Pit bulls, in general, are far more muscular than other dog breeds. Their ancestors are bulldogs and terriers, usually stocky dog breeds. However, pit bulls are leaner, so they are less stocky and more muscular.
Because of their genetics, pit bulls require a specific diet. A high-protein and high-fat diet will help them grow appropriately. Pit bulls that have a bad diet can suffer from hip dysplasia and heart issues.
So, here is a list of the 5 best dog food for pit bulls. I included the best of the best, diets specifically good for adults and growing pit bulls. If this is the first time you are owning a pit bull, read the buying guide at the end.
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Best Dog Food For Pitbulls Comparison Table
| Product | Features | Check Out The Price |
|---|---|---|
  | - Meat-Based - Chicken - High-Protein - High-Fat | Bully Max High-Performance Super Premium Dog Food |
  | - Real Meat Recipe - High Protein - Chicken & Rice Formula - Healthy Digestion | Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete |
  | - Grain-Free - Real Meat - Natural Dog Food - High Protein | CRAVE Premium Adult Dog Food |
  | - Limited Ingredient Diet - High Protein - Lamb & Pumpkin - Gluten-Free | Acana Wholesome Grains Limited Ingredient High Protein |
  | - Balanced Formula - High Protein - Healthy Fat - Probiotics | Diamond Premium Puppy Complete |
Best Overall
Bully Max High-Performance Super Premium Dog Food
Highlighted Features
- Meat-Based
- Chicken
- High-Protein
- High-Fat
- All Life Stages
Starting with my favorite, the Bully Max High-Performance Dog Food. Suitable for all breeds but it’s specifically good for pit bulls to give them the energy they need. A high-quality formula that you will like for sure.
The food has real meat, and the formula is meat-based. That means that the main ingredient that makes up the formula is meat. Most dog food products you will find are plant-based, using soy or corn as the main ingredient.
Especially good for pit bulls. High-performance dogs need a good source of energy without overeating. The Bully Max has 535 calories per cup. It contains 30% more proteins and 20% more fat than the average dog food.
It has all-natural ingredients, there are no corn, soy, or wheat fillers. A chicken and rice recipe to help with digestion. Also good for avoiding the common allergens the fillers carry.
You can use this dog food on all dogs older than 4 weeks. It’s basically an all-life stages diet. The food will increase the pit bull’s energy and strength. Perfect for boosting your dog’s performance. I highly recommend this if you want a high-quality diet that has all the nutritional requirements.
Pros
- Real meat is the main ingredient.
- High in protein and fat.
- 535 calories per cup.
Cons
- No vitamins.
Best Budget
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete
Highlighted Features
- Real Meat Recipe
- High Protein
- Chicken & Rice Formula
- Healthy Digestion
- Healthy Skin & Coat
Now, high-quality, high-protein, meat-based food can get quite expensive. Fortunately, there is a good affordable option, Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete. Cage-free chicken dog food is made in the USA. It’s not as good as the best overall but it’s still an affordable, good, and safe diet for pit bulls.
This is a real-meat formula. The recipe mainly contains chicken, white rice, chicken seeds, quinoa, blueberries, oranges, and egg ingredients. The chickens are not kept in a cage. Very rich in protein which most of it comes from meat and the egg ingredient.
Specifically made for athlete dogs and highly active dogs. The formula is designed to boost the dog’s energy and give its essential nutritional requirements. Some ingredients help with the dog’s overall health.
It supports a healthy digestive system. First of all, rice is a filler that makes things easier on the stomach. There are antioxidants and prebiotics to help with the digestion and immune system as well. No fillers, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives are added.
There are a lot of vitamins and minerals as well. For instance, blueberries and oranges, a natural sources of vitamins. Omega fatty acids as well, help to keep the skin and coat healthy. There you go, a high-protein, real meat diet for an affordable price.
Pros
- A real meat recipe with 32% protein.
- Supports overall health.
- Specifically made for athlete dogs.
- 470 calories per cup.
Cons
- Only for adult dogs.
Best Runner-Up
CRAVE Premium Adult Dog Food
Highlighted Features
- Grain-Free
- Real Meat
- Natural Dog Food
- High Protein
- Vitamin Supplements
CRAVE brings us another top-tier dog food for pit bulls and high-energy dogs in general. The Premium Adult Dog Food with the best overall are my first two recommendations for pitbull dog food.
Made with real meat as the first and main ingredient. You can find this product available with real chicken, beef, lamb, white fish and salmon. High in protein which comes mainly from the meat. 34% high protein for dogs that need a strong, lean, and muscular body.
Grain-free with natural ingredients. There are no artificial flavors, colors, etc… All nutritional requirements are met without using any grain-based carbohydrates. Peas, flaxseed, and dried beet pulp are used as carbohydrates.
The formula is made to boost the performance of muscular, high-energy dogs. It provides the energy they need with a small portion meal. It meets all the nutritional requirements for puppies and adults. Suitable for dogs older than 4 weeks.
If you didn’t like our first option, this is definitely the second thing to consider. Not that expensive, but still a top-tier dog food for high-performance dogs. I’m sure you will be satisfied with the food, I recommend trying out the 4 lbs bag and seeing how it goes. I guarantee you will get a bigger one.
Pros
- Grain-free source of carbohydrates.
- Real meat first ingredient.
- Meets all nutritional needs.
Cons
- Uses pea starch.
Best Dog Food For Pit Bulls With Skin Allergies
Acana Wholesome Grains Limited Ingredient High Protein
Highlighted Features
- Limited Ingredient Diet
- High Protein
- Lamb & Pumpkin
- Gluten-Free
- All Life Stages
Pit bulls need a lot of carbohydrates. Unfortunately, a lot of the ingredients used in dog food as a source of carbohydrates carry common allergens. So, I’m presenting the Acana Wholesome Grains, dog food for pit bulls that developed allergies.
