The best dog food for Pitbulls 2022: Nutrition guidelines and reviews

If you want to know right away:

Dr. Tim’s All Life Stages Kinesis Formula is the best dog food for Pitbulls.

I also included great products in my review section so you should read my full article.

I’ve written several articles about Pitbulls before. This is no accident, as this breed is one of my personal favorites. These dogs are intelligent and lovable. If you want to take good care of them, you need to start with proper nutrition. 

Pitbulls are very sporty, muscular, and active. Their diet should be adjusted accordingly. Without it, nutrient deficiencies and other diseases can develop. In my article, I am writing about the most important information about the nutrition of Pitbulls. In addition, I have put together the best products on the market that fit the needs of Pitbulls perfectly. Although you can choose any of these, I will also describe which one is my favorite.

Product table for the best Pitbull foods

[wptb id=4791]

What are the best dog foods for Pitbulls?

If you’re not the kind of person who goes into the store and takes the first dog food off the shelf for his Pitbull, you’re in the right place. Below I have collected the best products on the market. You can give these to your Pit. In the end, I unveil my personal favorite.

Dr. Tim’s All Life Stages Kinesis Formula

Dr. Tim is a veterinarian who has been involved in pet food manufacturing for a long time. He is familiar with the nutritional needs of active living dogs and has created this recipe accordingly. All Life Stages Kinesis Formula is made by a slow cooking process. It contains only natural ingredients, thus ensuring easy digestion. Thanks to probiotics, prebiotics and natural antioxidants, your Pitbull’s immune system, and digestion will also be healthy. The product does not contain corn, soy, and artificial ingredients.

---

Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Dog Food

Be sure to consider Taste of the Wild when looking for the most suitable dog food for your Pitbull. This recipe was developed for active and energetic dogs. Sources of protein include buffalo, lamb, and chicken. Sweet potatoes and peas are not only well digested but also delicious. This dog food does not contain grains, wheat, soy, corn, and artificial colors, fillers, preservatives. In short, Taste of the Wild is always a good choice for Pitbulls.

---

Earthborn Holistic Natural Dry Dog Food

Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast is designed with the needs of Pitbulls in mind. This is clear from the fact that the sources of protein, fat, and carbohydrates are all high quality. It also contains vegetables, providing vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants for your Pitbull. The primary source of protein is bison meal. It is a very good type of meat that makes it easy to build and maintain lean muscle mass. The proportion of fatty acids in the product guarantees that your dog will have a healthy appearance.

---

Bully Max High Performance Premium Dog Food

As the name suggests, Bully Max dog food has been developed to support the maximum performance of dogs. The product is suitable for Pitbull at all stages of life, so you can even choose it as a starting food. The recipe is rich in nutrients and provides everything your puppy needs. The protein source is premium quality chicken breast supplemented with chicken fat, ideal for active Pitbulls. In addition, Bully Max is high in calories, which is a very important aspect in these dogs.

---

Wellness CORE Grain-Free Turkey & Chicken Recipe

If your Pitbull’s stomach is sensitive, be sure to consider this food. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Turkey & Chicken Recipe contains only natural ingredients. There is no artificial thing in it that can cause sensitivity or allergies. The main ingredients are herring meal, whitefish, and salmon meal. These are not only high-quality sources of protein but also provide the healthy fats that dogs need. In addition, the product contains fiber. Thus, the health of the digestive system is also ensured.

---

Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Large Breed Recipe

The Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Large Breed Recipe is grain-free and its primary ingredient is deboned chicken. But all its other ingredients are premium quality and highly digestible. The added fruits, vegetables, vitamins, minerals, and probiotics support the digestion and immune system of your Pitbull in the best possible way. The recipe is free of artificial flavors and colors.

---

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Wilderness mimics the diet of wolves. This is just ideal for Pitbulls and provides them with growth and energy. The recipe includes deboned duck, chicken meal, and turkey meal. They are a high quality source of protein and provide the amino acids needed to build and maintain muscle. Sweet potatoes and peas are healthy and easily digestible carbohydrates. The product contains fresh fruits and vegetables that provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

---

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dog Food

This is a dog food developed for Pitbulls with sensitive stomachs. Salmon, Menhaden fish meal and sweet potato provide all the important nutrients. The product is free of preservatives and other artificial ingredients. The fat to protein ratio is just right for Pitbulls.

