What s the best food for Jack Russells
Jack Russell Terrier Food Diet and Schedule
Jack terriers are rarely sedentary. Theyre high-energy, playful dogs. You will often see them running around, digging and burrowing, and stubbornly stalking prey.
Bred as fox-hunting canines, Jack Russell terriers need a diet that can fuel their active lifestyles. Given these facts, its important to know the best food for Jack Russell Terriers.
Recommended Reading: Weve written a whole breed profile for Jack Russell Terriers that you might be interested in.
Best Food for Jack Russell Terriers
You and your dog may have a favorite dog food brand, but have you checked its nutrition label and ingredients?
While it may be a well-known brand that advertises good health for dogs, you also need to look at its ingredients and the sustenance it provides. Dog breeds are very different from each other and what may be perfect for a German shepherd or a basset hound may not be the best choice for your Jack Russell terrier. Your terriers age, size, and weight will also influence your choice.
To help you give your Jack Russell Terrier the best diet, here are a couple of aspects that you need to consider.
Food Type
According to the book Jack Russell Terrier: Your Happy Healthy Pet by Catherine Romaine Brown, the best food for Jack Russell terriers is a diet composed of 75% dry food or kibble.
The crunchy texture of kibble is beneficial for your dogs oral health because it reduces tartar and plaque build-up. This type of food is also less susceptible to bacteria as long as it is stored properly.
When inspecting different food products, youll want to look for the following non-negotiable ingredients: a premium protein like poultry, beef, chicken, and turkey, eggs, cereals, grains, antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals.
Protein is particularly important for puppies because they need it to strengthen their immune system and organs, for growth, and cell repair.
Recommended Reading: Weve created a list of our top picks for high-protein dog foods that you might be interested in.
Jack Russell terrier will need a minimum of 22 to 32% of protein, 10 to 25% fat, 20% carbohydrates, and 0.7 to 1.7% calcium daily. All these percentages are on a dry matter basis.
What is a dry matter basis and why should I care?
Dry matter basis refers to nutrients that ignore foods moisture content. It allows us to make meaningful comparisons between different types of food with different moisture content for example kibble vs. canned food. The percentages on most dog food nutrition labels are the fed basis which includes the moisture content.
You can find the dry matter percentage easily enough with the fed basis percentages using a simple formula.
Calorie Requirements
On average, Jack Russell terriers weigh between 13 to 17 pounds. Dogs this size require approximately 450 to 650 calories daily. However, this can still vary based on your dogs age, lifestyle, and physical activities. For example, Jack Russell terriers who are more than seven years old will need more calories.
On the other hand, puppies up to one year old need 800 to 900 calories daily so they can thrive and develop steadily.
Ingredients
The best foods for your energetic terrier are those with a lot of meat-based proteins. This includes beef, fish, and poultry. High-quality dry commercial kibble typically contains some, but it wont hurt to check food labels to be sure.
It helps to keep in mind that by law dog food labels list ingredients from most to least. The ingredients listed first will have the greatest quantity while the ones listed last are the ones with the smallest amounts.
Steer clear of commercial dry food with grains like corn and wheat among its top five ingredients. Its okay to have them listed as ingredients, but they should not constitute the bulk of your dogs diet because they are harder to digest.
Other food elements you need to avoid are chemical preservatives like ethoxyquin, butylated hydroxyanisole, and butylated hydroxytoluene.
Food Allergies
Jack Russell terriers are predisposed towards a skin allergy called atopic dermatitis. Typical symptoms are itchy, dry, and red skin that your dog may be excessively licking or biting. Eventually, your dogs hair will fall off in patches in infected areas.
The allergens responsible for this condition may be pollen, food, molds, and insect bites. If your dog has any skin problems, its best to let your vet conduct a thorough examination first. If your terrier suffers from allergies, you may need to provide a hypoallergenic diet to pinpoint the allergen causing it.
A hypoallergenic diet isnt permanent and will generally have one protein source like venison or fish combined with a source of carbohydrates.
Jack Russell Terrier Homemade Food
Homemade food gives you control over the ingredients and is another great choice for your Jack Russell. Dont worry. It isnt as laborious as it sounds because you can make huge batches that you can freeze, thaw, and serve as needed.
If you want to give home-cooked meals for your Jack Russell a try, heres an easy protein-packed ground beef meatloaf recipe that your dog will love.
