Choosing The Best Dog Food For Pitbulls (2019 Edition)

Pit Bulls of all types are very special dogs. Whether you own an American Pit Bull Terrier, an American Staffordshire Terriers and or a Pit mix, you’ve got a loving companion that often gets an undeserved bad reputation.

These dogs have a lot of energy, and they need to get the chance to exert that energy! When you have a dog with a muscular body like a pitbull, they need to be fed food with high protein levels to give them the right amount of energy.

Let’s take a closer look at the best dog food for pitbulls.

**Below, you'll find more detailed reriews, but you can click links above to see current prices and read customer's reviews on Amazon

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The Importance Of A Good Dog Food For Your Pitbull

Your pitbull should be fed a high-quality dog food, but choosing that food out of hundreds of options can be very difficult. When there are lots of different people suggesting many different options, you have to be knowledgeable about what is important in a good dog food for pitbulls.

Here are some of the key areas that you should focus on when you are selecting the best dog food for pitbulls.

High Level Of Protein

The first thing you will want to check when narrowing down the food options is the amount of protein that is in the food. This amount is always provided in the guaranteed analysis of the food released by the company.

Pitbulls need a high level of protein in their dog foods. This helps their bodies grow and also helps to keep their muscular bodies functioning properly. The amount of protein in common dog foods can range from 12% up to 25% or even more. As you can see, there is a huge amount of fluctuation there.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends the following amounts of proteins for pitbulls:

- Puppies: minimum of 22 percent protein

- Adult dogs: minimum of 18 percent protein

Many dog foods exceed these percentages, so you should also look at some other factors to see what dog food is best.

You will also want to check what the source of protein is. There are some proteins that are better than other. Skip out on by-products and low-quality protein sources and instead look for food that has great, high-quality sources of protein.

Source Of Fat

Another key ingredient in dog food is fat. Pitbulls use fat as a source of energy, and making sure they are getting enough fat is key to make sure they can keep moving, playing, and loving all day long.

The AAFCO recommends the following amount of fats for pitbulls:

- Puppies: minimum of 8 percent fat

- Adult dogs: minimum of 5 percent fat

While you want to get this much fat, you will also want to make sure that it is a good quality fat. Some fats are overly processed or cheap, and they can cause harm to your dog in the long run. Chicken fat is a good fat and so are naturally occurring fats in your protein forces.

Avoid Carbohydrate Fillers

Many foods contain carbohydrate fillers that have absolutely no real value to your dog. They are nothing more than fillers. Corn, soy, and wheat filler are some of the most common foods that your dog can process, but they do not really give them any nutritional value.

Whether or not you want to go for a completely grain-free food is up to you, but you should turn to solid sources of carbohydrates. Sweet potatoes are one grain-free option, but you can also try brown rice, barley, or oats.

No matter what you choose, make sure that it is a source of carbohydrates that will do good for your dog’s body. And don’t choose anything with high levels of carbohydrates - focus on finding moderate levels of both fat and protein.

Lookout For Controversial Ingredients

The last thing you will want to look for in dog food is whether or not it contains any controversial ingredients. Some foods are trying new ingredients that claim to have extra benefits for your dog.

While these ingredients could have benefits, it’s better to avoid them if you don’t want to risk any problems with your dog. Controversial ingredients that show up in dog food from time to time are peas, alfalfa, beet pulp, corn, and more.

If you choose food that ingredients anything controversial, make sure to check the possible side effects and be sure that you are aware of what your dog is eating.

Consider Allergens

If you notice that your pitbull ever has problems with itchy skin or getting sick after eating food, they might be suffering from a mild allergy to something in their food.

Pitbulls often suffer from allergies due to common food irritants such as corn, soy, and wheat. These ingredients often cause issues in pitbulls, so cutting them out and going for a grain-free, soy-free, and corn-free food may solve your problems.

If your dog is still showing signs of allergies, try changing up the source of protein. Some dogs are sensitive to beef, chicken, or lamb. Switch up the protein source and see if you can get better results for your pitbull.

The Top 5 Best Dog Food For Pitbulls

**Below, you'll find more detailed reriews, but you can click links above to see current prices and read customer's reviews on Amazon

1. Taste of the Wild, High Prairie Canine Formula

Via Amazon.com

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The Taste of the Wild High Prairie Bison & Venison formula is one of the top options for pitbull owners to feed their pets. This grain-free formula is formulated with roasted bison and roasted venison that can give them the best level of protein and fat that they need to get all the nutrients that they need.

Many dogs love the taste of this dog, and many owners find that it is an affordable option that works for their family. If you want to give a high-quality dog food a try for your pet, this has very few controversial ingredients and should be at the top of your list.

