Best Dog Food for American Bullies: Picks for Puppies, Adults, and Seniors

The American bully is a relatively new breed of dog and it is one of the best family companion dogs that you can have.

The dog was selectively bred to create a loyal, outgoing, and affectionate family dog, characteristics that it gets from the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pitbull Terrier.

It is a unique breed and also one of the most popular family dogs in America. These dogs are medium-sized, with a defined muscular structure that requires proper nutrition.

A good diet will keep the dog active and energetic as well as give it good muscle tone and overall health.

There are many commercial dog food brands in the market today, and sadly a lot of them offer poor nutrition with additives and preservatives.

But there are some outstanding brands out there with high-quality formulas that will give your furry friend all the nutrition he needs.

We’ve reviewed some of these top products for you and you can also check out our helpful buying guide after. 

The Best Dog Food For American Bullies Are…

Product	Details
1. Natural Balance L.I.D Beef Formula	Top Pick	32% animal protein plus limited carbs No fillers, grains, chicken, or potatoes For adult dogs of all breeds and sizes 325kcal/cup Available in 4-lb, 12-lb, and 24-lb bags	Check Current Price
2. Nulo Freestyle Dry Puppy Food		Grain-free formula Complex carbs with calcium and phosphorus Patented probiotics for better digestion Delicious recipes with animal proteins 428 kcal/cup	Check Current Price
3. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Senior Dry Dog Food		Nutrient-rich superfoods and supplements All-natural ingredients with high animal protein content Delicious meals with a variety of flavors	Check Current Price
4. VICTOR Select Beef Meal & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food		77% Meat Protein 357kcal/8oz cup VICTOR CORE Ingredients For all breeds of all life stages Available in 5-lb, 15-lb and 40-lb bags	Check Current Price
5. Taste of the Wild Wetlands Grain-Free Dry Dog Food		Premium meats as the first ingredient Highly digestible proteins and complex carbohydrates A grain-free formula with no artificial preservatives For all breeds of all life stages 375kcal/cup Available in 5-lb, 14-lb and 28-lb bags	Check Current Price
6. Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food		Deboned meat as the first ingredient High crude protein content at 34% Rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids Glucosamine and chondroitin for hip and joint health Grain-free and highly digestible Lower in calorie content for less active dogs	Check Current Price
7. Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie with Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food		32% Crude Protein from animal sources Incorporates whole grains Contains proprietary K9 probiotics 422 kcal/cup Formulated to AAFCO and FDA requirements	Check Current Price
8. Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula Dry Dog Food		High-quality food at good value for money High protein and omega acids content Formulated for very active Bullies Joint health management supplements	Check Current Price
9. Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe		A mix of kibble and freeze-dried raw meat Grain-free and gluten-free for sensitive dogs Made for adult dogs Includes the finest ingredients	Check Current Price

1. Natural Balance L.I.D Beef Formula — Best Dog Food for Bullies

The Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets use only the essential ingredients in the formula to prevent sensitive dogs from getting food allergies.

These high protein diets include one animal protein source, two primary carbs sources, and plant-based fibers for healthy digestion.

This product line offers three great-tasting formulas which include animal proteins from beef, lamb, and turkey.

It contains a high crude protein profile of 32% which, along with fatty acids, will provide great muscular support for your Bully.

The high protein ingredients along with healthy fats, plant-based fibers, and essential nutrients provide complete and balanced nutrition.

The formulas are gluten-free without potatoes, chicken, fillers, and artificial preservatives to make it digestible for sensitive dogs.

The Limited Ingredients Diet is an excellent choice for your pup, especially if he is a picky eater. The unique animal protein sources help your dog avoid ingredients such as chicken that can cause food allergies.

It also offers well-balanced nutrition of fiber, healthy fats and fatty acids, and essential minerals.

Overall Rating – 4.6/5

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2. Nulo Freestyle Dry Puppy Food — Best Food for American Bully Puppies

This grain-free recipe makes a healthy start for American Bully puppies. It contains a high protein content from real meat which is essential for producing the fatty acids required for your puppy’s growing muscles.

