English Bulldog puppy feeding chart
An English Bulldog puppy's flat face and stocky build mean feeding is worth doing a little differently to a longer-nosed breed — smaller, more frequent meals eaten calmly, in a bowl or feeder that slows down a puppy prone to gulping. As with any breed, the exact amount depends on your puppy's weight and the specific food, so use the pack's feeding guide alongside the pattern below.
Meal frequency by age
From weaning to around three months, three to four smaller meals a day generally works well, tapering to three meals from three to six months, and settling at two meals a day from around six months onward for most Bulldog puppies.
Because Bulldogs are a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed, eating and breathing share the same crowded airway, which is one reason smaller, calmer meals tend to suit them better than one or two large ones.
Why flat faces mean careful eating
A shortened muzzle can make it harder for a Bulldog puppy to pick up and chew food efficiently, and some gulp air along with their meal, which can cause discomfort or excess wind. A slow feeder bowl, or simply feeding smaller portions more often, reduces both of these issues without any change to the food itself.
Avoid vigorous play or exercise immediately before or after meals, and keep an eye on your puppy during and after eating for signs of distress, since brachycephalic breeds can struggle more than others if they overheat or become out of breath around mealtimes.
Reading the feeding guide
Use your puppy's current weight, not a guess based on age, to find the right amount on the food's feeding chart, and re-check it every couple of weeks as your puppy grows — Bulldog puppies can gain weight quickly, and this breed is prone to carrying extra weight into adulthood if portions are not kept in check.
Weigh food on kitchen scales rather than using a scoop by eye, since this breed's stocky frame can make it hard to spot early weight gain just by looking.
Feeding kit
Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.
Tarhong Concentric Circle Slow Feeder Bowl for Dogs & Cats
A stylish slow-feeder bowl that encourages healthier, calmer mealtimes — available in blue, grey, or white.
£14.99
Tarhong Medallion Slow Feeder Puzzle Dog Bowl
A stylish BPA-free puzzle bowl that slows down greedy eaters — available in three sizes and a choice of colours.
From£10.99
LickiMat Wobble & Splash Enrichment Bowls for Dogs
Wobbling rubber enrichment bowls that add movement and challenge to treat time, encouraging slower eating and longer-lasting fun.
£16.99
Beaphar Lactol Milk Replacer for Puppies
A milk replacer for newborn and orphaned puppies, and for nursing or recovering dogs
From£20.23
Common questions
- How many times a day should an English Bulldog puppy eat?
- Three to four small meals a day up to around three months old, then three meals until roughly six months, settling at two meals a day into adulthood. Adjust gradually based on your puppy's weight rather than the calendar.
- Why does my Bulldog puppy eat so fast?
- Many Bulldogs gulp their food quickly, partly due to their flat face shape, which can lead to gulping air and excess wind. A slow feeder bowl or smaller, more frequent meals both help slow this down.
- Are English Bulldogs prone to weight gain?
- Yes, this is a breed that tends to gain weight easily, so weighing food accurately and rechecking portions as your puppy grows matters more here than for many other breeds. Speak to your vet if you're unsure whether your puppy's weight is on track.
- Should I be worried about my Bulldog puppy's breathing while eating?
- Some noisy breathing during and after meals is common in flat-faced breeds, but genuine distress, blue-tinged gums or collapse is not normal and needs urgent veterinary attention. If in doubt, contact your vet rather than waiting to see.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
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.