The best dog food for pitbulls

As an animal lover, I am often saddened whenever I hear news about the injustice being done to pit bulls (also spelt 'pitbull' by the way). In fact, several cities and countries have enacted breed specific legislation limiting or outright banning the ownership of some dog breeds.

Guess which breed is often on this list?

You’re right!

Pit bulls!

I find it discriminating because pit bulls are not any specific breed of dog, rather they encompass several breeds and crosses. These include the American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier, English Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier and even mixes of English and French bulldogs.

These pitbull-type dogs all have a similar look, i.e. the square shaped head, large jaw and rectangular bulky body type. They can look quite menacing but responsible pitbull owners know these dogs are some of the most affectionate and sweet-natured canines ever.

Based on the common physical characteristics we have listed above , one is right in assuming that pitbulls are athletic and high energy dogs. Table scrap simply won’t cover your pitbull’s nutritional requirements.

The best dog food for your pitbull will depend on many factors, such as his life stage and his condition. Younger pitbulls would have different nutritional needs than adult and senior pitbulls.

For nursing pitbulls less than a month old, their main source of nutrition should be their mother's milk. It provides the antibodies puppies need as well as vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and other important nutrients.

Beginning on the second month, you can now start feeding your puppy some gruel and slowly wean them off their mother’s milk. You can do this by mixing wet or dry puppy food with a canine milk replacer. These replacers are sold in liquid or powder form. Powder is recommended because it has a much longer shelf life and is considerably less expensive than liquid canine milk replacer.

Pitbull puppies at this age require a high calorie and high protein diet. This is because for the first few months of their lives, puppies experience a growth spurt and they need all the calories they need to sustain this growth. Sufficient protein is needed for muscle gain and calcium is required for bone development. You will need to feed him the correct puppy food formula 3 times a day until he reaches his 7th or 8th month then you can reduce the feeding frequency to twice a day.

Pregnant pitbulls, also known as bitches, need plenty of nutrition. After all, they are eating for the puppies inside them too. The best kind of dog food to feed pregnant pitbulls are food that have very high protein content as well as higher amounts of vitamins, minerals, fats and other equally important nutrients (except calcium).

Sound familiar? Yep, you can feed your pregnant pitbulls with puppy food because these are formulated with the right amount of nutrients pregnant bitches need. Also, all-life-stages dog food are okay to be fed to pregnant pitbulls as well. You just need to increase the quantity by up to 50% more.

Supplementing your dog’s diet with additional calcium during pregnancy is NOT recommended as this increases the likelihood of eclampsia or milk fever (a deficiency of calcium in blood).

Remember to always consult with your vet to ensure the health of your dog and her soon-to-be-born litter.

Newborn pitbulls depend on their mother’s milk for survival hence it is very important that you give your lactating pitbull access to plenty of food and water. Nursing dog food usually consists of the following formula to support the mother’s milk production:

• At least 30% protein

• At least 17% fat

• Less than 5% fiber

When the puppies are weaned, and the dam’s milk starts drying up, reduce her food supply so she doesn’t gain unnecessary weight.

When your pitbull reaches 6 or 7 years of age, you will notice several signs of ageing – gray hairs around the muzzle, reduced hearing, loss of muscle mass, lesser energy, and cloudy eyes. At this age, your pitbull’s metabolism will slow down and he won’t need as much food as before. A higher fiber and lower calorie dog food which contains the omega-6 fatty acid GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) will keep your senior pitbull happy in his twilight years.

There are many brands of dog food available on the Internet and in your local pet stores, however, not all of them provide the kind of nutrition your pitbull needs. Always double check with your vet before putting your pitbull on any kind of diet.

Additionally, make sure your dogs get plenty of exercise, too. Pitbulls are high-energy dogs, you need to get them out and about so they don't go crazy indoors. So, in addition to buying the right dog food, consider buying a good pet treadmill for your dog. I promise, you'll have a much happier and healthier pitbull!