As the person responsible for your dog’s well-being and health, you likely take your pet’s nutrition very seriously. Canned and wet dog foods are great options for many pet owners as they are easy to use, and pit bulls generally love them.
For pit bull owners specifically, you’ll want to consider a few things when choosing the right canned or wet dog food for your beloved pup. Pitbull is an umbrella term that usually refers to four breeds: the American bully, American Staffordshire terrier, the American pit bull terrier, and the Staffordshire bull terrier. Most of these dogs are muscular, large, and active.
While each dog is different and their activity level will vary, they tend to need meals with higher calories and more protein. We’ve included information on the best options on a budget, the best overall, and even the best choice for a pitbull puppy.
In this article
A Glance at Our Top Picks (2026 Update)
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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The Farmer's Dog Fresh Dog Food |
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Budget Buy
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Natural Balance Ultra Canned Dog Food |
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Wellness Canned Dog Food |
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| Best for Puppies |
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Wellness Just for Puppy Canned Food |
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Purina Pro Plan Wet Dog Food |
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The 11 Best Canned And Wet Dog Food For Pitbulls
1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription Service – Best Overall
| Main ingredients: | USDA turkey, chickpeas, carrot, broccoli |
| Protein content: | 38% |
| Fat content: | 26% |
| Calories: | 562 kcals/lb |
Maybe you’ve heard of the 1st dog food on our list; maybe you haven’t. If not, meet The Farmer’s Dog, a meal subscription service for your four-legged friends that offers freshly made homecooked meals! With The Farmer’s Dog, you can create a customized meal plan for your Pit Bull—all you need to do is answer a few questions about their weight, activity levels, and special diet needs. Then, sit back and wait for your dog’s food to be shipped!
For the 1st best overall wet dog food for Pit Bulls, we’re going with The Farmer’s Dog’s Turkey Recipe. Packed with yummy ingredients such as turkey, broccoli, parsnip, spinach, and carrot, plus containing 8% crude protein, this recipe offers your pup the nutrients and minerals they need to stay healthy and strong with a taste they’ll love. The recipe also contains vitamin E, vitamin D3, and fish oil for healthier skin and coats. It’s a fresh taste—with no work on your part—that will keep your Pit Bull happy!
- Plenty of protein
- USDA turkey as the main ingredient
- Lots of vitamins and minerals
- Can customize to meet your Pit Bull’s needs
- Have to sign-up for a subscription
- More expensive than other wet dog foods
- Requires waiting on food to be shipped
2. Natural Balance Ultra Canned Dog Food – Budget Buy
| Main ingredients: | Chicken broth, chicken, chicken liver, brown rice, salmon, duck |
| Protein content: | 9.0% min |
| Fat content: | 7.5% min |
| Calories: | 480 kcal/can |
While canned and wet dog foods are great and delicious for pit bulls, they can run on the expensive side. But, there are some more budget-friendly options out there that will keep your pit bull and your wallet happy. The best wet dog food for pit bulls for the money is Natural Balance Original Ultra Premium Formula Whole Body Health Canned Dog Food.
Not only is Natural Balance on the more affordable end, but it also works for dogs of all ages. So, you won’t have to switch to different dog food if you have puppies, adults, or seniors. Plus, most dogs love the taste of chicken, salmon, and duck.
- Great for dogs of all ages
- Budget-friendly
- Some dogs might not like the duck flavor.
3. Wellness Venison & Salmon Stew Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Venison broth, venison, beef liver, salmon, carrots, potatoes |
| Protein content: | 8.0% |
| Fat content: | 4.0% |
| Calories: | 303 kcal/can |
Many dogs love variety and trying new delicious foods they haven’t had before. If your dog is tired of its current food and needs to try a new canned dog food, Wellness Venison & Salmon Stew with Potatoes & Carrots Canned Dog Food contains unique ingredients such as salmon and venison. It’s a healthy option that can be fed as your pet’s only food source or mixed into dry dog food.
