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10 Best Dog Foods for Terrier Mixes in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Lindsey Lawson

Last Updated on June 27, 2024 by Dogster Team

10 Best Dog Foods for Terrier Mixes in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

Dog food in a bowlAre you searching for the perfect food for your Terrier mix and feel lost in the sea of available dog foods? You are not alone. The pet food market is as overwhelming as it is confusing, it’s challenging to select the ideal brand. However, we’re here to help. We have done the research, read the reviews, and narrowed down the 10 best dog foods for Terrier mixes. Read on to see which brands made the cut.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
The Farmers Dog The Farmers Dog
  • Fresh chicken is the #1 ingredient
  • Meet AAFCO standards for safety and quality
  • High in protein and full of vitamins and nutrients
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Nutro Ultra Adult Dry Dog Food Nutro Ultra Adult Dry Dog Food
  • Chicken is the number one ingredient
  • Tested for quality and safety
  • Affordable
  • Third place
    Ollie Fresh Turkey Recipe Ollie Fresh Turkey Recipe
  • Designed to meet AAFCO Dog Nutrient Profile for all life stages
  • Real turkey is the number one ingredient
  • Meals come pre-portioned for your dog
  • Best for Puppies
    Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach
  • Real salmon is the first ingredient
  • Rich in omega fatty acids
  • Affordable
  • Wellness Lamb & Barley Dry Dog Food Wellness Lamb & Barley Dry Dog Food
  • Real lamb is the first ingredient
  • Formulated without GMOs, meat by-products, fillers, and artificial preservatives
  • Added glucosamine for joint support
  • The 10 Best Dog Foods for Terrier Mixes

    1. The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food – Best Overall

    the-farmers-dog-full-recipe-packaging

    Main ingredients: Chicken, Brussels sprouts, chicken Liver, bok choy, broccoli
    Protein content: 11.5% min
    Fat content 8.5% min
    Calories: 1,300 kcal per kg/ 590 kcal per lb.

    The Farmer’s Dog gets our pick for the best overall dog food for Terrier mixes. This is fresh food, so you must free up space in the fridge and freezer for storage. The chicken recipe is rich in protein from fresh chicken and chicken liver, making it perfect for the high energy levels of Terriers.

    It’s also full of vitamins and nutrients from vegetables like Brussels sprouts, bok choy, and broccoli. The added fish oil helps maintain that shiny, healthy coat.

    The Farmer’s Dog is a subscription service tailored specifically to your dog and is easy to cancel at any time. Each recipe is crafted by a team of veterinary nutritionists who will customize an individualized meal plan for your dog. The food comes prepackaged and labeled with easy-to-follow instructions.

    The Farmer’s Dog foods are designed to meet the AAFCO nutrient profile guidelines. While fresh dog food is expensive, you can’t be the quality. The Farmer’s Dog comes in at our top spot because you can rest assured you are feeding your dog top-notch food that fits their needs.

    Pros
    • Fresh chicken is the #1 ingredient
    • Meet AAFCO standards for safety and quality
    • High in protein and full of vitamins and nutrients
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Must be stored in freezer or fridge

    2. Nutro Ultra Adult Dry Dog Food – Budget Buy

    NUTRO ULTRA Adult High Protein Natural Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Sorghum, Whole Grain Barley, Whole Grain Oats
    Protein content: 24.0% min
    Fat content 15.0% min
    Calories: 3,648 kcal/kg, 362 kcal/cup

    Nutro Ultra is the best dog food for Terrier mixes for the money. Nutro tests the formulas for quality and safety, and the ingredients are sourced from only reputable farmers. The Nutro Ultra Adult Dry Dog Food is a protein-rich formula with real chicken as the number one ingredient.

    It is free of GMOs, by-product meals, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. This formula also sources protein from lamb and salmon and contains a blend of 15 superfoods and whole grains for a well-balanced diet.

