Top 10 Best Dog Foods for American Bully
Looking for the best dog food for your American Bully? The American Bully is a Pitbull type dog, but he is not a Pitbull. He is a natural extension of the American Pitbull Terrier (APBT) breed. Because of this, he has developed his own appearance and temperament over the centuries. He was finally recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) as a breed in his own right in 2013, but other breed registries such as the American Kennel Club do not recognize the breed.
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His breed is heavily influenced by the APBT, American Bulldog, English Bulldog and Olde English Bulldogge, all of which are muscular and heavy set dogs. Some registries, such as the American Bully Kennel Club recognize the different sizes of the American Bully, including the standard, pocket, XL and classic. The UKC only recognizes the one size, that being the standard, and here in this guide we will be looking at the nutritional needs of the standard sized American Bully.
Measuring 16 to 20 inches from paw to shoulder, but with no set weight, the American Bully is seen as a medium sized dog, but one who is packing serious muscles! Here in this guide we will run you through the specifics of each of his life stages, including puppy, adult and senior, and we have also included a section for the overweight American Bully – so, let’s take a closer look!
Adult American Bully Nutrient Needs
Between 12 and 18 months you will need to slowly transition your American Bully to an adult kibble. During adulthood, the MSD Manual suggests that dogs should eat a kibble that will provide him with a minimum protein content of 18%, but for dogs with a larger muscle mass it should lean more towards 23%.
The number of calories that an American Bully will need will be dependent on his weight and whether he leads an energetic lifestyle or sedentary one, but typically he will need between 900 and 1,300 calories. But be sure to follow package instructions using his weight and age, and if he starts to become overweight reduce the amount you feed him.
American Bully Puppy Nutrient Needs
The American Bully has a lot of growing to do, and the MSD Veterinary Manual recommends that puppies need a protein content of at least 22%, however because of his large muscle mass it should be more in the region of 26%. Real meats and meat meals provide high-quality protein, and they should all be identifiable.
These ingredients are also full of glucosamine, which is important to support his joints that are soon to carry a lot of weight, and omega fatty acids that will support his eye and brain function, as well as overall development. Many Pitbull types dogs are known to have skin sensitivities, and so other omega fatty ingredients including fish, fish oils, animal fat and flaxseeds will nourish his skin, as does vitamin E, biotin and folic acid.
Ingredients found in mothers’ milk such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) are super important during puppyhood, and can be found in omega fatty acids and egg products. Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants found in fruit, vegetables and added supplements will also support his developing immune system.
Puppyhood is arguably the most important nutritional stage, as it will set the foundations for a healthy body, so whatever you kibble you decide to feed him, make sure it is specifically designed for puppies as they will provide him everything he needs to develop as he should. Finding the best dog food for your American Bully during their puppy stage is more important than any other life stage.
Senior American Bully Nutrient Needs
Your American Bully will be considered a senior at around the age of 8 years, so when the time comes you should slowly transition him to a senior kibble. As his body ages and becomes frailer his nutritional needs change, and as such it is important to feed him a senior kibble as they will focus on what he needs.
He will need much less energy compared to his younger self, otherwise you risk that he will become overweight, which will put further strain on his already weakening joints that are carrying a lot of Bully weight. Ingredients such as meat meals with high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin, and added supplements, are crucial for joint support.
His digestive system and metabolism will begin to slow, and as such he cannot digest fats efficiently, so a lower fat content is needed. However, omega fatty acids from ingredients described above will keep him healthy and nourish his skin and coat. Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are important during his senior years as they will boost his aging immune system and help him to fight illnesses and disease.
The 10 Best Dog Foods for American Bullies
The Farmer’s Dog Best Dog Food – Premium Choice
The Farmer’s Dog is a fresh dog food delivery company that takes the guesswork out of feeding your American Bully. Thanks to their fresh ingredients and ready-to-serve meals, they take the premium choice slot in our guide.
Before you can sign your dog up for their delivery service, The Farmer’s Dog website requires you to fill out a short questionnaire so they can get to know your pooch better. You will need to answer questions regarding your dog’s weight, body condition, age, breed, activity level, and current eating habits. Once you have filled out the questionnaire, the website’s algorithm will put together the ideal diet for your dog.
The Farmer’s Dog food is made with real USDA-approved meat and comes in flavors like turkey, beef, chicken, and pork. Every recipe has been created under the guidance of veterinary nutritionists. Each meal has also been formulated to meet the AAFCO nutrition levels for all life stages, including dogs weighing 70 pounds or more like most American Bullies.
