How Much To Feed A Pitbull: From Puppy To Senior

Those interested in owning Pitbull are in good company, as these dogs are among the most popular dog breeds within the United States.

Pitbulls are sizable, impressive dogs that are among the most controversial dog breeds in the world. The controversy about these dogs stems from the popular notion that Pitbulls are bloodthirsty killers.

In reality, Pitbulls are highly trainable dogs, and most instances that involve Pitbull attacks can be attributed to neglectful ownership.

Before you bring a Pitbull puppy home to your family, it would be a wise idea to read more about this breed so you are certain about what you will need to provide your dog with the perfect home.

Knowing how much to feed a Pitbull can be a particularly confusing topic, especially because these dogs can display such a range of sizes.

Continue reading to determine the perfect amount of food for your Pitbull dog.

Do Pitbulls Eat A Lot?

One of the first and most obvious questions that prospective Pitbull owners will ask when considering owning a Pitbull is, “Do Pitbulls eat a lot?”.

One thing to keep in mind about Pitbulls is that they are not truly a breed of dogs in their own right, instead being a mix of breeds like the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and American Bully.

Though many would consider Pitbulls to be large dog breeds thanks to their reputation, Pitbulls are actually more accurately labeled as medium dog breeds.

Therefore, Pitbulls tend to eat a comparable amount to other medium-sized dogs. These canines will generally not need to eat as much as large breeds of dogs.

How Much To Feed A Pitbull Puppy

Few occasions are more exciting than bringing home a new Pitbull puppy. New dog owners will want to spend all of their time with their petite pooches during their dog’s first few days at home, but it’s best to give them their space at first so they can grow accustomed to your house.

Knowing how much to feed a Pitbull puppy is an important and potentially overwhelming responsibility for a Pitbull owner. There are so many different components of a Pit Bull’s diet for an owner to sort out.

For instance, pet parents need to discern whether wet dog food, a raw diet, or dry food is best for their pooch. Sorting out the optimal puppy food and determining how many cups of food to feed your Pitbull can be stressful.

Luckily, we are here to help! Continue reading to discover optimal Pitbull feeding advice.

Most importantly, always feed your Pitbull high quality food to keep them happy and healthy. These are our favorite foods!

Why Won’t My Pitbull Puppy Eat?

The earliest that a Pitbull puppy should be introduced to its forever home is two months old. This is a point in a dog’s life at which it should be weaned off of its mother’s milk and used to eating high-quality puppy food.

Weight gain is imperative for Pitbull pups as they rapidly grow into their adult bodies. However, you may be concerned if you observe that your Pitbull puppy is not eating when you bring it home. Why is your precious pup seemingly not hungry?

It is undoubtedly concerning to see that your Pit Bull Terrier puppy is not eating, but there is no need to worry, as this is typical behavior seen in puppies that are experiencing a new home.

Two-month-old puppies have likely only ever known a life with their mother and siblings. To be removed from that environment and placed into a totally new environment can be a scary experience for a dog.

Therefore, your Pitbull pup may be wary around your house during its first few days as it tries to grow comfortable in its new world.

After a few days at home, your Pitbull puppy should have an appetite and begin to devour its large breed puppy food.

Best Dog Food For Pitbull Puppies

If you’re curious about the best food for your Pittie pup, you are not alone. Determining the ideal food for your dog’s diet is an important part of being a responsible dog owner.

When it comes to choosing the best dog food, there are many options from which to pick. In fact, the sheer quantity of different choices can be overwhelming for dog owners.

Pitbull puppies should be fed a meat-based food-knowing this much is simple. Dogs, like humans, are omnivorous by nature, meaning they evolved to eat meat and plant materials.

However, a look at your dog’s teeth and you’ll understand why they’re predisposed to eating meat. A Pitbull’s teeth at pointy, and they lack flat teeth that are part of human dentition.

Though your Pittie should consume a meat-based diet, that doesn’t mean they can’t have fruits, vegetables, and grains incorporated into their diet. Sweet potatoes, for instance, are excellent for dogs.

Now, what food is best for a Pitbull puppy? Should they consume raw foods, homemade dog food, wet food, or dry food?

Many dog owners get caught up on the exact foods to provide their Pitbull puppies, but as it turns out, the choice isn’t as important as you may think.

