If you’ve just brought home your adorable pit bull puppy, you may be wondering if you should get breed-specific food. Though all dog food must adhere to standards set forth by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), some breeds benefit from having food formulated for their needs. These special formulas are intended to support different aspects of a breed, such as susceptibility to urinary stones, obesity, or joint health.
All AAFCO-certified commercial foods offer the minimum nutrition requirements for a dog at appropriate life-stages. Addressing health concerns and energy needs is more important than choosing a food designed for a specific breed.
While a pit bull isn’t a true dog breed, the name refers more to a type or category of dog breeds, which may include American Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, and American Staffordshire Terriers. Still, these breeds are considered a pit type because of common characteristics, such as high energy levels that come from the terrier and strong muscular bodies that come from the bulldog in their lineage.
Because of this, puppies should have food with high protein and calories to support their energy level and muscle, joint, and bone development. Here are our picks for the 10 best puppy food for pit bulls, based on reviews from real pet owners.
Best Dog Food for Pitbull Puppies to Gain Weight
If your puppy started out as a small dog or dealt with a health condition that left him underweight, you may want food for your Pitbull puppy to gain weight. These foods tend to be higher in protein and calories. So you will need less food to provide your Pitbull puppy with additional calories.
IMPORTANT: Always consult your vet first if you suspect your puppy is underweight, or needs help gaining weight.
Best Wet Dog Food for Pitbull Puppies
Wet dog food is another popular choice for feeding Pitbull puppies. Wet food contains about 75 percent water, and it makes it aromatic and flavorful for your Pitbull puppy to enjoy. Unfortunately, it spoils more easily, and it does not offer the same teeth-cleaning effect as dry kibble.
If you are feeding wet food, make sure you only feed wet food exclusively if the product says it may be fed this way. Otherwise, a Pitbull puppy that is fed only wet food may develop diarrhea.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Food
Blue Buffalo Life Protection puppy formula is specially made to help your Pitbull puppy grow big and strong. This food features plenty of clean protein and a multitude of vitamins and nutrients that your pooch will need as their bones and muscles grow. In addition to real meat, your pup will chow down on whole grains that are good for their heart, vegetables that will help keep them healthy, and fruits for the extra energy they need while playing and growing.
An added dose of calcium and phosphorous is added to support strong bones, especially when your Pitbull starts getting big and putting on more weight. There are eye and brain support via added DHA and AHA. Essential fatty acids are also included, which will help keep your puppy satiated between meals and keep their coats nice and soft. One downside is that puppies tend to get diarrhea when switching to this food. But luckily, this side effect is temporary.Pros
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