As pet owners, we all want our companions to thrive and give them the best we can give them when it comes to their nutrition. If you own a Pitbull, you understand that public perception has missed the mark, and these pooches can be great pets. They sadly have a traumatic history, but if raised properly, they can be loyal friends and companions.

When it comes to choosing the right food for your Pitbull, your focus is most likely on muscle gain for your athletic and muscular canine. The Pitbull’s strong physique requires a diet high in protein, carbohydrates, and fats and because they are prone to obesity, their diet needs to be well-balanced, high quality, and monitored.

To help you and your friend out, we have compiled a list with reviews of the best dog foods for Pitbulls to gain muscle, so let’s have a look.

A Quick Look at Our Top Picks in 2024

The 7 Best Dog Foods for Pitbulls to Gain Muscle

1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Chicken Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall

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, brussels 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-3s are added to this recipe to ensure they are complete and balanced, and that’s why we put The Farmer’s Dog as our overall best dog food for Pitbulls to gain muscle.

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2. Diamond Naturals Dry Dog Food – Budget Buy

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.

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3. VICTOR Classic Hi-Pro Plus Dry Dog Food

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.

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4. Purina ONE Natural Dry Puppy Food

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.

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5. Purina Pro Plan Performance Dog Food

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.

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6. Earthborn Holistic Natural Dry Dog Food

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 omega-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.

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7. Crave High Protein Beef Adult Grain-Free Dog Food

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.

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 to lose 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 best overall dog food choice because of its fresh, balanced, and whole ingredient list. For our budget pick, we recommend Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula Dry Dog Food for its high protein, nutrient-dense food that is reasonably priced.

We hope these reviews helped you feel more confident and informed in choosing the best dog food for your Pitbull to gain muscle.

• See also: 10 Best Dog Foods for Active Dogs – Reviews & Top Picks

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Featured Image Credit: Roberto Cabrera Castro, Shutterstock