American Bulldogs may seem intimidating, but they’re actually sweet and devoted pets that are loyal and bond strongly with their human companions. If you are on the hunt for the best food for American Bulldog puppy, you may be quite overwhelmed by the number of dog food brands and varieties. Lucky for you, we’re here to help.
American Bulldogs are easygoing and active dogs that make great family pets and companions for active singles.
In this guide, we will show you how to choose the right food for American Bulldog puppy and reveal our four favorite dog foods that benefit the American Bulldog diet.
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Table of Contents
Best Food For American Bulldog Puppy Comparison
- Wellness Core Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Original Formula
- Orijen Original Dry Dog Food
- Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Dry Dog Food For Bulldog Puppy
- Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Dry Puppy Food
American Bulldog Puppy Nutrition
First, let’s talk about what makes American Bulldogs such great pets. While these heavy-set medium-sized dogs were first bred for fighting, American Bulldogs are really just big ole softies. They are easygoing, friendly, and highly social, which is why they make excellent companions for singles.
American Bulldogs are also confident, courageous, and trainable, which is why they are much-loved family pets. They are highly attentive and will keep watch over the family. At the same time, they are docile pets that will stay close and nap at your feet while you watch TV.
If trained and socialized early, American Bulldogs tolerate children well and are eager companions that are always ready for playtime.
According to the American Kennel Club, American Bulldogs weigh about 50 pounds and can grow up to about 15 inches in height. They have a life expectancy of about 10 years and are generally physically strong and healthy dogs.
American Bulldogs are prone to certain health issues, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, kidney problems, thyroid problems, cherry eye, ACL tears, and bone cancer. Depending on the genetic line, they can also develop ichthyosis (a skin disorder causing dry scales) and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis or NCL (a nervous system disorder). American Bulldogs are also prone to developing allergies.
Best Dog Food for American Bulldogs
American Bulldogs are stocky dogs with heads that look too large for their big bodies. But did you know that these strongly-built dogs can jump up to seven feet? Well, that is if they don’t get too heavy.
American Bulldogs love to eat and thus have a tendency to become overweight. So if you’re looking for the ideal food for American Bulldog puppy, you need to look into the calorie content of each dog food brand you’re considering. You also need to make sure that the ingredients will contribute to keeping your American Bulldog pup lean and muscular.
Stick to veterinarian-approved dog food that isn’t made up mostly of simple carbohydrates that can really mess with your dog’s weight and health. Look out for fillers like corn, soy, wheat, and bean hulls, which are in many dog foods. These have little to no nutritional value and can contribute to your dog developing bloat.
Keeping an eye on calorie content is also important because once your American Bulldog puts on excess weight, he’ll have a hard time shedding those extra pounds. Being overweight also contributes to the development of conditions like hip and elbow disorders.Many dog food companies offer low-carbohydrate dog food varieties. These are worth checking out.
Protein
Because they are highly active and incredibly muscular, American Bulldogs require a diet rich in protein. A sufficient level of protein helps maintain the muscle mass of American Bulldogs, gives them sustained energy to romp around all day long, and helps prevent muscle, bone, and joint problems.
Ideally, protein should make up about half of a dog’s diet. The appropriate food for American Bulldog puppy contains meat protein as the primary ingredient. Look at the ingredient list and check that it consists of at least 30% protein and 20% fat.
Like other allergy-prone breeds, American Bulldogs do best on purer forms and single sources of lean protein.
Bone health
American Bulldogs have short limbs and muscular frames, which makes them prone to hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These conditions can lead to crippling lameness, muscle atrophy, and may cause severe pain.
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common in larger dogs. They usually start early in life and are often hard to prevent. However, adding some key nutrients into your American Bulldog puppy’s diet can help improve bone and joint health and may help keep bone disorders from becoming severe and irreversible.
The ideal food for American Bulldog puppy should thus contain sufficient levels of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Studies have found that these can help keep the bones, joints, and tissues lubricated and help reduce inflammation.
Allergies
American Bulldogs can develop allergic reactions to some foods. If you are unsure if your American Bulldog puppy is allergic to certain ingredients, try a variety of dog foods with different protein sources and see if he reacts to any of them. If your dog is experiencing an allergic reaction, you may catch him licking his paws or observe red and itchy skin under his fur.
Despite their size and stocky build, American Bulldogs are excellent jumpers.
To avoid allergies, the most nutritious food for American Bulldog puppy should have as few ingredients as possible and should be grain-free. Avoid dog foods with highly allergenic grains like wheat. In terms of carbohydrate source, there should be good hypoallergenic starches like sweet potatoes and barley.
