Best Affordable Dog Food for Pitbulls – Top 7 Picks!

How to Choose an Affordable Dog Food for a Pitbull?

If you’re like all of us, you’ll want the best dog food for your Pitbull. Ideally, you’ll want your furry best friend to consume a nutritious and high-quality diet that will help to maintain optimal health, and also give your dog the energy he needs to be the active. If your Pitbull is prone to allergic dermatitis or IBD, you’ll need to consult with your veterinarian about which diet works best.

The best dog food formulas are made with the simplest and most nutritious ingredients. Look for high-quality ingredients such as whole meats, fruits, vegetables, and grains, and take heed of the different macronutrients like proteins, fats, and carbs.

You will need to provide your Pitbull with the most appropriate diet that is healthy and beneficial for his life stage so that you can give your dog a long and healthy life. Also, keep in mind that feeding healthy helps with brain focus, and behavioral issues, so it will definitely be beneficial during dog training.

AAFCO model regulations and the federal feed laws stipulate that all pet food labels need to list all the ingredients in their formulas in descending order, according to the weight of each ingredient listed. With that said, it’s easy to see where the most important sources of calories and proteins are coming from – the first five ingredients listed. The first ingredient is the one ingredient that is present in the highest amount.

Here’s what you need in a high-quality dog food for your Pitbull:

• Dog food formulas should contain no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives such as propylene glycol.
• Diets should include whole foods instead of processed foods.
• They should also use real meat instead of meat meal. This is important.
• Organ meats are also beneficial to dogs.
• Look out for by-products such as organ meats, which are fine, but no non-meat parts.
• There should be a good source of calcium in the dog food formula.
• The formulas should contain vegetables for fiber and nutrients such as flavonoids.
• Diets need to be tested using AAFCO feeding trials, or by formulation to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles.
• There must be specific quality control measures to assure consistency and quality of all ingredients used, as well as for the end product.
• All dog food diets should be complete and balanced.
• The dog food formulas should indicate what life stage it is intended for.
• AAFCO provides nutrient profiles for all different life stages, all but for one, the senior geriatric dog.
• All dog food formulas must meet the AAFCO profiles for all life stages and must meet the minimum nutrient levels for growth and adult maintenance in dogs.
• A reputable and knowledgeable dog food company that has the highest quality control measures must make the dog food formula.
• Dog food should not be made in China, nor should any of the ingredients originate from China.
• Puppies should only eat a puppy food formula, and should always be fed a puppy formula.
• Large breed pups like the Pitbull or German Shepherd need to be on a large breed puppy diet to ensure correct growth and no growth abnormalities.
• Formulas should contain antioxidants, Omega 3’s, healthy ingredients, and a balanced diet for the appropriate life stage.

Nutritional Requirements of a Pitbull

Because the Pitbull has varying sizes, medium and large, the feeding requirements will be different for both sizes. That said, it’s important to feed a high-quality dog food from a reputable brand. It also helps to check out the reviews, and see what consumers have to say.

Here’s what to look for when choosing a high-quality Pitbull dog food. General ingredients that include whole meats, fruits, or vegetables in their top 5 ingredients are considered good foods. Those that also incorporate antioxidants like blueberries; cranberries, pomegranates, and pumpkin are also becoming popular. With that said, organic, natural, and preservative-free with no artificial ingredients, are also key to a well- balanced, and high-quality dog food.

Here’s what to stay away from when choosing an affordable dog food for Pitbulls:

• Added sugars like corn syrup, molasses, and beet sugar
• Artificial coloring, preservatives, flavoring
• Animal fat preserved with BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin
• Salt should not be high
• Vitamins and minerals that are not chelated. Chelated vitamins and minerals improve absorption.
• Ingredient splitting like meat product followed by more than one grain or starch
• Corn is often contaminated with mold and aflatoxins

It’s important to feed your puppies and adult dogs consciously at all times. This is because food is the foundation of life, and what you feed your Pitbull will affect how prone he may be to disease in years to come. You’ll need to get your Pitbull used to eating high-quality dog food that is free of additives, preservatives, flavoring, and basically all“artificial” ingredients.

You’ll need to opt for dog food formulas with the healthiest ingredients. If your dog gets used to consuming unhealthy additives, he may start enjoying unhealthy dog food formulas and treats with salt, sugars, or flavor enhancers that are not good for health. You want to avoid any ingredients that could trigger cancer in your Pitbull.

If you’re opting to make a dietary change, do so gradually to avoid digestive issues. If your Pitbull is overweight, it’s never too late to make a change to avoid chronic health issues like obesity and diabetes.

Additionally, the adorable Pitbull also may be prone to hip dysplasia, and joint issues, so you’re going to have to feed him correctly from puppyhood with puppy food specifically formulated for the puppy stage. You shouldn’t be feeding a Pitbull puppy adult dog food.

The most important thing that you can do is not to get distracted by marketing tactics and good advertising. Watch out for the words “natural,” “organic,” and “whole foods”.  When you’re looking out for the best interests of your Pitbull, it’s necessary to work closely with your veterinarian, so that you can find the best dry dog food for Pitbulls.

Here’s what you should understand when choosing the best dog food for Pitbull breeds:

• You have to always consider your dog’s age, health, size, activity level, and health needs before choosing a dog food formula.
• Dog food formulas have to be for the correct life stage.
• Supplements are important.
• Fresh fruits and veggies are necessary as part of a dog’s diet, but you’ll need to avoid the ones that are dangerous to dogs.
• Learn how to bake healthy dog treats with wholesome ingredients for your dogs.
• Explore kelp, seaweed, chlorella, and all things green for your dog’s health. Keep in mind that dogs cannot eat dried, wild seaweed.
• If you’re confused as to how to feed, consult with your vet. That said, working dogs and dogs that are active will need to consume more calories.
• Dogs that hang out on the couch all day will need to consume fewer calories to prevent obesity.

Common Dog Food Allergies with Pitbulls

Dogs, especially Pitbulls, can be allergic to a variety of ingredients. The most common ones tend to be chicken, lamb, dairy, fish, eggs, corn, wheat, soy, and beef. Allergies will vary with different dogs, and if you find that your Pitbull is allergic to something, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian. This is because when dogs are allergic to one ingredient, they’re also possibly allergic to other ingredients.

Food allergies will usually include excessive itching, diarrhea, ear inflammation, vomiting, and hot spots. If you suspect that your Pitbull needs to be on a hypoallergenic dog food diet for Pitbulls, talk to your veterinarian.

Your Pitbull will first be put on an elimination diet to determine the ingredient that he’s allergic to. As usual, it’s up to you to feed a high-quality dog food diet that is well-balanced. Adding lots of veggies, fruits, and supplements to your dog’s diet will also give him the phytonutrients that he needs to prevent disease and improve health.