What’s the Best Dog Food for a Pitbull?
Choosing the best dog food for your pitbull depends on how you answer 2 critical questions.
- Is your pitbull a puppy… or an adult?
- Are you feeding a large breed pitbull… or a medium breed?
That’s because some pitbulls are genetically related to large breed dogs… while others are related to medium breeds.
What’s more…
Medium breed pitbull puppies don’t stop growing and become adults until they’re 12 to 14 months old… whereas large breed pitbulls may not reach adulthood until as late as 24 months.1
Unfortunately…
Choosing a dog food that’s not right for the age and breed type of your pitbull could cause a crippling form of hip dysplasia… especially if you’re feeding a pitbull puppy.2
The dog foods listed below were each selected by our editors because they meet AAFCO3 nutrient guidelines for all adult pitbulls.
And where indicated… puppies, too.
Buying Tip: We’ve intentionally included a few 4-star selections. That’s because many are superior to 5-star brands when you also consider the companies that design and produce them… as well as their cost savings.
Best Dog Food for Pitbulls
October 2020
Here are The Dog Food Advisor’s top 10 best dog foods for pitbulls for October 2020.
Annamaet Ultra 32% Dry Dog Food
Annamaet Ultra is one of 7 recipes included in our review of Annamaet dog food.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat, whole dry eggs, herring meal
- Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
- Profile: All life stages
- Best For: Adult pitbulls and puppies
Annamaet Ultra derives most of its animal protein from chicken meal and dry eggs. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 22% fat and 34% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of 63%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| High protein, low carb design for superior nutrient balance |
| Grain-inclusive recipe without corn, wheat or soy |
| Contains probiotics for healthy digestion |
| Includes DHA to strengthen blood vessel linings |
| Omega-3 fats to support flexible joints |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
Bully Max High Performance for Pitbulls
Bully Max High Performance is featured in our review of Bully Max dog food.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat, dried plain beet pulp, ground grain sorghum
- Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
- Profile: All life stages
- Best For: Adult pitbulls and puppies
Bully Max High Performance derives most of its animal protein from chicken meal and fat. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 22% fat and 36% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of 67%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| Flaxseed with omega-3 fats for healthy skin and coat |
| No BHA or other high-risk preservatives for lower cancer risk |
| Rich in meat-based protein |
| Grain-inclusive recipe. Contains no legume concentrates |
| Includes beet pulp fiber to support healthy digestion |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
Dr. Tim’s Kinesis Formula Dog Food
Dr. Tim’s Kinesis formula is one of 8 recipes included in our review of Dr. Tim’s dog food.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, pearled barley, whole oat groats, chicken fat
- Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
- Profile: All life stages
- Best For: Adult pitbulls and puppies
Dr. Tim’s Kinesis formula derives most of its animal protein from chicken meal and fat. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 18% fat and 45% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of 62%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| Abundant meat content for ideal amino acid balance |
| Budget-friendly recipe to offer more affordable value |
| Iron proteinate and other chelated minerals for optimal absorption |
| Contains grain. No plant-based meat replacements |
| Spinach and other antioxidants to prevent cell damage |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Large Breed Adult
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Large Breed is one of 7 recipes included in our review of Merrick Backcountry.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, peas, potatoes
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best For: Adult pitbulls only (not for puppies)
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Large Breed derives most of its animal protein from deboned chicken, as well as turkey and chicken meals. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 19% fat and 30% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of 45%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| Includes chelated minerals for faster absorption |
| 100% grain-free recipe for superior nutrition |
| Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health |
| All ingredients clearly identified. No anonymous meat |
| High protein, low carb recipe for optimal nutrient balance |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
Crave Premium Adult Chicken
High-Protein Adult Chicken is one of 4 dry recipes included in our item-by-item review of Crave Dog Food.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, split peas, lentils, pork meal
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best For: Adult pitbulls only (not for puppies)
Crave Adult Chicken derives most of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 19% fat and 35% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of 50%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| All ingredients clearly identified to help identify food allergies |
| Chelated minerals for superior absorption |
| Contains no BHA or other high-risk preservatives for lower cancer risk |
| 100% grain-free recipe. No corn, wheat, rice or barley |
| Balanced nutrient formula ideal for adult dogs |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
Taste of the Wild Wild Wetlands Dry Dog Food
Taste of the Wild Wetlands recipe is one of 9 recipes included in our review of Taste of the Wild dog food.
