Caring for a Pitbull takes love, dedication, and often, money. Dog food, especially foods with healthy ingredients and great taste, can be quite expensive. Luckily, even for those who own larger breeds like Pitbulls, there are options out there to help you buy healthy dog food and stay on budget. In this review, we’ll take a look at the 10 best affordable dog foods for Pitbulls. This will help you decide which dog food you want to feed your dog and hopefully, keep you from going broke each time you order food for your eating machine.
When choosing the right dog food for your Pitbull, it’s best to go with a brand you and vets around the world can trust. That’s where Purina comes in. The Purina Pro Plan High Protein Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula with Probiotics Dry Dog Food is our best overall affordable dog food for Pitbulls. This dog food provides your dog with great amounts of protein, omega-6 fatty acids, and all the vitamins needed for a healthy coat, skin, and digestive system.
For the high energy levels of Pitbulls, the primary ingredient of this dog food, chicken, is ideal. With the mix of crunchy kibble and tender pieces, your pet will also enjoy eating this food, especially with the added shredded pieces inside.
The only downside we found with this affordable dog food is the inconsistency of the blend inside the bag. From time to time you may receive a bag of food that has less chicken than the previous purchase.
Pros
Features omega-6 fatty acids
Real chicken is the main source of protein
A complete and balanced formula
Cons
Inconsistent chicken portions in bags
2. Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food – Best Value
Our choice for the best affordable dog food for Pitbulls for the money is Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food. This tasty dog kibble is designed with energetic dogs like Pitbulls in mind. Inside this blend, you’ll find lots of superfoods such as pumpkins and carrots. Your dog will also benefit from the added omega-6 fatty acids for their skin and coats. Another amazing benefit is the probiotics added by Diamond Naturals found in each bag.
The biggest concern consumers have with this dog food is the potential for upset stomachs for some dogs. For Pitbulls with sensitive stomachs, you may notice a slight bit of diarrhea when your dog tries this food.
Pros
High protein content
Made in the USA
Can be bought in affordable 40-pound bags
Cons
It may be hard on dogs with sensitive stomachs
3. Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Dry Dog Food – Premium Choice
Merrick Backcountry Freeze-Dried Raw Big Game Recipe features deboned beef as its main ingredient. You’ll also find lamb, salmon, and rabbit which add additional protein for energetic dogs such as Pitbulls. As part of a raw diet, you’ll also find this dog food includes vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids to promote healthier joints and skin.
For pet parents who want their Pitbulls to receive the benefits of a raw diet, this option may be slightly more costly, hence being our premium choice, but it does provide all the natural benefits dogs receive from this type of diet.
Unfortunately, like the Purina Pro-Choice dog food, inconsistency can be an issue. Bags may not have as many raw chunks as others. Some consumers have even experienced issues with no raw chunks being inside their bag.
Pros
High source of protein
Great for healthier skin and coat
Made in the USA
Cons
Inconsistent meat content in bags
4. Purina ONE +Plus Healthy Puppy Formula Dry Food – Best for Puppies
Feeding your puppy the best dog food possible is a must. For some pet owners, however, this good dog food must be affordable. Enter Purina ONE +Plus Healthy Puppy Formula. This affordable dog food is ideal for Pitbull puppies. It is packed with the needed vitamins, minerals, and proteins your puppy needs to grow healthy and strong. You’ll also find added DHA used for supporting brain and eye development and even calcium to help strengthen your puppy’s teeth.
The biggest issue with this puppy formula dog food is the packaging. The bag doesn’t reseal. This can lead to your puppy’s food getting stale if you don’t seek out other means of keeping it kept safe and dry.
Pros
Features real chicken as the main ingredient
DHA is included
Has the needed nutrients, vitamins, and minerals for growing puppies
This food is another affordable dog food for Pitbulls is Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula. As Pitbull owners know, even these energetic and hefty dogs can have issues with an upset stomach and sensitive skin. This dog food is designed to help with those issues by including live probiotics to help soothe them. You’ll find no fillers in this dog food and all the ingredients you can trust from Purina.
Some consumers have noted their dogs experienced unpleasant gas and bad breath when using this dog food. Several have noted the issues decreased over time, however.
Pros
Features salmon as the main ingredient
Includes live biotics
Has no fillers
Cons
This food may cause gas and bad breath in some dogs
Blue Buffalo’s well-known Lifebits is included in this dog food. Lifebits offer additional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants Pitbulls need to stay healthy and strong. You’ll also find deboned chicken as the main ingredient and primary source of protein. The other benefits of this dog food include healthy carbs and no artificial ingredients.
Unfortunately, this Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe dog food comes in small pieces. While it is intended for medium and large dog breeds, they may have an issue with these small sizes.
While grains are needed by dogs, some have sensitivities and allergies. If that’s the case with your Pitbull, this American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe may be the answer you’re looking for. Inside each bag, you’ll find plenty of proteins and other high-quality ingredients including sweet potatoes and blueberries. This food also utilizes DHA to support healthy eyes and brains.
Yes, this food is grain-free for dogs with allergies but it does contain peas and chicken meal. These can also be allergy issues for some dogs and you should mention them to your vet to make sure it is safe for your pet. Peas have been potentially linked to heart conditions in some dogs, but studies on this are still ongoing.
Pros
Salmon is the primary source of protein
Includes DHA
Features need vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
The Purina One High Protein Natural True Instinct dog food is great for Pitbulls due to being packed with healthy proteins and is free of by-products. You’ll also find it features omega fatty acids to promote healthy skin and coats in dogs. Calcium, glucosamine, vitamins, and minerals are all included in this formula to promote healthier bones, joints, and growth in dogs.