Beefy Meatloaf Delight for Jack Russell Terriers
(Good for 24 servings)
Ingredients
- 1 medium-sized sweet potato, shredded
- 1 medium-sized zucchini, shredded
- 1 medium-sized carrot, shredded
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup of oatmeal
- 2 medium-sized eggs
- cup cottage cheese
- Flax seeds
Directions
- Combine all the ingredients and preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Lightly coat two meatloaf pans with butter and divide the combined ingredients between them.
- Bake for 20 to 30 minutes. Dont worry if your meat isnt well done since dogs have been known to eat raw meat in the wild.
- To store batches for future feedings, slice the meatloaf into individual servings, insert wax paper between them, put them in zip locks, and store them in the freezer.
Jack Russell Terrier Food Amount and Schedule
This breed is known for its voracious appetite so never free-feed your Jack Russell terrier. Giving your dog free will over how much food to consume will lead to obesity.
If youre using commercially available food, always follow the dog food manufacturers recommended serving size based on your pets age, weight, size, and activity levels.
For Jack Russell terriers, 2 to 3 measured meals daily are ideal. This will control their calorie intake and ensure that they get their daily nutritional needs.
You can follow this three-meal schedule for your dog:
Breakfast
The first meal of the day will give Jack Russells the energy they need to get through the day.
Mid-Day Meal
This can be an early or late lunch and will supplement your terriers energy. This is particularly useful for dogs who are most active in the mornings.
Dinner
The final meal of the day will sustain them through the night until breakfast.
In-Between Snacks
You can provide your dog snacks between meals as long as the treats you give are healthy and in moderation. Ideally, snacks shouldnt coincide with the main meals, but since were talking about Jack Russell terriers, it isnt really a major issue because of their hearty appetites.
Remember that a Jack Russell terriers stomach is small and can only hold a minimal amount of food at a time. By leaving enough time in between feedings, you are also promoting proper digestion.
Make Feeding Fun
Let your Jack Russells follow their hunting instincts by hiding small treats around the house or inserting kibble inside a puzzle toy.
These techniques give lively terriers a stimulating activity that keeps them physically and mentally fit.
Food Schedule for Jack Russell Terrier Puppy
The amount of food and the frequency of meals depend on the age of your Jack Russell terrier. Puppies are fed more to support their growth and development.
Here is a food schedule that you can use for your growing terrier:
Food Schedule for the 1-Month Old Pup
At this age, mothers milk can provide all the nutritional needs of new puppies.
If, for any reason, your puppy has no access to mothers milk, bottle-feed your pup with a milk replacement formula. At about 3 to 4 weeks, try transitioning to semi-solid food by mashing puppy food with some warm water.
Its okay if your puppy refuses to take in solid food at this stage. You can keep trying every once in a while until your newborn pup is ready.
Food Schedule for the 2-Month Old Pup
At eight weeks old, puppies need to be fed four times a day. The total food intake should be equivalent to 8 to 12 ounces equally divided into 4 meals.
Food Schedule for the 6-Month-Old Pup
Your Jack Russell terrier can be fed 4 to 6 ounces of dog food 2 to 3 times a day at this age. You can already follow the feeding schedule of an adult Jack Russell terrier with breakfast, mid-day, and dinner meals. Alternatively, you can also do two meals a day during breakfast and dinner with slightly larger meals.
Conclusion
Theres a certain pride and joy that comes from seeing your dog grow up and become healthy and strong. Since Jack Russells will often gobble up food that may not be good for them, its up to us dog parents to make sure they have the nutrition they need in the right meal sizes.
While kibble is convenient and healthy (remember, you still need to check the food label!), its also satisfying to meal-prep your terriers meals so you know youre only giving your pet the best.
Best Dog Food for Jack Russell Terriers [Veterinarian Approved Jack Russell Feeding Guide]
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Editors note: Dr. Sara Ochoa, DVM is a graduate of St. Georges University with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. She shares her advice on the best dog food for Jack Russell Terriers below.
Have you just gotten a Jack Russell Terrier? Now you may be researching to figure out what is the best diet to feed to your Jack Russell Terrier.
These dogs are very high energy small breed dogs and need a diet that can keep up with these energy demands.
We have searched for the best possible food that you can feed to your Jack Russell Terrier.
- Best Overall Dog Food for Jack Russell Terriers
- Best Dog Food for Jack Russell Puppy
- Best Dog Food For Jack Russell with Allergies
- Best Dog Food for Jack Russell with Sensitive Stomachs
- How Much Food Should I Feed My Jack Russell?
- What Treats Should I Offer My Jack Russell Terrier?
- How Long Should My Jack Russell Wait After Eating to Exercise?
