What to feed a Shar Pei: puppy, adult dog, elderly dog

The Shar Pei breed has become widespread these days not only in China, but throughout the world.

These dogs easily win the sympathy of others, thanks to their charming appearance and cute folds on their faces.

But behind this exterior lies a complex canine character - Shar-Peis are serious, independent and proud.

These are real guards, and not companions, as it might seem at first glance, and not everyone will be able to deal with them.

What to feed at home - natural food or artificial food?

Each Shar Pei owner has the right to decide for himself what food to feed his pet - natural or artificial . There are pros and cons to using any food.

Rules for feeding allergy sufferers

Shar Pei is one of the breeds that is prone to food allergies.

If you get a dog with this feature, then you should know that feeding him has its own nuances.:

First of all, you will need to find the product that caused the allergy and eliminate it from your dog’s diet.
The animal must be placed on a two-week rice diet. You need to add a tablespoon of olive and flaxseed oil to the rice on days 3 and 4.
Eliminate from your diet any fertilizer or supplement that contains brewer's yeast, alfalfa and pollen.
To ensure that a dog on a strict diet does not suffer from a lack of vitamins, it should be given drugs of groups B, C, E, based on the weight of the animal.
As soon as you notice that the Shar Pei's skin itching, redness, wetting and rashes on the fur has begun to go away, then begin to gradually introduce other products. This is a puree of boiled carrots, stewed cabbage, chopped lettuce and parsley. Start alternating buckwheat with rice. This way you need to feed for a month. Be sure to monitor how your dog's body reacts to the foods you give it.
Transition to hypoallergenic food gradually. It should be low in protein. If you prefer natural nutrition, then start with set meals.
Don't rush to give your dog meat. It is better to give boiled turkey, rabbit or lamb first. Offal should be scalded.
Never feed your Shar Pei chicken, starchy foods or red vegetables.

If your Shar Pei is allergic, you should not add sunflower, vegetable or soybean oil to your food..

Pros and cons of natural food

Advantages:

You yourself control what foods to give your dog and their quality;
You can create a variety of menus;
You can choose the right diet for your dog;
Control of calorie content of feed;
The food contains natural proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
No food additives, emulsifiers, preservatives.

Flaws:

Time consuming;
If you have an allergy, you will have to find out for yourself what product the reaction occurred to;
If you travel long distances with your dog, it will be difficult for him to cook;
Food spoils quickly;
If you create the wrong menu, it can cause health problems for your pet.

List of permitted and prohibited products

Authorized Products:

Lean meat (rabbit, turkey, lamb);
By-products - kidneys, heart, lungs, trachea, cartilage and ears;
Raw eggs;
Boiled sea fish;
Ground vegetables and fruits – broccoli, apples, zucchini, carrots;
Low-fat fermented milk products;
Porridge – rice, buckwheat, oatmeal;
Vitamins and probiotics.

CAREFULLY!

If your dog is lactose intolerant, you should not give dairy products.

Shar-Peis also do not digest beef and pork well. Be extremely careful if you want to add beets and tomatoes to your diet.

Prohibited Products:

Milk and butter;
Bones;
Bakery products;
River fish and fish roe;
Wheat and corn grits;
Smoked, fatty and sausage products;
Sweets and chocolate;
Marinated, spicy and salty.

Nutrition for adult dogs

The menu for adults should look like this:

Meat, offal - thirty percent - veal, turkey, rabbit meat.

Use liver and chicken with caution, namely uncooked ones; cooked fish from the ocean - in the absence of allergic reactions; whole milk products - provided that lactose is well absorbed; eggs; cereals - barley, rice, buckwheat, oats, if there is excess weight - pearl barley, if there is not enough weight - wheat; vegetables and fruits; vegetable oils and vitamin complexes. It is recommended to include bone meal, nutritional yeast and fish oil in porridge.

Important point! Keep a record of the ocean fish you consume. Although it has a set of useful ingredients, in case of excessive accumulation, trembling of the head and limbs, and urolithiasis are possible.

Natural feeding is targeted preparation of food for your pet. This has no connotation of saving. There is an option - cooking semi-finished products at home. In one day you will be able to prepare preparations for a month or two, these can be meat stew, offal, vegetable, cereal, pate. This will make it easier to cook porridge or simply feed the defrosted product to the dog.

Industrial food is convenient if you don’t have enough free time. If the pet is physically well and has no allergic reactions, it is recommended to mix granular and semi-moist food, but only from one manufacturer. Feeding only canned food is fraught with rapid deterioration of teeth and the formation of tartar. “Dry food” removes plaque, but in the case of a weakened enamel coating, it leads to its abrasion.

