With their signature stocky build and easygoing vibe, Australian Bulldogs are unmistakably charming, but behind the playful energy lies a set of health needs that require real attention. From joint support to skin health and weight management, what goes into your dog’s bowl can shape their everyday wellbeing.

In this guide, we break down exactly what your Aussie Bully needs to thrive — backed by expert insight and a deep understanding of the breed’s unique needs. Whether you’re navigating puppyhood or fine-tuning your dog’s diet, we’ll help you make smart, tailored choices grounded in real nutrition.

Read more: Australian Bulldog breed insights: care, personality & expert tips

How nutrition can help common Australian Bulldog health concerns

Skin allergies

Australian Bulldogs can be prone to skin conditions, including itchiness, rashes and hot spots, often triggered by food sensitivities or environmental allergens. If your Aussie Bully is scratching excessively, a change in diet might be in order.

Try this:
A novel protein diet, like Lyka’s Hypoallergenic Pro made with goat, can be beneficial. Goat is a less common protein that your Aussie Bully is unlikely to have encountered, reducing the risk of allergic reactions. This formula also excludes common allergens like chicken, beef, wheat, corn, soy, dairy and eggs.

Read more: Dog skin allergies: triggers, symptoms and itch relief treatment (with photos)

Joint issues

Due to their compact and muscular build, Australian Bulldogs are susceptible to joint concerns, especially hip and elbow dysplasia. These conditions can lead to long-term mobility challenges if not addressed early.

Try this:
Food with anti-inflammatory properties can help. Ingredients like turmeric, ginger and omega-3-rich fish oils (such as those found in Lyka meals) support joint health.

Read more: Hip dysplasia: how can your dog’s diet help?

Weight gain

Australian Bulldogs love their food and are not always great at self-regulating. Their stocky build makes it easy to pack on extra kilos, which can exacerbate joint problems and respiratory challenges associated with their short snouts.

Try this:
Choose custom-portioned meals like Lyka to ensure your dog gets the right amount of nutrients without excess calories. Limit treats to no more than 10% of their daily intake, and opt for lean, single-protein options like Lyka’s Chicky Chews.

Read more: Lyka’s vet guide to healthy dog weight (with charts and videos)

How to choose the best food for your Australian Bulldog

Fresh food, raw, wet or dry? Supermarket, pet shop, or delivered to your door? There are so many dog food options on the market — where do you begin?

Complete and balanced

Australian Bulldogs, like all pups, need a complete and balanced diet containing the right nutrients in the right proportions.

Australia has pet food standards, but they’re largely unregulated. Many brands follow AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) or FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) guidelines.

Meeting AAFCO and FEDIAF standards is just the start. Lyka meals are formulated by a team of Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists to ensure they’re complete and balanced for all life stages.

Read more: Dog food ingredients: a glossary of common and confusing terms

Optimal nutrition for your Australian Bulldog

Not all dog food is created equally. Variety and quality of ingredients and cooking methods can all impact the nutrient availability of your dog’s food.

Many raw dog food options present a good balance of high-quality protein, fresh produce, and superfoods. But not all dogs can easily digest raw food, especially pups with a weakened immune system, or digestive issues.

Dry food (kibble) often contains high amounts of carbohydrates and synthetic vitamins and minerals. The animal protein used in kibble is often pet-grade, like meat meal or meat by-products, that vary in quality and are not subject to the same checks as human-grade meat. Kibble is usually cooked at high temperatures, which can reduce digestibility and can lead to the potential formation of harmful compounds, like acrylamides.

Home cooking can be a great option for your dog, but making sure each mouthful is complete and balanced is not easy to do without expert guidance.

Lyka meals are made using human-grade ingredients and are gently cooked, then snap-frozen to retain their nutritional value and digestibility. Each meal is high in protein and custom-portioned to meet your dog’s daily needs.

Want to dig deeper into which type of food is best for your Australian Bulldog? We’ve created a series of guides to help you make an informed choice.

Read more: Freshly cooked vs kibble for dogs: which is better?
Read more: Freshly cooked vs raw meat for dogs: which is better?
Read more: Fresh vs home cooking for your dog: which is better?
Read more: Freshly cooked vs wet food for dogs: which is better?

How much food does an Australian Bulldog need?

Serving size recommendations based solely on weight don’t tell the full story. Your dog’s energy level, lifestyle and body condition score are all part of the picture.

That’s why Lyka calculates your Australian Bulldog’s portion sizes based on their personal profile, not just on their weight.

Establish a consistent feeding routine with your Australian Bulldog to support their digestion, especially if they have a sensitive stomach.

Do Australian Bulldog puppies and senior dogs need special food?

Not necessarily. Nutrient-dense, real food meals formulated for all life stages — like Lyka — cover the daily requirements of both growing pups and dogs in their golden years.

Read more: What should puppies eat? Expert nutrition tips for optimal development
Read more: Why real food is the healthiest choice for senior dogs

New to Lyka? Let’s rethink dog food together

Parenting an Australian Bulldog comes with plenty of decisions. Choosing what’s in their bowl is one of the most important.

Designed by Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists and made with real, human-grade ingredients, Lyka meals are custom-portioned to match your dog’s needs.

Australian Bulldogs across Australia are already thriving on Lyka — yours could be next.

Join our pack of proud Australian Bulldog parents today.