The Best Dog Foods for Chinese Shar-Peis

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November 11, 2022 / Dog Food / By: Krystine Therriault

Shar Pei Dog Foods

When choosing the best dog food for your Shar-Pei, itโ€™s vital to note whether you're buying food for a puppy or an adult.

And that's because Sharpei puppies are prone to developing hip dysplasia, and while that is not much of a concern for adult Shar-Peis, it is vital to feed a growing puppy a diet specifically designed for large breed puppies.

Also, if you're feeding an adult Shar-Pei, please consider choosing a limited ingredient diet or hypoallergenic dog foods since the Shar-Pei is prone to chronic allergic skin diseases.

Indeed, Shar-Peis are plagued with a lot of skin issues which more than often is attributed to nutrition or the lack of it. Feeding your Pei the right food could help avoid a lot of these issues and keep their skin healthy and itchy-free. Let's face it, Shar-Pei pet parents suffer as much as their dogs do. 

In this article, we'll discuss food management and what are some of the best foods for Chinese Shar-Peis to match their nutritional profile and requirements. Let's get to it!

The 6 Best Dog Foods for Shar Peis

So let's talk nutrition and make this new addition to the pack a long standing and healthy furry member of the family. Here are the top 6 rated dry dog foods for Sharpei dogs and puppies.

1. Solid Gold (Best Overall Dog Food for Sharpeis)

Shar Pei Best Dog Food

First Five Ingredients: Bison, Ocean Fish Meal, Brown Rice, Peas, Oatmeal.

Solid Gold's whole grain recipe made with bison, brown rice and sweet potato is our expert choice of food for Shar Peis - a holistic dog food specially formulated to suit the nutritional needs of medium and large breed dogs.

Real bison, brown rice, and sweet potato has the right mix of digestible proteins and complex carbs to provide Shar Peis with the energy they need to remain active throughout the day. For their immune support, this recipe includes 20 nutrient rich superfoods including: pumpkin, kelp, broccoli, blueberries, cranberries, and carrots.

This dry dog kibble uses olive oil, salmon oil, and canola oil as three sources of Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids essential to support healthy skin and shiny coats. Solid Gold doesnโ€™t use any corn, wheat, or soy ingredients that typically trigger allergic reactions in some dog breeds.  It has crude proteins of 22%, crude fats of 9% and only 350 kcal per cup.

Owners love this recipe because their dogs eat well on it and is very palatable. 

Dogs who have been switched to Solid Gold have had much better digestion and shinier coats.  Overweight Shar Peis will have an easier time losing their excess weight after switching to this brand as noticed by other pet parents.

2. American Journey (Most Affordable)

Grain-free dry dog food

First Five Ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes.

Since Shar-Peis require high-protein foods our pick for the best value food is a food that you can feed to your dog regardless of his age since American Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain Free is an all life stages recipe. It is high in protein, uses complex carbs, is grain and gluten-free and has no corn, wheat or soy.

Omega fatty acids are high on the ingredient list coming in from several sources like the deboned salmon, added salmon oil and flaxseed which will help keep your Shar-Peis' skin and coat healthy. This food has 390 kcal/cup, 32% crude proteins (above average protein), 14% crude fats (average fat levels) and has a carbohydrate range of 30-40% (below-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.)

This dry kibble formula is very reasonable priced and palatable to dogs.

A big plus with pet parents is that American Journey has not no recalls of their dog food and the food is produced in Kansas. It is Chewyโ€™s private label house brand and theyโ€™re offering 25% off your first bag! American Journey has several other recipes your Chinese Shar-Pei might enjoy including Chicken, Beef and Lamb.

3. Forza10 Nutraceutic Active Dermo Dry Dog Food (Best Skin Protection Diet)

Forza10 Dermo Allergy Dog Food, Dog Food...

First Five Ingredients: Potatoes, Anchovy Meal, Vegetable Oil, Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Beet Pulp.

If your Shar-Pei is laden with skin problems (hot spots, rash, itching, licking of the paws, crusts, patchy coat etc. ) that won't go away this therapeutic diet is packed with soothing plant and fruit extracts, Omega-6 and -3 fatty acids that will help ease and treat sensitive or irritated skin.

