In this review, we’ll look at the best dog food for Jack Russell Terriers in 2024.
We’ve compared quality of ingredients, nutritional information, and value for money.
Our Best Dog Food
- Calories
- Not listed
- Protein
- 23%
- Fat
- 17%
- Fiber
- 3.5%
- Our Score
Compare Our Recommended Dog Foods
All of our dog food suggestions are carefully selected by professionals. We extensively research the products to check if they’ve been approved by governing bodies before making recommendations. You can read more about our stringent review standards here. And remember, always consult your veterinarian first, before changing your dog’s food.
- Top 5 Ingredients
- Type
- Lifestage
- Calories
- Protein
- Fat
- Fiber
- Cost
- Our score
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- Lamb
- Brown Rice
- Oats
- White Rice
- Lucerne
- Dry Food
- Adults
- Not listed
-
23%
23%
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17%
17%
-
3.5%
3.5%
-
Buy now
-
-
-
- Dried Chicken
- Potato
- Sweet Potato
- Peas
- Chicken Fat
- Dry Food
- All Life Stages
- Not listed
-
24%
24%
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11%
11%
-
3.75%
3.75%
-
Buy now
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-
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- Chicken
- Rice Protein
- Whole Rice
- Whole Millet
- Whole Oats
- Dry Food
- Adult
- Not listed
-
25%
25%
-
13%
13%
-
3.5%
3.5%
-
Buy now
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-
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- Chicken Meat
- Chicken Meal
- Turkey Meal
- Red Lentils
- Chicken Fat
- Dry Food
- Adult
- Not listed
-
35%
35%
-
22%
22%
-
3.5%
3.5%
-
Buy now
-
-
-
- Salmon
- Ocean Fish Meal
- Sweet Potatoes
- Potatoes
- Canola Oil
- Dry Food
- Adult
- Not listed
-
25%
25%
-
15%
15%
-
3%
3%
-
Buy now
-
In-Depth Jack Russell Dog Food Reviews
Barking Heads Dry Dog Food review
At a Glance
- Top 5 Ingredients:
- Lamb
- Brown Rice
- Oats
- White Rice
- Lucerne
- Type: Dry Food
- Lifestage: Adults
- Calories: Not listed
- Protein: 23%
- Fat: 17%
- Fiber: 3.5%
Barking Heads Chop Lickin’ Lamb is a premium performance diet that owners can feel good about feeding their dogs. Consistently ranked among the best dog foods for Jack Russell Terriers available for purchase today, Barking Heads Chop Lickin’ Lamb takes grass-fed lamb as its main ingredient. This protein source is lean, easily digestible, and rich in the amino acids the Jack Russell needs for a strong and healthy body.
A formula comprised largely of all natural ingredients, this high quality diet has been supplemented with glucosamine and chondroitin to boost joint health. A food formulation that includes grains in its recipe, fibre and antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains form the basis of the carbohydrate content in this diet, ensuring ample support for good digestion and a healthy immune system.
Pros:
- The main ingredient in this diet is grass fed lamb, a meat of exceptional quality and that is rich in vital nutrients.
- Barking Heads Chop Lickin’ Lamb includes whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in its carbohydrate content, promoting a well-rounded approach to nutrition to boost digestive processing.
- Glucosamine and chondroitin play starring roles in this diet, ensuring support for optimal joint functionality in the Jack Russell Terrier.
- Owners of dogs fed this diet noted their dogs’ coats were healthier, shinier, and softer.
- Several owners felt this food offers exceptional value given the high quality of the nutrition.
Cons:
- Barking Heads Chop Lickin’ Lamb is a somewhat costly food formulation.
- The heavy emphasis on grains may cause skin or stomach sensitivities in some dogs.
- The high protein formulation may be too rich for some Jack Russell’s to properly process and utilize the nutrition in this food effectively.
- A few owners felt this dog food was too cost prohibitive for them.
- Several owners commented that they wondered if the food’s recipe had recently changed as their dogs were not doing as well on it as they once were.
Pooch & Mutt Complete Dry Dog Food review
At a Glance
- Top 5 Ingredients:
- Dried Chicken
- Potato
- Sweet Potato
- Peas
- Chicken Fat
- Type: Dry Food
- Lifestage: All Life Stages
- Calories: Not listed
- Protein: 24%
- Fat: 11%
- Fiber: 3.75%
For an exceptional diet that packs a powerhouse punch of both nutrition and value, it’s hard to go wrong with Pooch & Mutt Complete Small Dog. A diet that has been carefully designed with the needs of small active breeds in mind, Pooch & Mutt Complete Small Dog is often recommended as one of the best dog foods for Jack Russell Terriers available for purchase today. This high performance dog food is considered to be hypoallergenic, making it an excellent choice for Jack Russell Terriers suffering from food related allergies.
