Talk about a small size with a big appetite!
Named after their origin city Brussels, this small breed is known for its playful behavior, affection, liveliness, and active lifestyle!
They were previously used on farms to prevent rodents from entering the fields. But after their owners witnessed these cute little guys’ love and passion for their fellow humans, everyone fell in love with them.
Since then, Brussels Griffon has been really popular amongst dog parents. But what leaves humans puzzled is their pet’s diet.
What should a Brussels Griffon eat? Can they tolerate human food? What dog food is best for them? If these are some questions on your mind, we welcome you to the right place!
First, here are the 10 most popular dog foods for Brussels Griffon!
- Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato
- Solid Gold Mighty Mini Small & Toy Breed Grain-Free
- Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed
- ORIJEN Original Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
- Stella & Chewy’s Chewy’s Chicken Dinner Patties
- Purina Beneful Healthy Puppy With Farm-Raised Chicken
- Instinct Be Natural Puppy Real Chicken & Brown Rice
- Blue Buffalo Freedom Puppy Chicken Recipe
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Bright Puppy Natural Real Chicken
Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato
Merrick has built its reputation and still stands firm on the top of any dog food list. There’s a reason why dog parents like us trust Merrick. Everything they claim to have is accurate.
For instance, this recipe. The protein from chicken and carbs from the sweet potato produces such a rich mixture of flavors and aroma that no Griffon can let go of.
Moreover, the extensive addition of the entire vitamin B complex is commendable. This corrects several health conditions in Brussels.
Since chicken is one of the most popular ingredients in Brussels, Merrick loves to include it in most of their dog food recipes like this one.
However, this recipe stands out because of its high content of carbs. This is perfect for adults and young Brussels who need loads of energy to do what they love doing best; run around in glee!
We all love our Brussels lively and active, and this Merrick recipe is suitable for our pooches!
Key Features:
- A perfect balance of proteins and carbs
- An added benefit of extra antioxidants for excellent immunity
- It includes vitamin B complex for over health of Brussels
- Produced from the best farms in the US.
Solid Gold Mighty Mini Small & Toy Breed Grain-Free
We picked this dog food from America’s First because its primary focus is to maintain the gut health of our Brussels.
We understand how much Brussels is. They throw up quickly, or their poop becomes liquid. Either way, dog food that prioritizes gut health is crucial. This recipe has tons of living probiotics and prebiotics to aid in digestion.
On the other hand, it does not include gluten. Gluten is a component found in wheat or barley. It is the commonest ingredient most Brussels develop sensitivity against and end up with a bad tummy.
On the other hand, this high fiber diet is another reason this food is easy on stomachs. Also, the small-sized kibble is easy to chew and even easier to digest.
With enhanced gut health, your Brussels immunity is also improved. Most of the health of dogs depends on the gut. Hence, it is imperative to take good care of their tummies.
Key Features:
- An excellent brand for Brussels with sensitive tummies
- It includes high amounts of fiber for improved digestion
- The kibble size is small for small mouths
- The formula is free of gluten
Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed
Brussels is so active that they sometimes leave us scratching our heads. We think of ways to control this little guy but then laugh it off because they capture our hearts looking so delightful and cute.
The only way to help them stay strong, fit, healthy, and happy for long is to help them maintain a good diet.
Taste of the Wild promises a healthy diet for your Brussels. They include all the essential nutrients ranging from an extensive inclusion of vitamins to all the macronutrients. Like this has great amounts of proteins.
It includes roasted venison, lamb, eggs, ducks, and ocean fish to bring the best protein quality for your Brussels to help them keep running.
Out of this, venison is a primary source of protein and the easiest to digest out of them all. With the addition of garbanzo beans, this recipe is a hit in Brussels for providing high doses of energy.
Key Features:
- Garbanzo beans contain high proteins and fibers and excellent digestion
- 5 sources of high-quality proteins make this an exceptional diet
- Zinc, selenium, and vitamin E provide an extra boost of immunity
- Dried chicory roots are a great source of probiotics
ORIJEN Original Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
What is better than dog food containing high protein? Dog food that has 85% of its protein comes from animals!
