Best Dog Food for Staffies: Staffordshire Bull Terrier and AmStaff Feeding Guide
The best dog food for Staffies is a complete, meat-based formula with plenty of protein for their muscle, calories matched to their activity level, and a protein source your dog does well on. Most active Staffordshire Bull Terriers and AmStaffs thrive on a high-protein food fed in measured portions. Easy keepers do better on a leaner recipe, and dogs that need to avoid chicken need a chicken-free one.
Staffy food at a glance
- Two breeds, one nickname: “Staffy” can mean the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (about 24 to 38 lb) or the American Staffordshire Terrier (about 40 to 70 lb). Portions differ a lot.
- What to look for: a named meat first, protein around 25% or more, fat that fits your dog’s activity, and clear calories per cup.
- How much: roughly 700 to 1,200 calories a day for an adult Staffordshire Bull Terrier and 1,000 to 1,900 for an AmStaff (estimates).
- Active Staffy: Bully Max 30/20 High Protein Chicken.
- Easy keeper or avoiding chicken: Bully Max 25/11 Lamb.
- Staffy puppy: Bully Max 24/14 Puppy.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs. AmStaff: Know Which Staffy You Feed
In the UK and Australia, “Staffy” almost always means the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. In the U.S. it often means the American Staffordshire Terrier, or AmStaff, too. The two breeds share history with the American Pit Bull Terrier, but they are not the same size, and size drives how much you feed. For the full story, see our guide on whether Staffordshire Bull Terriers and American Bullies are the same and our American Pit Bull Terrier breed guide.
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | American Staffordshire Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | About 14 to 16 in | About 17 to 19 in |
| Typical adult weight | Males about 28 to 38 lb, females about 24 to 34 lb | Males about 55 to 70 lb, females about 40 to 55 lb |
| Build | Compact, muscular, broad head | Taller, heavier frame, broad chest |
| Energy | High | High |
| Puppy size class | Medium | Medium to large; big males can reach the 70 lb large-size mark |
Typical ranges based on AKC breed standards. Individual dogs vary.
Both breeds pack a lot of muscle onto a short frame. That makes them look heavier than they are, and it means a few extra pounds show up quickly as a thick neck and lost waist. Feeding a Staffy well is mostly about two things: enough protein to hold that muscle, and calories measured carefully enough to keep them lean.
The pit bull family, including Staffies and AmStaffs, makes up about 31% of the Bully Max customers we surveyed. It’s one of the breed groups we feed most.
What Staffies Need From Their Food
Protein for a muscular build
Staffies are built like little athletes. A food with a named meat first and solid protein, around 25% or more on the label, gives them the amino acids to maintain muscle, especially if they run, swim, pull or play hard. More protein is not a shortcut to more muscle, though. Exercise builds it. Food supplies the materials. Our guide to building muscle on a dog with food covers how the two work together.
Fat and calories that match the dog in front of you
Fat is the most concentrated energy source in dog food. An active, hard-working Staffy can use a higher-fat formula. A dog that lounges on the couch most of the day will gain weight on the same food. This is the single biggest reason one Staffy does great on a food and another gets chunky on it.
Skin and coat
Staffies have short, single coats, so skin problems are easy to see. Skin allergies are commonly reported in the breed. A complete diet with good-quality protein and omega fatty acids supports a healthy coat, but itching, hair loss and red skin need a vet visit first, since fleas and environmental allergies are common causes. If a food trigger is confirmed, our guide to the best dog food for allergies explains how to choose. For dull or rough coats, see our tips for coarse, brittle hair.
Digestion
Gas and loose stools are frequent complaints from bully-breed owners. A consistent diet, slow food changes, fewer table scraps and a food with added probiotics can all help. If stomach trouble keeps coming back, talk to your vet and read our guide to the best dog food for a sensitive stomach.
Health screening comes first
Breed clubs recommend health testing for conditions seen in these breeds, such as hip dysplasia and certain inherited eye and neurological conditions. Food doesn’t prevent inherited disease, but keeping a Staffy lean takes pressure off its joints for life. If you are buying a puppy, ask the breeder for health test results.
