Have you just become the proud owner of a bull terrier? Congratulations! Bull terriers are protective but sweet-tempered, making them great family dogs.
These lovable dogs are trainable, easy to discipline, and fun-loving. Keep your buddy healthy by giving him the best dog food for bull terrier breeds.
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Table of Contents
Best Dog Food for Bull Terrier Comparison
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High-Protein Grain-Free Dog Food
- Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Canine Recipe
- Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food
Bull Terrier Nutrition
Though there is a miniature version of this breed, bull terriers are generally considered to be medium or large breed dogs. According to the Bull Terrier Club, bull terriers are susceptible to heart problems, kidney problems, kneecap dislocation, and skin disorders. However, with proper nutrition and proper care, bull terriers will stay healthy and can live up to 15 years.
Finding the right dog food for bull terrier pups is important if you want to keep your pooch from getting sick. Bull terriers are prone to developing skin allergies, which can be triggered by certain types of dog food. You also want to give your bull terrier a good balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to keep him in optimum health.
The healthiest dog food for bull terrier puppies is grain-free, single-meat, and doesn’t have too much fat. Here are some more factors to consider when trying to decide which dog food for bull terrier dogs to buy.
First, you’ll have to choose between a couple of feeding methods: giving your dog a mixed diet or giving him “complete foods.” The older method involved various types of food, including raw meats, filler biscuits, home-prepared foods, and dry or wet complete foods.
The newer and easier method is to give dogs commercially available complete foods. These packaged dog foods contain all the nutrients your dog needs in sufficient amounts to keep him healthy. That means your dog can technically survive on this type of food alone, with no need for fresh meats, wholemeal biscuits, and dietary supplements.
When choosing what type of dog food to feed your bull terrier, find out what your dog was brought up on. Give him the same type of food to avoid digestion problems. If you want to introduce a different type of dog food, make the shift gradually and prepare for digestive issues and loose stools for the first day or two.
Nutritional needs
The most beneficial dog food for bull terrier pups and adults contains the right amounts of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Fats are one of the main energy sources for bull terriers. But because this breed is prone to developing heart disease, excessive fat consumption should be avoided. When you choose dog food for your bull terrier, check the fat percentage on the label.
Bull terriers can live up to 15 years.
High-quality protein sources like salmon, chicken, and bison are best. Many dog food brands incorporate plant proteins and chicken meal, which are also good sources of protein. However, the biggest percentage of proteins in dog food should be animal proteins.
Bull terriers are highly active, energetic, and full of spirit. They need sufficient amounts of carbohydrates for energy to go about their daily business of running around and playing. Make sure your dog food lists a high-quality carb source and that it has plenty of dietary fiber.
Allergies
This breed is susceptible to food allergies. Allergies cause itchiness, rashes, and scratching, which can then lead to wounds, scabs, and skin infections. If left untreated, allergic reactions can lead to mange, hair loss, and the formation of hard, scaly skin.
Allergies can also cause bull terriers extreme discomfort. The worst case scenario is a bull terrier having to be put to sleep to save him from more suffering.
Grains, which are not a natural part of a dog’s diet, is a highly allergenic ingredient. Before you buy dog food for bull terrier dogs, check the ingredient list to see if it contains grains.
Dog foods that contain several different protein sources can also trigger allergies. As much as possible, choose a dog food that has a single source of protein.
The reason bull terriers are particularly prone to skin issues is unknown. One suggestion is that their immune systems may not be able to deal with disorders that the immune systems of other breeds can easily handle. If your bull terrier has any kind of skin issue brought on by an allergic reaction, have it treated by a veterinarian immediately.
Ingredients
Many of the cheaper dog foods available today are filled with concentrated vegetable proteins. While these are better for your budget, they’re not the best for your dog’s health. The best type of dog food for bull terrier breeds are those that are made up of mostly meat, as they contain the amino acids that are so essential to a dog’s diet.
Bull terriers are prone to developing food allergies.
How will you know if the dog food you’re looking at contains more animal proteins than non-animal proteins? On the label, ingredients are supposed to be listed by weight, with the heaviest ingredients first. When choosing dog food for your bull terrier, look at the ingredient list and make sure that the first ingredient is meat.
That means that meat makes up the majority of the dog food recipe. Good animal-based protein sources include beef, chicken, turkey, and salmon.