The main ingredient in this diet is chicken, included in dried form. This meat is easy on the Jack Russell’s digestive system and contains ample servings of the nutrients required for strong and healthy muscle development. A grain-free food, the carbohydrates in this diet are taken from nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. To provide a boost for optimal urinary health, cranberries play a starring role in this super food.
Pros:
- A grain-free diet, Pooch & Mutt Complete Small Dog is a great choice for Jack Russell Terriers with allergies.
- Seaweed has been added to this food to boost metabolism and support healthy hormone production.
- Salmon oil is included in this recipe, providing support for optimal coat and skin health in the Jack Russell.
- Owners love that even their pickiest owners eat this food heartily, looking forward to their every meal.
- Most owners love the size of this kibble, feeling it is ideal for their Jack Russell Terrier.
Cons:
- Potato is the main carbohydrate in this food, a lower quality vegetable that has been associated with rapid spikes in blood sugar.
- This diet contains no prebiotics or probiotics; however, sweet potatoes do provide assistance with dietary fibre and antioxidants to encourage good digestion and a healthy immune system.
- The lack of whole grains may cause sluggish digestion in some dogs.
- A few owners noted that the kibble pieces were quite large in this food. However, since each morsel is flat, most dogs have no difficulty breaking this food down well.
- Rarely, some owners indicate they find the smell of this food off putting.
Edgard & Cooper Organic Dry Dog Food review
At a Glance
- Top 5 Ingredients:
- Chicken
- Rice Protein
- Whole Rice
- Whole Millet
- Whole Oats
- Type: Dry Food
- Lifestage: Adult
- Calories: Not listed
- Protein: 25%
- Fat: 13%
- Fiber: 3.5%
Edgard & Cooper Organic Adult is considered to be one of the best dog foods for Jack Russell Terriers on the market today. A diet that is rich in fibre-dense whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables have also been included in this formulation to provide a well-balanced carbohydrate profile. Edgard & Cooper Organic Adult is completely free from gluten, making it a good choice for Jack Russell Terriers with sensitivities to this ingredient.
Both the chicken and the turkey included in this recipe are certified organic, ensuring they are hormone-free and exceptional in quality. This diet is slow roasted to ensure maximum nutritional value and flavour to encourage hearty eating in the Jack Russell Terrier.
Pros:
- Organic chicken is the foundation of this diet, a lean, easily digestible, and nutrient-packed meat.
- This diet is rich in high quality whole grains, providing an important support for fluid digestive processing.
- All of the ingredients included in this food formulation are certified to be organic, ensuring optimal nutritional quality for the Jack Russell Terrier.
- Most dog owners indicated they were pleased with the size of the kibble pieces in this diet.
- Dogs find this food delicious and look forward to their every meal with great enthusiasm.
Cons:
- The heavy emphasis on whole grains may be problematic for Jack Russell Terriers with sensitivities to these types of ingredients.
- There are no added prebiotics or probiotics though this diet does contain ample servings of organic fruits and vegetables to support good digestion.
- There are no added supplements to assist with joint health in the Jack Russell Terrier.
- A few owners felt the kibble pieces in this diet were too large for their dogs to break down properly.
- Some owners felt this food was overpriced.
Acana Sport and Agility Dog Food review
At a Glance
- Top 5 Ingredients:
- Chicken Meat
- Chicken Meal
- Turkey Meal
- Red Lentils
- Chicken Fat
- Type: Dry Food
- Lifestage: Adult
- Calories: Not listed
- Protein: 35%
- Fat: 22%
- Fiber: 3.5%
Acana Sport and Agility Food is a top shelf food formulation that is the ideal choice for the active Jack Russell Terrier. One of the best dog foods for Jack Russell Terriers available for purchase today, Acana Sport and Agility Food prioritizes the use of several different meat-based proteins to ensure support for a healthy body and strong reserves of energy. This high performance food was designed with athletic dogs in mind, providing ample servings of chicken, eggs, and flounder to ensure a bountiful supply of amino acids.
This diet contains no grains, utilizing high fibre and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables as the basis of its carbohydrate content. Among the superfoods found in this recipe are lentils, pumpkin, squash, and kale.
