If you’ve just brought home your adorable pit bull puppy, you may be wondering if you should get breed-specific food. Though all dog food must adhere to standards set forth by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), some breeds benefit from having food formulated for their needs. These special formulas are intended to support different aspects of a breed, such as susceptibility to urinary stones, obesity, or joint health.
All AAFCO-certified commercial foods offer the minimum nutrition requirements for a dog at appropriate life-stages. Addressing health concerns and energy needs is more important than choosing a food designed for a specific breed.
While a pit bull isn’t a true dog breed, the name refers more to a type or category of dog breeds, which may include American Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, and American Staffordshire Terriers. Still, these breeds are considered a pit type because of common characteristics, such as high energy levels that come from the terrier and strong muscular bodies that come from the bulldog in their lineage.
Because of this, puppies should have food with high protein and calories to support their energy level and muscle, joint, and bone development. Here are our picks for the 11 best puppy foods for pit bulls, based on reviews from real pet owners.
A Glance at Our Top Picks in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Purina Pro Plan Beef & Rice
Beef as primary ingredient
No soy, wheat, or corn
High protein
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Best Value
Hill’s Science Chicken & Oat
Chicken and whole oats
Calcium for bone development
Made in the US
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Premium Choice
Ollie Baked Beef Fresh Dog Food Subscription
Shelf-stable baked recipe
Grains in the formula
Meets AAFCO standards
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ORIJEN Puppy Grain-Free
Animal products as first ingredients
High protein
Raw
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Wellness CORE Chicken & Turkey
Animal protein
Grain-free
Made in the US
Check Price
The 11 Best Puppy Foods for Pit Bulls
Purina Pro Plan Development Beef & Rice Formula Dry Puppy Food is the best overall puppy food for pit bulls. The high-protein, large-breed formula is ideal for pit bull breeds, which often exceed 50 pounds, and features high-quality beef as the main ingredient. Along with animal protein, the formula includes omega fatty acids and vitamin A for skin and coat health, glucosamine for joint health, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Live probiotics support digestive health and the immune system.
Breed Size: Large
Food Form: Dry
Special Diet: High-protein
Check Price on Chewy
The food is free of fillers, preservatives, corn, wheat, and soy, ensuring your pup gets maximum nutrition with every bite. While many reviewers had good results with this food, others reported loose stool and digestive upset in their puppies.
Pros
Beef as primary ingredient
No soy, wheat, or corn
High protein
Cons
May cause digestive upset/loose stool
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food is the best puppy food for pit bulls for the money. The food has high protein from savory chicken meal and whole oats to support energy needs and muscle and bone development. In addition, the food has controlled calcium levels for optimal bone growth and glucosamine and chondroitin for muscle and joint health. There’s also DHA from fish oil for skin, coat, and immune health.
Beef as primary ingredient
No soy, wheat, or corn
High protein
- Beef as primary ingredient
- No soy, wheat, or corn
- High protein
May cause digestive upset/loose stool
- May cause digestive upset/loose stool
This food is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives and manufactured in the US. Some reviewers noted that the food gave their puppies bad gas and stinky breath with a fish smell.
Keywords must be used: best @ for the money
Pros
Chicken and whole oats
Calcium for bone development
Made in the US
Cons
May cause bad breath and gas
3. Ollie Baked Beef Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Premium Choice
Click Here to Save 50% with Ollie
Breed Size: Large
Food Form: Wet
Special Diet: Tailored, high-protein, natural
Ollie is another meal plan company that found a perfect niche during the pandemic. The company offers fresh and baked recipes. Concerns about the safety of raw diets by the CDC and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) steered us toward the baked offerings, which are shelf stable. Our pick for a premium choice for Pitbulls is the Baked Beef Food.
Chicken and whole oats
Calcium for bone development
Made in the US
- Chicken and whole oats
- Calcium for bone development
- Made in the US
May cause bad breath and gas
- May cause bad breath and gas
Ollies has a commendable business model that includes sustainable practices and wellness pillars of its culture. We liked seeing its employees with their dogs on their website, convincing us of their best intentions. They are obviously marketing to pet parents with pictures of the recipes. The beef offering has a high protein content. Unfortunately, the fat well exceeds the 5% minimum for adults.
Our other concern rests with some of the ingredients, particularly sweet potatoes and lentils. The FDA continues to investigate their possible link with increased rates of canine dilated cardiomyopathy. However, the recipe contains the amino acid taurine to help offset deficiency issues, another potential factor in this health condition.
Pros
Shelf-stable baked recipe
Grains in the formula
Decent protein content
Meets AAFCO standards
Cons
Lentils in the ingredient list
High fat percentage
ORIJEN Puppy Large Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food is formulated to be biologically appropriate, the food contains high protein levels and fat from animal sources like free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs. Animal sources include not only muscle meat but organs and bone for muscle, joint, and bone health. Kibble is freeze-dry coated for a strong flavor that puppies love.
