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10 Best Dog Foods for Wheaten Terriers in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Nicole Cosgrove

Last Updated on April 19, 2024 by Dogster Team

10 Best Dog Foods for Wheaten Terriers in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Irish soft coated wheaten terrier_Dora Zett_shutterstockWheaten terriers are a devoted, friendly breed. Their medium size and happy temperament make them excellent family pets. The dogs need the right food to stay healthy and keep their gorgeous coats shiny. However, finding the best dog food for your wheaten can be easier said than done. We’re here to make the task easier by sharing reviews of our top 10 picks. We’ll also answer some common questions about wheaten terriers’ diets.

divider-pawA Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription
  • Human-grade food
  • Pre-portioned
  • Delivered to your door
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    American Journey Active Life Formula American Journey Active Life Formula
  • Reasonably priced
  • High-quality ingredients
  • No preservatives
  • Third place
    ACANA Wholesome Grains Limited Ingredient Diet ACANA Wholesome Grains Limited Ingredient Diet
  • Limited ingredient, grain-inclusive
  • Contains novel proteins
  • Ideal protein level
  • Royal Canin Medium Puppy Dry Dog Food Royal Canin Medium Puppy Dry Dog Food
  • Formulated for puppies
  • 30% protein for growing puppies
  • Pups love the taste
  • Tiki Dog Wildz Lamb Recipe Grain-Free Tiki Dog Wildz Lamb Recipe Grain-Free
  • Calorie-dense
  • Made with lamb
  • The 10 Best Dog Foods for Wheaten Terriers

    1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall

    The Farmer's Dog Fresh Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Chicken, brussel sprouts, chicken liver, bok choy, broccoli
    Protein content: 11.5%
    Fat content: 5%
    Calories: 590 kcal/pound

    The Farmer’s Dog is our #1 pick for wheaten terriers, and it might be the right choice if you value feeding your dog fresh, human-grade food. Some owners even claim the Farmer’s Dog diet alleviated their dog’s skin and stomach issues.

    The subscription-based service ships customized, pre-portioned packages right to your door. That eliminates the hassle of measuring dog food or making last-minute trips to the pet store. What we don’t like about the Farmer’s Dog’s website is that you can’t view recipes unless you answer a brief questionnaire. However, the company states that all its recipes meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines for dog food.

    The Farmer’s Dog’s high-quality ingredients and convenience make it our overall best dog food for wheaten terriers.

    Pros
    • Human-grade food
    • Pre-portioned servings
    • Delivered to your door
    • Recipes meet AAFCO guidelines
    • Premium fresh ingredients
    Cons
    • Must be refrigerated or frozen
    • Requires a subscription

    2. American Journey Active Life Formula – Budget Buy

    American Journey Protein & Grains Beef, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Deboned Beef, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, rice bran
    Protein content: 0% minimum
    Fat content: 0% minimum
    Calories: 344 kcal/cup

    Chewy’s in-house brand, American Journey, offers consumers a great budget option. The recipe’s fish oil benefits wheaten terriers since it can alleviate itchy skin and support a silky coat. All of the ingredients in this wallet-friendly recipe have a purpose. There are no fillers or artificial ingredients. Consider American Journey if you need a grain-inclusive formula that does not contain wheat or corn. The “natural flavor” and variety of animal proteins make this recipe unsuitable for dogs with protein and other allergies.

    Pros
    • Reasonably priced
    • High-quality ingredients
    • No preservatives
    Cons
    • Contains unspecified “Natural Flavor”

    3. ACANA Wholesome Grains Diet

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

    Main ingredients: Deboned duck, duck meal, oat groats, whole sorghum, duck liver
    Protein content: 27% minimum
    Fat content: 17% minimum
    Calories: 371 kcal/cup

    This recipe from ACANA is one of the few limited-ingredient formulas that contain grains.

    Some dog owners stated their pups enjoyed the food but had to switch to a lower-priced brand. While the protein content comes from duck, the recipe contains fish oil. It’s far enough down the ingredient list that it may be tolerable for wheaten terriers with fish intolerances but not true allergies. Talk to your vet if you have any concerns about giving your dog food that contains fish oil.

