Best dog food for a Shar Pei
Shar Peis are a distinctive wrinkled breed known for their loose, folded skin, and that same skin is more prone to irritation and sensitivity than most breeds' — which makes food choice a genuinely bigger factor for this breed than for many others. A simple, limited-ingredient diet built around a single named protein is a common starting point, though a real, ongoing sensitivity is best worked through with a vet rather than guesswork alone.
Feeding a Shar Pei
A medium breed
An adult Shar Pei typically weighs 18–25kg, so a healthy Shar Pei 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 8–12 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 Shar Pei weigh?
Adult 18–25kgfully grown at ~12 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 2.8–3.8 kg | 15% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 4.5–6.3 kg | 25% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 9–12.5 kg | 50% |
| ~12 months | Fully grown | 18–25 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 Shar Pei
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Shar Pei's size band and what the breed typically needs. Stock levels and delivery dates are live on each product.
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 Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
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
Why skin sensitivity matters so much for this breed
The deep skin folds that give Shar Peis their look also trap moisture and debris more easily than a smooth coat does, making skin fold dermatitis a known issue in the breed. Separately, some Shar Peis are prone to food sensitivities that show up as skin irritation, ear problems or digestive upset, and the two can look similar from the outside even though one is a food matter and the other largely isn't.
This is exactly why a vet's input matters before assuming a change of food will fix a specific skin problem — fold-related irritation needs cleaning and management rather than a new diet, while a genuine food sensitivity needs the food identified and removed.
What a suitable food generally looks like
A limited-ingredient recipe with a single named protein source, and as few additional ingredients as possible, makes it easier to identify what does or doesn't agree with an individual dog, which matters more for a breed prone to sensitivities than for one that generally isn't. Some owners find their Shar Pei does better on a novel protein — one the dog hasn't had much exposure to before — though this is worth discussing with a vet rather than switching repeatedly on your own.
Shar Peis are a medium breed with moderate exercise needs, so beyond the skin and sensitivity picture, a standard complete adult food at the right life stage covers their general nutritional needs.
When to get your vet involved
If your Shar Pei has ongoing itching, redness, ear infections, or digestive upset that doesn't settle, see your vet before working through different foods on your own. They can help distinguish a food sensitivity from fold-related skin issues or other causes, and guide a proper elimination diet if one's appropriate, rather than you guessing which of several possible causes you're dealing with.
Keep a brief note of when flare-ups happen, what your dog has eaten and any changes in the household, since patterns that seem unrelated at the time can turn out to be useful once your vet is looking at the whole picture. This matters more for a breed prone to overlapping skin issues, where guessing at home can waste time your dog spends uncomfortable.
Common questions
- Do all Shar Peis need a limited-ingredient diet?
- Not necessarily — some do perfectly well on a standard complete food. It becomes more relevant if your individual dog shows signs of a food sensitivity, such as ongoing skin irritation, ear problems or digestive upset.
- How can I tell if my Shar Pei has a food allergy or a skin fold problem?
- This can be genuinely difficult to tell apart at home, since both can cause skin irritation. Your vet can examine the pattern and location of the irritation and advise whether it points to a food sensitivity, a skin fold issue, or something else.
- What is a novel protein and does my Shar Pei need one?
- A novel protein is a meat source your dog hasn't been regularly exposed to before, such as duck or venison instead of chicken, sometimes used to help identify or manage a suspected food sensitivity. It's worth discussing with your vet rather than switching to one speculatively.
- How should I care for my Shar Pei's skin folds day to day?
- Regular gentle cleaning and thorough drying of the folds helps prevent moisture and debris building up, which is separate from diet. Ask your vet to show you the right routine and products for your dog's specific folds.
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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.