    The biggest downfall we could find about Nutro Ultra was that some dogs would turn their noses up to the food and refuse to eat it. It seems owners related this to the kibble’s texture. So, if you have a picky eater, you may have to entice them with wet or fresh food toppers.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Chicken is the number one ingredient
    • Tested for quality and safety
    • No artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or GMOs
    Cons
    • Some dogs wouldn’t eat the food

    3. Ollie Fresh Turkey Recipe Dog Food

    Ollie Fresh Turkey Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Turkey, kale, lentils, carrots, coconut Oil
    Protein content: 11% min
    Fat content 7% min
    Calories: 1,390 kcal ME/kg

    The Ollie Fresh Turkey Recipe is our premium pick because it’s another fresh food with a great reputation for high quality and restoring optimal health. If your Terrier mix suffers from digestive issues or food allergies, this turkey recipe is a great option.

    Ollie is also a subscription service that ensures the food is proportioned specifically for your dog. The fresh turkey recipe features real turkey as the number one ingredient, along with a blend of fresh vegetables and fruit for vitamins, nutrients, and healthy fiber.

    The FDA is investigating a potential link between canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and dogs eating grain-free diets containing legumes and potatoes. Since lentils (a legume) are included in the recipe, we urge anyone with concerns to speak to their veterinarian.

    All Ollie recipes are designed to meet the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile for all life stages. The fresh food varieties will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator but up to 6 months unopened in the freezer, so you can certainly stock up if you need to. Again, fresh food is expensive, but that’s typical because of the high-quality ingredients used in the recipes.

    Pros
    • Designed to meet AAFCO Dog Nutrient Profile for all life stages
    • Real turkey is the number one ingredient
    • Meals come pre-portioned for your dog
    • Great for digestive issues
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Lentils are among the legumes being investigated for potential health concerns

    4. Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach – Best for Puppies

    Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Salmon, rice, barley, fish meal, canola meal
    Protein content: 28.0% min
    Fat content 18.0% min
    Calories: 3,837 kcal/kg, 428 kcal/cup

    If you want the best puppy food to feed your little Terrier mix, try Purina Pro Plan Puppy’s Sensitive Skin and Stomach recipe. It works great for dogs with allergies or digestive issues, which can be common in some Terrier varieties.

    Real salmon is the number one ingredient, and the recipe provides a balanced nutrient profile. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for neural development, vision, and healthy skin and fur. The recipe does not include artificial colors or flavors.

    Salmon recipes can cause gas in some pups, but Pro Plan’s quality ingredients are less likely to cause any issues. However, some puppies refused the formula, causing their owner to keep searching for the right food.

    Pros
    • Real salmon is the first ingredient
    • Rich in omega fatty acids
    • Affordable
    • Great for puppies with digestive issues or allergies
    Cons
    • Some picky eaters won’t eat the food

    5. Wellness Health Lamb & Barley Dry Dog Food

    Wellness Complete Health Lamb & Barley Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Lamb, lamb meal, oatmeal, ground barley, menhaden fish meal
    Protein content: 24.0% min
    Fat content 12.0% min
    Calories: 3,655 kcal/kg or 417 kcal/cup ME

    Wellness Complete Health Adult is designed for adult dogs and contains real lamb as the first ingredient. It is crafted without GMOs, meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives. Wellness is a highly reputable brand that is beloved by many dog owners.

    This grain-inclusive formula is rich in high-quality protein, healthy grains, and omega fatty acids to support your pup’s skin and coat health. We also like that it has glucosamine for joint support, probiotics for digestive health, and antioxidants for immune health.

    Although most pet parents were happy with the Wellness recipe, some picky dogs disliked the flavor. However, you can add a wet food topper to make the food more appetizing.

    Pros
    • Real lamb is the first ingredient
    • Formulated without GMOs, meat by-products, fillers, and artificial preservatives
    • Added glucosamine for joint support
    • Contains probiotics for digestive health
    Cons
    • Some dogs don’t like the taste

    6. ACANA Singles + Wholesome Grains Limited Ingredient

    ACANA Singles + Wholesome Grains Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Deboned lamb, lamb meal, oat groats, whole sorghum, lamb liver
    Protein content: 27% min
    Fat content 17% min
    Calories: 3,370 kcal/kg, 371 kcal/cup

    ACANA Singles + Wholesome Grains Limited Ingredient is formulated with limited ingredients and only one protein source. It’s rich in protein, which is ideal for active Terriers and Terrier mixes. It’s also nutrient-dense and offers a blend of grains, butternut squash, and pumpkin for a healthy dose of fiber.

