for your dog.The grain free element will also help if your Jack Russell has a sensitive tummy.
Ingredients
Turkey with Sweet Potato & Vegetables Composition: Turkey (75%), Sweet Potato (4%), Carrots (2%), Peas (2%), Minerals, Linseed Oil (0.5%), Seaweed (0.45%)
Natures Menu Dog Food
This wholesome dog food from Natures Menu is a complete and nutritionally balanced dog food perfect for a Jack Russell. Natures Menu doesnt contain any meat derivatives or meat meals, instead their cans have a minimum of 55% meat. Their meat is human grade meat and from fresh whole cut meat. Its free of artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.
Ingredients
Chicken Chicken (min 55 percent), Potato (min 8 percent), Carrots (min 6 percent), Peas (min 4 percent), Sun_flower oil (<1 percent).
Beef with Chicken Beef (min 37 percent), Chicken (min 18 percent), Potato (min 8 percent), Carrots (min 6 percent), Peas (min 4 percent), Sunflower oil (<1 percent).
Lamb with Chicken Lamb (min 30 percent), Chicken (min 29 percent), Carrots (min 6 percent), Peas (min 4 percent), Brown Rice (min 4 percent), Sunflower oil (<1 percent).
Chicken with Salmon Chicken (min 34 percent), Salmon (min 25 percent), Carrots (min 6 percent), Brown Rice (min 4 percent) Peas (min 4 percent), Sunflower oil (<1 percent).
Butchers Grain Free With Tripe Mix
Butchers Grain-free Tripe Mix comes in a pack of 24 and at the current time of writing only costs 0.72p. Thats a fantastic price for those you are on a tight budget but dont want to compromise on the quality. Thats because Butchers Grain-free Tripe Mix has really good ingredients. Its grain free and has no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Its a complete and balanced recipe which means your Jack Russell is getting a good range of nutrients. They only get their ingredients from British farms and suppliers and the use of tripe is a really big plus as they love the taste and its a super-food for dogs
Ingredients
British & Irish Farmed (Chicken 34%, Tripe 13%, Beef 3%), Minerals
Lilys Kitchen Grain Free Multipack Wet Dog Food
The Lilys Kitchen grain free multipack comes in at the higher end of the price range but boy is this a great dog food and perfect dog food for Jack Russells. Their ingredients really are top-notch; they use freshly prepared meat which doesnt contain any meat meal, bone meal or rendered meat. It has lots of vibrant and tasty vegetables and botanical herbs which provides a really good range of nutrients. Their recipes dont contain any cheap fillers like wheat, corn or soya and dont contain any nasties.
Ingredients
Wild Campfire Stew: 65% Freshly Prepared: Venison (40%), Pheasant (15%), Salmon (10%). Potatoes (3%), Butternut Squash, Green Beans (1%), Apples, Vitamins & Chelated Minerals, Hemp Oil. Botanicals & Herbs: Golden Rod, Nettle, Aniseed, Celery Seed, Rosehips, Marigold Petals, Cleavers, Seaweed, Alfalfa, Milk Thistle, Dandelion Root, Burdock Root.Fishy Fish Pie: 60% Freshly Prepared: Turkey (30%), Herring (15%), Salmon (15%). Potatoes (4%), Peas, Carrots, Spinach, Vitamins & Chelated Minerals, Hemp Oil. Botanicals & Herbs: Golden Rod, Nettle, Aniseed, Celery Seed, Rosehips, Marigold Petals, Cleavers, Seaweed, Alfalfa, Milk Thistle, Dandelion Root, Burdock Root.Sunday Lunch: 60% Fresh Chicken, Potatoes (4%), Sugar Snap Peas (2%), Carrots, Spinach (1%), Apples, Vitamins & Chelated Minerals, Safflower Oil (0.1%). Botanicals & Herbs: Golden Rod, Nettle, Aniseed, Celery Seed, Rosehips, Marigold Petals, Cleavers, Seaweed, Alfalfa, Milk Thistle, Dandelion Root, Burdock Root.Cottage Pie: 60% Fresh Beef, Potatoes (3%), Carrots (3%), Apples, Green Beans, Broccoli, Vitamins & Chelated Minerals, Flaxseed. Botanicals & Herbs: Golden Rod, Nettle, Aniseed, Celery Seed, Rosehips, Marigold Petals, Cleavers, Seaweed, Alfalfa, Milk Thistle, Dandelion Root, Burdock Root.
