Best Dog Food For Jack Russells
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Jack Russell Terriers are definitely a unique breed. They belong to the small dog family. Usually full of energy, Jacks are always busy, lively, love to hunt and cherish mental exercises.
Interestingly, this breed was named after a clergyman called Rev. John Jack Russell. Also, they were originally raised in the 1800s for game hunting. With these dogs, consequently, there will be a need to adequately feed these dogs with high calories.
This is because they are very lively and full of energy. Nevertheless, you should give their diet appropriate attention.
Compare Best Dog Food For Jack Russells
OVERALL BEST  1. Taste Of The Wild Grain Free High Protein Natural Dry Dog Food | ||||
Protein 32% Min | Protein 7% Min | Protein 24.0% Min | Protein 28% Min | Protein 10% Min |
Fat 17.00% Min | Fat 5% Min | Fat 12.0% Min | Fat 16% Min | Fat 3% Min |
Fiber 4% Max | Fiber 2% Max | Fiber 4.0% Max | Fiber 4.5% Max | Fiber 2% Max |
Calories 3656 kcal/kg or 370 kcal/cup | Calories 1246 kcal/kg | Calories 310 kcal/cup | Calories 381 kcal/cup | Calories 1,298 kcal/kg |
How To Choose The Best Dog Food For Jack Russells?
To meet your Jack Russell’s basic nutritional requirements, you need a dog food that provides a balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
Your dog needs a minimum of 18% protein and 5% fat in its diet to meet its basic needs.
Both protein and fat should come from animal sources because your dog has a limited ability to digest plant foods.
Protein provides the building blocks for strong muscles and helps your dog maintain lean muscle mass.
Editor’s Note
Look for lean animal proteins like chicken and turkey because they are complete proteins – this means they contain all 10 essential amino acids your Jack Russell’s needs.
Also Read: 10 Best Healthiest Dry Dog Foods
Fat provides a concentrated source of energy and it is easiest for your dog’s body to metabolize when it comes from animal sources.
Carbohydrates provide your dog with energy, fiber, and essential nutrients. Look for digestible sources like whole grains, starchy vegetables, beans, and legumes.
Your dog can also benefit from certain supplements like fresh fruits and vegetables for nutritional balance, prebiotics and probiotics for digestion, and chelated minerals.
Some dogs also need extra glucosamine for healthy joints.
Keep reading to see our top 5 recommendations for the best low-fat dog food.
Best Rated Dog Food For Jack Russells Reviewed
Jack Russells like any other small breeds is prone to food-related conditions if not served with the right diet.
Giving that there are numerous dog foods available on the market, it is quite important to select the suitable ones for your pooches.
In the end, your decision should not be by trial and error. So, look at the list below. Our suggestions of dog foods here should be able to help you make best buying for your Jack Russell.
Taste Of The Wild Grain Free High Protein Natural Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 32% Min
- Fat: 17.00% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 3656 kcal/kg or 370 kcal/cup
- Real meat as a lean source of animal protein
- Limited number of ingredients to reduce allergies
- Perfect for a glossy coat and healthy skin
- Expensive to feed as a staple diet
- Inconsistency in the texture of the kibbles
Furthermore, all of its ingredients are natural with added vitamins and minerals. The natural antioxidants in this formula are from vegetables. Also, this grain-free diet with sweet potatoes and peas offers extremely digestible energy for your active Jack Russell.
Your pooches will definitely find that this product will make them always crave for in this bison roasted meal. If you feed your dog this food, you will see a noticeable change in their skin and coat.
This is because it contains a blend of fatty acids for healthy skin and a shiny coat. Also, the Taste of the Wild’s proprietary probiotics will help improve the digestive system of your Jackie.
Nom Nom Pork Potluck Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 7% Min
- Fat: 5% Min
- Fiber: 2% Max
- Calories: 1246 kcal/kg
- Fresh food delivered to your door
- Made from wholesome natural ingredients
- Rich in protein, fat, and calories
- Costs more than the average kibble to feed
Each recipe is made with wholesome, all-natural ingredients and designed to meet your dog’s specific needs for nutrients and calories.
We like Nom Nom’s Porkalicious Potluck recipe for the Jack Russell breed because it is rich in protein with slightly higher fat and calorie content than the poultry recipes.
Because it is a fresh food product, it is also high in moisture to support your dog’s hydration and digestion. It also retains more of its original nutritional integrity because it hasn’t been cooked at high temperatures.
This formula features ground pork as the main ingredient with digestible carbohydrates for energy and fiber. It also contains omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Senior Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 24.0% Min
- Fat: 12.0% Min
- Fiber: 4.0% Max
- Calories: 310 kcal/cup
- Contains great amount of glucosamine and chondroitin
- Enhances healthy skin and glossy coat
- Helps boost immune system of older Jack Russells
- You get more than what you pay for
- Seems it causes diarrhea in some dogs
- Some quality control issues
Furthermore, the formula also has omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. These fatty acids support a healthy skin and shiny coat. You can definitely entrust your senior feline diet with this meal that is made with non-GMO ingredients. Overall, we highly recommend this rich blend of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 28% Min
- Fat: 16% Min
- Fiber: 4.5% Max
- Calories: 381 kcal/cup
- The kibble is small and made for easy digestion
- It helps reduce awful doggie farts
- This food allows pups attain appropriate weight for size and age
- It is balanced and grain free
- It is somehow quite expensive
- Some pups may not eat this food
Also, the recipe includes DHA to enhance healthy brain development. It is well formulated to cater for the nutritional and development needs of your Jack Russell puppy. Moreover, you can trust this formula to support overall health of your younger canine friend. Generally, the Merrick Grain Free Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food has an industry-leading levels of omega 3 & 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.
