All-Time Best Dog Food Brands for Bulldogs
Rocky Kanaka
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English Bulldogs, American Bulldogs, French Bulldogs—we love them all! Stout, goofy, and lovable dogs, the Bulldog can be an incredible family pet. Sometimes prone to health issues like unwanted weight gain, hip dysplasia, skin issues, and allergies, Bulldogs need a healthy, well-balanced diet.
In this guide, we’ll be focusing primarily on the English Bulldog, and sharing our recommendations for the best food for this adorable breed.
Here is a quick overview of the dog foods we’ll be covering in this guide.
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Best Dog Foods for English Bulldogs
| Brand | Grain? | First 5 Ingredients | Price |
 Best Raw: We Feed Raw | Grain-free | 1. Venison 2. Beef Heart 3. Beef Liver 4. Beef Kidney 5. Beef Neck with Bone | $$ |
 Best Air-Dried: Sundays For Dogs Beef Recipe | Grain-inclusive | 1. Beef 2. Beef Heart 3. Beef Liver 4. Beef Bone 5. Quinoa | $$ |
 Best Freeze-Dried: Primal | Grain-free | 1. Venison 2. Venison Hearts 3. Ground Venison Bones 4. Venison Livers 5. Organic Kale | $$ |
 Best Fresh-Frozen: The Farmer’s Dog | Grain-inclusive | 1. Beef 2. Sweet Potato 3. Lentils 4. Carrot 5. Beef Liver | $$ |
 Best Healthy Kibble: Spot & Tango | Grain-free | 1. Cod 2. Salmon 3. Sweet Potatoes 4. Pumpkin 5. Sunflower Seeds | $ |
 Best Canned: Ziwi Peak | Grain-free | 1. Mackerel 2. Water 3. Lamb 4. Lamb Lun 5. Chickpeas | $$$$ |
English Bulldog Nutritional Needs
Bulldogs have the same general nutrition needs as all other dogs and should eat a diet high in animal protein with some fruits and vegetables for added nutrients.
Despite their short stature, English Bulldogs are considered a medium-large breed and reach 50-55 lbs in weight. Bulldogs are also known for having quite the appetite, and will sometimes eat beyond their need simply for the pleasure of it. Because of this, it’s important to know exactly how much food your Bulldog needs.
English Bulldog Health
As mentioned, Bulldogs are prone to a variety of health conditions including:
- Unwanted weight gain
- Hip & elbow dysplasia
- Allergies
- Skin irritation & infections
- Eye & vision issues
A healthy, well-balanced diet high in essential nutrients can help prevent and ease the symptoms of these conditions. In particular, Bulldogs benefit from Omega-3 fatty acids, which help to support healthy joints, ligaments, skin, and coat. Omega-3 fatty acids are also beneficial for dogs with allergies and easily irritated skin.
Best Dog Food for Bulldogs
What’s the best dog food for English Bulldogs you ask? Well, we’re about to tell you! Each of these healthy, balanced options is made with whole ingredients you’ll be proud to serve your dog.
1. Best Raw: We Feed Raw Venison Formula
We Feed Raw is one of our favorite raw dog food brands thanks to their limited, high-quality ingredients. Each recipe is made primarily from animal proteins and includes an essential mix of vitamins and minerals.
Since Bulldogs are sometimes prone to allergies, we recommend choosing a novel protein like venison, which is less likely to cause an allergic reaction. This formula also includes added Omega-3s to help enrich your Bulldog’s skin and coat while supporting healthy joints.
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| First 5 Ingredients | Venison, Beef Heart, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Beef Neck with Bone |
| Food Type | Raw, grain-free |
| Guaranteed Analysis (crude) | 13% Protein – 10.7% Fat – 1% Fiber – 69.4% Moisture |
| Feeding Instructions | Feed 1 lb per day or ½ lb per meal* |
| Cost Per Meal | $5 per meal*, $49.99 for 5 lbs. |
What Reviewers Say:
2. Best Air-Dried: Sundays For Dogs Beef Recipe
If you struggle to get your Bulldog to eat their food, but they love treats, they’ll probably love Sundays For Dogs. Air-dried in small pieces that look, taste, and feel like jerky, Sundays For Dogs can also be used as training treats if you’re working on teaching your Bulldog new tricks, or they just deserve an extra snack at the end of a long hard day of naps.
Other than the delicious recipe, we think Sundays For Dogs deserves consideration for best food for Bulldogs thanks to the turmeric to reduce inflammation, blueberries for antioxidant and immune support, and tart cherries to protect the joints.
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| First 5 Ingredients | Beef, Beef Heart, Beef Liver, Beef Bone, Quinoa |
| Food Type | Air-dried, grain-inclusive without wheat, peas, corn, or legumes |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 30% Protein – 20% Fat – 3% Fiber – 15% Moisture |
| Feeding Instructions | Feed ½ cup (2.2 oz.) per day or ¼ cup (1.1 oz.) per meal* |
| Cost Per Meal | $1.92 per meal* – $69 for 72 oz. (best option for savings) |
What Reviewers Say:
3. Best Freeze-Dried: Primal Venison Nuggets
If you’re intrigued by We Feed Raw’s venison recipe, but don’t have the freezer space to store your dog’s food, try Primal’s freeze-dried version! A raw formula that has been freeze-dried for preservation, you’ll just need to add water to reconstitute this super healthy dog food.