All of the food options listed above have pros and cons, but all can provide a dog with proper nutrition and the high-quality protein that they need.

No one knows your precious Pittie better than you, so why would you take advice from a stranger online?

Any of the foods mentioned above can be given to your Pitbull as part of a balanced diet. Additionally, keep in mind that owners can certainly provide their pooch with multiple different foods throughout the day to give their pooch some variety.

Should I Feed My Pitbull Puppy Supplements?

Some owners may be interested in the idea of incorporating supplements into their Pit Bull’s diet. Are supplements items that most owners should be providing their Pitbull puppies?

While supplements can be beneficial for Pitbulls, they are not necessary in most circumstances. Your Pitbull puppy should be able to derive all of the nutrients that it needs from the food that you feed it, so giving your pup supplements in addition to its typical food is not necessary.

Feeding A Two Month Old Pitbull Puppy

Two-month-old Pitbull puppies are petite pooches that eat a surprisingly little amount of food. Expect to begin feeding your two-month-old Pitbull about 0.5 cups of puppy food every day. As your dog ages and grows closer to three months old, it will begin to eat closer to 2/3 of a cup of food per day.

This may seem like a small amount of food for a dog that will grow quite large, but enjoy your pooch’s puppy days while you can. It won’t be long before your petite puppy is a sizable adult dog.

Feeding A Three-Month-Old Pitbull Puppy

Pitbull owners should see a noticeable increase in the appetites of their precious pooches by the time their dogs are three months old.

Expect to feed a Pitbull at least 0.66 cups of puppy food daily when they’re this age. A large three-month-old Pitbull will be capable of putting away 0.75 cups of food every day.

If your Pitbull pup seems hungry after eating its initial meal, try offering your dog additional food. Your Pitbull must eat enough food during this developmental time, as these growing puppies will need plenty of food during this crucial period of growth.

Feeding A Four To Five-Month-Old Pitbull Puppy

A four-month-old Pitbull will be much bigger than the tiny puppy that you brought home a couple of months back. Accordingly, a dog’s nutritional needs will surely have increased significantly since the time they were two months old.

Plan to feed your four-month-old Pitbull at least 0.75 cups of food every day to start. If your puppy doesn’t eat this much right away, it may just be a tad behind in its development. Before long, they will likely hit a growth spurt and rapidly begin to add body weight and size.

As your Pittie pup grows older than four months old, it will soon begin to consume a cup of food every day. Aim to provide four-month-old Pitbulls with a cup of food daily to begin. These dogs may even be able to eat 1.25 cups of food daily.

Pitbulls that are around 5 months old are nearing the teenage stage of their lives. This is a time in which dogs may appear to be gangly and a tad disproportionate in their appearance.

During their teenage phase, Pitbulls may seem especially hungry given that their bodies are undergoing rapid development. Don’t hesitate to offer your dog plenty of food during this time.

If it seems like you’re increasing your Pitbull puppy’s food intake almost every day, don’t worry! As long as your dog is a healthy weight, this is perfectly normal when they’re puppies.

Feeding A Six To Nine-Month-Old Pitbull Puppy

The amount of food that a Pitbull will want to eat when they’re six months old will vary widely among different dogs. Some six-month-old Pitbulls can eat 1.25 cups of food every day, while others may only want to eat about half of that amount.

Regardless of how much your Pitbull puppy eats, be sure to provide it with as much food as it wants to eat.

As your Pitbull puppy continues to age, gradually increase their food to accommodate their growing diet. Seven to eight-month-old Pitbulls should certainly be consuming close to a cup of food every day at minimum.

Nine-month-old Pitbulls may be able to consume up to 1.33 cups of food every day, but an average Pit Bull at this age may be eating 1.15 cups of food every day.

Feeding A Ten To Twelve-Month-Old Pitbull Puppy

Ten to twelve-month-old Pitbull puppies will be preparing to make a final push to adulthood. As they gear up to make this push, owners will need to offer plenty of dog food to meet their nutritional needs.

Dogs that seem small at this point in their lives should be fed more food to help ensure that they reach their adult potential. If your Pitbull puppy seems to be small and lagging behind its peers, consider consulting your vet to receive their advice on what you can do to help your dog live a healthy life.

