6 Best Dog Food for Pitbulls to Gain Weight and Lean Muscle in 2020

Is your Pitbull having a hard time gaining weight and lean muscle? Please take a look at the ingredients in their daily feed.

Is it high in protein and fat, without useless fillers? Pit bulls are naturally athletic and muscular dogs and need a special diet for weight gain.

Some of the best dog foods for Pitbulls to gain weight will include a blend of macronutrients designed for this.

Unlike with many other breeds, the body of a Bully dog needs a specific ratio of nutrients to maintain energy, gain lean muscle, maintain optimal weight and recover from strenuous exercise, which must be performed for muscle gain and increase body size.

Picking the Best Dog Food for Pit Bulls’ Weight Gain

First, you’ll need to discuss this with a veterinarian to rule out any possible health problems in your Pit Bull that may be causing weight loss or lack of weight gain.

Pitbulls have been overbred, causing many genetic issues and health ailments in the breed, interfering with their muscle and weight gain. Their common disorders include skin conditions, allergies, thyroid disease, knee problems, hip dysplasia, nerve disease, and bladder stones. Adjusting their diet may help with some of these issues, which subsequently will help with weight gain.

Feeding athletic dogs like Pit Bulls is not the same as feeding a mostly sedentary home pet. If you’re focused on muscle gain, you’ll need to balance between high protein (for muscle recovery and growth post-exercise) and high fat (for energy and recovery).

Pit Bulls are in the intermediate athlete’s category. Studies show that 70% to 90% of their energy will be sourced from fat metabolism (not carbohydrates, unlike endurance athletes or sprint athletes).

Besides high protein and high fat, your Bully’s food will need to contain a higher than average calorie content per meal. The protein source must be meat-based (not plant-based). Additional vitamins and minerals (particularly for joint and hip protection) are just as crucial if your Pit Bull is exercising regularly.

Other than a specific brand of Pit Bulldog food, you can also supplement to achieve the results. For example, Bully Max ($69.99) weight gainer or MVP K9 Supplements ($44.99) muscle builder are two of the most popular ways to help a Pitbull gain weight.

Note: Discuss with a vet or canine nutritionist. These experts can help you find a diet that will meet your individual Bully’s specific nutritional requirements, and they can guide you in finding the best dog food for Pitbulls to gain weight specifically.

The Best Dog Food for Pitbulls to Gain Weight

1High Performance Super Premium Dog Food
by Bully Max

The now-famous Bully Max has developed their High-Performance dog food formula specifically for Pit Bulls and other highly active dog breeds. The company claims that over 22,000 hours of research have formulated this recipe since 2008. After having tested, tried, analyzed, and reviewed this brand, it claims the first spot among the best dog food for Pitbulls to gain weight on our list.

Bully Max dog food provides far more calories than a regular brand at 535 calories per cup. As you can see in our video review here, both dogs we’ve tested this with, although not Bullies, love the taste of this kibble as well. It’s made only 100% natural and human-grade ingredients, with chicken meal as the first ingredient on the list.

The size of the kibble is also fantastic, particularly for younger and growing Pit Bulls. The formula contains 30% protein and 20% fat, both considered on the somewhat higher end. It’s also fit for multiple life stages, from puppies that are over four weeks old and nursing and pregnant dogs. It’s free of fillers like soy, wheat or corn, and made in the USA.

The downside is its price point. If you choose this recommended dog food for Pitbull’s weight gain, it’s likely to add to your monthly budget visibly. The good thing is that because this is a high-quality, performance dog food that’s calorie-dense, you don’t need to feed as much of this as with regular kibble. For example, if you have a Bully that weighs approx. 36 to 50 pounds, they will need to consume about 2 to 2.5 cups per day.

PROS: Calorie dense: great for weight gain, and you also need to feed less of this food High protein and moderate fat Packed with vitamins and minerals Excellent track record with other Pit Bulls and a company with a good reputation

CONS:

 

2High Protein Real Meat Recipe
by Taste of the Wild

Taste of the Wild offers the sort of natural, balanced diet that your canine friend would find in the wild. This premium food provides the flavors that your Bully craves and the nutrients his body needs at every stage of his life.

