- Dry dog food is the most common type of food. It is readily available and reasonably priced. Semi-moist food contains additional sugars and is not as healthy as its dry counterpart. Canned food is the most expensive type and is usually very appealing to dogs. Most pit bull owners feed these dogs a mixture of foods supplemented with treats, biscuits and even healthy table scraps.
Raw food offers another option for dog owners. Some experts, including Australian veterinarian Dr. Ian Billinghurst, recommend a diet made up entirely of raw foods, according to RawLearning.com. The "Biologically Appropriate Raw Food," or "BARF" diet, includes uncooked meat and bones, raw eggs, cottage cheese and yogurt, fruits and vegetables, cooked cereals and other supplements. Dogs on the "BARF" diet do not eat the same foods every day, and proponents encourage owners to experiment with what types and quantities of raw foods work best for their pet.
Not all vets approve of the "BARF" diet because they fear that raw meats could contain bacteria or that the livestock providing the meat may not have been raised organically. - Some pit bull owners practice free feeding, which involves putting food in a dish and allowing the dog to eat whenever it feels the urge. The alternative is to set a schedule to feed the pet and put food out only at those times. According to PitBullLovers.com, feeding a pit bull in smaller amounts two to four times daily helps to control weight and keeps them from visiting the food bowl at inappropriate times (for example, pit bulls should not eat for 30 minutes after a walk).
- A healthy pit bull has a shape that resembles an hourglass when viewed from the side or the top, according to Dog-First-Aid-101.com. The ribs should be easy to feel through a layer of muscle. A pit bull's ideal weight is anywhere from 35 to 60 pounds, depending on gender and other factors, so It is important to treat your dog as an individual. Use trial and error to determine the target weight for your pet. Remember that healthy pit bulls look lean. If your dog needs to shed a few pounds, increase the exercise or decrease the amount of food but do not do both simultaneously. See a vet regularly to have your pit bull evaluated for any health conditions and to discuss major changes to your pet's diet.