A limited ingredient diet, one of the best ways to locate and avoid allergies in dogs. You can find this product with several ingredients, I’m listing the lamb and pumpkin recipe here. High in fat, forms a barrier around the coat.
Real meat formula, rich in protein which comes from premium animal ingredients. 60%-65% protein provides high-performance dogs with the energy they need. There are no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Gluten-free source of carbohydrates. To make this meal nutrient-dense, wholesome oats, sorghum, millet, and ground miscanthus grass are used. This is a lot of carbohydrates that won’t cause allergies. Also, it supports a healthy digestive system.
There you go, high protein limited ingredient diet for pit bulls with skin allergies. If your pit bull at one point develops food allergies or suffers from environmental allergies, this is something to consider.
Pros
- A limited ingredient diet for allergies.
- Fish oil keeps the skin healthy.
- Supports digestive health.
Cons
- Expensive.
Best Dog Food For Pit Bull Puppies
Diamond Premium Puppy Complete
Highlighted Features
- Balanced Formula
- High Protein
- Healthy Fat
- Probiotics
- For Growing Puppies
For the last item on this list, I wanted to recommend something for pit bull puppies, the Diamond Premium Puppy Complete. Growing puppies require a specific diet, and this product offers all those nutritional needs.
A formula that is specifically made for growing puppies. The levels of protein and fat are specifically measured to support healthy growth. It helps with vision and brain development as well, made possible with DHA from salmon oil.
A balanced diet with 31% protein and 20% fat. Perfect for puppies. The other essential nutritional needs are met too. A healthy natural fiber that will maintain a healthy digestive system. It includes antioxidants as well to help the immune system.
Protection from environmental skin reactions as well. Omega fatty acids will keep the coat and skin healthy. It supports good health overall, plenty of vitamins and minerals needed for good health.
That was the dog food for pit bull puppies. Other items on this list can also be used for puppies unless stated otherwise. However, the Diamond Premium Puppy is an option specifically made for puppies.
Pros
- Balanced formula for growing puppies.
- Probiotics and fatty acids.
- DHA from salmon oil.
Cons
- Contains whole grain ground corn.
Best Dog Food For Pit Bulls – Buying Guide
Pit bulls are dogs that need a lot of care from their pet owners. Despite the training and the exercise, you have to be careful with the food as well. So, if this is the first time you are getting a pit bull, you may want to read this buying guide. It will help a lot, especially if you are used to normal dog food.
High Protein And Fat
As already mentioned, pit bulls have a muscular built. This is especially true for some Pit Bull breeds. Those muscles need amino acids to stay strong and grow. The normal dog food may have enough protein for other breeds but not for pit bulls.
If a pit bull is on a normal dog food diet, it will have to eat big-sized portions to take the protein it needs. This usually leads to overweight dogs. Dog food for pit bulls should have enough calories and proteins in a normal portion.
When it comes to fat, high-fat formulas are always preferable. As long as the type of fat is harmless. Something like fish oil, salmon oil, etc…
Nutrient-Dense
Usually, we are looking for meat-based formulas. But meat is not enough for a nutrient-dense diet. Because pit bulls are high-performance dogs, they need a lot of energy. That energy comes from carbohydrates.
The bad thing about carbohydrates is that dog food manufacturers tend to use often harmful sources of carbohydrates like soy, corn, wheat, gluten, etc… So, you should look for a nutrient-dense diet but make sure that the carbohydrates come from healthy sources like oats, pumpkin, rice, etc…
Real Meat
Another important thing to look for is a meat-based formula with real meat. The dog food you buy for your pit bulls should have real meat and that meat should be the first and main ingredient.
The thing is, most of the protein is lost with highly processed food. Or, brands that use a meal by-product lose a lot of the protein percentage. That’s why real meat is important, your dog gets a rich source of protein.
My recommendations are real chicken, lamb, or fish. In my opinion, fish-based formulas are the most healthy for pit bulls. Either way, choose what you want, make sure it’s real meat though.
Healthy Digestion
A rich in protein and nutrient-dense diet is important but you should keep in mind the dog’s digestive system. The thing is, a lot of brands use ingredients that are nutrient-rich but can upset the stomach. In fact, this is how some allergies are caused.
You don’t want your dog with an upset stomach, so healthy digestion is important with every dog food. Something with prebiotics and rice is a good choice. These ingredients maintain a healthy digestive system while being a good source of calories.
No Artificial Ingredients
As always, you should avoid dog food that has artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. Remember, you are looking for a diet rich in protein that comes from safe, natural sources. Artificial ingredients are always a bad sign. It means the food was highly processed.
Keep in mind, vitamin supplements are not bad. These are not artificial, in fact, some foods have fruits and vegetables to provide a source of vitamins.
Related Questions And Other FAQs
What Foods Are Bad For Pit Bulls
Pit bulls can eat the same stuff as other dog breeds can. There are no special exceptions with pit bulls. Low-protein diets are bad for pit bulls because they lead to overeating and obesity. Pit bulls need a high protein and high-fat diet.
What To Feed Pit Bulls To Make Them Muscular
The muscles grow and stay strong with amino acids from protein. So, you can add any natural source of protein to your dog’s meal. Something like chicken or eggs is the preferred option.
What Protein Is Best For Pit Bulls
Natural animal protein is best for pit bulls. Diets with real chicken, deboned duck, salmon, white fish, and lamb, all have a good percentage of protein.
Is Oatmeal Good For Pit Bulls
Yes, oatmeal is good for pit bulls. You can choose a dog food with oatmeal in it, or you can make the oatmeal yourself. It’s a good source of carbohydrates that also helps the digestive system.
