Puppies are known for their fat little bellies, rolls of skin, and roly-poly silhouettes. Healthy puppies dont usually need help to gain weight, and causing your pet to gain too much weight too quickly can be unhealthy in the long run. To help your healthy pit bull puppy maximize her growth and muscle-building potential, feed her a quality nutritional diet, build muscle through exercise, and consider adding a pit bull muscle-builder supplement.
As pit bulls grow, they can go through phases where their rapid growth makes them appear skinny or pudgy. Knowing how much your pit bull should weigh at each stage of life is essential to help him maximize his growth and weight potential without creating unhealthy obesity.
Adult American pit bull terriers vary in size, with breed standard weights ranging from 35 to 60 pounds for males and 30 to 50 pounds for females. American Staffordshire terriers â another breed commonly thought of as pit bulls â are a bit bigger, with adult males ranging from 55 to 70 pounds and females at 40 to 55 pounds.
Get familiar with your dogs lineage to know how big your dog should be and if he is overweight or underweight at each stage of his life. An American pit bull terrier, for example, should never weigh 70 pounds. Check a pit bull growth chart to make sure youre not making your pit bull fat. On average, your pup should not gain more than 2.5 pounds per week.
Pit bulls are born into litters that average five puppies%20up%20to%2010%20pups!). However, litter size ranges from a single pup to 10 puppies. In a large litter, the mom cant necessarily feed every puppy at once, as they have on average five to seven nipples (although they could have as many as 10). This means that stronger pups will shoulder weaker ones out of the way, and the mother dog might not have enough milk left once the smaller ones get to the nipple.
If you have a litter of puppies with one or more runts, you will need to give them extra care to make sure theyre getting proper nutrition. Move them close to the moms nipple and protect them from other pups trying to jostle them aside. If the mom doesnt want to feed them or shes not producing enough milk for all, get a milk replacement formula from your veterinarian and give the runts supplemental feedings on the side.
If your runt pups dont gain weight in the first 24 to 48 hours, have them checked by a veterinarian. Puppies have a hard time regulating their body heat and have an underdeveloped immune system that could keep them weak. Its important to take action early, as fading puppy syndrome can kill a pup in her first weeks of life.
- 1High Performance Super Premium Dog Food by Bully Max.
- 2High Protein Real Meat Recipe by Taste of the Wild.
- 3Sport Formula Dry Dog Food by Purina Pro Plan.
- 4Great Plains Feast Grain-Free Dry Dog Food by Earthborn Holistic.
- 5Grain Free Recipe Dry Dog Food by Merrick.
The 5 Best Foods for Pitbull Puppies to Gain Muscle
The Wellness brand of dog food almost always makes it to the top of our list. The company is committed to high-quality ingredients, and carefully balances the vitamins and minerals in each batch for maximum nutritional value.
And this blend is high protein and full of good fats, which means it will support your Pit Bull puppy’s joints, brain development, as well as strong muscle and bone growth.
One of the best parts about Wellness CORE puppy food is that it does not have any filler grains that may upset your pup’s tummy. It is almost completely made from natural, whole-food ingredients which are so much better for your dog than additives and cornmeal.
The Wellness brand is on the expensive side, but if you really want to help your Pit Bull puppy grow big and strong, Wellness CORE dog food is one of the best options out there and comes in top spot for best dog food for your Pitbull puppy! Pros
Cons
Choose a Superior Dog Food Brand
With so many dog foods on the market, it can be challenging to pinpoint those with the highest quality ingredients and nutrients.
Finding the best dog food for your pitbull’s weight gain can be so mentally draining that it could cause you to rush your decision. But it’s crucial to take the time to choose a quality dog food brand.
If you’re like some pet parents, you might not trust larger pet food companies. You may believe that smaller brands make better and safer products.
Yet, 73 of 88 recalls within five years are linked to smaller brands. This is likely because smaller brands simply don’t have as many financial resources to ensure the quality of their products as larger dog food companies.
Since Pitbulls need lots of nutrients to support their muscle and weight gain, you should ensure your chosen brand manufactures nutritionally complete and balanced food.
To determine the nutritional quality of a particular brand’s dog food, see if it performs nutritional content testing. Be sure to find out if they conduct laboratory analysis or run feeding trials. Also, research the brand and make sure their products meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines. This will ensure that your Pittie is getting the essential nutrients necessary for every life stage, whether it’s adult maintenance or growth and reproduction.
ALSO READ: Best Food for Bulldogs
Since Pitties require lots of activity, it’s easy for them to burn calories, making it difficult for them to gain weight or maintain their current weight. For lean muscle and weight gain, your Pitbull needs a high-protein and high-fat diet.
The extra protein will aid in muscle recovery, while the extra fat will help with energy. So your muscular four-legged friend will need protein-based dog food. The protein should come from meat because of its high protein and fat content. Studies show that Pitbulls get 70 to 90 percent of their energy from fat metabolism, which is why a high-fat diet is vital.
Your Pitbull’s diet will also require a higher than average calorie content. His diet should include additional vitamins and minerals, especially if he’ll be getting a lot of exercise.
Pitties tend to develop hip and joint problems, so the ingredients must protect these vulnerable limbs when he’s constantly putting pressure on them.
And of course, make sure your chosen brand contains essential nutrients that any dog can benefit from. Antioxidants (from fruit and vegetable sources), as well as Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, are key ingredients you want to look for in a dog food. Antioxidants support healthy immune function, while fatty acids help with proper brain development.
Castor & Pollux – Pristine grass-fed beef and sweet potato recipe with raw bites for pitbull puppy
FAQ
What is the best food to feed a pitbull?