The formula includes low glycemic carbs such as chickpeas, lentils, and sweet potatoes that regulate the blood sugar level to keep your puppy full of energy.

Slow-burning carbs provide a lower risk of obesity and diabetes because they get absorbed slowly in the body, so your puppy gets to take in less food.

Fat in the diet is also important in giving your puppy energy. This recipe contains 17% of healthy fats to keep his skin and coat healthy and also it stabilizes his temperature.

The calcium and phosphorus content helps to develop strong teeth and bones.

Nulo puppy formulas use fresh meat with wholesome fruits and vegetables for a well-balanced diet for growing puppies.

The formulas are low in carbs without empty fillers so your puppy will get all his nutrition from high-quality ingredients.

Overall Rating – 4.6/5

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3. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Senior Dry Dog Food — Best for Bully Seniors

This formula features high animal protein content and healthy fats. Dogs get most of their energy from fats but as they enter old age, their activity levels drop.

American Bullies are muscular dogs and to help maintain their muscle mass, high protein in the diet is required. This, in turn, also increases the amino acids needed for tissue repair and energy metabolism.

Senior Bullies will also benefit from healthy fats in the diet which increases the calories of the food. As he gets older, your Bully may start losing weight because of his decreased appetite, mostly caused by a reduced sense of smell or taste.

So a good percentage of healthy fats in his diet will make his food more palatable as well as keep him in a healthy weight.

The formula also includes essential nutritional supplements such as calcium and phosphorus to keep his bones strong and glucosamine and chondroitin for joint management.

This formula has 25% less fat than normal food which is good for keeping your senior Bully at a healthy weight as he will be less active now than he was.

The fiber content is also great to help him avoid constipation which is common in senior dogs.

Overall Rating – 4.4/5

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4. VICTOR Select Beef Meal & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food

This is a high-quality dry food formula made with premium quality beef meal that is fortified with essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids for a complete balanced diet.

This gluten-free formula contains a unique blend of VICTOR CORE ingredients such as Selenium Yeast, Prebiotics and Probiotics which improve cellular regeneration and immune defense.

The food is made for dogs of all life stages and is great for sensitive dogs with allergies. It is made with mineral complexes that make it highly digestible. A

n efficient metabolism enables your pups digestive system to absorb all the required nutrients with less food intake.

Muscular and active dogs such as the American Bully require good joint maintenance. The Victor Select formulas contain glucosamine which is an important ingredient for good joint health and mobility.

The Victor Select dog food line offers a variety of mouth-watering flavors for active American Bullies.

It is a nutritionally balanced meal that uses natural plant-based ingredients for preservatives that prevent oxidative damage to the food, naturally.

VICTOR brand products are manufactured in a hygienic facility in Texas. They have 3 product lines that offer high-quality formulas with carefully selected ingredients to give your pup all the nutrition he needs.

Overall Rating – 4.6/5

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5. Taste of the Wild Wetlands Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

This formula is a great choice if you want to give your American bully a wildlife diet like he would have had if he was not domesticated.

Taste of the Wild dog food products are made with real meats such as wild boar, salmon, and turkey, among others.

The formulas are grain-free, but they incorporate complex carbs such as legumes and sweet potatoes to provide energy.

Also incorporated are specific fruits and vegetables for natural antioxidants and vitamins to support overall health.

Chelated minerals and amino acids optimize the absorption of nutrients so that your pup benefits from all the ingredients in his food.

And to keep his skin and coat healthy and shiny, this dry food formula contains omega-3 from salmon or ocean fish coupled with plant-based omega-6.

These fatty acids also protect kidney function and relieve joint pains that come from worn-out joint cartilage.

Taste of the Wild is a premium dog food with quality ingredients for wholesome nutrition. It has good reviews from most dog owners who’ve fed their dogs this product. It is an excellent choice for dogs that can eat a grain-free diet.

Overall Rating – 4.8/5

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6. Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food

The American Bully carries a hefty muscle structure with heavy bones and build. Weight and height vary between the different types of this breed but it is important to keep the correct weight in proportion to their height.

