Best Dog Food for Brussels Griffon to Keep them Happy and Healthy

Do you have an adorable Brussels Griffon at home? This unique dog breed is known for their human-like beards and big personalities! Brussels Griffons were originally bred to hunt rats. So they need a special diet to keep up their energy and stay healthy.

Picking the best dog food for Brussels Griffon is important. It helps avoid problems like allergies, tooth decay, joint pain, and weight gain.

In this article, we’ll talk about how to choose the best food to keep your Brussels Griffon feeling great!

What to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Brussels Griffons

The best dog food for your Brussels Griffon should have characteristics to meet their nutritional needs. Here’s what to look for:

High-Quality, Digestible Ingredients

Stay away from dog foods packed with corn, wheat, by-products, artificial preservatives, and other fillers. Instead, look for natural, whole-food ingredients:

• Meat, fish, or poultry is the first ingredient. Real animal protein should be #1.
• Whole carbohydrates like brown rice, barley, or oatmeal. Avoid refined carbs.
• Digestive aids like probiotics and fiber for high-quality poops.
• Omega-3s from fish oil for skin, joints, and brain health.
• Glucosamine and chondroitin to protect joints.
• Natural dental cleaners like kelp reduce plaque.

Tip: Limited ingredient whole food diets can help identify food allergies. Stick to simple proteins and carbs.

Age-Appropriate Nutrient Levels

Brussels Griffon pups and adults need different calorie levels and nutrients. Look for dog food tailored specifically for your Griff’s life stage.

Breed Size and Activity Level

As energetic small dogs, Brussels Griffons need calories and nutrients suited for their size and activity level. Look for food tailored for small active breeds.

Special Considerations

• Allergies: Limited ingredient or hydrolyzed protein formulas.
• Weight control: Cut calories without skimping on nutrients.
• Dental health for dogs: Look for kibble shape, size, and texture tailored to clean Brussels Griffon teeth.

By understanding your Griff’s unique nutritional requirements, you can zero in on the perfect food to keep them healthy and happy.

Also Read: Can Dogs Eat Truffles Or Truffle Oil?

Signs It’s Time to Switch Your Brussels Griffon’s Food

While the right diet keeps your Brussels Griffon in peak condition, improper food can lead to health issues over time.

Watch for these signs of food allergies and intolerances indicating it may be time for a dietary change:

• Digestive troubles like gassiness, loose stools, or vomiting
• Increased tartar buildup on teeth
• Dull coat, flaky/itchy skin, ear infections
• Lethargy, stiff joints, or reluctance to exercise
• Weight gain or loss

If your Griff displays any of these symptoms, talk to your vet about switching to a more Digestible dog food better suited to their needs.

Tips for Transitioning Your Dog to a New Food

Switching up your Brussels Griffon’s diet requires a little finesse to avoid upsetting their digestive system. Follow these tips:

• Transition slowly over 5-7 days, mixing a little more new food with less old food each day.
• Feed smaller, more frequent meals during the transition.
• Monitor energy, appetite, and poop quality for signs of intolerance.
• Talk to your vet if digestion seems severely disrupted.
• Mix a little pumpkin or probiotic into their meals to ease the transition.
• Offer plenty of fresh water to stay hydrated.
• Give treats made from the new food rather than old food.
• Stick with the new food for at least 2-3 weeks to allow their system to adjust.

With some patience, you can smoothly switch your Griff over to a better diet to get their health on track.

Also Read: Can Dogs Eat Jaggery?

Reviews of the Best Dog Foods for Brussels Griffons

To help you select an ideal food for your Griffon dog, here are our top picks based on quality ingredients, digestibility, taste, and nutrition tailored to Brussels Griffons:

1. American Journey Limited Ingredient Salmon & Sweet Potato

Grain-free salmon and sweet potato provide Digestible protein and carbs. Easy to digest for sensitive tummies. Enriched with probiotics, vitamins, and antioxidants. Chewy crunchy kibble scours away plaque.

Key Benefits: Limited ingredients, grain/gluten-free, natural dental cleaners, easily digestible.

2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice

Real deboned chicken is the first ingredient with antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies. Natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health. Small kibble size prevents plaque buildup.

Key Benefits: Real meat first, joint support, dental health, Made for small breeds.

3. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Turkey & Lentils

Features turkey and lentils for lean protein and fiber. Enhanced with probiotics, omega-3s, and antioxidants with no grain, corn, wheat, soy, or by-products. Bite-sized kibble reduces plaque.

Key Benefits: Grain-free, natural dental cleaners, Digestible carbs, probiotics, Made for small breeds.

4. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Small Breed

High protein kibble with real roasted bison and venison tailored for small dogs. The package keeps food fresher for longer. Enriched with fruits, veggies, and probiotics with no grain, corn, wheat, filler, artificial colors, or preservatives.

Key Benefits: Grain-free, novel proteins for allergy-prone pups, antioxidant-rich fruits, veggies, and preservative-free dog food.

5. Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Small Breed Real Chicken & Sweet Potato

Leading off with real deboned chicken and sweet potato. Glucosamine and chondroitin support joint health. Size and texture help clean teeth. Enriched with probiotics and natural omegas.

Key Benefits: Real deboned chicken first, joint support, digestible carbs, Made for small breeds.

Talk to your vet about your Griff’s unique nutritional requirements. These high-quality foods provide a great starting point to keep your Brussels Griffon looking and feeling their best.

Also Read: Can Dogs Eat Strawberry Jam?

What To Feed Brussels Griffon Puppies

As adorable as Brussels Griffon puppies are, their rapid growth and developmental needs require special nutrition. Here’s what Griff puppies need:

• More calories: Pups need 2-4 times more calories per pound than adult dogs. Choose a high-calorie puppy formula to fuel growth.
• More protein and fat: Chicken, lamb, fish, and egg provide lean protein for developing muscles and organs. Omega-3-rich fats aid brain development.
• More vitamins and minerals: Extra amounts of vitamins like A, B, C, D, and E plus minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc lay the foundation for lifelong health.
• Small, soft kibble: Little jaws need bite-sized kibble that’s easy to chew and Digestible.
• Multiple daily feedings: Split meals into 3-4 portions for better nutrient absorption.

Feeding your Griff puppy the right way sets them up for a long, healthy life.

Feeding Guidelines for Brussels Griffon Adults

When choosing the best dog food for your Brussels Griffon, it’s helpful to know how much to feed them. To figure out the right amount, you’ll need to know how many cups are in a pound of dog food. Get helpful info on dog food cup measurements in the How Many Cups of Dog Food in a Pound article.

The typical adult Brussels Griffon weighs 8-12 pounds and should eat about 1/2 to 1 cup of quality dog food divided into two meals per day.

Of course, every dog and diet is different. Follow label feeding guidelines based on your Griff’s weight and activity level. Keeping your Brussels Griffon lean helps reduce joint stress and the risk of obesity-related illnesses.

Monitor your dog’s condition and adjust food amounts if needed. More active or energetic Griffs may need more calories whereas less active dogs likely require fewer.

Common Brussels Griffon Health Issues Diet Can Impact

The Brussels Griffon’s unique physiology makes them prone to certain health conditions that diet can help minimize:

1. Dental Disease

Small dogs like Brussels Griffons are prone to dental problems. Choose kibble promoted to reduce plaque and tartar. Brush teeth daily. Schedule professional cleanings.

2. Obesity

Weight control is crucial. Choose an age-appropriate food and feed proper portion sizes. Limit treats and table scraps. Exercise daily.

3. Allergies

Food allergies cause itchy skin, digestive upset, and ear infections. Try a limited ingredient or novel protein diet.

4. Arthritis

Look for mobility supplements like glucosamine to nourish joints. Keep lean body condition to reduce joint stress.

5. Digestive Issues

Probiotic-rich foods improve gut health and nutrient absorption. Limit rich foods that cause loose stools.

There’s no guarantee against health problems. But feeding your Griff well improves the odds of avoiding issues that commonly impact the breed.

Tips for Feeding Your Brussels Griffon

Beyond choosing the right dog food, following good feeding practices is also important:

• Feed consistent meals on a schedule, not free-choice.
• Use puzzle toys or slow-feed bowls for fun mental stimulation.
• Ensure fresh, cool water is always available.
• Don’t overdo treats and table scraps.
• Never make sudden food changes. Transition gradually.
• Separate dogs at mealtimes if competing for food.
• Look for signs of food allergies and sensitivities.
• Keep food fresh in an airtight container.

Proper feeding provides nutrition as well as mental enrichment to keep your Griff happy and healthy.

Also Read: Can Dogs Have Honey Buns?

Final Thoughts

Brussels Griffons are special dogs with unique needs. Pick a food made just for them with digestible ingredients. Watch for signs your dog isn’t tolerating their current food well. Switch foods slowly mixing a little new with the old.

Feed your Griff the right way and you’ll enjoy their companionship for years. Your dog depends on you for the nutrition they need to stay healthy. Feed them the best!

People Also Asked

Ques1: What is the best food for a Brussels Griffon?

Ans: The best food for a Brussels Griffon is high-quality kibble made just for small, active breeds. Look for real meat as the first ingredient, whole grains, probiotics for digestion, glucosamine for joints, and ingredients to clean their teeth. Avoid fillers.

Ques2: What is the average lifespan of a Brussels Griffon?

Ans: The average lifespan of a healthy Brussels Griffon is 12-15 years. Providing good nutrition, regular exercise, vet checkups, and loving care can help your Griff live a long, happy life.

Ques3: What is the ideal weight for a Brussels Griffon?

Ans: The ideal weight for an adult Brussels Griffon is usually 8-12 pounds. To keep your Griff at a healthy weight, follow your vet’s feeding guidelines based on their age, size, and activity level. Limit treats, exercise daily, and check their weight routinely.