Dog food production
In the United States, the Association of American Feed Control Officials or AAFCO sets out nutritional standards that all dog food companies are required to meet. Never give your bull terrier any dog food that does not meet the standards of the AAFCO. Check the dog food packaging for the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement or look for it on the dog food company’s website.
You should also check that the life stage indicated in the packaging is the right one for your bull terrier. If you have a bull terrier puppy, for example, don’t give him dog food with the AAFCO Adult Maintenance standard.
Top Bull Terrier Dog Foods
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High-Protein Grain-Free Dog Food
- Inspired by the diet of wolves
- Made with salmon and chicken meal
- Fruits and vegetables added
- Contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- Grain-free
A meat-rich diet is the best option for your bull terrier. The first ingredient in this Blue Buffalo high-protein dog food is salmon meat, which is chockfull of essential vitamins and minerals for a healthy lifestyle, as well as omega fatty acids that help keep your bull terrier’s coat shiny and his skin healthy. Salmon meat is tasty and has a flavor that your dog will definitely love.
Blue Buffalo’s dog foods contain Life Source Bits — a patented blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants created to ensure maximum immune system health. None of the company’s dog foods contains artificial flavors, preservatives, or chicken by-product meals.
This dog food does not contain corn, soy, or wheat, making it suitable for allergy-prone bull terriers. Instead of grains, the carbohydrate sources are sweet potato, potato, and peas. Chicken fat provides just the right amount of fat for your dog’s diet.
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Canine Recipe
- Beef is the first ingredient
- Grain-free
- Superior amino acid profile
- No fillers, preservatives, or artificial flavors
- Made in the USA
Give your bull terrier a real “taste of the wild” with this grain-free high-protein dog food with a blend of roasted meats. Like Blue Buffalo, this brand doesn’t scrimp — real meat is the first ingredient. The animal protein sources — beef, lamb, bison, and, venison — give your bull terrier stronger and leaner muscles.
Aside from the excellent protein content, this dog food has added vitamins and minerals. It’s also supplemented with fruits and vegetables for their antioxidant content. Peas and potatoes provide carbohydrates without triggering allergies.
The fatty acid blend in Taste of the Wild’s dog food keeps your bull terrier’s skin and coat nice and healthy. Taste of the Wild does not contain wheat, corn, artificial colors, artificial flavors, preservatives, or fillers. All ingredients are supplied by trusted, sustainable sources.
Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Completely grain-free
- 80% more meat
- Controlled fat content
- Has probiotics for better digestion
- No artificial colors or preservatives
Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food is specifically formulated with the right amount of calories to cater to your breed’s body type and nutritional requirements. The recipe is high in protein and low in calorie and fats to keep your bull terrier healthy and energetic but not overweight.
On top of the balanced mix of proteins and fats, the formula is enhanced with probiotics and prebiotics for better digestive health, calcium for strong bones and joints, and omega fatty acids for sharp eyes and a healthy brain.
The primary ingredient in this dog food is deboned turkey. This is supplemented with nutritious chicken, tomato, flaxseed, salmon oil, and a blend of vitamins and minerals. The recipe also contains peas and potatoes as carbohydrate sources.
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food by Nature’s Variety
- Single-source protein
- Contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- With freeze-dried raw turkey
- Uses the finest quality ingredients
- Easy to digest
This dog food is not as popular as the previous three, but it’s just as healthy and delicious, if not more so. This Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet recipe has turkey as the primary ingredient and every piece of kibble is coated in freeze-dried raw cage-free turkey. Easily digestible peas provide the needed carbohydrates.
The turkey and peas formula is particularly suitable for bull terriers because this breed typically loves the taste of turkey and because the single sources of carbs and protein drastically reduce the risk of allergic reactions. The meal is easy to digest, which helps eliminate the risk of gastrointestinal issues.
Instinct by Nature’s Variety is a reliable brand that uses only the best quality ingredients. It’s made in the USA, which should be a comfort if you tend to worry about China-made dog foods.
Bull terriers aren’t known to be picky eaters, but that doesn’t mean you should buy just any old dog food.
The ideal dog food for bull terrier dogs should be formulated to lower or eliminate the risk of allergies and have calories to a minimum to keep your dog from becoming overweight. The protein content should be high quality and single-source.
Choose grain-free dog food with single-source protein for your bull terriers.
Hopefully, you’ll be able to find a good match in one of the dog foods reviewed above. We hope this guide helps you figure out the best dog food for bull terrier breeds.