---

Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice Formula

Most dogs love chicken. If your Pitbull is like that, then the Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice Formula is for him. This dog food provides healthy and natural nutrients for dogs at all stages of their lives. In addition to the cage-free chicken, it contains real fruits and vegetables. Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats will also be guaranteed for your puppy.

---

Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe

The Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe is great for Pitbulls and other large breeds. The primary protein sources are turkey meal, deboned turkey, and salmon meal. Thanks to these, you can be sure that your Pitbull dog will get all the amino acids needed to build and maintain muscle. The protein and fat content is just ideal. Added vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and probiotics contribute to the health of dogs.

---

Rachael Ray Nutrish PEAK Beef, Venison & Lamb Dog Food

This is an excellent formula that provides Pitbulls with the right amount and quality of protein. This way, your dog can easily build and maintain lean muscle. In addition to venison, beef, and lamb, it contains important ingredients such as chicken fat, whole flaxseed, menhaden fish, peas, potatoes, and cranberries. Be sure to consider this product when looking for the best dog food for your Pitbull.

---

My pick

As you can see, the list is long. But I didn’t want to miss a single product. They all have positives and I highly recommend them all for Pitbulls. My personal favorite is Dr. Tim’s All Life Stages Kinesis Formula. If you choose this dog food, you can be sure that your Pitbull will get all the essential nutrients it needs for its health.

Click here to get one from Amazon.

Click here to get one from Chewy.

---

How much food do we need to feed the Pitbulls?

The ideal weight of Pitbulls can vary. On the other hand, they weigh an average of 45 pounds, a significant portion of which is lean muscle mass. In addition, it is a very active breed, with plenty of exercises during the day. Because of their muscle mass and active lifestyle, these dogs need a lot of food.

An average Pitbull needs about 1,100 calories a day. This can, of course, be more or less depending on the level of activity. The daily amount of food should be divided into two parts during the day. This will prevent overeating, which can lead to possible obesity.

Pitbulls who spend most of the day exercising may need up to 1,700 calories a day. However, it is worth avoiding excessive weight gain. Calorie intake in less active or elderly dogs should be reduced. A senior Pitbull needs about 800-900 calories a day.

The wisest thing to do is to monitor your dog’s reaction to the daily calorie intake. If you notice that your Pit is gaining too much weight, reduce his calorie intake, or increase his daily exercise.

What ingredients should you look for in a Pitbull food?

Because of their athletic endowments, these dogs need the best quality food. If you don’t pay attention to the ingredients, the athletic performance of the Pitbulls could deteriorate and there will be a risk of obesity. The latter can cause a lot of other health problems. In the following, I will talk about the most important macronutrients that Pitbull owners should pay attention to.

Protein

I don’t think it’s unbelievable when I say that protein is the most important ingredient. It is worth checking the protein content on the dog food packaging first. This is because Pitbulls are able to use proteins to build and maintain their lean muscle mass.

You should know that it is not enough to just look at the protein content. The quality of proteins is also extremely important. The best sources are real natural meats. Examples are chicken, beef, lamb, fish, and so on. Any of these are good, but if your dog is sensitive to one, such as chicken, it should be avoided.

The more protein there is in your dog’s food, the better. The best Pitbull dog foods can contain up to 40% protein. But you should aim for a minimum of 25%.

Fats

Fats play an important role in several ways. On the one hand, they are very good sources of energy. On the other hand, they make the food unique and tasty. Third, there are natural fats that have positive effects on health. Examples are fish oil or flaxseed oil. They contain Omega-3 fatty acids, which contribute to the health of the skin and coat of Pitbulls, among other things.

Although it is worth paying attention to the quality of fats, their amount should not be overstated. Pitbulls don’t need a lot of fat. Apart from the fats of the main protein source, only some Omega-3 fatty acids are needed. If the main source of protein is fish, this is usually not even necessary.

Carbohydrates and other nutrients

Quality is just as important for carbohydrates. Since Pitbulls don’t need much of them, it’s worth looking for the best resources. These are sweet potatoes, rice, or wholesome grains. In the case of sensitivity, the latter should be avoided. Many manufacturers incorporate carbohydrates into their products as fillers. Of course, these brands should also be avoided.

Various vegetables and fruits also contain carbohydrates. However, their other useful ingredients, such as vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, are more important. They support the immune system of dogs and make the diet balanced. The carotene content of carrots has a good effect on the function of the grains. And blueberries are high in healthy antioxidants. But there are many other vegetables and fruits to choose from.

Other ingredients that promote muscle growth in Pitbulls

In addition to macronutrients, there are also so-called micronutrients that help build lean muscle mass in Pitbulls. I will write about some below. If your chosen dog food contains any of these, your Pitbull will be not only healthy but also muscular.

Calcium

You know for sure that calcium plays an important role in bone health. But it is just as important for the normal functioning of the muscles. Calcium helps with nerve transmission and muscle contraction. Because Pit Bulls are active and athletic dogs, a calcium-rich diet is essential for them. Good sources of calcium include leafy vegetables, seeds, nuts, and fish. If dog food contains any of these or added calcium, that’s a good sign.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that is most involved in the regeneration of cells and tissues. Its deficiency can even lead to muscle degeneration. Therefore, an athletic breed like Pitbull needs to consume the right amount of it. The best sources of vitamin E include spinach and broccoli.

Choline

Although choline is a lesser-known nutrient, it still plays an extremely important role in muscle building and muscle function. That is, your Pitbull will definitely need choline in his diet. The best natural sources are meats, spinach, and cauliflower.

Vitamin B complex

Each type of vitamin B has a different effect. Vitamin B1 is responsible for metabolic processes. Vitamin B6 supports muscle tone. Vitamin B8 helps with muscle function. In short, your dog needs a vitamin B complex. The best sources are meats, fish, leafy vegetables, and liver.

What ingredients should you avoid in a food for Pitbulls?

The price of low-quality foods can often be affordable. But beware, these dog foods can often contain questionable ingredients. I have collected these below.

Low-quality proteins

Cheaper dog foods usually contain lower quality proteins. Unfortunately, these can have a negative impact on health. Meat by-products are in many cases poorly processed and not as healthy in amino acid composition.

Because the quality of these by-products is not controlled, they can contain many harmful things. It is better to stick to natural real meats or meat meals.

Corn and grains

These ingredients are inexpensive and are usually added to dog food to increase volume. Your Pitbull will be better off without these. Last but not least, corn and grains can cause stomach upsets and other digestive problems. It is not uncommon for them to be used to replace proteins. This can even cause malnutrition in Pitbulls. Look at the packaging label. If you find corn or grains among the ingredients, you may want to look for another dog food.

Artificial ingredients

Unfortunately, artificial colors and flavor enhancers and preservatives are found in many products. Manufacturers use these to make dog food more desirable. Pitbulls are sensitive to these artificially produced ingredients. If you don’t want your Pit Bull to have allergic reactions, look for a product that is made from natural sources.

The most common diet-related health problems in Pitbulls

There are some health conditions that Pitbulls are prone to. I wrote that these are diet related because by choosing the right food they can be avoided or treated. Respectively, poor quality food can exacerbate these problems. So let’s see what they are.

Bloat

Bloat, also known as Gastric Torsion, doesn’t seem dangerous at first. However, this is a potentially fatal condition. It occurs when the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself. This obstructs blood flow and can also cause the death of dogs.

Bloat most often occurs when a dog eats a lot rapidly. Because Pitbulls have a huge appetite, fast eating is quite common with them. In this case, they tend to swallow the food without chewing, which promotes gas accumulation.

If you want to protect your Pitbull from bloating, the most important thing is to divide your daily food into at least two parts. It is also important not to allow him to exercise vigorously for at least an hour after eating. Corn and low-grade carbohydrates can also promote bloat. Therefore, avoid these as well. Choose Pitbull dog food with high protein and complex carbohydrates.

Joint problems

As Pitbulls age, various joint problems can appear. This is not uncommon for active lifestyle breeds. In this case, choose the best quality nutrient-rich Pitbull food. In addition, ask your veterinarian for advice on whether it is necessary to use any medication.

Allergies

Pitbulls are often allergic. There can be many reasons for this, and sensitivities to some ingredients are common. In this case, the ingredient in question should be eliminated immediately from the diet. If you buy good quality dog ​​food, there is less chance that your Pitbull will be allergic to it. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, skin problems, hair loss, and so on. If you experience any of these on your dog, take them for an allergy test.

Frequently asked questions about Pitbull foods

---