Feed your pitbull: Use designated bowl, incorporate obedience training

Woman holds pitbull puppy's head. Since the dogs can be territorial, use designated food and water bowls to feed your pitbull and incorporate obedience training in mealtimes. — Since the dogs can be territorial, use designated food and water bowls to feed your pitbull and incorporate obedience training in mealtimes.

Pitbulls get a bad rap of being vicious and ill-tempered dogs. The truth is, pitbulls are just like any other dog breed — they are loyal, affectionate, and very protective of their masters and territory. Pitbulls are muscular, strong, and agile types of dogs, and they need a special diet that’s high in protein and nutritionally balanced to stay healthy. Aside from a specialized diet, it’s how you feed your pitbull that also ensures that they are eating right and healthily.

As a pet owner, a dog lover, or a canine enthusiast, you can learn a thing or two while reading further as we share more convenient ways to feed your pitbull.

Give vet-recommended meal servings

With a growing number of dog food products available in the market, it can be tricky to choose the best type of dog food for your pitbull. Your dog’s diet should not be left to chance or lucky picks, which is why according to pitbulltribe.com, you should consult a veterinarian if you are not sure which dog food can best meet the nutritional needs of your pitbull. Your vet will assess your dog’s nutritional requirement based on its age, size, and activity level.

Pitbull puppies have different nutritional needs than juvenile or adult dogs. Their size can also determine the amount of food you are going to give for each meal. The range of activities and movements your dog makes can affect their metabolism and energy consumption and translates into a voracious appetite.

Use a designated food and water bowl

Your pitbull can be quite territorial and aggressive, especially when it comes to their space and eating. If you also have other dogs of a different breed, follow recommendations to give them their own food bowls and water bowls to avoid conflict between your dogs. Even if your pitbull is your only pet, it is still wise to use a food bowl and a water bowl only for it.

The aggressive temperament of pitbulls to other dogs can be largely attributed to their predecessors being pit-fighters or fighting dogs when dogfighting was still a popular event in early 19th-century England.

It should be noted that “pitbull” is not the actual breed name but a general term for the American Pit Bull Terrier, the Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which are the actual dog breeds. Even if these dogs have a pit-fighting history, they can still be well-rounded dogs if trained and socialized at an early age.

Apply obedience training when serving food to your dog

Man kisses pitbull puppy. — Pitbulls are smart, energetic, and loyal companions.

Obedience training can be applied not just to pitbull breeds but also all other dog breeds as well. The purpose of this is to keep in check their aggressiveness and hostility when eating.

Dogs still have that territorial instinct when it comes to food, where they would growl at, bark, or bite anyone who approaches them while they are eating.

It is particularly important to train pitbull dogs to be obedient to you at an early age, especially if you have children or other dogs living with you. This is because American Pit Bull Terrier jaws can lock when they bite, and it can be dangerous and complicated to free someone from its bite.

Start obedience training early and continue applying this training throughout their life. Show your dog that you are in charge and teach it to be patient when waiting for its food to be served. Train it to heed caution words when you approach it while feeding to keep it from being aggressive or hostile.

Let your dog bite on chew toys before eating

Give your pitbull a tough and durable chew toy that it can’t easily chew up or swallow and offer this every once in a while before they eat.

This reinforces chewing their food when they eat their meals. Pitbulls tend to eat their food without chewing, which can cause digestive problems such as diarrhea, indigestion, constipation, or gas.

Bloat is another dangerous digestive problem that you can avoid by teaching your dog to chew its food properly.

Aside from aiding in proper digestion, chewing can help maintain your pitbull’s jaw strength and healthy teeth.

Avoid including allergens in your dog’s food

Your dog and your future self will thank you for following this tip. The ideal diet of a pitbull is a high-protein, low-grain diet. Avoid including wheat, potatoes, or corn in their meals as they are allergic to these foods. These allergens can have adverse effects on your dog’s skin and coat.

Your dog will also tend to remember the bad foods that it ate and associate that experience with your next meal, which makes it harder to feed them.

Always stick to the recommended food for your dog. If you prepare homemade meals, follow the ingredients recommended by experts, and don’t use the aforementioned foods as alternative ingredients.