🦴 Updated on July 17th, 2023
The best dog food for pitbull puppies to gain muscle contains the right mixture of protein and fat to support this breed’s nutritional needs.
Our review of the best dog food for pitbull puppies to gain weight includes eight brands with high-quality ingredients without the cheap filler materials found in many commercial dog foods.
When we got our first pitbull puppy, we researched what to feed a pit bull puppy to get big. We found all the brands we’re reviewing provided good nutrition for our dog, but the Bully Max tablets with dog food helped build muscle faster.
Let’s look at the best brands of pitbull dog food and the tablets that can help your dog gain muscle.
The Best Dog Food for Pitbull Puppies to Gain Muscle Reviewed
These dog food brands and our top pick for muscle-building supplements can help your pitbull puppy build healthy muscle tissue.
Bully Max Ultimate Canine Supplement
Bully Max supplements are our overall top pick for what to feed a pit bull to get big. These tablets boost vision, immunity, and metabolism. You can give them along with one of the formulations of Bully Max dog food or any other brand.
One tablet per day can help build muscle tone and make your dog healthier, or you can give them to your dog once in the morning and once at night. They’re easy to feed a dog as a treat they can chew up and swallow, or you can add the tablet to food.
Bully Max tablets contain 19 natural ingredients to build muscle size and strength and increase immunity and speed. The formula doesn't contain corn syrup, sucrose, or trans fats that are unhealthy for your dog.
These vet-approved supplements are 100% safe and natural for Pitbulls or other breeds at seven weeks or older. They contain more muscle-building elements than other brands without creatine or other harmful ingredients. Show dog owners and trainers use Bully Max to build muscle and improve tone.
Bully Max practices full-label disclosure. The tablets don’t contain hidden ingredients, so everything included is listed on the label. They don’t hide elements in generic terms like “natural flavors” or proprietary blends.
If you want to learn how to feed a pit bull puppy for maximum growth, these tablets can supplement the high-quality food you buy for your dog. They may be especially useful for aging dogs who need to rebuild muscle and strength and dogs who’ve lost weight due to illness.
The University of Kentucky tested these tablets to ensure safety and quality.
Pros
- Vet formulated and approved
- Work as once or twice-daily dog treats
- No hidden ingredients
Cons
- Contain maltodextrin, a highly-processed form of sugar
- Some dogs may have stomach upset
Merrick Grain Free Dog Food
Merrick’s Grain-Free Real Salmon + Sweet Potato Recipe dry dog food contains high-quality ingredients good for Pitbulls and any breed. The food is 60% protein and healthy fats to 40% produce and other ingredients that contain important vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
At least 74% of the protein in this food comes from animal sources and contains omega fatty acids to keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy and shining. Glucosamine and chondroitin help keep your dog’s joints and hips healthy by supporting bone and joint strength.
The main ingredient in this Merrick dog food is real deboned salmon with no poultry ingredients or grains. It's safe to feed to dogs who don't tolerate ingredients like gluten, wheat, corn, or soy. Merrick's formula is a whole-food dry dog food suitable for any breed.
Pitbull protein sources should primarily come from animal protein, and the bulk of it in this food comes from salmon as the main ingredient. Animal protein provides the protein for healthy muscle tissue and plenty of energy for your adult dog.
Merrick formulates all their dog food recipes in their Hereford, Texas, kitchen and creates all their food in the US, so it’s a high-quality, American-made product for your pitbull. It also comes in several other meat-first formulas.
Pros
- Whole-food and grain-free
- Deboned salmon is the main ingredient
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Glucosamine and chondroitin support bones and joints
Cons
- Some packages don’t have a reclosable strip
Royal Canin Large Puppy Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin is a trusted name in dog food, so you should feel confident that this large puppy dry dog food is a great choice when deciding what to feed pitbull puppies. It supports puppy growth in larger breeds like Pitbulls that will weigh from 56 to 100 lbs as adults.
The flat, round kibble shape encourages puppies to chew the food thoroughly for better digestion and nutrient absorption. Royal Canin's large puppy food supports the immune system and digestive health and provides energy for puppies up to 15 months old.
The formula contains 28% protein and 14% fat with 10% moisture and 3.5% fiber. Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants protect bones, joints, and the immune system. Prebiotics and easy-to-digest proteins promote good digestion and elimination.
Royal Canin uses 50 years of scientific research into nutrition and health for dogs to formulate their dry and wet dog foods. The food has a balance of calories and micronutrients for large breeds, so it’s a great choice when looking for what to feed a pitbull puppy.
Pros
- Trustworthy brand
- Special kibble size and shape for puppies
- High moisture content
Cons
- The main ingredient is corn
- Contains wheat and wheat gluten
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Recipe
While researching how to make Pitbulls big, protein kept coming up as one of the main elements. The protein in this Taste of the Wild dog food comes from real meat to help support strong, lean muscles.
