Ingredients That Promote Healthy Weight Gain In Pitbulls
Healthy weight gain is essential in Pitbulls as they grow up and the best part is that you can rely on a few key ingredients to deliver results. It is, however, important to make sure your dog eats as per their required calorie consumption because too much of it can cause unhealthy weight gain and obesity.
Protein
Pitbulls require more protein than many other dog breeds thanks to their athletic built up. But just choosing a food thats rich in protein is not enough. It is equally important to ensure that the protein is derived from the best resources to promote healthy weight gain. Look for a food option that derives its protein from whole meat sources including beef, chicken, salmon, venison, turkey, bison, and more. A minimum of 30% protein is great for a pibbles diet.
Fats
The next key ingredient for a Pitbulls diet is fat content. To achieve and maintain healthy weight gain, your Pitbull requires at least 17% fat in his diet thats derived from the best sources. Sources like pork fat, chicken fat, soybean oil, fish oil, and vegetable oil are good sources of fat content.
Carbohydrates
Your energetic pebble can thrive on good quality carbs in their dietary formulation. A blend that includes sweet potatoes or potatoes is great, as long as your dog is not allergic or sensitive to any of these ingredients. Its best to serve a small amount to know if your dog has any allergies before you introduce a new diet. Keep the carb content low to moderate.
Creating A Consistent Feeding Schedule
It is important to create a consistent feeding schedule for your Pitbull puppyand maintain one throughout the entirety of his life. This is the best way to maintain a healthy weight and keep his digestive system on track.
You can easily monitor how much your dog is eating if you know how much he should be eating and how often he is eating. You can adjust his food as needed if his weight is looking off or if his energy level has been decreasing. He will also not be demanding food as often if he knows when to expect meals.
Best For Seniors: Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Large Aging 8+ Dry Dog Food
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Senior dogs may benefit from changes to their diet, particularly if they are suffering from any age-related concerns such as arthritis, cognitive decline, or weight changes. This blend from Royal Canin is formulated for 8-year old dogs and up that weigh 57 pounds or more. The easy-to-digest recipe contains the prerequisite high-quality proteins and fiber along with EPA, DHA, and antioxidants which can help fight age-related changes in your dog. If your senior dog has trouble chewing, mix with warm water to soften the kibble.
“Owners may also want to consider speaking to their vet about supplements that can help with joint problems, such as omega fatty acids and glucosamine/chondroitin,” Dr. Richardson says.
If your pit bull is having trouble gaining weight, consider adding canned dog food to their diet. Some wet foods can contain more calories and fat than dry foods, notes Dr. Richardson, who goes on to say that if your pup is having trouble keeping weight on, you should always speak to your vet to determine if there are any underlying causes.
This lamb, herring, sweet potato, and blueberry blend is high in protein and low in carbs with a 6.5 percent fat content. It’s formulated without any added water or broth for a hearty, meat-like texture. The food is made in Italy and comes in a BPA-free can. Remember to promptly refrigerate any unused food.
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Best Dog Foods For Pitbulls
A feeding guide is not complete without information on what you put in your dogs feeding bowl. Choosing the best food is crucial, whether you are raising a puppy or taking care of an older dog.
Pitbull owners can choose to feed their pup with commercial dog food or go for a homemade diet consisting of raw foods or raw meats.
Getting a balanced diet for your Pit Bull is possible, given that you feed them with the best store-bought or homemade dog food as recommended by your veterinarian.
The list below shows the best dog food options you can provide your Pitbull:
The video below shows a vet-approved homemade recipe you can follow:
Moreover, all Pit Bull Terriers like the American Pit Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier require high protein food.
As puppies, you can feed them large breed puppy food that is approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials .
It should contain at least 14 to 17 percent fat from fish oil or chicken fat. These essential fatty oils promote muscle growth and healthy skin.
To avoid too much calcium intake, its also advised to serve food with 1.1 to 1.5 percent calcium. This also helps prevent the onset of skeletal issues.
Each of these dog food options has its own advantages and disadvantages. Before you decide, consult a licensed animal nutritionist or vet to know your best choice and how to properly feed your Pitbull.
Puppyhood Is The Best Time To Consider Pet Insurance
As a puppy, your dog has probably not shown any significant health concerns at his young age. Since pet insurance companies dont cover pre-existing conditions, the younger your dog is when you sign up, the better coverage you will likely receive throughout his lifetime. Furthermore, pet insurance can help support you financially during the unpredictable puppy years when dogs are more likely to chew on things they shouldnt and run into dangerous situations. Check out our pet insurance guide to learn more and to determine whether pet insurance is worth it for your puppy.
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Foods To Avoid Feeding Your Pitbull
Knowing that Pitbulls have sensitive stomachs, its only imperative to know what foods to avoid when feeding them.
