The best diet for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier should, first and foremost, be one high in quality protein. It should also be moderate in healthy fats, low in carbohydrates, and tailored specifically to the individual dog’s life stage, activity level and health status.

The diet should focus on minimally processed, natural ingredients, and definitely not on unhealthy, highly processed commercial dog food. Raw food or lightly cooked food are best for supporting overall health and well-being.

Consulting with a canine nutritionist is recommended to ensure any diet meets your individual dog’s specific needs.

Key considerations for a Staffordshire Buller Terrier diet

• High-quality protein: Protein is essential for muscle maintenance and growth. Feed fresh, high-quality, low-fat protein which can include beef and chicken, lamb and pork, fish, eggs and more novel protein sources such as goat and rabbit.
• Healthy fats: Include sources of healthy fats (non-animal fats) like fish oil for energy, gut, skin and coat health, and hormone regulation.
• Carbohydrates: Opt for digestible, functional carbohydrates from vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.
• Age and life stage: Puppies require more food and nutrients for growth than do adult dogs. Senior dogs may need higher quality protein and food with added support for joint health and mobility such as bone broth and green lipped mussel.
• Activity level: Active Staffies will need more calories than those with a more sedentary lifestyle.
• Health conditions: If your Staffie has allergies or other health issues, a tailored diet from a qualified canine nutritionist is crucial.
• Avoid commercial dog food: Definitely avoid kibble which is largely made with fillers, grains and artificial additives.
• Raw food diet: Staffies do really well on raw or lightly cooked diets which typically include muscle meat, organ meat and raw meaty bones and a little fruit and vegetables
• Supplements: Consider supplements like fish oil (omega-3 oil) or kelp powder, especially if feeding a raw diet, to ensure complete nutrition.
• Dog nutritionist consultation: Consult with a canine nutritionist for personalised dietary advice.

Foods to consider for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier

• Lightly cooked homemade food: Home cooked food is considerably better for a Staffie than any commercial dog food.
• Raw diet: If considering raw food, source high-quality meats, organ meats and raw meaty bones from reputable suppliers. Try a local butcher or farm shop for human-grade meat.
• Fruits and vegetables: Include a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in moderation. These can include carrots, blueberries, pumpkin and sweet potatoes. For a full list of all the ingredients you can feed your Staffie, I recommend downloading a homemade dog food feeding guide.
• Treats: Use healthy treats like small pieces of cooked chicken or fish in moderation and reduce the daily food allowance accordingly. Or consider a 100% natural dog treat baking mix.
• Table scraps: Despite what you may have heard, studies show that feeding puppies and young dogs appropriate table scraps can improve their health later in life.

Foods to avoid giving your Staffie

• Kibble: Dry commercial dog food is the least appropriate diet for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. It is full of pro-inflammatory carbohydrates and fillers such as woodpulp.
• Grains: While they’re not always necessary to eliminate, some Staffies may benefit from grain-free diets if they suffer from allergies.

High-fat foods: Limit fatty foods, as Staffies can be prone to pancreatitis.

To learn how to feed your Staffordshire Bull Terrier healthy nutritious food, download my Toy & Small Dog Feeding Guide. It includes all the ingredients you can feed a Staffie together with dog-friendly fresh food recipes.

For further detailed advice, contact a qualified canine nutritionist!