- First 5 ingredients: Duck, duck meal, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, peas
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: All life stages
- Best For: Adult pitbulls and puppies
Taste of the Wild Wetlands recipe derives most of its animal protein from duck, as well as duck and chicken meals. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 20% fat and 36% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of 56%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| Contains probiotics and prebiotics for healthy digestion |
| Includes blueberries and other natural antioxidants for superior nutrition |
| Offers multiple flavor options ideal for picky eaters |
| Balanced grain-free design. No corn or wheat |
| No anonymous organ meats helps identify stubborn food allergies |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Formula Dog Food
Diamond Naturals All Life Stages is one of 12 recipes included in our review of Diamond Naturals dog food.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, chicken fat
- Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
- Profile: All life stages
- Best For: Adult pitbulls and puppies
Diamond Naturals All Life Stages derives most of its animal protein from chicken and chicken meal. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 18% fat and 45% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of 62%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| Contains kale, oranges and other antioxidants for healthy arteries |
| Affordable, budget-friendly recipe for exceptional value |
| Nutritionally complete grain-inclusive recipe |
| Low fat-to-protein ratio for better nutritional balance |
| Offers multiple flavor options perfect for diet rotation |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
Wellness Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken and Oatmeal
Wellness Complete Health Adult recipe is one of 14 recipes included in our review of Wellness Complete Health dog food.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, ground barley, peas
- Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best For: Adult pitbulls only (not for puppies)
Wellness Complete Health Adult recipe derives most of its animal protein from deboned chicken and chicken meal. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 13% fat and 52% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of 50%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| Contains lignan-rich flaxseed to help lower cancer risk |
| Ideal blend of quality protein, fat and carbs |
| No toxic chemical preservatives for reduced risk of cancer |
| Contains no soy protein boosters for superior amino acid balance |
| Meat ingredients clearly named to help identify food allergies |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
Nulo Freestyle Adult Turkey and Sweet Potato Dog Food
Nulo Freestyle Turkey and Sweet Potato is one of 8 recipes included in our review of Nulo Freestyle dog food.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned turkey, turkey meal, salmon meal, chickpeas, chicken fat
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best For: Adult pitbulls only (not for puppies)
Nulo Freestyle Turkey and Sweet Potato derives most of its animal protein from deboned turkey and both turkey and salmon meals. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 37% protein, 20% fat and 35% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of 55%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| No plant protein concentrates for superior amino acid profile |
| High-protein salmon and turkey meals for lean muscle development |
| Manganese proteinate and other chelated minerals for faster absorption |
| Antioxidant-rich, grain-free design for ideal nutrient balance |
| No high-risk coloring agents for lower cancer risk |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
Rachael Ray Nutrish Peak Open Range Recipe Dry Dog Food
Rachael Ray Nutrish Peak Open Range is one of 3 recipes included in our review of Rachael Ray Nutrish Peak dog food.
- First 5 ingredients: Beef, chicken meal, dried peas, whole dried potatoes, pea starch
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: All life stages
- Best For: Adult pitbulls and puppies
Rachael Ray Nutrish Peak Open Range derives most of its animal protein from beef and chicken meal. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 17% fat and 42% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of 50%.
| Why We Like This Brand |
|---|
| Abundant meat content for ideal amino acid balance |
| Safe, antioxidant based preservatives for lower cancer risk |
| Uniform blend of protein, fat and carbs |
| Healthy grain-free design. No corn, wheat or soy |
| 100% balanced formula suitable for both puppies or adults |
Check Price at an Online Retailer
More Top Picks
You May Also Like
The Best Dry Dog Foods
The Best Puppy Foods
Best Grain-Free Dog Food
Best Dog Food with Grain
Best Dog Foods by Type for October 2020
The Best Senior Dog FoodsA Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor is privately owned. We do not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) when readers click over to their website from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.
Important FDA Alert
The FDA is investigating a potential link between diet and heart disease in dogs. Click here for details.
References
- IAMS: How to Transition Your Puppy to Adult Food, IAMS ↩
- Hazewinkel HAW. Nutrition in relation to skeletal growth deformities. J Sm Anim Practice. 1989; 30:525-630 ↩
- AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles, Association of American Feed Control Officials, 2018 Official Publication, pages 155-159. ↩