The Merrick Healthy Weight Recipe is the perfect choice to help your pup control his weight. It features deboned beef poultry or fish as the first ingredient with 55% of the recipe being protein and healthy fats.

These high-quality proteins provide the amino acids necessary for healthy metabolism and strong muscles. Excess weight increases health issues such as heart problems and poor joint health.

American Bullies must be engaged in regular exercise where they can relieve their physical energy but they also need a proper diet that provides wholesome nutrition with a lower calorie content.

Glucosamine and chondroitin included in this recipe provide support for hip and joint function to help your doggie enjoy his regular exercise.

Fiber supports healthy digestion while minerals, vitamins, and other natural ingredients all come together to provide a complete and balanced diet.

The Merrick grain-free recipes include real meat proteins with real whole foods to provide wholesome nutrition while keeping your dog’s weight at healthy levels.

A balanced combination of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids ensure that he has a healthy skin and shiny coat.

Overall Rating – 4.6/5

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7. Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie with Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food

Wheat, soy, and corn are some of the top ingredients that you should avoid when looking for dog food. They are difficult to digest and also contain gluten which has been identified as a contributor to allergic health issues in dogs.

However, whole grains in dog food provide a variety of essential vitamins and minerals. The fiber derived from whole grains like millet, sorghum, chia, and quinoa help regulate the dog’s digestive system and also provide the much-needed energy for active dogs.

Chia is also known to be filling while reducing the caloric content in the diet. This formula contains a high crude protein content of 32% from two animal sources.

This particular recipe includes highly digestible roasted bison as the first ingredient along with roasted venison to support the dog’s muscular structure.

The high-quality protein also supports good organ function and also improves the coat and skin of your furry pal.

The Ancient Prairie formulas come in a variety of tasty flavors that include salmon, lamb, fowl, bison, and venison as primary protein sources.

The products also include whole grains and species-specific probiotics that support a healthy digestive system.

Overall Rating – 4.2/5

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8. Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula Dry Dog Food

This recipe is made with high protein content and fat for highly active dogs. It’s made with real chicken and other whole foods such as fruits and vegetables for a well-balanced diet to provide energy and support strong muscles.

This recipe contains 32% crude protein from real cage-free chicken with 25% healthy fats that are highly metabolic for energy.

It contains 10 -12% superfoods such as blueberries and pumpkin as well as whole grains like quinoa and chia for a tasty and filling meal.

Every nutrient is absorbed and healthy digestion is ensured with the availability of probiotics fiber from dried chicory root and pumpkin.

Omega -6 and Omega -3 fatty acids are also included to keep his coat and skin healthy.

American Bullies require proper joint health management because of their muscular structure and very active nature.

Therefore, an important ingredient in your dog’s food should be glucosamine which acts as an anti-inflammatory for weak cartilage. 

When introduced in the diet as your pup is growing, it helps prevent early degeneration of joint tissue and cartilage.

Diamond Naturals formulas are rich in animal protein and healthy fats for healthy dogs. The recipes are enhanced with probiotics for digestive health and superfoods to supply nutrition for well-balanced health.

Overall Rating – 4.5/5

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9. Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe

This high protein formula includes bites of freeze-dried raw meat along with the kibble. Raw meat diets have become popular in recent years because of the many health benefits it provides to both dogs and cats.

If you’re considering transitioning your Bully to a raw diet, this formula is a great way to start.

It offers a high animal protein as the first ingredient along with pieces of raw meat. High protein is great for building strong muscles and it provides higher levels of omega fatty acids to keep the skin and coat in top condition.

Raw diets are also great if you want your dog to have improved energy levels and fewer digestive problems. The kibble provides added benefits from real fruits and vegetables such as vitamins and minerals.

Overall, the diet is complete and balanced with several different recipes for your pup to enjoy. All the meals are grain-free and gluten-free with no corn, soy, or potatoes.