    This formula is free from peas, plant protein isolates, artificial colors or flavors, and preservatives. Limited-ingredient diets are a great choice of food for dogs that suffer from allergies or digestive issues, which can happen with some Terrier breeds. Many dog owners have mentioned how easy the transition to this recipe was.

    ACANA kibble is a bit pricey, but it is one of the highest-quality brands. Some picky eaters dislike the formula, and having a higher-priced food go uneaten is disappointing.

    Pros
    • Deboned lamb is the #1 ingredient
    • Formulated from one protein source
    • Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
    • Limited-ingredient recipes are great for allergy sufferers
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Some picky eaters refused to eat the food

    7. Taste of the Wild Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food

    Taste Of The Wild Ancient Stream Canine Recipe

    Main ingredients: Salmon, salmon meal, ocean fish meal, grain sorghum, millet
    Protein content: 30.0% min
    Fat content 15.0% min
    Calories: 3,640 kcal/kg, 413 kcal/cup

    Taste of the Wild is a family-owned brand that is made in the United States. It produces various recipes from the Ancient Grains line and the Grain-Free line. We recommend the Ancient Grains formulas since most dogs don’t require grain-free diets.

    The Ancient Stream recipe is packed with protein from salmon and ocean fish and makes an ideal choice for some dogs that suffer from food allergies. The vitamins and minerals come from real fruit, ancient grains, and other superfoods.

    This formula doesn’t contain artificial colors or flavors and is full of omega fatty acids, which are great for your dog’s coat. It also features a proprietary blend of probiotics and antioxidants for digestive health and proper immunity. Loose stools and gas may be experienced when switching over, which was the biggest complaint among dog owners.

    Pros
    • High-quality food at a reasonable price
    • Real salmon is the #1 ingredient
    • Formulated without artificial colors or flavors
    Cons
    • Some dogs may experience loose stools/gas

    8. Annamaet Original Option Formula Dry Dog Food

    Annamaet Original Option Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Salmon meal, brown rice, millet, rolled oats, lamb meal
    Protein content: 24% min
    Fat content 13% min
    Calories: 3,802 kcal/kg = 1728 Kcal/lb. = 406 kcal/cup

    Annamaet Original Option features salmon as the primary source of protein but also contains lamb meal. It has a blend of prebiotics and probiotics for digestive support and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids with DHA for healthy skin and fur. There is L-carnitine to aid with proper metabolism and promote lean muscle mass.

    This recipe is formulated without corn, wheat, or soy. Annamaet Original Option also contains chelated minerals, which are much more easily absorbed. It has a blend of healthy whole grains, which make a great source of dietary fiber. This is great for dogs that suffer from allergies to proteins like beef or chicken.

    Some dog owners complained that the formula smells too strong, which is expected from some salmon recipes. Other complaints were about picky eaters turning their noses up, which is common with dry kibble.


    9. Merrick Healthy Grains Dry Dog Food

    Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Real Chicken + Brown Rice Recipe with Ancient Grains Adult Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, turkey meal
    Protein content: 26 % min
    Fat content 16 % min
    Calories: 3,711 kcal/kg, 393 kcal/cup

    Merrick Healthy Grains is an affordable, quality formula. This recipe features chicken as the first ingredient and is balanced with protein, whole grains, healthy fruits, and vegetables for a well-balanced diet. It is also formulated with glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, which is great for active Terrier mixes.

    The two primary protein sources in this recipe are chicken and turkey, but the company also offers other primary protein sources in its Healthy Grains line. This formula is free of artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, peas, lentils, and potatoes. Most pet parents like Merrick Healthy Grains and appreciate the affordable price. However, some mentioned that their dogs disliked the flavor and refused to eat it.