The meals come in ready-to-feed packages that must be refrigerated before serving.
Refrigeration is non-negotiable as the company does not use any preservatives in their recipes, so their food must be treated just like human food.
- Must have space in your fridge
- Recipes developed in USDA kitchens
- Recipes made fresh to maintain nutritional integrity
- Ingredients sourced from reputable suppliers
- 100% complete and balanced nutrition
- No preservatives or artificial flavors
Victor Select Dry Dog Food – Best Value
Victor 2451 Select Dry Dog Food is a dry kibble made with proteins and whole grains for a complete diet. This dog food uses a beef-based protein source, which is great for dogs
that have allergies to poultry. It’s fortified with vitamins and minerals, giving your Bully
dog a balanced diet with each meal. This kibble is made with a natural blend of prebiotics and probiotics, which gives your dog digestive support and helps fight yeast infection. It’s also less expensive compared to other premium brands of dry dog food, saving you money if you own one or more bullies. Although this kibble is made with a beef protein source, it’s derived from beef meal instead of whole meat. It may also cause some skin irritation in dogs with multiple food allergies, so it may not be suitable if your Bully has sensitivities to certain proteins or grains. Except for those two potential concerns, we found Victor 2451 Select Dry Dog Food to be the best dog food for American Bully dogs for the money.
- Only contains meat meal protein sources
- May cause skin irritation
- Prebiotic and probiotic blend
- Beef-based protein source
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals
- Less expensive than most premium kibble
Taste of the Wild Wetlands Grain-Free Dry Dog Food – Best Overall
Taste of the Wild Wetlands Grain-Free Dry Dog Food includes duck, duck meal, and chicken meal as its main ingredients. These meat-based ingredients provide novel proteins and are supported by the inclusion of sweet potatoes, potatoes, and peas as the other main ingredients. Further down the list of ingredients, you will find ocean fish meal, quail, and turkey, and this food has a good concentration of meat. What it doesn’t have is any grain, which means that this is suitable for your American Bully even if he has a grain sensitivity or intolerance.
The Taste of the Wild food has 32% protein, which is much better than a lot of alternative foods, and its high meat content means that the protein comes from high-quality sources. There’s also strong evidence of probiotics, while the minerals in this food are chelated, which ensures that more of them are absorbed by your dog when eating.
The 32% protein from high-quality meat sources, lack of controversial ingredients, and competitive price make this the best overall dog food for your American Bully.
- Some flavors include canola oil
- Competitive price
- Chelated minerals
- 32% protein
- Minimal filler
- Probiotics
Canidae All Life Stages Chicken and Rice Canned Food
| First Five Ingredients: | Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product, Brown Rice |
| Food Type: | Canned |
| Life stage: | All life stages |
If your dog doesn’t love dry food, Canidae All Life Stages Chicken and Rice is a great alternative. This canned food recipe is a good alternative to kibble or fresh food with some of the advantages of both. It has a nice, palatable chicken protein base that is healthy for most dogs, and it has a much higher moisture content than dry food, which can help with canine enjoyment or with some digestion issues. It has about 10% crude protein and 6.5% crude fat content, which translates to around 40% dry protein and 29% dry fat. This high fat and protein content is good for active dogs, but it isn’t ideal for some dogs who are less active or overweight.
- Strong smell
- Not ideal for overweight or less active dogs
Tuffy’S Pet Food Nutrisource Dry Dog Food
Tuffy’s Pet Food 131529 Nutrisource Dry Food is a kibble designed for high energy levels and bulky Bully breeds. It has a high-calorie diet for active and working dogs, which helps maintain their activity and performance levels. This kibble is also less expensive than other brands, but only because of the calorie-rich formula per cup. If you have multiple dogs, it may be more expensive in the long run. This dog food also has no whole meat as a protein source, using meat meals as a cheaper alternative. The rich recipe may be too rich for some puppies and dogs, so it’s not recommended for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Some dogs didn’t like the taste of this kibble, even dogs that aren’t generally picky about food. However, the biggest issue we found is the inconsistency quality of this dog food between batches, which can be a health concern. We recommend trying a higher quality kibble with whole meat and a balanced diet for better results.
- Some dogs didn’t like the taste
- No whole meat as a protein source
- May cause indigestion
- Inconsistent quality between batches
- High-calorie diet for active and working dogs
- Less expensive than other brands
ORIJEN Puppy Large Dry Dog Food – Best For Puppies
ORIJEN DOR4425-25 Puppy Large Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a kibble formulated for active puppies that mimics what dogs would eat in the wild. It uses fresh and raw animal ingredients for a wide variety of nutrients, including organs, cartilage, and bones. This kibble uses a grain-free diet that is rich in protein, so it’s great for growing Bully breed puppies. The nutrient-packed kibble also helps with weight gain, especially for active and energetic pups that may struggle to maintain a healthy weight. However, this dog food has multiple sources of protein, which is not suitable for dogs with food and protein allergies. It may be too rich for some puppies, which can lead to indigestion and nausea. ORIJEN DOR4425-25 Puppy Dry Dog Food kibble also has a strong dog food odor, which sticks to your dog’s breath for hours after each meal. For better quality and value, we recommend trying other dog food brands first.
- Strong dog food odor
- Not suitable for dogs with food allergies
- May be too rich for some puppies
- Grain-free and rich in protein
- Fresh and raw animal ingredients
- Helps with weight gain in active pups
Victor Purpose Senior Dog Food
| First Five Ingredients: | Beef meal, whole grain brown rice, whole grain millet, grain sorghum, chicken fat |
| Food Type: | Dry |
| Life stage: | Senior |
Bigger dogs tend to age more quickly than smaller ones, so Bullies generally fall into the senior stage of life at around 7-10 years. A senior-formulated dog food can help your older dog stay healthy and avoid weight gain as activity and metabolism slow. Victor Purpose Senior Dog Food has excellent reviews from owners of all types of dogs. This high-protein dog food is fortified with vitamins, minerals, and other healthy additions to keep your dog happy and healthy into his golden years. Of course, not every dog food is for every dog. Some seniors struggle to eat kibble and will prefer fresh or wet dog food. This dog food is also grain-heavy, which may upset the stomachs of sensitive seniors.
As dogs age, their metabolism slows and their vitamin needs change, requiring some changes to diet. If your American Bully is reaching her senior years, you’ll want to adjust by giving smaller servings of an all life stages food or switching to a purpose-designed senior food. We love Victor Purpose Senior Dog Food because it has great reviews and everything your senior dog needs to age gracefully. This dog food is still high in proteins, but a slightly lower ratio of fat to protein (11.5% fat to 27% protein) makes it ideal for less active dogs. It also has modified vitamins and minerals to promote joint health and combat other health issues common in older dogs. Although we love this food, it’s worth noting that many seniors with dental or digestive problems may struggle to eat kibble as they age, necessitating a switch to wet foods.
Orijen Tundra Grain-Free Dog Food
Orijen 2102203 Tundra Grain-Free Dog Food is a dry dog food with fresh and raw ingredients for a complete and balanced diet. This kibble contains a wide variety of nutrients to support your active Bully dog, regardless of size and age. It’s also made with bits of freeze-dried raw liver, giving the kibble an extra boost in flavor. Unfortunately, some dogs didn’t like the taste of this kibble, so we recommend skipping this one if your Bully is a picky eater. It also contains multiple protein sources, which can be unsuitable for dogs with food allergies. It may possibly cause bad breath from the freeze-dried liver, leaving behind a rancid odor in your dog’s mouth. Orijen 2102203 Tundra Grain-Free Dog Food is also sold in a small bag for the price, so it will become costly if your Bully dog requires a lot of food. If you’re looking for the best Bully food, we recommend trying Elite K9 dog food instead.
- Causes bad breath
- Picky dogs may not like the flavor
- Not suitable for dogs with food allergies
- Small bag for the price
- Wide variety of nutrients
- Made with freeze-dried liver
Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is packed with high-quality ingredients, offering 80% of its protein from meat sources, and an overall protein ratio of 30%. It is expensive, but Nulo’s primary ingredients are deboned salmon, turkey meal, and menhaden fish meal. It also contains additional turkey and, in place of the grains that you find in a lot of dry foods, it has peas, sweet potato, chickpeas, and lentils.
Further down the list of ingredients, you will find a good variety of dried fruit and vegetables such as blueberries, which are an excellent source of antioxidants, as well as apples, tomatoes, and carrots. Chicory root is high in the ingredient list, and this acts as a prebiotic as it contains inulin. The food is fortified with additional minerals, which are listed as chelated. Chelated minerals bind to protein so they are more easily and more effectively absorbed by your American Bully.
With such a high rate of protein, gathered primarily from meat-based sources, and supported by a range of vitamins and chelated minerals, Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a winning combination for your American bully.
- Pea fiber is the only ingredient considered low-quality
- Chelated minerals
- Grain-free food
- 30% protein
- Contains probiotics
