best affordable dog food for pitbulls
Best Dog Food for Pitbulls
Chicken is one of 4 fresh recipes evaluated in our review of the Ollie product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, carrots, peas, rice, chicken liver
- Type: Grain-inclusive (rice)
- Profile: All Life Stages
- Best for: All puppies including large breeds
This fresh-cooked recipe draws most of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 37% protein, 11% fat and 44% estimated carbs which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 30%.
Read our review of the full Ollie Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, carrots, peas, rice, chicken liver Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 37% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at MyOllie.com"Bama loves his Ollie food, & won't eat anything else now! We've tried all 4 flavors, but beef & lamb are his faves. He LOVES the Jerky treats too! Which really surprised me because he usually won't eat dog treats!"
Fresh Pork is one of 4 fresh recipes evaluated in our review of The Farmers Dog product line.
This Farmers Dog recipe acquires the majority of its animal protein from fresh pork. Dry matter label analysis confirms the recipe contains 36% protein, 28% fat and 28% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 78%.
Read our review of the full The Farmers Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients USDA Pork, sweet potato, potato, green beans, cauliflower Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 36% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies and adults (including large breeds) Annamaet Ultra is one of 8 recipes included in our review of Annamaet dog food.
Annamaet Ultra derives most of its animal protein from chicken meal and dry eggs. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 22% fat and 34% estimated carbs with a fat-to-protein ratio of 63%.
Read our review of the full Annamaet Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat, whole dry eggs, herring meal Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 36% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adult Pitbulls and all puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I switched my 9 year old pittie to this food and she loves it. It was a little too dry for her so i add a tiny bit of chicken broth and it fixed the issue. Her allergies have gotten better on this food, her coat is so shiny and soft, and she has so much more energy. People cant believe shes 9 years old because of how active she is!"
Bully Max High Performance is featured in our review of Bully Max dog food.
Bully Max High Performance derives most of its animal protein from chicken meal and fat. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 22% fat and 36% estimated carbs with a fat-to-protein ratio of 67%.
Read our review of the full Bully Max High Performance Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat, dried plain beet pulp, ground grain sorghum Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 33% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adult Pitbulls and all puppies Turkey Fare is one of 4 fresh human-grade recipes included in our review of Nom Nom dog food.
Nom Nom Turkey Fare derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh ground turkey. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 18% fat and 39% estimated carbs which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of 50%.
Read our review of the full Nom Nom Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Ground turkey, brown rice, eggs, carrots, spinach Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 36% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adult Pitbulls and all puppies Dr. Tims Kinesis formula is one of 8 recipes included in our review of Dr. Tims dog food.
Dr. Tims Kinesis formula derives most of its animal protein from chicken meal and fat. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 18% fat and 45% estimated carbs with a fat-to-protein ratio of 62%.
Read our review of the full Dr. Tims Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, brown rice, pearled barley, whole oat groats, chicken fat Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 29% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adult Pitbulls and all puppies High-Protein Adult Chicken is one of 4 dry recipes included in our item-by-item review of Crave Dog Food.
Crave Adult Chicken derives most of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 19% fat and 35% estimated carbs with a fat-to-protein ratio of 50%.
Read our review of the full Crave Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, split peas, lentils, pork meal Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 38% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Pitbulls only (not for puppies) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I believe my dog is the pickiest fussiest dog in the world.. After approximately $2000.00 and 4 years later, I have found a dog food he will now eat!! Crave, yes, Crave.. My dog was so sick for so long until he started eating, Crave!! No more vet bills and a very healthy, happy and content, dog.. Crave, I am forever indebted to you!!"
Taste of the Wild Wetlands recipe is one of 9 recipes included in our review of Taste of the Wild dog food.
Taste of the Wild Wetlands recipe derives most of its animal protein from duck, as well as duck and chicken meals. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 20% fat and 36% estimated carbs with a fat-to-protein ratio of 56%.
