Without a doubt, nothing can compare to the love and affection that a Pit bull puppy can offer. Known for their devout loyalty and charming personalities, Pit bulls are a remarkable dog breed that is often misunderstood.

Most Pit bulls are very loving and playful unless they are trained to be otherwise. In fact, if there’s anything that Pit bulls love more than their owners, it’s food.

Puppies often have voracious appetites, and Pit bull puppies are no exception. If you’re wondering how much you should feed your pup per day or how to decipher the feeding chart on your canine companion’s new dog food, the following guidelines and tips are sure to be helpful. 

How to Use a Pit Bull Puppy Feeding Chart  

First and foremost, although most dog foods will provide similar standard guidelines regarding feeding, there may be some variation between brands. Some dog food brands will provide a breakdown of how much you should feed your Pit bull puppy per meal, while others will only list the recommended amount per day.

For example, although one brand might indicate you should feed your Pit bull puppy around half a cup of kibble per meal, another brand might display the same information but say that you should feed your puppy 3 cups of food per day. If the feeding chart lists the amount of kibble to dispense per day, you should divide it by the total amount of meals you want to feed your puppy daily. 

It’s important to keep in mind that the guidelines provided in feeding charts displayed on dog food packages are generalized. Some Pit bull puppies will be interested in eating more than the recommended amount, which is fairly normal since they are actively growing. It is also normal for puppies to experience appetite fluctuations and sometimes they may be less interested in food.

If you notice that your Pit bull pup is less interested in food for an extended period, you may want to consider reaching out to your vet for an exam. This way, you’ll ensure that there aren’t any underlying health conditions contributing to the shift in appetite.  

Standard Feeding Recommendations for Pit Bull Puppies

Since every dog has its own dietary needs, sometimes it isn’t enough to rely on the generalized feeding recommendations provided on dog food packaging. You may find it more helpful to develop your own Pit bull puppy feeding chart that’s customized to your puppy’s appetite and needs as it continues to grow.

Most Pit bull puppies will need to eat around four times per day until they are 12 weeks old. After 12 weeks, you can consider adjusting the feeding schedule to three meals per day instead, although some owners continue to feed four times per day if their puppy is particularly hungry or if it is struggling to maintain adequate weight. 

Usually, female Pit bull puppies will eat less food than males, so don’t be alarmed if your pup doesn’t always finish her meal or doesn’t eat the maximum amount of cups per day.

From the age of 8 to 12 weeks, you can expect to feed your puppy around two cups of food per day. Although you will need to reduce the number of meals per day after 12 weeks, you will also increase the total amount of food provided for each meal. You may increase to three cups of food per day, but you should divide them across three meals instead of four.

As your puppy continues to grow, you can expect to continue increasing the amount of food. The maximum amount of food that you should feed your Pit bull puppy at any time is five cups per day, although most owners feed their Pit bulls around four cups per day on average. Although these are the common standards for feeding Pit bull puppies, all feeding should be done in moderation, and you should keep a close eye on your dog’s weight.

How to Avoid Overfeeding Your Puppy  

If your Pit bull seems to be gaining weight too quickly or less active than usual, it may be time to consider making some adjustments to your feeding methods. Recommendations provided on feeding charts and standard recommendations don’t typically include supplements or snacks in each estimate.

Although supplements are commonly incorporated during mealtime, snacks tend to occur frequently outside of mealtime and can easily add up to extra pounds on your pup. If you notice that your Pit bull puppy is gaining weight too quickly, you should reevaluate the number and type of snacks provided per day instead of reducing the amount of food or the number of meals per day.

Pitbull puppies also tend to become overweight if they are being free-fed throughout the day instead of having their feeding scheduled into separate meals. Free-feeding can be a reasonable option if you carefully monitor how much your puppy eats and the total amount of food you measure out per day.

However, if you are consistently providing a new bowl of food every time your puppy finishes eating, it can be easy to lose track of the recommended amounts and potentially overfeed your dog. In general, free-feeding is only suitable for Pit bull puppies when they are very young because it’s better to establish a set schedule and routine to further encourage obedience as they grow older.  

A Typical Feeding Schedule for Your Pit bull Puppy  

The following feeding schedule can give you some general insight into how frequently you should feed your puppy as it continues to age. When you understand the expectations of how often to feed your Pit bull, you can figure out how this fits into your schedule and the feeding schedule that you want to define for your pup.

The schedule you establish early into your puppy’s life will likely be the one they continue to adhere to throughout adulthood. Most dog owners will feed their Pit bull in the morning, afternoon, evening, and night until they’re able to reduce mealtimes to three times per day.  

• Puppies that are less than four months old should be fed four times per day – in the morning, afternoon, evening, and night.
• Puppies that are four to six months old should be fed three times per day – in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
• Puppies over six months old should be fed two to three times per day – in the morning and evening. 

Although puppies older than six months can be fed two times per day, some puppies will still need a meal in the afternoon if they have underlying issues with low blood sugar. Additionally, the range considers the differences in meal frequency and appetite between male and female Pit bulls. 

Understanding Your Pit Bull Puppy’s Nutritional Needs  

A proper diet and adequate nutrition are essential for supporting your Pit bull’s growth. It is important to provide your puppy with a balanced diet at all times. Dog food should include protein, amino acids, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and many other nutrients that are crucial to the development of your dog. It isn’t enough to assume that your dog food of choice is suitable simply because it has these ingredients, however.

If a dog food doesn’t have enough of a specific nutrient or the ratio is incorrect, it won’t adequately support your puppy’s growing body and can lead to health issues later on during adulthood. In this regard, it’s often helpful to ask your veterinarian for recommendations regarding potential dog foods suited for Pit bull puppies and spend some time doing your own research to understand your dog’s unique nutritional needs.

It’s important to make mealtime enjoyable and exciting for your pup even though you’re also aiming to provide a balanced meal plan. A daily routine without snacks, supplements, or unexpected treats can become very dull for a dog at any age! 

Conclusion  

Taking an interest in your Pit bull puppy’s nutrition and proactively supporting their health with regular feeding is crucial to their growth and development. As you spend more time with your puppy, you’ll become familiar with their preferences and general fluctuations with their appetite.

If you need additional resources regarding feeding your Pit bull or some extra guidance in developing a feeding schedule, your dog’s veterinarian can provide you with professional advice to further encourage your efforts.