For a strong four-legged animal, it is possible to keep it on a premium product; the economy line is not suitable for feeding Shar-Peis. Before purchasing a product, you must study the composition and content of the vitamin series.

Sample menu for the week

Day of the week	Time of day/morning	Time of day/evening
Monday	Turkey, rice, carrot puree – 500 g	Lamb, rice, carrot puree – 350 g
Tuesday	Turkey, oatmeal, carrot puree – 500 g	Lamb, rice, salad – 250 g
Wednesday	By-products, rice, zucchini or broccoli puree – 400 g	Turkey, rice, carrot puree – 350 g
Thursday	White fish, rice – 400 g	Turkey, rice, carrot puree – 350 g
Friday	Lamb, rice, carrot puree – 500 g	Turkey, oatmeal, ground sweet pepper – 350 g
Saturday	Cottage cheese, egg – 300 g	Lamb, rice, carrot puree – 250 g
Sunday	By-products, rice, ground sweet pepper – 500 g	Lamb, rice, carrot puree – 250 g

Don't forget to add vegetable or olive oil to your food every few days.

Dogs also need vitamin complexes, probiotic and mineral supplements. From time to time you can top your food with low-fat organic yogurt.

Industrial feed

Advantages:

No need to waste time cooking;
It is stored longer than natural;
You don’t spend extra money on vitamins;
Easy to take on the go;
Sometimes cheaper;
If you have an allergy, you can simply change the food;

Flaws:

The ingredients on the package may not match the contents;
Cheap food causes serious health problems;
Vitamins in food lose their original usefulness;
Emulsifiers and preservatives and other additives can cause allergies.

There are several types of artificial food: dry, semi-moist and wet. Each of them also has its own disadvantages and advantages.

For example, dry food does not spoil for a long time . It doesn't stain the bowl or the area around it and even helps remove plaque from your teeth. But at the same time, flavorings and flavor enhancers are often added to such food.

Wet food is easier to digest and almost always contains no additives . But at the same time, it is addictive. The best option is to alternate these two types of food.

This way you can diversify your pet’s menu and make its diet more healthy and balanced.

There are four classes of feed:

Economy class;
Premium class;
Super premium class;
Holistic.

Each class of food has its own manufacturers and its own lines of food.

IMPORTANT!

Veterinarians advise feeding dogs food of at least premium quality, although this is not always of high quality.

Shar Pei food is produced by the CIBAU brand . All other manufacturers divide their food line by age, size of the dog, and the presence/absence of allergies.

Choosing dry food: which is better?

We compared the ratings of different brands of food. They can be divided into three classes - best, good, average.

All the foods presented below contain high-quality ingredients and are well digested by Shar Peis.

The class of best food includes: - “Artemis maximal dog”; — "Orijen"; - “Go natural.”

A good class is represented by the following foods: - “Canidae”; - "Acana"; - "Innova".

The following brands are considered to be of average quality: - “Biomil”; — “Nutro Ultra Holistic”; — “Eagle Pack Holistic Select.”

It is possible to use other premium and super-premium foods. Giving Shar Peis cheap, economy-class food is not recommended - they can pose a danger to the health and even life of the pet.

Rating of the 7 best foods

Wolfsblut . This is a German holistic dry food. It has a wide range and, due to the use in the manufacture of premium quality products, is practically hypoallergenic. There are 15 types of meat flavors, and 6 fish flavors are offered for summer meals;
Brit Care Adult Large Breed . This is Czech super-premium food. The line also has an option for allergy sufferers marked Sensitive - it is made from rice and lamb;
Royal Canin . This is a premium French food. It has a wide range, including for dogs with allergies, wet food with the highest meat content - more than 80%, has a natural composition, and also contains practically no grains;
Purina One . Premium food, but not premium quality. Suitable for feeding, but contains allergens.

Ready-made food for Shar Pei

What dry food should I feed? There are several leaders that have lines for medium breeds of dogs and puppies, taking into account the sensitivity of the skin and stomach.

This:

Artemis Maximal Dog;
Go Natural Grain Free Endurance;
Orijen;
Canidae;
Nutro Ultra Holistic.

The peculiarity of these feeds is that they belong to the highest class, are of high quality, are quickly digestible and have a full range of vitamins.

Remember that good food for Shar Pei is nutritious, so their portion is half that of natural food and economy class food.

It is important that the selected feed does not contain meat fat, meat flour, or many by-products. Also keep track of the amount of chemicals and expiration dates.

Artemis Maximal Dog

What to feed your Shar Pei? You can choose Artemis Maximal Dog food, which is produced in America and belongs to the super premium class.

Main nutritional ingredients:

natural meat and offal;
potato;
vegetables;
prebiotics;
vitamins.