If your dog is new to this dog food they may experience issues with slight diarrhea. Most consumers say this issue only lasts for a short time. If your pup keeps consistent diarrhea, you may need to change formulas.
Some pet owners prefer to refrain from purchasing dog foods with “meal” mentioned as the main ingredient. However, it is impossible to deny the protein provided by these ingredients. When it comes to Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus, the beef meal is the main source of protein. This protein comes from cow meat that has been rendered, leaving it in dry powder for addition to the dog food. This high-protein beef meal and the included vegetables make this dog food ideal for Pitbulls and their energetic lifestyles.
If you want your dog to have completely balanced dog food, this may not be the ideal choice as it contains no fruits in the formula. You’ll also find it may be hard on dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Pros
High in protein
Suitable for all dogs including puppies and nursing mothers
Cons
Does not contain fruits
Not intended for dogs with sensitive stomachs
10. Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Dry Dog Food
As the final product in our review, Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Dry Dog Food deserves a mention. While this may not be the best dog food to feed your pet, it is one of the most affordable options on the market. While this dog food contains corn, which is often considered a bad guy in the dog food world, that isn’t exactly the case.
Corn is processed to be easily digestible for dogs and is rarely the cause of allergies. However, that doesn’t change that this dog food doesn’t have the high protein count other foods on our list have.
This dog food does contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to help keep your dogs healthier. You’ll also find that most dogs enjoy the taste and are excited to find this dog food in their bowl.
Pros
Dogs enjoy the taste
Contains essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
Affordable
Cons
Low in protein
Low-calorie content for larger dogs
Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Affordable Dog Food for Pitbulls
Choosing the right affordable dog food for your Pitbull can be a difficult decision. You want your pet to have the best food possible, but with prices of essential items skyrocketing, having an affordable option you trust is now a requirement for many people. Let’s take a look at a few of the key things you should keep in mind when choosing your Pitbull’s food so you can make the best decision for your pet and your bank account.
Price
Of course, when you’re looking for affordable dog food, price is a primary concern. Unfortunately, the cheapest options you may find aren’t always the best for your dog. When considering the prices of dog foods, you must also take into mind your pet’s health.
When searching for affordable dog foods, you’ll find there are several out there that are far cheaper than the ones on our list. Why didn’t we include all of those? Simply put, they aren’t the healthiest choices for your pet. Always keep this in mind when trying to determine which food you want to introduce to your fur babies.
Ingredients
As we mentioned, not all dog foods are made the same. When looking at the cheaper dog foods on the market you may encounter ingredients you simply don’t trust. If that’s the case, it may be best to avoid those brands. With a medium to large dog breed like Pitbulls, proteins, omega fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are ingredients they need.
Always read the ingredients list to know what you’re feeding your pet. If you have questions about the ingredients or what could potentially flare up an existing allergy, contact your veterinarian and ask. They will gladly help you determine which ingredients are considered safe for your pet to consume daily.
Size
When going for affordability, bigger is sometimes better. Sure, it may cost us more money at the time, but by buying larger-sized bags you may save money in the long run. Keep in mind the size of your Pitbull and how many will be eating out of the same bag of dog food. This will help you determine whether you should purchase larger bags of kibble or stick with smaller options.
Our Affordable Dog Foods for Pitbulls Selection Process
Our Hepper team includes experienced writers and editors who collaborate closely with licensed veterinarians to find the best, most beneficial pet products. Customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary insights, and, occasionally, hands-on testing are a few factors they consider when making their selections. Our goal is to choose and review only the highest-quality products to help our readers make informed decisions that benefit both them and their pets.
Why Trust Hepper?
Hepper has been an evolving online resource since 2007, specializing in innovating and retailing a range of cat furniture, gear, and toys, and pet consumables. This experience has given our team valuable insights into selecting affordable dog foods for pitbulls. Our passionate team of animal-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is truly committed to helping readers make the best choices for their pet companions. We are focused on delivering accurate information and recommending the highest-quality products available. Our team is wholeheartedly invested in the health and well-being of pets everywhere, believing that expert knowledge is key to success.
Conclusion
Our reviews of the top 10 best affordable dog foods for Pitbulls feature tasty foods for a variety of prices. Our top choice, Purina Pro Plan High Protein Chicken and Rice features real chicken as the main ingredient and is a complete and balanced food for your pet. Our best value pick, Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula includes omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat and is priced affordably. Our premium choice, Merrick Backcountry Freeze-Dried is more expensive but designed to provide pets with all the protein and essential nutrients they need.
For the Pitbull puppies at home, you can’t beat the balanced nutrition of Purina ONE High Protein Puppy Formula. And last, but certainly not least, Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach is specially formulated for Pitbulls suffering from digestive problems and itchy skin. By choosing any of these foods on our list you can assure your dog is receiving good food while you save money.
Melissa was born and raised in the mountains of East Tennessee where she spent her time writing in an old notebook and playing outside with her pets. As an avid animal lover, she has brought many into her home over the years. Currently, she is the mom of 5 fur babies. Her 2 cats, Princess and Pepper are total opposites who demand attention. Her dogs Jazzy, Whitey, and Demon are full of spunk and keep the entire family on their toes.
Beyond life as an animal mom, Melissa is a dedicated wife and mother to 2 children. Writing in her old notebook led her down the path of becoming not only a freelance writer but a published Indie author under the pen name, Rena Marin.
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