If you’re searching for the best dog food for your Pitbull or Bully breed, you’ve come to the right place. We studied the best brands of dog food and chose the ones best for puppy Pitbulls as well as adult Pitbulls. Your dog may have special needs in his diet, so we chose the best foods for muscle growth, sensitive skin, and sensitive stomachs. In addition, we describe the ideal Pitbull diet, a feeding guide, and a section of FAQs. While this article isn’t a replacement for veterinary information, we hope you get closer to finding the best food plan for your Pitbull!
- Best for pitbull puppies to gain weight and muscle: Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Puppy Food
- Best for pitbulls with skin allergies: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Natural Dry Puppy Food
- Best for pitbulls with sensitive stomachs: The Honest Kitchen Human-Grade Dehydrated Grain-Free Beef
Top 10 Best Best Dog Foods for Pitbulls Reviews in 2019
| Brands | Best For | Read Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Buffalo Wilderness | A Puppy to grow strong teeth and bones, good dental health, a healthy coat and skin, and a strong immune system. | |
| Wellness Complete Health | A puppy to gain overall wellness with a healthy coat, energy to play, strong digestive health, immunity from illness, and healthy eyes, gums, and teeth. | |
| Taste of the Wild High Prairie | Adult Pitbulls who are active and may need a stronger digestive and immune system. | |
| Wellness CORE Grain-Free | Adult Pitbulls who are showing signs of hip dysplasia or if you want to prevent hip dysplasia. | |
| Blue Buffalo Freedom | Adult Pitbulls who suffer from sensitive skin or skin allergies. | |
| The Honest Kitchen Beef Recipe | Adult Pitbulls who don’t like dry kibble or have a sensitive stomach. | |
| Diamond Naturals Adult | Adult Pitbulls who are less active and do not need as much daily protein. | |
| Natural Balance Limited Ingredients | Adult Pitbulls who suffer from allergies, food allergies, sensitive stomach, or skin allergies. | |
| Blue Buffalo Life Protection | Adult Pitbulls who are overweight, growing older, or showing signs of slowing down. | |
| Nutro Feed Clean Wholesome Essentials | Adult Pitbulls who need to lose weight but prefer the super flavorful taste of real meat. |
Best Food for Pitbull Puppies
Pitbull puppies are highly energetic and gain a lot of muscle as they grow. In order to stay healthy and strong while they grow, Pitbull puppies need food with a higher protein level than other puppy foods. Typically, a Pittie puppy will need 2,000 to 3,000 calories per day with 40% protein and 14% to 20% fat in their food. The total amount of food per day should be divided into 4 or 5 meals. Read more in our feeding guide below!
1. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Grain-Free, Natural Dry Puppy Food
With 34% protein from chicken meal and fish meal, Blue Buffalo Wilderness ranks above other puppy foods for being healthy and wholesome. It also contains 16% fat so puppies can play all day and get the exercise they need. The food contains important vitamins and minerals such as DHA and ARA for healthy brain and eye development. Overall, Blue Buffalo Wilderness covers all essential aspects of puppy food for a Pitbull to grow strong teeth and bones, good dental health, a healthy coat and skin, and a strong immune system.
2. Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Puppy Food – Chicken, Salmon, Oatmeal
Wellness Complete Health Dry Puppy Food checks off so many requirements for our favorite puppy foods for Pitbulls. This spunky breed needs extra protein for growth and calories for energy. With 29% protein and 18% fat, your pup will have energy to burn for playtime and growth of strong muscles and healthy bones. The high-quality protein comes from chicken. Antioxidants come from blueberries and spinach. Flaxseed supports a healthy coat and skin. You will see all 5 signs of wellness if you feed your Pitbull puppy this Wellness food. The signs being: skin and coat; energy; digestive health; eyes, teeth, and gums; immunity.
Best Food for Adult Pitbulls
When full grown, Pitbulls still require more protein and fat compared to other dog breeds, as long as they stay active. If your Pittie is getting older, slowing down, or generally isn’t very active, fewer calories, fat, and proteins are acceptable. We’ve broken it all down for you!
3. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Canine Recipe
Taste of the Wild is often on our list of best dog foods for various breeds. They’ve done it again with the High Prairie Canine Recipe that is high in protein for active dogs. The High Prairie Canine Recipe is made of roasted bison and roasted venison for high levels of good-quality protein that is easy to digest. K9 Strain Probiotics are added to the cooking process at the ideal time. Each pound of Taste of the Wild contains 80 million live, active cultures to support strong digestive and immune systems. For a Pitbull who walks, runs, or plays frequently – this is a great choice in dog food.
4. Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Wellness CORE Grain-Free contains a formula specifically focused on protein. Pitbulls need protein! How can you go wrong? The Original Formula for Large Breeds contains 34% protein and 12% fat for optimal energy and body maintenance. The protein is sourced from deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal. You won’t find any meat byproducts or fillers. You will find, however, antioxidants, omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and probiotics. All ingredients are real and natural, such as flaxseed and blueberries.
The added glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate support hip and joint health – which is important to prevent the commonly-found hip dysplasia. Therefore, this may be the best dog food for your Pitbull if he shows signs of hip dysplasia or if you are looking to prevent hip dysplasia in a young adult dog.
5. Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food
Blue Buffalo Freedom offers this Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food with essential vitamins, antioxidant-rich ingredients, and vital minerals for a healthy coat and skin. If your Pitbull suffers from sensitive skin or skin allergies, this may be the dog food for him. In addition to coat health, your Pittie will benefit from high-quality ingredients that include peas, flaxseed, sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, and cranberries. The first ingredient is deboned beef – the main source of protein for strong muscles and lively energy levels. L-Carnitine also aids in lean muscles. Calcium promotes bone development and stability over the years. Lastly, glucosamine and chondroitin promote joint health to prevent hip dysplasia.
6. The Honest Kitchen Human-Grade Dehydrated Grain-Free Beef
The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Beef Recipe is dehydrated dog food made from ranch-raised beef that is human-grade safety and quality. Your Pitbull deserves wholesome, delicious food as good as the food you eat. And here it is! Inside this package is 40 pounds of food (when prepared) containing 16 pounds of beef, 14 sweet potatoes, and 1.5 bunches of kale. You won’t find any GMO ingredients, preservatives, or fillers. You will find naturally added vitamins and minerals, though.
Your Pitbull may benefit from dehydrated food if he doesn’t like dry dog food or if his stomach is sensitive to dry dog food. Dehydrated food often has bolder flavor and softer texture. Your Pittie will also grow strong thanks to its minimal processing and concentrated nutrition. You will benefit from dehydrated dog food because this 10-pound box makes 40 pounds of food!
7. Diamond Naturals Adult Large Breed Chicken and Rice
Diamond Naturals Chicken and Rice is an overall high-quality food for nearly any Pitbull. The chicken comes from cage-free chickens. Other ingredients, such as peas, are superfoods with high nutritional value. Proprietary probiotics are specifically formulated to support digestion for large breed adult dogs. Diamond Naturals does not use any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
At 23% protein, this dry dog food is lower than other foods we’ve reviewed. Therefore, we recommend it for less-active Pitbulls. If your dog is older or simply does not play and exercise as much, this may be the best dog food option. Fat contents are at only 13%, so a less active dog will not gain unwanted weight.
8. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets is made from sweet potato and fish, which is perfect for Pitbulls who have allergies, food sensitivities, sensitive stomachs, or skin allergies. Limited ingredients that are natural and wholesome give your dog the nutrients he needs without any extras to bother his digestive system.
With fish as the premium protein, dogs get essential amino acids and protein for strong muscle tone maintenance. And with sweet potato as the quality carbohydrate, dogs get highly digestible, potassium-rich energy sources. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids maintain a healthy skin and luxurious coat.
Best Diet Food for Pitbulls
Sometimes dogs gain too much weight. It happens. Thankfully, weight loss is easy enough with the proper food formula.
9. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula focuses on lowering calories from fat and boosting protein for lean muscle development. The chicken and brown rice recipe includes deboned chicken, wholesome whole grains, and healthy fruits and vegetables. L-Carnitine also helps develop and maintain lean muscles. The reduction of calories gives your Pitbull a satisfying meal without loading up on the calories that made him gain weight. Glucosamine and chondroitin boost joint health and overall mobility so your dog can get more exercise and lose weight faster.
Also, if you Pitbull is growing older and showing signs of slowing down, Life Protection Formula may be the best option. Keeping your dog’s weight down can reduce the chances of him developing hip dysplasia as he ages.
10. Nutro Feed Clean Wholesome Essential Healthy Weight
With lean chicken as the first ingredient, the protein in Nutro Healthy Weight also provides a source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. The combination of these ingredients reduces your Pitbull’s weight while supporting his joint health to prevent hip dysplasia or reduce the pain of existing hip dysplasia. Natural fiber promotes healthy digestion for quicker consumption of essential nutrients.
