Owning a Pitbull can be a very rewarding experience, though it also involves paying close attention to your dog’s needs. Aside from exercise, veterinary care and grooming, your Pitbull also needs you to pay close attention to their nutritional needs. Pitbulls need a diet that contains carbohydrates, fats, protein and fiber in the proper proportions. In order to make sure that your Pitbull remains in good health, it’s essential that you are familiar with a few tips to help you choose the best dog food for Pitbulls.
Poisonous Foods for Pitbulls
There are certain food ingredients that, while suitable for human consumption, are actually toxic for Pitbulls. These ingredients are often very common in the human diet, and may sometimes be tempting to feed to your dog. Some of the toxic foods for Pitbulls include:
- Grapes/Raisins
Grapes and raisins contain a certain type of toxin that has shown to be dangerous to a dog’s health. This toxin can cause kidney problems, as well as other health symptoms. However, grape seed extract has been proven to be safe for dogs. - Fat Trimmings
After a large meal, it can be tempting to feed your dog fat trimmings from meat. However, even one high-fat meal can cause pancreatitis, a serious and sometimes irreversible condition in dogs. Avoid feeding your Pitbull any type of high-fat food ingredient. - Liver
Feeding your Pitbull a significant quantity of liver can cause serious health problems. This is because liver can cause a condition known as “Vitamin A Toxicity”, which affects bones and muscles in your Pitbull. - Chocolate/Coffee
Both chocolate and coffee can be potentially fatal for dogs. This is due to theophylline, theobromine or caffeine. This can cause heart problems, and can also impair proper functioning of the nervous system.
How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Pitbulls
To make sure that your Pitbull’s nutritional needs are met, choose a dog food formula that contains protein derived from high-quality meats. Do not purchase a formula that relies on vegetable protein, soybean protein or by-products to increase its protein percentage. If you read the first five ingredients in a dog food formula, you can usually determine the quality of the food. At least two (if not three) of the first five ingredients should be animal-derived proteins. It’s also best if you avoid any food formulas that contain corn, since this is often used as an inexpensive filler ingredient. Never purchase a dog food formula that has chemical flavoring, preservatives or artificial colors.