Best Overall Dog Food for Jack Russell Terriers
Jack Russell Terriers are very high energy dogs. They need a diet packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals to help keep up with their high energy demands.
Nutro Ultra is a diet that contains chicken, lamb, and salmon to give your dog the energy they need for a day full of fun.
This diet is made with no by products, corn, soy, or wheat. It also does not contain artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, making it a great all around diet for your Jack Russell Terrier.
Pros:
- High protein diet
- No by products, corn, soy, or wheat
Cons:
Best Dog Food for Jack Russell Puppy
Jack Russell Terrier puppies are very energetic and playful. They will need a diet that will keep up with their high energy demands.
These dogs were first bred to be working dogs. While now they are a common house pet but their energy levels have not changed. They are great pets to keep up with busy families but will need a diet that can also keep up with these energy demands.
ORIJEN puppy food is a great dog food that will help keep your Jack Russell Terrier puppy healthy and happy. This diet contains whole proteins from chicken, turkey, fish, and eggs. This is a grain free raw diet that can help keep your Jack Russell Terrier Puppies coat soft and shiny.
Pros:
- High quality protein source
Cons:
- Raw diets need special storage to prevent bacteria and mold contamination
Best Dog Food For Jack Russell with Allergies
Jack Russell Terriers can develop allergies to certain proteins. Finding a diet with a limited number ingredients can help prevent your dog from developing allergies to their food.
Rachael Ray Just 6 dog food contains 6 main ingredients to help prevent your dog from having food allergies. This diet also contains no fillers or by-products. This diet is packed with all the great vitamins and minerals that your Jack Russell Terrier needs to help treat allergies in your dog.
Pros:
- Only 6 main ingredients
- No fillers or byproducts
Cons:
- Some dogs do not like the taste
Best Dog Food for Jack Russell with Sensitive Stomachs
Best for Sensitive Stomachs
If your Jack Russell Terrier has GI issues very commonly, it may be best to feed them a sensitive stomach dog food. These are usually very bland and easy to digest diets.
Solid Gold is a great diet to feed to a Jack Russell with a sensitive stomach. This diet contains potatoes and pumpkin to help aid in digestion. The Solid Gold diet contains other superfoods, prebiotics, and probiotics to help provide a normal gut flora.
Not only does this food help your Jack Russell Terrier with a sensitive stomach, but it also will help your dog with their skin and coat. This diet is backed with Omega fatty acids to help promote a shiny and healthy coat.
Pros:
- No grains or artificial flavors and preservatives
- Contains real meat as its first ingredient
- Contains probiotics for gut health
Cons:
How Much Food Should I Feed My Jack Russell?
Jack Russell Terries are high energy small, bred dogs. These dogs will need a high quality protein and nutrients to keep up with their energy level. As they get older, they will slow down some, so you will need to monitor their food intake to make sure that they do not become overweight.
Jack Russells tend to weigh 15 to 20 pounds. They should eat about 1 cup of food a day. Many people will split this into two feedings to help keep their Jack Russell full.
What Treats Should I Offer My Jack Russell Terrier?
Jack Russell Terriers love to have treats. When you are training your dog, they are getting more treats. During this time, it is best to decrease the amount of food that you are feeding to make up for the calories in their treats. Also, it is best to find a low calorie dog treat to feed your Jack Russell Terrier.
These are some great treats that you can feed to your Jack Russell Terrier:
- Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Natural Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats (Available at Chewy.com and Amazon)
- Fruitables Skinny Mini Dog Treats (Available at Chewy.com and Amazon)
Both of these are great treats that you can feed to your dog on a daily basis. They both contain just a few calories which will help prevent your Jack Russell Terrier from gaining extra weight.
When giving your dog treats for training, remember to just give them one at a time. Too many treats, even if they are low calories, can be bad for your dogs health.
How Long Should My Jack Russell Wait After Eating to Exercise?
Dogs who run around on a full stomach risk bloat, also known as a twisted stomach. It is best to wait two hours after eating before allowing your Jack Russell to exercise or go swimming.
In addition, you should also wait to feed your dog for 30 minutes after exercising.
Final Thoughts
Jack Russell Terriers are full of energy and lots of fun. These dogs will need a dog food that will also keep up with their energy demands. These foods and treats are great for you to feed to your Jack Russell Terrier.
As your dog ages, you may need to switch to a senior diet, or if they have any health issues, you may also have to switch their diet to one for allergies or a sensitive stomach.
Making sure you are feeding your Jack Russell Terrier an appropriate diet for their breed is the key to keeping them healthy and happy for many years.
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