If your Pitbull is overweight – perhaps because he likes to eat flavorful table scraps – Nutro may be the best food option for weight loss. Don’t feel bad, we’ve all fed our pups table scraps because who can say ‘no’ to such a cute face? But now he’s accustomed to food with strong flavors. He may not want to eat bland dry dog food. Nutro is very rich in flavor, so your Pittie may be interested in eating it!
Feeding Guide: How to Properly Feed Your Pitbull
One of the easiest ways to determine how much your Pitbull should eat is referring to the feeding guide on your chosen dog food bag or box. Generally, the packaging will tell you to feed your dog a certain number of cups of food per day depending on his weight. It is also a good idea to see a veterinarian for an exact weight and for advice about your particular dog regarding what amounts to feed and when.
While you’re here, we will provide a general guideline of how much to feed, when to feed, and what ingredients to look for. We will also give you a few ingredients to avoid.
Pitbull puppies should consume more calories per day than adult Pitbulls because they’re quickly growing and need the extra nutrients. Generally, Pittie puppies should get 2,000 to 3,300 calories per day, divided into 3 or 4 meals per day. Space meals out evenly throughout the day so your puppy has a steady source of sustenance and doesn’t experience long periods of hunger.
Adult Pitbulls should consume about 1,700 calories per day if they’re very active. Let’s say your dog weighs 65 pounds and exercises frequently throughout the day. He will have more calories to burn. If your Pitbull weighs less – let’s say 50 pounds – and is less active, he will need about 1,165 calories per day. As adults, Pitbulls should eat 2 meals per day, spaced evenly.
Senior Pitbulls fall into a similar category as inactive adult Pitbulls. Chances are, as a senior, he doesn’t run and play as much as he used to. Fewer calories – 1,165 per day – prevent him from gaining weight and putting a strain on his aging joints.
Ingredients to Look For
Protein is the main source of muscle growth. Inactive adult Pitbulls should eat food with a 30% protein content. Active adult Pitbulls should get about 35% protein levels. Puppy Pitbulls should eat food with nearly 40% protein to support their quick growth.
Fat and calories are the main source of energy for Pitbulls. An active adult Pittie should eat food with 20% fat content. A less active Pitbull, whether adult or senior, should eat food with less fat. And a puppy Pitbull should eat food with 14% to 20% fat levels.
Carbohydrates are not necessary for Pitbulls to consume and are best in small amounts. Carbs are included in dry kibble for the sake of keeping the kibble in shape. Carbs also let kibble last longer in storage. At most, Pitbull puppies and adults need 25% to 30% carbohydrate levels in their food for growth.
Minerals are good for overall health of your Pitbull. Calcium is important for bones and teeth but must be balanced with phosphorus in a ratio of 1.2:1 to avoid over-supplementation and bone deficiencies. DHA is a component part of Omega-3 fatty acid that puppies get from their mother’s milk. When they transition to dry food, it is important that DHA is continued in their diet. Fish and salmon oil are a good source of DHA. Lastly, Pitbulls need larger levels of macronutrients that include: magnesium for bone and muscle growth; chloride and sodium for the nervous system, cardiac and muscular function; potassium for cardiac function; and sulfur for skin, nails, and fur.
Ingredients to Avoid
As with most dogs, there is a pretty standard list of ingredients that are harmful to dogs.
- Byproducts containing unspecified ingredients, including random dead animals and leftovers from slaughterhouses.
- Corn and grain are cheap fillers that dogs don’t need and can upset their stomachs, lead to digestive issues, and cause weight gain.
- Additives such as color are flavor and intended to make the food more appealing to dogs but are merely chemicals concocted in a lab that can make your Pitbull sick.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can Pitbulls eat besides dog food?
In moderation, Pitbulls can eat peanut butter, cheese, chicken broth, apples, bananas, carrots, chicken, eggs, oatmeal, potatoes (cooked, skin removed), pumpkin, rice, sweet potato, and yogurt.
Is raw meat good for Pitbulls?
Yes, Pitbulls can benefit from raw meat with shinier coats, healthier skin, cleaner teeth, higher energy levels, and smaller stools. Pitbulls with severe allergies may benefit from a raw meat diet.
What foods are Pitbulls allergic to?
Allergies depend on each Pitbull, but they could be triggered by beef, cheese, potato, dairy, wheat, egg, soy, pork, lamb, rabbit, corn, fish, and chicken. If you notice allergies, speak with a veterinarian immediately to find a solution.
Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to read our recommendations and buying guide! We hope you are closer to finding the best dog food for Pitbulls. Remember, this article is not a replacement for professional veterinary advice. This is merely informational.