The only downside is that some dogs are allergic to less common proteins. In this case, you can go with one of Wellness’ other similar products containing ordinary protein sources, such as chicken. There are a few different options, so you can assess how your dog does with each one and go from there.
- Unique mixture of proteins and vegetables
- Complete meal but also suitable for mixing with kibble
- Some dogs may be allergic to the proteins
4. Wellness Just for Puppy Canned Food – Best for Puppies
| Main ingredients: | Chicken broth, chicken, chicken liver, salmon, ground barley, sweet potatoes |
| Protein content: | 9.0% min |
| Fat content: | 6.0% min |
| Calories: | 434 kcal/can |
Pitbull puppies have slightly different dietary needs than adults because they are growing rapidly and need a balanced diet that gives them enough fuel to be healthy. This Wellness Complete Health Just For Puppy Canned Dog Food contains proteins, vegetables, and grains that promote a well-balanced diet for growing puppies. The ingredients are meant to support large breed dogs’ immune systems, digestive systems, and energy levels. Wellness complete was developed by dog lovers, nutritionists, and veterinarians, and your pit bull pup is sure to enjoy it.
The only downside is you’ll need to change to a different option once your pitbull reaches adulthood.
- Well-balanced
- Promotes health growth
- Not suitable for all ages
- Contains peas
5. Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Wet Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Water, turkey, wheat gluten, liver, brown rice, corn starch-modified, chicken |
| Protein content: | 12.0% |
| Fat content: | 3.0% |
| Calories: | 305 kcal |
This wet dog food is perfect for older pit bulls. Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Senior Turkey & Brown Rice Entree Wet Dog Food was created to provide balanced nutrition, promote mental sharpness, maintain healthy skin and fur, and support a healthy immune system. The ingredients are well-balanced and come in tender chunks made with real turkey, and most dogs will love the taste.
The only downside to the Purina Pro Plan is that you won’t want to give puppies or younger dogs this food. It’s designed specifically for older pups. It’s lower in fat levels, so it doesn’t contain the ingredients needed to support a younger, more active pet.
- Good for pit bulls
- Real turkey is a primary ingredient
- Not suitable for younger dogs
6. CANIDAE All Life Stages Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, dried egg product, brown rice |
| Protein content: | 9.0% |
| Fat content: | 6.5% |
| Calories: | 504 kcal/13-oz can |
Canidae’s All Life Stages Chicken & Rice Formula Canned Dog Food is another excellent selection. It’s a dog food that works for puppies and adults, so you can trust that it’s healthy for your pup no matter what life stage it is in.
Most dogs will love the taste of chicken and broth, and All Life Stages contains a balance of grains and protein. It’s an overall solid dog food that’s suitable for large breeds like pit bulls. If you have multiple pit bulls, Canidae’s All Life Stages is ideal because it can satisfy the nutritional requirements for various life stages.
- Balanced nutrition
- Suitable for all life stages
- May not work for dogs who need higher protein content
7. Farmina Natural & Delicious Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Lamb, herring, sweet potatoes, eggs, herring oil, blueberry |
| Protein content: | 10.50% |
| Fat content: | 7.0% |
| Calories: | 62.50 kcal/can |
For underweight dogs, Farmina Natural and Delicious Prime Lamb & Blueberry Canned Dog Food is one of the best options.. As a wet dog food, Farmina has more calories and fat content than many dry food options. But, make sure to speak to your vet about changing your dog’s diet to help them gain weight.
Your pitbull will love this product because it has very little extra water, so it is rather thick and hearty. The blend of ingredients is unique with blueberries, sweet potatoes, and lamb. So, it’s a good choice if your dog likes variety and might be getting tired of more common meat ingredients such as chicken.