How Much to Feed a Staffy
Use the bag’s feeding guide as a starting point and adjust from there. The table below shows estimated daily calories for healthy adult dogs, and what that means in cups of two Bully Max formulas.
| Adult weight | Calories per day (estimate) | Cups of 30/20 Chicken (535 kcal) | Cups of 25/11 Lamb (415 kcal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 lb | 690–870 | 1.3–1.6 | 1.7–2.1 |
| 30 lb | 790–990 | 1.5–1.9 | 1.9–2.4 |
| 35 lb | 890–1,110 | 1.7–2.1 | 2.1–2.7 |
| 40 lb | 980–1,230 | 1.8–2.3 | 2.4–3.0 |
| 50 lb | 1,160–1,450 | 2.2–2.7 | 2.8–3.5 |
| 60 lb | 1,330–1,670 | 2.5–3.1 | 3.2–4.0 |
| 70 lb | 1,500–1,870 | 2.8–3.5 | 3.6–4.5 |
Estimates for healthy adult dogs at a normal to active level (resting energy × 1.6 to 2.0). Couch potatoes and neutered dogs that gain easily may need less; working and sport dogs may need more. Adjust to body condition and ask your vet.
Example: a 35 lb Staffordshire Bull Terrier with a normal to active routine needs roughly 890 to 1,110 calories a day by this estimate. That’s about 1.7 to 2.1 cups of 30/20 Chicken, or 2.1 to 2.7 cups of 25/11 Lamb, split into two meals. A 60 lb AmStaff at the same activity level needs roughly 1,330 to 1,670 calories a day.
Check your dog every two weeks. You should feel the ribs easily without pressing and see a clear waist from above and a tuck from the side. If not, cut the amount by about 10%. If ribs, spine or hip bones are showing, add about 10%. Our dog food calculator gives a quick personal estimate, and our guide to pitbull weight, height and size has growth charts for the pit bull family.
Exercise and food go together
Staffies need daily exercise, often an hour or more of walks and play. A well-exercised Staffy is easier to keep lean and usually calmer at home. Our guide to how much exercise a pit bull needs applies to Staffies too.
Picky Staffies and Weight Gain
Most Staffies love to eat. Some don’t. A Staffy that walks away from its bowl may be overfed, bored with the food, or getting too many treats. Feed set meals, pick the bowl up after 15 to 20 minutes, and keep treats small. If your dog suddenly stops eating, loses weight or seems unwell, see your vet.
For a healthy dog that is simply fussy or hard to keep weight on, a more flavorful, calorie-dense food often helps. About 14% of Bully Max customers we surveyed said a reason they buy is that their picky dog finally eats, and about 9% bought for healthy weight gain. Our guides to the best dog food for picky eaters and helping a dog gain weight the healthy way go deeper.
“I began to notice the positive change in their coats, build, and digestion” — Bully Max customer, post-purchase survey
The Best Bully Max Food for Your Staffy
Proof first. Bully Max has over 50,000 5/5 reviews, a 5/5 rating from Dog Food Advisor, and has fed millions of dogs. We’re a family-owned U.S. company founded in 2009. Our food is made in the USA, every batch is triple tested for safety, and we have zero recalls. Our sponsored handlers compete with pit bull-type dogs at ADBA and dog sports events across the country.
| 30/20 High Protein Chicken | 25/11 Lamb | 24/14 Puppy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein / fat (min) | 30% / 20% | 25% / 11% | 24% / 14% |
| Calories | 535 kcal/cup | 415 kcal/cup | 419 kcal/cup |
| Main protein | Chicken | Lamb meal | Lamb meal |
| Chicken-free | No | Yes | — |
| TruMune | Yes | No | Yes |
| Best for | Active and muscular adult Staffies | Easy keepers, less active dogs, dogs avoiding chicken | Staffy and AmStaff puppies |
From Bully Max product pages. Always check the bag in your hands for the current label.
Active Staffies: 30/20 High Protein Chicken
For a Staffy that walks, runs, plays tug and competes, 30/20 delivers 30% protein and 20% fat at 535 calories per cup. That density means smaller portions for the same energy, which suits a dog with a small frame and a big motor. It also contains TruMune, a postbiotic that helps support digestion and immune health.