While some may only have a mild allergic reaction to certain ingredients, other foods can actually be fatal to other dogs.
First, lets discuss what foods are considered poisonous for Pit Bulls. Some of these can be toxic even when eaten in small amounts.
Chocolate is considered one of the most dangerous foods to give your Pitbull puppy or adult dog.
This contains a substance called theobromine which can cause abnormal heartbeat, seizures, and even death when taken in large quantities.
Candies and other sweets are also considered toxic to Pit Bulls. These contain xylitol which is more threatening to chocolates by a great margin.
Xylitol is an alternative sweetener that is mainly found in products like toothpaste, mouthwash, peanut butter, cereals, and baked goods.
Avocado, walnuts, cherries, peaches, plums, grapes, raisins, corn on the cob, and caffeinated drinks are also considered harmful to Pitbulls.
Moreover, there are additional foods that you should avoid feeding your Pitbull due to the adverse side effects that they may bring to your dog. While not considered toxic, they can still cause vomiting, diarrhea, and weight gain.
Many dogs end up in vet clinics due to inappropriate food intake. While prevention is still the best option, its also essential to know the cost of emergency treatment and medication.
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So What Is The Best Pitbull Diet In The World
Pitbulls are large muscular dog breeds with high energy levels. Their diet will be a lot different from that of toy breeds or low-energy breeds. You must map out your bullys diet right from when they are puppies.
A healthy diet that is filled with nutrients not only makes your puppy Pitbull stronger but also protects them from common health issues that face dogs on poor diets.
Without further ado, here is what you need to know before planning your red nose or blue nose pit bulls diet.
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Move On From Puppy Food
Puppy food is very high in calories and nutritional supplements so you want to switch to adult food once your puppy begins to approach maturity. There is no set age when the switch should be made because it will vary with the breed and individual dog.
In general, the smaller the dog the faster they reach maturity. Small breeds up to 30 pounds mature around ten to twelve months of age although some toy breeds reach maturity even sooner. Medium breed dogs up to 80 pounds will reach maturity between twelve to sixteen months and I believe your puppy may fall into this category. It really depends how much Great Pyrenees she has in her. Large breed dogs weighing more than 80 pounds can take up to two years to reach maturity.
When making the switch to adult food, do it slowly over the course of one to two weeks by gradually mixing in increasing amounts of the adult food with decreasing amounts of her puppy food to minimize gastric upset.
Scouting Out The Most Nutritious Food For Your Pit Bull Puppy Or An Adult Dog
Whether youre choosing the best dog food for your grown-up Pit Bull, or a Pit Bull puppy food for your growing little buddy, there are some key ingredients that you should always be looking out for. Weve highlighted these for you in our reviews of adult and puppy Pit Bull food, so youll always make the best dog food choice!
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Week 8 Old Pitbull Puppy
Now your Pitbull puppy can be reunited with a brand-new family. She mustnât get breast milk and may rely entirely on puppy food now. You ought to feed your puppy 4 times daily, if feasible.
Diet must be provided in the same amounts to fulfill his calorie requirement. Take care to get rid of any uneaten food after about half an hour so that the puppy is aware of being on an even diet. It must help with absorption.
What Is The Best Puppy Food For Pitbull Puppies
A Pitbull puppy is technically considered a puppy until about fourteen months of age. After this time, you may be able to switch to a food for adult dogs. Your puppy is all grown up and no longer needs the high protein provided in puppy foods.
Dont stress about trying to find the best food for bully puppy feedings. You can easily figure out the best food to give a Pitbull puppy by observing his or her unique behaviors, preferences, and health.
Hopefully, we have given you all the information you need to find the top dog food for Pitbull puppies.
What do you believe to be a good puppy food for Pitbulls? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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Cesar Gourmet Wet Dog Food Variety Packs
If you have a picky eater on your hands, the Cesar Gourmet Wet Dog Food Variety Packs might be a good option. There are plenty of flavors to choose from in these wet trays, including filet mignon and rotisserie chicken.
These wet foods are made without grains. They can be fed to adult and puppies alike but you will not want to give your puppy a full tray. Only about half or a quarter of a tray mixed with some dry puppy food to help clean his teeth and prevent diarrhea.
How Do I Know If My Puppy Is A Large Breed
The pet food industry3 defines a large breed puppy as one whose adult weight is expected to be over 70 pounds.
However
Since its impossible to know your puppys adult weight before shes fully grown
Its safer to use a more conservative 50 pound definition advocated by others.45678
If you expect your dog to weigh over 50 pounds when shes fully grown then shes considered a large breed puppy.
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Learn All About Grains In Pet Food
Grains? No grains? What are they and what do they mean for your dog or cat? Find out on this special Blue Buffalo Grain FAQ page.