- Unique ingredients like blueberries and lamb
- Helps dogs gain weight
- High in calories
- Not suitable for puppies
8. Ziwipeak Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Beef, water sufficient for processing, beef lung, beef kidney, beef tripe, chickpeas, beef liver |
| Protein content: | 8.0% min |
| Fat content: | 5.5% min |
| Calories: | 419 kcal/13.75-oz can |
If you’re looking for a grain-free option, ZiwiPeak has a few different recipes that are good choices for pit bulls. This ZiwiPeak Beef Recipe Canned Dog Food contains classic beef ingredients that most dogs will love, and since most canines can’t resist a tasty all-meat snack, they will likely gobble this food up.
There are a few added ingredients, such as chickpeas, so you’ll need to check with your vet to make sure they aren’t allergic to any of the ingredients. Generally, grain-free diets are unnecessary as grain ingredients are beneficial to most dogs. However, in some instances, under the direction of your vet, your dog can try switching to a grain-free brand like Ziwipeak.
- High-quality meaty ingredients
- Most dogs will enjoy the flavor
- Not suitable for all dogs
- Expensive
9. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Turkey, chicken broth, chicken, potato protein, potatoes, flaxseed |
| Protein content: | 10.0% min |
| Fat content: | 7.0% min |
| Calories: | 478 kcal/can |
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Turkey and Chicken Grill Grain-Free Canned Dog Food is another grain-free option, so it might not suit all pit bulls. It’s best to talk to your vet before starting a grain-free diet for your dog, and you may need to supplement Blue Buffalo with other dog food brands.
But, if you’re looking for a higher-protein content canned food for your beloved pit bull, they will likely enjoy the all-natural taste with no artificial flavors or preservatives. Since Blue Buffalo contains pretty standard ingredients, such as turkey, chicken, and potatoes, you’re less likely to deal with allergies than if the product contained more unique meat proteins.
- High in protein
- Natural chicken flavor
- May not work for all dogs
10. Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Turkey & venison: poultry broth, turkey, chicken, wheat gluten |
| Protein content: | 11.0% min |
| Fat content: | 3.5% min |
| Calories: | 376 kcal/can |
Dogs love the taste of meat and gravy, and most pitbulls will enjoy their dinner if you give them Purina ONE Smartblend True Instinct Tender Cuts in Gravy. This canned dog food contains many essential minerals vitamins, such as vitamins A and E, zinc, and selenium, and it’s a meal that’s easy for your dog to digest.
Overall, Purina ONE is an affordable option compared to others on this list, but the ingredients might not be as high quality as some of the above options. Purina is an easily accessible brand, and it’s a good one to mix with other dry dry food.
- Affordable
- Not as high-quality as more expensive brands
11. Nature’s Recipe Original Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Water sufficient for processing, chicken, soybean meal, chicken liver |
| Protein content: | 8.0% |
| Fat content: | 5.0% |
| Calories: | 445 kcal/cup |
Nature’s Recipe Original Chicken, Rice & Barley Ground Canned Dog Food has a good balance of proteins, grains, and added vitamins and minerals. The ingredients help your pit bull maintain its energy and, and they support a healthy digestive system. One big pro with Nature’s Recipe is that it doesn’t use animal by-products or artificial flavors. It’s an excellent overall option for dogs of any size.
The main downside to Nature’s Recipe is that it contains extra water and isn’t as thick as some of the other canned dog foods on this list.
- Good balance of proteins
- Works for all ages
- Added water
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Canned and Wet Dog Food For Pitbulls
We hope that the recommendations on this list will help you pick the best canned and wet dog food for your pit bull. However, you may have additional questions about the best choice for your dog. This Buyer’s Guide contains information on how to compare options and what you need to know before picking a new food.
Ingredients
Unsurprisingly, one of the most important things when picking food for your pit bull is looking at the ingredients. High-quality ingredients are necessary to help your pit bull grow and remain strong and healthy.
You may only consider meat protein when looking at the ingredients list, but dogs also benefit from proteins found in vegetables. Meat protein is key for pit bulls because they are muscular and active, so you want to make sure meat is listed in the first three ingredients. Ensure that these are real meat products also.
