Best Puppy Food for Pitbulls: The Ultimate Guide
Pit Bull puppies are energetic and lively. They will spend most of their day running around your home and playing.
Puppies can be a lot of work when young, but they have so much energy. That means there is never a dull moment in your home with them around.
Pit Bulls are robust, fast-growing dogs. They require a nutritious diet to grow large and robust.
Here are many of the best puppy foods for Pit Bulls. You will need to find appropriate food for your puppy.
5 of the Best Dog Foods for Pitbull Puppies
1. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
This Blue Buffalo puppy formula is designed to meet the needs of growing puppies. It has optimal levels of calcium and phosphorous, as well as DHA. DHA supports the development of your puppy’s brain and eyes.
This dry dog food contains a lot of protein. A full 36% of it comes from a deboned chicken. But chicken and fish meals are also used to create a complex amino acid profile.
The kibble is small and manageable. It also does not contain any grains. Mixed in with the kibble are Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits. These bits have antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and vitamins.
2. Merrick Grain-Free Real Buffalo, Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
Merrick’s grain-free recipe can support your dog’s health through their puppy years and beyond. It is made up of 38 percent protein. Protein sources include deboned buffalo, chicken meal, turkey meal, deboned beef, and a selection of fish meals.
This food has a lot of fat, good for growing puppies. It also has a lot of plant-based ingredients that provide vitamins and minerals.
This kibble has blueberries, alfalfa, apples, and more. It is a great option for Pit Bull pups because it has healthy levels of calcium and phosphorous and a healthy dose of omega-fatty acids.
3. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Original Deboned Turkey & Chicken Meal Recipe
The Wellness Core grain-free dog food can help your puppy’s muscles grow big and strong. The food has 34% protein from great ingredients like deboned turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal.
This dog food is designed to help your dog stay healthy and strong. It has no grains, artificial preservatives, or other unnecessary fillers. Only wholesome ingredients are used, so your pup’s whole body will be supported as they grow.
The kibble is coated in probiotics which help to keep your dog’s digestive system healthy.
4. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
The Taste of the Wild puppy formula gives your puppy a similar diet to its ancestors. The formula has everything your dog needs, including meeting all of the AAFCO’s guidelines for large dogs.
This food has 28% protein from different kinds of animals. You’ll find buffalo, lamb meal, bison, venison, and more in it.
Your pup will love the taste of sweet potatoes and peas. These healthy vegetables will also help your pup’s digestive system by providing prebiotics and probiotics.
The kibble does not have any grains in it. It will not upset your dog’s stomach or cause an allergic reaction.
5. Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food
This Earthborn Holistic dog food is a good choice for Pit Bull puppies because it has been formulated to help lean muscle mass. The food contains bison, beef, and fish meals, which provide a balanced amino acid profile.
Almost a third of this recipe is made up of different protein sources. As for fat, this kibble has eighteen percent. It also has the perfect calcium and phosphorous ratio to make sure your pup grows at a healthy rate.
This dog food does not contain grains, so you don’t worry about allergic reactions.
Recommended Wet Canned Food for Pit Bull Pups
Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Plate Recipe Canned Dog Food
If your puppy needs something easier to chew, the Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Plate is perfect. It has chicken and turkey as the main protein sources.
Your pup can also take advantage of the chicken broth, which is delicious and full of important nutrients. Protein makes up about 10 percent of the food, while fat makes up 5 percent. The food is also low in carbs, making it a great choice for your pup’s diet.
This wet food has healthy ingredients that you can see, such as peas, carrots, and sweet potatoes.
Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Plate Beef Recipe Canned Dog Food
Merrick’s wet food is a great choice for your puppy. It has a unique taste and lots of healthy ingredients. The wet food contains larger pieces of protein, which makes it a good meal to help your puppy transition to dry kibble.
About 9% of this recipe is protein from deboned beef and beef liver. Healthy sweet potatoes provide carbohydrates, while carrots, peas, and apples give your dog a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals.
Flaxseed oil and salmon oil are also good for keeping your dog’s skin healthy. Omega fatty acids help keep skin healthy.
The Importance of a High-Quality Diet
Owners of new Pit Bull puppies should be aware that young puppies’ dietary needs are different from that of an adult dog. Puppies transition into adulthood at different rates, so owners should adjust their dog’s diet to ensure they get the right nutrients.
Puppies need more food than adult dogs. Puppies also need all the essential nutrients that come with food. A young puppy will only weigh a few pounds when you first bring them home. But they can weigh as much as 60 pounds in about a year.