The main feature of the diet is that it completely lacks cereals and grains, and the basis of the food is natural products. Therefore, it is recommended for all medium-sized dog breeds. But there is one drawback - possible obesity in Shar Pei due to large portions and low physical activity.

Go Natural Grain Free Endurance

What else can you feed your Shar Pei? Many people recommend Go Natural Grain Free Endurance nutrition, produced in Canada of super premium class. It is also a holistic dietary food with natural ingredients.

Nutrition basis:

hypoallergenic meat;
fish;
eggs;
flax oil;
cottage cheese;
chicory;
bifidobacteria;
potato;
other vegetables and fruits.

Few people know that the food is considered universal, since the composition is optimal for any breed of any age. It is only important to adjust the portion depending on the size of the Shar Pei.

The main feature of Go Natural Grain Free Endurance is its caloric and nutritional content, so your pet eats less, but is more active and mobile.

Orijen

Orijen food is also produced in Canada, it is classified as super premium and considered one of the best. Many note that the composition includes products that a dog would receive in natural conditions.

Compound:

meat and offal more than 50%;
fish;
vegetables;
fruits;
healing herbs;
natural flavor enhancers.

It is important that this food is suitable only for active and active dogs that spend a lot of time walking. Since the food contains a lot of protein and proteins.

Another feature is the low fiber content (therefore it is better to give only to adult pets), and the presence of chicken meat in some lines, which causes allergies.

Canidae

Canidae food is a super premium holistic food, Human Grade, produced in America and included in the list of the best. The main features are the absence of grains and soy, but a lot of proteins and amino acids.

Main components:

four types of meat;
rice;
prebiotics;
herbs;
berries and fruits;
fatty acid;
vitamins.

By the way, you will not find chemicals and flavorings banned in many countries, such as BHA and BHT, in Canide food. Therefore, the food is suitable for any dog of any age.

Nutro Ultra Holistic

Nutro Ultra Holistic belongs to the super premium class and holistic, therefore it is often used for allergies and dermatitis, to restore digestion. It can be used at any age, as nutrition strengthens the immune system and increases activity.

Nutrition Ingredients:

meat from 30%;
egg;
beet;
linen;
cellulose;
minerals and vitamins;
corn.

Note that you will have to calculate the portion of food, since short walks can lead to obesity and increase blood cholesterol.

One of the features of Nutro Ultra Holistic food is that it can be used during pregnancy and after birth of Shar Pei, for aging animals and puppies.

Pro Plan

Pro Plan is one of the most popular premium feeds in Russia . It is distinguished by a wide range and focus. You can choose food for a dog of any size and any age, with different health characteristics.

You can also choose almost any flavor for your pet - lamb, beef, salmon, chicken, and the same flavors, but with rice.

This food belongs to the premium class; only veterinary diets from this manufacturer can count on a higher level.

Pros of food:

Supports healthy teeth and gums, contains vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus;
Positively affects the condition of the joints - the correct ratio of proteins and omega3;
Contains prebiotics and has a beneficial effect on digestion and the microflora of the intestines and stomach.

Cons of food:

Very little protein, but a lot of carbohydrates;
The composition is not clearly stated;
Contains insufficient amounts of vitamins;
It contains gluten, wheat and corn - cheap fillers and not the healthiest sources of protein.

How to feed a puppy correctly?

The puppy appears in the owner's house at two months. At this time he eats 4-5 times a day .
The owner must calculate the daily dose of food and divide it by the number of meals and feed at different intervals. You also need to monitor whether the puppy is allergic to anything.

The following food should be fed to a puppy at 2-3 months::

Oatmeal with milk;
Low-fat and boiled fish;
Rice porridge with kefir;
Boiled meat;
Steamed zucchini and pumpkin with olive oil.

During the period of teeth growth - 4-5 months - you need to give the puppy food rich in calcium..

The older the puppy gets, the fewer meals he should have. By 6 months, he should eat 3 times a day, and he should already have the same diet as an adult dog.

What to feed a Shar Pei puppy

As soon as the owners acquire a dog, a pressing question immediately arises: “How to feed a Shar Pei at 1 month?” At first, the dog is fed often, but then the number of approaches is reduced:

From 1 to 2 months. the puppy is fed at least five times a day;
From 3 to 6 months. the frequency of feeding is reduced to four times a day;
From 6 months up to 1 year, the puppy receives three meals a day;
From one year old, the dog can be fed up to two times a day.

