Good Puppy Food For Pitbulls

Buyers Guide: Finding The Best Food For Your Pitbull

A nutritious diet is the foundation of good health. That makes your choice of food a vital part of your pets well-being. Dogs have come a long way from eating scraps in the early days of domestication. Pet food is a big industry, with dry food alone tallying over $5.3 billion in 2020. It makes up a significant chunk of the annual expenses of owning a dog, accounting for nearly 40%.

The industry has seen tremendous growth with the humanization of the market. It no longer suffices to give your pet ordinary dog food. The result is a dizzying array of choices, making it difficult for pet owners to choose the best product for their pups. Unfortunately, the quest for giving your dog the ideal diet has driven manufacturers to use sometimes misleading marketing.

• Designer ingredients

Pitbull Food Buying Guide

If youre looking for the best dog food for pit bulls, youll need to be a little more specific than you might think. There are certain ingredients that do a great job of promoting general health, but many dog owners are looking to solve specific issues with their dog food choices. Below are just a few of the specifics to which you should pay attention when youre shopping for dog food.

Consider A Brand That Offers Food For Each Of Your Dogs Life Stages

As your puppy begins to mature, you need a brand that offers protein-rich food you can trust. Certain dog food brands specialize in creating food that will support your dogs growth throughout all stages of life.

Bully Max is a great example. Our High-Performance Dog Food has an all-life-stages formula designed for both puppies and adult dogs. And with 30% protein, 20% fat, and 100% natural ingredients, youll never have to worry about whats in your dogs food.

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Try To Keep Carbohydrates Low

This is not as easy as it sounds, even if you buy a grain-free dog food. Many grain-free products use potatoes, sweet potatoes, and other vegetables as grain substitutes that can be very high in carbs. Some of these foods have just as many carbohydrates as dog foods that contain corn, wheat and soy.

Unfortunately, dog food companies are not required to list the carbohydrates in their food. When possible, we suggest that you figure the carbs in any food you are considering or find them online. In some cases, low or ancestral grain formulas can have fewer carbs than some other foods.

Preserved Natural With No Carcinogenic

Foods must be preserved naturally and not contain carcinogenic chemical preservatives such as BHT, BHA, and ethoxyquin.

If the food contains any type of fish mealwhich is required by law to be preserved with ethoxyquin unless the supplier has a special permit allowing them to use a different preservativethe dog food manufacturer must have stipulated that their fish meal supplier has such a permit and that the fish meal used in the food is ethoxyquin free and preserved with natural antioxidants.

This is important because dog food companies are not required to list ethoxyquin on the label unless they have added it themselves.

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Look For Named Ingredients And Avoid Generics

This is true for all of the ingredients in the food but its especially important for animal ingredients. Meat meal is a vague, generic ingredient that you should avoid. Chicken meal can be a good ingredient with lots of protein from a named source. Ideally, chicken meal will accompany whole chicken to add more protein to the food.

You should be aware that whole meats, like whole chicken, are great but they are mostly water which evaporates during the cooking process, leaving a relatively small amount of protein and other nutrients. Likewise, chicken fat is better than animal fat.

Top 3 Best Adult Dog Foods For Pit Bulls

Muscular and energetic, adult pit bulls require plenty of high-quality protein to fuel everyday adventure. Because allergies are so prevalent among pit bulls, its a good idea to think about a limited-ingredient diet or one featuring novel proteins. The best foods for pit bulls are built around animal ingredients, grain-free , and free of high-glycemic carbohydrates that may lead to blood sugar spikes.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Whole Green Peas, Red Lentils, Lamb Liver

This limited-ingredient food is designed for dogs with food sensitivities and allergies. Besides being free of grains and common plant allergens, the food is made with just one meat. Lamb meat, bone, and organs makes up fifty percent of the entire recipe. Half of this lamb is fresh or raw, meaning that it delivers whole, fresh meat nutrition in the most nourishing form for your pit bull. Without using any plant protein concentrates, this food contains 27% minimum protein, which is about in the center of the ideal range for your pit bull.

Thanks to low-temperature processing, this food is nutritionally complete with the use of just one supplement. It naturally contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, along with glucosamine and chondroitin essentials for maintaining your pit bulls skin and coat health and supporting the joints.

Pros

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

First 5 Ingredients: Beef Meal, Sweet Potato, Chicken Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat

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Cons

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The Nutrient Intake Of Every Pitbull Lifestage

Pitbull puppies are very active and need a lot of food to grow properly. The best dog food for pitbull puppies will have 30% more protein than adult dogs. High-quality ingredients are essential for developing their muscles and bones, so make sure to get one that has animal-based proteins.

Adult Pitbulls need less protein in their diet but still need a decent amount to maintain their health. Look for one that has around 22% of protein. Aging Pitbulls will also need a dog food that fits their senior years. Ensure to get a product that will support their joints and prefer ones with glucosamine or chondroitin, which can help prevent joint deterioration.