Bloat
Bulldogs are known for excessive gassiness, which can cause bloat. This is when gas, food, or fluids build up inside the dog’s body and starts pressing on the internal organs. This is a serious medical condition that can be fatal.
To avoid bloat, you should steer clear of dog foods that contain highly fermentable ingredients like grains, milk products, and fillers. Choose dog foods that have a low fiber content and that contain wholesome sources of protein, fruits, and vegetables.
Reputable company
One of the easiest ways to ensure that you’re getting the best food for an American Bulldog puppy is to choose dog food that comes from a well-known and veterinarian-recommended brand. Nowadays, plenty of dog food manufacturers resort to unethical practices to drive down production costs. There are companies, for instance, that hide the real first ingredient in their products by splitting the ingredient up.
American Bulldogs do best on a diet that is high in protein and low in simple carbohydrates and filler ingredients.
A certain dog food may be made up primarily of corn. To avoid having to identify corn as the first ingredient, the company could split it into two ingredients: corn flour and corn meal. This allows them to list a different ingredient, like a protein source, as the first ingredient.
Don’t buy dog food from brands you don’t recognize just because they’re cheap. To find the ideal food for American Bulldog puppy, ask for recommendations from your veterinarian, other dog lovers, and breeders in your community.
Top American Bulldog Dog Foods
Wellness Core Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Original Formula
“Balanced nutrition for your dog”
- Naturally grain-free
- Premium protein as the first ingredients
- Contains real vegetables and fruits
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin
- No preservatives and artificial flavors
Wellness Core recipes are some of the healthiest of dog food for an American Bulldog puppy. This is well-loved by many dog owners, including myself, because of the balance of nutrients and the flavors that dogs can’t seem to get enough of. The original turkey and chicken formula we recommend here is particularly appropriate for American Bulldogs because of the high lean protein content and the high-quality carbohydrate sources.
This Wellness Core dog food also contains probiotics for good digestive health and antioxidants for overall nutrition. The formula is grain-free and contains no wheat, soy, corn, meat by-products, artificial flavors, and other nasties.
Orijen Original Dry Dog Food
“Biologically appropriate food for your dog”
- “Whole prey” diet
- 85% protein, 15% fruits, and vegetables
- Grain-free
- Single-source protein and limited ingredients
- No preservatives and artificial flavors
Orijen is one of those brands that go above and beyond to offer your dog the best nutrition. This dog food is made with free-run chicken and turkey, nest-laid eggs, and wild-caught fish. The ingredients are produced locally and delivered daily, ensuring freshness.
This Orijen dry dog food formula contains bits of raw chicken and turkey liver that are gently freeze-dried. The raw ingredients nourish your pooch as nature intended and provide bursts of irresistible meaty flavor. Your American Bulldog pup will love the taste of this dog food.
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Dry Dog Food For Bulldog Puppy
“Breed-specific nutrition”
- Chicken meal is the first ingredient
- Highly digestible
- Kibble designed for bulldog pups
- Ingredients for bone and joint health
- Reduces stool odor
Designed specifically for bulldog puppies aged 0 to 12 months, this dog food from Royal Canin comes in wave-shaped kibble that your little fur babies can easily grasp and chew.
The recipe is formulated for the dietary needs of young Bulldogs. As Royal Canin says, if they have a breed formula for it, it’s because the breed needs it. In the case of your American Bulldog, their tendency to develop dysplasia is addressed by the addition of glucosamine and chondroitin in the formula.
There’s also a good mix of premium protein sources, vitamins C and E for immune system health, and fish oils for bone and joint health.
Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Dry Puppy Food
“Science-driven recipes”
- Lamb meal is the first ingredient
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin
- Promotes controlled bone and joint growth
- Contains a mix of antioxidants
- No preservatives and artificial flavors
If your puppy is allergic to chicken, like many American Bulldogs are, this Hill’s Science formula may be the best choice for your pooch. Hill’s Science prides itself on being a knowledge-driven dog food manufacturer, with expert scientists and pet nutritionists formulating its recipes since 1939.
In this particular recipe, the first ingredient is lamb meal, which happens to be a good source of lean protein for large breeds. The recipe includes brewer’s rice, whole grain wheat, whole grain sorghum, brown rice, and corn gluten meal as carb sources, flaxseed and fish oil for the omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and a complex blend of vitamins and minerals for optimum overall health.
Another thing we love about this recipe is that it contains glucosamine and chondroitin to help your American Bulldog develop strong muscles, bones, and joints. It also has vitamins C and E for stronger immunity.
We hope this guide on choosing the best food for American Bulldog puppy helps you keep your pet healthy and happy.
