For adults, food conditions may vary, according to type of living environment, such as areas prone to allergies or if in contact with sensitive plants or vegetation. Please also keep in mind that changes in diet may cause digestive issues or a difference in stool quantity and/or consistency, so it's important to make each change gradual. Improvement in skin health or weight gain/loss may take 2-4 weeks to notice.

We usually maintain consistency for sake of the dog's digestive system, with same or similar brands adult formulas from ProPlan, Sensible Choice, NutroMax, Nature's Recipe, or Diamond. If a show dog, a performance formula and supplemental stress vitamins may be necessary. For pregnant bitches, we usually feed them the puppy growth, daily multi-vitamins, vitamin C (500mg) tablets, and additional calcium (tablets, cottage cheese, yogurt) when nursing. For senior dogs with severe allergies or weakened health / old age conditions, we recently started using Solid Gold Holistique Blendz Adult Dog with good results.

Depending on the development of your Shar-pei, adult formula is first introduced from six to eighteen months. If prior to the first birthday, it is usually mixed (50/50) with puppy growth to reduce calories for big eaters or inactive puppies. If after the first birthday, it is because your puppy hasn't filled out enough or is an active personality requiring more energy to grow.

Adults, once fed adult formula, usually require only one large meal or two small meals a day. Any signs of vomiting or nausea could mean that your Shar-pei is not eating enough. This can be easily corrected by adding supplements like canned food, scrambled eggs, or cottage cheese to the morning meals. I don't encourage overuse of these items, since we lack knowledge in what really causes toxin buildup in animals that leads to organ damage and cancerous tumors. The best knowledge to a successful plan is when the end results in a happy fit dog. Call your vet if you are concerned about losing weight or recurring vomiting. These may be signs of a more complicated problem than picky eating.

During the winter, whether Shar-pei puppy or adult may require supplements, such as adding safflower or fish oil and use skin moisturizers, to eliminate dry skin problems caused by winter. We also encourage a daily vitamin to keep your Shar-pei extra healthy and strong to avoid unnecessary illnesses. Viruses can be very difficult to treat, especially in puppies or stressed adults, and may cause harmful, even deadly, reactions to a dog.

This adult schedule can be maintained until your Shar-pei starts to slow down, at about five to seven years of age. As with any older dog, diet needs to be adjusted to meet a slower/older lifestyle. A lower protein and fat food (to make it easier to digest), offered in two or three meals, will keep a Shar-pei happy the rest of its' life. Do not allow your older dog to gain unnecessary weight. It not only slows them down, it will make them more injury/health issue prone.

For Chinese Shar-pei (as in most breeds) receiving proper exercise, diet, and current immunizations will outline your dog's future health. It is up to each owner to see that their Shar-pei is given the proper health, nutrition, and medical care to live a happy life.