Your Boston Terrier, affectionately known as the "American gentleman," brings joy, loyalty, and charm to your home. Feeding your Boston Terrier well isn’t just about filling their bowl; it’s about fueling their body, supporting their health, and giving them the best chance to thrive. With so many choices, from canned dog food and kibble to grain-free formulas and the increasingly popular raw diet, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. When it comes to nutrition, most dogs, regardless of breed, have surprisingly universal needs. Just like us, every dog is different. But one thing remains true across the board: what you feed your dog has a profound effect on their health, both now and in the future. Modern science and centuries of instinct reveal that food is more than just fuel. It’s information.
Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Boston Terriers
Dogs are classified as facultative carnivores. That means meat is their biological staple, but they can survive by scavenging and eating other food types, including some plant matter. Think about it like this: a human can technically live on fast food: burgers, chips, fizzy drinks. But will they feel their best? It’s the same story with dogs. Modern dogs may appear different from their wild ancestors, but biologically, they remain remarkably close to wolves. That’s not a criticism; most dog owners simply want to do their best. Dogs have little requirement for carbohydrates, especially refined ones. However, most commercial dry dog foods are loaded with them, often making up more than 50% of the recipe. Why? Because carbs like grains, legumes, and starchy fillers are cheap to bulk out food, not because they benefit your dog. That’s why more and more dog owners are turning to grain-free dog food or making the transition to feeding their dogs a fresh diet.
Common Health Issues in Boston Terriers and How Diet Can Help
Some dog breeds are more genetically prone to certain health problems than others, and the Boston terrier is no exception. This isn't to say that your pup will automatically develop these conditions at some point in life - just that they are predisposed. Below, we’ll explore some of the most common health afflictions among Boston terriers and how you can avoid them through proper diet and nutrition. The leading causes of death in Boston Terriers are heart failure and cancer, particularly mast cell tumors and melanoma.
- Sensitive Stomachs and Food Allergies: Boston terriers are known to have more sensitive stomachs with digestive tracts that can easily become upset, especially when they consume lower-quality foods. This can result in symptoms like gas, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Boston Terriers commonly experience sensitive stomachs and food allergies, with triggers like corn, soy, and gluten causing digestive or skin issues. Symptoms may include gas, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, or itching. If your Boston Terrier shows signs of food sensitivity, consider switching to a limited-ingredient diet to reduce potential triggers. Look for formulas that include prebiotic fiber and high-quality probiotics to support healthy digestion. American Natural Premium - the best dog food for Boston terrier dogs - is suitable for dogs with allergies. The brand is free from grains, legumes, and chicken, providing nutrient-dense meals.
- Obesity: Obesity is another common problem among this breed - especially in adult and senior Boston terriers. This occurs when a dog consumes more calories than they need, causing weight gain that can quickly add up and strain the body, joints, and organs. Obesity is a common concern in senior Boston Terriers and can worsen breathing difficulties and joint strain. Managing their weight is essential to supporting long-term health and mobility. A less active senior Boston Terrier weighing around 10 pounds typically needs about 300 calories per day.
- Joint Issues: Boston Terriers are predisposed to joint issues like patellar luxation, which can lead to arthritis in their senior years. Supporting joint health through diet is essential for maintaining mobility and comfort.
- Urinary Issues: Senior dogs, especially small breeds like Boston Terriers, are often prone to urinary issues and may not drink enough water. Proper hydration is essential for kidney function, digestion, and overall health.
Nutritional Guidelines for Boston Terriers
- Protein: Choose a pet food with quality animal protein as its first ingredient is a must. Your Boston Terrier requires high-quality, animal-based proteins, such as chicken, turkey, fish, or beef, listed as the primary ingredient. However, not all protein sources are ideal for a Boston terrier. Be on the lookout for pet foods that list "meals" and "by-products," such as chicken meal or fish meal, as their first ingredient. Similarly, look out for dog foods with soy as the first ingredient. Instead, choose a pet food with real animal protein as its first ingredient.
- Fat: In general, Boston terriers should be fed a diet that is relatively low in fat to reduce the risk of unwanted weight gain and obesity. Choose senior-specific formulas that are lower in fat but rich in essential nutrients. Some examples of ingredients high in protein and low in fat include turkey, chicken, lean beef, fish, and eggs.
- Carbohydrates: Another important thing to keep in mind when it comes to weight management in a Boston terrier is carbohydrate intake. Like proteins and fats, not all sources of carbs are of the same quality.
- AAFCO Standards: No matter which dog food you choose for your Boston terrier, make sure that it meets or exceeds the food nutrient profile requirements set forth by AAFCO. Select dog food that is AAFCO-approved for your dog’s life stage to ensure it meets essential nutritional standards. This is especially vital for senior Boston Terriers with age-specific dietary needs.
