Best food for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier
A Staffordshire Bull Terrier does well on a food with a decent named-protein content to support its naturally muscular build, and many Staffies benefit from a formula aimed at sensitive skin, since the breed is prone to skin allergies and irritation more than many others. Weight control matters too, since Staffies can put on weight easily once past their energetic younger years.
Why skin sensitivity matters for this breed
Staffies are one of the breeds more commonly affected by skin allergies and food sensitivities, often showing up as itching, red skin or ear problems rather than digestive upset. A food built around a single named protein, without a long list of additives, is a sensible starting point if your Staffy has shown any of these signs.
This is not the same as saying every Staffy needs a sensitive-skin formula — a dog with no history of skin issues does not need to be pre-emptively switched — but it is worth knowing which foods are formulated this way if a problem does show up.
Managing weight and muscle condition
A muscular, medium-sized breed like the Staffy needs reasonable protein to maintain condition, but the breed's stocky build also means weight creeps on if food intake is not matched to activity, particularly as a Staffy ages and slows down from its bouncier younger years.
Measure portions against the guide on the bag for your dog's actual weight and activity level rather than free-feeding, and reassess portions if your Staffy has been neutered, since this can lower calorie needs.
Wet, dry, or a mix
Either format works nutritionally for a Staffy as long as it is a complete food; the choice mostly comes down to what your individual dog prefers and any dental or digestive considerations. Some owners mix a small amount of wet food into dry to add moisture and variety without changing the overall nutritional balance much.
Whatever format you choose, introduce a new food gradually over a week or so, and if your dog shows any skin or digestive reaction to a specific food, that is worth noting and avoiding in future rather than persisting through it.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Alpha Sensitive Salmon & Rice
A salmon and rice dry food for adult dogs with sensitive digestions, made without wheat gluten, soya or dairy.
£49.00
Alpha Working Dog Maintenance Chicken
An energy-controlled chicken dry food for working dogs with lower energy needs or a tendency to put on weight.
£29.00
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Senior Dry Dog Food Turkey & Veg
Grain-free turkey kibble for senior dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin for joints
£82.35
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
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
Bakers Superfoods Chicken with Vegetables Dry Dog Food
Bakers Chicken with Vegetables dry dog food, 14kg, complete nutrition for adult dogs
£39.15
Harringtons Adult Dog Salmon & Potato
Complete salmon and potato dry dog food with 21% protein in a 1.7KG bag
£6.25
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Burgess Supadog Adult Complete Dog Active
Complete dry food for active adult dogs, built around poultry meal and calcium for bone health
£29.15
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food Turkey Veg
Grain-free turkey kibble for adult dogs, evenly balanced with potato in the mix
From£12.75
James Wellbeloved Adult Breed Dry Dog Food Turkey Rice
A hypoallergenic dry food for adult dogs, in small and large breed versions, built around single-source turkey protein
From£45.75
Common questions
- Are Staffies prone to food allergies?
- Staffordshire Bull Terriers are one of the breeds more commonly associated with skin allergies and sensitivities, which can be triggered or worsened by certain foods in some individual dogs. Not every Staffy will have a food sensitivity, but it is common enough to be worth watching for.
- What should I feed a Staffy with itchy skin?
- A food built around a single named protein with a shorter ingredient list is a reasonable starting point, but persistent itching, redness or sore skin is worth taking to a vet rather than working through foods by trial and error, since allergies, parasites and other skin conditions can look similar.
- How much should I feed a Staffordshire Bull Terrier?
- Follow the feeding guide on the specific food for your dog's weight, and adjust based on their actual body condition and activity level rather than the guide alone. Staffies can gain weight easily, so it is worth checking their waistline periodically and reducing portions if they are carrying extra weight.
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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.