best dog food for a puppy pitbull
Best Dog Food for Pitbulls
Chicken is one of 4 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%.
Read our review of the full Ollie Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, carrots, peas, rice, chicken liver Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 37% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at MyOllie.com"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!"
Fresh Pork is one of 4 fresh recipes evaluated in our review of The Farmers Dog product line.
This Farmers 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%.
Read our review of the full The Farmers Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients USDA Pork, sweet potato, potato, green beans, cauliflower Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 36% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies and adults (including large breeds) Annamaet Ultra is one of 8 recipes included in our review of Annamaet dog food.
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%.
Read our review of the full Annamaet Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat, whole dry eggs, herring meal Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 36% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adult Pitbulls and all puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"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 cant believe shes 9 years old because of how active she is!"
Bully Max High Performance is featured in our review of Bully Max dog food.
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%.
Read our review of the full Bully Max High Performance Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat, dried plain beet pulp, ground grain sorghum Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 33% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adult Pitbulls and all puppies Turkey Fare is one of 4 fresh human-grade recipes included in our review of Nom Nom dog food.
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%.
Read our review of the full Nom Nom Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Ground turkey, brown rice, eggs, carrots, spinach Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 36% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adult Pitbulls and all puppies Dr. Tims Kinesis formula is one of 8 recipes included in our review of Dr. Tims dog food.
Dr. Tims 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%.
Read our review of the full Dr. Tims Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, brown rice, pearled barley, whole oat groats, chicken fat Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 29% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adult Pitbulls and all puppies High-Protein Adult Chicken is one of 4 dry recipes included in our item-by-item review of Crave Dog Food.
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%.
Read our review of the full Crave Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, split peas, lentils, pork meal Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 38% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Pitbulls only (not for puppies) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"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!!"
Taste of the Wild Wetlands recipe is one of 9 recipes included in our review of Taste of the Wild dog food.
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%.
Read our review of the full Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Duck, duck meal, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, peas Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 36% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adult Pitbulls and all puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"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."
Diamond Naturals All Life Stages is one of 13 recipes included in our review of Diamond Naturals dog food.
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%.
Read our review of the full Diamond Naturals Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, chicken fat Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 29% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adult Pitbulls and all puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Good quality food that my dogs love. I usually buy the large breed chicken and rice, also a great food (lower protein & fat)."
Wellness Complete Health Adult recipe is one of 13 recipes included in our review of Wellness Complete Health dog food.
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%.
Read our review of the full Wellness Complete Health Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, ground barley, peas Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 27% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Pitbulls only (not for puppies) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"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."
Nulo Freestyle Turkey and Sweet Potato is one of 9 recipes included in our review of Nulo Freestyle dog food.
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%.
Read our review of the full Nulo FreeStyle Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned turkey, turkey meal, salmon meal, chickpeas, chicken fat Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 37% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Pitbulls only (not for puppies) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"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 cant tolerate."
11 Best Canned And Wet Dog Food For Pitbulls in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks
As the person responsible for your dogs well-being and health, you likely take your pets nutrition very seriously. Canned and wet dog foods are great options for many pet owners as they are easy to use, and pit bulls generally love them.
For pit bull owners specifically, you will want to consider a few things when choosing the right canned or wet dog food for your beloved pup. Pit bull is an umbrella term that usually refers to four breeds: the American bully, American Staffordshire terrier, American pit bull terrier, and Staffordshire bull terrier. Most of these dogs are muscular, large, and active.
While each dog is different and their activity level will vary, they tend to need meals with higher calories and more protein. Weve included information on the best options on a budget, the best overall, and even the best choice for a pitbull puppy.
A Glance at Our Top Picks (2024 Update)
The 11 Best Canned And Wet Dog Food For Pitbulls
1. The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription Service Best Overall
| Main ingredients: | USDA turkey, chickpeas, carrot, broccoli |
| Protein content: | 38% |
| Fat content: | 26% |
| Calories: | 562 kcals/lb |
Maybe youve heard of the 1st dog food on our list; maybe you havent. If not, meet The Farmers Dog, a meal subscription service for your four-legged friends that offers freshly made homecooked meals! With The Farmers Dog, you can create a customized meal plan for your Pit Bullall you need to do is answer a few questions about their weight, activity levels, and special diet needs. Then, sit back and wait for your dogs food to be shipped!