Bully Max sponsor Erica Noseworthy on why she feeds Bully Max:
FUEL YOUR STAFFY WITH BULLY MAX 30/20
Meat-based, high-protein nutrition with 30% protein, 20% fat and 535 calories per cup, plus TruMune to support digestion and immune health.
Easy keepers and chicken-free: 25/11 Lamb
Not every Staffy needs 535 calories per cup. For a calmer dog, a senior, a dog that gains weight easily or one that needs to avoid chicken, 25/11 Lamb is chicken-free, with lamb meal first, 25% protein and 45% less fat at 415 calories per cup. It keeps protein solid while making portions easier to control. Learn more in our chicken-free dog food guide.
NEED CHICKEN-FREE? TRY 25/11 LAMB
Chicken-free, with lamb meal first: 25% protein, 45% less fat and 415 calories per cup for easy keepers and less active Staffies.
Staffy puppies: 24/14 Puppy
Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies are a medium breed, while AmStaff males can approach the 70 lb mark that AAFCO uses for large-size dogs. Bully Max 24/14 Puppy covers both: it’s complete and balanced for all life stages, and suitable for large-breed dogs, including large-breed puppies, under AAFCO guidelines. Feed measured meals, keep your puppy lean, and plan to switch around 12 months for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and 12 to 18 months for a larger AmStaff. See our guides to the best puppy food and the best pitbull puppy food for feeding charts.
START YOUR STAFFY PUPPY ON 24/14
Lamb meal first, 24% protein, 14% fat and 419 calories per cup, with TruMune. Suitable for large-breed puppies under AAFCO guidelines.
How to Switch Your Staffy to a New Food
Switch over 7 to 10 days so your dog’s stomach has time to adjust: about a quarter new food for the first couple of days, then half, then three quarters, then all new. Slow down if stools get soft. Our step-by-step guide on how to switch your dog to Bully Max walks through it, including tips for picky eaters.
Feed Your Staffy Like the Athlete It Is
Know which Staffy you have, feed a meat-based food with real protein, match the calories to your dog’s day, and keep your dog lean.
- Active or muscular adult? 30/20 High Protein Chicken.
- Easy keeper, senior or avoiding chicken? 25/11 Lamb.
- Puppy? 24/14 Puppy.
See every formula for the pit bull family on our pit bull dog food page, and set your Staffy’s food on Autoship to save 10% on every order.
FAQ
What dog food is best for Staffies?
A complete, meat-based food with a named meat first, protein around 25% or more, and calories that fit your dog’s activity. For active adult Staffies we recommend Bully Max 30/20 High Protein Chicken. For easy keepers or dogs avoiding chicken, 25/11 Lamb. For puppies, 24/14 Puppy.
How much food should a Staffy eat a day?
As an estimate, an adult Staffordshire Bull Terrier of 25 to 38 lb needs roughly 700 to 1,200 calories a day, and an AmStaff of 40 to 70 lb roughly 1,000 to 1,900, depending on activity. In 30/20 Chicken, that’s about 1.3 to 2.3 cups a day for most Staffordshire Bull Terriers. Split it into two meals and adjust to body condition.
How much food should a Staffy puppy eat?
It depends on weight and age. As an estimate, a 15 lb Staffy puppy under 4 months needs about 880 calories a day, or about 2.1 cups of 24/14 Puppy, split into three or four meals. Our best puppy food guide has a full puppy feeding table.
What foods can Staffies not eat?
The same foods that are unsafe for all dogs: chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, xylitol (a sweetener in some gum and peanut butter), macadamia nuts, alcohol and cooked bones. Fatty table scraps can also upset their stomachs. If your dog eats something toxic, call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away.
Is chicken bad for Staffies?
No. Most Staffies do well on chicken. Some dogs react to it, and chicken is one of the proteins most often reported in dog food allergies. If your vet confirms chicken is a problem, choose a chicken-free food like Bully Max 25/11 Lamb.
Do Staffies need a high-protein diet?
Active Staffies do well on a high-protein, meat-based food because it supports their muscle. Less active dogs still need good protein, but with fewer calories, which is where a leaner food like 25/11 Lamb fits.
Questions about feeding your Staffy? Tell us about your dog in the comments below.