Read our review of the full Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Duck, duck meal, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, peas Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 36% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adult Pitbulls and all puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Getting my dog to eat her kibble playing without any treats or food put in her kibble has been such a hard thing for us to do as a family. This dog food gets my puppy excited to eat kibble again would highly recommend."
Diamond Naturals All Life Stages is one of 13 recipes included in our review of Diamond Naturals dog food.
Diamond Naturals All Life Stages derives most of its animal protein from chicken and chicken meal. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 18% fat and 45% estimated carbs with a fat-to-protein ratio of 62%.
Read our review of the full Diamond Naturals Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, chicken fat Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 29% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adult Pitbulls and all puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Good quality food that my dogs love. I usually buy the large breed chicken and rice, also a great food (lower protein & fat)."
Wellness Complete Health Adult recipe is one of 13 recipes included in our review of Wellness Complete Health dog food.
Wellness Complete Health Adult recipe derives most of its animal protein from deboned chicken and chicken meal. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 13% fat and 52% estimated carbs with a fat-to-protein ratio of 50%.
Read our review of the full Wellness Complete Health Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, ground barley, peas Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 27% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Pitbulls only (not for puppies) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"So far, so good. Our pit mix seems to love the taste, and there are no issues with digestion. I'm hopeful that this will be a worthy replacement for our big name brand that she seemed to lose interest in."
Nulo Freestyle Turkey and Sweet Potato is one of 9 recipes included in our review of Nulo Freestyle dog food.
Nulo Freestyle Turkey and Sweet Potato derives most of its animal protein from deboned turkey and both turkey and salmon meals. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 37% protein, 20% fat and 35% estimated carbs with a fat-to-protein ratio of 55%.
Read our review of the full Nulo FreeStyle Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned turkey, turkey meal, salmon meal, chickpeas, chicken fat Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 37% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Pitbulls only (not for puppies) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I switched to Nulo about 4 years ago and never looked back. My senior dog loves the food and I find her to be in fine health. Her previous food was supposed to be top quality but started to have recalls that concerned me. This line so far has lived up to my expectations. I love that the food is not filled with fillers and items that an older or more sensitive dog cant tolerate."
9 Best Affordable Dog Foods for Pit Bulls in 2024 Reviews & Top Picks!
If youre a Pit Bull parent, you know how strong and muscular these dogs are. They have a lot of energy, and because of their strong physique, they need food rich in protein, carbs, and omega fatty acids. Pit Bulls are also prone to obesity, so feeding high-quality food is important to keep their weight in check.
With that said, how on earth do you go about finding high-quality food without going broke? Lets face itmost good-quality dog food is pricey, but luckily, there are more affordable options out there. Its important to feed your Pit a nutritious diet, and you shouldnt sacrifice quality for cheaper alternatives. Thats why weve compiled a list of the top reviews of top-quality dog food that wont break your bank, so pull up a chair and lets get started.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
The 9 Best Affordable Dog Foods for Pit Bulls
1. Purina Pro Plan High Protein Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Dog Food Best Overall
| Main ingredient: | Chicken |
| Crude protein: | 26% |
| Crude fat: | 16% |
| Crude fiber: | 3% |
| Calories: | 387 kcal/cup |
Purina is a trusted pet food company that veterinarians and experts recommend across the globe. Purina Pro Plan High Protein Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice is a complete and balanced formula, making this food our best overall affordable dog food for Pit Bulls. Its high in protein and includes plenty of omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A for healthy skin and coat, along with probiotics to support a healthy digestive system.
Real chicken is the first ingredient that provides the necessary carbohydrates for Pits to give them energy. The kibble is a mixture of a crunchy and tender consistency combined with shredded pieces for easy chewing. A terrific perk about this food is it wont break the bank, and its offered in several bag sizes at a reasonable price. It meets AAFCOs nutritional levels, and it contains glucosamine for healthy joints.
Sometimes, the bag may not be blended well, and there may be fewer chicken chunks at times.
