Best dog foods for Wheaten Terriers
Providing a varied diet tailored to your dog’s unique needs is key to ensuring their optimal health. Regular research and professional guidance can help you make the best dietary choices for your Wheaten Terrier.
What Are the Six Essential Nutrients?
For dog food to be labeled “Complete and Balanced,” it must meet nutrient levels established by AAFCO for a specific life stage or all life stages. This ensures your dog receives the essential nutrients for health. Here are the six key nutrients:
- Water: Makes up 70-80% of your Wheaten Terrier’s body weight. Dogs need about one ounce of water per pound of body weight daily to support digestion, waste removal, and body temperature regulation.
- Proteins: Dogs need 23 amino acids, 10 of which must come from their diet. Look for whole meats and named meat meals (like chicken meal) as the first ingredients in dog food, which provide high-quality protein for tissue growth.
- Fats: Essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, provide energy and support skin and coat health. These must come from the diet.
- Carbohydrates: Carbs from grains, potatoes, and rice provide energy and aid digestion, offering sugars, starches, and fiber.
- Vitamins: Critical for growth and health, vitamins like D, A, E, and B12 support immune function, bone health, and the nervous system.
- Minerals: Essential for bones, nerve function, and hormone regulation. Calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc are among the key minerals, often chelated for better absorption.
What to look for on your dog food labels
Dog food labels list ingredients by weight, with the first five making up 80% of the content.
The Guaranteed Analysis (GA) on the back of the bag shows the nutrient profile, including minimum crude protein, fat, and maximum fiber, giving you a clear idea of the food’s nutritional composition.
The name game when decoding the label
The first 5-10 ingredients on a dog food label indicate quality. Protein, such as beef, should be listed first.
For a product labeled “Beef Dog Food,” the FDA requires that beef makes up 95% of the content.
However, if labeled “Beef Dinner,” “Beef Recipe,” or “Beef Flavor,” only 25% of the content needs to be beef. Always check the ingredient list to ensure the primary protein is present in significant amounts.
What you want to see on your Wheaten Terrier’s dog food labels:
Look for real meat as the first ingredient in your dog’s food.
Fillers like corn, wheat, and soy should appear lower on the list. If a “meal” is listed, ensure it’s from a specific source, like chicken or beef meal, which provides concentrated nutrients.
Avoid vague terms like “poultry meal.” Specific by-products, such as beef by-products, can be nutritious, but avoid generic terms like “by-product meal,” which indicate lower quality ingredients.
The meal retains all nutrients after dehydration, making it a valuable ingredient in dog food.
What you don’t want to see on your Wheaten Terrier’s dog food label:
If a food is labeled “with” or “flavor,” like “with beef” or “beef-flavored,” it contains only a small amount of real meat.
Watch for the same ingredient listed under different names (e.g., corn syrup, sugar), as this hides its high content.
Similarly, fillers like corn, cornmeal, and ground corn may appear separately to mask their quantity, potentially exceeding the main protein.
Fillers and artificial colors or flavors aren’t biologically appropriate for your Wheaten Terrier and should be minimized in their diet for optimal health. Always choose food with quality ingredients and avoid excessive fillers.
What are fillers?
Many dog foods include fillers—bulky, starchy ingredients like corn, wheat, and pea protein—that offer little nutritional value.
These cheap fillers help manufacturers reduce costs but may cause allergies or sensitivities in some dogs.
While opinions vary, these ingredients often replace healthier, more natural options in commercial dog foods.
Best Dry Dog Foods for Wheaten Terriers
- Best Kibble Overall: Crave with Protein from Chicken Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food $47.98 per 22-lb bag ($2.18-lb)
- Best Kibble for Senior Dogs: Merrick Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Senior Dry Dog Food $64.98 per 22-lb bag ($2.95-lb)
- Best Freeze-Dried Kibble Option: Grandma Lucy’s Artisan Chicken Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food $79.79 per 10-lb bag ($7.97-lb)
- Best Price-Effective Kibble: VICTOR Classic Multi-Pro Dry Dog Food $54.99 per 50-lb bag ($1.09-lb)
Best Wet Dog Foods for Wheaten Terriers
- Best for Puppies: Wellness Complete Health Just for Puppy Canned Dog Food $44.16 per 12 × 12.5-oz ($3.68-can)
- Best for Senior Dogs: Chicken Soup for the Soul Mature Chicken, Turkey & Duck Recipe Canned Dog Food $24.94 per case of 12 x 13-oz ($2.08-can)
Crave With Protein From Chicken Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Crave High Protein Chicken Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food by Mars Petcare offers high-quality, protein-rich nutrition for Wheaten Terriers and their cousins.
With farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient, it’s free from by-products, soy, corn, wheat, and artificial additives.
Affordable and well-balanced, it’s highly recommended for lean bodies and strong immune systems.
- First 8 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Split Peas, Lentils, Pork Meal
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 34% min, Crude Fat 17% min, Crude Fiber 4% Max
- Calories: 449 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Active medium and large dogs of all breeds
- Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
- Key Benefit: Provides the nutrients needed to develop and maintain a lean, healthy body, strong immune systems and the energy to run and play
- Price: $47.98 per 22-lb bag ($2.18-lb)
Merrick Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Senior Dry Dog Food
Merrick Grain-Free Senior Dry Dog Food Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe, made by Merrick Pet Care and acquired by Nestle Purina in 2015, offers essential nutrition for senior dogs.
It includes chondroitin, glucosamine, vitamins, minerals, and DHA for joint, immune, and brain health.
Free from artificial preservatives, it’s highly recommended for Wheaten, Irish Terriers, and Kerry Blues.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Turkey Meal
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 30% min, Crude Fat 12% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max
- Calories: 370 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All breeds from small Border Terriers to Giants like Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and medium-sized Wheaten Terriers in their senior years
- Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
- Key Benefits: Includes natural sources of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine to protect your buddy’s knees and joints, and Taurine to slow cognitive decline.
- Price: $64.98 per 22-lb bag ($2.95-lb)
Grandma Lucy’s Artisan Chicken Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Grandma Lucy’s Artisan Grain-Free Chicken Freeze-Dried Dog Food, made in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, offers top-tier quality for Wheaten Terriers.
Using trusted ingredients supports digestive health and heart function.
Free from artificial additives, it’s a premium option despite a slightly higher carb level.
Highly recommended as the Best Freeze-Dried dog food.
- First 5 Ingredients: USDA Chicken, Potatoes, Flax, Carrots, Celery
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 26% min, Crude Fat 13% min, Crude Fiber 7.5% Max
- Calories: 438 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Highly active dogs of all breeds like Wheaten Terriers, Appenzeller Sennenhund, and Brittany.
- Feeding: Add 1 to 2 cups of warm water to each cup of freeze-dried food. Stir and let it stand between 3 and 5 minutes before serving it to your Wheaten Terrier.
- Key Benefit: Ideally suited for the dog with food allergies or sensitivities; rich in natural omega fatty acids to help maintain healthy skin, coat and joints.
- Price: $79.79 per 10-lb bag ($7.97-lb)
VICTOR Classic Multi-Pro Dry Dog Food
VICTOR Classic Multi-Pro Dry Dog Food, introduced in 2007, offers high-quality nutrition with beef, chicken, and pork meals.
It’s fortified with vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, protein, and amino acids.
Made with gluten-free grains, it’s free from artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors.
Ideal for budget-conscious dog owners, despite its high carb content.
- First 5 Ingredients: Grain Sorghum, Beef Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols), Chicken Meal, Pork Meal
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 22.5% min, Crude Fat 10% min, Crude Fiber 3.8% Max
- Calories: 359 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Ideal for normally active Wheaties, regular maintenance, and off-season periods of lower activity.
- Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight
- Key Benefit: Unique VPRO Blend promotes superior digestibility and immune system function.
- Price: $54.99 per 50-lb bag ($1.09-lb)
Best Wet Dog Foods for Wheaten Terriers
Wellness Complete Health Just for Puppy Canned Dog Food
Wellness Complete Health Chicken & Salmon by Wellpet LLC, launched in 1926, is ideal for puppies.
Packed with protein and veggies, it supports whole-body health, including immunity, energy, digestion, and coat.
Formulated by experts, it contains no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.
Note: It includes carrageenan and has had recalls. Recommended for puppies.