The food contains 32% protein from venison and bison, unlike many dog food brands that use meals instead of real meat. Omega fatty acids support healthy skin and a thick, shiny coat. Superfoods and fruits provide the necessary vitamins and minerals for your dog’s health.
Taste of the Wild supports dogs' immune systems, digestion, and overall wellness with its K9 strain of probiotics in every serving of this pellet dog food.
The high-quality ingredients are sourced and prepared in the US for an American-made dog food that doesn’t contain artificial colors or flavors. This food is also grain-free without corn, wheat, or wheat by-products.
Dogs love the flavor of roasted bison and venison sourced from sustainable, pasture-raised animals. Taste of the Wild created this High Prairie dog food because dogs share DNA with wolves that don’t eat corn or wheat but live on the red meat of prey animals.
The game meat in this food makes it some of the best dog food for pit bulls to gain muscle.
Like wolves, dogs want the taste of meat, not meals and grains, so the food’s designed to appeal to dogs while containing vitamins, minerals, fiber, and over 80 million live cultures in every pound for the best health and energy.
Pros
- Real bison and venison meat
- Rich in probiotics for digestion
- Grain-free
Cons
- Contains chicken, lamb, and fish meal
Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Puppy Food
Hill’s Science Diet dry puppy food for large breeds provides enough calories, protein, and fat to help a pitbull puppy get big.
The food supports heart, bone, and dental health and contains DHA from fish oil to support eye and brain development.
The high-quality protein in this Hill's Science Diet formula promotes the growth of lean, strong muscle tissue, so it's some of the best dog food for pitbull puppies to gain muscle.
This veterinarian recommended food contains enough calcium and other important minerals to help bones and teeth grow properly.
Hill’s uses science-led nutrition to formulate its dog foods, not whatever the trend might be or what other products are popular at the time. They also use some of their dog food sales proceeds to support shelter pets by providing food for optimum nutrition.
Pitbull puppies and other large breed puppies love the taste of this food that comes from lamb or chicken meal, eggs, pork fat, and natural chicken liver and pork flavors.
All Hill’s Science Diet dog food formulas are American-made.
Pros
- Hill’s is the #1 veterinarian-recommended brand
- Contains DHA for brain and eye health
- Formulas and feeding schedules are science-based
Cons
- Contains wheat and corn ingredients
- Uses meals instead of plain meat
Rachael Ray Nutrish Premium Natural Dry Dog Food
Rachael Ray became famous for making delicious recipes for people on her cooking show. In the last several years, she branched out into making delicious pet food. Her Nutrish brand pet foods contain only high-quality ingredients and optimum animal nutrition.
This natural dry dog food contains prebiotics for digestion and vitamins and minerals to support bones, teeth, skin, eyesight, and coat health.
The main ingredient in all the Nutrish dry dog food formulas is real meat, seafood, or poultry instead of meals or wheat products.
The main ingredient in this food is beef, while whole corn, sorghum peas, and brown rice provide the necessary carbohydrates and fiber. Also, instead of the oils many brands use to add fat, this dog food contains real chicken fat.
If you’re trying to figure out how to feed a pit bull puppy for maximum growth, the quality of protein in this brand can help build lean muscle tissue. The food is hard kibble that you can mix with a little water for dogs who prefer softer bites.
Some of the proceeds from every sale of Nutrish food help dogs and cats in need by providing food, treatments, and medical supplies.
Pros
- Real beef is the main ingredient
- Designed for the best flavor
- No wheat products
Cons
- Contains soybean meal
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
Choose between chicken, lamb/oatmeal, or chicken/brown rice formulas when you’re looking for what to feed pitbull puppies. The kibble is small for puppy jaws and contains real chicken as the main ingredient for high-quality protein.
The carbohydrates come from sweet potatoes and brown rice for the maximum nutrition and fiber found in whole foods. Fruits and veggies add antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Blue Buffalo puppy food contains ARA and DHA, vital fatty acids found in mother's milk, for optimum eye and brain health. Animal nutritionists and holistic veterinarians create the formulas and select the ingredients for Blue Buffalo dog foods.
If you’ve wondered, “how to make my pitbull gain weight?” you’ll find the answer with the quality proteins in this food. What you won’t find are by-product meals. It also doesn’t contain wheat, corn, or soy ingredients.
This food promotes puppy health and growth, with everything a pitbull puppy needs to grow big and strong. The kibble is “cold-formed,” which means it’s processed at a lower heat than many other brands to preserve the nutrition and efficacy of the vitamins and minerals.