For the 1st best overall wet dog food for Pit Bulls, were going with The Farmers Dogs Turkey Recipe. Packed with yummy ingredients such as turkey, broccoli, parsnip, spinach, and carrot, plus containing 8% crude protein, this recipe offers your pup the nutrients and minerals they need to stay healthy and strong with a taste theyll love. The recipe also contains vitamin E, vitamin D3, and fish oil for healthier skin and coats. Its a fresh tastewith no work on your partthat will keep your Pit Bull happy!
Pros
- Plenty of protein
- USDA turkey as the main ingredient
- Lots of vitamins and minerals
- Can customize to meet your Pit Bulls needs
Cons
- Have to sign-up for a subscription
- More expensive than other wet dog foods
- Requires waiting on food to be shipped
2. Natural Balance Ultra Canned Dog Food Budget Buy
| Main ingredients: | Chicken broth, chicken, chicken liver, brown rice, salmon, duck |
| Protein content: | 9.0% min |
| Fat content: | 7.5% min |
| Calories: | 480 kcal/can |
While canned and wet dog foods are great and delicious for pit bulls, they can run on the expensive side. But, there are some more budget-friendly options out there that will keep your pit bull and your wallet happy. The best wet dog food for pit bulls for the money is Natural Balance Original Ultra Premium Formula Whole Body Health Canned Dog Food.
Not only is Natural Balance on the more affordable end, but it also works for dogs of all ages. So, you wont have to switch to different dog food if you have puppies, adults, or seniors. Plus, most dogs love the taste of chicken, salmon, and duck.
Pros
- Great for dogs of all ages
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Some dogs might not like the duck flavor.
3. Wellness Venison & Salmon Stew Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Venison broth, venison, beef liver, salmon, carrots, potatoes |
| Protein content: | 8.0% |
| Fat content: | 4.0% |
| Calories: | 303 kcal/can |
Many dogs love variety and trying new delicious foods they havent had before. If your dog is tired of its current food and needs to try a new canned dog food, Wellness Venison & Salmon Stew with Potatoes & Carrots Canned Dog Food contains unique ingredients such as salmon and venison. Its a healthy option that can be fed as your pets only food source or mixed into dry dog food.
The only downside is that some dogs are allergic to less common proteins. In this case, you can go with one of Wellness other similar products containing ordinary protein sources, such as chicken. There are a few different options, so you can assess how your dog does with each one and go from there.
Pros
- Unique mixture of proteins and vegetables
- Complete meal but also suitable for mixing with kibble
Cons
- Some dogs may be allergic to the proteins
4. Wellness Just for Puppy Canned Food Best for Puppies
| Main ingredients: | Chicken broth, chicken, chicken liver, salmon, ground barley, sweet potatoes |
| Protein content: | 9.0% min |
| Fat content: | 6.0% min |
| Calories: | 434 kcal/can |
Pitbull puppies have slightly different dietary needs than adults because they are growing rapidly and need a balanced diet that gives them enough fuel to be healthy. This Wellness Complete Health Just For Puppy Canned Dog Food contains proteins, vegetables, and grains that promote a well-balanced diet for growing puppies. The ingredients are meant to support large breed dogs immune systems, digestive systems, and energy levels. Wellness complete was developed by dog lovers, nutritionists, and veterinarians, and your pit bull pup is sure to enjoy it.
The only downside is youll need to change to a different option once your pitbull reaches adulthood.
