Best Dog Food for English Bulldogs 2025
Despite their quirky appearance, English bulldog lovers know that there is no breed as beautiful. These dense, bruiser-looking pups are actually gentle, loyal, patient, and make great family pets thanks to their easy-going nature. Generally good with other animals and children, they thrive on affection in a loving family.
While these are good to hear, they can be somewhat higher maintenance due to their grooming requirements and potential health issues. As a short-nose breed, they can be more prone to skin irritation in their facial folds, respiratory illnesses, eye problems, and ear infections.
If you’ve added an English bulldog to your family or are considering it, keeping them healthy is no doubt a major concern. While regular exercise and vet check-ups are important, starting with a good diet is essential. In this guide, we’ll look at some of the best food options on the market for your English bulldog.
What to Think About When Buying Dog Food for Your English Bulldog
While English bulldogs tend to have a big appetite, thanks to their dense muscular body type, they need a well-balanced diet. Your dog may try to eat anything and everything, but they actually do have specific nutritional needs to consider.
Since bulldogs tend to love to eat, it’s usually better to have two set meal times during the day, rather than allowing them to graze whenever they feel like it. This will help you better monitor their nutrition and appetite as well.
Food Quality
High-quality food is a major component in a happy and healthy life, whether you’re a human or a dog. Foods with fillers and high amounts of corn, wheat, and soy are not ideal for your bulldog. These grains may trigger an allergy response or contribute to weight gain, which may put extra pressure on your dog’s joints as they age.
Food Allergies
Some people don’t realize how common it is for animals to have food allergies and intolerances. In English bulldogs, these allergies most often present themselves through skin-related symptoms such as redness, itchiness, inflammation, and hair loss. Sometimes they will also experience gastrointestinal symptoms as well.
In English bulldogs, the most common allergies to look out for are animal protein allergies. Many bulldogs are allergic to chicken, but pork or beef can also trigger symptoms for some dogs. Other animal proteins, like milk and eggs, also have the potential to cause allergy symptoms.
Some English bulldogs also have environmental allergies, such as pollen, so consult your vet to help figure out what might be causing issues if you notice allergy symptoms. If switching their food doesn’t help, it may be environmental, and they may need allergy medication.
Calorie Needs
Most dog foods come with feeding guidelines, but this isn’t always completely accurate. A general rule of thumb is 30 calories per pound of body weight. However, this may need to be adjusted depending on your dog’s activity level. If you have an older dog who isn’t as active anymore, reducing that amount is probably necessary.
Monitor your dog’s hunger levels, amount of activity, and weight gain or loss to see if the feeding program you’re using is adequate.
Special Health Needs of English Bulldogs
Since English bulldogs suffer from a lot of allergies, one of the biggest challenges might be finding food with enough protein that doesn’t trigger allergy responses in your dog. Fortunately, even if your dog does have issues with one or two common animal proteins, there are alternatives available.
Life Stage
You should feed your English bulldog dog food appropriate for their life stage. For example,puppies need a high amount of calories to support their growth, as well as higher percentages of protein and fat to fuel their growth.
That is why seeking out an age-specific food formulation is so valuable. These foods are designed to hit those nutritional targets to help your English bulldog get all the nutrients they need for their life stage.
Wet Versus Dry Food
Wet food and dry food can both be used to help create a complete nutritional profile for your dog. Wet food can often be used to coax dogs with less robust appetites, which isn’t usually an issue in English bulldogs.
High-quality dry food should cover your dog’s nutritional needs and is beneficial to their teeth. If you’re concerned about their hydration, you can always add water to one of their meals each day. Choosing between the two comes down to your English bulldog’s preferences and their individual needs.
Your English Bulldog’s Preferences
Fortunately, English bulldogs are not known for being picky eaters. What they lack in pickiness, however, they may make up for with food allergies. Along with your vet, monitor your dog closely for symptoms of allergies and be prepared to try food with different protein sources and grain-free or limited ingredient options as necessary.
