best dog food for pitbull terrier
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."
5 Best Dog Foods For American Pit Bull Terrier Puppies (2024)
How to Choose the Best Dog Food for American Pit Bull Terrier Puppies
The American Pit Bull Terrier puppy is a flurry of activity. Devilishly handsome and possessing a body of impressive musculature, this cheerful pup is ready for any adventure its owner has in mind. A product of England in the 1800s, this dog breeds original purpose was to participate in the popular sports of bear and bull baiting. When these activities became illegal, the American Pit Bull Terrier was then put to work in fighting pits, a practice that is now banned today.
Loyal, loving, and affectionate with people, the American Pit Bull Terrier displays a game spirit in athletic pursuits and can also be prone to small animal and dog aggression though this trait should never be exhibited towards human beings. As a result, the American Pit Bull Terrier may not be able to live peaceably in a multi-pet home.
For those wishing to add this breed to a family with existing household pets, it is best to purchase an American Pit Bull Terrier as a puppy to allow the pup to grow up with siblings, and thus, come to love them. This does not mean that this breed will not display aggressive tendencies towards animals outside its home.
The American Pit Bull Terrier puppy is a busy little chap, requiring regular exercise on a daily basis to remain physically and mentally content. The breed is highly intelligent and motivated to please its owner, making training exercises lots of fun for both parties. However, as a typical terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy can be prone to distraction and disinterest; treats and praise are the way to encourage participation in this pup.
Because of the American Pit Bull Terrier puppys natural athleticism and high drive, the breed should be kept securely contained when outdoors. The breed can and will jump fences if possible, and thus, careful supervision is important. The American Pit Bull Terrier puppy is not prone to becoming overweight; however, this breed loves to eat. Free feeding is strongly discouraged.
As with all breeds, there are a number of health conditions the American Pit Bull Terrier may be predisposed to developing during its lifetime. These include allergies, cardiomyopathy, demodectic mange, hip and elbow dysplasia, heart disease, hypothyroidism, patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, and cancerous tumors. Diet alone cannot prevent genetic health problems, but it can lay an important foundation for wellness. The best dog foods for American Pit Bull Terrier puppies include supplements to assist with overall joint, eye, heart, and skin health.
The ideal diet for an American Pit Bull Terrier puppy is well-balanced nutritionally and contains approximately 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat. In addition to this, the appropriate rate of growth is vitally important in medium size active puppies. To assist with this, owners should look for a diet that contains the correct rate of calcium to phosphorus; rated as 1.2 parts of calcium for each part of phosphorus.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for American Pit Bull Terrier Puppies
The American Pit Bull Terrier puppy is a true athlete. To help this pup grow at an appropriate rate, it is vital that it be fed a high quality puppy food during the first 12 months of its life. This type of diet should take a lean, meat-based protein as its foundation and should contain the proper amount of calcium in relation to phosphorus to support healthy growth.
Trying to determine how much of a diet to feed a puppy is a process that involves some trial and error. Thankfully, the best dog foods for the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy include suggested serving sizes on the side of their packaging. These amounts are based on a puppys age and weight and can be adjusted incrementally until the correct meal portion is found.
The American Pit Bull Terrier puppy loves to eat. Because it is a highly active breed, it is unlikely this pup will easily become overweight. However, free feeding is still strongly discouraged. Since the breed is predisposed to hip and elbow dysplasia as well as patellar luxation, maintaining a healthy body weight is of the utmost importance.
Dietary Requirements for American Pit Bull Terrier Puppy Foods
The best dog foods for the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy base their foundation on lean meat-based proteins. Whole meats or a meat meal are the very best option, providing a powerhouse punch of the amino acids this active pup needs to develop strong and healthy muscles. Of lesser quality are by-products, a meat ingredient that is a cheap source of protein and that can be more difficult for puppies to digest. Diets containing these ingredients are best avoided.
Many commercial diets utilize plant proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat in their recipes. Inexpensive but lacking in nutritional quality, these ingredients are also common allergens for many dogs including the sensitive American Pit Bull Terrier pup. Other ingredients best avoided are chemicals, additives, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. These items have no nutritional value.
Carbohydrates play an important part of any healthy diet for the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy, contributing the antioxidants and dietary fiber required for good digestion and a healthy immune system. These carbohydrates can come from fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. Puppies with sensitivities to grains may do best on a grain-free diet.
From healthy fats, the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy gains many benefits including good coat and skin quality, support for optimal brain and eye development, and strong reserves of energy. The best sources for these fats are found in foods such as chicken fat and oily fish. Alternatively, some plant-based oils provide all of the essential fatty acids this breed needs to thrive.
All diets can benefit from the addition of supplements to provide further health benefits to the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy. The ideal supplements for this lively, athletic breed are glucosamine, chondroitin, taurine,] prebiotics, and probiotics.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Foods for American Pit Bull Terrier Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for an American Pit Bull Terrier puppy:
Lean, meat-based proteins listed at the beginning of the ingredients list
The American Pit Bull Terrier puppy requires a diet based on a lean meat to achieve optimal health and wellness. Whole meats or meat meals are the ideal option. By-products and plant proteins are lacking in the nutritional quality this breed requires as it grows.
Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
All items introduced into a food formulation should add nutritional value. Chemicals, flavorings, fillers, and mystery ingredients do not add anything positive to the American Pit Bull Terriers diet. In fact, many of these ingredients can trigger allergic reactions in this sometimes skin and stomach sensitive pup.
Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
All diets can benefit from the addition of supplements to boost the overall nutrition contained in the food. The best supplements for the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy are taurine, glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.
Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
The AAFCO seal of approval should accompany any food considered for the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy. This designation indicates a food has been assessed and found to be complete and properly balanced.
