​What’s the Best Dog Food for Fox Terriers?

**Please note: these estimates are based on an average weight for this breed. Every dog is different. Please talk to your vet before making changes to your dog's diet. 

Because of their high intensity, Fox Terriers need a good amount of food even for their small frame. However, they have a great metabolism to burn it off. Even though they are high intensity dogs, no two dogs are the same. So we will break their caloric intake into three categories: low intensity, moderate intensity and high intensity. We will use the average weight for the Fox Terrier as well, which is 17 pounds.

For starters, Fox Terriers with a low intensity level will require 417 k/cal per day. This will be smaller at puppyhood, but once they reach adulthood, that is how much they should be eating if they are a low intensity dog. For moderately intense dogs, they should be eating about 510 k/cal per day. And for high intensity dogs, they should be eating a whopping 810 k/cal per day.

There is not much of a difference between male and female Fox Terriers, so it is fine to feed them both the same amount.

This is a great video because it shows you what you’re getting into by owning a Fox Terrier (some of you probably already know that). However, it also illustrates the high intensity of the breed. In the next section we’re going to get into why it’s important to feed this breed excellent food to keep up with their high intensity.

Macronutrient Information about Fox Terriers

Since Fox Terriers are such high intensity, supplying them with plenty of vitamins and nutrients is key to keeping them healthy. One of the things about this breed is their distinctive coat.

Feeding them poor quality food will cause them to have a shaggy and dull coat. However, keeping them on a healthy diet will keep their coat shiny and healthy. To do this, at least one of the simple ingredients in the dog food should be a meat. They should get their daily dose of fatty acids as well to help keep their coats healthy.

You should also look for good sources of fat in the food. Additionally, this breed is prone to allergies. We always recommend it, but we can’t emphasize it enough. Try to stay away from foods with filler like corn and wheat. This will only set the calories off and it gives no nutritional value to your dog.

The dog food should have a good balance of carbohydrates, protein, fatty acids, and plenty of vitamins and minerals. To achieve this, you can feed your Fox Terrier a good variety of ocean fish, or game meat. This is what the breed would be use to eating. And this will help keep the iconic slender frame as well. They can get their fats from various vegetables, and they should be able to eat brown rice as well.

Common Health Problems with Fox Terriers

Fox Terriers are generally a very healthy animal with an average lifespan of about 15 years. This is due to their history of extreme exercise. However, every breed comes with their share of breed specific conditions.

For starters, Fox Terriers can develop a hereditary disease called Myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease. This is a disorder that creates fluctuating muscle fatigue. This is definitely something to look out for because in some cases it can cause your dog to have trouble swallowing things. If you feel this might be something your dog is suffering from, it’s important to consult with your vet immediately.

Another condition that is not only average, but prevalent in this breed is cataracts. Unfortunately, there is not dietary cure for cataracts. If you dogs develop them, they will have to be fixed through surgery.

Deafness is also unfortunately an issue with this breed, as it is with most predominately white breeds. The only aid for this is time and patience.

Also, Legg-Perthes disease is common condition with this breed. It’s a deformity with the hip bone that can often be confused with hip dysplasia. The best treatment for it is natural exercise and hip movement exercises. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian about this. However, keeping a healthy diet will help the dog alleviate some of the pressure and pain associated with this condition.

Honestly, this is just a really healthy breed. If you feed your dog good, natural, healthy food and allow them plenty of exercise then you shouldn’t have much to worry about. But regular check-ups with the vet is always a good idea, especially when you notice something is off.

How to Feed a Fox Terrier Puppy

For adult Fox Terriers, this daily amount can be shortened to 1.5 – 2 times per day. This should only be high-quality food (which we’ll cover in a moment). Also, it depends on the dog’s activity level, size, age, and metabolism.

Some people like to cure food insecurity by keeping food out all the time, however, we do not recommend this in this case. Keep your dog in good shape by measuring their food and feeding them twice per day with the recommended calories.

Editors’s Choice for the Best Dog Food for Fox Terriers

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dog Food was exactly what we were looking for when we wanted to find the perfect dog food for this breed.

The great thing about this brand, long with others that we review, is their neglect of cheap, imported fillers that usually just trigger your dog's allergies instead of giving him any nutritional value.

This particular bag has a lean mix of salmon, hearty vegetables, and tons of excellent vitamins and nutrients. But there are tons of different types you can try to fit your dog's taste.

Pros & Cons of Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dog Food

There are plenty of excellent brands out there besides the ones that we have named. Make sure you find what works for you pup before anything else. However this food is lean, hearty, and has tons of nutrients and vitamins that will help your Fox Terrier stay in top shape.

You’ll notice that the ingredients in this particular brand are on par with what we noted the Fox Terrier requires as far as nutrition goes. Do your homework of course, but we definitely recommend giving this brand a try!