best food for 6 week old pitbull puppy

What’s the Best Dog Food for a Pitbull?

Choosing the best dog food for your pitbull depends on how you answer 2 critical questions.

1. Is your pitbull a puppy… or an adult?
2. Are you feeding a large breed pitbull… or a medium breed?

That’s because some pitbulls are genetically related to large breed dogs… while others are related to medium breeds.

What’s more…

Medium breed pitbull puppies don’t stop growing and become adults until they’re 12 to 14 months old… whereas large breed pitbulls may not reach adulthood until as late as 24 months.1

Unfortunately…

Choosing a dog food that’s not right for the age and breed type of your pitbull could cause a crippling form of hip dysplasia… especially if you’re feeding a pitbull puppy.2

The dog foods listed below were each selected by our editors because they meet AAFCO3 nutrient guidelines for all adult pitbulls.

And where indicated… all pitbull puppies, too.

Buying Tip: We’ve intentionally included a few 4-star selections. That’s because many are superior to 5-star brands when you also consider the companies that design and produce them… as well as their cost savings.

The following dog foods are listed in random order. Each was chosen because it meets or exceeds our selection criteria. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a referral fee. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.

Best Dog Food for Pitbulls October 2021

Here are The Dog Food Advisor’s top 10 best dog foods for pitbulls for October 2021.

Annamaet Ultra 32% Dry Dog Food

Rating:

Annamaet Ultra is one of 7 recipes included in our review of Annamaet dog food.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat, whole dry eggs, herring meal
• Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
• Profile: All life stages
• Best For: Adult pitbulls and all puppies

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%.

Why We Like This Brand High protein, low carb design for superior nutrient balance Grain-inclusive recipe without corn, wheat or soy Contains probiotics for healthy digestion Includes DHA to strengthen blood vessel linings Omega-3 fats to support flexible joints

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Bully Max High Performance for Pitbulls

Rating:

Bully Max High Performance is featured in our review of Bully Max dog food.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat, dried plain beet pulp, ground grain sorghum
• Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
• Profile: All life stages
• Best For: Adult pitbulls and all puppies

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%.

Why We Like This Brand Flaxseed with omega-3 fats for healthy skin and coat No BHA or other high-risk preservatives for lower cancer risk Rich in meat-based protein Grain-inclusive recipe. Contains no legume concentrates Includes beet pulp fiber to support healthy digestion

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Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food

Rating:

Turkey Fare is one of 4 fresh human-grade recipes included in our review of Nom Nom dog food.

• First 5 ingredients: Ground turkey, brown rice, eggs, carrots, spinach
• Type: Grain-inclusive (brown rice)
• Profile: All life stages
• Best For: Adult pitbulls plus all puppies

Nom Nom Turkey Fare derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh ground turkey. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 17% fat and 42% estimated carbs… which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of 50%.

Why We Like This Brand Made with fresh human-grade meat or poultry Fully balanced recipe for superior nutrition Designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (DACVN) As close as you can get to homemade without all the fuss Other recipes: Chicken, Beef, Pork

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Dr. Tim’s Kinesis Formula Dog Food

Rating:

Dr. Tim’s Kinesis formula is one of 8 recipes included in our review of Dr. Tim’s dog food.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, pearled barley, whole oat groats, chicken fat
• Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
• Profile: All life stages
• Best For: Adult pitbulls and all puppies

Dr. Tim’s 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%.

Why We Like This Brand Abundant meat content for ideal amino acid balance Budget-friendly recipe to offer more affordable value Iron proteinate and other chelated minerals for optimal absorption Contains grain. No plant-based meat replacements Spinach and other antioxidants to prevent cell damage

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Crave Premium Adult Chicken

Rating:

High-Protein Adult Chicken is one of 4 dry recipes included in our item-by-item review of Crave Dog Food.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, split peas, lentils, pork meal
• Type: Grain-free
• Profile: Maintenance
• Best For: Adult pitbulls only (not for puppies)

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%.

Why We Like This Brand All ingredients clearly identified to help identify food allergies Chelated minerals for superior absorption Contains no BHA or other high-risk preservatives for lower cancer risk 100% grain-free recipe. No corn, wheat, rice or barley Balanced nutrient formula ideal for adult dogs

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Taste of the Wild Wild Wetlands Dry Dog Food

Rating:

Taste of the Wild Wetlands recipe is one of 9 recipes included in our review of Taste of the Wild dog food.

• First 5 ingredients: Duck, duck meal, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, peas
• Type: Grain-free
• Profile: All life stages
• Best For: Adult pitbulls and all puppies

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%.

Why We Like This Brand Contains probiotics and prebiotics for healthy digestion Includes blueberries and other natural antioxidants for superior nutrition Offers multiple flavor options ideal for picky eaters Balanced grain-free design. No corn or wheat No anonymous organ meats helps identify stubborn food allergies

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Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Formula Dog Food

Rating:

Diamond Naturals All Life Stages is one of 12 recipes included in our review of Diamond Naturals dog food.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, chicken fat
• Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
• Profile: All life stages
• Best For: Adult pitbulls and all puppies

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%.

Why We Like This Brand Contains kale, oranges and other antioxidants for healthy arteries Affordable, budget-friendly recipe for exceptional value Nutritionally complete grain-inclusive recipe Low fat-to-protein ratio for better nutritional balance Offers multiple flavor options perfect for diet rotation

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Wellness Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken and Oatmeal

Rating:

Wellness Complete Health Adult recipe is one of 14 recipes included in our review of Wellness Complete Health dog food.

• First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, ground barley, peas
• Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
• Profile: Maintenance
• Best For: Adult pitbulls only (not for puppies)

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%.

Why We Like This Brand Contains lignan-rich flaxseed to help lower cancer risk Ideal blend of quality protein, fat and carbs No toxic chemical preservatives for reduced risk of cancer Contains no soy protein boosters for superior amino acid balance Meat ingredients clearly named to help identify food allergies

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Nulo Freestyle Adult Turkey and Sweet Potato Dog Food

Rating:

Nulo Freestyle Turkey and Sweet Potato is one of 8 recipes included in our review of Nulo Freestyle dog food.

• First 5 ingredients: Deboned turkey, turkey meal, salmon meal, chickpeas, chicken fat
• Type: Grain-free
• Profile: Maintenance
• Best For: Adult pitbulls only (not for puppies)

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%.

Why We Like This Brand No plant protein concentrates for superior amino acid profile High-protein salmon and turkey meals for lean muscle development Manganese proteinate and other chelated minerals for faster absorption Antioxidant-rich, grain-free design for ideal nutrient balance No high-risk coloring agents for lower cancer risk

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Rachael Ray Nutrish Peak Open Range Recipe Dry Dog Food

Rating:

Rachael Ray Nutrish Peak Open Range is one of 3 recipes included in our review of Rachael Ray Nutrish Peak dog food.

• First 5 ingredients: Beef, chicken meal, dried peas, whole dried potatoes, pea starch
• Type: Grain-free
• Profile: All life stages
• Best For: Adult pitbulls and all puppies

Rachael Ray Nutrish Peak Open Range derives most of its animal protein from beef and chicken meal. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 17% fat and 42% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of 50%.

Why We Like This Brand Abundant meat content for ideal amino acid balance Safe, antioxidant based preservatives for lower cancer risk Uniform blend of protein, fat and carbs Healthy grain-free design. No corn, wheat or soy 100% balanced formula suitable for both puppies or adults

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Also Recommended by Our Editors

Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Large Breed Adult

Rating:

Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Large Breed is one of 7 recipes included in our review of Merrick Backcountry.

• First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes
• Type: Grain-free
• Profile: Maintenance
• Best For: Adult pitbulls only (not for puppies)

Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Large Breed derives most of its animal protein from deboned chicken, as well as turkey and chicken meals. Label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 19% fat and 30% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of 45%.

Why We Like This Brand Includes chelated minerals for faster absorption 100% grain-free recipe for superior nutrition Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health All ingredients clearly identified. No anonymous meat High protein, low carb recipe for optimal nutrient balance

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A Final Word

The Dog Food Advisor is privately owned. We do not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.

However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.

For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.

Important FDA Alert

The FDA is investigating a potential link between diet and heart disease in dogs. Click here for details.

References