WHAT’S THE BEST DOG FOOD FOR A JACK RUSSELL TERRIER?

Jack Russell: Specific Dietary Needs

Like all dog breeds, Jack Russells have specific features that should be taken into account when selecting their dog food. The Jack Russell is a small terrier-type dog that can measure up to 30cm for males and 25cm for females. Known for its lively, sometimes hyperactive, temperament, this is a very energetic dog breed. While the Jack Russell is generally quite robust and not particularly predisposed to obesity, it is still necessary to consider certain factors to respond effectively to your dog’s dietary needs.

These are some of the factors that you should consider when choosing the right food for your Jack Russell: 

• Jack Russells are very active dogs and always very lively. This means they expend a lot of energy throughout the day, especially if they engage in intense physical activity like hunting. As such, your dog will need to maintain their energy level through their food.

• The Jack Russell is also known for its finicky dental health. Extremely prone to tartar, the Jack Russell’s teeth are quite large in proportion to the size of its jaw. Your dog’s kibble will therefore have to consider this factor.

Vets often recommend a dry food diet for many different reasons. On the one hand, it's much more affordable than homemade dog food, for example, and allows you to ensure that your dog receives everything they need, provided of course that the dry food you choose is high quality and distributed in appropriate quantities.

What Type of Dog Food Should I Feed My Jack Russell?

There's a huge variety of dog food on the market, ranging from more to less specialised according to your dog's needs. In addition to the basic nutritional needs of every dog, your Jack Russell's dog food also needs to meet all the aforementioned requirements of the breed. 

Therefore, when considering your Jack Russell's diet, you should look for:

• Dog food that sustains the Jack Russell’s active temperament: To support your lively pooch, their dog food should have a composition rich in fat, and also contain enough protein and Omega-3 fatty acids.

• Dog food that maintains your dog’s dental hygiene: Because of their predisposition to tartar, it’s important to accompany your Jack Russell's dog food with natural, high-quality treats to chew on, such as beef tendon chews. Plus, Jack Russells love to use their jaw!

When and How Should I Feed My Jack Russell?

Once you've chosen the perfect dog food for your Jack Russell, you also need to learn when and how best to feed them. There are certain guidelines to help you feed your dog optimally and, in particular, avoid digestion issues. Good dog food is one thing, but how you feed your pooch is also very important! Poor food intake can cause feelings of discomfort, such as gas or other digestive disorders. 

Here we outline some recommendations for feeding your Jack Russell in the best way possible:

• Give them their meals at the same time each day and, if possible, in the same quiet place: This helps to establish a feeding routine, which is important for facilitating digestion, as well as promoting a balanced diet.

• We recommend that you split your Jack Russell's daily food ration into two or three small meals: The idea is to distribute their food throughout the day, to prevent them from ingesting too much at once, which can cause digestive problems, such as gas.

• Give them the correct amount of dog food: Determining the right amount of food for your Jack Russell can be tricky. This will depend on different factors, such as your dog's breed, age, weight, activity level, and reported illnesses. Your vet or an animal nutritionist specialist can help you determine the appropriate amount of food for your dog.

• Treats: In addition to their regular food, you can certainly offer your furry friend a healthy treat from time to time. Little pieces of fruit or cooked vegetables are a great healthy, balanced option! However, be careful not to overdo it with fruit if your dog tends to gain weight easily.

• Forbid certain foods: Of course, some foods are toxic—even fatal—to dogs. Sugar, or even garlic and onion… there are many foods to avoid, so be sure to do your research! If in doubt, ask your vet for advice. This is even more important when your Jack Russell is still a puppy.

• Finally, make sure your dog is drinking enough water. There should always be one or more bowls of fresh water available to your dog, both in the house and outside if they go out. If you want to encourage your pooch to drink more water, try placing ice cubes in their water bowl.