Formulated by a veterinarian and expert in dealing with inflammatory, chronic and autoimmune diseases in pets, Forza 10 helps maintain a healthy skin barrier. 

You won't find any artificial ingredients, corn, wheat, soy, by-products, or oxytetracycline. It uses a single-source protein (anchovy meal) and single-source, gluten-free carbohydrate (potatoes) help eliminate potential allergens.

As to the palatability of this food, pet parents report that dogs go crazy for it showing great excitement and no left-overs.  On the downside like all specialized diets, it is on the pricey side, but if you can afford it, it will certainly solve the ongoing skin issues your Sharpei has been battling with. 

4. Nutro Natural Choice Chicken & Brown Rice (Most Popular)

Nutro Core Dry Dog Natural Choice Large...

First Five Ingredients: Chicken, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Whole Grain Sorghum, Brewers Rice, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate).

Nutro's Natural Choice made with chicken and brown rice is another top rated Dry Dog Food meeting the dietary needs of a sHAR pEI. It is made with protein-rich chicken as its first ingredient, supplemented with 100% whole grains for healthy digestion and more energy. The recipe uses whole fruits and vegetables that dogs love like peas, sweet potatoes, carrots, cranberries, split beans, and apples  which makes it all so darn tasty! Like most premium dog food brands, NUTRO includes natural fats and oils to promote skin and coat health and a plethora of vitamins.

Owners love Nutro Dog Food because it is made in the USA using natural ingredients that they can feel confident feeding their dogs. This includes non-GMO produce only and lean, farm raised chicken. It has 20% crude proteins, 12% crude fats and 3.5% crude fiber, containing 335 kcal/cup.

Picky dogs with appetite problems have seen big improvements after switching to this food. Owners remarked that their dogโ€™s weight remained stable when they switched them over to this recipe while minimizing digestion problems too. It contains Glucosamine And Chondroitin vital for a Shar-Pei's healthy joints. 

This blend is well loved by many large and giant breed dogs containing no by-products, corn, wheat or soy protein, and absolutely no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. So itโ€™s easy to see why itโ€™s become such a bestseller. Plus, this recipe is blended to provide the adequate nutrition your Chinese Shar Pei needs given it's breed size and daily nutrition requirements.

5. Fromm Gold (Best Puppy Food)

Puppy Food for Shar-Pei Puppies

First Five Ingredients: Chicken,Chicken Meal, Chicken Broth,Oat Groats, Pearled Barley.

Our topic pick for the best Shar Pei puppy food comes from the Fromm Family. The goal of this Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy recipe is to provide a balanced and nutritionally appropriate diet which aims to give your Shar Pei puppy with the best in everything it needs to grow strong and healthy. 

The kibble size is small making it easy for your Shar Pei puppy to eat and digest and theyโ€™ll certainly devour it thanks its palatable and excellent ingredients.

Protein is derived from quality meats such as duck, chicken, lamb and fish. It contains the all-important Salmon Oil and Flaxseed for promoting healthy skin and coat and probiotics to aid digestion.

Dry matter analysis is also very impressive with high protein levels of 26%, low fat level of 14%, fiber 5.5% and calories of 384 per cup.

Pet parent reviews are also very positive on Amazon with high ratings received for this AAFCO approved large breed puppy recipe.

6. Canidae Pure Senior LID (Best Senior Dog Food)

Canidae Pure SENIOR Real Chicken, Sweet...

First Five Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Garbanzo Beans.

Canidae's PURE limited ingredient senior dog food is made with real chicken, sweet potato and garbanzo beans. This premium senior food formula is especially blended for aging pets with sensitive digestion.

Main ingredients are: chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, sweet potatoes and chickpeas - an excellent mix of high quality protein + fiber + complex easy to digest carbohydrates. Yummy and all of which will give your aging Shar-Pei the quality protein it needs and in ample amounts too.  Since it is a Limited Ingredient Diet blend, this recipe uses just 9 key ingredients which is great for sensitive dogs and contains no ingredients to flare up any issues in your pup's skin or tummy. 

Crude fat is 10%, crude protein is 28% , crude fiber 5% and calories come in at 409 kcal/cup. This food is also suitable for a Shar Pei with allergies since it's grain-free, gluten-free, has no wheat, corn or soy and has no artificial preservatives - no nasties to be worried about. Packed also with vitamins, minerals and a probiotics mix - you don't have to worry about any additional supplements.

