2 Best Dog Food for American Pitbull Terrier – Picks for 2023!

Do you have an American Pitbull Terrier? Like other Pitbull breeds, these dogs can have pretty nasty allergies and sensitive stomachs. What these pooches need is the best dog food for American Pitbull Terrier.

PITBULL DOG FOOD	DOG FOOD BRAND	EXPERT RATING	PRICE
	Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food		Check Price
	Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula		Check Price

These dogs are commonly dubbed as vicious and dangerous. But if raised well, the only vicious thing with this Pitbull breed is their love for their owners and their tendency to chomp on big servings.

Aside from portion control, you also have to ensure that your doggo is getting the nutrients it needs. Even if the food is palatable, the nutritional value behind it matters most.

To guide you on choosing one, I’ve written this short review together with a full buying guide:

About the American Pitbull Terrier breed

The American Pitbull Terrier is a stocky dog just like its cousin breed, the American Staffordshire Terrier. However, the APBT isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club yet.

The American Pitbull Terrier can grow around 30 to 85 pounds, making them one of the heaviest in the medium-sized range. Also, their height is at moderate tallness of one foot and seven inches maximum.

This Pitbull breed can live for as much as 16 years in a favorable environment. Also, much of their lifespan will depend on the nutrition they get from food.

As you know, Pitbulls are hefty eaters. If you let them rule the whole bag of kibble, you’ll be rushing to the vet clinic with your dog suffering from gastric torsion.

Here are more facts about the American Pitbull Terrier breed:

Diet of the American Pitbull Terrier breed

Most dog diets will need at least three main ingredients: protein, carbs, and fat. However, there’s much to this than merely putting food items together.

A Pitbull’s diet is reliant on its age and physical condition. Still, all Pitties tend to have problems digesting carbohydrates which is why dog owners need to focus more on the ingredients than the taste.

To give you an idea of how much your American Pitbull Terrier should eat, here’s a glimpse on every life stage:

🐕Puppyhood

American Pitbull Terrier puppies need around 22% of protein and 8% of fat on their meals. This is higher than what adult counterparts will need.

Why? Pitbull puppies grow at a fast pace which means they need enough protein to keep up with their muscle growth.

What you need to avoid here is overdoing the protein. As much as it can help make your Pitty muscular, too much can cause kidney failure.

When picking food for puppy Pitties, make sure that you skip the substandard grain department. Pitbulls tend to have allergies with this kind of ingredient.

Lastly, you can consider a large breed puppy formula for your American Pitbull Terrier pup. This has a balanced concentration of phosphorus and calcium which is ideal to prevent orthopedic problems as your pup grows.

🐕Adulthood

Once your pup turns into an adult Pitbull, its protein needs will go down at around 18%. Meanwhile, the fat content is also lower for at least 5%.

Some dog owners who pack their Pitbulls with muscles for sporting may go further at 25% to 30% of protein. This can be healthy as long as it’s fed properly.

This level of protein and fat balance can be found on most large breed formulas. Still, avoid grains as much as possible and choose a meat source that’s not likely to trigger allergies. To give you an idea, beef is one of the notorious culprits behind food allergies of Pitbulls.

🐕Seniorhood

When your Pitbull reaches an advanced age, you have to take extra care with their diet. Old dogs tend to have slower metabolism which means you need to reduce your pet’s calorie intake.

Still, the protein level may remain high to prevent muscle loss. Just make sure that it’s not too much that your pooch is starting to have kidney problems.

To skip the hassle, you can simply transition your dog into a senior dog formula. Again, choose one with limited grains and exotic protein source to avoid allergies.

Common diet issues of this Pitbull breed

Aside from ensuring that your pooch gets enough food, you also have to keep an eye on these conditions that are related to the dog’s diet:

🐕Allergies

The American Pitbull Terrier breed may look tough, but it can also succumb to allergies. This is quite understandable since most Pitbulls tend to have sensitive stomachs. Also, their high-protein diet is another culprit to blame.

Remember that once your Pitbull exhibited signs of food allergy, you have to pinpoint the cause in the soonest possible time. Allergies like these won’t go away on its own and will go worse over time.

You can start determining the allergen by switching your dog to a Low Ingredient Diet (LID). By removing and swapping some ingredients over the weeks, vets and dog owners got to identify the cause.

🐕Obesity

Pitbulls are hefty eaters. They don’t have a concept of portion control. If you always give in to their begging and whining, it would only take months before your doggo becomes obese.

This is problematic for a variety of reasons. First, the excess weight will put more stress on the dog’s knees, thus resulting in orthopedic problems. Also, haphazard eating can lead to heart problems and organ issues.

🐕Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism happens when the thyroid gland malfunctions. This can lead to weight gain, reproductive issues, and poor coat. Such a condition is more likely to happen on adult dogs and will need continuous medication.

It’s also important to adjust your Pitbull’s diet when it suffers from hypothyroidism. It won’t cure the condition but it will be helpful in suppressing the symptoms.