    Pros
    • Deboned chicken is the #1 ingredient
    • Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
    • Reasonably priced
    Cons
    • Some picky eaters may refuse to eat the food

    10. American Journey Active Life Dog Food

    American Journey Protein & Grains Formula Salmon

    Main ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal, Brown Rice, Peas, Rice Bran
    Protein content: 25.0% min
    Fat content 15.0% min
    Calories: 3,506 kcal/kg or 345 kcal/cup

    The Active Life formula from American Journey is another high-rated dry kibble that provides a balanced diet, with deboned salmon as the first ingredient and protein-rich menhaden fish meal as the second. The formula is crafted with a blend of nutrients and antioxidants to support a healthy immune system.

    Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids support healthy skin and fur. This recipe does not contain wheat, corn, soy, poultry by-product meals, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Because it lacks some of the most common allergens, it can be ideal for allergy sufferers.

    The biggest cons related to the Active Life formula were the runny stools that happened after the switch. Some dogs wouldn’t eat the food, and some owners stated their dogs gained weight from the formula. Remember that weight gain may not be related to the recipe but is more specific to a dog’s size, age, activity level, and the quantity offered.

    Pros
    • Deboned salmon is the first ingredient
    • Rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
    • No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
    Cons
    • May cause loose stools
    • May not please picky eaters

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    Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Food for Terrier Mixes

    Even with a limited list of choices in front of you, narrowing it down to the perfect food can be a challenge. Since Terrier mixes cover a broader demographic, what will work for one Terrier mix may not work for another. Getting high-quality food appropriate to your dog’s size, age, and activity level is always recommended. Let’s look into some other considerations you should also consider.

    Research the Different Brands

    Do some quick research on the brands that pique your interest to help you narrow down the choices even further. Does the brand have a history of recalls or a questionable reputation? If so, it may be better to go with a safer formula.

    You can also check to see if a certain brand strives to meet the AAFCO nutrient guidelines for pet foods. This will help you determine whether the food meets the appropriate nutrient profile for your dog’s age and size.

    Read Labels

    Learning how to read the dog food label is important. Take a look at the full ingredient list. You can examine the caloric content and the guaranteed analysis to see how the recipe stands out from competitors. The label can teach you a lot about the food you are about to purchase, so learning how to read it will help you in the long run for all pet foods.

    Consider Price vs Quantity

    It’s no secret that dog food bags come in varying sizes. Don’t let the numbers fool you. Take the price and divide it by the quantity to see your total cost per pound. This can help you determine which formulas provide the best value.

    Keep Your Budget in Mind

    The financial aspect of dog ownership must be weighed heavily before you bring home a new dog. High-quality food is necessary for your dog’s health, and high-quality foods are more expensive. Food is a life-long necessity and an ongoing expense, so you want it to work with your budget.

    man buying pet food
    Image by: LADO, Shutterstock

    Never Skimp on Quality

    You mustn’t choose low-quality food because it’s cheaper. If you’re on a tight budget, you can look for affordable, high-quality recipes. Of course, fresh food is much more expensive than dry food, but it is very healthy, and you can use it as a topper for kibble. Less nutritious discount formulas can potentially result in health issues in the long term, which will be much more expensive overall.

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    In Conclusion

    The Farmers Dog chicken recipe is a fantastic formula for those looking for premium, fresh dog food tailored to meet their dogs’ needs. Nutro Ultra is a dry food that provides a well-balanced meal while being easier on the wallet. The company tests for quality and safety and uses wholesome ingredients.

    Ollie’s Fresh Turkey recipe is another fresh food formula customized for your dog. It provides a nutritious blend of fresh meat and natural foods. Purina Pro Plan Puppy is ideal for the growth and development of little ones while being easy on the digestive system.

    Wellness Complete Health Adult is a veterinary formula that will provide your dog with a well-balanced formula. Now that you know our top picks and are familiar with the reviews, you are well on your way to finding the perfect food for your beloved Terrier mix.


    Featured Image Credit: 279photoStudio, Shutterstock

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