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Dog Articles: Health
Puppy, adult and senior: all three stages are important times in your furry pals life when its appropriate to ask your veterinarian about your dogs diet.
Growth foods necessary at the puppy stage have higher protein levels and calorie counts to meet your pups developmental needs. But once your pup is six to 12 months old those needs change.
Thats usually when your puppy is nearing his adult height and can transition to adult food. Spaying or neutering usually occurs at this age as well, lowering your dogs need for increased energy hence a reason to switch from puppy to adult dog food.
Breed size matters
Switching to adult food coincides with maturity, but due to the large variety of breeds, different dogs mature at different rates. Smaller breeds tend to mature faster than larger breeds:
Dogs up to 30 pounds mature around 10 to 12 months of age.
Some toy breeds can mature as early as seven to nine months old.
Medium breeds, up to 80 pounds, mature between 12 to 16 months.
Large breeds can mature at 12, 13, or even 14 months old.
Giant breed dogs can take up to two years to reach full maturity.
No more three squares a day
Most pet parents feed two half-portions of adult food when their dogs are over a year old.
Eyes on your furry friend. Not his food.
Switch slowly
For Sensitive Stomach & Skin Allergies
This is the best food for a Pitbull puppy especially if they have sensitive skin and stomach. This dry food will jumpstart your puppys early development by providing 100% balanced and complete nutrition they need to grow healthy and strong.
The first ingredient of this formula is salmon making it high in protein and nutrition. It also has rice to make it gentle for your puppys sensitive stomach.
Each ingredient in this dry food is chosen specifically for a functional or nutritional purpose in your puppys body. The guaranteed live probiotics and natural prebiotic fiber add specific bacteria to your puppys intestinal tract to improve digestion.
Purina Pro Plan Dry food contains omega 6 fatty acids from sunflower oil, omega DHA from fish oil, antioxidants, phosphorus, calcium, other minerals, and vitamin A to support the overall growth and wellbeing of your Pitbull puppy.
This food contains all the nutrients that your puppy needs to thrive with no artificial colors or flavors.
Pros
- Supports a healthy digestive system.
- Supports healthy coat and skin.
- Encourages vision and brain development.
- Supports the developing immune system of your puppy.
- It is a remedy for itch and redness on the skin.
Cons
- Not suitable if your puppy is a picky eater.
- It has a strong fish scent.
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What Do You Need To Know About Pitbulls
When you first set eyes on a Pitbull, you might feel a little intimidated. Though some Pitbulls weigh as little as 30 pounds, others weigh as much as 80 pounds, and most of it is muscle. An energetic, athletic breed, the Pitbull is not a couch potato, and his energy and enthusiasm can sometimes be difficult for even the most experienced dog owner to contain.
Though they are most well-known for being used as fighting dogs and guard dogs, the American Pitbull Terriers history is actually that of a farm dog and family dog. Though they can be a little dominant toward other dogs and are highly likely to chase cats, a properly socialized Pitbull would never even dream of harming a human. This breed gets along well with children and is one of the goofiest, most fun-loving breeds youll ever come across.
Because the Pitbull is a high-energy breed, he requires a great deal of socialization and training. These dogs are smart and trainable, but they can also be a little stubborn at times and prone to distraction. You also need to be mindful of the stigma associated with the breed and put in extra effort to counteract that stigma by training your dog well and managing him responsibly.
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Are Pitbulls Omnivores Or Carnivores
Some people consider dogs as pure carnivores. But Im sure youve seen a dog eating grass! And modern dog food often contains vegetables such as peas, pumpkin, sweet potato, or carrots. These are valuable sources of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Pitbulls are omnivores, not carnivores. Dog domestication over thousands of years has caused dogs to adapt to a starch-rich diet. Therefore, a Pitties digestive system can process both plant and animal food, and their teeth can grind down fruit and vegetables.
While protein makes up most of a Pitbulls diet the domesticated dog also obtains nutrients from grains, fruits, and vegetables. Dogs have evolved to become omnivores and have proved that they can thrive on various foods.
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Here are the provisos of feeding the above foods:
- Meats should be lean with all the fat removed. Avoid processed meats such as salami, bacon, and sausage as they contain lots of salt and seasoning.
- Most vegetables should be cooked first to help with digestion however, raw carrots and green beans are fine.
- Remove all pits and seeds from fruits as they are a choking hazard. They also contain cyanide which is toxic to dogs when consumed in large quantities.
- Dont feed raw eggs or raw fish due to the risk of salmonella or listeria.
- Nuts are not recommended due to their high-fat content, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea. They are also a choking hazard.
- Avoid dairy foods if your dog is lactose intolerant.
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