best dog food for pregnant pitbull
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."
Best Dog Food for Pregnant Dogs
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Whats the best dog food for pregnant dogs?
During pregnancy, it is crucial to provide a pregnant dog with a balanced and nutritious diet to support her own health and the development of her puppies.
A pregnant dogs energy requirements increase as the pregnancy progresses. Select a dog food that is specially designed to meet these increased calorie needs without sacrificing nutritional balance.
Protein is essential for the growth and development of the puppies and for the overall health of the pregnant dog. Ensure that the dog food you choose has an adequate amount of high-quality protein sources, such as chicken, beef, or fish.
Look for a dog food that contains essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil or flaxseed) to support brain development in the puppies, as well as vitamins and minerals for overall health and immunity.
Pregnant dogs may experience digestive sensitivity, so choose a dog food that is easily digestible. Opt for formulas that contain high-quality ingredients and avoid excessive fillers or artificial additives that could cause digestive upset.
In fact, swapping to a recipe formulated specifically for puppies can be beneficial for pregnant dogs, as these tend to be higher in protein and contain more omega-3 fatty acids then regular dog food.
Each pregnant dog is unique, and their nutritional needs can vary. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the specific dietary requirements for your dogs stage of pregnancy and any underlying health considerations.
Below you can find a list of our recommendations of the best foods for pregnant dogs. Youll also learn the answer to each of the most frequently asked questions we get about pregnant dogs.
Fresh Beef With Sweet Potatoes is one of 5 fresh recipes included in our review of the Ollie Fresh product line.Beef, carrots, beef kidneys, potatoes, peas
Ollie Fresh Beef with Sweet Potatoes derives the bulk of its meat protein from beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32.1% protein, 25% fat and 34.9% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 78%.
Read our review of the full Ollie Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Beef, carrots, beef kidneys, potatoes, peas Type Grain-free, fresh Protein Percentage 32.1 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies and Dogs Nutrish Bright Puppy is one of 8 dry recipes included in our review of the Rachael Ray Nutrish product line.
Rachael Ray Nutrish Bright Puppy derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 31.1% protein, 17.8% fat and 43.1% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.
Read our review of the full Rachael Ray Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, soybean meal, whole corn Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 31.1 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies and Dogs Naturals Large Breed Puppy Lamb And Rice is one of 13 dry recipes included in our review of the Diamond Naturals product line.
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Lamb And Rice derives the bulk of its meat protein from lamb. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 16.7% fat and 45.3% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
Read our review of the full Diamond Naturals Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Lamb, lamb meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, grain sorghum Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 30 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies and Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at DiamondPet.com"I was introduced to Diamond Naturals back in 2010, when we got our first English Mastiff. Two English Mastiffs, one Great Dane, one Daniff, and three litters of Daniffs later STILL using Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Lamb & Rice for ALL puppies, and introducing to new parents of puppies. LOVE Diamond Naturals!!"
Whole Grain Chicken Recipe is one of 8 dehydrated recipes included in our review of the The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain product line.
The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Chicken Recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 26.6% protein, 15.2% fat and 50.2% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.
Read our review of the full Honest Kitchen Dog Food (Dehydrated) range here
Main Ingredients I have mothering dogs and I feed them this everyday. It is healthy for them and provides enough nutrition after birth. Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 26.6 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies and Dogs Raw Boost Puppy Grain-Free Recipe With Real Chicken & Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces is one of 12 dry recipes included in our review of the Raw Boost product line.
Instinct Raw Boost Puppy Grain-Free Recipe With Real Chicken & Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 39.6% protein, 23.6% fat and 28.8% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.
Read our review of the full Instinct Raw Boost Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, turkey meal, peas, menhaden fish meal, egg product Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 39.6 AAFCO Standards Growth and Reproduction Best For Puppies and pregnant or lactating females
More Top Picks
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I feed my pregnant dog?
A pregnant dog requires a balanced and nutritious diet to support her health and the growth of her puppies. She will need more calories as her body uses more energy during pregnancy, but the food should still be nutritional.
The best dog food for a pregnant dog will contain essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids to help the puppies brain development, plus vitamins and minerals. It should also have high-quality ingredients and protein sources like beef, fish, or chicken.
Some pregnant dogs might experience sensitive stomachs, so an easily-digestible dog food with limited fillers and artificial additives can help with this.
You should seek advice from your vet if you are unsure what to feed your pregnant dog, particularly if your dog has existing medical conditions, as each dog has different requirements.
Should I feed my pregnant dog puppy food?
Yes, from week six of pregnancy your pregnant dog should be given high-quality puppy food or a puppy formula. You will need to slowly transition them onto this food, over the course of five days to a week, to avoid an upset stomach.
Puppy food is higher in protein, energy, and vitamins and minerals which are essential for puppy development, compared to adult food. Giving your pregnant dog puppy food at this stage is crucial for providing them with extra nutrients as their stomach size reduces and their appetite shrinks. The food should also be easy to digest.
Consult your vet if you need help with choosing a puppy food, and consider your dogs breed and size make sure you are giving small breed puppy food to a small breed, for example.
How many times a day should a pregnant dog eat?
Pregnant dogs will need more food than normal but they will also have less space in their stomach. Once you have moved your pregnant dog onto puppy food, you should also start to increase their meal times.
To accommodate for a smaller stomach, feed your pregnant dog little and often, rather than two large meals a day.
Should I increase my pregnant dogs food?
Yes, but not straight away. For the first five weeks of pregnancy, dogs wont need to increase their food intake. They may even experience nausea or a reduced appetite, similar to our morning sickness symptoms. However, between six and seven weeks of their pregnancy, dogs should be given 25% more food to account for their weight gain and milk production.
In week nine of pregnancy, your dog might lose their appetite, which often means the puppies are close to arrival.
Do pregnant dogs need lots of water?
Yes, fluid intake is important for pregnant dogs who are sharing food and nutrients with their growing puppies. Your dog may experience increased thirst so you should always ensure fresh water is available for them at all times.
What are the signs that my dog is pregnant?
The signs to look out for if you think your dog might be pregnant are:
- Swollen stomach
- Increased appetite
- Reduced appetite or vomiting
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Increased nipple size
- Nesting behavior
- Irritable
- Showing more affection