Taste of the Wild is made with natural roasted meats, fruits, and vegetables. Choose from bison and venison, salmon, boar, lamb, venison, or wildfowl. The carefully selected natural ingredients include highly digestible protein and fats to support weight maintenance and muscle growth. Antioxidants promote healthy skin and a healthy immune system. Taste of the Wild is grain-free and doesn’t contain fillers, making it an ideal choice for bullies with food allergies.

Dog owners who regularly use Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food say it is cost-effective. The high protein content and lack of fillers mean that dogs don’t need to eat as much food as other brands. It’s great for supporting a healthy weight too. Owners have reported that overweight dogs have lost weight and gained energy on Taste of the Wild, while underweight dogs have gained weight and muscle.

Owners of dogs with allergies have been thrilled to see significant improvements in their dog’s skin and coats. Although Taste of the Wild is a prevalent food that can provide excellent health benefits, it doesn’t suit all dogs. A significant number of bullies that have tried this kibble have suffered varying degrees of vomiting and diarrhea.

PROS: Made with natural roasted meats, fruits, and vegetables Choose from protein sources including bison and venison, salmon, boar, lamb, venison, or wildfowl Natural ingredients include highly digestible protein and fats to support weight maintenance and muscle growth Grain-free and doesn’t contain fillers

CONS: In rare instances, it may cause minor bouts of diarrhea when the formula doesn’t agree with the dog

 

3Sport Formula Dry Dog Food
by Purina Pro Plan

This best dog food for Pitbulls to gain weight is Purina Pro Plan, the food of choice for breeders and more than 50% of the top 100 show dogs. Its superior formula is AAFCO approved as a feeding regime that provides complete balanced nutrition for every stage of life. Pro Plan Sport is designed for performance and endurance. Your Bully will develop strength by containing 30% protein and 20% fat to optimize metabolism and lean muscle development.

Your pup’s endurance will improve due to concentrated nutrition that will maximize his oxygen metabolism. Amino acids will nourish his muscles before, during, and after exercise, aiding recovery. To complete the package, glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids aid joint health and mobility. Fans of this best dog food for Pitbulls to gain weight say that they have seen a marked increase in their Bully’s energy levels and endurance at work and play.

Critics of Purina Pro Plan Sport Dry Dog Food are mainly concerned with the high amount of grain, gluten, and by-products in premium-priced dog food. Some owners have found that their dogs don’t like the taste of this strong-smelling food.

Purina’s Pro Plan Sport is a premium food with a good reputation amongst professionals in the canine world. For many, it provides the results that you would expect from a superior performance diet. Whether it’s the choice of food for you will probably depend on your opinion of additives that it contains and whether or not your Bully looks forward to mealtime.

PROS: AAFCO is approved as a feeding regime that provides complete balanced nutrition for every stage of life Contains 30% protein and 20% fat Concentrated nutrition will maximize oxygen metabolism Amino acids will nourish muscles before, during, and after exercise – aiding recovery Glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids aid joint health and mobility

CONS: The high amount of grains There’s an overpowering odor of this food, and some dogs may dislike it.

 

4Great Plains Feast Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
by Earthborn Holistic

Great Plains Feast is a premium grain-free food from Earthborn Holisticthat comes with a more modest price tag than most. Providing a reliable source of lean proteins and natural ingredients, it’s the food of choice for many bully owners. The first ingredient listed in this best dog food for Pitbulls to gain weight is lean red meat bison meal. That’s a good start if you’re looking for a high-protein diet that will build skeletal muscle and mass.

It also contains lamb meal and egg protein – the highest regarded protein for muscle growth. This mix of rich protein sources is also rich in amino acids to support a healthy body. This diet is rated highly for its palatability and performance. Being grain-free and without potato fillers, it suits dogs with food allergies and sensitive stomachs.