Pros:
- Several high quality proteins are included in this recipe, ensuring ample amounts of the amino acids the Jack Russell needs for a strong and healthy body.
- Fruits and vegetables, obtained locally whenever possible, are the foundation of the carbohydrates in this diet, providing a boost for the immune system.
- The essential fatty acid content has been optimized to encourage optimal coat and skin health.
- Dogs fed this diet regularly saw great improvements in their coat and skin quality.
- Dogs enjoy the flavour of this food, eating their meals heartily and even licking their bowls clean.
Cons:
- Lentils and peas are featured prominently in this diet, two controversial ingredients linked to high elevations of blood sugar and possible lowered fertility in breeding dogs.
- The heavy emphasis on protein may make this diet overly rich for some dogs.
- Some dogs do better on a diet that includes some whole grains in their formulation.
- A few owners expressed they felt this diet was too expensive.
- This diet could be improved through the addition of taurine to support heart health.
Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food review
At a Glance
- Top 5 Ingredients:
- Salmon
- Ocean Fish Meal
- Sweet Potatoes
- Potatoes
- Canola Oil
- Type: Dry Food
- Lifestage: Adult
- Calories: Not listed
- Protein: 25%
- Fat: 15%
- Fiber: 3%
For a diet of exceptional quality designed to support the needs of the busy Jack Russell Terrier, it’s well worth giving Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream a try. A diet based on a wide variety of nutrient-dense fish-based proteins, Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream earns top marks as one of the best dog foods for Jack Russell Terriers available for purchase today. The inclusion of salmon and ocean fish meal ensures ample amounts of the essential fatty acids required for strong energy levels and healthy coat and skin.
A grain-free diet, the fruits and vegetables that make up this diet’s carbohydrate base are chock full of antioxidants and dietary fibre to promote healthy digestion and a strong immune system. Among the superfoods found in this high performance food formulation are sweet potatoes, blueberries, raspberries, and tomatoes.
Pros:
- Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream prioritizes a high flavour recipe that keeps dogs coming back for more.
- The inclusion of several superfoods such as blueberries and sweet potatoes ensures additional support for the immune system.
- This diet contains no grains, making it a good choice for Jack Russell Terriers that are sensitive to these ingredients.
- Owners like that this diet is based on several fish varieties, ensuing ample essential fatty acids to support ideal coat and skin health in the Jack Russell Terrier.
- Most owners feel this diet offers excellent nutrition at a reasonable price, giving them great value for their dog food dollar.
Cons:
- Potatoes have been included in this recipe, a lower quality vegetable with limited nutritional value to offer.
- There are no added prebiotics or probiotics, and the fruit and vegetable content contained in this recipe is relatively low.
- No supplements have been included to support joint health.
- In rare instances, some dogs will not eat this diet. Since Taste of the Wild offers many different food formulations, a switch to a food with another protein base may resolve this problem well.
- When transitioning to this food, a few dogs experienced mild symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. This is likely due to too rapid a change and will alleviate in time.
How to Select the Best Dog Food for Jack Russell Terriers
The active, happy Jack Russell Terrier is a whirlwind of activity, keeping its owner busy with its penchant for mischief and adventure. A dog breed renowned for its exceptional energy levels, the Jack Russell Terrier requires regular daily exercise at a vigorous pace to remain physically and mentally content. In the absence of this, this spirited little white wonder will resort to developing nuisance behaviours and can become very destructive.
The Jack Russell Terrier traces its roots to the Reverend John Russell’s fox-hunting terriers in the 1800s. Developed in Devonshire, England, the Jack Russell Terrier was intended to be a dog of immense stamina with the speed and endurance to keep pace with hounds and horses alongside its owner on hunts. The hallmark of the breed is its flexibility and its easily compressible chest, allowing this tenacious fellow to enter fox holes after quarry if necessary.
A go to ground terrier, the Jack Russell is known for barking/baying, digging, and jumping. Attempting to rid the terrier of these behaviours is futile; they have been deeply ingrained in the dog for several centuries. This lively little dog is exceptionally smart but is uninterested in learning anything that wasn’t its idea in the first place. The Jack Russell requires a strong owner that is committed to establishing boundaries and finding unique ways to convince the terrier that training can be fun.