We love that this formula includes lots of organ meats, which are a great source of many of the essential nutrients needed to support healthy bones and joints.
| First 5 Ingredients | Venison, Venison Hearts, Ground Venison Bones, Venison Livers, Organic Kale |
| Food Type | Freeze-dried, grain-free |
| Guaranteed Analysis (crude) | 50% Protein – 15% Fat – 5% Fiber – 7% Moisture |
| Feeding Instructions | Feed 30 nuggets per day, or 15 per meal* |
| Cost Per Meal | $6.15 per meal* – $19.98 for approximately 48 nuggets |
What Reviewers Say:
4. Best Fresh-Frozen: The Farmer’s Dog Beef Recipe
The closest thing you can get to home-cooked dog food, The Farmer’s Dog is our top pick for picky Bulldogs. Your pooch will feel like they’re eating human food when you serve a pouch of The Farmer’s Dog, and each recipe is packed with healthy ingredients to keep your Bulldog going.
We love that the beef recipe includes carrots, which are a fantastic source of nutrients to support your Bulldog’s eye and vision health.
| First 5 Ingredients | Beef, Sweet Potato, Lentils, Carrot, Beef Liver |
| Food Type | Fresh-frozen, grain-inclusive |
| Guaranteed Analysis (crude) | 11% Protein – 8% Fat – 1.5% Fiber – 72% Moisture |
| Feeding Instructions | Feeding instructions are customized by The Farmer’s Dog for your dog! |
| Cost Per Meal | $3.84 per meal* – Custom meal plan created by The Farmer’s Dog |
What Reviewers Say:
5. Best Healthy Kibble: Spot & Tango Cod & Salmon UnKibble
Most kibble is high in filler ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy. Not UnKibble from Spot & Tango! Made from high-quality ingredients that your dog needs, UnKibble is kibble but better. We guarantee even the pickest Bulldogs will fall in love with this crunchy food, and it’s chock full of ingredients to support joint and bone health, skin, allergies, and more.
| First 5 Ingredients | Cod, Salmon, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Sunflower Seeds |
| Food Type | Kibble, grain-free |
| Guaranteed Analysis (crude) | 29.67% Protein – 22.06% Fat – 1.15% Fiber – 3.82% Moisture |
| Feeding Instructions | Feeding instructions recommended by Spot & Tango based on your dog’s information! |
| Cost Per Meal | $3.08 per meal* – $53.95 per week |
What Reviewers Say:
6. Best Canned: Ziwi Peak Canned Mackerel & Lamb Recipe
Fish like Mackerel is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for breeds like the Bulldog. Easy on the tummy, easy to serve, and easy to store, Ziwi Peak’s canned food is one of the most convenient options on this list.
Ziwi also strives to source ethical and sustainable ingredients, so you can feel good about where your dog’s food is coming from.
| First 5 Ingredients | Mackerel, Water, Lamb, Lamb Lung, Chickpeas |
| Food Type | Wet, grain-free |
| Guaranteed Analysis (crude) | 10.5% Protein – 4% Fat – 2% Fiber – 78% Moisture |
| Feeding Instructions | Feed 2 ⅔ cans per day or 1 ⅓ can per meal* |
| Cost Per Meal | $10.32 per meal – $88.08 for (12) 13.75 oz cans |
What Reviewers Say:
*Feeding instructions and cost analysis based on calculations for a 50lb adult English Bulldog with an average activity level.
Best Food for Bulldogs FAQ
What is the best dog food for American Bulldogs?
American Bulldogs can eat the same dog foods as English and French Bulldogs. All breeds under the Bulldog umbrella have similar nutritional needs and health concerns.
What is the best food for Bulldog puppies?
The best Bulldog puppy foods have whole ingredients and are high in protein to promote growth. Any of the options on this list would be a good choice for a Bulldog puppy, but we also recommend Merrick’s canned grain-free wet food for puppies.
Do Bulldogs need special food?
Unless your Bulldog has a specific health concern they should not need to eat a special diet. Veterinarians can prescribe specific diets for dogs with health issues, but the majority of Bulldogs will do well on a standard diet.
This said it’s a good idea to make sure your Bulldog’s food is high in Omega-3s to support healthy joints, bones, and skin.
What foods are Bulldogs allergic to?
The most common food allergens for Bulldogs are chicken and beef. Signs of food allergies can include itching, paw licking, inflamed or red skin, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you suspect that your Bulldog could have a food allergy, we suggest switching them to a novel protein diet. Novel proteins include venison, bison, and fish.
So, what is the best dog food for Bulldogs with allergies? We recommend trying Spot & Tango’s Cod & Salmon UnKibble or We Feed Raw’s venison formula.
Do Bulldogs need grain free food?
Deciding whether or not to feed your dog grain is a personal decision to be made with your veterinarian. In some cases, dogs with allergies do better on a grain-free diet.
What is the worst dog food for English Bulldogs?
Commercial brands like Purina and IAMS are not recommended for Bulldogs or any dog due to their low-quality ingredients and poor formulation.
What is the best dry food for English Bulldog puppy?
We recommend Sundays For Dogs air-dried food or Spot & Tango‘s UnKibble.
Is there an English Bulldog food forum?
Yes! There are several. Here are three popular options:
English Bulldog News
Dog Forums
Dog Food Advisor
Is there a Royal Canin Bulldog food?
Yes, Royal Canin makes Bulldog-specific dog food. Because none of the first five ingredients are animal protein, we do not recommend this brand.
What is the best wet food for English Bulldogs?
We recommend Ziwi Peak for English Bulldogs.
Also, you can find our recommendation about best dog food options for French Bulldogs here!