Owners have found that their overweight bullies have lost weight on this food. The high protein levels mean that less food is needed to satisfy your Bully’s hunger. Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is also excellent for dogs that struggle to put muscle on.

There aren’t many loud voices of criticism for Great Plains Feast. The kibble is dryer and crumblier than some alternative brands, and this hasn’t gone down well with some owners. There is one controversial ingredient – tapioca. This can trigger allergies and yeast infections, so this might not be the best food if your dog is susceptible.

PROS: The first ingredient is lean bison meal Grain-free Contains lamb meal and egg protein for muscle growth Rich in amino acids

CONS: The texture of this food is dryer and crumblier than some alternative brands Tapioca is a controversial ingredient, as it can trigger allergies and yeast infections

 

5Grain Free Recipe Dry Dog Food
by Merrick

Merrick is an industry leader in natural, high-protein dog foods for optimum health at every stage of your Bully’s life. This US manufacturer uses locally-sourced farm-fresh ingredients and high-quality sources of meat.

Merrick Grain-Free Recipe is all-natural, containing 70% meat proteins and 30% fresh produce. The first ingredient on the list of each recipe is deboned meat. There’s a massive 38% protein in each serving of this food. The meat and fish proteins promote healthy lean muscle development, and omega six and omega-three oils condition your dog’s skin and coat.

The addition of high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin in this best dog food for Pitbulls to gain weight will look after your Bully’s hips and joints. Carefully selected fruits and vegetables provide the essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for optimum health. Potatoes and sweet potatoes provide easily digestible carbohydrates as a source of energy that is gentle on the digestive system.

Merrick Grain-Free Recipe Dry Dog Food is particularly popular with bully owners who say their dogs are very well muscled, with gleaming coats and vitality. Dogs with allergies do well on this food, too, and it is reported to have cleared up many skin conditions and yeast infections.

In the last year, there have been growing criticisms of Merrick following its takeover by Purina. Customers are questioning whether the ingredients are still the same and locally sourced. There are increasing concerns from owners whose dogs had become sick of this food in the last year when they thrived on it previously. The jury is currently out on whether or not this is coincidental.

PROS: Manufactured in the USA using locally sourced ingredients and high-quality protein sources All-natural and made with 70% meat proteins and 30% fresh produce 38% protein in each serving

CONS: Less than one year ago Merrick was taken over by Purina, and some buyers had claimed their pet had gotten sick after eating the food in the last year when they thrived on it before

 

6Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
by Wellness CORE

Wellness CORE is a 100% natural, grain-free food made in the US from US ingredients. It’s available in a range of formulas to meet your dog’s specific health and fitness needs. Each formula adheres to the philosophy that a meat-based diet is the healthiest choice for dogs. Premium meat proteins are the foundation of Core formulas, giving your Bully’s muscles the nutrients needed to develop.

Natural salmon oils, fruits, and vegetables fortified with nutrients provide the support that your Bully needs for optimum health. The carefully selected antioxidants, omega oils, and probiotics will make your Bully’s coat shine. Without any wheat, corn, soy, gluten, or by-products this product is suited to dogs with sensitive digestion and skin.

Advocates of Core have seen significant improvements in their dogs’ lean muscle growth, energy levels, and overall condition. This food has resolved many allergic reactions and allowed dogs with pancreatitis to live as pain-free and active a life as possible. Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food offers excellent value for money too.

Not all dog owners have had such success with Core. Some dogs have had significant gastric reactions to it, resulting in severe and persistent diarrhea and, in some cases, vomiting. There have been issues with the packaging too. Several customers have reported receiving damaged sacks containing moldy and foul-smelling food.

PROS: 100% natural, grain-free food that is made in the US from US ingredients Carefully selected antioxidants, omega oils, and probiotics in this Pitbull dog food will make a dog’s coat shine Contains wheat, corn, soy, gluten, or by-products

CONS: Some dogs may have a gastric reaction to this dog food resulting in minor diarrhea Some shipping issues: packaging that was damaged and contained foul-smelling, moldy food

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