By nature, the Jack Russell is happy, affectionate, and deeply loving. A comical dog, this breed can get up to all sorts of mischief. The breed can be good with children but should be supervised when in their presence. This terrier will not tolerate rough handling. Though typically a friend to other dogs, same sex aggression can be a problem in this breed, and as such, breeders recommend owners wishing to add a second dog to their home to purchase one of the opposite gender.
The Jack Russell Terrier has energy to spare. If sufficiently exercised and fed an appropriate diet in the right quantity, the breed is unlikely to become overweight. However, since patellar luxation is one of the genetic conditions the breed can be predisposed to, maintaining a healthy body weight is vitally important. To this end, free feeding is strongly discouraged.
A dog with an exceptionally high prey drive, the Jack Russell Terrier must be kept securely contained. Allowing this breed off lead is not recommended. Sadly, the #1 cause of death for a Jack Russell Terrier is succumbing to injuries from being hit by a moving vehicle. Because Jack Russell Terriers can jump and are also willing to dig if necessary to escape a fenced yard, regular terrier proofing of the containment area and attentive supervision are vitally important to the dog’s safety.
As with all dog breeds, there are a number of genetic issues the Jack Russell can be prone to developing. These include allergies, progressive retinal atrophy, patellar luxation, hearing issues, and several types of ataxia. Though diet alone cannot prevent the development of inherited disease, it can lay an excellent foundation for wellness. The best dog foods for Jack Russell Terriers include supplements to support joint and eye health.
The ideal diet for the Jack Russell Terrier is well-balanced nutritionally and contains approximately 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Jack Russell Terriers
The Jack Russell Terrier is exceptionally active, and thus, require a high performance diet that is based on a lean meat protein to thrive. Determining how much of a food to feed a dog can be a challenging task, requiring some trial and error. The best dog foods for Jack Russell Terriers provide helpful hints through suggested serving sizes based on age and weight that are listed on the side of their packaging. Owners can use these as a starting point, making small adjustments as necessary until the correct portion size is found.
Jack Russell Terriers are lovers of food. However, this busy breed sometimes gets so engrossed in having fun that is forgets to eat. If sufficiently exercised and fed an appropriate amount of food each meal, this breed should not become overweight. However, all food should measured and mealtimes monitored to ensure this terrier receives adequate calories each day.
Dog Food Dietary Requirements for Jack Russell Terriers
The energetic Jack Russell Terrier is a dog on the go, requiring a diet of exceptional quality to fuel its busy lifestyle. Because this dog is a natural born athlete, this dog type does best on a diet that is based on a lean meat-based protein. The best dog foods for Jack Russell Terriers include a whole meat or meat meal as their foundation. Lean meats and meat meals offer the concentrated amounts of amino acids active dogs need for healthy muscles.
Many commercial dog food formulations utilize by-products as the basis of their recipe. These ingredients are taken from cuts of meat that are less likely to sell for human consumption. They are an inexpensive source of protein but offer limited health benefits to busy dogs like the Jack Russell. Likewise, the plant proteins soy, corn, and wheat are common allergens for many dogs and diets containing them are best avoided for the sometimes skin and stomach sensitive Jack Russell Terrier.
Chemicals, additives, derivatives, fillers, artificial flavours, colours, and preservatives are sometimes included in commercially prepared foods to improve the diet’s flavour, colour, and shelf life. These ingredients offer no nutritional benefits to the Jack Russell Terrier and have been linked to recurring allergies in some dogs.
Carbohydrates contribute the antioxidants and dietary fibre the Jack Russell Terrier requires to enjoy healthy digestion and a thriving immune system. These carbohydrates can come from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, or a combination of the three. Jack Russell’s that have previously expressed sensitivities to grains may do best on a grain-free diet.
Healthy fats are vitally important in any diet for the Jack Russell Terrier. It is from these essential fatty acids the Jack Russell gains the nutrients required for strong reserves of energy and coat and skin health. These fats are best obtained from animal-based foods such as chicken fat or oily fish. Alternatively, some plant-based oil such as canola, coconut, safflower, and sunflower offer bountiful amounts of the omega 3 and 6 fatty acids the Jack Russell Terrier needs.
All diets can benefit from the addition of supplements to provide further health benefits to the Jack Russell Terrier. The ideal supplements for this happy, spirited breed are glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Foods for Jack Russell Terriers
In selecting the best dog food for the Jack Russell Terrier, here are some guiding principles to keep in mind:
- Meets APHA nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
- Free from chemicals, flavours, colours, or other difficult to identify ingredients
- Fortified with beneficial supplements
- Based on lean meat proteins
