21 Worst Dog Food for Pitbulls

Dog food you decide to give your Pitbull can have a big impact on their overall health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, not all dog foods are created equal. In fact, some brands are downright harmful to your pup.

To help you make the best decision for your beloved Pitbull, we’ve compiled a list of the worst dog foods for this breed. Avoid these brands at all costs to keep your pup healthy and happy.

21 worst dog food for Pitbulls

1. Kibbles ‘n Bits

This popular dog food brand is chock-full of fillers and artificial ingredients. In fact, the first five ingredients are all corn products. Corn is a cheap filler that does nothing to benefit your pup’s health. In fact, it can even be harmful.

Kibbles ‘n Bits is a popular dog food brand that contains corn as the first ingredient. Corn is a cheap filler that does nothing to benefit your pup’s health. In fact, it can even be harmful.

In 2007, Kibbles ‘n Bits was recalled due to the inclusion of melamine in their products. Melamine is a chemical that is used to make plastics and is extremely harmful to animals. Dogs who ate this food experienced kidney failure and death.

While Kibbles ‘n Bits has not been recalled since 2007, there have been numerous complaints about dogs becoming ill after eating this food. The most common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. We do not recommend feeding your dog this food.

2. Ol’ Roy

Old Roy is another popular dog food brand that is full of fillers and artificial ingredients. In fact, the first four ingredients are all corn products. Corn is a cheap filler that does nothing to benefit your pup’s health. In fact, it can even be harmful.

Ol’ Roy is a popular dog food brand that contains corn as the first ingredient. Corn is a cheap filler that does nothing to benefit your pup’s health. In fact, it can even be harmful.

Ol’ Roy is manufactured by Walmart and is one of the cheapest dog foods on the market. It is made with low-quality ingredients and does not meet the nutritional needs of dogs. In fact, Ol’ Roy has been linked to health problems in dogs, such as liver disease and cancer.

There was a reported case where traces of sodium pentobarbital were found in a can of Ol’ Roy wet food. Sodium pentobarbital is a drug that is used to euthanize animals. It is extremely harmful to dogs and can cause death.

We do not recommend feeding your dog this food.

3. Purina Dog Chow

Purina Dog Chow is another popular brand that contains corn as the first ingredient. Corn is a cheap filler that does nothing to benefit your pup’s health. In fact, it can even be harmful.

Senior dogs are among the most demanding in regards to nutritious meals. As they become older, they become less active. This makes them more vulnerable to gaining weight. There’s an even greater risk if your hairy buddy has back problems since the extra weight would put too much strain on their spine. They require food that is low in calories and high in fiber.

4. Iams

Iams is a popular dog food brand that contains corn as the first ingredient. Corn is a cheap filler that does nothing to benefit your pup’s health. In fact, it can even be harmful.

Iams ProActive Health Adult MiniChunks Dry Dog Food is another popular dog food brand that contains corn as the first ingredient. Corn is a cheap filler that does nothing to benefit your pup’s health. In fact, it can even be harmful.

The protein in IAMS ProActive comes from chicken by-products, which are combined with synthetic proteins. Chicken by-product meal refers to the leftovers of slaughtered chickens that cannot be eaten by humans. It is relatively inexpensive, however, so many dog owners choose this brand because of necessity.

Iams is a popular dog food brand that uses low-quality ingredients, such as corn and fillers. Dogs who eat Iams have been known to experience health problems, such as liver disease and cancer.

Iams was recalled in 2014 due to the inclusion of a harmful substance called propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is used in antifreeze and is toxic to dogs. Dogs who ate this food experienced vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.

Read more about IAMS dog food recalls here.

We do not recommend feeding your dog this food.

5. Eukanuba

Eukanuba is a popular dog food brand that contains corn as the first ingredient. Corn is a cheap filler that does nothing to benefit your pup’s health. In fact, it can even be harmful.

Eukanuba is owned by Procter & Gamble, a company that has been involved in numerous animal cruelty scandals. In one instance, P&G was caught buying dog and cat fur from China to use in their products. In another, they were exposed for killing dogs and cats in order to test their products.

6. Nutro

Nutro is a popular dog food brand that uses low-quality ingredients, such as corn and fillers. Dogs who eat Nutro have been known to experience health problems, such as liver disease and cancer.

In 2007, Nutro was recalled due to the inclusion of melamine in their products. Melamine is a chemical that is used to make plastics and is extremely harmful to animals. Dogs who ate this food experienced kidney failure and death.

While Nutro has not been recalled since 2007, there have been numerous complaints about dogs becoming ill after eating this food. The most common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. We do not recommend feeding your dog this food.

These are the worst dog foods for pitbulls. Each food is bad for Pitbulls in its own way, but all of them can lead to health problems. We recommend avoiding these foods to keep your pup healthy and happy.

7. Pedigree

Pedigree is a popular dog food brand that contains corn as the first ingredient. Corn is a cheap filler that does nothing to benefit your pup’s health. In fact, it can even be harmful.

Pedigree Adult is a highly disliked brand among dog owners. Many allegations have been directed against this product. The most common complaints were related to the dogs vomiting after eating the food and having stomach issues. Pedigrees also acknowledged that their kibble includes pig hair. We do not suggest purchasing this item for your dog.

8. Royal Canin

Royal Canin is a popular dog food brand that contains corn as the first ingredient. Corn is a cheap filler that does nothing to benefit your pup’s health. In fact, it can even be harmful.

Royal Canin is a subsidiary of Mars Incorporated, one of the largest candy companies in the world. Royal Canin was created in 1968 for the purpose of selling overpriced dog food to vets who would then recommend it to pet owners. This brand is known for using marketing gimmicks to sell its products. For example, they have been known to use “breed-specific” formulas that are nothing more than colored kibble.