Shelf-stable baked recipe
Grains in the formula
Decent protein content
Meets AAFCO standards
- Shelf-stable baked recipe
- Grains in the formula
- Decent protein content
- Meets AAFCO standards
Lentils in the ingredient list
High fat percentage
- Lentils in the ingredient list
- High fat percentage
Breed Size: Large
Food Form: Dry
Special Diet: High-protein, natural, raw
The food is manufactured in the US using only high-quality ingredients from known sources with no corn, wheat, or soy. Some reviewers noted that their pups wouldn’t eat it and expressed concerns about recalls.
Pros
Animal products as first ingredients
High protein
Raw
Cons
Some dogs don’t like it
Concern over recalls
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food offers a grain-free formula with chicken, turkey, fish oil, and fruits and vegetables for complete nutrition. Along with protein, the food includes antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, taurine, glucosamine, and omega fatty acids to support healthy development.
Animal products as first ingredients
High protein
Raw
- Animal products as first ingredients
- High protein
- Raw
Some dogs don’t like it
Concern over recalls
- Some dogs don’t like it
- Concern over recalls
Breed Size: All
Food Form: Dry
Special Diet: High-protein, grain-free
Though the food is grain-free and contains no meat by-products, fillers, corn, soy, preservatives, gluten, or artificial colors and flavors, it is manufactured in a factory that processes grains. According to reviews, pet owners saw positive results like healthier coats and better energy levels. Some reviewers said their puppies wouldn’t touch it, though.
Pros
Animal protein
Grain-free
Made in the US
Cons
Some dogs don’t like it
Manufactured in a facility that processes grains
Stella & Chewy’s Perfectly Puppy Beef & Salmon Dinner Patties Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food features dinner patties with grass-fed beef and wild-caught salmon. 95% of the recipe comes from meat, organs, and bone that’s ground for high digestibility. The formula is infused with probiotics, antioxidants, and DHA for healthy development. New Zealand green mussels are added to support joint health.
Animal protein
Grain-free
Made in the US
- Animal protein
- Grain-free
- Made in the US
Some dogs don’t like it
Manufactured in a facility that processes grains
- Some dogs don’t like it
- Manufactured in a facility that processes grains
Breed Size: All
Food Form: Freeze-dried
Special Diet: High-protein, raw
The food is minimally processed, natural, and free from hormones, grains, antibiotics, and fillers. Each small batch is made in a US-based kitchen with responsibly sourced ingredients. Patties may be inconvenient for feeding, and reviewers noted that the food is expensive.
Pros
Animal ingredients
Made in the US
Grain-free
Cons
Expensive
Patties are inconvenient
American Journey Active Life Formula Dry Dog Food is a large-breed puppy food that supports high energy levels. Deboned salmon is the first ingredient for lean muscle, and omega fatty acids and minerals support bone, skin, and coat health. The nutrient-dense formula ensures your pup gets the most out of its calories with ingredients like kelp, blueberries, and sweet potato. It also has arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid to aid brain and vision development.
Animal ingredients
Made in the US
Grain-free
- Animal ingredients
- Made in the US
- Grain-free
Expensive
Patties are inconvenient
- Expensive
- Patties are inconvenient
Breed Size: Large
Food Form: Dry
Special Diet: High-protein, grain-free
The formula contains no wheat, corn, soy, or animal by-products and no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. Some reviewers struggled to get their dogs to eat the food and mentioned quality-control issues.
Pros
Nutrient-dense
Deboned salmon as primary ingredient
Active formula
Cons
Some dogs don’t like it
Quality-control issues
If your puppy prefers wet food, Purina Pro Plan Development Chicken and Brown Rice Entrée Canned Puppy Food is an excellent choice. Real chicken is the first ingredient and supplies high protein for lean muscle development and energy levels. The food contains plenty of DHA for brain and vision development, as well as 23 essential vitamins and minerals for complete and balanced nutrition.
Nutrient-dense
Deboned salmon as primary ingredient
Active formula
- Nutrient-dense
- Deboned salmon as primary ingredient
- Active formula
Some dogs don’t like it
Quality-control issues
- Some dogs don’t like it
- Quality-control issues
Breed Size: All
Food Form: Puppy
Special Diet: High-protein
This food is manufactured at a Purina-owned, US-based facility without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Cans come in a case of 12, but some reviewers said their puppies didn’t like it. Buying by the case makes it difficult to sample and test the food before buying a lot, leading to waste.
Pros
Chicken as first ingredient
DHA for a healthy brain and vision
Made in the US
Cons
Only available in a case
Some dogs don’t like it
Nulo Frontrunner Ancient Grains Chicken, Oats & Turkey Puppy Dry Dog Food is a high-quality, high-protein food choice for your puppy that features animal-based proteins. Real deboned chicken and turkey are the first ingredients, followed by low-glycemic grains. The food also contains omega fatty acids for skin and coat health. The kibble includes probiotics for digestive and immune health.