Itโ€™s easy to see why this recipe is regularly ranked as the best dog food for senior dogs. 

Shar-Pei Diet FAQ's

Shar Pei Nutrition Guide

What to feed a Shar-Pei?

In a nutshell, a Shar-Pei should be fed a healthy, natural diet with lean meats. This should be supplemented with other whole ingredients like fruits and vegetables to help maintain overall health, with special attention to ingredients that protect skin and coat health. Finally, take no chances and select foods that donโ€™t include any of the common allergens: soy, corn, wheat, preservatives etc. amongst its ingredients.

So letโ€™s break this down further.

Meats: All high-grade dog food brands should list meat as their first ingredient. The crude protein on the label should read between 22-26% and fat levels less than 20% and fiber of 4% or less. Since the Pei is prone to gaining weight, we recommend a diet of lean protein such as fish or game.

Carbohydrates are also important to a dogโ€™s diet especially to the Pei. Since they are a high-energy breed, carbs provides the adequate energy it needs. Saying that you should buy foods with limited carbohydrates. If your Pei isnโ€™t as active but indulges in a lot of food, then the stored glycogen converts to fat which leads to obesity. Good quality carbs include: barley, oats, brown rice and sweet potatoes. Canned foods contain larger amounts of carbs, so avoid feeding your Pei wet food if you can. If you decide to feed them canned food, mix the two and use a ratio of 3:1 (dry:wet).

Most high-quality kibble contain healthy saturated fats like Omega 3 and 6 that work to improve dogsโ€™ skin and coat health, which is important for the Sharpei breed due their skin sensitivities.

What to feed a Shar Pei with allergies?

A Chinese Shar Pei puppy in the grass

Since allergies can be quite severe in the Shar-Pei resulting in intense itching, loss of hair, infected ears etc look for foods that contain healthy sources of fats such as fish oil. Saturated fats are also a healthier source of energy for your Pei than carbohydrates. And, since homemade dog food often lacks in Omega-3โ€™s due to being destroyed through the cooking process, either supplement the Peiโ€™s diet with Omega 3 oils or select a good quality dog food with those ingredients listed.

Vet nutritionists recommend adding a good fish oil supplement to your choice of dog food to help with skin issues.

Good meat choices include: Salmon, Bison, Beef, Kangaroo, Turkey, Lamb and Venison as these help maintain a Shar-Peiโ€™s coat and skin health and avoid using ingredients like grains and wheat that can cause allergies.

Chicken has been known to trigger allergies in a Shar-Pei. So the above mentioned meat sources are always a safe bet as are limited ingredient diets and formulas specifically designed for sensitive skin. 

How many times a day should I feed my Shar-Pei?

The Shar-Pei breed doesnโ€™t require a special feeding routine but since they prone to dog bloat, they should be kept on a twice a day feeding schedule.

Generally, owners should feed their dog once in the morning and once in the evening. However to help prevent bloat, feeding your Pei several small meals spread out over the day instead of one big meal and avoiding exercise before and right after the meal is a good way to avoid bloat.

One of the best ways to slow down feeding in your dog is using a puzzle food bowl.

You know your dogs best and can adjust their feeding as needed, but they should stick to a regular schedule to make sure they are being fed properly. A Shar-Pei should at all times have fresh, cool water available to them. But limit the consumption of large amounts of water right after physical activity to help prevent bloat.

How much food to feed a Shar-Pei?

The Shar-Pei is a large dog with a big appetite, so they may need to be fed more in comparison to smaller breeds.

A Shar-Pei puppy up to the age of 6 months should be fed a specially formulated puppy food formula for large breeds since these contain the right amount of protein, fats, carbs, calories and calcium to phosphorus ratios required for a developing puppy. For a growing Pei puppy the recommended feed is 1 cup per 6 pounds of body weight spread over 3 meals a day and weaning them over 2 meals a day by 6 months old.

Feed your adult Shar-Pei according to their age and activity levels. An inactive Pei will require less calories which will help avoid obesity. Also since they are less active in the winter season adjusting their calorie intake will further help avoid any unnecessary weight gain.

Feeding instructions on dog food labels provide guidelines as to the amount of calories to feed and itโ€™s a good starting point. 