However, if your dog has sensitivities towards chicken, the venison and salmon recipes that omit chicken might be the best for him.

The brand has styled itself as a provider of raw pet food to provide added nutritional benefits for your pet. However, some pet parents have noted that the food is not consistent batch after batch, which may bring about stomach upsets.

Overall Rating – 4.2/5

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Best Dog Food For Bullies Buying Guide

The American Bully is a good-natured and extremely loyal breed of dog that is sociable towards people and children, which makes it a popular breed for family pets.

This dog is a new breed that is only a few decades old, created through years of selective breeding to find the ultimate family dog.

There are five categories of American Bullies in terms of size. These are Pocket, Standard, Extra-Large, Extreme, and Classic. The weight and height between the categories vary, however it is important to keep your dog in his proper weight.

This breed of dog is muscular with a heavily built structure that may make them look aggressive. They are also very active dogs with lots of energy for playing and running around.

Therefore if you’re looking for the best food for the American Bully, you’ll have to consider some of these characteristics.

Nutritional Tips For Feeding Your American Bully

The quality and nutritional value of the food you feed your dog with either keep him healthy or in perpetually poor health.

The food that you feed your American Bully should be high in protein content because it is a muscular breed.

Protein

The primary source of protein for dog food should be real meat sources such as beef, fish, or poultry. American Bullies, like all dogs, are carnivorous by nature and that is why the first ingredient in the dog food should be protein from real meat sources.

Animal protein offers many benefits for maintaining the dog’s muscles and for cell regeneration. It provides amino acids that the dog needs for healthy skin and hair and vitamins and minerals that support a healthy immune system.

Raw meat is also a great source of protein for dogs. It is highly digestible, and it provides fewer digestive problems.

You can opt for a completely raw diet, or you can get mixed formula where raw meat is mixed together with kibble.

Omega Fatty Acids

Fatty acids are some of the most important nutrients that your dog needs for their health. Dogs cannot produce these fatty acids naturally, they mostly get them from their diet.

There are several benefits that Bullies get from fatty acids, the most common benefit we all know of is healthy coat and skin.

The American Bully coat is extremely short and it exposes much of the skin to the environment around it.

It makes it very easy to spot skin irritations caused by food allergies and it also exposes the skin to the environment around it which can make it very dry.

High fatty acid content in the diet relieves irritated skin and helps to treat and prevent itchy skin. It also locks in moisture to keep dry skin relieved as well as improve the dog’s coat.

Fatty acids act as anti-inflammatory agents to relieve joint pain that comes with worn-out cartilage. They also protect the dog from kidney diseases and other diseases that can cause kidney failure.

Healthy Fats and Carbs

A good amount of healthy fats included in your dog’s diet is actually good for him. Fats improve the digestion of food and also provide a source of energy for your active dog.

It is important that the healthy fats come from quality sources.

Carbohydrates are also included to provide energy. Common sources of carbs include peas, chickpeas, whole grains, and potatoes.

Some of these carbs like the potatoes can cause food allergies but it is important to understand which ingredient agrees with your Bully’s tummy.

Whole grains such as brown rice, chia, oatmeal, millet, and quinoa are healthy for your dogs. Avoid wheat, corn, and soy ingredients which are sometimes used as fillers and are major triggers for food allergies.

You can opt for the grain-free formulas if your fur baby has food sensitivities.

The benefits of whole grains are immense. They provide the much-needed energy to keep your dogs active and they are also high-quality sources for essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.

Conclusion

The most important feature that you should never compromise on when you’re getting the best dog food for Bullies is that the ingredients should be the real deal and not substitutes.

All the quality products highlighted here use natural ingredients and that should be your goal as well.

If looking at all the ingredients and trying to understand how their nutritional value balances are overwhelming, we encourage you to take a look at our top choice, the Natural Balance L.I.D Beef Formula that contains limited but highly nutritious ingredients in the diet.

 It provides a great tasting meal for Bullies using few ingredients that check all the boxes for high protein, healthy fats and fatty acids, and all the essential vitamins and minerals for a well-balanced meal.