Pros
- High in protein
- Complete and balanced formula
- Omega-6 for healthy skin and coat
- Real chicken is main ingredient
- Comes in several bag choices at a reasonable price
Cons
- Some bags may have fewer chicken chunks than others
2. Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula Dog Food Best Value
| Main ingredient: | Chicken meal, chicken |
| Crude protein: | 32% |
| Crude fat: | 25% |
| Crude fiber: | 4% |
| Calories: | 470 kcal/cup |
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula is dry kibble that is high in protein. The formula contains real chicken with the energetic and sporty dog in mind, making it perfect for a Pit Bull. Its rich in omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, and the vitamins and minerals in this food come from superfoods, such as pumpkin, blueberries, spinach, and carrots.
Diamond Naturals is family-owned and has been in business since 1970, and their food is made in the U.S.A. This company incorporates probiotics in every bag to support healthy digestion and immune system, and their formulas are always free from corn, wheat, and soy.
This food may not work well for those with sensitive stomachs, as some consumers claim this food gave their dog diarrhea. It also contains chicken meal, which can be controversial; however, chicken meal is a good source of protein, and all the ingredients are top-quality that provide excellent nutrition. This food comes in a 40-pound bag at an affordable price, which makes it our pick for the best affordable dog food for Pit Bulls for the money.
Pros
- High in protein
- Omega fatty acids
- Affordable
Cons
- Not suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs
3. Merrick Backcountry Freeze-Dried Raw Grain-Free Great Plains Red Recipe Premium Choice
| Main ingredient: | Deboned beef |
| Crude protein: | 38% |
| Crude fat: | 17% |
| Crude fiber: | 3.5% |
| Calories: | 392 kcal/cup |
Merrick Backcountry is a grain-free blend of beef, lamb, salmon, and rabbit rich in protein. Deboned beef is the first ingredient, followed by a blend of vitamins and minerals your Pit Bull needs to thrive. It includes glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy joints, and the freeze-dried coated kibble will give your Pit the benefits of a raw diet. It doesnt skimp on omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, and its made in the U.S.A. Also, its free from corn, wheat, or soy.
This food is expensive, but if youre looking for premium dog food, this food is an excellent source of complete and balanced nutrition your Pit Bull needs to live its best life. If you prefer healthy grains, the manufacturer offers that option, too.
A downfall is that there may be inconsistency in the number of raw chunks in the bag, and some consumers state they have received bags with only kibble and no raw chunks.
Pros
- Deboned beef is main ingredient
- Includes glucosamine and chondroitin
- Omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
Cons
- Expensive
- Some bags may have little to no raw chunks
4. Purina ONE Natural, High Protein + Plus Healthy Puppy Formula Best for Puppies
| Main ingredient: | Chicken |
| Crude protein: | 28% |
| Crude fat: | 17% |
| Crude fiber: | 3% |
| Calories: | 397 kcal/cup |
If you have a Pit Bull puppy, youll want to start its life off right with good-quality puppy food. Purina ONE Natural, High Protein +Plus Healthy Puppy Formula includes natural protein, vitamins, and minerals for your growing Pit pup. Real chicken is the main ingredient, which supplies plenty of protein. This food also adds DHA into the mix that supports brain and eye development and calcium for strong teeth. Rice and oatmeal are also added to the formula to promote healthy digestion.
The bag doesnt have a seal, and it may get stale. It also includes chicken by-products and whole-grain corn, so youll want to avoid it if your pup has a corn allergy. It comes in an 8-pound bag or a 16.5-pound bag at an affordable price.