Most of the weight of a Pit Bull will be muscle. Even though they are classified as medium-sized breeds, they will need a diet usually reserved for large breeds.
A poor diet will not give your dog the nutrients to grow healthy. This could lead to malnutrition, skeletal issues, and a host of health problems later. You must put a lot of thought into your dog’s diet.
If you are careful when your dog is a puppy, you can help them stay healthy and be happy for life.
Nutritional Requirements for Pit Bull Puppies
There are a lot of different types of high-quality dog food. You can find food for puppies, older dogs, and different breeds. Make sure you pick good food for your dog’s age and size.
If you want your puppy to be healthy, you must ensure that it gets the right food. Puppies need food that has a lot of protein and other important nutrients.
Protein
The Association of American Feed Control Officials, or AAFCO, recommends that puppies eat dog food with at least 22 percent protein.
This is much higher than the 18 percent required for adult dogs. This is because Pit Bulls are known for their muscular build. It is recommended that you go beyond that 18 percent.
Puppies need food with a lot of protein to grow big and strong. You should give your puppy food with over 30% protein to help them get their nutrients.
Protein is a very important nutrient for dogs. Meat-based ingredients like chicken, beef, lamb, fish, and more contain muscle-building amino acids.
Protein is not only important for developing muscles, but it also provides energy and creates hormones that are essential for proper organ function.
Examine the Ingredient’s List
Always examine the ingredients list of any dog food you are considering purchasing.
The most important thing on the list is a real meat-based protein source. This means that the ingredient is the most common. You should stick with foods that have wholesome meats.
You should avoid anything that uses byproducts or meat you can’t identify. These come from unknown sources and might upset your puppy’s stomach.
Remember, their immune system and gut are still developing. That means it is more important than ever to provide your growing puppy with food made up of healthy ingredients.
A Variety of Sources
Protein is the best source of amino acids for your puppy. Amino acids are important for your puppy’s development and organ function. Some of these amino acids the puppy can’t produce, so they need to get them from their food.
No single source of protein has all the nutrients that your body needs. That’s why it’s important to eat food with multiple protein sources. Many food manufacturers add complementary protein sources to their recipes and the main one.
One way to add a variety of amino acids to a food is to use different types of fish. Some brands also use ground-up bones and organs from animals.
If you know the animal’s identity, meals can be a great secondary source of protein for your puppy.
Fats
Some believe that all fats are unhealthy; however, this is not the case. Pit Bull puppies need a good amount of fat in their diet to help them absorb nutrients, grow healthy cells, and keep their skin looking good.
As Pit Bulls get older, they may have skin problems. To prevent this, you should start adding fat to your diet when you are young. Puppies need food with at least 8% fat. However, you can go as high as 18%.
Some good sources of healthy fats include fish oil, flaxseed oil, and natural animal fat from the protein source. Fish oil and flaxseed oil are better because they contain healthy omega-fatty acids.
Carbohydrates
There are no official guidelines for how much carbohydrates dogs should eat. In fact, most manufacturers do not even specify how many carbs are in their products. So it is important to look at the ingredients list carefully to see how many carbs are in the food.
All dog foods contain carbohydrates. However, some dog foods have better quality sources of carbohydrates than others. Carbohydrates play an important role in how much energy your pup will have. It is always better to go with complex carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes, oats, and legumes.
These ingredients provide a steady supply of energy that lasts throughout the day. They are broken down slowly in the body. On the opposite end are simple carbohydrates. Corn, wheat, and soy should be avoided because they give you a quick burst of energy that doesn’t last long.
Carbohydrates provide a quick energy spike and crash. Still, they can also be hard for a puppy’s delicate digestive system to process. That’s why choosing food with healthy ingredients with fewer carbohydrates is important.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are important for your dog’s health. They help keep the body working well. You can get them from plant-based ingredients or supplements you add to your dog’s food.
There are two important minerals that your puppy needs for developing bones. These minerals are calcium and phosphorous. If your pup gets too much of these minerals, they might grow up too fast and have joint problems when they get older.
If a puppy doesn’t get enough of these nutrients, its growth may be stunted. This is something you should be careful of. Thankfully, most puppy foods have the right amount of these nutrients. The increased amounts of these nutrients are a big part of what makes puppy formulas different from standard recipes.
Make sure that the two minerals, calcium and phosphorous, are included in the list of ingredients. The ideal ratio is 1.2:1, which means there are at least 1.2 grams of calcium for every gram of phosphorous.
Addressing Allergies
Pit Bulls can be very susceptible to allergies. Many different types of grains can make them intolerant to reacting. The symptoms of an allergic reaction can range from mild to serious. The most common reactions are excessive gas and diarrhea.
