Top Nutritious Dog Food Brands for Energetic Jack Russells

Finding the perfect food for your Jack Russell Terrier can have a significant impact on their health, vitality, and happiness. With their high energy and specific nutritional needs, it's essential to choose a quality brand that provides balanced nutrition tailored to their lifestyle. In this article, we'll explore some of the top-rated dog food brands known for their quality ingredients and suitability for Jack Russells across different stages of their life. Ready to discover the best options to keep your furry friend thriving? Read on below to find out which brands make the cut.

Illustration of food for jack russell

Best brands of food for jack russell in 2025

Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo is highly regarded as one of the best producers of dog food for Jack Russells, offering high-quality nutrition that caters to their specific needs. With a 4.5-star rating from the Dog Food Advisor and a 4.6 out of 5 stars from Chewy customers, Blue Buffalo's formulas are complete and balanced, suitable for all life stages. Their Small Breed Life Protection Formula, for instance, contains 26% protein and 15% fat, making it ideal for Jack Russells' high metabolism. Since General Mills acquired Blue Buffalo in 2018, the brand has seen significant growth, with a compound annual net sales growth of 15% and over 95% of General Mills' pet food business in the US market.

Royal Canin

Royal Canin is a highly regarded brand for producing nutritionally tailored food for Jack Russell Terriers, considering factors such as age, lifestyle, and activity level. For puppies, Royal Canin recommends a high energy content of around 400-450 Kcal/100g of food, split into three meals until they are six months old, then transitioning to two meals per day. Adult Jack Russells benefit from highly digestible ingredients, sensible fat content, and essential fatty acids like EPA-DHA to maintain ideal body weight and skin health. For indoor-living Jack Russells, the diet should include highly digestible proteins, appropriate fibre content, and high-quality carbohydrates to reduce faecal smell and volume. After 8 years, an antioxidant-enriched formula supports their vitality and adapted phosphorus content aids their renal system.

Hill's Science Diet

Hill's Science Diet is a highly recommended brand for Jack Russell Terriers due to its high-quality, nutritionally balanced formulas. Their dog foods meet the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), ensuring complete and balanced nutrition. For Jack Russells, Hill's Science Diet offers life-stage specific formulas, such as puppy, adult, and senior dog food, tailored to the breed's high energy needs. The food is designed to support healthy muscles, joints, and overall well-being, with ingredients like quality protein from chicken and whole grains. Hill's Science Diet is a trusted choice among veterinarians and pet owners. Discover more information about Hill's Science Diet for Jack Russell Terriers.

Purina Pro Plan

Purina Pro Plan is a highly regarded brand for Jack Russell owners, offering a range of nutritionally balanced dog foods. The Pro Plan Adult formula, for instance, features an average protein content of 31% and a mean fat level of 16%, making it suitable for the high energy needs of Jack Russells. The Pro Plan OM Select Blend Overweight Management formula is particularly beneficial for overweight Jack Russells, with a high protein-to-calorie ratio, low fat and calorie content, and natural fiber to promote satiety. Additionally, Pro Plan formulas often include live probiotics for healthy digestion and chelated minerals for superior nutrition. This brand's commitment to scientific optimization and collaboration with veterinarians ensures high-quality nutrition tailored to various life stages and dietary needs. Learn more about their OM Overweight Management formula.

Wellness Core

Wellness Core is highly regarded as one of the best producers of dog food for Jack Russells, particularly with their Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, which boasts a high protein content of 34% and fat levels of 16%, making it ideal for the energetic and muscular needs of Jack Russells. This formula, recommended since 2022, is free from grains, meat by-products, and artificial preservatives, and is enriched with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is highly palatable and suitable for adult dogs

Merrick

Merrick is a highly regarded brand for Jack Russell Terriers, offering nutritionally balanced dog foods that cater to their specific needs. Their Lil' Plates Real Chicken & Sweet Potato formula, for instance, features real chicken as the first ingredient, providing 28% protein and 15% fat, along with essential nutrients for joint health and muscle growth. Merrick's recipes are produced in the United States, with most manufacturing taking place in their company-owned facilities in Hereford, Texas. The brand's commitment to quality earned it a 4.5-star rating from the Dog Food Advisor, highlighting its use of named meat meals and balanced nutrient profiles. Since being acquired by Nestle Purina PetCare in 2015, Merrick continues to maintain its reputation for producing high-quality, wholesome dog food. For more insights on the best dog foods for Jack Russells, you can visit their expert guide.

Orijen

Orijen, a renowned brand under the umbrella of Canadian pet food companies, stands out as a top producer of high-quality food for Jack Russell terriers. In 2021, the company generating Orijen and Acana brands reported an annual revenue of US$200 million, highlighting its significant market presence. Orijen's dog food, such as the Original Dog Food, is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles, with a balanced distribution of 39% protein, 20% carbohydrates, and 41% fat. This nutritional profile ensures that Jack Russells receive the necessary nutrients for optimal health and energy. With a strong growth rate and high-quality formulations, Orijen remains a preferred choice for pet owners.

Nutro Ultra

Nutro Ultra is a highly recommended brand for Jack Russell owners, offering a range of dog foods that cater to various life stages and dietary needs. The Nutro Ultra dry dog food line, for instance, features a notable amount of named meat meals, with a dry matter protein reading of 31% and a fat level of 21.1%, making it an above-average dry product. The grain-free tubs version boasts a dry matter protein content of 36.4% and a fat level of 22.7%, earning it an average rating of 4.5 stars. These formulations ensure that your Jack Russell receives a balanced and nutritious diet. With ratings varying from 4 to 5 stars, Nutro Ultra is a trusted choice among pet owners. For detailed insights, visit the Nutro Ultra dry dog food review.

Canidae

Canidae is a highly regarded brand for dog food, particularly suitable for Jack Russell Terriers, due to its high protein content and balanced nutrient profile. The Canidae Multi-Protein Formula, for instance, provides 24% crude protein and 14.5% crude fat, meeting the nutritional needs of active dogs like Jack Russells. This formula also includes essential fatty acids, such as Omega-3 and Omega-6, and features glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, with 700 mg/kg of glucosamine and 250 mg/kg of chondroitin. Additionally, Canidae's Pure formulas are fortified with probiotics to support digestive health, a crucial aspect for maintaining the overall well-being of your dog. With its high energy density and carefully crafted ingredients, Canidae stands out as a top choice for Jack Russell owners. For more detailed information about their offerings, visit the Canidae website.

Nulo Freestyle

Nulo Freestyle is a highly regarded brand for Jack Russell Terriers, offering nutrient-dense formulas that support their high energy levels and rapid development. The Nulo Freestyle Beef Recipe with Apples, for instance, contains 44.2% protein, 29.5% fat, and 18.3% estimated carbs, making it an excellent choice for puppies and adult dogs alike. This grain-free, high-protein kibble features at least 80% real meat proteins and includes advanced probiotics for a well-rounded diet. With no recalls noted as of 2024, Nulo Freestyle earns a top rating of 5 stars from dog food advisors. The brand's formulas are designed to promote lean muscle growth, healthy digestion, and overall vitality. For more details on their high-quality dog food, visit Nulo Freestyle Dog Food Review.