The Best Dog Food for English Bulldogs
Our team researches popular dog products to provide reviews and insights. If you choose to purchase using the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which helps support our work at no additional cost to you. It may seem complicated to choose a good dry food for your bulldog. Fortunately, there are more options than ever on the market that have alternative protein sources, are free from grains, and are designed for our canine family members with sensitivities. Below, you will discover the best dog food options for English bulldogs with different needs.
Bully Max High Protein Dog Food with Lamb
Our Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 out of 5
Why we like it
This high-protein formulation is designed with bulldog breeds in mind.Key Notes
This formulation is comprised of 25% protein, 11% fat, uses lower allergen ingredients like lamb and brown rice, and gives you all the caloric feeding information you need up front.
Bully Max is a brand that creates foods specifically for breeds like English bulldogs, French bulldogs, and pitbulls, among others. This 25/11 formula is designed to be tasty while supporting muscle growth and energy levels. It’s a favorite among bully breed owners. The first ingredient is lamb meal, followed by pork. Then starches like brown rice, barley, sorghum, and oats follow. The food is enriched with a number of vitamins and minerals, as well as a digestion-supporting probiotic. We like to see salmon oil as a source of omega fatty acids, and sweet potato for nutritious fiber in this formula. The main downside is that this food is pricier than some dog foods on the market. This is a common hurdle many people have with higher-quality dog foods, but it may save you money on vet bills later on. Some dogs will also simply not like or will not do well on this food. Thanks to their dietary sensitivities, this still has the potential to upset some dogs’ stomachs.Pros
- Formulated for muscle growth and energy
- No chicken or beef
- Vitamin and probiotic-enriched
- Added omega fatty acids and fib
Cons
- More expensive than some foods
- May still irritate sensitive dogs
Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Salmon, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe
Our Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.5 out of 5
Why we like it
A fish-based grain-free option for English bulldogs with allergies.Key Notes
This salmon-based food features plenty of whole ingredients and is high in fiber while being reasonably priced.
If your dog is sensitive to poultry and red meat, this salmon-based food is a great option to try. Salmon is an excellent source of protein and omega-fatty acids, and this is paired with other nutritious ingredients like garbanzo beans, sweet potato, and pumpkin – excellent sources of vitamins and fiber. The simple, grain-free formula is fortified with a number of essential vitamins and minerals for your dog’s overall health. By using mainly whole ingredients as its base, many dog owners have seen an improvement in their dog’s skin and digestion after using this food. However, if your dog is extremely sensitive to poultry, this food does contain poultry fat, which could trigger digestive distress in an allergic dog. Some owners may also find the smell of the food unpleasant. As a salmon-based food, it does have a fishy smell. We recommend storing it in a sealed container.Pros
- Salmon-based protein
- High in whole food fiber
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Contains poultry fat, which can trigger allergies in some English bulldogs
- Fishy smell
ACANA Singles Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food, Duck & Pear Recipe
Our Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.5 out of 5
Why we like it
A chicken-free option enriched with fruit.Key Notes
This duck-based food is designed for dogs with sensitive stomachs and includes many nutritious whole ingredients.
Acana has a whole range of limited ingredient foods suitable for dogs with allergies, sensitive stomachs, or just picky palates. The duck and pear variety stands at 31% crude protein, 17% crude fat, and 5% crude fiber. The lamb and apple variety has the same percentages and may also be suitable for sensitive English bulldogs. There are no chicken products or red meat in the duck and pear variety. The first three ingredients are duck-based, followed by other whole ingredients like sweet potato and chickpeas. Acana does use lentil fiber in this food, which is an agricultural byproduct that adds extra fiber, but that’s about it. The food is enriched with several vitamins and minerals, though not as many as some other foods. They also add a fermented probiotic to help with gut health and improve digestion, which can ease many stomach sensitivities.Pros
- No chicken or red meat
- High protein
- Many whole ingredients
- Added probiotics
Cons
- Not as many supplemental nutrients
- Uses lentil fiber filler
Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Herring Meal & Vegetables
Our Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 out of 5
Why we like it
This fish-based food has sensitive stomachs in mind.Key Notes
With no poultry or mammal ingredients, this food is high in healthy fats and easy to digest.
