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The Bull Terrier is a muscular and harmoniously built dog with an egg-shaped head and a strong jaw. Representatives of this breed are exceptionally playful, intelligent, and friendly. They make excellent companions for young, energetic owners or large families with children.
But, in turn, a Bull Terrier needs competent care and a balanced diet. Give them what they want, and they will continue protecting and loving you throughout their lives.
After spending days and weeks reviewing the various dog foods available in the market, I have finally concluded that the Wellness CORE Natural Dry Dog Food (Grain Free) is the best dog food for Bull Terriers overall.
The ingredients that Wellness uses in their dog food are of high quality and supports overall health. One specific aspect that they emphasize is high-quality proteins from fresh meat so that dogs can develop a leaner body mass and muscle tone.
However, different Bull Terriers have their individual needs. That’s why I have selected a list of the best dog food for Bull Terriers that will help you to choose the correct option depending on your particular situation.
Our Best Dog Food for Bull Terriers
All dog foods reviewed here have a positive rating, and the information provided is accurate at review.
- Best dog food for Bull Terriers overall: Wellness CORE Natural Dry Dog Food (Grain Free)
- Best dog food for Bull Terrier puppies: James Wellbeloved Puppy Pouch Wet Dog Food
- Best dog food for Bull Terrier seniors: Merrick Senior Dry Dog Food with Real Meat (Grain Free)
- Best dog food for Bull Terriers with sensitive stomachs: The Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Dog Food (Grain Free)
- Best food for Bull Terriers with sensitive skin: ORIJEN Dry Dog Food Six Fish Flavor (Grain Free)
- Best vegetarian dog food for Bull Terriers: Natural Balance Ultra-Premium Wet Dog Food
1. Wellness CORE Natural Dry Dog Food (Grain Free)
- Key feature: Protein-rich, grain-free dry dog food pack with nutrients to support overall health
- First 5 ingredients: Duck, Lamb meal, Chicken meal, Chickpeas, Peas
- Caloric content: 3643 kcal/kg
- Guaranteed analysis: Min 34% protein, Min 16% fats, Max 6% fiber
- Best for: Adult Bull Terriers
The Wellness CORE dry dog food contains fresh meat that provides high-quality proteins to help your Bull Terrier develop a leaner muscle mass and muscle tone. The kibbles also include nutrients such as omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and glucosamine to support its overall health.
The kibbles contain 34% protein and 16% fats, considered higher than average. The caloric content is 3643 kcal/kg, which falls within a healthy range for medium to large-sized dogs like Bull Terriers.
Top reviewers have verified that Wellness brands are of excellent quality, and most dogs love them. Dogs have thrived on these kibbles for years, and owners are not planning to switch to another brand anytime soon.
However, the Wellness brand can be pricy for some owners on a tighter budget as it does not compromise the quality. Also, it comes in a non-resealable bag, so prepare a container to hold the kibbles before opening it!
2. James Wellbeloved Puppy Pouch Wet Dog Food
- Key feature: Hypo-allergenic wet dog food filled with quality ingredients for puppy growth
- First 5 ingredients: Turkey, Rice, Dried carrots, Dried peas, Sugar beet pulp
- Caloric content: 3400 kcal/kg
- Guaranteed analysis: Min 7% protein, Min 4.5% fats, Max 0.5% fiber, Max 81% moisture
- Best for: Bull Terrier puppies
The James Wellbeloved puppy pouches are hypo-allergenic. As some puppies do not like to drink water, we recommend wet dog food, which will help your Bull Terrier puppy consume some water as it eats.
You may notice that the pouches have a higher protein and fats content than adult food. The extra nutrients are good because puppies are growing, and they need the additional proteins and fats to build their muscles and maintain their metabolism.
Owners believe that James Wellbeloved provides high-quality food, and some even mentioned that they were suggested this food by veterinarians. They also liked how the food is made from healthy ingredients.
While this dog food is hypo-allergenic and should not cause any allergies in most puppies, do check out the complete list of ingredients. A few owners had reported that their puppies showed signs of allergies.
3. Merrick Senior Dry Dog Food with Real Meat (Grain Free)
- Key feature: Low-calorie and low-fat grain-free food for senior dogs to maintain healthy weight and metabolism
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, Chicken meal, Sweet potatoes, Potatoes, Turkey Meal
- Caloric content: 3603 kcal/kg
- Guaranteed analysis: Min 30% protein, Min 12% fats, Max 3.5% fiber
- Best for: Senior Bull Terriers
Merrick brand for senior dogs has both grain-free and healthy grains options for owners to choose from. We are recommending the grain-free option as some Bull Terriers may be allergic or sensitive to grains.
This dog food is specially formulated to have fewer calories and fat to help aging dogs maintain a healthy weight. However, they do not compromise on the proteins and still have a higher-than-average protein content.
Owners reported that their dogs love this food and are in excellent condition when fed this brand of dog food. Some owners also said that their senior dogs looked more energetic and youthful after eating the kibbles.
However, there may be some storage or packaging issues as a few owners have reported that the bags they received were occasionally damaged. If you ever receive such a bag, request a refund, or discard it – better to be safe than feed spoilt dog food to your Bull Terrier and feel sorry afterward!