Food allergies in puppies can cause them to avoid eating altogether. This is because the puppies may quickly associate that discomfort with their meals.
Many Pit Bulls are allergic to grains, so it is recommended that you provide your puppy with a grain-free recipe. Avoid foods with ingredients like wheat, soy, or other grain-based fillers. Instead, choose a recipe with complex carbs like pumpkin or sweet potato. Complex carbs are easier to digest and have plenty of vitamins to benefit your puppy.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best
Puppy Food for Pit Bulls
Pit bull types have strong bodies and high energy requirements, so it is essential to provide them with a diet that promotes their growth and provides high nutrient density to maximize each calorie. Here are some things to look for in dog food.
Puppy Food Ingredients
Your puppy’s food should include real foods, such as meat, organs, and bone from animals and wild-caught fish. There is evidence that grain-free meals raise the risk of heart disease in dogs. Therefore they may not be the greatest option.
Still, not all grains are equal. Whole grains such as oats and barley are preferable to corn, flour, soy, and wheat for your dog.
Dog Size and Life-stage
Puppies should consume puppy formula for at least the first year of their lives because it contains the protein, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients essential for maturity development. Although it is not required, large-breed puppy food is a suitable option for pitbull puppies, as breeds in this category typically weigh 50 pounds or more. If you anticipate that your puppy will be smaller than that, or if it is a mix with a smaller breed, you may wish to examine formulas for medium breeds or a diet designed for all sizes and breeds.
AAFCO Standards
Most commercially available dog food meets or exceeds AAFCO requirements for species-appropriate nutrition. AAFCO-approved dog food is considered comprehensive and balanced for the dog’s life stage, breed size, or breed. Verify that the dog food you’re considering is AAFCO-certified.
Details Regarding Pit Bull Nutrition
Pit bulls have nutritional requirements comparable to those of other energetic, working breeds. However, they do display a few idiosyncrasies that need notice.
Pit Bulls Are Stout, But Not Always “Large”
Although pit bulls are stocky canines with large chests and blocky skulls, they rarely weigh as much as their appearance might suggest.
In reality, pit bulls rarely exceed 60 pounds in weight (although exceptions exist). Even though this dog is quite a handful (especially in such a high-energy bundle), they are best described as being of average size.
Given that they are medium-sized dogs, you should avoid feeding your pittie dog food for large or gigantic breeds, as these meals typically include less calcium and protein than foods formulated for non-giant breeds.
Due to their moderate size, pit bulls rarely encounter the same issues as large breeds when fed routinely prepared diets.
Avoid Overfeeding, As Pitties Are Susceptible To Joint Issues
We understand it – your pit bull is incredibly adorable, and she deserves to eat everything wonderful.
However, while occasional treats are acceptable, you must avoid overfeeding your dog and enabling her to gain weight. This is especially critical for pit bulls, prone to several health issues associated with obesity.
For instance, many pit bulls develop dysplasia of the hips or elbows, which is especially prevalent in overweight canines. Also, overweight pibbles may develop pancreatitis or arthritis, so be cautious about maintaining a healthy weight for your pet.
Pit bulls typically have insatiable appetites, so you will need to measure your dog’s food properly. Consult your veterinarian for your dog’s specific caloric requirements.
Beware Of Food Gobbling!
The vigor with which pit bulls consume their food might cause them to ingest huge quantities of air.
In the best-case scenario, your dog will expel the gas (cross your fingers that it comes out the way it went in and not the alternative path), but in the worst-case scenario, your pet could develop bloat, a potentially fatal condition in which air becomes trapped in the pet’s stomach.
To avoid these issues, provide your pit bull with tiny meals (you may need to offer him half of her dog food at each feeding) or choose a food-dispensing feeding device that makes your dog earn her kibble! Slow-feeder dog bowls are also available, which should slow your dog’s eating.
Additionally, after eating, urge your dog to lie down and relax for 15 to 20 minutes, and discourage her from running or playing immediately.
Common Pit Bull Health Issues
Pit bulls are a sturdy breed renowned for withstanding aches and pains, but they do have some health concerns. Many of these can be altered by diet, making it all the more vital that you feed your pit bull the proper food for long-term health.
The most common health concerns for pit bulls are:
Allergies
Cataracts
Skin issues
Congenital heart defects
Hip dysplasia
Luxating patella
Some are more preventable than others, but giving your pit bull a high-quality meal and assisting her in maintaining a healthy weight go a long way towards preventing unnecessary wear and tear on her body.
