Best dog food for a Chow Chow
A Chow Chow does best on a food suited to a medium-large, moderately active breed, with attention to joint-supporting ingredients given their known tendency towards hip and elbow problems, and a calorie level that matches their actual activity, since their thick coat can make them prone to overheating and less inclined to exercise in warm weather.
Feeding a Chow Chow
A medium breed
An adult Chow Chow typically weighs 20–32 kg, so a healthy Chow Chow eats a moderate 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 medium breed is usually done growing at ~12 months, which is roughly when a puppy food has finished its job. With a typical lifespan of 11–13 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.
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 Chow Chow weigh?
Adult 20–32 kgfully grown at ~12 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 3.1–4.9 kg | 15% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 5–8 kg | 25% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 10–16 kg | 50% |
| ~12 months | Fully grown | 20–32 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 medium 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 Chow Chow
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Chow Chow's size band and what the breed typically needs. Stock levels and delivery dates are live on each product.
Burns Adult/Senior Weight Control Chicken and Oats
A low-fat weight control dry food for adult and senior dogs, oat-based
£35.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Salmon
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for dogs, built on fresh and dried salmon
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Duck
Cold-pressed grain-free duck food with fruit and botanicals, in two bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Turkey
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% turkey, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Turkey
Grain-free cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs, gentle on sensitive stomachs
£69.69
Forthglade British Classics Chicken Family Lunch
Complete Forthglade wet dog food with 75% chicken in a 395G tray
£2.45
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
Harringtons Just 6 Dry Dog Food Lamb
Grain-free lamb dry dog food in 2KG and 12KG sizes, with size-specific formulas
From£13.99
Burns Puppy Original Lamb & Rice
Complete Burns lamb and rice puppy food in a 2KG bag for up to 12 months
£14.99
Burns Puppy Junior Original Chicken Rice
A complete puppy and junior food with dried chicken 31% and controlled fat at 15%
From£14.99
What this breed's build means for feeding
Chow Chows carry real weight in a fairly compact frame, and like many medium-large breeds, they're more prone than average to hip and elbow dysplasia. A food with a controlled calorie density, and ideally added glucosamine and chondroitin, supports joints that are already working hard to carry the breed's solid build.
Their famously thick double coat also affects how they cope with heat and exercise. Chow Chows can overheat more easily than shorter-coated breeds and are often naturally less active in warm conditions, so it's worth matching food portions to their actual activity level rather than a generic breed-size guide, to avoid gradual weight gain.
What to check on the label
A named meat protein high on the ingredients list, alongside a moderate rather than very high fat content, suits most Chow Chows well given their build and typical activity level. Overfeeding relative to their actual exercise is a more realistic risk for this breed than underfeeding.
Chow Chows can also be prone to certain skin conditions, partly linked to their dense coat trapping moisture and debris close to the skin, so a food with added omega fatty acids for skin and coat support is a sensible general choice, alongside proper regular grooming.
Practical feeding notes
Two measured meals a day, rather than free feeding, gives a much clearer picture of how much a Chow Chow is actually eating and makes it easier to spot early weight gain before it becomes an established problem.
Keep an eye on body condition through the coat, since a Chow Chow's thick fur can genuinely disguise weight gain that would be obvious on a shorter-coated dog. Running a hand along the ribs regularly is a more reliable check than looking alone.
Common questions
- Are Chow Chows prone to food allergies?
- Some individual dogs are, the same as any breed, though it's not a defining trait of the breed as a whole. If you notice recurrent itching, ear problems or digestive upset, a proper vet-guided assessment is the right next step rather than guessing at the cause.
- Do Chow Chows need a low-fat food?
- Not necessarily low-fat, but a moderate fat content suits most Chow Chows well given their tendency towards weight gain if overfed relative to their activity. Your vet can advise on the right balance for your individual dog's body condition.
- How much exercise does a Chow Chow actually need?
- Moderate daily exercise suits most Chow Chows, though their thick coat means they can struggle in heat and often prefer a shorter walk on a hot day. Matching food portions to their real activity level, rather than a generic guide, helps avoid gradual weight gain.
- What joint problems are Chow Chows prone to?
- Hip and elbow dysplasia are more common in this breed than in many others, which is part of why joint-supporting ingredients in food, alongside maintaining a healthy weight, are worth prioritising. Your vet can check joint health properly at routine appointments.
Related
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.