4. The Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Dog Food (Grain Free)
- Key feature: Human-grade dog food with limited ingredients in multiple flavors
- First 5 ingredients: Varies depending on the flavor
- Caloric content: Ranges from 3870 kcal/kg to 4550 kcal/kg
- Guaranteed analysis: Min 24% protein, Min 7.2% fats, Max 8% fiber
- Best for: Bull Terriers with sensitive stomachs
The Honest Kitchen provides human-grade dog food with limited ingredients, making it ideal for Bull Terriers with sensitive stomachs or food allergies.
The protein, fats, and caloric content will vary depending on which flavor you purchase and what your Bull Terrier likes. In general, their nutrition range is in the average to the high-average range, so you need not fret too much about your Bull Terrier not getting enough nutrients for a specific flavor.
Most owners feedbacked that their dogs with allergies and other health issues thrived on this limited ingredient diet.
A few owners reported that this brand of food had caused allergies to happen in their dogs. Therefore, please ensure that your Bull Terrier is allergic to NONE of the listed ingredients before purchase.
5. ORIJEN Dry Dog Food Six Fish Flavor (Grain Free)
- Key feature: Fish-based, grain-free dog food that helps with skin health
- First 5 ingredients: Whole Atlantic mackeral, Whole Atlantic herring, Monkfish, Acadian redfish, Flounder
- Caloric content: 3940 kcal/kg
- Guaranteed analysis: Min 38% protein, Min 18% fats, Max 4% fiber
- Best for: Bull Terriers with sensitive skin
ORIJEN dry dog food (Six Fish flavor) is made primarily using fish as the main source of proteins and fats. These kibbles are loaded with plenty of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to maintain skin and coat health.
The kibbles contain 38% protein and 18% fats, with a 3940 kcal/kg caloric content, which is on the higher end of the spectrum but still within acceptable levels.
Dog owners, top reviewers, and other dog blogs also support this dog food brand as their pups thrived on it. Also, this is one of the few brands with no recalls, so you can be reassured of the quality of the food.
The ORIJEN brand can be very pricy for some owners, but the price is worth it for a dog food of this quality.
6. Natural Balance Ultra Premium Wet Dog Food
- Key feature: A balanced alternative to a meat-based diet without any animal or dairy products
- First 5 ingredients: Water for processing, Brown Rice, Barley, Oat Groats, Canola Oil
- Caloric content: 1180 kcal/kg (400 kcal/can)
- Guaranteed analysis: Min 5% protein, Min 3% fat, Max 2% fiber, Max 78% moisture
- Best for: Bull Terriers allergic to various meats
If for some reason, your Bull Terrier seems to be allergic and develop skin issues after trying out all the common meats possible, then the Natural Balance dog food may be the solution you are looking for.
Wet dog food is higher in moisture content. Although the guaranteed analysis shows a much lesser percentage of protein and fats, rest assured that it is sufficient for your Bull Terrier’s daily needs. If you are still worried, you can opt for the dry food version. [https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Balance-Vegetarian-Formula-28-Pound/dp/B000634HD2]
Vegan families and families with dogs that are allergic to meats have said that this vegetarian food is life-saver for them.
However, a few owners did report that the food appeared to be quite dry for wet food, so you might want to consider adding some water to it before feeding your dog.
Bull Terrier Breed-Specific Nutrition
Bull Terriers are a mix of bulldogs and terriers, explicitly bred to fight in the past. Therefore, a huge emphasis of the nutrition aspect is on having high-quality proteins, which helps in muscle building.
The information listed here is meant to be used as a guide for reference. If you have any doubts or confusion, always consult a veterinarian. They will be able to assess your dog’s needs based on its age and current condition to provide a better answer for you.
Protein
Proteins are the primary source of energy and building muscles for the dog’s body. Entering the body with food, protein compounds are broken down into separate components – amino acids, from which the body’s own proteins are then formed.
In addition, proteins also perform many useful functions – from fighting diseases (immune bodies) to providing oxygen (hemoglobin). When the body lacks amino acids and does not come with food, they begin to be extracted from already formed tissues, primarily muscles, damaging them in the process.
An adult Bull Terrier needs 4-6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. At high loads, this figure can reach 9 grams. A chronic lack of protein in the diet of a Bull Terrier will lead to a weakening of the immune system, disruptions in the endocrine system, and exhaustion.
Therefore, proteins in Bull Terrier’s diet must come from good-quality animal sources such as fresh meat and chicken. Plant-based proteins are also good supplemental protein sources for your Bull Terrier.
Fats
Fat is the next most important factor in the nutrition of dogs. Fat is the most concentrated source of energy you can give your dog, but with Bull Terriers, you need to be careful with how much fat you feed your dog.
Some people strive to minimize fat in the diet of their domestic Bull Terriers, believing that they are the leading cause of excess weight. Indeed, 1 gram of fat provides as much as 9 kcal, while proteins and carbohydrates – only 4 kcal. However, things are not so simple.
You should not completely deprive a dog of fats. Some of the essential fatty acids serve as a transport medium for fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), which participate in the production of hormones and cell renewal.
