Pit Bull's Diet
Pit bull is the short name given to the American pit bull terrier breed. Over the years, however, the term pit bull has come to encompass several different breeds of dogs in the molosser canine family, including the Staffordshire bull terrier, the American bulldog, the bull terrier and various other mixes of molossers. Pit bulls are genetically strong and energetic dogs, with a lean and powerful physique and often require a specialized kind of diet comprised of protein, fat and other nutrients to maintain proper health.
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Balance
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Pit bulls, like most dogs, are carnivores, so it's natural to want to provide them with a meat-heavy diet. Pit bulls, however, also need a significant amount of fiber and carbohydrates in their diet in order to support good stability and a healthy digestive system. While it's fine to incorporate all-meat meals into your pit bull's diet, you'll also want to provide meals with fiber-rich carbohydrates and fats.
Schedule
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Many pit bull owners have found that establishing a feeding schedule for their dog is an essential part of keeping it fit and healthy. Try feeding your pi tbull anywhere from two to four times a day, rather than keeping food out at all times, which can result in over-feeding. Establishing a feeding schedule will help keep your pit bull's weight under control, as well as form healthy feeding habits in your pit bull.
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Misconceptions
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Because pit bulls are naturally lean and muscular dogs, some owners might believe they don't need much fat in their diet. Certain types of fats, however, are important to a pit bull's health. Apart from helping digestion and preventing a dry or itchy coat, essential fatty acids like omega 3 can maintain good cardiovascular health in pit bulls. The best sources of omega 3 fatty acids for pit bulls are salmon or cod oils, which can be found in pill form or liquid form to mix into your pit bull's food.
Considerations
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Pit bulls can vary significantly when it comes to size and weight, depending on specific breeds or mixes. So, while it's important to ensure your pit bull obtains certain nutrients from its diet, you should always consider your pit bull's size, weight and activity level when determining how much food to offer it. Your veterinarian can help you determine the ideal amount of food to give to your pit bull at each feeding. Many dog food manufacturers also include a general feeding guideline on the packaging of their canine food products.
Warning
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Do not feed your pit bull "human food" or table scraps, as certain foods could be harmful to canine health. Feeding your pit bull table scraps could also form a bad habit, causing your pit bull to reject his own food. If you have questions about which types of human foods are acceptable to give to pit bulls, such as some vegetable, or if your pit bull won't eat any food formulated for dogs, consult your veterinarian.
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References
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- Photo Credit Pitbull in giardino image by Alpapiro from Fotolia.com