Yep, Orijen has taken the bar to the next level. This Orijen recipe offers a combination of high protein from eggs, chicken, turkey, and fish. These quality proteins ensure excellent muscle and bone health for your Brussels. So now he can be even lovelier than you may have ever seen him before.
Plus, Orijen stands true to its words. All ingredients in its bag have exclusively been fetched from the freshest farms in the US.
They assure you that only the real quality ingredients impose no danger to your Brussels. It’s almost like eating from farm produce.
And something that stuck to us was the consistency of the quality of these ingredients. People have been feeding this to their Brussels for years, and their canines have maintained a healthy life ever since!
Key features:
- A source of high-quality animal proteins
- It has no grains or unnecessary byproducts
- It improves the consistency of poop
- Helps maintain an active lifestyle.
American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
Now let’s see what the American journey has to offer. A lot of Brussels parents say their pets love this flavorsome recipe. It has this sweet taste to it that their dogs love.
Besides the flavors, the recipe has a holistic approach to meet all needs of your Brussels. It contains proteins from deboned salmon (again a popular protein amongst Brussels).
Next, it includes high-quality carbs from sweet potatoes and chickpeas. At the same time, fruits and veggies boost antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fibers, and more! These flavors sure make your little guy lick his bowl clean!
Therefore, get ready to handle a dog loaded with energy and a luscious, shiny fur that makes heads turn from afar! If you plan to switch your Brussels’ food, American Journey is a good option.
Key Features:
- High-quality proteins from deboned salmon
- Extra carbs give extra energy for an active Brussels
- It is crafted with antioxidants to boost immunity
- It helps maintain a good weight and shiny coat.
Stella & Chewy’s Chicken Dinner Patties
If you look at the ingredients in dog foods, you will find elements that some Brussels people do not like.
All Brussels do not prefer ingredients such as lentils, peas, potatoes, and whole grains.
Therefore, if you are looking for that one dog food bag that does not have these ingredients, Stella and Chewy’s ingredient combo is the right match for your little guy.
This dog food does not contain what your Brussel would not like.
We put this one on our list because it is hard to find dog foods with high-quality ingredients, not regular ones.
For instance, this bag has all organic fruits and vegetables, no added flavors, no animal byproducts, and of course, protein from raw chicken fetched from the finest poultries in the country. The unique ingredient here is taurine which is excellent for muscles and digestion.
Key Features:
- It does not include peas, lentils, or potatoes.
- Cage-free chicken provides the best protein.
- Taurines work for improved digestion and musculoskeletal health
- All fruits and vegetables are organic
Purina Beneful Healthy Puppy With Farm-Raised Chicken
Sometimes a diet made exclusively for puppies is not exactly right. Brands do claim to have the correct ratio and a balance of nutrients.
However, when puppy Brussels eats them, their parents can’t appreciate healthy changes.
With Purina, we have encountered thousands of satisfied buyers who feed this to their Brussels and their other dog species as well, and it works wonderfully for them!
What we found intriguing about this dog food is how many extra nutrients are added apart from the daily requirement of a young Brussel. It has more calcium, protein, vitamins, and minerals per serving than any puppy food.
This should be applauded because puppy Brussels need extra amounts given how active and mischievous they are. They need these additional nutrients to keep running as much as they like!
Key Features:
- It includes 27 grams of proteins per portion size
- The bag is rich in calcium to help with stronger bones
- A balanced recipe for growing Brussels
- DHA improves the cognitive ability and brain development of your Brussels
Instinct Be Natural Puppy Real Chicken & Brown Rice
This is the kind of dog food you can raise your Brussels Griffon on! You can feed it to your little guy for years without them losing their health.
Instinct Be Natural has produced the recipe after carefully considering the needs of a growing Brussels Griffon.
A young dog would need more nutrients than a senior dog. Hence, Instinct Be Natural crafted this recipe with more DHA, calcium, high-quality proteins from raw chicken, and a lot more.
We love the protein in this recipe because the brand tried its best to preserve the natural flavor and nutrition of chicken. Their chicken is organic and has been through the least preparation process.
Also, with no preservatives, artificial flavors, or other crappy ingredients, you can safely treat your sensitive Brussels Griffon with this recipe!
Key Features:
- The ingredients are collected from the best organic farms in the US.
