Best dry dog food for a Shar Pei
A Shar Pei's distinctive folded skin makes it a breed prone to skin sensitivities more often than average, and food choice is one of the practical things owners can control alongside proper skin care — a single-protein, easily digestible recipe is a sensible starting point, though it will not resolve a genuine skin condition on its own.
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 this breed's skin matters for food choice
Shar Peis are known for their deep skin folds, which can trap moisture and debris and make skin infections more common in this breed than in smoother-coated dogs. While food does not cause or fix skin fold problems directly, some Shar Peis also carry food sensitivities that show up as skin irritation, making the two easy to confuse.
A limited-ingredient or single-protein diet can help identify whether food is contributing to ongoing skin issues, but a Shar Pei with persistent skin problems needs its skin folds and any infection properly assessed and treated by a vet — diet alone will not resolve either.
What to look for on a label
A named single meat protein, such as chicken, duck or salmon, rather than a mix of several proteins, is worth prioritising if your Shar Pei has shown any sign of sensitivity. Added omega fatty acids can also support skin condition generally, though they work alongside, not instead of, proper skin fold care.
Avoid switching foods repeatedly in response to skin issues without veterinary input — this makes it harder to identify what is actually causing a problem and can mask improvement or worsening that would otherwise be a useful clue.
A note on this breed's other known conditions
Shar Peis are also associated with a condition affecting the joints and causing periodic fever, unrelated to food, and some individuals have specific dietary sensitivities that go beyond typical skin issues. None of this is something to try to manage through diet alone — a vet familiar with the breed is the right starting point for anything beyond routine feeding.
If your Shar Pei has been diagnosed with a specific condition by a vet, follow their guidance on diet ahead of anything general written here, since an individual dog's history and test results matter more than breed generalities when a genuine health condition is involved.
Common questions
- Are Shar Peis prone to food allergies?
- Some individuals are, though not all, and skin sensitivity in this breed is also linked to their distinctive skin folds rather than food alone. A vet can help work out whether a suspected reaction is genuinely food-related.
- What is the best protein source for a Shar Pei with sensitive skin?
- A single named protein such as chicken, duck or salmon, rather than a recipe with several mixed protein sources, is a sensible starting point if your dog has shown skin sensitivity, though ongoing issues need a vet's input.
- Can changing food alone fix a Shar Pei's skin problems?
- Not on its own in most cases. Skin fold care and, where needed, veterinary treatment for infection are usually necessary alongside any dietary changes, since the breed's skin structure itself contributes to the problem.
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.