    Pros
    • Limited ingredient, grain-inclusive
    • Contains novel proteins
    • Ideal protein level
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • May not be suitable for dogs with fish allergies

    4. Royal Canin Medium Puppy Dry Dog Food

    Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Medium Puppy Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, chicken fat, brewers rice, corn, wheat
    Protein content: 0% minimum
    Fat content: 0% minimum
    Calories: 393 kcal/cup

    Royal Canin is a favorite of dog breeders. This recipe meets Wheatens’ and other puppies’ nutritional needs, which will be 23 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Most reviewers state their puppies love the taste and have healthy coats. Critics feel this Royal Canin formula is overpriced for what it contains. While ingredients like chicken by-product meal, corn, and wheat have fallen out of favor with some dog owners, they are still legitimate sources of nutrients most dogs tolerate.

    Pros
    • Formulated for puppies
    • 30% protein for growing puppies
    • Pups love the taste
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Contains fewer whole meat ingredients

    5. Tiki Dog Wildz Grain-Free Wet Dog Food

    Tiki Dog Wildz Lamb Recipe with Lamb Liver

    Main ingredients: Lamb, water sufficient for processing, lamb liver, lamb lung, lamb kidney
    Protein content: 10% minimum
    Fat content: 11% minimum
    Calories: 586 ME kcal/can

    Finding wet dog food is difficult if your wheaten terrier can’t tolerate common animal proteins or grains. Enter Tiki Dog Wildz, the lamb-packed, grain-free wet food dogs love. Several owners of senior dogs say their toothless pups love this soft food. You can also mix the formula with dry food for an occasional treat. New Zealand lamb doesn’t come cheap, but this is a special recipe for special dogs. Tiki Dog is calorie-dense, so be mindful of portion sizes. Many dogs with protein allergies can tolerate grains, and you can talk to your vet before switching to this or any grain-free diet.

    Pros
    • Calorie-dense
    • Made with lamb
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Some dogs dislike the flavor

    6. Fromm Gold Nutritionals Adult Dry Dog Food

    Fromm Adult Gold Premium Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, chicken broth, oat groats, pearled barley
    Protein content: 25% minimum
    Fat content: 16% minimum
    Calories: 418kcal/cup

    Fromm’s Gold Nutritionals provides nutrition-packed grains in the form of oat groats, pearled barley, whole barley, white rice, and brown rice. This formula is free of corn, wheat, and soy. Unlike major national brands, it can be hard to find Fromm’s in stores. Fromm’s is a good choice if you want to support a small, family-owned business. The company owns and operates its manufacturing facilities and is known for responsive customer service.

    Pros
    • Contains probiotics
    • Made in the USA
    Cons
    • Hard to find in stores
    • Not for dogs with chicken allergies

    7. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Dry Dog Food

    Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein HP Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Brewer’s rice, hydrolyzed soy protein, chicken fat, natural flavors, dried plain beet pulp
    Protein content: 19.5% minimum
    Fat content: 17.5% minimum
    Calories: 332 kcal/cup

    Dogs need protein in their diet, but an allergy can limit your food options. Wheaten terriers with certain allergies may require food with hydrolyzed protein. You can buy this Royal Canin formula on Chewy, but you will need your vet’s authorization. Ask your vet about the hydrolyzed protein recipe if you’ve tried numerous over-the-counter dog foods but your pup still has allergy symptoms. While this specialized formula is expensive, some dogs with food allergies have other options, such as novel proteins or limited-ingredient food.

    Pros
    • Hydrolyzed protein
    • Developed for dogs with allergies
    Cons
    • Requires a vet’s authorization
    • Expensive

    8. Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Recipe

    Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Turkey Brown Rice Venison Recipe

    Main ingredients: Turkey, chicken meal, brown rice, whole ground corn, soybean meal
    Protein content: 25% minimum
    Fat content: 11% minimum
    Calories: 269 kcal/cup

    Rachael Ray was a Food Network star before venturing into the pet food market. Her Nutrish line of dog food may interest you for two reasons. First, it’s a brand that is easy to find and widely available online and in stores. Secondly, proceeds from the sale of Nutrish benefit animals in need through the Rachael Ray Foundation.

    This recipe contains tasty protein like turkey, chicken meal, and venison. While the formula has mostly rave reviews, critics’ most common complaint was that their dogs didn’t like it. Some owners found the food to have an unpleasant odor. You can purchase a smaller 5.5-pound bag to see if your wheaten terrier likes the taste. Overall, this is an affordable dog food that is free of any artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.