Choosing Between Foods Containing and Lacking Grains
Unfortunately, the canine world is not immune to trends, and the grain-free craze shook the dog food aisle and ushered in many new options. Despite sophisticated marketing, most dogs can digest cooked grains without difficulty. Grains are a wonderful source of important vitamins and minerals, and their high fiber content aids digestion.
Therefore, dogs with grain allergies require food without grains. A veterinarian detects these allergies and treats them appropriately by prescribing a limited-ingredient diet or hypoallergenic food. Never attempt to identify or treat a food allergy on your own. It is essential to rule out other possible explanations.
Signs of a grain allergy in your dog include:
Itchy skin, particularly around the ears and paws
Excessive paw or tail licking and chewing
Hair loss
Chronic ear infections
Unexplained skin issues
Wheezing
Coughing
More often than not, pet owners mistake food intolerance for an allergy. Although they sound alike, they are quite distinct. An immunological response characterizes a food allergy. It commonly manifests as a skin reaction, whereas food intolerance is characterized by digestive distress, such as unpleasant gas or diarrhea. Some allergies might cause stomach troubles, but the most common symptom is skin irritation.
Because pit bulls regularly suffer from skin concerns and famously unpleasant farts, it is crucial to investigate potential causes with your veterinarian.
In a 2019 FDA inquiry, the association between grain-free dog foods and a dangerous heart ailment known as canine dilated cardiomyopathy. Although pit bulls are not as susceptible to DCM as other breeds, they are susceptible to heart problems. Always with your veterinarian before transitioning your pit bull to a grain-free diet.
Types of Dog Food: Dry, Wet, Fresh, and More
Today, dog food comes in various forms, making choosing the perfect one for your pit bull even more difficult. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Dry Dog Food
Dry kibble is the most frequent type of dog food. This crunchy food has a good shelf life and is packaged in resealable or nonresealable bags, making storage very simple. It is also the most economical alternative for dog food and is available in various formulae and recipes. Additionally, the texture helps clean your pit’s teeth as she chews. Unfortunately, kibble is also the least delicious option for dog food, and it can be difficult to convince finicky pit bulls to eat it.
Wet Dog Food
Wet dog food is typically sold in cans or tubs and may have a pate or stew-like consistency. Wet dog food is often packaged in cans or tubs and comes in pate or stew. Like dry dog food, it has a longer shelf life but must be refrigerated once opened. However, feeding a purely wet diet is costly. It can also be excessively rich for some dogs’ digestive systems, causing flatulence and diarrhea. Wet food also lacks texture, so it won’t help clean your dog’s teeth, despite being delicious. Many pet parents use wet dog food as a topping for dry dog food.
Fresh Dog Food
Fresh dog food is the newest variety of dog food on the market, and it is phenomenal. Not only are the meat-centric meals tasty, but they are also frequently produced with human-grade components, such as quality meats and fresh veggies. In addition to assisting with weight control and managing health concerns, many of these foods are also tailored to the individual dog. Unfortunately, fresh dog food is both expensive and perishable. Utilizing fresh dog food as a meal topper or occasional treat is a fantastic way to save money while reaping its advantages.
Conclusion
Pit Bull puppies grow up quickly. In a short time, your little puppy will be an adult. It is important to make the most of the time when they are young and still developing.
A portion of good dog food that supports growth will help your Pit Bull have a strong and healthy body. Adult Pit Bulls are known for athleticism, so it is important to provide them with the nutrition they need to reach their full potential.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Puppy Food for Pitbulls
Most pit bulls start weaning around four weeks of age. This means that they will gradually start to eat solid dog food instead of nursing from their mothers. Puppies up to 12 weeks old should eat four-to-six small meals a day. Each meal should be about one cup of food or less.
Feed your little furry friend Purina One Plus Natural Puppy Dog Food. This is the best dog food for pitbull puppies. It contains DHA and is rich in protein. Its ingredients, like fat, minerals, vitamins, and calories, are the substances much needed by puppies.
The Purina Pro Plan Puppy Lamb & Rice food is the best food for your Pitbull puppy. It has 28% protein, 18% fat, and 3% fiber; the first ingredient is lamb. This food is created specifically to meet the nutritional needs of growing puppies.
Several things can trigger an allergic reaction in pit bulls. These include pollen, grass, dust mites, certain perfume types, food proteins (beef, chicken, pork), and certain types of cleaning products (shampoo).
Bully Max 30/20 High-Performance Dog Food is the best food for Pitbulls. It is full of natural ingredients, and it is healthy and delicious.