Guaranteed Analysis:

- Crude Protein 32.0% minimum

- Crude Fat 18.0% minimum

- Crude Fiber 4.0% maximum

- Moisture 10.0% maximum

Pros
Protein level: 32% Fat level: 18% Protein is great for highly active pit bulls who need the food Tasty - dogs will love to eat it Main source of protein is quality buffalo, roasted bison, roasted venison Carbohydrate source is sweet potatoes and potatoes Grain-free formula

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Cons
Expensive due to the high-quality ingredients Contains canola oil Contains pea protein

2. Wilderness Blue Buffalo High Protein Dry Adult Dog Food (Salmon Formula)

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This food from Blue Wilderness is one of my favorite options for dogs like pitbulls that need a protein rich diet. This one is a salmon based formula; the main protein source is deboned salmon which is a very healthy source of protein for your dog.

This food is great for pitbulls that have acute allergies as well. It contains no corn, wheat, or soy, and it also doesn’t contain straight beef or chicken since salmon is the main source of protein. It also has a great boost of nutrients and vitamins that will help your dog live a long life.

Guaranteed Analysis:

- Crude Protein 34.0% min

- Crude Fat 15.0% min

- Crude Fiber 6.0% max

- Moisture 10.0% max

Pros
Good levels of fat and protein (15.0% and 34.0%, respectively) Contains protein-rich salmon No chicken/poultry by-products Grain-free No corn, wheat, or soy No artificial conservatives Has chicken fat as a source of fat

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Cons
Contains tapioca starch, a controversial ingredient Contains pea protein and pea fiber Some dogs don’t like the Life Source Bits The food smells very fishy

3. Earthborn Holistic Dog Food, Natural Flavour

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The Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural dog food is a great option for pitbulls. This grain-free dog food is high in protein, fat, and omega fatty acids that will help your dog stay fit and full of energy all day long. I really love that this food is grain-free because many pitbulls can develop food allergies over time, and grains are some of the most common food irritants.

This food also has no added salt, sugar, fillers, artificial preservatives, or chemicals added, so you know that it is safe for your dog.

Guaranteed Analysis:

- Crude Protein, minimum 38.00%

- Crude Fat, minimum 20.00%

- Crude Fiber, maximum 2.50%

- Moisture, maximum 10.00%

Pros
High level of protein (38%) Moderate level of fat (20%) Protein sources are animal protein Chicken fat as one source of fat Grain-free Potatoes as carbohydrate source No artificial preservatives

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Cons
Contains canola oil as a fat source, not great for dogs Pea fiber and pea protein are fillers Some people don’t like using chicken fatLow fiber level

4. Nature's Variety Instinct Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

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Another great option that many owners find to be the most affordable is the Beef & Lamb meal, grain-free variety from Nature’s Variety Instinct brand. Even picky dogs will find the taste of this food great, and they will keep coming back for it! If your pitbull is very active and likes red beef, then this is a good choice for them to enjoy.

Guaranteed Analysis:

- Crude Protein (min) 35 %

- Crude Fat (min) 19 %

- Crude Fiber (max) 4 %

- Moisture (max) 10 %

Pros
Great levels of omega fatty acids which are good for your dog Main sources of protein include beef, turkey meal, and white fish meal Contains many carrots, apples, cranberries, and other vegetables Picky dogs like the flavor of this dog Grain-free & gluten-free formula High levels of protein and fat (35% and 19%)

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Cons
Contains alfalfa meal Caused allergic reactions in some dogs; pitbulls can be sensitive to allergens Filler products can cause gas in some dogs Hard to digest for sensitive dogs; causes constipation

5. Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Texas Beef)

Via Amazon.com

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The Texas Beef formula of the Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food line is another great option for pitbulls that need a good source of protein and fat. The first ingredient in this quality food is Deboned real Texas Beef, which makes up most of the protein content. This protein will help maintain your pitbull’s muscular body. The food also has healthy sources of omega fatty acids, nutrients, and glucosamines, all of which your pitbull needs.

Guaranteed Analysis:

- Crude protein (min.) 38.00 %

- Crude fat (min.) 15.00 %

- Crude fiber (max.) 3.50 %

- Moisture (max.) 11.00 %

Pros
High levels of protein and fat (38% and 15% )Grain-free diet Great source of nutrients and vitamins Source of carbohydrates is sweet potatoes Fat source is pork fat, which some owners prefer to chicken fat Made in America

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Cons
Causes bad smelling farts Some dogs don’t like the taste of this and refuse to eat it Causes soft stools in some dogs Size of kibble in the bag is inconsistent Beef can cause allergic reaction in some dogs

What Is The Best Dog Food?

Now that you’ve learned about what makes a dog food great for pitbulls, you can choose the food that fits your dog and your situation best. As long as you make an informed decision, you’ll be feeding your dog something that will keep them healthy.

For me, the best dog food here is definitely the Taste of the Wild, Canine Formula. This food has the amount of protein needed to keep your dog going while still having a good balance of fats and carbohydrates.

Additionally, it’s made from high-quality ingredients by a trusted brand. When you invest in dog food, you’re investing in your pitbulls health. So invest in something good with Taste of the Wild!