When you’re trying to figure out how much to feed a Boxer dog, many things should be taken into consideration. Remember that feeding your dog too much or not enough can cause serious health problems down the line.
Generally, age is the first thing to consider when deciding how much to feed a Boxer. Usually, a Boxer puppy needs around ¾ to 4 cups of dog food daily, while adult Boxers need between 3 and 3 ¾ cups per day. Meanwhile, a senior Boxer needs around 2 ½ to 3 cups of quality food daily.
However, it’s worth noting that other factors besides age should be considered as well. Luckily, this Boxer feeding guide will help you specify exactly how much dog food your pup needs at the different stages of its life.
What Factors Impact How Much to Feed a Boxer Dog?
Before you decide to give your Boxer certain dog foods — grain-free kibble, wet food, or raw diets — familiarizing yourself with the factors that impact how much to feed a Boxer dog is essential:
- Age: When specifying how much dog food to feed a Boxer, the dog’s age is one of the most important factors to consider. Boxer puppies usually need more calories than adults because they are growing and developing; however, as they get older, their metabolism slows down, and they require fewer calories.
- Size: Even dogs of the same breed can have different feeding requirements based on their size. Typically, the larger Boxer dogs will need more food than the smaller ones.
- Activity level: For those with hyperactive Boxers, such as puppies and adult dogs, you will need to feed them a higher-calorie diet. This is because they need more energy, protein, calorie content, and nutrients to keep their metabolism working at full capacity.
All these factors aren’t just critical for determining how much to feed a Boxer dog; they’re crucial for determining how much to feed any canine — whether it be a small or large breed dog.
How Much to Feed Your Boxer Dog?
Your Boxer dog will probably do just fine no matter what you give it: canned food, raw diet, organic dog food, dry quality kibble, or a mixture of all four. Yet one question remains: How much food should you feed it?
This section will help answer this question and provide guidelines for how much to feed a Boxer. Be aware, though, that the following ranges are only general suggestions; some adjustments may be necessary.
Boxer Puppy Feeding Chart (1 to 12 months)
As members of the large-breed puppy category, Boxer puppies grow at a rapid pace during their first year of life. So after consuming their mothers’ milk or colostrum, it’s vital to feed them puppy food that will help them thrive.
Thankfully, many dog foods available today are formulated specifically for large-breed pups. These meals are designed with higher protein and chicken fat content than those meant for smaller canines.
Here’s the guideline on how many calories and cups of dog food your Boxer puppy will need:
| Age | Daily Feeding Amount (Cups) | Caloric Intake (Per day) |
| 1 – 3 months | ¾ – 3 | 353 – 1,354 |
| 4 – 5 months | 2 – 2 ¾ | 931 – 1,249 |
| 6 – 7 months | 2 ¾ – 3 ½ | 1,198 – 1,612 |
| 8 – 12 months | 3 ¼ – 4 | 1,494 – 1,839 |
According to the puppy feeding chart above, ¾ to 4 cups of quality dog food should be enough for growing Boxer dogs.
However, in terms of the exact amount of macronutrients, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends that you give your Boxer dog 22.5% animal protein and 8.5% fat in its daily diet.
Adult Boxer Dog Feeding Chart (1 to 6 years)
Once your Boxer dog has reached adulthood, its diet will need to change. To start, the best dog food for Boxer dogs should have no more than 18% protein and 5.5% fat.
Meanwhile, the rest of the nutrients should be made up of carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
The table below illustrates how much a typical adult Boxer should eat daily:
| Age | Daily Feeding Amount (Cups) | Caloric Intake (Per day) |
| 1 – 6 years | 3 – 3 ¾ | 1,195 – 1,507 |
It’s also a good idea to complement your Boxer’s diet by adding healthy foods like sweet potato, carrot, or spinach. A shiny coat and good digestion can be aided by a diet consisting of these foods.
Senior Boxer Dog Feeding Chart (7 years and above)
As your Boxer enters its senior years, you will begin to notice some changes in its health. The same goes for its dietary requirements.
Additionally, my friend who owns a senior Boxer has this best practice of giving his pet dog wet dog food, which is more beneficial for seniors with sensitive teeth or those who have trouble chewing.
Further, he chooses brands that are quite aromatic but contain less preservatives. This helps his Boxer finish up all its food without having to worry too much about digestive issues that may come with old age.
For feeding a senior Boxer dog, here is a feeding guideline you can follow:
| Age | Daily Feeding Amount (Cups) | Caloric Intake (Per day) |
| 7 years and above | 2 ½ – 3 | 956 – 1,206 |
Moreover, investing in senior-specific vitamins, minerals, and supplements should be considered by owners of elder Boxers. All these will help keep their immune systems strong and their bones healthy throughout their later years.
How Often Should You Feed Your Boxer?
Typically, Boxer puppies should consume high-quality food 3 to 4 times a day. Meanwhile, full-grown Boxers do well with just eating adult food twice daily. Finally, senior Boxer dogs should be fed a senior-specific diet either once or twice daily.
To keep your Boxer fit and help it retain its lean muscle mass and energy, you must pay close attention to the importance of feeding frequency.
Therefore, splitting your Boxer’s daily diet into appropriately portioned meals is important. You should also be consistent and follow a regular schedule every day.