- Kibble is freeze-dried for better nutrient preservation
- Real natural chicken with no byproducts
- Suitable for sensitive Brussels Griffon
Blue Buffalo Freedom Puppy Chicken Recipe
Blue Buffalo is hands down one of the finest dog food brands available. We have been grateful to their brand for serving the best quality food for years now.
Even this recipe is crafted with an amazing and high amount of crude proteins, up to 27%, per serving!
This is the amount a young Brussels Griffon needs for his growing bones, muscles, and shiny coat.
It is complemented with a high amount of fats, including omega 3 and 6, that contribute up to 20% of the total nutrition in the bag.
On the other hand, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, fish oil, flaxseeds, cranberries, and more are combined for exceptional flavors and soft and small kibble.
Just add warm water to the kibble and feed 2 to 3 portions of it per day. Treat them like your family, and they will love you even more!
Key Features:
- All-natural ingredients for extraordinary health
- High amounts of proteins provide excellent muscle and bone health
- The packaging is free of preservatives and byproducts
- High-quality carbs from potatoes for extra energy
Rachael Ray Nutrish Bright Puppy Natural Real Chicken
Rachel Ray has caught our eyes because hundreds of pet owners say their Brussels Griffon absolutely loves this food!
The kibble is the right size for a small breed like yours, and the combination of rice with real chicken was a hit amongst Brussels Griffon.
Given the wide range of quality ingredients it contains, the price of this bag is a good bargain. Nothing too fancy, but everything that your Brussels Griffon needs.
So if you have a puppy Brussels Griffon who is picky and won’t touch most of his food, you could try switching to this one. No more rashes, itching, sensitivity issues, loose stools, or too much smell! Your pup Brussels will absolutely enjoy this kibble!
You can count on Rachel Ray Nutrish for your lovely Brussels Griffon’s excellent health and improved activity.
Key Features:
- The chicken and brown rice combo taste delicious
- Lean proteins help with stronger muscles and shinier coat
- A cheaper brand compared to other dog foods
- The right kibble size for small breed puppies
Frequently Asked Questions
Despite a long list of excellent dog foods, Brussels Griffon owners are confused with a couple of questions. This is completely fine.
Those are just the products mentioned above, and here are answers to all the questions you may have in mind.
How To Choose The Best Dog Food For Brussels Griffon?
This sounds like a tricky question, but it is not.
There are certain things Brussels loves to eat, and it is healthy for them. But unfortunately, Brussels Griffon can’t afford to eat other hazardous and sensitive ingredients.
Thus, you need to look for ingredients in any dog food that does and does not serve your pup.
For Brussels Griffon, all animal protein is acceptable and encouraged. So you can feed them chicken, lamb, turkey, fish like salmon, pork, beef, venison, and your little fella will love their food.
Fruits and vegetables like potatoes, carrots, peas, green beans, bananas, and apples are great for your Brussels Griffon.
Apart from this, foods high in carbs, fats, omega fatty acids 3 and 6, antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, DHA, vitamin A, E, D, B complex, probiotics, and prebiotics.
All of these nutrients are essential for your Brussels Griffon. They have collective action in keeping them healthy holistically. A deficiency of these nutrients will show in your pooch’s health.
However, the requirements for these nutrients change with age. For instance, a puppy Brussels Griffon will need high amounts of proteins, carbs, and fats as they grow every day compared to a senior Brussels Griffon who just needs nutrients to maintain their health.
Other factors like how active your Brussels Griffon is, if they are sensitive to some ingredients, prefer one flavor over the other, or suffer from a disease, will determine a customized diet for your Brussels Griffon.
Consulting your vet before choosing a dog food from a generalized list of dog foods is a great idea.
How Do I Know What My Brussels Griffon Likes?
Suppose you have newly adopted a Brussels Griffon and are confused about what they like or are allergic to a component. In that case, the best way out is to feed them new dog food in small portions and see if they are tolerating it well.
With the newly adopted Brussels Griffon, do not buy big bags of dog food that may later be of no use if your pooch doesn’t like them or is sensitive to the ingredients.
This even works for Brussels owners who want to switch to different food because maybe the brand prices rose, or it doesn’t serve their furry guy the same way. Go for smaller bags and see if it works for you.
What Are Their Diet Intake/Requirements?
