Pit Bull Feeding Guide (Everything You Should Know)

Hello, pet parents! Welcome to my ultimate guide on feeding Pit bulls.

In this guide, I will cover how much to feed a Pit bulls, how often to feed your Pit bulls; when to feed your Pit bulls, what foods to feed your Pit bulls, what foods to avoid feeding your Pit bulls; and other questions you may have about your Pit bull’s nutrition.

You can read the article to the end, or go through the table of contents below and jump to the section that answers the questions you have on your mind.

Pit bull breeds encompass American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, and the American Bulldog. Pit bulls are loved by experienced pet parents around the world.

Pit bulls are known to be large, muscular, strong, agile, and full of energy. However, they must be fed with the right amount of essential and quality nutrients for pit bulls to reach this physical potential.

I have created this ultimate guide to feeding your Pit bulls to curious pet parents and even new pet parents to solve your dog’s nutrition problem.

Let’s jump into the article.

Pit Bulls Nutritional Requirements

Pit bulls are medium to large size dogs that require the right nutrients in their specific amount to grow healthy. A subpar feed can lead to suboptimal growth and will endanger the life of your pup. Dogs are prone to diseases and various illnesses if they are deprived of quality nutrients.

Your Pitbull meal when they are in their growing phase should majorly consist of 22.5% protein, adults 25% protein, 8% fats as puppies, and as adults 5% fats; fiber, carbohydrates, multi-vitamins, and minerals.

Your Pit bull’s source of fiber should come from organic and healthy vegetables like broccoli, carrots, cabbage, and sprouts, while its source of protein must come from animal flesh like fish, chicken, turkey, beef, and organ meat. Its source of fat must come from vegetables and fish oil. 

Nutritional Requirement for a Pit bulls Puppy

The diet of Pitbull puppies and adolescents should consist of 22.5% protein, 8% fat, and 6% fiber. This is a vital stage in your pup’s life as most nutrients would be used for the growth of healthy muscles and bones, Because of this active growth process pups are fed more than in any phase of their life.

Nutritional Requirement for Adult Pit Bull

The meal plan for mature and adult Pitbull should consist of 25% protein, 5% fat, carbohydrate, and fiber. Pit bulls are muscular dogs and very energetic. To keep their peak physical form, they must be fed high-quality feed with the right amount of nutrients necessary for the maintenance of healthy muscle mass and energy. 

Nutritional Requirement For Senior and Geriatric Pit Bull

At this stage of your dog’s life, it is less active than at other stages. The food your pet will eat at this stage of its life should ideally consist of 18% protein, 8% fat, and fiber. Senior Pit bulls will need minerals and vitamins added to their food to keep their immune system and bones healthy.

Factors Affecting The Feeding Of Your Pit Bull

There are some factors that will affect the diet of your Pit bulls such as the size of the breed, its age, its activity level, and its underlying health conditions.

Let’s take a quick look at those factors before we jump into the quantity of food to feed your dog.

Size consideration

The average length of a Pit bull Male is 45-53cm and Females 43-50cm, from the sole of its feet to its shoulder. The weight of a Pitbull; Male 16-27 kg and Female 14-23 kg.

Since there are varieties of Pitbull, the size of a particular pit bull and its activity level will determine its calorie consumption. Males are usually larger than females and so males may require more calories than females.

Age consideration

Your Pitbull will require different quantities of nutrients at different phases of its life, as well as different amounts of nutrition to help them grow optimally.

Pit bulls are a large breed so they grow fast, therefore the nutritional requirements of a Pitbull puppy will be different from that of a senior Pitbull to maintain its health and agility. 

Activity Level

Pit bulls were originally raised for fighting other dogs, evidence of this is in their build and energetic outburst. They possess a sturdy muscular frame and strong bones which are responsible for their intimidating physique. Pit bulls should not be overfed as this can lead to obesity and a host of health problems. Feeds high in fats and sodium should be avoided.

Health Consideration

Pit bulls like other dog breeds are prone to certain health conditions which should be taken into consideration in their diets if you wish to manage or prevent them from those issues.

Hip Dysplasia, Degenerative Myelopathy, Kneecap Dislocation, Mange, Skin Allergies, Thyroid, and Congenital Heart Defects.

Most of these health problems can be avoided by feeding your Pitbull the correct amount and quality of feed, going for cheap and low-quality feed can trigger some of these health issues, which can lead to you parting with a lot of cash when you visit the vet.

Pit Bull Feeding Amount

Your Pit bulls just like any other dog breed will require different amounts of food according to their stage of development. The amount of food a puppy will need will be different than the amount of food an adult will need according to their nutritional requirement.

On average, feed your puppy Pitbull 0.5 to 0.75 cups of food that has 140 to 280 Kcal per day; feed your adult Pit bulls 2.5 to 3.67 cups per day that has 610 to 1174 Kcal per day, according to their activity level; and feed your senior Pit bulls 2.5 to 2.67 cups per day, that has 610 to 880 Kcal per day.

