The Best Dog Food For Pitbulls – What To Feed Them And How Much
What is the best dog food for pitbulls? Pitbulls sometimes have a bad reputation as dangerous dogs that you should keep away from. But we know better! We know they are actually awesome dogs!
Pitbulls were originally bred to bait bulls (i.e. the name) and were later used as farm dogs. Despite their reputation, Pitbulls are actually also known as “nanny” dogs, because they gentle and protective of children.
But what do we actually feed these beautiful animals? Pitbulls are medium sized dogs (although some can become quite large!) with sizes ranging from approximately 30 pounds to 70 pounds (however Hulk, the largest Pitbull in the world tips the scale at a whopping 180 pounds!). So we need to take into consideration their size and activity level to figure out what is actually the best dog food for Pitbulls, as their dietary needs will differ greatly from smaller breeds such as Yorkies or bigger breeds such as Labradors.
Besides their size and activity level, we also need to pay close attention to any possible health issues or allergies that might be specific to Pitbulls, as feeding a Pitbull food that contains the wrong ingredients could cause your pup to experience health issues that can easily be avoided.
Food Allergies To Watch Out For
Before we dig into which dog food is the best dog food for Pitbulls, we need to make sure what food to avoid that could potentially cause allergies.
Pitbulls are generally healthy, but of course as with any breed there are some health issues you need to be mindful of. When it comes to food, there are some food that your Pitbull could potentially be allergic to. This could include corn, rice, wheat and beef. If your dog is showing signs of itching and discomfort on their skin, that could be an indication that they are allergic to these foods. Should you notice these symptoms, you should take immediate action to avoid your Pitbull digging and chewing at the itchy areas untill they bleed.
To treat the allergy, remove the food that has been causing the allergic reaction from their diet. Your veterinarian should also be able to tell you what your dog is allergic to and whether it can be treated with medication.
How Much Should You Feed Your Pitbull?
Every dog is different. You need to consider the age and the size of your dog to determine how much you should feed it. For example Pitbull puppies will need a lot less calories than an adult would.
The Pitbull breed is considered an active breed, meaning they would typically need a bit more calories on average to fuel their active lifestyle. When looking for the best dog food for Pitbulls, calories is a key consideration to look at.
Key Stats
Dog Breed Group – Terrier Dogs
Height – 1″5 to 1″7
Weight – 30 pounds to 85 pounds
Recommended Calories
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s (WSAVA) Global Nutrition Committee has put together a table that shows how much calories an average dog would need based on their size.
Weight (Kg)Weight (lb)Kilocalories/day
For the full table, you can go here.
Remember that these figures are just estimated averages. You will need to experiment a little to see what the is right amount for your own dog. If your dog has any health problems, you should consult your vet for advice on what food and how much you should be feeding your Pitbull.
An important thing to remember is that the dog food with the most calories is not necessarily mean it is the best dog food for Pitbulls. The food also needs to be nutritious! Some food might be high in calories but low in nutritional value.
How To Know If You Are Over Feeding Your Pitbull
While we want to make sure we give our pups the best dog food for Pitbulls possible, we also want to make sure we do not over feed them.
Your Pitbull should have a waist when you look down at it. You should also be able to feel its ribs beneath its muscle if stroke your hand over it (if you can see the ribs, your Pitbull might actually be under-weight!). If you cannot easily feel its ribs because it is buried under a role fat, your Pitbull is overweight.
If your dog is overweight it could cause serious long term health issues, such as joint problems and heart problems. However be careful to not just suddenly put your pup on a excersize regime, as the extra weight could cause joint issues.
To get your overweight pup into shape, we recommend you first take it to the vet to get a thorough check-up to make sure your dog is in good health and there are no other issues that might be causing the weight issue (for example, Pitbulls can have Hypothyroidism, which could cause weight gain). Once you are sure your dog is healthy, you can start to increase its excersize while maintaining a healthy diet for your dog.
The Best Dog Food For Pitbull Puppies
Is the same food that your Pitbull adult eats also the best dog food for Pitbull puppies? Pitbull puppies need dog food that is specifically designed for puppies. It is recommended that your puppy dog food should have more fat and protein in than dog food for adult Pitbulls. That is because a fast growing puppy needs more energy from their food to help fuel their growth. Pitbull puppies should typically be fed three times a day to help maintain their high metabolism.
The Best Dog Food For Pitbull Adults
Pitbulls are very active dogs, so it is recommended that the best dog food for Pitbull adults be high in protein to be able to fuel their active lifestyle. Typically an adult Pitbull should be fed two to three times a day. Feeding your Pitbull one large meal once a day is not recommended, as that would be harmful to their digestive systems.
Snacks For Pitbulls
It is okay to give your Pitbull a healthy snack or treat on occasion. Be careful not to overdo it with snacks and treat though, as you will be giving your Pitbull more calories than it should get, resulting in weight gain. Be especially careful of getting into the habit of giving your Pitbull table scraps. This will not only cause weight gain, but it will also teach your dog bad habits.
For snacks and treats, you can consider giving your Pitbull healthy dog biscuits or dog sausage treats in small amounts. If you want to give it really healthy snacks, consider giving it vegetables. They will like the crunchiness of fresh vegetables, and fiber will be good for their digestive systems.
Wrapping Up
The best dog food for Pitbulls need to be high in energy and nutritional value to ensure a healthy pup. Fortunately Pitbulls are generally a healthy breed, so you do not need to worry too much about feeding it special “health food”. If you do notice that your pup is showing some signs of allergies or health issues, it might be a good idea to consult your vet on what food to cut from their diet or whether special treatment is perhaps required.
I hope this article helps you on your mission to find the best dog food for Pitbulls to help keep your pup happy and healthy! If you have any thoughts or tips that you would like to share, please feel free to leave us a message in the comments section. We would love to hear from you!