Anywhere from 1.25 to 1.5 cups of food would be considered an expected amount for Pitbulls that are ten to twelve months old. Obviously, twelve-month-old Pitties should be eating more than ten-month-old dogs.

If you have an especially large Pitbull, it may be eating closer to 2 cups of food at this time.

Transitioning From Pitbull Puppy Food To Adult Food

After your Pitbull puppy reaches one year of age, it’s time to stop thinking of them as a puppy and start thinking about them as an adult dog.

Some Pitbulls reach their adult size by the time they’re one year old, while it may take other dogs closer to 18 months until they reach their adult size.

Regardless, when a dog is one year old, owners should begin thinking about switching it from large-breed puppy foods to adult dog foods.

A Pitbull puppy food is ideal for nourishing young dogs as they mature into their adult bodies. However, this dog food is not optimal for nourishing adult Pitties.

Adult Pitbull dog food has fewer calories and more healthy fats and high-quality protein to accommodate the needs of adult dogs.

Consult with your vet to determine the perfect time to make the switch from Pitbull puppy food to adult dog food.

When you do make the transition, don’t immediately offer your Pitbull a full bowl of adult dog food. Instead, begin by incorporating a small amount into their normal food. You can then gradually increase the adult food that you provide your Pitbull until it is strictly eating

How Much To Feed An Adult Pitbull

Unlike many dog breeds, adult Pitbulls tend to eat more food than Pitbulls that are a few months away from adulthood.

An adult American Pit Bull Terrier is a large, muscular dog that will need to consume a substantial amount of food to maintain its muscle mass and weight.

Though adult dogs eat fewer calories per serving of food than puppies, they make up for the fewer calories by eating larger quantities of protein and healthy fats.

Pittie owners should expect to feed an adult dog anywhere from 2.5 cups of food to more than 3.5 cups of food daily.

The exact amount of food that an adult Pitbull consumes will depend on its size, sex, and activity levels. Large adult males could easily consume more than 4 cups of food every day.

Moreover, there are several instances in which adult Pitbulls may eat more food than recommended.

Pregnant Or Lactating Pitbulls

Pit Bulls who are pregnant or lactating have different nutritional needs than a typical adult Pitbull because of the enormous amount of energy that it takes to nourish developing babies with mother’s milk.

Be sure to feed your Pitbull as much food as it wants to eat if it is pregnant or lactating. Failure to provide enough nourishment to your Pitbull mother could result in low-quality mother’s milk. This could lead to Pitbull puppies who struggle to develop adequately.

A pregnant or lactating Pitbull can easily consume 5 cups of food per day or more. It may be a good idea to begin offering your Pitbull mother 5 cups of food during this point in her life. If she consumes all of her food, you can provide her with additional food until she’s satiated.

Active Pitbulls

Pitbulls that are particularly active will need to eat more food than their counterparts who live more sedentary lives.

Considering that Pitbulls can be large, muscular dogs, they can burn quite a few calories during bouts of exercise.

Pitbulls that receive more than an hour of daily exercise should be eating more food than the average adult. Therefore, plan to offer an active Pitbull around 4 cups of food every day.

How Much To Feed A Senior Pitbull

A Pit Bull can be considered a senior dog when it is seven years or older. If you have a dog who is approaching this age, it may be time to start thinking about switching your pooch from an adult diet to a senior diet.

Much like the switch from puppy to adult food, the transition from adult to senior food should be done gradually. Senior dog foods better account for the specific health needs of aging senior Pitbulls than do adult dog foods.

As your Pitbull enters its golden years, you will undoubtedly notice that its appetite will be diminished compared to when it was an adult.

It is expected that senior Pit Bulls will have a smaller appetite than adult dogs, as seniors have decreased metabolism and less of a need for food.

Plan to feed your senior Pitbull around 2.5 cups of food every day when it’s a senior dog. As per usual, if your dog still seems hungry and is a healthy weight, go ahead and provide your pooch with additional food.

How Often To Feed Pitbulls

Now that we’ve discussed how much to feed a Pitbull based on its age, you are surely curious about the optimal feeding times for Pitbulls. What sort of feeding schedule should these dogs follow?