Your Bull Terrier will need at least 1-2 grams of fat per kg of body weight per day.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals and should come from easily digestible sources such as starchy vegetables, whole grains, or sweet potatoes.
High-carbohydrate diets lead to spikes in blood sugar, increase excess weight, and overload the pancreas. Also, when carbohydrates predominate in the feed, this usually means that it is low in protein and fat, and the latter are vital for Bull Terriers.
Therefore, the dog should receive no more than 30% of its energy from carbohydrates.
Micronutrients
This group includes elements (vitamins, minerals, chondroprotectors, phytocomponents) that are contained in food in extremely small quantities. However, the appearance and consumption of a lesser amount do not make them any less important.
Unlike macronutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates), they are not a source of calories. However, they are essential in metabolism, performing a regulatory function, and are involved in the body’s development, growth, and adaptation.
A deficiency, excess, or incorrect ratio of certain micronutrients in the diet of a Bull Terrier will likely result in an increased health risk.
Due to zinc deficiency in many Bull Terriers, it’s more important than ever to balance out their diet with plenty of antioxidants in fruits and vegetables to help support their immune system. The vitamins and fiber they gain will also improve their metabolism and digestion while supporting their sensitive skin.
Additional information
All dogs do not react well to food with artificial dyes and flavoring, which are common causes of skin irritations.
However, Bull Terriers are much more affected as they have a very short coat that does not offer their skin much protection. They are also more skin-sensitive in general, so avoiding artificial colors and flavoring becomes all the more important for them.
Common Health Issues In Bull Terriers
Bull Terriers may look intimidating with their muscular appearance and their history. They are actually active and goofy dogs that are a perfect match with families that frequently exercise and are always on the action. Therefore, when you see them looking down or dull, you should be on alert.
Listed below are some of the health issues Bull Terriers can have.
Lethal Acrodermatitis
Lethal acrodermatitis (LAD) is characterized by growth retardation, immune deficiency, and skin lesions, especially on the paws. This disease becomes so severe when the dog grows and usually causes death before the dog reaches two years of age.
This condition usually arises from an autosomal recessive trait that is only seen in Bull Terriers with white skin and fur [1]
While there is currently no cure for LAD, a special diet high in zinc and omega-3 & 6 fatty acids can help slow down the spread in the body.
Kidney Disease
Hereditary nephritis is a severe form of kidney disease in Bull Terriers, again due to genetic reasons [2]. It is caused by small and undeveloped kidneys or kidney malfunction.
Some common symptoms include decreased weakness, appetite, weight loss, vomiting, hair loss, bad breath, diarrhea, cramps, and pale gums. The disease can develop at any age, but if detected early, you can save your Bull Terrier’s life through special diets and timely treatment.
For Bull Terriers with kidney diseases, try to provide a diet without any salt with the primary meat sources as lean meat and fish.
Deafness
Due to the unique shape of the head and ears, Bull Terriers are more prone to deafness than other breeds, and white Bull Terriers suffer more from deafness than colored ones [3].
Skin Irritations
Bull Terriers’ skins are very sensitive and easily result in irritation, fungal diseases, and rashes. Environmental triggers may include (but are not limited to) dust, mold, and pollen.
Some Bull Terriers may also be susceptible to food triggers such as a specific type of animal protein or grain, but this can be easily avoided by feeding your Bull Terrier dog food that does not contain these ingredients.
It will be best to avoid any dog food containing artificial colors or flavoring as they are common causes of skin irritations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Feeding Bull Terriers
Bull Terrier owners have asked these questions before, and we want to share the answers with you in case you are wondering about the same question.
If you have a question not listed here, you can always contact us, and we will give you a reply.
When should I switch from puppy to adult food?
Bull Terriers are medium to big dogs, so they have a longer growth period. As such, they should be fed puppy food until about 18 months old.
We recommend gradually switching to the adult diet over at least 1-2 weeks rather than replacing the puppy food with adult food immediately.
How much should I feed my Bull Terrier?
There is no hard and fast rule for this question as it depends on various factors such as age, individual characteristics, exercise, and brand of food fed.
A good start will be the feeding guide printed on the food packaging.
If you want to be more precise, the local veterinarian will be able to give a more accurate estimate as long as you provide the necessary details of your Bull Terrier’s health conditions and lifestyle.
What are some good ingredients for Bull Terriers?
Fish are suitable for Bull Terriers as they have sensitive skin, and the fatty acids found in most fishes can help with this condition.
Grain-free carbohydrate sources such as tapioca and sweet potatoes are also good choices for Bull Terriers as most are sensitive to grains such as wheat and rice.
Our Verdict
Bull Terriers are large, muscular dogs that need food with high-quality proteins to build and maintain their muscles and tissues.
We strongly believe that the Wellness CORE Natural Dry Dog Food (Grain Free) is the best option for adult Bull Terriers. It contains high-quality ingredients and many good nutrients that can support your Bull Terrier’s overall health.
Nevertheless, every Bull Terrier is unique. Do evaluate your Bull Terrier’s needs before selecting dog food for it, and always consult a veterinarian’s opinion when you are in doubt.