But, a balance of proteins found in fruits and vegetables is also necessary as there are many essential vitamins, minerals, and more in these food items that pit bulls also need.
Finally, you may have heard varying things about corn and grain in dog food. Neither of these ingredients are bad for dogs, but some dogs could have allergies to specific ingredients. Overall, grains tend to support a healthy diet, so you don’t need to avoid them.
Age And Health Status
The age of your pit bull is another crucial factor in choosing dog food. Because puppies need extra energy and calories to grow, puppy foods often have slightly different ingredients. Many pet foods made for puppies are also easier to digest with smaller pieces.
If you have an older dog, it could have health problems that make digesting food difficult. Senior pups can benefit from wet food with smaller chunks that are easy to eat.
Cost
While you want to provide your dog with the best food, you also have to consider what you can afford. The higher-quality dog foods, especially the canned options, are usually on the pricier side. But, some are more affordable than others.
If your dog has specific health or dietary needs for a time, consider using a more expensive option or mixing it with a less expensive brand. But, of course, make sure to contact a vet for specific advice.
If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's our online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
How We Selected These Canned And Wet Dog Food For Pitbulls
This buyer’s guide was carefully crafted by our writers and editors in collaboration with our team of in-house veterinarians. The dog food reviewed here are rated on a combination of factors: brand reputation, customer reviews across multiple retail outlets, personal experience, and in some cases, feedback from our own dogs! Together, we choose and review only the best dog food available, to help you make the most informed decisions that foster the well-being of your furry friends.
Why Trust Dogster?
Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online since 2004, which means we have a lot of experience with dog food. We are a team of passionate dog owners who care about our pups as much as you do yours. We want the best for every canine on the planet. Dogster’s writers, editors, and veterinarians are deeply invested in the well-being of our pets, and we believe that all pet owners share this dedication to providing only the highest quality products and services for our dogs.
Final Thoughts
We are confident that these dog food reviews will help you pick excellent canned and wet dog food for your pitbull. We thought the best overall choice was The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food, while the best budget-friendly option was Natural Balance Original Ultra Premium Whole Body Health Chicken, Salmon & Duck Formula. Wellness Venison & Salmon Stew with Potatoes & Carrots was our third best choice, Wellness Complete Health was our favorite puppy food. We hope that the food you pick for your pit bull keeps them healthy and happy.
Featured Image Credit: sophiecat_Shutterstock
2 Responses
Our pit bull ate kibbles most of his life. at least 14 years of straight kibbles. He was with his owner every day and he is a very obedient, loving, gentle dog. When his owner went away for 7-10 days the dog did eat and he was normal for 2-3 days. Then he stopped eating, instead of bowel movements a reddish liquid was all he would excrete. When his owner got home, you could see the change in the dog. He still wouldn't eat kibbles. We bought ultra canned food for senior dogs. We feed him canned food mixed with kibble twice a day. If we forget to feed him, he knows how to ask for food. Facebook says NO, do not feed him 2 cans a day. Diesel demands two cans a day. Would you say that is sufficient. Diesel is 16 or 17 years old.
Hi Emerald,
It sounds like Diesel has been a wonderful companion for many years, 16 or 17 is an amazing age for any dog! At that stage of life, it’s not uncommon for dogs to become a bit more particular about food, especially after health or emotional stress. Since Diesel had that episode with reddish discharge and changes in appetite, it would be safest to check in with a veterinarian to make sure there isn’t an underlying medical issue affecting his digestion or nutrition needs.
As for the amount of canned food, the right portion really depends on Diesel’s weight, activity level, and overall health. At his age, it’s important to make sure he’s getting enough calories and nutrients without upsetting his stomach. A vet can help you tailor his feeding plan and ensure he stays comfortable and well-nourished. If you'd like to have a consultation online, you can book to speak with one of our experts at Pangovet.com 🙂
Have a great day!