The Best Dog Food for Pit Bulls

Written by Kirstin Harrington
Updated: January 5, 2023
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Pit bulls are distinctive dogs because of their stocky, muscle-driven build. They are known for being strong, energetic, and friendly. When you’re picking food for your pitty, you’ll want to make sure they have enough sustenance and protein to support your dog’s overall health. 

You’ll want to keep in mind things like their age, health issues, activity level, and more when choosing between one food and another. To make it as easy as possible for you, we’ve found the best dog food options for pit bulls. 

Whether your pup is looking to gain muscle, has a special skin condition, or is growing old and needs to switch to wet food, we’ve got you covered.

  1. Annamaet Ultra 32% Dry Dog Food
    • Great for dogs of all ages, including puppies
    • High in protein and low in carbs
    • Made without wheat, soy, or corn
    • Contains plenty of probiotics
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  2. Wellness Complete Health Adult Dry Dog Food
    • Contains a balanced protein, carbs, and fat
    • Contains Omega fatty acids, enzymes, glucosamine to promote heart health
    • Developed by a group of veterinarians and scientists
    • Made in the USA
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Turkey & Chicken Grill Grain-Free Senior Canned Dog Food
    • A wonderful choice for older dogs
    • The main ingredients are chicken liver, carrots, potatoes, fish oil, and flaxseed
    • Contain no soy, wheat, and corn ingredients
    • Formulated to support joint health and mobility
    Check Chewy Check Amazon

A-Z-Animals Top Picks For Dog Food for Pitbulls

#1 Best Overall: Annamaet Ultra 32% Dry Dog Food

Taking the crown for the best overall is the Annamaet Ultra 32% Dry Dog Food.

The top ingredients in this food are chicken, brown rice, and herring. It is high in protein and low in carbs, creating a perfect balance for your pet’s diet. There’s a nice touch of omega-3 fatty acids that can be beneficial to your dog’s vision, joints, coat, and skin. It also includes L-carnitine to promote lean, healthy muscles, while prebiotics and probiotics promote a healthy gut.

This food is a completely grain-free formula. However, it’s important to remember that a grain-free diet may not suit all dogs. The only other drawback to this food that we could find is that it is an expensive option.

Pros and Cons of the Annamaet Ultra 32% Dry Dog Food

ProsCons
This food features chicken as the first ingredient.A grain-free diet does not suit all dogs.
It is perfectly balanced with a high protein and low carb formula.It is a more expensive option.
It contains omega-3 fatty acids to promote healthy vision, joints, skin, and coat.
The added L-taurine in this food promotes lean, healthy muscles.
It contains prebiotics and probiotics for a healthy gut.
This food is grain-free.
Best
Annamaet Ultra 32% Dry Dog Food
  • Great for dogs of all ages, including puppies
  • High in protein and low in carbs
  • Made without wheat, soy, or corn
  • Contains plenty of probiotics
Check Chewy Check Amazon

2. Best for Skin Allergies: Wellness Complete Health Adult Dry Dog Food

Due to their short coat, it’s not uncommon for a pit bull to suffer from skin allergies. If yours does, the Wellness Complete Health Adult Dry Dog Food can help. 

This food contain high-quality ingredients without any unneeded fillers, by-products, or artificial flavors and preservatives. There’s a plethora of balanced protein, carbs, and fat mixed with deboned chicken, oatmeal, and chicken meal in every bite. 

The added omega fatty acids, enzymes, glucosamine, microbes, and taurine are all beneficial to a healthy heart. A group of veterinarians and scientists worked together to create a formula that will offer nutrients for a lifetime of healthy skin. 

Unfortunately, some owners reported that the shape of the kibble makes it difficult for smaller dogs to eat.

Pros and Cons of the Wellness Complete Health Adult Dry Dog Food

ProsCons
This food contain deboned chicken, oatmeal, and chicken meal.The shape of the kibble makes it difficult for smaller dogs to eat.
It is free from fillers, by-products, and artificial flavors and preservatives.
It contains omega fatty acids, enzymes, glucosamine, microbes, and taurine to promote a healthy heart.
Best for Skin Allergies
Wellness Complete Health Adult Dry Dog Food
  • Contains a balanced protein, carbs, and fat
  • Contains Omega fatty acids, enzymes, glucosamine to promote heart health
  • Developed by a group of veterinarians and scientists
  • Made in the USA
Check Chewy Check Amazon

3. Best for Seniors: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Senior Canned Dog Food

If you have a senior dog that’s in need of switching from kibble to soft food then the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Senior Canned Dog Food Dog Food is a wonderful choice for older pups.