Iams Proactive Health Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

IAMS Proactive offers the great health benefits of premium dog food at a significantly lower price. Formulated with a touch less meat and more greens, fruits, and grains than Bullys, it still packs quite a punch with its premium chicken and egg-based formula.

IAMS is formulated with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates, both of which are compounds that aid enormously in proper bone and joint health, and the amino acids from the protein sources aid in muscle development. As well as that, it contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids to give your furry friends coat the shiny gloss it deserves.

IAMS ingredients are naturally sourced and easily digestible, thus boosting your dogs metabolism, and immune system, keeping your Pitbull strong, stealthy, and healthy.

As its main ingredient is chicken, IAMS gives your Pit Bull the protein content it needs to be and stays in tip-top shape. The specially formulated kibble with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate is designed to aid bone and joint development, all at a reasonable price point.

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Can Pitbulls Eat Bones

Do you remember the saying, give a dog a bone? But can Pitbulls eat bones as part of their diet?

Pitbulls can eat bones, although they are meant to curtail chewing and are for recreation. However, they are a good source of nutrients, especially calcium and phosphorus, and help clean your dogs teeth and keep them strong.

But never feed a cooked bone as cooking causes the bone to soften and splinter as your pup chews it and can cause injuries or choking.

Choose a sizeable raw bone larger than your dogs muzzle so he wont be tempted to swallow it. Beef or lamb bones are better than chicken or pork bones as they are stronger and wont easily splinter. For example, a large beef shank bone would be just the thing for your Pitbull.

Remember to supervise your Pittie when giving him a bone.

What To Look For In Dog Food

Food is one of the most important factors in a dogs health that is within our control as owners. When shopping for new food for your dog, it is essential to take these factors into consideration.

• Age appriopriate food

Some other factors owners may want to consider include:

• Ethically sourced ingredients
• Manufacturing location

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What Is The Ideal Weight Of A Puppy

How much does a dog weigh at birth? The weight of a dog at birth varies in the same way, in relation to its breed. For example, while a small breed puppy weighs about 200 gr. at birth, a large breed can weigh about 650 gr.

How to train a 6 month old pitbull dog?

How to train a puppy pitbull?

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How Much Food Should A Pitbull Eat

The amount of food your Pitbull needs will primarily depend on your pets size, activity level, age, and overall health. The key is to ensure you dont overfeed or underfeed your dog. So, how much food should a Pitbull eat?

An active adult Pitbull weighing 50lbs needs 1353 calories a day, whereas an active, smaller Pitbull weighing 30lbs needs 922 calories a day. In contrast, inactive Pitties of similar weights only need 989 calories and 674 calories respectively.

You also need to assess your dogs activity level. Pitbulls who get minimal exercise may need 10% less than whats recommended on the food label, whereas an active dog that regularly exercises may need 20% to 40% more.

Working Pitbulls may need food designed for working or performance dogs, such as search and rescue dogs. These foods have a higher fat content to provide extra calories for their needs.

Additionally, you may need to make adjustments based on your dogs health or body condition. Illness, pregnancy, or nursing can also increase a dogs energy needs.

All commercial dog food will have recommended feeding guidelines on the packaging. I also found this helpful dog calorie calculator you can use.

Finally, you can refer to the National Research Councils science-based guide for your dogs nutritional needs or consult your veterinarian.

Related: Has your Pitbull lost his appetite? Check out this article, Pitbull Not Eating? 10 Reasons Why .

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Best On A Budget: Taste Of The Wild Ancient Mountain Canine Recipe With Roasted Lamb

We already wrote about the Taste of the Wild Ancient Mountain Canine Recipe with Roasted Lamb in our review of Taste of the Wild dog food. It was our fave pick for large, ravenous doggos, which is why we feel it is perfect for the inner wolf in your Pit Bull, too!

Pit Bulls can gobble up a lot of grub in a matter of minutes, so calorie-dense kibble is not the best choice for them as they can get chubby from it quickly. You can read about the dangers of high protein in dog food here. Pitties need nutritious yet moderately calorific chow that will keep them full and happy but also lean and toned.

This recipe gives them just that tasty, novel meat like lamb will satisfy their taste buds, and it is also an excellent food for dogs with allergies. Plenty of grains in this formula will keep them full and energized, but the best part is youll keep your buddy jolly for a fraction of the price compared to other high-quality chows!

Taste of the Wild Ancient Mountain Canine Recipe with Roasted Lamb is undoubtedly a high-quality dry dog food. It contains above-average protein and fat content and below-average carbohydrate content.

This formula has a good list of nutritious ingredients. It has lamb and lamb meal as excellent sources of highly-condensed protein. It also contains grain sorghum, a gluten-free carbohydrate source, as well as providing a moderate amount of B vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and manganese.