I will provide you with charts below to help you plan your dog’s meals from its puppy years to its senior years. However, this meal plan is not a one-size-fits-all. It’s just a general guideline that should be followed based on your dog’s needs and recommendations from your vet or dog nutritionist.

How Much To Feed Your Puppy Pit Bull

The meal meant for your puppy and adolescent should be very rich in protein and contain a moderate amount of fats that can be gotten from animal meat for them to grow into healthy adults.

A Pit bulls puppy should be given 0.5 to 0.75 cups of food per day that contains 140 Kcal to 280 Kcal of nutrients based on its age, weight, size, gender, and physical activity.

The feeding requirement of your puppy is given in detail in the charts below:

Following the guidelines above will aid in bone development, and muscle growth, and strengthen their immune system to fight off common bacteria and viruses that can lead to some health complications.

 How Much To Feed Your Adult Pit Bulls?

The nutritional requirements in the meal of an adult Pitbull are different from that of a puppy. The food of a mature Pitbull should have a lesser percentage of proteins and fats to prevent obesity. This is done by reducing the feeding frequency to 2 times per day.

A mature and adult Pit bulls puppy should be given 2.5 to 3.67cups of food per day that contains 610 to 1174 Kcal of nutrients based on its age, weight, size, gender, and physical activity.

The chart below will give you an understanding of the daily consumption need of adult Pit bulls to help you with their meal plan.

How Much To Feed Your Senior Pit Bull?

Senior Pit bulls are generally less active than their younger counterparts due to fragile bones and joints. This means their meals will contain lesser quantities of calories, protein, and fat.

Geriatric Pit bulls are often plagued with health issues. Some of these issues are controlled by feeding your senior dog more vitamins and minerals to help revive the weak immune systems and fragile bones.

Senior and Geriatric Pit bull’s should be given 0.5 to 2 cups of food per day that contains 900 to 1000 Kcal of nutrients based on their age, weight, size, gender, and health issues.

The table below gives you some details about the meal plan of older Pit bulls.

However, you must still ensure that they get the essential nutrients they need.

You can continue giving your senior dog the same food you gave them as an adult, only in a smaller quantity as they don’t need as many calories as adult dogs. However, you should still consult your vet or pet nutritionist to be on the safe side.

Pit Bull Feeding Frequency

Your Pitbull’s meal frequency will vary the same as the feeding amounts, which is majorly dependent on its age. Below is the list of how often to feed your Pit bulls:

How Often Should You Feed Your Pit Bulls Puppy?

•         During the weaning process or at 8 weeks old and below: feed them four times a day at equally spaced intervals.

•         8 weeks to 3 months old: feed them four times a day at equally spaced intervals.

•         4 months to 12 months old: gradually transition to feeding them three times a day with equally spaced time intervals

How Often Should You Feed Your Adult Pit Bulls?

You should feed your adult Pit bulls two times a day, with 12 hours of spacing between meals. Ideally one in the morning and one in the evening.

How Often Should You Feed Your Senior Pit bulls?

You should feed your senior Pit bulls two times a day except given a specific schedule by a vet.

Pit Bull Feeding Schedule

•         Pit bulls’ puppies should be free-fed or fed in the morning, afternoon, evening, and night due to a faster metabolism in comparison to their adult colleagues

•         Adolescent Pit bulls should be fed in the morning, afternoon, and evening to help them transition properly into an adult.

•         Adult and Senior Pit bulls should also be fed in the morning and the evening unless stated differently by your vet or pet nutritionist.

As a general rule, you should feed your Pit bulls a few hours before going to bed in the evening, so they have enough time to digest the food before going to sleep.

Feeding your dog treats should be limited and only used as a reward for positive reinforcement during training. Too much of treats can lead to obesity.

Food To Feed Your Pit Bulls

The food you feed your Pit bulls should specifically cater to large breeds and contain the required nutrients necessary for a strong and healthy dog.

The kind of food to feed your Pit bulls includes dry dog food, wet dog food, a home-cooked diet, and Biological Appropriate Raw food to ensure your dog eats a balanced diet.

Let me touch on these few points to make you understand what to feed your dog:

                Dry Food: Dry dog or Kibble is a portion of commercial pet food made by grinding and mixing up ingredients like meats, grains, and nutritional additives which are then shaped into little kernels and cooked at high temps to remove the water content. Dry Dog contains more carbs, less fat, less water, and sometimes less protein and is often recommended by vets due to its lower cost, dental health benefits, convenience, weight loss support, and playtime perks.

                Wet Food: Wet dog food or canned food is made by mixing up and cooking the ingredients before adding or extracting varying amounts of water. Unlike dry dog food, wet dog food contains more water, fewer carbs, more fat, and often, more protein. They are recommended by vets due to their high-water content, taste, ease of eating, and high nutritional profile.

                Home-Cooked Diet:  Home-Cooked diets are a great option for pet parents who are not into commercial dog food, and want to go the extra length to prepare a meal for their furry companion. Feeding your dog, a home-cooked meal will give you control of its nutrition and can put you at ease knowing that you will always give your dog the best treatment.