Wet food is much easier for dogs with dental problems to eat and this food is packed full of ingredients that will keep your old pooch healthy. Some of the main ingredients are grilled turkey and chicken, carrots, potatoes, fish oil, and flaxseed! Blue Buffalo focuses on creating grain-free food by skipping all soy, wheat, and corn ingredients. You won’t find any artificial flavors, preservatives, or by-products in their food either.  Also, this food is tailor-made to promote healthy joints and muscles with the unique and balanced mix of vitamins and minerals.

Although this food has a lot going for it some customers have reported that the consistency of the texture is not consistent, with some cans more watery than others. Also, it should be noted that a grain-free diet is not suitable for all dogs.

Pros and Cons of the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Senior Canned Dog Food

ProsCons
The main ingredients are grilled turkey and chicken.The consistency of the texture is not consistent, with some cans more watery than others.
This food is free from artificial flavors, preservatives, and by-products.A grain-free diet is not suitable for all dogs.
It has a balanced mix of vitamins and minerals to promote healthy joints and muscles.
This food is grain-free.
Best for Seniors
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Turkey & Chicken Grill Grain-Free Senior Canned Dog Food
  • A wonderful choice for older dogs
  • The main ingredients are chicken liver, carrots, potatoes, fish oil, and flaxseed
  • Contain no soy, wheat, and corn ingredients
  • Formulated to support joint health and mobility
Check Chewy Check Amazon

Choosing the Best: What to Look For

How is a pet parent supposed to know what to look for when picking food for their pit bull? For starters, let’s consider your dog’s age. Some food is made specifically for puppies, while others are for senior dogs. 

You’ll want to keep a close eye on the ingredients the food is made of. For pit bulls, it’s important to have a lot of protein and fish oil to keep them healthy. Lastly, some pet parents like to consider the price as well. There are plenty of high-quality options that won’t break the bank. 

The Different Types of Food for Pit Bulls: Pros and Cons Compared

There are two main types of food — wet and dry. They have their own unique set of pros and cons that we laid out for you below. Let’s take a look at what makes each great and what they could both work on.

Dry Dog Food 

ProsCons
It tends to be cheaper.It is not very appealing to picky eaters.
It helps to removed plaque and tartar from teeth

Wet Dog Food

ProsCons
It is more palatable and easier to eat.It doesn’t get rid of tartar or plaque.
It is great for hiding medications in.It spoils quickly.
It is more appealing to picky eaters.It tends to be a more expensive option.

Our Criteria and Experience: How We Chose the Best

When creating our list of the best dog food for pit bulls, we took into account their specific needs. Pit bulls are very muscular dogs, so a high-protein diet is essential to their maximum health. Beyond that, pit bulls are also prone to allergies, so a food that doesn’t contain a lot of additives that stir up allergies is something to take into consideration. One condition that many pit bulls develop is hip dysplasia, which can actually be exacerbated by having your pit bull on a diet that is high in calcium and Vitamin D — two nutrients which can, ironically, stunt the development of cartilage and bone in dogs. It’s recommended by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) that a pit bull’s diet consist of 30 to 40% high-quality protein, 20 to 30% carbohydrates, 10 to 14% animal fat, and 1 to 1.5% calcium.

For quality dog food, price can be a concern for many pet owners. There’s no denying that dog food can get expensive, but if you find food that’s beneficial to your pet’s health and they enjoy eating it, it may be worth the price!

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About the Author

Kirstin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering animals, news topics, fun places, and helpful tips. Kirstin has been writing on a variety of topics for over five years. She has her real estate license, along with an associates degree in another field. A resident of Minnesota, Kirstin treats her two cats (Spook and Finlay) like the children they are. She never misses an opportunity to explore a thrift store with a coffee in hand, especially if it’s a cold autumn day!

The Best Dog Food for Pit Bulls FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

How often should my pitbull puppy be fed? 

For growth and development, pitbull pups require more nutrients and calories. Feed your puppies three little meals throughout the day that are specifically designed for large-breed puppies.

How much should I give my adult pitbull in terms of food? 

Provide a high-quality large-breed dog kibble to your adult pitbull. Adult dogs just require two suitably sized meals every day.

What should an senior pitbull's diet consist of? 

Your senior dog, like all senior dogs, may require more fiber in its diet to facilitate digestion. Additionally, when their exercise levels begin to drop, you must keep an eye on their calorie intake.

What do pitbull pups require in terms of nutrition? 

Pitbull puppies, like other large breed dogs, demand a high protein diet. Protein should make up at least 22% of a developing puppy’s diet.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.