Dog food for a Shar Pei
A Shar Pei's distinctive wrinkled skin and short, harsh coat are part of what makes the breed prone to skin fold irritation and food sensitivities more often than smoother-coated breeds, so a simple recipe built around one named protein, without a long list of added extras, is usually the sensible place to start rather than a first choice made on price or marketing 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
What makes a Shar Pei's needs a little different
The breed's characteristic folds trap moisture and debris more easily than a smooth coat, which is one of the reasons Shar Peis are commonly reported to have more skin problems than average, and some of those skin issues have a dietary trigger in individual dogs. That does not mean every Shar Pei has a food sensitivity, only that it is worth being alert to one.
Shar Peis are a medium-sized, sturdily built breed, generally settling into their adult weight by around twelve to fifteen months, so their food needs to move from a puppy formula to an adult one on a similar timeline to most medium breeds rather than the extended schedule a giant breed follows.
What to look for on the label
A single named animal protein as the main ingredient, rather than a vague term like meat and animal derivatives, makes it far easier to work out what is actually going into your dog and to rule protein sources in or out if you are trying to manage a sensitivity.
Recipes described as limited-ingredient or hypoallergenic are built around exactly this principle, using one protein and a shorter ingredient list than a standard recipe, which makes it easier to spot a pattern if your dog reacts to something.
Signs it is worth changing food
Recurring ear or skin fold irritation, persistent itching, red or watery eyes, or loose stools that do not settle are all things worth mentioning to your vet before assuming the food alone is the cause, since fold-related skin problems in this breed have several possible triggers, diet being only one.
If your vet does suspect a food sensitivity, they may suggest a proper elimination trial using a single novel protein for a set period, which is a more reliable way to identify the cause than swapping foods repeatedly on your own.
Common questions
- Do Shar Peis need a special diet?
- Not automatically, but many owners find a simple recipe with one named protein and no unnecessary extras suits the breed well, given how often skin fold issues with a dietary link come up. Healthy Shar Peis without any sensitivity can do fine on a good-quality standard diet.
- What protein is best for a Shar Pei with skin problems?
- There is no single best protein for every dog — it depends what, if anything, your Shar Pei reacts to. A vet-led elimination trial using one novel protein at a time is the reliable way to find out, rather than guessing and switching foods repeatedly.
- When should a Shar Pei move from puppy to adult food?
- Most Shar Peis can move onto an adult recipe by around twelve months, in line with other medium breeds, once they are close to their adult size. Your vet can confirm the right timing for your individual dog at a routine check.
- Can food alone fix a Shar Pei's skin fold problems?
- Not on its own in most cases. Fold-related skin irritation usually needs cleaning and management of the folds themselves alongside any dietary change, so speak to your vet about the skin issue directly rather than expecting a food switch to resolve it.
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.