    Pros
    • Widely available in stores
    • Proceeds benefit animals in need
    Cons
    • May have an unpleasant odor
    • Some dogs dislike the flavor

    9. Solid Gold Holistique Blendz Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food

    Solid Gold Dry Dog Food for Adult & Senior Dogs

    Main ingredients: Oatmeal, pearled barley, peas, ocean fish meal, dried eggs
    Protein content: 18% minimum
    Fat content: 0% minimum
    Calories: 340 kcal/cup

    It can be challenging to find the right food if your wheaten terrier has a sensitive stomach. This recipe from Solid Gold contains live probiotics to support healthy digestion. Give this food a try if your pup has a tender tummy and enjoys the taste of fish. Superfoods like pumpkin, blueberries, and cranberry round out the ingredient list. Solid Gold considers itself “America’s first holistic pet food” and has a loyal consumer base. Dog owners who switch to this recipe say this food improved their pup’s coats and stools. Some long-time users have noted a recent price increase for the recipe.

    Pros
    • Contains live probiotics
    • Formulated for sensitive stomachs
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Contains peas
    • Price recently increased

    10. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Lamb & Oatmeal

    Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Lamb & Oatmeal Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Lamb, oatmeal, barley, fish meal, canola meal
    Protein content: 0% minimum
    Fat content: 0% minimum
    Calories: 508 kcal/cup

    Purina Pro Plan is a favorite of wheaten terriers, and happy owners report that their dogs lick their bowls clean. The ingredients in this sensitive skin and stomach recipe may help alleviate indigestion and skin issues. Lamb is a novel protein that is easier for some wheaten terriers to tolerate, and the live probiotics can aid in digestion. Some owners don’t like the smell of Purina Pro Plan, or the fact that kibble pieces easily crumble. Try this tasty food if your pup has a tender tummy and has turned up their nose at other recipes.

    Pros
    • Contains live probiotics
    • Dogs love the taste
    Cons
    • May have a strong odor
    • Kibble crumbles easily
    • Not for dogs with weight problems

    divider-dog paw

    Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Wheaten Terrier Dog Food

    Below, we answer some of the questions you may have about feeding your wheaten terrier.

    Are Wheaten Terriers Allergic to Chicken?

    Wheatens have a reputation for having food allergies. However, the breed is not allergic to any one ingredient. You shouldn’t assume your dog has a food allergy without consulting your vet.

    What Is the Difference Between Food Intolerance and Food Allergy in Dogs?

    An allergy occurs when a food triggers an inappropriate immune system response. Many food allergies in dogs manifest as skin conditions and chronic ear conditions, not as stomach issues.

    A food intolerance, on the other hand, often causes an upset stomach. Your wheaten terrier may experience symptoms like gas and loose stools if they eat food they are intolerant to.

    Contrary to trends in the pet food industry, most dogs tolerate grains just fine. There is no need to switch your dog to a grain-free diet unless your vet recommends it. Grains provide vital nutrients that most dogs need to stay healthy. Animal proteins are the most common canine allergen, with beef, dairy, and chicken being the top three.

    Do Wheaten Terrier Puppies Need Puppy Food?

    Puppies of all breeds have different nutritional needs than their adult counterparts. Your wheaten terrier needs puppy food until they stop growing or when they reach their first birthday. Talk to your vet about when to switch to an adult dog formula.

    Wheaten Terrier
    Image by: furry_portraits, Pixabay

    Do Wheaten Terriers Need a Special Diet?

    Dogs with certain health conditions may require a special diet. Some breeds, including wheaten terriers, are more likely to develop protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) than other dogs. Your vet may recommend a particular food to help manage the condition if your dog develops PLE.

    How Do I Switch My Wheaten to a New Dog Food?

    The short answer is, “Slowly.” The last thing you want to do is feed your dog their current dog food at one meal, then feed them a bowl of the new food at the next. Switching to a new dog food should take at least a week, but there is no disadvantage to going slower.

    You should start with a mix of 25% new food and 75% current food. Gradually increase the ratio of new food.

    divider-pawConclusion

    We hope these reviews make it easier to find the best dog food for your wheaten terrier. Our best overall choice is The Farmer’s Dog. This subscription-based brand offers fresh, human-grade food. We think Chewy’s in-house brand, American Journey, is a good option for a tighter budget. Their Active Life Formula Beef, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe might be right for your dog. As always, talk to your vet or a certified veterinarian dietitian if you have any concerns about what to feed your wheaten terrier.


    Featured Image Credit: Dora Zett, Shutterstock

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