If you feel like your dog has too many allergies and it’s impossible to find a food that won’t trigger them, we recommend this variety from Earthborn. This small, family-owned pet food brand is designed with holistic nutrition in mind. Herring, along with salmon, whiting, and pollock, provide not just protein, but omega fatty acids to support healthy digestion, skin, and cognition. Prebiotic fruits and vegetables, along with fermented probiotics, are added to support digestion. Since this is a specialty food, it is a bit pricier than some others on our list and definitely more expensive than big box brand dog foods. It also has a strong fishy smell that owners may find unappealing, and it can leave an oily residue on food bowls due to the high amount of fat. We think the hassle is worth it for a sensitive or allergy-prone dog, though.Pros
- Variety of fish ingredients
- Prebiotic fruits and vegetables
- Fermented probiotics
Cons
- More expensive
- Fishy smell and residue
Avoderm Natural Weight Support Dry Dog Food
Our Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 out of 5
Why we like it
If your bulldog tolerates chicken and needs help with weight management, this is a good option.Key Notes
This avocado-infused food supports healthy skin and coat while providing a good balance of protein and dog-friendly grains.
Since English bulldogs aren’t usually picky eaters, they can easily put on weight, especially as they age and become less active. For bulldogs that have no poultry allergy, this option from Avoderm balances weight management with high-quality nutrition. It’s also very reasonably priced. Chicken is the main source of lean protein in this food. It also contains dog-friendly grains like rice and oatmeal to balance the nutrition. Avocado and flaxseed oils provide healthy fats that are easy to digest and can improve your dog’s skin and coat. At 8-12%, it’s lower in fat than many other dog foods, but the fats they choose are high quality. The food is also enriched with probiotics and extra vitamins. The protein in this dog food is at 20%, making it on the low side for juvenile dogs, since puppies usually need 22% minimum. For an active, muscular dog, this may not be adequate, but it’s a good option for a couch potato.Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Lower in fat
- Supports skin and coat health
Cons
- Chicken-based food
- Too low in protein for puppies
Your Guide to Buying Dog Food for English Bulldogs
Finding the right food for your English bulldog can seem complicated, especially if they’ve shown some sensitivity to certain ingredients. Along with the five recommended foods on our list, there are other foods on the market that may potentially work for your bulldog.
Remember to gradually incorporate new foods with their current food to avoid upset stomachs with a dramatic change. Consult your vet for advice about diagnosing and treating any potential allergies as well.
Here are a few common questions many people have when choosing food for their English bulldog.
Should I Choose Grain-Free Food for My English Bulldog?
Grain-free feeding has become a big trend among dog owners, and if your bulldog has many allergies and skin issues, it may be an option to explore. Grains like corn and wheat are most likely to cause issues or be potential allergens. However, since it is a debated topic, it is best to consult an animal nutritionist to see if your dog would benefit from a grain-free diet.
What Protein Is Best for English Bulldogs?
Choosing the right protein can feel like a minefield, especially when you aren’t sure if your dog has allergies. There’s always a chance that your dog won’t have any major allergies. However, the main ones to look out for are animal proteins and certain grains.
Ultimately, the best animal protein for your English bulldog will be one that they tolerate and enjoy the taste of. If they show some intolerance for one, try another. Lamb and fish-based foods may be a good option if they show allergies to poultry, for example.
Choosing the Best Dog Food for Your English Bulldog
English bulldogs are a great addition to many families, but they are higher maintenance than some breeds. It’s important that you’re prepared to meet the needs of your dog, and providing nutritious food is an important investment in their quality of life. Whole food ingredients are essential to proper nutrition, but the type of ingredients is important too when it comes to English bulldogs.
We hope our guide has helped you to better prepare for a new English bulldog or given you some ideas about new foods to try on an English bulldog that has begun to show sensitivities. We’re confident that you’ll be able to find a feeding program that keeps them healthy and happy.