The perfect feeding times and the number of times during a day when a Pitbull will need to eat will vary based on the age of your Pitbull. Here are some guidelines to follow:

• Two to three months: 3 to 4 meals per day
• Three to 6 months: 3 meals per day
• Six to twelve months: 2 to 3 meals per day
• Adult Pitbulls: 2 times per day
• Senior Pitbulls: 1 to 2 meals per day

Often How To Feed Two To Three-Month-Old Pitbulls?

Young Pit Bulls should receive the most meals per day. Therefore, if you own a Pitbull between the ages of two to three months, it is best to feed them three to four meals per day.

This means that owners can divide a puppy’s daily food by three or four and portion out its meals for the day. Being fed this many times helps these dogs to develop properly while accounting for their fast metabolism.

How Often To Feed Three To 6-Month-Old Pitbulls?

When your Pitbull puppy is three to six months old, pet parents can plan on feeding their dog three meals per day. Healthy dogs at this age can eat a meal in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

How Often To Feed 6 To Twelve-Month-Old Pitbulls?

Pitbulls at life stages between six to twelve months should be fed two to three meals every day.

Owners can use their own discretion when determining how often to feed their Pittie pups who are at this age. Some puppies may respond better to three meals per day, while others may be content with two meals per day.

How Often To Feed Adult Pitbulls?

Mature Pitbulls should be given adult dog food one to two times per day. Your precious pooch may enjoy staying on the two-meals-per-day system, but a single meal may be adequate for some adult Pitties.

How Often To Feed Senior Pitbulls?

Similar to adult Pitbulls, senior Pitbulls should be fed one to two meals per day. The slow metabolism of these dogs means that they would be quite content with just a single meal every day.

However, your senior Pittie will also approve of two small meals spread throughout the day.

Should I Free Feed My Pitbull?

Free feeding is a practice in which an owner supplies their Pitbull with a constant supply of food in their bowl. It has become a popular feeding method for some because it ensures that a dog’s food will never run out.

While free feeding may seem promising to some, it is not a responsible method for feeding dogs. Letting a Pitbull eat as much food as it wants is a surefire way to ensure that your dog experiences weight gain.

Given that most Pitbulls are not in a position where they need to gain weight, free feeding is not an advisable form of feeding since it can result in unhealthy body weight for your pooch.

Free feeding could also increase the chances of a Pitbull developing detrimental health conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia.

Pitbull owners should stick to a feeding schedule with their dogs.

Feeding An Overweight Pitbull

Adult Pit Bulls who are overweight are at risk of developing several health complications related to their weight. Therefore, it is in the best interest of both owner and dog to keep weight at a healthy level.

So, how much should a Pitbull who is overweight be fed? Well, that depends on the activity that your Pitbull receives daily. If you feed your Pitbull a normal amount of food and they are overweight, then an owner may need to increase the activity levels of their dog rather than cut its food.

When dealing with a chubby Pittie, first try to increase its exercise and see if it loses weight. If your dog doesn’t lose weight after increasing its daily exercise, then you can slowly cut the amount of food that you offer your pooch.

Pet parents should also be sure that they are not providing their Pitbulls with too much human food. An occasional treat every now and then is acceptable, but Pitbulls who routinely eat human food as prone to becoming overweight.

Don’t hesitate to consult a trusted veterinarian if you have any questions about managing your Pitbull’s weight. Obesity in dogs is a serious issue.

What If I’m Still Unsure About How Much To Feed My Pitbull?

If you’re still asking yourself, “How much should a Pitbull eat?”, then we have some suggestions for you.

Consult A Veterinarian

Feeding your Pitbull the proper amount of food is crucial to your dog’s health. Therefore, if you are not certain about how much food your Pitbull should eat, it would be wise to consult your veterinarian so they can weigh in on how much dog food to provide your Pitbull based on its size.

While you’re chatting with your vet, you may want to ask about their take on feeding dry dog food, wet food, or a raw diet to your Pitbull. Their insights into proper nutrition for your dog may sway your take on what food to provide your pooch.

Read Dog Feeding Charts

A Pitbull feeding chart is a readily available resource that can be found online in a matter of seconds. A handy Pitbull feeding chart will describe the exact amount of food to provide a Pitbull based on its age.

Some of the more advanced Pitbull feeding chart options will include the amount of food that a Pitbull should eat based on its weight, activity levels, and sex. Ultimately, consulting a Pitbull feeding chart may be an excellent choice for those who need quick answers related to Pitbull feeding.