Zignature Trout And Salmon Meal Formula

Zignature is well-known for making many good, limited ingredient dog foods with exotic proteins. These foods are especially good for dogs that have food allergies Pitbulls that cant eat some of the common dog foods containing chicken and beef, for example. We like this trout and salmon formula but you could also choose a Zignature formula with kangaroo, venison, duck, lamb, or another meat protein.

This food is also potato-free and the meat is hypoallergenic. Zignatures foods have no corn, wheat, soy, dairy, chicken, chicken eggs, or chicken by-products. This dog food is gluten-free and low-glycemic. Zignature is highly recommended for any dog with allergies.

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Pit Bull Feeding Chart

Most of the time, its not a good idea to just allow your pit bull to eat whenever they want to. Some pit bulls may overeat or might spend all day picking at the food and end up not eating enough. Its generally best to stick to a feeding schedule to make sure your high-energy pit bull is getting all the nutrients they need and staying a healthy weight.

For active, larger pit bullswho may be closer to eighty or ninety poundsthey usually need around three cups of food a day. Smaller pit bulls may only need one and a half or two cups of food per day.

Older, senior pit pulls who arent as active may not require as much food as an average adult pit bull. Keep in mind that, once your pit bull reaches around 7 to 9 years old, it may be time to switch to a senior recipe. The same rule applies to pit bull puppiesonce they reach 18 months, theyre fully-grown and ready to eat an adult recipe.

Regardless of quantity, its better to give your pitbull food 2 to 4 times a day rather than all at once. Sticking to a regular schedule, such as feeding them at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, will let your dog know when to expect their meals.

Since every pit bull is different, youll probably want to check your dogs weight on a semi-regular basismaybe every six months or so. If they appear to be gaining weight, it may be time to cut back on their daily intake. However, if theyre losing too much weight, they may need more food than theyre currently getting.

Best Dog Foods For Pitbull Puppies

The dogs that grow up to be powerful and energetic start out as some of the most adorable, cuddly puppies. To ensure theyre developing properly, its best to start off with a puppy food that is rich in quality protein and fat sources. Each of the options below has top-notch ingredients and is loaded with health benefits for a growing pitbull pup.

Orijen Puppy Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Puppies love the taste of this Orijen formula! Customers say it smells like real meat and fish and is the next best thing to a raw diet. The food is freeze-dried and high in protein, offering your pup balanced nutrients to help him grow.

Main Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Deboned Turkey, Flounder, Whole Eggs, Whole Atlantic Mackerel

Protein: 38%

Calories: 424 kcal/cup

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What Kind Of Dog Food Is Best For Pit Bulls

While every pit bull is a little different, you definitely want to go with dog food that is as high in protein as possible. Its also a good idea to look for any kind of food that supports good lean muscle growth and that will help with your dogs immune system, as pits do tend to have issues with both as they get older. As a rule, though, any food thats healthy for big breeds will be good for a pit bull. Check out some more great food options for Pitbulls here.

Pitbulls have some unique requirements. As very physical and active dogs you need to provide food that promotes joint health, for example. Luckily, pit bulls are a pretty hardy breed not known for suffering from sensitive stomachs, grain allergies, etc. However, you should still put in the effort to choose your dogs food carefully in order to feed them a well balanced diet for optimal health.

Also, dont worry if you want to try a dog food delivery service as they will cater meals according to your dogs requirements.

Nutro Puppy Wet Dog Food

Another good dog food for Pitbull puppies is the Nutro Puppy Wet Dog Food. This food comes in multiple different flavors, such as lamb and potatoes. Meat is always the first ingredient in these wet foods, and they are always grain-free to help encourage rapid growth.

These wet dog foods are made with non-GMO ingredients and have the perfect amount of protein to help your puppy develop healthy muscles, bones, and joints. You can get it as a chunk formula or pate formula depending on which style your puppy prefers.

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The Importance Of A High

While many new owners dont realize it, the dietary needs of young puppies are much different than that of an adult dog.

Pit Bull puppies go through some significant changes as they transition into adulthood. As an owner, its your responsibility to support those changes with an appropriate diet.

Puppies actually need a lot more food, as well as all the essential nutrients that come with it, than adult dogs do when compared to their overall weight.

Your young puppy will probably only weigh a few pounds when you first bring them home. However, in about a years time, they can weigh as much as 60 pounds.

Most of that weight is going to be pure muscle.

While Pit Bulls are classified as a medium-sized breed, all of those muscles they are going to develop will actually require a diet thats usually reserved for large breeds.

With a poor diet, your precious pup isnt going to have the nutritional support they need to grow up healthy.

This could lead to malnutrition, skeletal issues, and a host of health problems later on in life. Needless to say, its crucial that you put a lot of thought into your puppys diet.