Top 10 Best Dog Food for Wheaten Terriers
The playful Wheaten Terrier has plenty of energy to keep their owners on their toes, but they also have specific requirements when it comes to their food. This means a food that suits another breed perfectly well might not make the cut when it comes to selecting food for your Wheaten.
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These little dogs can be prone to having sensitivities, so cheap food full of grains is usually a no-go for these pups. Wheaten Terriers also have a great deal of energy, so they usually need a nutrient-dense food that can provide all the goodness they need to keep up that active lifestyle.
But when it comes to choosing the best food, where do you even start? There are so many choices, it can feel a little overwhelming. We’re here to help! We’ve taken a good look at all the options out there and chosen our top foods for Wheaten Terriers. Our detailed reviews of each one will help you choose the best option for your perfect pup.
The 10 Best Dog Foods for Wheaten Terriers
American Journey Active Life Formula – Best Value
| 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 offers consumers the best dog food for wheaten terriers for the money. 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.
The Farmer’s Dog – Best Overall
| 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 right the right choice if you value feeding your dog fresh, human-grade food. Some owners 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 best overall dog food for wheaten terriers.
ACANA Wholesome Grains Diet – Premium Choice
| 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.
Tiki Dog Wildz Grain-Free Wet Dog Food – Vet’s Choice
| 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.
Royal Canin Medium Puppy Dry Dog Food – Best for Puppies
| 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.
Fromm Gold Nutritionals Adult 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.
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Lamb & Oatmeal
| 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.
Rachael Ray Nutrish Real 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.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein 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 a 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.
Solid Gold Holistique Blendz Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food
| 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.
Buyer’s Guide: Wheaten Terrier Dog Food
Below, we answer some of the questions you may have about feeding your wheaten terrier.
What Is the Difference Between a Food Intolerance and a 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Final Thoughts
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 the best value for the money. Their Active Life Formula Beef, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe might be right for your dog. The third food on our list is ACANA Wholesome Grains Limited Ingredient Diet Duck & Pumpkin. This is one of the few limited ingredient recipes that contain grains. Wheaten terrier puppies need a recipe formulated for growing dogs, and Royal Canin Medium Puppy Dry Dog Food is a favorite among dog owners and breeders alike. And our fifth pick is also our vet’s choice, Tiki Dog Wildz Lamb Recipe with Lamb Liver, Lung & Kidney Grain-Free Wet Dog Food. Consider this formula if your vet recommends a grain-free wet food with novel proteins. Talk to your vet or a certified veterinarian dietitian if you have any concerns about what to feed your wheaten terrier
