Are you on the search for the best dog food for your pitbull? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the many food options available?
The catch when selecting dog food is that there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution.
Instead, you will need to consider your dog’s unique dietary needs. This will change based on his age, size, and lifestyle.
To help you get started, here are 7 high-quality dog foods that you should consider.
Best Affordable Dog Foods for Pitbulls
Purina Pro Plan Sport All Life Stages Performance 30/20 Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Overall Best Affordable Healthy Dog Food for Pitbulls
Product Details
- High protein formula
- Fortified with probiotics to support digestive and immune health
- Concentrated nutrition optimizes oxygen metabolism
Who Should Buy this dog Food
Designed for active dogs, this high-quality adult dog food is a great choice for your pitbull’s needs.
With a balance of 30% protein and 20% fat, it supports the metabolism and maintains strong muscles.
Our Rating
5 stars out of 5
Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice Formula All Life Stages Dry Dog Food
Best Affordable Dry Dog Food for Pitbulls
Product Details
- Omega fatty acids for skin and coat health
- Proprietary probiotics and prebiotics to support digestive health
- Includes real fruit and vegetables such as blueberries, coconut, and kale
Who Should Buy this Food
This high-quality, budget-friendly dry dog food is a great choice for pitbull owners.
It’s designed to support the dietary needs of your dog through all life stages.
Our Rating
4 stars out of 5
Purina Pro Plan High Protein Chicken & Rice Formula Large Breed Dry Puppy Food
Best Affordable Puppy Food for Pitbull Puppies
Product Details
- Glucosamine to support developing joints and cartilage
- DHA from omega-rich fish oil for brain and vision development
- Vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health
Who Should Buy this Food
Meet the nutritional needs of your growing puppy with this high-quality kibble.
It has been formulated to support the growth rate of puppies weighing over 50 pounds at maturity.
Our Rating
5 stars out of 5
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Best Affordable Dog Food for Healthy Skin
Product Details
- Sustainably sourced salmon is the #1 ingredient
- Species-specific probiotics to support digestive and immune system health
- Antioxidants and vitamins to ensure healthy skin and coat
- Includes sweet potatoes
Who Should Buy this Food
High in omega-3 fatty acids, this Taste of the Wild dry dog food will support your dog’s skin and coat health.
It is free from many common skin irritants. This includes grains, corn, wheat, artificial flavors, and artificial colors.
Our Rating
5 stars out of 5
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wolf Creek Hearty Beef Stew
Best Affordable Dog Food for Food Allergies
Product Details
- Free from grain, gluten, by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, preservatives
- Formulated with high-quality animal protein
- Suitable for most life stages of your dog
Who Should Buy this Food
If you are searching for a high-protein, allergy-friendly food, consider this canned food.
Created to support the nutritional needs of your dog, it offers a healthy balanced option. It will promote healthy muscle growth and provide energy to keep your dog going.
Our Rating
5 stars out of 5
Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Wet Dog Food
Best Affordable Wet Food for Pitbulls
Product Details
- No glutens, corn, wheat, or soy
- Made with high-quality proteins like chicken, beef, or lamb
- Free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives
Who Should Buy this Food
This wet food is made from high-quality ingredients combined with added vitamins and minerals. The result is a balanced diet to meet all your dog’s nutritional needs.
It’s free from potential allergens including heat, corn, soy, and gluten.
Our Rating
4 stars out of 5
VICTOR Realtree Edge Energy Dry Dog Food
Best Affordable Dog Food for Joint Health
Product Details
- Glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy cartilage and joints
- Unique VPRO Blend promotes digestibility and immune system function
- Added salmon oil for healthy skin and coat
Who Should Buy this Food
Whether your dog is aging and experiencing arthritis or overcoming a joint injury, this is a great option.
This food is formulated to support healthy cartilage and reduce joint inflammation. It offers relief from joint problems and protects against further damage.
Our Rating
4 stars out of 5
Buying Guide
What Kind of Dog Foods are Best for Pitbulls?
To choose the best dog food for your pitbull, there are a few factors that you will need to consider.
First, look at the age and life stage of your dog. Are you feeding a puppy, an adult, or a senior?
There are different foods formulated to meet the unique needs of each life stage. Growing puppies have higher calorie needs, for example than a healthy adult.
Next, consider the type of pitbull you own and whether they will grow to be a large- or medium-sized dog.
Most recommended feeding guides are based on your dog’s weight.
The term “pitbull” incorporates a few different breeds. For this reason, it could fall into either category.
The definition of the two is a bit foggy and unclear.
Some food brands consider medium breed dogs to be 24 to 55 pounds and large to be greater than 55 pounds. Others make the distinction at 65 pounds.
Take the time to read the feeding guides on the foods that you are considering.
Look at your dog’s lifestyle. A highly active dog will have different dietary needs than one that lives a more aloof daily routine.
If your dog is involved in dog sports, this will also influence his dietary needs.
This includes dogs that are involved in agility, dock diving, hiking, draft sports, and more.
Finally, consider your dog’s individual food allergies and sensitivities. This includes anything from gluten sensitivity to an allergy to chicken.
Luckily, there are so many options available that there is a food that will meet all your dog’s needs!
Should I Feed My Pitbull Wet Food or Dry Food?
Both wet food and dry food have their advantages. To decide which option, you will need to look at your dog’s individual needs.
Wet food is a great source of hydration for dogs that don’t drink enough water.
