DogFoodAdvisor is reader supported. If you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.

The Best Dog Food for Pitbulls

Pitbull Waiting for Best Dog Food

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.

  1. Is your pitbull a puppy… or an adult?
  2. 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… all pitbull 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
March 2024

Here are The Dog Food Advisor’s best dog foods for bullies for March 2024.
Ollie Fresh Dog Food Chicken Recipe

Ollie Fresh Chicken

Rating:

Chicken is one of 5 fresh recipes evaluated in our review of the Ollie product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, carrots, peas, rice, chicken liver
  • Type: Grain-inclusive (rice)
  • Profile: All Life Stages
  • Best for: All puppies including large breeds

This fresh-cooked recipe draws most of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 37% protein, 11% fat and 44% estimated carbs… which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 30%.

Sample buyer review… “Bama loves his Ollie food, & won’t eat anything else now! We’ve tried all 4 flavors, but beef & lamb are his faves. He LOVES the Jerky treats too! Which really surprised me because he usually won’t eat dog treats!”

Read more buyer reviews at myollie.com

Read Our Full Brand Review



Farmers Dog Fresh Food

Farmers Dog Fresh

Rating:

Fresh Pork is one of 4 fresh recipes evaluated in our review of The Farmer’s Dog product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: USDA Pork, sweet potato, potato, green beans, cauliflower
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Profile: All Life Stages
  • Best for: Puppies and adults (including large breed puppies)

This Farmer’s Dog recipe acquires the majority of its animal protein from fresh pork. Dry matter label analysis confirms the recipe contains 36% protein, 28% fat and 28% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 78%.

Sample buyer review… ” With TFD, my dog’s fur is shinier, he has more energy, he licks the bowl clean, his digestion has greatly improved, and no more farts!

Read more buyer reviews at Thefarmersdog.com

Read Our Full Brand Review



Annamaet Ultra 32 percent Dry Dog Food

Annamaet Ultra 32% Dry Dog Food

Rating:

Annamaet Ultra is one of 8 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 all 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%.

Sample buyer review… “I switched my 9 year old pittie to this food and she loves it. It was a little too dry for her so i add a tiny bit of chicken broth and it fixed the issue. Her allergies have gotten better on this food, her coat is so shiny and soft, and she has so much more energy. People can’t believe she’s 9 years old because of how active she is!”

Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com

Read Our Full Brand Review



Bullymax High Performance for pitbulls

Bully Max High Performance for Pitbulls

Rating:

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 all 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%.

Sample buyer review… “Good dog food my pitbull loves it and can really see a difference how he looks”

Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com

Read Our Full Brand Review



Nom Nom Turkey Fare Fresh Dog Food

Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food

Rating:

Turkey Fare is one of 4 fresh human-grade recipes included in our review of Nom Nom dog food.

  • First 5 ingredients: Ground turkey, brown rice, eggs, carrots, spinach
  • Type: Grain-inclusive (brown rice)
  • Profile: All life stages
  • Best For: Adult pitbulls plus all puppies

Nom Nom Turkey Fare derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh ground turkey. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 18% fat and 39% estimated carbs… which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of 50%.

Sample buyer review… “Our veterinarian has said she has never seen such healthy fur on a dog. This dog food is worth every penny.”

Read more buyer reviews at NomNom.com

Read Our Full Brand Review



Dr Tim All LIfe Stages Dry Dog Food

Dr. Tim’s Kinesis Formula Dog Food

Rating:

Dr. Tim’s Kinesis formula is one of 9 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 all 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%.

Sample buyer review… “Great dog food. Both dogs full of energy, shiny soft coat and they love it!!!”

Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com

Read Our Full Brand Review



Crave Adult Dog Food with Chicken

Crave Premium Adult Chicken

Rating:

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%.

Sample buyer review… “I believe my dog is the pickiest fussiest dog in the world.. After approximately $2000.00 and 4 years later, I have found a dog food he will now eat!! Crave, yes, Crave.. My dog was so sick for so long until he started eating, Crave!! No more vet bills and a very healthy, happy and content, dog.. Crave, I am forever indebted to you!!”

Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com

Read Our Full Brand Review



Taste of the Wild Wetlands Dry Food

Taste of the Wild Wetlands Dry Dog Food

Rating:

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 all 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%.

Sample buyer review… “Getting my dog to eat her kibble playing without any treats or food put in her kibble has been such a hard thing for us to do as a family. This dog food gets my puppy excited to eat kibble again would highly recommend.”

Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com

Read Our Full Brand Review



Diamond Naturals All Life Stages

Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Formula Dog Food

Rating:

Diamond Naturals All Life Stages is one of 13 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 all 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%.

Sample buyer review… “Good quality food that my dogs love. I usually buy the large breed chicken and rice, also a great food (lower protein & fat).”

Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com

Read Our Full Brand Review



Wellness Complete Health Adult Dog Food

Wellness Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken and Oatmeal

Rating:

Wellness Complete Health Adult recipe is one of 13 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%.

Sample buyer review… “So far, so good. Our pit mix seems to love the taste, and there are no issues with digestion. I’m hopeful that this will be a worthy replacement for our big name brand that she seemed to lose interest in.”

Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com

Read Our Full Brand Review



Nulo Freestyle Adult Turkey and Sweet Potato Dry Kibble

Nulo Freestyle Adult Turkey and Sweet Potato Dog Food

Rating:

Nulo Freestyle Turkey and Sweet Potato is one of 9 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%.

Sample buyer review… “I switched to Nulo about 4 years ago and never looked back. My senior dog loves the food and I find her to be in fine health. Her previous food was supposed to be top quality but started to have recalls that concerned me. This line so far has lived up to my expectations. I love that the food is not filled with fillers and items that an older or more sensitive dog can’t tolerate.”

Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com

Read Our Full Brand Review



A Final Word

The Dog Food Advisor does 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) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites 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.

References

  1. IAMS: How to Transition Your Puppy to Adult Food, IAMS
  2. Hazewinkel HAW. Nutrition in relation to skeletal growth deformities. J Sm Anim Practice. 1989; 30:525-630
  3. AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles, Association of American Feed Control Officials, 2018 Official Publication, pages 155-159.
Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap