Pit Bulls are active, hardworking canines and need a well-balanced diet to help them grow from rambunctious puppies into strong dogs. But with all the different dog food brands out there, how can you tell which will take care of your puppy’s needs?
In this article, we’ve collected the top five best dog foods to help your Pit Bull puppy gain weight and muscle and have included in-depth reviews for each. Armed with these reviews and our super-informative buyer’s guide, you’ll never lose time wading through the pet food aisle again!
The Victors Classic Hi-Pro Plus Formula Dry Dog Food comes in flavors of chicken, beef, and pork, and make up a protein-packed meal (account for 88% of its protein content). This nutrient-dense formula is ideal for puppies and pregnant and lactating females. It’s ideal for sporty and active dogs such as your Pitbull.
It is made with gluten-free grains to keep your pooch’s energy sustained. Victor Classic is costly, but if you are looking for premium dog food, this complete and balanced diet formula is a good choice. It is packed with vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, and of course, protein.
It is important to know that this recipe doesn’t include glucosamine or chondroitin, so if your pup requires these as part of its diet, it would be best to go with a different choice of food that includes them.
Cons
Does not contain glucosamine or chondroitin
Pros
Contains 88% meat protein
Formulated for sporty dogs
Suitable for puppies, pregnant dogs, and lactating females
Gluten-free
Diamond Naturals Dry Dog Food – Best Value
Main ingredients:
Chicken meal, chicken, ground white rice, chicken fat
Protein content:
32% min
Fat content:
25% min
Calories:
470 kcal per cup
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula Dog Food is specifically formulated for active and sporty dogs like your pitbull. This high-protein kibble recipe is made with real, cage-free chicken and is enriched with superfoods-like blueberries, oranges, fruit, and vegetables to deliver essential vitamins and minerals.
Omega fatty acids are included for a shiny and healthy coat, and prebiotics, probiotics, and antioxidants support the immune system and digestion. With quality ingredients from trusted sources, your pup will be nutritionally balanced, and its muscles will be fueled for activity. At an affordable price, this food comes in a 40- pound bag, making it the best food choice for the money.
Chicken meal is found in this recipe and can be a controversial ingredient, but it’s good to note that chicken meal is a good source of protein.
Cons
Contains chicken meal, a controversial ingredient
Pros
Contains probiotics
High in protein
Affordable
The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe Dog Food – Best Overall
Main ingredients:
Human grade chicken, chicken liver, carrots, green beans, Brussel sprouts
Protein content:
11.5% crude protein
Fat content:
8.5% crude fat
Calories:
590 kcal
All recipes made by The Farmer’s Dog are human-grade, fresh and whole. Whole muscle and organ meat make up 50% of this recipe, making this a nutritious dog food with a high protein content, which is an essential nutrient for your pitbull to gain muscle. This delicious recipe includes fresh vegetables, such as green beans, carrots, Brussel sprouts, and broccoli to provide your pitbull with key vitamins and minerals.
The Farmer’s Dog recipes also contain a high-water content, providing your pooch a great source of hydration. Fiber-rich foods, like chickpeas, lentils, and sweet potatoes benefit your dog’s gut and maintain a healthy digestive system, leaving them feeling fuller for longer. Supplemental nutrients such as fish oil, enriched with immunity-boosting Omega 3’s are added to this recipe to ensure they are complete and balanced, and that’s why we put The Farmer’s Dog our 1st best overall dog food choice.
Cons
Higher price tag
Pros
Contains human-grade meat
Made fresh to suit the calorie needs of your dog
Recipe uses fresh vegetables
Delivered right to your door
Purina ONE Natural Dry Puppy Food – Best for Puppies
Puppies love to jump about and play, and Purina One Natural Puppy Formula is a great food to get your little one the protein that is needed to support growing muscles. Real chicken is the first ingredient that provides necessary protein, and DHA is also present for eye and brain development, as well as calcium for strong teeth.
Antioxidants will keep your little pup’s immune system boosted, and omegas will look after its coat, maintaining shine and softness. Glucosamine will keep your pups’ joints healthy, and added vitamins and minerals, along with rice and oatmeal, will promote a healthy immune system and overall health.
This recipe includes chicken by-products and whole grain corn, so if your pup has a corn allergy, you will want to avoid it.
Cons
Contains by-products
Contains whole grain corn
Pros
Contains DHA, a protein found in mothers’ milk
Contains real chicken
Also ideal for pregnant and lactating female
Earthborn Holistic Natural Dry Dog Food
Main ingredients:
Bison meal, peas, pea protein, tapioca, dried egg, canola oil
Protein content:
32% min
Fat content:
18%min
Calories:
400kcal per cup
For holistic pet food lovers, Earthborn High Protein Dog Food provides your pitbull with a high protein diet to build lean muscles and sustain energy. The main protein is provided by lean bison meal, which is a red meat rich in amino acids. At 400 calories per cup, your pitbull will be fuller for longer while the natural fibers from fruit and vegetables help support good digestion and nutrient absorption. L-carnitine converts fat into lean muscle mass, and a proper ratio of omegas 6 and 3 will look after your Pitbull’s skin and coat.
There is no DHA in this recipe as it usually comes from fish, and some dog owners have found the price tag to be a bit too high. Grains can be beneficial to your dog’s diet if they are not allergic, so it is recommended to consult your vet to see if a grain-free diet is best for your dog.
Cons
No DHA
Pricey
Pros
Gluten-free
Made with lean red meat
Contains L- carnitine
Purina Pro Plan Performance 30/20 Dog Food – Vet’s Choice
Purina Pro Plan Dog food is formulated for high-energy pooches like your pitbull. One of its main features is the ratio of 30% protein and 20% fat, providing the fuel your pitbull needs. The protein source comes from real beef to provide strength, and the recipe contains added amino acids for extra muscle nourishment. This recipe is designed to optimize oxygen metabolism to support endurance during exercise and has omega fatty acids and glucosamine to help support joint health and mobility. It is fortified with live probiotics for a healthy immune and digestive system.
In some cases, dog owners have noticed this recipe causing an increase in flatulence, and in other cases, their dogs simply do not enjoy the taste.
Satiate your dog’s meat craving with Crave High Protein Dog Food. This high-protein food is made with beef that packs in protein with every bite and is tasty to even the pickiest eaters.
This formula is fortified with essential nutrients, like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids-for overall health, and has no preservatives or artificial flavors. Crave provides sufficient protein to keep your pitbull’s muscles lean and strong, with quality carbohydrates for extra energy.
Some dog owners have found this kibble to be small, making it a messy situation. A grain-free diet is not always the optimal choice for your dog, so be sure to check in with your vet before opting for grain-free food.
If your dog enjoys a fishier flavor, Purina One Natural True Instinct Dog Food will be a great choice. Your pet will be fueled by a high-protein salmon and tuna blend with added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.. Purina One is formulated with glucosamine for joint health, calcium for healthy teeth and gums, omega 6 fatty acids for a luxurious coat, and antioxidants for a healthy immune system. This high-quality dog food will support a well-balanced diet for your athletic pooch while providing the protein to strengthen its muscles.
Purina One contains chicken meal, even though salmon is the main ingredient, so if your pooch has allergies to chicken, it’s best to avoid this one.
Cons
Contains chicken meal
Can make dogs gassy
Pros
Contains salmon as the main ingredient
No fillers
High protein
No by-products
Bully Max High Performance Super Dog Food
Bully Max is a high-calorie dog food that will help most dogs add weight and muscle to their frame. The blend is high in protein and has both plant and animal sources of protein and fat.
There are, however, several downsides that we noticed. There are no whole vegetables or fruit, and the majority of the vitamins and minerals seem to come from additives. Additives are much less nutritionally dense than the whole foods themselves, and we frankly expected better ingredients for the price.
Most frustrating though, is the fact that they use cheap meat meals as the main protein sources. Protein is one of the most important nutrients for building healthy muscle, and you do not want to have to wonder if the protein in your dog’s food is full of unsavory “leftover” parts. High-protein meals are important.
This food may be appropriate for helping an underweight pup bulk up, but we do not recommend it as a regular meal base if you want to make sure your dog has a well-balanced diet. Bully Max overcharges for a relatively low-quality, but high calorie, dog food.
Cons
All animal proteins are “meal”
No whole vegetables or fruits
Most vitamins and minerals are additives, not as effective
Overpriced with low-quality ingredients
Pros
More calories per serving than any food in its class
For puppies 4 weeks or older and adult dogs
Elite K9 Nutrition Max Bully Dog Food – Premium Choice
If you are looking for a premium dog food that absolutely delivers when it comes to building healthy weight and muscle, check out the Elite K9’s Maximum Bully food. It has multiple animal protein and fat sources, as well as plant-based proteins specially paired for muscle growth.
We especially love the careful attention Elite K9 pays to balancing vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids. Elite K9 has properly portioned these already super healthy nutrients so they work together to boost your pup’s energy, muscle growth, and whole-body development. Smart and effective!
However, for the high price, we wish that there were more whole foods in this kibble. Nearly all the nutrient-dense fruits and veggies come from dried sources — still good for your dog, but the drying process loses a ton of those good nutrients. And, once again, this food is an adult dog food formula.
Given the lack of whole foods, the adult dog formulation, and the high price tag it is inadvisable to start your Pit Bull puppy on this food before you talk to your veterinarian.
Cons
For adult dogs
Most expensive on our list
Pros
Contains probiotics to aid digestion
High-quality grains only – no wheat, soy, or corn
Specially formulated to build healthy muscle
First two ingredients are animal protein
Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Pitbulls to Gain Muscle
When it comes to choosing the right muscle-building food for your pitbull, it is important to know your dog’s nutritional requirements. The label on the packaging is where you will find the ingredients list that will help you decide if it is the right food for your pit.
Protein
Protein is an important part of a dog’s diet and needs to be supplied daily as the body cannot store it. Protein is especially important when the goal is to build muscle, as its role is to build and repair the muscles, along with other body tissues. Protein can be found in meat and eggs, as well as grains and legumes.
Fats and Oils
Fats and oils are another vital part of a dog’s diet and only become a problem when dogs consume too much in their diet without exercise. Fats provide your dog with twice as much energy as protein and carbohydrates and are the first to be used as energy. Fats are part of the reason dog food smells and tastes so good! Fats should be a priority when looking for the right food for your pit and should be paired with a good exercise regime.
Calorie Intake
Weight loss occurs when there are fewer calories in than calories out, and as pet owners, we have control of our pets’ calorie intake. You can consult with your vet to calculate the calories your dog needs and its target weight. You don’t want your pitbull losing weight as gaining muscle is the goal, but it is also important to be mindful that pits are prone to obesity.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are clinically proven to increase energy, improve metabolism, and decrease inflammation.
L – Carnitine
L-carnitine is an essential amino acid that helps burn energy by moving fatty acids into cells. A dog food containing L-carnitine will assist your dog in metabolizing fat instead of storing it. Carnitine will be listed under the “Guaranteed Analysis” section of the food label, along with the amount.
Quality Brand Dog Food
A good quality dog food will meet The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines, so always check the label. Check the ingredients list and look for quality proteins. Look for words like “balanced,” “whole,” and “complete,” and foods that have gone through feeding trials should be preferred. Your vet always knows best, so consult your vet if you are unsure.
Final Thoughts
The Farmer’s Dog is our 1st best overall dog food choice because of its fresh, balanced, and whole ingredient list. For the best value, we recommend Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula Dry Dog Food for its high protein, nutrient-dense food that is reasonably priced. For your pup we recommend, Purina ONE Natural, High Protein +Plus Healthy Puppy Formula Dry Puppy Food for its young growing muscles and our vet’s choice is Purina Pro Plan Sport All Life Stages Performance 30/20 Beef & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food.
We hope these reviews helped you feel more confident and informed in choosing the best dog food for your pitbull to gain muscle.