9. Beneful

Beneful is a popular dog food brand that contains corn as the first ingredient. Corn is a cheap filler that does nothing to benefit your pup’s health. In fact, it can even be harmful.

In 2015, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Beneful accusing the company of using ingredients that are toxic to dogs. The lawsuit claimed that dogs who ate Beneful experienced vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, liver damage, and kidney failure.

This dog food has been named one of the worst on the market since it is jam-packed with deadly fillers. Purina Beneful Original was accused of including substances that cause skin and allergy issues in dogs. If your dog consumes too much of this food, he or she will be susceptible to gastrointestinal problems and liver damage.

10. Alpo

Alpo is a popular dog food brand that contains corn as the first ingredient. Corn is a cheap filler that does nothing to benefit your pup’s health. In fact, it can even be harmful.

Alpo is owned by Purina and is known for being one of the most unhealthy dog foods on the market. It is made with low-quality ingredients, including meat by-products and fillers. Dogs who eat Alpo have been known to experience health problems, such as liver disease and cancer.

We do not recommend feeding your dog this food.

11. Gravy Train

Gravy Train is a popular dog food brand that contains corn as the first ingredient. Corn is a cheap filler that does nothing to benefit your pup’s health. In fact, it can even be harmful.

In 2007, Gravy Train was recalled due to the inclusion of melamine in their products. Melamine is a chemical that is used to make plastics and is extremely harmful to animals. Dogs who ate this food experienced kidney failure and death.

While Gravy Train has not been recalled since 2007, there have been numerous complaints about dogs becoming ill after eating this food. The most common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. We do not recommend feeding your dog this food.

12. Iams grain-inclusive diet:

Iams is a popular dog food brand that contains corn as the first ingredient. Corn is a cheap filler that does nothing to benefit your pup’s health. In fact, it can even be harmful.

IAMs has been accused of using “4-D” meats in their products. 4-D meats are meats that come from animals that have been euthanized. These meats are not fit for human consumption, let alone dogs.

Iams has also been accused of using low-quality ingredients and fillers in their products. Dogs who eat Iams have been known to experience health problems, such as liver disease and cancer. According to this 2018 Yahoo report, “Mars’ production facility in Columbus, Ohio was crawling with an infestation of German cockroaches” in 2016-17.

We do not recommend feeding your dog this food.

13. Nutro Max Corn diets:

Nutro is a popular dog food brand that contains corn as the first ingredient. Corn is a cheap filler that does nothing to benefit your pup’s health. In fact, it can even be harmful.

In 2007, Nutro was recalled due to the inclusion of melamine in their products. Melamine is a chemical that is used to make plastics and is extremely harmful to animals. Dogs who ate this food experienced kidney failure and death.

While Nutro has not been recalled since 2007, there have been numerous complaints about dogs becoming ill after eating this food. The most common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. We do not recommend feeding your dog this food.

Read Reuters Reporting in 2007 titled “Melamine in pet food, wheat gluten from China: FDA” putting spotlight on the companies that were investigated by FDA including IAMs, Eukanuba, President’s Choice, and Nutro Max Gourmet Classics.

DCM-Linked Grain Free Dog Food to Avoid:

FDA is investigating a potential link between diet and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and has identified 16 brands of dog food that may be associated with the disease. The brands are:

1. Acana

2. Zignature

3. Taste of the Wild

4. 4health

5. Earthborn Holistic

6. Blue Buffalo

7. Nature’s Domain

8. Fromm

9. Merrick

10. California Natural

11. Natural Balance

12. Orijen

13. Nature’s Variety

14. Nutrience

15. Nutro

16. Rachael Ray Nutrish

While the FDA is still investigating the potential link between diet and DCM, we recommend avoiding these brands as a precaution.

There are many other lesser-known brands of dog food that contain corn as the first ingredient. These include: 

17. Food 4 Less

18. Great Value (Walmart)

19. Wellness Core

20. American Journey

21. Natural Life

22. Sprout

23. Canidae

24. Wellness Simple

While we cannot definitively say that these foods are bad for your dog, we recommend avoiding them as a precaution.

There are many other brands of dog food on the market that contain corn as the first ingredient. We recommend avoiding these foods as a precaution.

Pitbull Puppy Food to Avoid:

1. Iams Puppy Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy

2. Nutro Max Puppy

3. Ol’ Roy Puppy

4. Purina Pro Plan Puppy

5. Royal Canin Puppy

6. Science Diet Puppy

7. Taste of the Wild Puppy

8. Wellness Core Puppy

While we cannot definitively say that these foods are bad for your dog, we recommend avoiding them as a precaution.

Alternatives Food for Pitbulls: Homemade

You can make homemade food for your pitbull that is tailored to their specific nutritional needs. This is the best way to ensure that your dog is getting the nutrients they need and avoiding ingredients that may be harmful.

There are many recipes available online for homemade dog food. We recommend doing some research and finding a recipe that is right for your dog.

We have another guide on homemade healthy dog food for Pitbulls here.

What are the best dog food for Pitbulls?

The best dog food for large-breed dog should meet the requirements such as;

1. Have a right Calcium to Phosphorus ratio. A wrong imbalance could accelerate some health conditions that large-breed dogs are predisposed to such as hip dysplasia.
2. Have high-quality ingredients including protein from highly digestible sources such as chicken and with high bioavailability – above 80%

Below are some of our top recommended dog food for Pitbulls:

• Wellness CORE Grain-Free Large Breed Chicken Recipe
• Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 24-lb bag

Read all the reviews of Pitbull adults dog food here or this list and reviews of Puppy food for Pitbulls.