10 Best Dog Food for American Bulldog in 2020

The AmBulls are the most muscled and most energetic of all Bulldog varieties. The best dog food for American Bulldog should provide support for their stocky bodies as well as their sharp minds. 

They were bred to herd cattle so they’re active and highly intelligent, needing regular exercise. 

If you’ve ever met one, you’ll know that they are gentle, loving, and affectionate with family, but won’t hesitate to be aggressive with someone they see as a threat.

10 Best Dog Food For American Bulldog

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Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation

Criteria 1 – Protein Count & Quality 

These muscled dogs may fall under the less-active Bulldog breed, but they’re the most active of the bulldogs and need a regular workout to keep them healthy. A protein count of between 24% and 30% is perfectly fine for them, and you can choose which end of the spectrum depending on how active your dog is.

Of course, if your dog is unusually energetic or abnormally lazy, you’ll need to adjust up or down to suit their lifestyle. Protein counts of up to 40% can work for dogs who still maintain that high-energy working dog lifestyle.

The most important thing is that the protein comes from high-quality, wholesome sources. Real meat is always first prize. Multiple kinds of meat aren’t usually a problem, although if your dog has a sensitive tummy you may prefer to stick to a single-source protein.

Meat meal is also acceptable provided it has been identified, for example, chicken meal, turkey meal, etc. Although we do recommend real meat for dogs with sensitive stomachs, meat meal isn’t a bad choice if your Bulldog can handle it. 

Criteria 2 – Digestibility

American Bulldogs have notoriously sensitive stomachs. Digestibility is information that you won’t typically find on a dog food label, but it’s important when it comes to dogs who are a bit more fussy.

The digestibility of a dog food refers to how much of it is actually absorbed into your dog’s body when they eat a helping of it. Obviously, the higher this number is, the more good nutrients your dog is getting. 

If your dog is eating a full bowl and only digesting half of it, then they’re really not getting the best out of their food. The quality of their poop is a good indication of how much food is being digested!

A digestibility score of 82% and above is considered to be a high-quality food. We’ve done the research for you and made sure each of these foods falls within the acceptable numbers. 

Criteria 3 – Omega Fatty Acids

American Bulldogs also tend to suffer from skin problems. They have very short fur, so their skin is more exposed to the environment than some other breeds, and can become inflamed and tender either due to exposure or because of food allergies.

A great dose of Omega fatty acids in a dog food will help keep the coat healthy and the skin hydrated and itch-free.

We’ve checked out the Omegas on each of these foods and made sure they’re at a good enough level to benefit your American Bulldog. 

Criteria 4 – Helpful Additions

American Bulldogs can suffer from some specific health conditions that can be helped by certain additions to their kibble.

Hypothyroidism is a common condition in this breed, so kelp is a great ingredient to see on the list. It helps stimulate the thyroid to do its thing, and can keep your Bulldog healthier and happier.

Another thing that plagues American Bulldogs is eye problems. Cherry eye and cataracts can be both painful and hamper your pup’s lifestyle. DHA is a fatty acid that is often found in puppy foods as it helps the eyes to develop properly. It’s awesome to see in a food for these guys because it will help keep their eyes as healthy as possible.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are always good to see and will keep your dog’s joints strong and reduce the chances of joint dysplasia. 

Criteria 5 – Affordability

This will always be a criterion we look at, because a happy dog parent makes for a much happier dog. 

Feeding your Bulldog quality stuff does not have to be a money-burning experience. Some of the foods on this list are quite pricey, and we can vouch for their quality. 

But there are high-quality, fantastic options for budget-conscious Bulldog owners too. Our Best Value For Money choice ticks all the boxes and comes at an extremely nice price. 

There’s something for everyone on this list! 

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Questions & Answers

As with any other breed, you should be looking for premium quality ingredients that are wholesome and healthy. 

Real meat sources are essential. It doesn’t really matter which sources are included, but make sure to avoid any ingredients that your Bulldog might be sensitive to. Common proteins for Bulldogs may be chicken and beef (particularly for those with thyroid problems), so you may want to stick to others. 

Fruits and vegetables are fantastic carbohydrate sources. It’s best to avoid grains and potatoes to limit the chances of allergies and intolerances. Sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, chickpeas, and peas are some great options, provided your pup isn’t sensitive to legumes. 

High levels of Omega fatty acids, joint-strengthening supplements, kelp, and vitamins, minerals, and probiotics are always super ingredients. 

The average 85-pound male American Bulldog will need around 1800 – 1900 calories per day.

Based on that average, you can adjust up or down for your dog. Females will generally eat less than males. Older dogs will also typically eat less, but it depends quite a bit on their energy levels. 

If your Bulldog is very active, they can eat up to 2600 per day. If they’re more of a couch potato, they could eat as little as 1400.

This is the job of the dog parent to figure out what the sweet spot is for their own dog! 

Their food should be high in quality protein (24% – 30% or more), packed with healthy fruits and veggies and have a moderate to high fat count (in the mid to high teens). 

American Bulldogs are at risk for some serious health concerns. Firstly, they are (borderline) brachycephalic, so they’re automatically in the zone for a group of conditions called brachycephalic syndrome. 

It’s important to note that although American Bulldogs are less flat-faced than their English and French counterparts, depending on the dog they can still suffer from related conditions. 

All Bulldogs tend to struggle with food allergies and intolerances. This can lead to digestive issues and skin problems, as well as dry and dull fur. Hypothyroidism is also common. 

American Bulldogs in particular can be prone to cataracts and an eye condition called cherry eye. They also tend to be inclined towards thyroid problems. If your dog is white in color, you may be alarmed to see tear stains, although this isn’t inherently unhealthy in itself. 

Joint dysplasia is a common problem especially in breeds as stocky and heavy as these guys! They also can become obese very easily, which leads to a host of other health issues. 

Bulldogs are known for not exactly enjoying exercise. The American variety, though, is the most active of the lot.

They were bred as working dogs, so making sure they get enough exercise is essential to not only keep them healthy, but also stop them from getting bored.

They should have enough space to allow them a free run during the day when you aren’t around. When you do exercise them, make your activities challenging and exciting, as these guys are also highly intelligent!

There are plenty of ways to provide some fun activity for your AmBull. A long walk, good wrestle, or a mind-stimulating game will get them excited!

In addition to keeping him active, make sure you’re feeding the right amount! It can be easy to overestimate and keep your Bulldog fat. 

Just remember – give your dog time to rest and catch their breath between games. Flatter-faced Bulldogs can have trouble breathing and are susceptible to heat stroke if they can’t release enough heat when panting!