Pros
- Real chicken is main ingredient
- Contains DHA
- Rich in protein, vitamin, and minerals
- Affordable
Cons
- No seal on bag
- Contains whole-grain corn
5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dog Food
| Main ingredient: | Deboned chicken |
| Crude protein: | 34% |
| Crude fat: | 15% |
| Crude fiber: | 6% |
| Calories: | 409 kcal/cup |
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-FreeDry Dog Food is packed with high-quality protein, with deboned chicken as the first ingredient. This formula contains Lifesource Bits, which is an added boost of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants you wont find in other foods. Taurine is included, which supports heart health.
The formula also contains sweet potatoes and peas for healthy carbs. Veterinarians picked the all-natural ingredients for this food, and it has no chicken by-products, artificial flavors, or preservatives. This grain-free formula is free from corn, wheat, and soy, and you have the choice of several bag options to fit your budget.
Even though this formula is for medium to large dogs, the kibble size may be too small for your pooch. The Lifesource Bits may overtake the kibble at times, resulting in a poor mixture for all the nutrition needed.
Pros
- Deboned chicken is main ingredient
- Includes Lifesource Bits for added nutrition
- Taurine for heart health
- Ingredients picked by veterinarians
- Several bag options to fit your budget
Cons
- Kibble may be too small for some Pits
- Inconsistent mix of Lifesource Bits and kibble
6. American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Dog Food
| Main ingredient: | Deboned salmon |
| Crude protein: | 32% |
| Crude fat: | 14% |
| Crude fiber: | 5% |
| Calories: | 390 kcal/cup |
If your Pit Bull loves fish, look no further than American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe. This grain-free recipe offers a protein-dense diet with deboned salmon as the first ingredient. Your Pit will receive high-quality ingredients, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, and flaxseed for an excellent blend of carbs, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Omega fatty acids and DHA are included in the formula, and it comes in three bag sizes to suit your budget. Sweet potatoes and chickpeas offer an excellent form of fiber, and flaxseed and salmon oil provide a tremendous source of omega fatty acids to support skin and coat. It also contains DHA for brain and eye support.
Since it contains pea protein, you should consult with your vet to ensure its safe for your Pit Bull if it has an allergy to peas. It also has chicken meal, so avoid if your dog has a corn allergy. This food comes in three bag sizes at an affordable price.
Pros
- Deboned salmon is main ingredient
- Omega fatty acids and DHA from high-quality ingredients
- Comes in three bag sizes
- Plenty of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and carbs
- Affordable
7. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free
| Main ingredient: | Water buffalo |
| Crude protein: | 32% |
| Crude fat: | 18% |
| Crude fiber: | 4% |
| Calories: | 422 kcal/cup |
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is unique in that it provides a live K9 strain of microorganisms with 80 million CFU/lb., which promotes a healthy gut with good bacteria in every serving. Water buffalo is the first ingredient, which provides 32% of high-quality protein, and dogs love the blend of roasted bison, roasted venison, lamb, and beef protein.
This formula provides antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals with sweet potatoes, blueberries, and raspberries. Its easily digestible and adheres to AAFCOs nutrition levels. If your Pit has a gluten allergy, this food is perfect because it lacks grains, wheat, and corn.
Its not the cheapest food on our list, but the quality ingredients are worth the extra expense if you can swing it.
Pros
- Contains live microorganisms
- Water buffalo is main ingredient
- High in protein
- Plenty of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
- No corn, wheat, or soy
8. VICTOR Classic Hi-Pro Plus
| Main ingredient: | Beef meal |
| Crude protein: | 30% |
| Crude fat: | 20% |
| Crude fiber: | 3.8% |
| Calories: | 406 kcal/cup |
Although beef meal is the first ingredient, VICTOR Classic Hi-Pro Plus is worth a mention. Many consumers shy away from any ingredients that contain the word meal. Despite the controversies surrounding these ingredients, they are actually a good source of protein. Beef meal comes from cattle meat that has been fried and grounded up or rendered, meaning the fat and water in the meat is removed, leaving behind a powder packed with protein.