Ollie Dog Food Chicken Goodness Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 10% Min
- Fat: 3% Min
- Fiber: 2% Max
- Calories: 1,298 kcal/kg
- Rich in lean protein with moderate fat content
- Novel protein to reduce risk for food allergies
- Omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- May be too high in fat for some dogs prone to weight gain
- Might be too high in fiber for some dogs
Ollie is a fresh pet food company that delivers fresh food to your door with specific feeding instructions. Each recipe is made with human-grade ingredients and cooked at low temperatures to preserve nutritional integrity.
We like Ollie’s Healthy Turkey Feast recipe for the Jack Russell breed because it is rich in lean protein but more calorie-dense than some recipes.
It will help your Jack Russell maintain a healthy bodyweight with a lower risk for obesity as long as you follow the feeding recommendations. It’s also a novel protein which is good if your dog is sensitive or allergic to common proteins like chicken and beef.
Not only is the Jack Russell a small breed with a fast metabolism, but they are also a high-energy breed which means they may need a more calorie-dense diet than some dogs.
Ollie is a fresh pet food company that delivers fresh food to your door with specific feeding instructions. Each recipe is made with human-grade ingredients and cooked at low temperatures to preserve nutritional integrity.
We like Ollie’s Healthy Turkey Feast recipe for the Jack Russell breed because it is rich in lean protein but more calorie-dense than some recipes.
It will help your Jack Russell maintain a healthy bodyweight with a lower risk for obesity as long as you follow the feeding recommendations. It’s also a novel protein which is good if your dog is sensitive or allergic to common proteins like chicken and beef.
Do Jack Russells Have Specific Dietary Needs?
Jack Russell terriers are of the family of small canine breed weighing around 13 and 18 pounds. According to the National Research Council of the National Academics, dogs of such size will need 2-3 meals containing an average of say between 450 to 650 calories per day.
If your dog is older than 6 years, there will be the need to feed him more calories base on his energy level.
While puppies of less than a year old should be fed with 4-6 meals containing about 800 to 900 calories per day until reaching an estimated age of 1 year.
Another thing you need to know about Jack Russells is that they are omnivores.
They do have the capacity to digest some plants and vegetables.
But note that the number one ingredient in their meal should always be real meat because they tend to be more carnivorous.
However, it is always ideal to include easily digestible carbohydrates in their daily intake.
Healthy sources of carbs include potatoes, oats, quinoa and legumes. Make sure you don’t include grains such as corn, soy or wheat in their diet.
Since Jack Russell terriers are omnivores, you can feed them all kinds of diets.
Provided they are enriched with balance of ingredients necessary for proper functioning of the organs.
Each bite of their meal should contain right amounts of proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals as well as amino acids.
Nutritional Requirements
- Quality Proteins. Protein helps your Jack Russell sustain lean muscle mass, so high-protein diets can be helpful for weight loss as long as the protein comes from quality animal sources. Look for a dog food with around 30% protein.
- Limited Fat. Fat is the most concentrated source of energy (calories) for dogs so, if you can control the fat content of its food, you can control the calorie content. Vets recommend 10% fat for weight loss and it should come from high-quality sources.
- Dietary Fiber. In addition to supporting healthy digestion, the fiber in your dog’s diet can help it to feel satiated on fewer calories which is beneficial for weight loss. Look for about 5% fiber.
- Antioxidants. Not only do Jack Russell dogs have fast metabolisms, but they also have long lifespans. Feeding your dog an antioxidant-rich diet will help keep it healthy for as long as possible by boosting its immune system.
How Much Should You Feed Your Jack Russell by Age
As we have noted previously, Jack Russell Terriers are very active and energetic species. They therefore need to be properly fed with adequate calories. However, it is always good to feed them base on the stage of their lifetime.
- Puppy – Jack Russells at this stage of their lives need complete and balanced nutrition. Since this is the period they grow their organs, bones and develop their brains. It is important to feed them with food with high level of proteins, fats, carbs, vitamins and minerals. Pups below one year old should be fed with up to 900 calories in about 4-6 meals per day.
- Adult – At this stage adult Jack Russell are very active and energetic. They will need a lot of calories per day. Approximately 3 times a day of about 650 calories. Also they will require adequate level of protein and antioxidants in order to maintain strong and lean muscle mass as well as vitality.
- Senior – Notably, the metabolism processes in senior Jack Russells tend to reduce. As a result, the amount of calories intake must be cut down to avoid excess weight. They should be fed with about 450 calories for at most 2 times per day. Protein content should as well be cut up to 25% in order to reduce kidney workload. However, if your old pooch is still energetic and active, you don’t need to hurriedly change his diet.
Jack Russell Food Allergies And Food Related Health Issues
Jack Russell Terriers are very prone to atopic dermatitis. It is a skin condition resulting from food allergies.
Some of the symptoms of this health issue are excessive licking and biting of the skin, as well as dry and itchy skin. These often cause noticeable hair loss.
Allergens may be any of foods, molds, pollen and insect bites. One of the ways to determine whether the allergen is due to food, is by placing your pooch on hypoallergenic diet. Hypoallergenic diet usually has an uncommon source of protein and carbohydrate.
The included ingredients are highly improbable to cause reaction. If the condition subsides after applying the hypoallergenic diet, there is need to find a suitable diet that will not contain the likely allergen with the help of your vet.
Other health conditions also common in Jacks are dental problem and tartar.
That is why it is essential that their food should be about 70% dry. It should be crunchy but not too hard. Crunchy foods seem to prevent the development of tartar and promote healthy teeth.
Final Thoughts
In the end, as a Jack Russell parent, the last thing you want to see happen to your dog is to get malnourished or developed food related conditions. One of the best ways to cater for these pooches is to get them on complete and balanced diet.