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Salmon, Ground Barley
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 9% min, Crude Fat 6% min, Crude Fiber 1% Max
- Calories: 434 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Formulated for puppies of Wheaten Terriers, Bluetick Coonhounds, and other medium and large breeds.
- Feeding: Feed 1 can (12.5 oz) for every 15 lbs of body weight per day. Feed up to twice the Adult amount to puppies.
- Combination Feeding: reduce dry by 1/3 cup for every 6 oz of wet food.
- Key Benefits: Helps support a strong immune system, optimal energy levels, digestive function and a healthy coat and skin.
- Price: $44.16 per 12 x 12.5-oz ($3.68-can)
Chicken Soup for the Soul Mature Chicken, Turkey & Duck Recipe Canned Dog Food
Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food, founded in 2004, offers Classic and Grain-Free food for dogs of all life stages.
Their Mature Canned Dog Food includes chicken, turkey, duck, and salmon, without by-products, wheat, corn, or soy.
It’s low-priced with high meat and fat quality, recommended for senior dogs.
- First 8 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Turkey Broth, Turkey, Chicken Liver, Ocean White Fish, Salmon, Duck
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 7.5% min, Crude Fat 4% min, Crude Fiber 1% Max
- Calories: 395 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Active medium and large breed dogs like Wheaten Terriers and Huskies.
- Feeding: 1 to 1½ cans per 15 lbs of body weight per day.
- Key Benefit: Mature diet with real chicken and turkey as the first two ingredients.
- Price: $24.94 per case of 12 x 13-oz ($2.08-can)
What Should You Look For While Buying Dog Foods for Wheaten Terriers?
Wheaten Terriers benefit from various diet options, each with unique benefits:
- Kibble Diet: Processed, cooked dry food containing animal protein, grains, vitamins, and antioxidants. It’s balanced and convenient for most dogs.
- Wet/Canned Food: Contains more moisture, ideal for dogs needing hydration or with conditions like urinary or kidney issues. Easier to chew for dogs with dental problems, and often more flavorful.
- Raw Diet: Includes organ meat, bone, eggs, and vegetables. Available as dehydrated, freeze-dried, or pre-packaged raw. Consult a nutritionist when feeding raw.
- Home-Cooked Diet: Customizable, but requires supplements and guidance from a veterinary nutritionist to ensure balanced nutrition.
Each diet should be tailored to your Wheaten’s health and needs
What is the daily amount of food for Wheaten Terrier?
Wheaten Terriers are medium-sized, energetic dogs that require a balanced diet rich in quality proteins.
Ideally, their food should contain at least 18% protein and 5% fat. Feeding guidelines on dog food bags are just that—guides. Consider your dog’s activity level and overall health when determining portions.
For puppies, recommended daily amounts include 1¾ cups for 30 pounds, 2¼ cups for 40 pounds, and 2⅔ cups for 50 pounds.
For dogs over 50 pounds, calculate 1 to 1½ cups per 25 pounds. Divide daily food into several meals to reduce the risk of bloat, with puppies eating three to four times daily and adults twice.
Are Wheaten Terriers prone to common food allergies?
Wheaten Terriers are not typically predisposed to food-related health issues, but they can develop allergies or intolerances.
They require a nutrient-dense diet to support muscle growth, healthy bones, and energy levels.
- Obesity is a concern, leading to joint problems and heart disease. Resist the urge to share table scraps; instead, engage your Wheaten with play or walks.
- Skin allergies may manifest as itchy skin or recurrent ear infections, often starting in young adults. A veterinary prescription diet can help diagnose and manage these issues. Consistent, high-quality nutrition tailored to your dog’s life stage is essential for their health.
Is Homemade Food Good for Wheaten Terriers?
Homemade food can be beneficial for Wheaten Terriers, but many dog owners lack the knowledge needed to ensure it’s nutritionally balanced.
A study revealed that over 90% of online recipes fail to meet veterinary standards, potentially exposing pets to nutrient deficiencies. Expertise is crucial for safe homemade diets.
Bottom Line
A homemade diet is beneficial if you have the knowledge and time to meet your Wheaten Terrier’s nutritional needs but be prepared for the challenge and potential reluctance to return to kibble.