Pros
- Well-balanced
- Promotes health growth
Cons
- Not suitable for all ages
- Contains peas
5. Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Wet Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Water, turkey, wheat gluten, liver, brown rice, corn starch-modified, chicken |
| Protein content: | 12.0% |
| Fat content: | 3.0% |
| Calories: | 305 kcal |
This wet dog food is perfect for older pit bulls. Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Senior Turkey & Brown Rice Entree Wet Dog Food was created to provide balanced nutrition, promote mental sharpness, maintain healthy skin and fur, and support a healthy immune system. The ingredients are well-balanced and come in tender chunks made with real turkey, and most dogs will love the taste.
The only downside to the Purina Pro Plan is that you wont want to give puppies or younger dogs this food. Its designed specifically for older pups. Its lower in fat levels, so it doesnt contain the ingredients needed to support a younger, more active pet.
Pros
- Good for pit bulls
- Real turkey is a primary ingredient
Cons
- Not suitable for younger dogs
6. CANIDAE All Life Stages Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, dried egg product, brown rice |
| Protein content: | 9.0% |
| Fat content: | 6.5% |
| Calories: | 504 kcal/13-oz can |
Canidaes All Life Stages Chicken & Rice Formula Canned Dog Food is another excellent selection. Its a dog food that works for puppies and adults, so you can trust that its healthy for your pup no matter what life stage it is in.
Most dogs will love the taste of chicken and broth, and All Life Stages contains a balance of grains and protein. Its an overall solid dog food thats suitable for large breeds like pit bulls. If you have multiple pit bulls, Canidaes All Life Stages is ideal because it can satisfy the nutritional requirements for various life stages.
Pros
- Balanced nutrition
- Suitable for all life stages
Cons
- May not work for dogs who need higher protein content
7. Farmina Natural & Delicious Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Lamb, herring, sweet potatoes, eggs, herring oil, blueberry |
| Protein content: | 10.50% |
| Fat content: | 7.0% |
| Calories: | 62.50 kcal/can |
For underweight dogs, Farmina Natural and Delicious Prime Lamb & Blueberry Canned Dog Food is one of the best options.. As a wet dog food, Farmina has more calories and fat content than many dry food options. But, make sure to speak to your vet about changing your dogs diet to help them gain weight.
Your pitbull will love this product because it has very little extra water, so it is rather thick and hearty. The blend of ingredients is unique with blueberries, sweet potatoes, and lamb. So, its a good choice if your dog likes variety and might be getting tired of more common meat ingredients such as chicken.
Pros
- Unique ingredients like blueberries and lamb
- Helps dogs gain weight
- High in calories
8. Ziwipeak Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Beef, water sufficient for processing, beef lung, beef kidney, beef tripe, chickpeas, beef liver |
| Protein content: | 8.0% min |
| Fat content: | 5.5% min |
| Calories: | 419 kcal/13.75-oz can |
If youre looking for a grain-free option, ZiwiPeak has a few different recipes that are good choices for pit bulls. This ZiwiPeak Beef Recipe Canned Dog Food contains classic beef ingredients that most dogs will love, and since most canines cant resist a tasty all-meat snack, they will likely gobble this food up.
There are a few added ingredients, such as chickpeas, so youll need to check with your vet to make sure they arent allergic to any of the ingredients. Generally, grain-free diets are unnecessary as grain ingredients are beneficial to most dogs. However, in some instances, under the direction of your vet, your dog can try switching to a grain-free brand like Ziwipeak.
Pros
- High-quality meaty ingredients
- Most dogs will enjoy the flavor
Cons
- Not suitable for all dogs
- Expensive
9. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Turkey, chicken broth, chicken, potato protein, potatoes, flaxseed |
| Protein content: | 10.0% min |
| Fat content: | 7.0% min |
| Calories: | 478 kcal/can |
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Turkey and Chicken Grill Grain-Free Canned Dog Food is another grain-free option, so it might not suit all pit bulls. Its best to talk to your vet before starting a grain-free diet for your dog, and you may need to supplement Blue Buffalo with other dog food brands.
But, if youre looking for a higher-protein content canned food for your beloved pit bull, they will likely enjoy the all-natural taste with no artificial flavors or preservatives. Since Blue Buffalo contains pretty standard ingredients, such as turkey, chicken, and potatoes, youre less likely to deal with allergies than if the product contained more unique meat proteins.
