What to feed a Rhodesian Ridgeback
A Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large, athletic breed built for stamina rather than raw power, and that changes what suits them at feeding time compared with a bulkier giant breed. They're also commonly food-motivated and can gain weight if their activity drops, which makes portion control genuinely worth paying attention to.
Feeding a growing Ridgeback
As a large breed, a Ridgeback puppy benefits from a large-breed puppy formula with controlled calcium and phosphorus, which slows growth to a healthier rate and is linked to a lower risk of joint problems later on. Growing too fast on a rich, calorie-dense diet is a bigger risk for a breed this size than for a small dog.
Ridgebacks are also a deep-chested breed, which carries a higher risk of bloat, so splitting meals into two or more smaller portions a day rather than one large one, and avoiding vigorous exercise straight after eating, are sensible habits from puppyhood onward.
Feeding an active adult
A genuinely active adult Ridgeback who runs or works regularly needs more energy-dense food than a similarly sized dog leading a quieter life, but the reverse is just as true — a Ridgeback getting an average amount of exercise on a working-dog-level food will put on weight quickly given the breed's tendency to enjoy their food.
Match the food to your individual dog's actual activity level rather than the breed's reputation for athleticism, and check body condition regularly, since a lean, muscled Ridgeback and an overweight one can carry the same number on the scale depending on their build.
Bloat awareness for a deep-chested breed
Because of their deep chest, Ridgebacks carry a higher bloat risk than many breeds, and feeding smaller, more frequent meals rather than one large daily portion is a commonly recommended precaution, alongside avoiding strenuous activity immediately before or after eating.
Bloat is a genuine emergency — a dog retching without bringing anything up, or with a visibly swollen, tight abdomen, needs a vet immediately rather than watching and waiting to see if it settles on its own.
Foods that suit this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Joints & Bones Treats
Grain-free salmon dog treats with salmon oil, glucosamine and chondroitin
£2.45
Pooch & Mutt Salmon Oil
Scottish salmon oil for dogs, dosed by weight from toy breeds to giants
£13.99
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 Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Lamb
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% lamb, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Turkey
Grain-free cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs, gentle on sensitive stomachs
£69.69
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
Common questions
- How much should I feed a Rhodesian Ridgeback?
- Follow the feeding guide for your specific food, matched to your dog's actual weight and activity level, and split it into two or more meals rather than one large one. Adjust the amount based on body condition rather than the breed's reputation for being athletic.
- Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks prone to bloat?
- Yes, as a deep-chested breed they carry a higher risk of bloat than many dogs. Smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding vigorous exercise around mealtimes are commonly recommended precautions, though bloat is always an emergency requiring immediate vet attention if it happens.
- Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks need a high-energy diet?
- Only if they're genuinely very active — the breed's athletic reputation doesn't mean every individual dog needs a high-energy food. Match the diet to your own dog's actual activity level and body condition rather than assumptions about the breed as a whole.
- Do Ridgeback puppies need a large-breed puppy food?
- Yes, it's worth it for a breed that reaches this size as an adult. Large-breed puppy formulas control calcium and phosphorus to slow growth to a healthier rate, which is linked to fewer joint problems later in life.
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.