Best dog food for a Bullmastiff
A Bullmastiff is a genuinely large, powerfully built dog, and that size brings feeding considerations most smaller breeds don't need to worry about — controlled growth as a puppy, joint support as an adult, and a feeding routine that accounts for the deep chest giant breeds are known for.
Feeding a Bullmastiff
A large breed
An adult Bullmastiff typically weighs 41–59kg, so a healthy Bullmastiff eats a fair amount compared with other breeds. Every feeding guide on a bag is written per kilo of body weight, not per breed — start there, then adjust to the dog in front of you.
Life stage
A large breed is usually done growing at 15–18 months, which is roughly when a puppy food has finished its job. With a typical lifespan of 8–10 years, there is a long adult stretch in the middle; switch to a senior food when your vet thinks it is worth it rather than on a birthday.
Joint support is worth looking for
Their size and frame put more load through the joints than a smaller dog carries, so a food with joint support on the label is worth reading for — and keeping them lean does more for their joints than any supplement.
Weight matters more than usual here
A long back or a heavy frame makes every extra kilo count twice. Weigh portions rather than eyeballing a scoop, and reduce the food rather than the walks if the waist starts to disappear.
This breed tends to bolt its food
A food-motivated dog will empty a bowl in under a minute given the chance. A slow feeder or a puzzle bowl turns a meal back into something that takes time, and splitting the daily ration across two or three meals helps as well.
A shallow, wide bowl suits a flat face
A flat-faced dog cannot reach into a deep bowl without pressing its nose into the sides, which is uncomfortable and makes it gulp air. A shallow bowl, and food that does not have to be chased around it, is the easier arrangement.
How much should a Bullmastiff weigh?
Adult 41–59kgfully grown at 15–18 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 4.7–6.7 kg | 11% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 7.6–11 kg | 19% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 15.2–21.9 kg | 37% |
| 12 months | Adolescent | 30.5–43.8 kg | 74% |
| 15–18 months | Fully grown | 41–59 kg | 100% |
A guide, from the same rule of thumb our puppy growth predictor uses — each age is that share of the way to maturity for a large breed. Puppies grow fastest early, so a real puppy usually sits a little above the middle rows. Weigh yours and ask your vet if the number worries you.
Complete dog foods that suit a Bullmastiff
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Bullmastiff's size band and what the breed typically needs. Stock levels and delivery dates are live on each product.
Field & Trial Skinner S Field Trial Light Senior
A lower-fat dry food for older, overweight or less active dogs, including working breeds
From£9.85
Autarky Complete Grain Free Adult Turkey
Grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, with turkey and a marine-algae joint care package
£12.79
Autarky Grain Free Tasty White Fish & Potato Complete
Grain-free dry dog food built around white fish meal rather than poultry
£12.99
Lily's Kitchen Lily S Kitchen Dog Lovely Lamb
Complete lamb-led dry dog food offered in two practical bag sizes
From£25.15
Burns Adult Large/Giant Breed Chicken and Brown Rice
Complete large-breed dry dog food with 23% chicken and brown rice
£59.99
Burgess Greyhound and Lurcher Chicken
Complete adult dry food formulated for the specific build of greyhounds and lurchers
£35.35
Naturo Senior Rice Poultry Variety 6pk
Six 400g trays across three recipes for senior dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin
£10.29
Naturo Senior Dog Turkey with Rice and Vegetables 7pk
Turkey at 65% in a senior wet tray, with brown rice, vegetables and added joint support
£11.99
Vitalin Adult Dog Pork with Apple
Complete dry food for adult dogs of any age, led by pork, with citrus extract for dental support
From£11.99
Why size changes what to feed
A large-breed puppy formula matters more for a Bullmastiff than for most dogs, because growing too fast on a calorie-dense diet is linked to a higher risk of joint problems later in life. Large-breed puppy foods are formulated with controlled calcium and phosphorus levels specifically to slow that growth rate to something healthier for a giant frame.
As an adult, a Bullmastiff's size means portioning by their actual weight matters, since overfeeding a dog this large adds strain to joints that are already carrying a lot of weight. A food with added glucosamine or other joint-support ingredients is worth considering from middle age onward rather than waiting until problems appear.
Feeding around the risk of bloat
Deep-chested giant breeds like the Bullmastiff carry a higher risk of bloat, a serious and sudden condition where the stomach twists, and several common-sense feeding habits are thought to help reduce that risk: splitting the daily amount into two or more smaller meals rather than one large one, and avoiding vigorous exercise right after eating.
None of this guarantees prevention, and bloat is a genuine emergency if it happens — a dog who is retching without bringing anything up, has a visibly swollen abdomen, or seems distressed needs a vet immediately, not a wait-and-see approach at home.
Common questions
- How much should I feed a Bullmastiff?
- Follow the feeding guide for your specific food, matched to your dog's actual weight, and split it into two or more meals a day rather than one large one. Adjust the amount if they start gaining or losing condition, checking in with your vet if you're unsure.
- Do Bullmastiffs need a large-breed puppy food?
- Yes, it's genuinely worth it for a breed this size. Large-breed puppy formulas are built with controlled calcium and phosphorus to slow growth to a healthier rate, which is linked to fewer joint problems later in a giant breed's life.
- Are Bullmastiffs prone to bloat?
- Deep-chested giant breeds including the Bullmastiff do carry a higher risk of bloat. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding strenuous exercise straight after eating are commonly recommended precautions, though bloat can still occur and is always a same-day emergency if it does.
- When should a Bullmastiff move onto joint support food or supplements?
- Many owners start considering joint-support ingredients from around middle age, though a dog with an existing joint issue may benefit sooner. Speak to your vet about timing for your individual dog rather than starting on a fixed age for every Bullmastiff.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.