It’s also a good choice for picky eaters and dogs that may be reluctant to eat. The combination of tempting aromas and high levels of flavor may change their minds.
Wet dog foods are also easier to chew for dogs that have dental problems. This makes it a common choice for aging dogs.
Dry dog food is a more budget-friendly option. It’s also easier to store as it doesn’t spoil quickly like wet food.
For dog owners that travel a lot, it’s convenient to take with you on the road (or the plane).
Crunching on the dry kibbles can help to maintain your dog’s teeth. It helps to remove the buildup of tartar, reducing the risk of dental disease.
If you have a dog that needs mental enrichment, dry food is easier to incorporate.
While wet food can be added to lick mats, kibble can be used in a variety of different food puzzles, snuffle mats, and slow feeder dishes.
Do you see benefits to both options? Try mixing them together for the best of both worlds.
But, pay attention to the calorie count of your dog’s combined meals. This will help you prevent overfeeding which can cause obesity.
What Ingredients Should You Avoid in Dog Food?
When purchasing dog food, the ingredients to avoid will vary slightly from dog to dog.
Some dogs do great on chicken-based diets. But, there are also many dogs that are allergic to chicken meal.
But there are a few ingredients that every dog owner should know to watch out for.
White Flour
There is an ongoing debate about which is better, grains or grain-free. Both sides are supported by research making the choice a difficult one for dog owners.
But, there is one thing both can agree upon.
White flour is stripped of almost all nutritional value. It has nothing to offer your dog but empty carbohydrates.
Eating this regularly can contribute to weight gain, diabetes, and obesity. Each of these can also lead to other health complications.
If you are going to feed grains, select a diet with whole grains. Examples include quinoa, brown rice, and oats.
Meat or Meat Meal
This isn’t saying to only feed your dog a vegetarian diet. But, you should stick to foods that identify the protein source.
The generic terms “meat” and “meat meal” mean that you can’t identify what ingredients are in your dog’s food.
It’s also a red flag that you may not be able to identify the quality or source of these proteins either.
Instead, stick to foods that list specific meats in the ingredients.
Artificial Sugars and Sugar Alternatives
Too much sugar can be dangerous for your dog’s health. It raises the risk of weight gain, obesity, and diabetes.
Some sugar alternatives, like xylitol, are even toxic!
This includes:
- Corn syrup
- Molasses
- Cane Molasses
- Caramel
- Dextrose
- Fructose
- Glucose
If your dog is eating a high-quality diet with a good meat protein, they would need the added sugars.
Salt
The ingredients in your dog’s food already offer plenty of salt to provide for his needs. Added salt is completely unnecessary.
Too much salt can cause serious health problems.
This includes:
- Higher risk of some cancers
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
If you see salt listed in the ingredients of your dog’s food, keep searching for another option.
Added Colors and Flavors
Dog foods that are made with high-quality proteins have plenty of flavor naturally. So, if you see a dog food that feels the need to add flavor to the food, what does that mean?
There’s a good chance that you should question the quality of the ingredients being used.
As for added colors, they only benefit one person – the dog owner.
Your dog’s food doesn’t have to “look nice” to meet his dietary needs. He is going to be much more concerned about the taste.
How to Balance Budget and Quality When Looking for the Right Dog Food
This is a struggle faced by almost every dog owner. How do you feed the best possible food but stay within your budget?
The good news is that there are some easy ways to keep the cost down when buying quality foods.
The “Cheapest” Isn’t Always Cheapest
If you are looking to keep the cost down, you may want to skip the generic dog foods. While these foods offer a low upfront cost, you have to feed more to meet your dog’s needs.
This means that you will go through the bag of food faster, needing to buy more.
Instead, look at a lower-cost premium dog food. This will last longer stretching out your investment. They are often a lower cost per meal.
Take Advantage of VIP and Loyalty Programs
Many pet stores offer loyalty programs for repeat purchases.
You may collect points that can be put towards your next shopping trip. Other stores offer deals such as “buy 10, get 1 free.”
Pay attention to what is offered by your local stores and online retailers. Choose the option that will save you the most in the long run.
Delivery Subscriptions
Many online retailers offer a discounted rate if you’re subscribing.
The truth is that your dog is going to keep needing food. Why not save some money and the hassle of shopping?
If you know what food works for your dog, locking in a subscription can help you stick to your budget.
Can You Make Your Own Dog Food at Home?
While making your own dog food can give you full control over the ingredients, it’s not always easy.
You will need to make sure that you are preparing a balanced diet to meet your dog’s nutritional needs. This is why most food products are made by veterinarians or nutritionists.
Luckily, there are some great online resources to help you along the way.
BalanceIT.com is a website that is recommended by many professionals. It is run by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
To use it, select the ingredients you have on hand. It will then generate dog food recipes including those options.
Each dog food formula accounts for all essential nutrients for a healthy diet.
Final Thoughts: Best Affordable Dog Food for Pitbulls
There are many great food options to support the needs of your pit bull. This includes dogs of all ages and activity levels.
Both Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wolf Creek Hearty Beef Stew and Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Grain-Free Dry Dog Food are great options.
They are nutritionally packed foods with high-quality ingredients.
But, the best dog food option on our list is Purina Pro Plan Sport All Life Stages Performance 30/20 Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food.
It offers an optimal balance of protein and fat. This supports your dog’s digestive system, metabolism, and the growth of strong muscles.
This premium dog food is a great choice for your dog’s health and well-being.