The Benefits of Fresh, Raw Food
Raw dog food is whole food served in their most natural state with no heat processing. It’s the most biologically aligned option for dogs. It delivers nutrients in their most digestible and usable forms, with no need for synthetic additives, preservatives, or mystery fillers. Let’s be honest: you don’t see wolves in the wild rummaging in wheat fields or sniffing out dried biscuits. A raw, species-appropriate diet, also referred to as BARF diet for dogs (biologically appropriate raw food diet), includes muscle meat, organ meat, bone, raw fats, and a small amount of vegetables or berries. Contrast that with ultra-processed commercial dog food. While convenient, it’s the exact opposite of raw. The high-heat manufacturing process depletes nutrients, denatures proteins, and creates inflammatory compounds [1]. Worse still, the added carbs, synthetic vitamins, and often rancid heated fats can contribute to a long list of chronic health issues that are now on the rise - not just in dogs [2], but in humans too.
Transitioning to a New Diet
Always transition your senior Boston Terrier to a new food gradually over 7 days to avoid digestive upset. A slow change allows their system to adjust and helps you monitor for any signs of allergies or behavioral changes. During the transition, keep an eye on your dog’s poo (yes, really), energy levels, and appetite. Digest, our dog gut health supplement, can help soothe the gut, reduce gas, and ease the shift to fresh food.
Read also: Healthy Eats in Boston
The Importance of Hydration
Boston Terriers generally need about one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day, with higher intake during heat or activity. Wet dog food contains about 70% moisture, making it an excellent option for supporting hydration in senior Boston Terriers. It’s often lower in calories and easier to chew, especially for dogs with dental issues. You can also use plain chicken broth (if no chicken allergy) or unseasoned bone broth, free from spices, onion, garlic, leek, or chives.
Feeding Schedule and Portions
Boston terrier puppies should eat four times daily during the weaning phase - from eight weeks to three months old. From the age of four months to their first year, transition to a feeding schedule that includes three meals per day. To prevent obesity and the other complications that can come along with it, Boston terriers should be fed based on their activity level rather than being free-fed. If your dog is energetic (goes on plenty of walks and does lots of running around), you may feed closer to 1.5 cups per day. Less energetic dogs, on the other hand, should receive less. The amount of food an adult Boston terrier needs depends on various factors, including size, age, structure, metabolism, and activity level. The quality of the dog food also plays a significant role. Boston terriers are known to have a hearty appetite, so it’s crucial to keep an eye on their weight to avoid obesity. Regularly weigh your dog and adjust their portions accordingly to maintain a healthy weight. When it comes to portion sizes, there’s no universal answer. Just like people, every dog is different with their own metabolism, energy levels, and health goals.
Supplements for Boston Terriers
While an AAFCO-approved diet covers basic nutritional needs, your veterinarian may suggest supplements for specific conditions like a luxating patella. Omega-3 fatty acids are especially beneficial for joint support and cognitive function in senior Boston Terriers. For added support, consider supplements containing ingredients like turmeric and green-lipped mussel. These natural compounds may help improve joint comfort, flexibility, and overall mobility in senior Boston Terriers. Select dog food that is AAFCO-approved for your dog’s life stage to ensure it meets essential nutritional standards. This is especially vital for senior Boston Terriers with age-specific dietary needs. Searching for effective probiotics for your pet? Zumalka’s high-quality formula is designed to support immune function and digestive health in both dogs and cats. PROBIOPET is a premium probiotic formulated to support optimal immune and digestive health in pets. It helps stabilize gut function and can be especially useful for managing issues like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and gas.
Safe Treats and Foods
Safe fruits for Boston Terriers include blueberries, apples (without seeds), bananas, watermelon, and strawberries, which provide vitamins, antioxidants, and hydration. A healthy weight for a Boston Terrier is generally 12-25 pounds, depending on age, sex, and build.
Senior Boston Terriers: Tailoring Their Diet
As Boston Terriers enter their senior years, their changing nutritional needs demand a more targeted diet to support health, comfort, and longevity. With age, Boston terriers typically become less energetic due to weak bones and tender joints, necessitating a diet lower in calories, protein, and fat. Senior dogs, such as Boston Terriers, require more protein, not less, to prevent age-related muscle loss. Experts recommend 28% to 32% protein on a dry-matter basis for healthy senior dogs. Aging dogs often develop dental issues that make chewing dry kibble difficult or painful. Senior dogs may experience a reduced appetite due to age-related changes in taste, smell, or dental discomfort. Warming their food or adjusting the texture can make meals more enticing and easier to eat.
Read also: Review: Boston Meal Delivery
Human-Grade Dog Food
For top-tier nutrition, choose human-grade dog food made to the same safety and quality standards as food for people. These formulas use nutrient-dense ingredients without fillers, artificial flavors, colors, or unapproved preservatives. Ultimately, the best dog food for Boston terriers meets the above requirements and is human grade. Human grade dog food is considered human-edible from the sourcing process to the production process. It's not easy (or cheap) for a pet food company to earn the designation of human grade, which is why most offer feed grade recipes instead.
Read also: Boston's Diet and Training