Every week the puppy's weight increases by 1 kg. This must be taken into account before adding dry food. In order for the puppy to grow up healthy and cheerful, you must follow the recommendations regarding the diet:

Some Shar Pei puppies may not eat all day - this is considered normal;
It is better not to change dry food or do it less often;
It is better to exclude fatty meat from the diet;
At any age, a vitamin and mineral complex should be added to the dish.

Shar Pei's ancestors ate small rodents, inside of which were cereals or roots (i.e., plant food). Therefore, in addition to meat, your pet’s diet must include vegetables and grains.

An example of a menu that can be fed to a Shar Pei to gain weight.

4 weeks

1st portion. Mix 100 ml of goat's milk with 2 tablespoons of yogurt and 1 raw egg.
2nd feeding. Make a puree of vegetables. You can use a blender for this. Mix the puree with 80 grams of finely chopped meat.
3rd feeding. No different from the 1st.
4th feeding. Chicken necks (4 pcs.) and chicken wings (2 pcs.).

A vitamin-mineral complex must be added to each feeding. Your puppy needs probiotics twice a day. Some dog breeders add fish oil or olive oil to the first two feedings.

1 to 2 months

1st feeding. Low-fat cottage cheese (2 tbsp), honey (1 tsp), 1 raw chicken egg, bio-yogurt (1 tbsp). Everything is thoroughly mixed and poured into a bowl.
2nd feeding. Chicken necks (3–4 pcs.). Separate the meat from the tubular bones and watch how the puppy eats them to avoid accidents.
3rd feeding. 80 gr. offal (liver, heart), meat or fish, flaxseed oil (1 tsp), bifitrilak (1/3). Mix all this together and add 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar.
4th feeding. Before going to bed, simply let your pet chew on raw chicken necks.

From 2 to 4 months

1st feeding. Minced meat (ground meat with bones) (80 g), ground vegetables (2 tbsp), flaxseed or olive oil (1 tsp), apple cider vinegar (1 tsp), fish oil (0 .5 tsp). All ingredients are thoroughly mixed and poured into a bowl.
2nd feeding. You can give your puppy 5 to 6 necks or 3 chicken wings to choose from.
3rd feeding. Minced meat and bones, a small piece of liver (it needs to be cut very finely), flaxseed or olive oil (1 tsp), apple cider vinegar (1 tsp), fish oil (0.5 tsp). Everything is mixed, as always.

How to properly feed an adult dog

At 8 months, the dog should already eat 2 times a day - morning and evening . You need to feed your dog meat, boiled sea fish, and add rice porridge or oatmeal, vegetables and dairy products to the diet. We must not forget about vitamins.

It is important to calculate the energy value of food . In this case, you need to take into account not only main meals, but also treats. Too many calories cause your dog to become overweight.

This places an additional burden on the heart and joints, which means that the Shar Pei’s health may deteriorate significantly, not for the better.

NOTE!

If your dog has problems digesting food, then leave in the diet foods that will be easily absorbed by the body.

All you have to do is reduce the amount of meat and add steamed vegetables instead.

Features of feeding depending on age

From birth to one month of age, puppies are completely dependent on their mother for nutrition. During this period, the bitch must receive increased nutrition so that her milk is nutritious. By the 4th week, the puppies' ears and eyes open, their sense of smell and taste become more acute. The babies begin to become interested in the smell of food, and the breeder, encouraging this curiosity, introduces complementary foods into the puppies’ diet.

At 2 months, the puppies' menu consists of 30% mother's milk and 70% adult food. Depending on the type of content (preferred by the breeder), the kids receive:

Soaked dry puppy food or canned food.
Minced meat, milk, fermented baked milk, kefir, egg yolk, vegetables.

At 3 months or a little earlier, the puppy moves to a new home and begins to receive vaccinations. At this age, the baby is protected by the mother’s residual immunity and the body needs increased nutrition. By 4 months, the child’s teeth will begin to change, which will lead to a sharp increase in the need for microelements.

Important! If you decide to feed your Shar Pei puppy natural food, and the breeder preferred industrial food (or vice versa), the transition to another type of diet is carried out gradually, over 8-14 days.

The feeding schedule is compiled individually, the standard scheme looks like this:

3–4 months: 5–6 feedings per day.
4–6 months: 4–5 feedings per day.
6–8 months: 3–4 feedings per day.
8 months and older: 2-3 feedings per day.

For novice owners, some useful tips on feeding “tails” in the video below:

Important! The daily food intake is divided into equal parts depending on the frequency of feeding. It is important not to overlook snacks and treats, which also have energy value and contain carbohydrates.

Each age implies a different caloric value of the daily food intake, and the smaller the puppy, the more nutritious its diet should be. If possible, try to feed your dog 2 times a day for up to a year, this will help maintain normal stomach volume and avoid overeating in the future.