Pros
- Real meat is the main ingredient
- Contains fish oil for DHA
- No wheat or soy ingredients
Cons
- Garlic and turmeric might not agree with all dogs’ stomachs
Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus Dry Dog Food
Thanks to the higher protein content, this brand is some of the best dog food for Pitbulls to gain muscle. Victor Hi-Pro Plus contains 30% protein, while most other brands contain about 28% instead. A full 88% of the protein in this food comes from meat sources.
Victor Hi-Pro's protein comes from several types of meat without gluten to complicate digestion and slow dogs down. The protein sources include beef, chicken, pork, and fish meals.
The formula is suitable for all life stages, from puppies to senior dogs, and provides maximum energy to keep dogs as active as possible. It’s even suitable for pregnant and lactating females.
This food contains a proprietary blend of vitamins and minerals designed by veterinarians to meet the standards of the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages.
Victor Hi-Pro comes from the company’s East Texas facility, with many of the protein sources and other ingredients sourced from ranches and farms within a day’s drive of the plant.
Selenium yeast promotes a strong immune response, good metabolic function, and cellular regeneration. The food contains prebiotics and probiotics to support every part of the digestive process and better gut health.
This pellet-style food is especially good for sporting dogs and dogs that love to be active, like pitbulls.
Pros
- High-protein for muscle building
- High-fat for nutrition (20%)
- Gluten-free grains
Cons
- Contains vegetable oil
Best Dog Food for Pitbull Puppies Buying Guide
Let’s look at what you should keep in mind when looking for the best dog food for Pitbulls to gain muscle.
The Nutritional Needs of Pitbull Terriers
Many people think each breed needs a unique type of food, but this isn’t true. Pitbulls have the same general nutrition needs as other dogs, though they’ll require more calories than smaller breeds.
Any healthy dog food brand with high-quality protein, fats, carbohydrates, and micronutrients like vitamins and minerals will fulfill your dog’s nutritional needs.
What To Look For in Pitbull Food
Here are a few general guidelines to follow when choosing food for your pitbull. Look for natural ingredients like real meats and egg products.
Things like beef, chicken, pork, or fish meal are good too. Fat is better coming from healthy fats like fish oil and chicken fat.
Healthy grains and carbohydrates like sorghum, brown rice, sweet potatoes, and vegetables like peas are important sources of fiber and nutrition.
Unhealthy Ingredients in Pitbull Food
Avoid food brands that contain mostly meat by-product meals on the label, like “chicken by-product meal.” While it’s not necessarily unhealthy, real meat or meat meals are better.
Corn and wheat products, especially wheat gluten, can interfere with some dogs’ digestion. They’re not unhealthy for most dogs, though. About 4% of dogs have a corn allergy, and a small percentage of dogs are allergic to wheat.
Some high-fat foods boost the fat content with ingredients like added soybean or vegetable oils. Fat is best from fish oil or chicken fat.
Avoid added sugars that your dog doesn’t need. Sugars can cause uncomfortable bloating and gas.
How Often To Feed Your Pitbull Puppy
Pitbull puppies need to eat more often than adult dogs. Aim for four small meals a day until the 12th week, then three meals a day until the puppy is six months old. Puppy food should contain at least 22% protein.
Adult dogs can be fed morning and evening and do well with two meals a day.
FAQ
Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about pitbull dog food.
What’s the best dog food for pitbull puppies to gain muscle?
All the brands listed above are good choices for pitbull protein sources. However, some dogs like certain brands and flavors better than others, so don’t be afraid to try a few brands until you find one your dog loves.
What can I feed my pitbull puppy to gain muscle?
To make your Pittie muscular, look for brands with real meat as the first ingredient with at least 22% protein and most of that protein from animal sources.
How to make my pitbull gain weight?
Aside from ensuring at least 10-20% protein for adults, make sure you’re feeding your dog enough. Some highly active dogs will need more than the average amounts given on dog food packaging. Ask your vet about the right number of daily calories for your dog’s weight and activity level.
Conclusion
Our verdict on what to feed a pit bull to get big is the Bully Max Ultimate Canine Supplement, whether or not you couple it with Bully Max brand dog food.
These supplements can help bridge the gap between whatever nutrition your standard dog food might lack to ensure your pitbull gets everything it needs. If you’re already feeding high-quality food, the supplement will provide even more vitamins and minerals necessary for growth.
If you’re asking, “How to make my pitbull gain weight and muscle?” the Bully Max supplement can help support your dog’s growth by providing the micronutrients necessary to let the dietary protein and fat do their job.
The micronutrients also support healthy digestion, letting your dog’s digestive system get the most from its food.
All the food brands we’ve reviewed are healthy choices for your dog, but the Bully Max supplements ensure optimum nutrition and lean muscle growth.
Bully Max tablets contain 19 natural ingredients to build muscle size and strength and increase immunity and speed. The formula doesn't contain corn syrup, sucrose, or trans fats that are unhealthy for your dog.