This largely depends on how old your Brussels Griffon is.
The dietary intake of a dog changes with age. Hence, a generalized dietary requirement plan will never work for your Brussels. In addition, if your dog is too active or has increased metabolism, their requirements are different.
Generally speaking, one-fourth to a half cup of 2 servings each day is enough for this tiny guy. Going beyond this is not recommended. You don’t want an obese pet. Obesity has its side effects.
Train your dog into meal times and not ask for food outside their mealtimes.
What Are Some Of The Common Health Issues Found In Brussels Griffon?
- Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a congenital disease. It means most dog breeds are born with it. This disease affects several dog breeds, and unfortunately, Brussels Griffons.
It is defined as a condition where the hip socket does not fully cover the femur head. As a result, it makes the femur head unstable and unable to stay in its place.
This causes the femur head to dislocate, resulting in lameness. In addition, Brussels Griffon finds it hard to walk with hip dysplasia.
We can do nothing to prevent this from happening once a Brussels Griffon is born with it. Neither can we fix it conservatively. Physical therapy does have some benefits but not many.
The solution here is to surgically correct the femur head and place it in the hip socket for a permanent outcome.
- Patellar Luxation
The patella is the bone that makes the knee cap. It is a small, round bone covering the two ends of the leg bones.
Usually, the patella is embedded in a dense bed of tendons of the muscles of the lower limbs. Hence, when dogs fold their legs, the patella stays in its place.
Patellar luxation is where the patella moves away from its regular place. It moves either inward or outward depending on what structure pulls it.
It is not a painful condition, unlike hip dysplasia, that completely prevents the dog from walking. Plus, physical therapy has a good role in this condition.
- Skin Allergies
Brussels Griffons have skin allergies known as atopy. If your dog has this, you will notice them licking their body, paws, or rubbing their face. This skin allergy commonly develops between the ages of 1 till 3.
Luckily, several medications can treat atopy, which should not be worrisome for you.
- Heart Problems
Common heart disease found in Brussels Griffons is valvular heart disease. Valves help keep blood flowing in one direction. As the heart pushes blood from one chamber to another, the valve prevents the backflow of the blood propelled forward.
This prevents the blood from pooling and facilitates a uniform flow of blood. However, with the loss of valvular function, the blood starts to backflow and pool in the heart. This adds pressure on the heart, putting it under more stress.
If a valvular disease is diagnosed in its early stages, it can be controlled with medications. In later stages, only surgery is the option.
- Eye Diseases
Eye diseases such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) are another congenital condition more common in Griffs than in other dog breeds.
It causes complete blindness of the eye. However, it is not a painful condition, but nothing can be done about this.
Another common eye disease is cataracts in Brussels Griffons. It is more often found in senior Griffs and can be surgically removed to restore eyesight.
Should I Feed My Brussels Griffon Fresh Food Diet?
Absolutely!
You can feed your Brussels Griffon several human foods safely! Every protein is acceptable as long as they are adequately cooked. For example, you can provide them chicken, beef, turkey, or pork, and they will happily devour it. Other foods include fish, eggs, cheese, and yogurt.
You can pair these proteins with sides of some fruits and vegetables for a lovely treat. For example, you can add carrots, blueberries, sweet potatoes, apples, bananas, or even broccoli. However, moderation is advised with such ingredients.
On the contrary, raw meats, uncooked eggs, onions, milk, or dairy products are toxic for Brussels Griffon. Hence, these human foods should be kept away.
Final Verdict
The list finally comes to an end. We hope you have made up your mind by now. If not, don’t worry. We have chosen our favorites to help you make a better decision.
We recommend Purina Beneful Healthy Puppy With Farm-Raised Chicken for puppy Brussels Griffons. We love the combination this recipe provides.
No doubt, it contains extra amounts of every nutrient for your growing Griff. The high protein content makes it the highest protein source on the list.
Secondly, we suggest the Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Recipe for an adult to senior Brussels Griffons.
It is packed with proteins from different fish sources and vegetable sources to allow better digestion.
This is best since older Brussels Griffons can develop digestion problems with age, and feeding them good vegetables will aid in keeping their tummies healthy.
We wish you luck finding the best dog food for your Brussels Griffons.
Happy feeding!