🐕Heart disease

Heart disease among Pitbulls can either be congenital or developed through adulthood. Dogs that are raised with poor dietary practices can suffer from heart problems. The same goes for obese Pitbulls.

When any of your dog’s heart arteries narrow, it can be life-threatening if not treated right away.

🐕Joint issues

Joint issues can be a secondary condition for obesity. Since an obese dog has to carry excess pounds, it will start to crush its knees and paws. The long-term effects can be heart-breaking.

Also, joint problems can be caused by poor diet. The lack of joint-friendly substances will start the wear and tear of your pooch’s joints.

It’s best to look for food that has glucosamine and chondroitin, especially for senior Pitbulls that are suffering from arthritis.

🐕Gastric torsion

This condition is common to deep-chested breeds. Pitbulls tend to gobble on food too fast that they swallow air together with the food. If you happen to give the dog a large serving, the concentration of air and food inside the tummy can lead to gastric torsion.

This condition can be fatal in just a matter of hours. Dogs that don’t get treated will have a twisted tummy. In worst cases, vets will have to bore a hole on the dog’s tummy to deflate the air inside.

Here, Dr. Justine Lee discusses the symptoms you should watch out for:

How much should you feed a Pitbull

The amount of food your Pitbull eats depends on a variety of factors. You have to consider if your pooch is pregnant, lactating, spayed, or still in the phase of growth.

There’s no definitive answer as to how much a Pitbull should eat. By asking the vet and a pet nutritionist, you can come up with the exact numbers based on your dog’s lifestyle and physical condition.

Generally, this should be spread in about 3 to 5 small servings per day. Remember, even if you have a large Pitbull, it’s not safe to feed it with large amounts in one sitting. It may cause excessive flatulence and even gastric torsion as discussed above.

What to look for American Pitbull Terrier food

When shopping for your Pitbull’s food, always look for the following food components. This will ensure optimal nutrition. However, the portion will depend on your dog’s age, condition, and special needs.

🐕Protein. Always choose a high-quality protein source like whole eggs, turkey, duck, salmon, and so on.

🐕Fats. This component can come from the protein source. Still, make sure that it won’t go beyond your dog’s needs.

🐕Vitamins and minerals. Always look for a dog food infused with leafy greens and fruits. You may want to avoid un-whole grains like corn and soy which can trigger allergies.

🐕Carbohydrates. This can come from plant-based sources like sweet potato, rice, and other whole grains.

🐕Moisture. This depends on whether you prefer dry or wet food. If you opt for kibble, compensate with a bowl of fresh water that your dog can access the whole day.

The case of hypoallergenic dog food

A lot of dog food manufacturers market their product as hypoallergenic. There can be different interpretations here, especially if the product didn’t undergo the scrutiny of regulating bodies.

Generally, hypoallergenic dog foods are those that have all natural ingredients and free of any artificial dyes, flavorings, and preservatives. It should also be free of corn, soy, GMO, and other ingredients that are notorious allergens.

Dry food vs. wet food

This is a matter of preference and what works for your dog. If your pooch loves moist food more than kibble, it would thrive on wet food straight from the can. However, the main problem with wet food is its shelf life. Once the can is opened, it stands the chance of contamination and spoiling if not stored well.

This is exactly what the dry dog food solves. It’s easier to serve and store. Again, it all boils down to preference.

Best food for American Pitbull Terrier – Top 2 Picks!

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food

For adult American Pitbull Terriers, the Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dog Food will be a good choice. This is also a good pick for Pitties with allergies and digestive issues.

This food from Natural Balance is grain-free and hypoallergenic. It has duck meat as the main ingredient together with potatoes, salmon oil, and various minerals and vitamins.

Since this is a single-protein source meal, you can easily identify what causes your dog’s allergies. It can also prevent the occurrence of digestive issues.

This food is good for all breeds and is certified to be complete and balanced. It’s also free from artificial preservatives, coloring, and flavors.

Every serving of this Natural Balance dog food has 21% of protein, 10% of fat, and 10% moisture. For most adult Pitbulls, this is a perfect formula.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula

Does your dog love fish more than anything? It would surely like the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula. This has real white fish as the main ingredient together with brown rice, blueberries, sweet potato, flaxseed, peas, and carrots, and cranberries.

All of these ingredients are guaranteed to boost the muscle strength of your pooch while keeping allergies away. It’s also infused with Omega 3 and Omega 6 for optimal coat health.

The good thing with Blue is it doesn’t have any poultry or by-product ingredients. Everything is premium and fresh to deliver the best nutritional profile ever.

Aside from the delicious kibble, this food also has LifeSource Bits. It’s an exclusive formula of Blue that’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

This specific formula is ideal for life stages of American Pitbull Terriers. Each serving has 20% of crude protein, 13% of crude fat, and 10% of moisture. It also has the right balance of calcium, phosphorus, Taurine, and fiber for overall wellness.

The best dog food for American Pitbull Terrier should have the right balance of vitamins and minerals. Above all, it should have premium ingredients that won’t piss the doggo’s tummy.