Chicken as first ingredient
DHA for a healthy brain and vision
Made in the US
- Chicken as first ingredient
- DHA for a healthy brain and vision
- Made in the US
Only available in a case
Some dogs don’t like it
- Only available in a case
- Some dogs don’t like it
Breed Size: All
Food Form: Dry
Special Diet: High-protein, low-glycemic
Over 75% of the protein comes from animal sources, and there’s no pea or potato protein added. The result is biologically appropriate, high-quality protein for muscle development. Some reviewers said their pup didn’t like it, even combined with other foods or chicken or beef broth.
Pros
Animal sources
Probiotics for digestive health
No pea or potato protein
Cons
Some dogs don’t like it
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Puppy Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a high-protein kibble to give puppies the muscle and bone growth they need. Chicken is the first ingredient, followed by DHA and ARA for cognitive development. The kibble includes patented LifeSource Bits, which pack antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals created by nutritionists and veterinarians to meet health and life-stage requirements.
Animal sources
Probiotics for digestive health
No pea or potato protein
- Animal sources
- Probiotics for digestive health
- No pea or potato protein
Some dogs don’t like it
- Some dogs don’t like it
The food is created specifically for large-breed puppies and contains no by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors. Some reviewers complained about price increases or said their puppy wouldn’t eat it, even mixed with other foods or broth and meat bits.
Pros
Animal protein sources
DHA and ARA
Patented LifeSource bits
Cons
Some dogs don’t like it
Expensive
ACANA Puppy Recipe Grain-Free Puppy Food is a high-quality food option with protein and fat from animal sources, including free-range chicken and turkey and cage-free eggs. The remaining nutrition comes from fruits, vegetables, and botanicals, such as apples, pears, greens, and pumpkin, and the food is fortified with vitamins, minerals, and probiotics to provide complete nutrition.
Animal protein sources
DHA and ARA
Patented LifeSource bits
- Animal protein sources
- DHA and ARA
- Patented LifeSource bits
Some dogs don’t like it
Expensive
- Some dogs don’t like it
- Expensive
Breed Size: All
Food Form: Dry
Special Diet: High-protein, grain-free, natural
All ingredients are sourced from trusted farmers, ranchers, fisheries, and manufactured in a state-of-the-art, US-based kitchen. The kibble is coated with freeze-dried chicken and turkey, but some reviewers said their pups wouldn’t touch it.
Pros
Animal protein sources
Real fruits and vegetables
Made in the US
Cons
Some dogs don’t like it
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Puppy Food for Pit Bulls
Pit bull types have muscular bodies and high energy needs, so it’s important to get a food that supports their development and offers nutrient density to make the most of each calorie. Here’s what you should look for in puppy food.
Animal protein sources
Real fruits and vegetables
Made in the US
- Animal protein sources
- Real fruits and vegetables
- Made in the US
Puppy Food Ingredients
Your puppy food should contain real ingredients, such as meat, organs, and bone from animal sources and wild-caught fish. Grain-free diets may not be the best choice since evidence suggests they may increase the risk of heart disease in dogs.
Still, not all grains are equal. Whole grains like oats and barley are a better choice for your dog than corn, flour, soy, and wheat.
Dog Size and Life-stage
Puppies should eat a puppy formula for at least the first year of their lives since it has protein, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients necessary to promote healthy development into adulthood. While it’s not a requirement, large-breed puppy food is a good choice for pit bull puppies, since the breeds in this category tend to be within the 50-pound and above range. If you expect your puppy to be smaller than that, or it’s a mix with a smaller breed, you may want to consider formulas for medium breeds or a food formulated for all sizes and breeds.
AAFCO Standards
Most commercial dog food on the market meets or exceeds AAFCO standards to ensure it meets species-appropriate nutrition. Dog food with the AAFCO seal is considered complete and balanced for its life-stage, breed size, or specific breed. Be sure to check your chosen dog food to make sure it’s AAFCO certified.
- You may also be interested in: 10 Best Affordable Dog Food for Pit Bulls – Reviews & Top Picks!
Conclusion
Nutrition is one of the most important aspects of your dog’s health, from puppy to its senior years. Pit types may need additional nutritional requirements, such as extra protein and higher calories, to support their unique needs. Purina Pro Plan Development Beef & Rice Formula Dry Puppy Food is the best overall puppy food for pit bulls for its high-protein and natural formula. If you’re looking for value, choose Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food for its high-quality beef and whole oat formula. The premium pick for best choice for Pitbulls is the Baked Beef Food thanks to its quality of ingredients and tailored recipes.
See also:
- Best Puppy Foods at Petsmart – Reviews and Top Picks
- 11 Best Canned & Wet Puppy Foods – Reviews & Top Picks
- 10 Best Puppy Foods for Labs – Reviews & Top Picks
- 10 Best Grain-Free Puppy Foods – Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Sreadya.k,Shutterstock
