Considered a majestic dog breed, Shar-Peis are originally from China and are one of the best canine companions one could ask for. The Shar Pei is a Chinese dog that is known for its distinctive wrinkles. Feeding your Shar Pei is going to be an important part of their life, so it’s important to choose the right food for them.
Shar Pei’s require high-quality food with a minimum of 20% protein, as well as essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. When choosing a food for your Shar Pei, you should consider what kind of dog they are: if they’re energetic or calm, if they have any allergies or sensitivities, and how active they are.
About Chinese Shar-Pei
The Chinese Shar-Pei is one of the most ancient dog breeds in the world. DNA research has shown that the Shar-Pei is one of the 14 oldest breeds – one of the breeds first domesticated by humans from wolves. The breed looks today much as it did over two thousand years ago, based on ancient statues. Once used as a war dog and a favorite with Chinese emperors, today the Shar-Pei makes an intelligent companion.
Shar-Pei (the plural is the same as the singular) can be prone to bloat and skin allergies so finding the best dog foods for Shar-Pei can be a challenge at times. Shar-Peis are recognizable for their wrinkles. The breed has two coat types: a prickly horsehair kind of coat; and a brush coat that is longer and smoother. Shar-Pei is not a dog that can eat any food. In addition, these animals are prone to the development of allergic reactions, obesity, and the formation of endocrinological pathologies. Therefore, the selection of the diet for these pets should be given as much attention as possible.
Shar-Pei Diet
Shar-Pei needs appropriate nutrition to suit this breed’s specific needs. Shar-Pei requires a diet that features good-quality protein. According to the National Research Council of the National Academies, an active adult Shar-Pei weighing 50 pounds requires an average daily caloric intake of 1312 calories. Dogs that have been spayed/neutered, or that are older, may need slightly fewer calories. Some dogs may need more calories depending on their level of activity and their individual metabolism. Growing puppies will also consume more calories than adult dogs and so do young adult dogs. A Shar-Pei puppy weighing 30 pounds (4-12 months of age) needs an estimated 933 calories per day.
There is no one diet that fits all dogs unfortunately and even in the same breed. Some prefer Raw, some prefer kibble, and some prefer a mixed diet, so sometimes you just have to do your research and try alternatives to find the ideal diet (primarily) for your dog and secondly what fits in with your family lifestyle. Feed your dog what it does well on. If new diets are tried you need to give them at least 3 months to know if there has been any benefit and ensure your transition from one food to the other over a week to 10 days.
We have tried different food types over the years with mixed results as what may have worked for some dogs in our pack has not worked for others. The kibble we feed our dogs is by Millies Wolfheart. We tend to alternate between the Riverside Mix & Countryside Mix every few months for variety and this also prevents boredom. These naturally hypoallergenic recipes are packed with essential minerals and vitamins and are formulated without Gluten, Grain, Rice, Chicken or Eggs, Beet Pulp, Synthetic Preservatives, and Additives.
Feeding Shar-Peis Grains
It is recommended that your Shar-Pei friend eat grain-free food. This alleviates any worries about food allergies and provides a healthy diet. Be sure to check labels and bags for ingredients. Most premium brands offer both grain-free and dry foods containing some grain(s). While some dogs can tolerate brown rice formulas, it is highly suggested that you avoid corn, wheat, and soy. As always, this advice doesn’t supersede recommendations from your veterinarian for prescription diets. Most of these foods are available at Petco, PetSmart, and Pet Supermarket, as well as local specialty shops or feed stores. Check online for vendors and coupons.
Some people choose to feed their Shar Pei raw food diets instead of canned or dry kibble. This can be advantageous because there are fewer additives in raw foods than in processed foods, which means less risk for allergies or sensitivities. However, it is important to note that not all dogs can tolerate raw diets without experiencing digestive issues like diarrhea or vomiting. If you do decide to feed your dog raw foods, talk to your vet about how much raw meat they should get per day and whether they need additional supplements like calcium or vitamin D3
Best Food For Shar Pei
The best food for Shar Pei’s is one that contains high-quality protein, such as chicken or beef meat, along with other meats such as lamb or fish. Carbohydrates should come from whole grains such as oats or barley and vegetables such as carrots or broccoli should be added to the diet as well. Below is the list of food that Shar Pei can eat for better performance:
- Evo (formerly Innova Evo)
- Natural Balance (by Dick van Patten)
- Nature’s Variety
- Taste of the Wild Wetlands Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- Origen (by Champion)
- Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy Chicken and Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food.
- Holistic Select Adult Health Anchovy, Sardine & Salmon Meals Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Petcurean
- Solid Gold Barking at the Moon
- Taste of the Wild (by Diamond)
- Hungry Bark Addition (Superfoods w/ Chicken, Turkey & Brown Rice)
- American Journey Active Life Formula Beef, Brown Rice and Vegetables Dry Dog Food.
- Merrick Grain-Free Texas Beef and Stew Potato Dry Dog Food.
- California Natural Grain Free formulas
- Canidae Grain Free
- Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula
- True Acre Foods Beef and Vegetable Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food.
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness Snake River Grill Trout, Venison, and Rabbit Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food.
- Purina One SmartBlend True Instinct with Real Turkey & Venison Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food – Large Breed (30 Lbs)
- Taste Of The Wild High Prairie Canine Formula Dry Dog Food – Small/Medium Breed (30 Lbs)
The feeding of Shar Pei should always be balanced and varied. The dog should receive enough food so that it can grow normally, but it must not overeat. Too much food can cause obesity problems in this breed of dog, so you have to pay attention to what your pet eats every day.
Recommended Supplements for Chinese Shar-Peis
If you are providing your Chinese Shar-Pei with a completely balanced diet, there is no need to give them any extra supplements. However, sometimes there is a deficiency in some nutrition in your dog’s diet. In that case, provide your dog with the supplement that is lacking in its diet after consulting a vet.
Examples of Shar Peis’ supplements
- Glucosamine
- Probiotics
- Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acid
- Antioxidant
Feeding Schedule For Shar-Peis
It is recommended to feed Shar-Pei at least twice a day. This decreases begging behavior and may decrease the incidence of bloat. Obesity is a very common dog problem. It is essential to balance the dog’s activity and food intake. It is common sense to understand that an inactive dog requires fewer calories to maintain body weight. The converse is also true — a very active dog requires more calories. Calories can only come from what we feed the dog — either from the amount of food fed and/or the protein level of the diet. Dogs will preferentially use protein for energy so a high protein diet in an inactive dog will result in weight gain. Also feeding too much food will result in weight gain. The solution is simple — feed according to your dog’s activity level.
Most Shar-Pei are less active in the winter and more active in the summer. This means we need to decrease the amount of food they get during the times of the year coinciding with decreased activity and increase the amount of food when activity increases. The reverse may be true with brush coats and bear coats which tolerate the winter much better than housecoats.
Final Notes
Shar-Pei is a loyal, loving, and intelligent breed that requires a lot of care and attention. There are many different types of foods that you can feed your Shar Pei, but it’s important to make sure that you’re giving them the right food for their needs. Shar-Pei has very specific dietary requirements, so you should discuss your dog’s needs with your veterinarian before choosing a brand of food for your Shar-Pei.