With that said, this food offers high protein, but it does lack fruits. However, it carries plenty of vegetables and provides amino acids and fatty acids for healthy digestion. Puppies, pregnant dogs, and lactating mother doggies can benefit from this formula, too. The VPRO Blend is specially-formulated with prebiotics, probiotics, minerals, and selenium yeast to maximize the genetic potential in any breed, especially Pit Bulls. You have a choice of four different bag sizes.
This food may not be suitable for dogs with digestive issues.
Pros
- High in protein
- VPRO Blend for maximized genetic potential
- Suitable for puppies, pregnant, or lactating dogs
- Comes in 4 bag sizes
Cons
- May cause digestive issues for dogs with sensitive stomachs
9. Rachael Ray Nutrish PEAK Open Prairie Recipe with Beef, Venison & Lamb Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredient: | Beef |
| Crude protein: | 30% |
| Crude fat: | 15% |
| Crude fiber: | 5% |
| Calories: | 338 kcal/cup |
Last but not least, Rachael Ray Nutrish PEAK Open Prairie Recipe with Beef, Venison & Lamb Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food makes our list because of its high protein and nutrient-dense formula. It has no grains, glutens, artificial flavors, preservatives, or fillers. Real beef is the main ingredient, and the added vitamins, minerals, and taurine round out this nutritious dog food. Rachael Rae is known for making tasty meals for humans with the best ingredients, and that goes for doggies, too!
This food comes at an affordable price with three bag choices: a 4-pound bag, a 12-pound bag, and a 23-pound bag. It is well-balanced with omega fatty acids and includes all the necessary vitamins and minerals for optimal health. When you buy this food, a portion of the proceeds goes to animals in need.
If you have a picky eater, you may have a hard time getting your Pit to eat this food, but many consumers state their Pits love it. It has chicken meal, so avoid if you Pit has a corn allergy.
Pros
- Beef is main ingredient
- High in protein
- Includes vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids
- Affordable
- A portion of proceeds go to animals in need
Cons
- Picky eaters may not like this food
Buyers Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Food for Pit Bulls
Now that weve reviewed the top 10 best affordable dog food for Pit Bulls, lets break more information down to help you further decide on what is best for you and your beloved Pit.
Dry Kibble Versus Wet Food
As you can see, all of the dog food mentioned in this guide is dry kibble. The reason is dry kibble will last longer than wet food. Thats an important factor when trying to feed a nutritious diet for your Pit without dwindling your pocketbook.
Read the Ingredients
Learning to read food labels is such an essential part of buying healthy dog food. Manufacturers are required to list the ingredients in descending order of quantity. For example, if you see that a top-quality protein is the first ingredient listed, then that food has the most of that ingredient. Most of our picks have a real protein listed as the first ingredient, such as deboned chicken, deboned salmon, and so on. Since Pit Bulls need a lot of protein, this factor is important when picking dog food.
In addition to protein, make sure the food has plenty of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and healthy carbs, such as sweet potatoes or carrots. Omega fatty acids, such as flaxseed or salmon oil, are super ingredients that keep Pit Bulls skin and coat healthy and shiny.
BHA and BHT
BHA and BHT are antioxidants sometimes used in dog food to slow down the oxidation process. In short, it slows the decay of oils, fats, and vitamin A in dog food. BHA and BHT may be linked to carcinogens; however, this hasnt been fully substantiated. California has already listed BHA as a carcinogen, so in our minds, its best to steer clear of buying dog food with these artificial preservatives.
Conclusion
For the best overall affordable dog food, Purina Pro Plan High Protein Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice offers high protein, a complete and balanced formula, and plenty of omega-6 fatty acids, all at a reasonable price. For the best value, we recommend Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula for its high protein, top-quality ingredients, superfoods, and affordable price.
We hope youve enjoyed our reviews of the top 10 best affordable dog food for Pit Bulls and that it helps you make the best decision for yourself and your Pit without breaking the bank.
Featured Image Credit: Roberto Cabrera Castro, Shutterstock