The table below can help you determine how often to feed your Boxer:
| Age | Feeding Frequency |
| 3 – 12 months | Three to four times a day |
| 1 – 6 years | Two times a day |
| 7 years and above | Once or twice a day |
To be clear, it is worth emphasizing that the feeding frequency above doesn’t mean you have to feed your Boxer more than the recommended amount.
Instead, this just implies you need to spread out the recommended daily caloric intake into different servings.
How to Transition Your Boxer Dog to a New Food
Whether you’re switching your Boxer to puppy food or, finally, to an adult diet, remember that the transition should be done gradually. No one wants to see their puppy get sick from too much change at once.
To assist you through the process of transitioning your Boxer’s diet, the American Kennel Club (AKC) suggests the following schedule:
| Day | Old Food | New Food |
| Day 1 – 2 | 75% | 25% |
| Day 3 – 4 | 50% | 50% |
| Day 5 – 6 | 25% | 75% |
| Day 7 | 0% | 100% |
Not only does a gradual transition make it easier for your Boxer dog to adjust, but it also helps prevent any digestive issues from arising. You’ll be able to see if skin allergies will pop up during this period as well.
It should be noted that coat health is dependent upon a well-balanced diet, so if you’re switching from one brand of dry food to another, gradual shifts will be helpful.
Pro Tip: One of the things I can suggest to avoid having stomach issues when bringing your Boxer puppy home for the first time is to ensure that you ask the breeder what diet they have been giving the puppy prior to the release.
You may even ask them for a sample of their current dog food, which is good to last a few days as you slowly transition to the new dog food you prefer.
Tips on Feeding an Overweight Boxer Dog
Taking care of an overweight Boxer dog can be both difficult and frustrating. You want to do everything you can to help your canine lose weight, but it’s tricky to know where to start.
Here are some suggestions for feeding your overweight Boxer so that it can shed a few pounds:
- Make changes to your dog’s diet: No matter what you give your Boxer — chicken meal, raw food, quality kibble, grain-free dog food, canned food, or home-cooked ones — you’ll want to make sure they are getting the right amount of calories. If you have an overweight pup, try reducing its daily caloric intake.
- Give it interactive toys instead of treats: As much as you may want to spoil your Boxer dog, giving them treats is not the best way to do it. It’s much better to reward them with interactive toys that will make them work for their food and help you get rid of some of those extra pounds.
- Do not free-feed your dog: Like other dog breeds, free-feeding is not recommended for Boxer dogs. It will only encourage them to eat more than they need and make them gain weight very quickly. Instead, divide the dog’s daily rations and space them out evenly throughout the day.
Also, there are two things that fur parents need to keep in mind when trying to reduce their Boxers’ weight: consistency and patience. It takes time for dogs to lose weight; they cannot go from being fat to being healthy overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know If I’m Feeding My Boxer Dog Enough?
Identifying your Boxer dog’s body condition score (BCS) is one way to tell if it’s getting enough food. BCS involves looking at your dog’s ribs and spine. If you can easily feel the ribs but not see them, your pupper is in good shape.
However, to be specific, this process presents a scale from 1 to 9, with one being “emaciated” and nine being “overweight.” Remember that five or six is ideal for most dogs.
Additionally, monitoring your dog’s weight every three months can help determine if it’s eating too much or too little. For this large-breed puppy, a special pet scale is worthwhile to get an accurate reading.
Why Is My Boxer Dog Not Eating?
In most instances, your Boxer not eating is not an emergency. Your furry pal may be okay and just needs a little help finding their appetite again. In this case, it’s best to take things slow and watch for any signs of discomfort.
Having said that, if such an issue is prolonged, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian to be on the safe side. Your dog may have a medical condition that requires immediate attention.
Can I Feed My Boxer Dog With Human Food?
Generally speaking, foods with human-grade ingredients are safe for your Boxer dog to consume on occasion. Still, note that there are some exceptions you should be aware of.
As a rule of thumb, it’s best to avoid feeding your Boxer any type of human food that contains high amounts of fat, sugar, and artificial additives. This means chocolates and candies should be avoided at all costs.
So to be safe, it may be most reasonable to stick with brown rice, meat-by-products, and fresh chicken. Vegetables, including sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, and cucumbers, are also highly suggested.
Do Boxer Dogs Eat a Lot?
Yes, Boxer dogs are well-known for their hearty appetites. This means they are at a higher risk of obesity and diabetes, which can lead to a number of health issues.
Therefore, Boxer owners need to be careful about the amount of dog food they feed their pets. Daily exercise is also important to help keep them in shape, maintain healthy digestion, and stay within the ideal weight range.
Can Boxer Dogs Eat Bones?
Yes, Boxer dogs can eat bones, but not cooked ones. Bear in mind that raw meaty bones are safer to consume, as they don’t splinter and break off easily when chewed.
Further, if you’re planning to put your Boxer on a raw diet, these bones are the best option for your pet’s dental health. The reason is simple: uncooked bones help clean teeth by scraping away tartar buildup.
So, have you found the right diet plan for your Boxer? Drop your thoughts about these Boxer dog feeding guidelines in the comment section below!