Pros
- High in protein
- Natural chicken flavor
Cons
- May not work for all dogs
10. Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Turkey & venison: poultry broth, turkey, chicken, wheat gluten |
| Protein content: | 11.0% min |
| Fat content: | 3.5% min |
| Calories: | 376 kcal/can |
Dogs love the taste of meat and gravy, and most pitbulls will enjoy their dinner if you give them Purina ONE Smartblend True Instinct Tender Cuts in Gravy. This canned dog food contains many essential minerals vitamins, such as vitamins A and E, zinc, and selenium, and its a meal thats easy for your dog to digest.
Overall, Purina ONE is an affordable option compared to others on this list, but the ingredients might not be as high quality as some of the above options. Purina is an easily accessible brand, and its a good one to mix with other dry dry food.
Cons
- Not as high-quality as more expensive brands
11. Natures Recipe Original Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Water sufficient for processing, chicken, soybean meal, chicken liver |
| Protein content: | 8.0% |
| Fat content: | 5.0% |
| Calories: | 445 kcal/cup |
Natures Recipe Original Chicken, Rice & Barley Ground Canned Dog Foodhas a good balance of proteins, grains, and added vitamins and minerals. The ingredients help your pit bull maintain its energy and, and they support a healthy digestive system. One big pro with Natures Recipe is that it doesnt use animal by-products or artificial flavors. Its an excellent overall option for dogs of any size.
The main downside to Natures Recipe is that it contains extra water and isnt as thick as some of the other canned dog foods on this list.
Pros
- Good balance of proteins
- Works for all ages
Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Canned and Wet Dog Food For Pitbulls
We hope that the recommendations on this list will help you pick the best canned and wet dog food for your pit bull. However, you may have additional questions about the best choice for your dog. This Buyers Guide contains information on how to compare options and what you need to know before picking a new food.
Ingredients
Unsurprisingly, one of the most important things when picking food for your pit bull is looking at the ingredients. High-quality ingredients are necessary to help your pit bull grow and remain strong and healthy.
You may only consider meat protein when looking at the ingredients list, but dogs also benefit from proteins found in vegetables. Meat protein is key for pit bulls because they are muscular and active, so you want to make sure meat is listed in the first three ingredients. Ensure that these are real meat products also.
But, a balance of proteins found in fruits and vegetables is also necessary as there are many essential vitamins, minerals, and more in these food items that pit bulls also need.
Finally, you may have heard varying things about corn and grain in dog food. Neither of these ingredients are bad for dogs, but some dogs could have allergies to specific ingredients. Overall, grains tend to support a healthy diet, so you dont need to avoid them.
Age And Health Status
The age of your pit bull is another crucial factor in choosing dog food. Because puppies need extra energy and calories to grow, puppy foods often have slightly different ingredients. Many pet foods made for puppies are also easier to digest with smaller pieces.
If you have an older dog, it could have health problems that make digesting food difficult. Senior pups can benefit from wet food with smaller chunks that are easy to eat.
Cost
While you want to provide your dog with the best food, you also have to consider what you can afford. The higher-quality dog foods, especially the canned options, are usually on the pricier side. But, some are more affordable than others.
If your dog has specific health or dietary needs for a time, consider using a more expensive option or mixing it with a less expensive brand. But, of course, make sure to contact your vet for specific advice.
Final Thoughts
We are confident that these dog food reviews will help you pick excellent canned and wet dog food for your pitbull. We thought the best overall choice was The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food,while the best budget-friendly option was Natural Balance Original Ultra Premium Whole Body Health Chicken, Salmon & Duck Formula. Wellness Venison & Salmon Stew with Potatoes & Carrots was our third best choice, Wellness Complete Health was our favorite puppy food. We hope that the food you pick for your pit bull keeps them healthy and happy.
See also: 10 Best Dog Treats for Large Dogs in Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Sreadya.k, Shutterstock