However itโ€™s important that you adjust it from there. All dogs are different and the amount they are fed will be affected by their age, weight, and activity levels.

Older dogs require a diet adjustment since their activity levels begin to decrease and their susceptibility to develop age-related joint problems increases. A senior dog formula will help prevent your Pei from getting overweight and usually contain higher amounts of protein which is essential to an aging dog.

Shar Pei Health Problems & Dietary Solutions

Skin problems and infections are two of the main health problems that owners need to look out for with the Shar-Pei breed.

The best way to prevent and treat these issues is with regular cleaning and bathing. In terms of their skin and coat this makes the Shar-Pei a bit of a high maintenance breed, but their owners wouldnโ€™t have it any other way. 

Owners can also look for dog food with ingredients like Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that help contribute to a healthy skin and coat. 

Another issue that the Shar-Pei breed are notoriously known for is Familiar Shar-Pei Fever (FPF), something that occurs on and off with this breed and generally lasts 24 hours. Although this is an inherited ๏ปฟ๏ปฟ๏ปฟillness and not much can be done about it, owners can feed their Shar-Pei premium dog food with added ingredients for immune support.

When it comes to keeping a Shar-Pei healthy and bouncing back from these fevers, healthy ingredients and whole nutrition can go a long way.

Quick Breed Overview

The Shar-Pei, or Chinese Shar-Pei, is a rare breed of dog. Once they are well-trained, they make very loyal companions to family pack.

The Shar-Pei breed often turns heads on the street, as strangers check out their unique wrinkled bodies and large heads. The Shar-Pei breed historically were used as Chinese working dogs for herding, hunting, protection, and unfortunately dog fighting. 

The Shar-Pei breed is best suited for families with children, with their soulful eyes and protective behavior, it's not hard to see why. 

Here are a couple of other traits and facts to be aware of: 

  • Height: between 18 to 20 inches 
  • Weight: between 40 to 65 pounds 
  • Pedrigree: bred in Asia, closely linked to other breeds like Chow Ch๏ปฟ๏ปฟo๏ปฟws, Great Pyrenees, and Tibetan Mastiffs
  • Lifespan: average 7- 15 years
  • Coat length: rough, short and wrinkled
  • Breed size: medium
  • Health issuesSkin problems, Familiar Shar-Pei Fever (FPF), dog bloat, canine hip dysplasia
  • Temperament: Protective, territorial, devoted and independent
  • Unique traits: One of the rarest breeds in the world, history used for dog fighting and herding.

Bottom Line

Wholesome Essentials by Nutro and Solid Gold Wolf King are both great options for feeding a Shar-Pei. We think your furry Shar Pei will like these foods.

These dry dog kibbles have healthy protein to provide dogs with lots of energy and stamina, plus added produce, minerals, and nutrients to support dogsโ€™ complete health. 

WRITTEN BY

Krystine Therriault

Krystine Therriault is an accomplished writer. With a passion for all creatures cute and furry, Krystine's life has been touched by many beloved dogs over the years. She is also a loving mother of two boys and an avid yogi.

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  1. I live in Australia what dog food would be comparable to the ones you mentioned. My boys skin is horrible I need to change his diet.

    1. Hey, Leanne. Sorry to hear about your pup’s skin troubles and hope you’ll soon find some relief for him.

      I did some research for you – Nutro Wholesome Essentials – can be found on both PetCircle and MyPetWarehouse in Australia.

      A good alternative to Wolf King Solid Gold would be Taste of the Wild High Prairie – it has bison, venison, lamb meal, chicken meal – all good quality meat ingredients and a whole range of fruits, veggies, vitamins and minerals. Again you can find it at both My Pet Warehouse and Pet Circle.

      Other good choices for your Sharpei you can look at are Canidae PURE Land (LID) (Grain – Free), Artemis Osopure.

      Good luck!

    2. Take ur sharpei to the vet with a derma dr. For the food, add some omega 3 such as salmon oil with the food.

      We use taste of the wild pacific stream (salmon) and add salmon oil to it.

      We recommend grain free diet with lamb or salmon. Before u buy the food read the ingredients. Make sure there is no wheat or chicken.

      If you can afford raw food, try with horse meat.

      Sharpeis are allergic to chicken and wheat

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