                BARF Diet: Biologically Appropriate Raw Food is a type of food that contains raw meat, raw eggs, crushed animal bones, fruits, vegetables, probiotics, and other natural ingredients. BARF diets are used as a substitute for processed foods with preservatives. However, consult your vet before feeding your pet raw diets to avoid health complications from harmful substances.

Food To Avoid Feeding Your Pit Bulls

We should take caution against giving whatever food we’re eating to our Pitbull. They have large appetites, which makes it tempting to hand them whatever we find ourselves eating.

There are certain human foods, fruits, and vegetables to avoid feeding your Pitbull because these foods contain toxins that are harmful to your pet that could lead you to frequent trips to the vet.

Human food to avoid feeding your Pitbull includes chocolates, coffee, gums, peanut butter, candies, cooked bones, etc.

The Fruits and vegetables to avoid feeding your Pitbull include grapes, avocado, garlic, onions, etc.

You should always check the ingredients on the food label to see if these ingredients are present in the food. Or you can simply consult a vet, or pet nutritionist to check the ingredients with them.

When To Transition Your Pit Bulls From Puppy Food To Adult Food

You should introduce adult food to your puppy. When it is around 10-12 months old.

Getting your adolescent pup from puppy food to adult food is an important stage in your dog’s development. Puppy food is more nutritious and contains more calories than you’ll need as an adult. Feeding your adult dog puppy food can lead to unhealthy weight gain.

Introducing your pup Pit bull to adult food needs to be a gradual process, it needs to be bit by bit till your pup can consume a 100% adult feed.

Along with feed type, the frequency of feeding has to change also, as your dog is no longer growing, feeding it the same number of times as when it was a puppy will lead to obesity.

Why Is My Pit Bull Not Eating?

Your Pit bulls will not eat if it has one or a combination of the factors listed below:

Dental Problems, environmental stress, overfeeding, adverse reaction to the medication, nausea, or worms.

Pit bulls are known for having a huge appetite for food, so if your pup refuses to eat for a day or two and also refuses to drink water. This may be a sign of an underlying sickness and you should see the vet immediately.

Why Is My Pit Bull Always Hungry?

Pit bulls are notorious ravenous feeders, which is why you as a responsible dog parent have to draw out a food plan for your pup. Placing your pup on a strict diet will not just help it grow but also enable growing optimally avoiding overweight.

Another reason your dog may be abnormally hungry is too much exercise. The more energy your dog expends the more calories it needs. Your dog might also be infected with worms, however, if your dog is in this condition, there will be obvious signs such as diarrhea, nausea, and weight loss.

Frequently Asked Questions On Feeding A Pit Bull

Do Pit Bulls Eat A Lot?

Yes, Pit bulls are ravenous feeders and will eat whatever is available or given to them. Pitbull possesses a powerful muscular frame; this physique will require more calories to maintain a healthy weight and energy. Pit bulls have sensitive stomachs, so pet parents should be mindful of what is fed to their pets.

Can Pit Bulls Become Vegetarians?

Pit bulls can be raised on a vegetarian diet, however, such diets should contain the same amount and quality of nutrients as meat-based diets.

If you have made up your mind that you are going to take your Pitbull on a vegan path, you should know that dogs are omnivores and cannot thrive on one source of food alone. So most of the vegan meals will have to contain supplements that are not found in vegan foods. Your best path is to seek help from a pet nutritionist or a vet for more in-depth guidance.

Can Pit Bulls Eat Bones?

Pit bulls can be fed raw bones not cooked bones, as this will encourage healthy bones and teeth and as bones contain a lot of micro-nutrients that may not be in their food.

However, you ensure that bones fed to your dog are deposed off after two-three days to prevent infection. Some guidelines concerning this have been stipulated by American Kennel Club.

What Human Food Can I Feed My Dog Breed?

You can feed your Pit bulls different types of human foods such as beef, chicken, pork, turkey, salmon, tuna, and eggs. They can also have noodles, oatmeal, sweet potato, unsalted peanuts, parsnips, and other foods such as rice and pasta, yogurt, cheese, and peanut butter.

What Fruits and Vegetables Can I Feed My Dog Breed?

Pit bulls can eat many types of fruits such as strawberries, apples, bananas, raspberries, peaches, mango, pears, blueberries, plums, melon, pineapple, oranges, and kiwi fruit. They can also eat vegetables such as pumpkin, carrot, peas, corn, cauliflower, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, and more. 

Should You Give Your Pit Bulls Supplements?

Your Pit bulls don’t need to be given supplements if you feed them a commercial diet that meets their nutritional requirements. However, you may need to feed them supplements if you feed them home-cooked as recommended by your vet or dog nutritionist.

Final Thoughts

Pit bulls are strong, fierce, and loyal dogs that can grow healthy if their pet parent takes extra care to make sure that their pup gets the absolute best nutrient possible, their meal time should be structured to ensure that they do not encounter stomach issues given that they have sensitive stomachs.

Options such as dry, wet, raw, and homemade diets are all great for them. Do not free-feed your Pitbull to ensure that it does not endanger its own health by eating too much or eating toxic food. If you want more in-depth knowledge on how to care for your pup, then you should see a pet nutritionist or vet.