Feeding A Pit Bull: Best Dog Food Options

Pitbulls, a term collectively used for the American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier as well as the Staffordshire Terrier are strong, sturdy breeds. As per the National Research Council of the National Academies, Pitbulls, weighing 30 to 70 pounds on an average require 922-1740 calories. However, the older ones or those who have been spayed or neutered may need a lesser amount of calories.  Giving them a diet high in protein alongside vitamins and minerals would help to keep them fit. Since they tend to suffer from elbow and hip dysplasia that can be triggered by obesity, special care needs to be taken in maintaining the calorie content while fixing a diet for them.

9 Best Affordable Dog Foods for Pitbull Dog and Puppies

Some of the good and affordable dog foods that you can provide your Pitbull with include:

Brand/Type/ Rating	How does it help	Nutrients it contains
1. Bully Max High-Performance Super Premium Dog Food/ Dry/ Check Price	Boosts energy because of its high fat and protein content Contains all natural ingredients	Crude protein Crude fat Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-6 fatty acids Crude fiber
2. Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food/ Dry/ Check Price	Helps to maintain healthy skin and coat Provides balanced nutrition	Crude protein Crude fiber Moisture Calcium Phosphorous Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-6 fatty acids Folic acid Ascorbic acid Vitamin E
3. BLUE Life Protection Formula Adult Dry Dog Food/ Dry/ Check Price	Boosts immune system Strengthens bone and teeth Helps in muscle development Provides energy	Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-6 fatty acids Thiamine mononitrate Vitamin A supplement Vitamin E supplement Vitamin B12 supplement Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) Calcium Iodate
4. Orijen Original Dry Dog Food/ Dry/ Check Price	Boosts energy Contributes towards a healthy coat and skin	Crude fat Crude fiber Crude protein Carbohydrate Moisture Phosphorous Calcium Carbohydrates
5. Taste of the Wild Grain-Free High Protein Natural Dry Dog Food/ Dry/ Check Price	Good for the immune system because of the presence of powerful antioxidants Promotes easy digestion Ensures a healthy coat and skin	Vitamin A supplement Thiamine mononitrate Biotin Niacin Manganese sulfate Copper sulfate Zinc sulfate Ascorbic acid Pyridoxine hydrochloride Folic acid Vitamin D supplement
6. EVO – Dog Red Meat Large Bite 6.6 Pounds/ Dry/ Check Price	Easily digestible Facilitates muscle growth	Vitamin A supplement Niacin supplement Riboflavin supplement Pyridoxine Hydrochloride Vitamin E supplement Biotin
7. Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 5-Pound Bag/ Dry/ Check Price	Boosts immunity Contains no gluten Helps to maintain muscle mass Good for digestion Facilitates in maintaining good skin and a shiny coat	Vitamin A supplement Vitamin D3 supplement Vitamin E supplement Thiamine Mononitrate Calcium Pantothenate Calcium Iodate Sodium Selenite
8. Merrick, Canned Dog Food, 5-Star Cowboy Cookout 13.2 oz/ Wet/ Check Price	Good for diabetic and obese dogs	Vitamin A supplement Vitamin D3 supplement Vitamin E supplement Calcium Carbonate Sodium phosphate Potassium Iodide Crude Protein Crude Fat Crude Fiber Moisture
9. Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Wet Adult Dog Food Variety Pack/ Wet/ Check Price	Helps muscle growth Strengthens bones Beneficial for those with a sensitive stomach	Vitamin A supplement Thiamine Mononitrate Riboflavin Biotin Vitamin B12 supplement Vitamin D3 supplement Vitamin E supplement Sodium selenite Potassium iodide

Best diet plan for Pitbulls

Young puppies (0-3 weeks): Mother’s milk and soft dry food

Puppies in their weaning age (4 weeks- 7 weeks): Should be given wet food as they are high in moisture

Fully weaned puppies (Approximately over 7 weeks): High-quality puppy food suited for large breeds, though a small proportion of wet food should also be included

The high-quality puppy food should continue until the time they are one year of age. You can also incorporate live foods, cooked vegetables, canine-safe fruits oatmeal and yogurt to its diet. Adult Pitbulls should be fed dry dog food divided into two meals since they are highly prone to bloating. Eating a significant proportion of food in one go might give him discomfort. Until 12 months of age feed your Pitbull twice or thrice a day.

Best dry dog food to feed your Pitbull if it is suffering from:

Skin allergies: The Taste of Wild Grains is suited for Pitbulls having skin allergies or even sensitive stomachs since it eliminates ingredients causing itching and bloating. The Wellness Core is also another brand of dog food suitable for those with food allergies as well as a sensitive stomach.

Dog foods to help your Pitbull

Gain weight: Earthborn Holistic and Taste of the Wild are appropriate dog foods for your Pitbull to gain weight.

Develop muscles: Brands of dog foods which would help in developing muscles of these hardy, muscular dogs include Earthborn Holistic, Bully Max, Taste of the Wild, Wellness Core Natural Grain and Merrick Grain.

Homemade food to give your Pitbull

Requiring 25 to 30% protein and 15 to 20% fat, Pitbulls can be given homemade food, though in balanced proportions.

Protein diet: Plain yogurt, eggs, beef, chicken, cheese

Vegetable diet: Cooked carrots, spinach, celery, green beans

Fruits: Mashed apples, blueberries, bananas

Do not indulge in pampering your pet with too much of table food. Refrain from giving it raisins, chocolates, pastries, corn, dishes having onion, garlic and chilly as their ingredients as well as any other food that may be good for you but bad for your dog.

Can you give your Pitbull raw diet

A raw diet or BARF comprising of bones, supplements, vegetables and raw meat, comes with a lot of benefits like boosting immunity, facilitating digestion, maintaining a better skin and coat as well as providing energy.

Ensure that the raw diet you give your Pitbull comprises of about 60 to 70% meat to cope with your dog’s high requirement of fat and protein. Bones (about 15%) and internal organs (about 10%) should also be added.

However, you should always have a word with your veterinarian before including raw food to your Pitbull’s diet.

When to call a doctor

If your Pitbull shows any of the allergy symptoms like rashes, itching or hives after eating a particular food or even vomits or throws up undigested food, then talk to the doctor at once.

Food aggression in Pitbulls

If your Pitbull displays food aggression, showing behaviors like growling, snapping or even biting whenever you touch its food, then talk to your vet or a professional at once as he needs to be trained through the methods of counterconditioning as well as desensitization to get over this problem.