Edited by: Mike Powell
Reviewed by: Abby TexasLast Update:
The Rundown
Best for American Bullies: Acana Regionals Grain Free Dry Dog Food
“Looking for a well-rounded dog food for your little pooch? This one has all the right nutrients and essential supplements that support the growth and development of your American Bully. You can’t find a more biologically appropriate food that your dog will enjoy.”
Best for Bullies with Allergies: Orijen Six Fish Grain Free Dog Food
“Is your pooch sensitive to almost all proteins? This dog food is formulated to keep your Bully healthy and safe from problem ingredients. It’s made with six different fish sources and has high Omega fatty acids and protein levels, making it one of the safest dog foods for your little one.”
Best Budget Option: Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food
“Determined to give your beloved pet the best nutrition while staying on budget? This dog food recipe provides your American Bully with the right amount of protein, fat, Omega fatty acids, and antioxidants at an amazingly affordable price.”
With their muscular build and heavy bone structure, American Bully dogs are built like pup-tanks. It is a mix between the Pitbull Terrier and other similar dog breeds, and it has the best qualities of both its parent breeds – which also means they require the perfect balance of nutrients that are appropriate for a mix of both breeds.
To rid you of the tedious task of going through each product ingredients list, we’ve rounded up a few products that meet the important nutritional requirements of American Bullies.
Table of Contents
- The Rundown
- 10 Best Dog Food For American Bully
- 1. Acana Regionals Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- 2. Orijen Six Fish Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- 3. Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food
- 4. Taste Of The Wild Ancient Prairie Dog Food
- 5. Wellness Core Natural Senior Dry Dog Food
- 6. Orijen Dry Puppy Food
- 7. Merrick Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food Recipe
- 8. Instinct Raw Boost Natural Dog Food
- 9. Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
- 10. Victor Select Dry Dog Food
- 1. Acana Regionals Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Caloric Requirements of an American Bully
- How to Choose the Best Bully Dog Food
- Ingredients to look for in the Best Bully Dog Food
- Common Health Concerns for American Bully Dogs
10 Best Dog Food For American Bully
Here are our top picks for the best dog food for American Bullies:
- Best for American Bullies: ACANA Regionals Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Best for Bullies with Allergies: Orijen Six Fish Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Best Value For Money: Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food
- Best With Grains: Taste Of The Wild Ancient Prairie Dog Food
- Best For American Bully Seniors: Wellness Core Natural Senior Dry Dog Food
- Best For American Bully Puppies: Orijen Dry Puppy Food
- Best For Weight Management: Merrick Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food Recipe
- Best Intro to Raw: Instinct Raw Boost Natural Dog Food
- Best Limited Ingredient: Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
- Best Lower Protein: Victor Select Dry Dog Food
1. Acana Regionals Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Best for American Bullies: Most biologically appropriate food for your American Bully
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PROS
- 33% protein and 17% fat is just right for Bullies
- Uses various fish sources to make up the protein
- Contains DHA and EPA
- Perfect calcium/phosphorus ratio
CONS
- This food is not cheap, but the quality is worth the price
Acana Regionals Grain Free Dry Dog Food follows a biologically appropriate philosophy, which believes that your dog’s food should contain only fresh, natural protein and carbohydrates sources. This is based on a diet that the specific dog breed would typically consume in the wild.
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Ideal Nutritional Value for American Bully Dogs
This dog food has 33% protein and 17% fat content respectively. This provides enough muscle support and energy source for active dogs. It contains optimum amount of calcium and phosphorus, as well as essential Omega fatty acids. The glucosamine (no chondroitin), and DHA and EPA amino acids addition makes this a well-rounded dog food for your American Bully as it provides much-needed supplements to help keep your pet’s skin supple, eyes sharp, and brain active.
2. Orijen Six Fish Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Best for Bullies with Allergies: Safe from any allergy-inducing ingredients
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PROS
- Premium quality, multiple proteins
- Fish is great for hydrating skin
- Good Omega fatty acid levels
- Avoids the most common allergy-inducing ingredients
CONS
- Somewhat pricey, but on-par with other allergy-reducing foods
If your American Bully suffers from allergies that relate to their skin, a dog food that uses fish as its primary protein source like the Orijen Six Fish Grain Free Dry Dog Food is a great option for them. The oils from the fish help immensely to hydrate and moisturize the skin, reducing inflammation, itching, and dry skin.
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Multiple Fish Protein Sources
There are six different fish sources in this dog food (mackerel, herring, monkfish, redfish, flounder, and hake), which contribute to the high Omega fatty acid levels. It makes up 38% protein content in each meal, which is ideal for active Bullies.
Additional Supplements
This dog food provides a nice dose of glucosamine and chondroitin to keep their joints tough and strong. There’s also a good amount of DHA and EPA amino acids, which promote healthy eyes and brain tissue, so they’re great for keeping your furry friend’s eyesight sharp and brain active.
3. Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food
Best Value For Money: Loaded with nutrients and antioxidants for an affordable price
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PROS
- High quality food that’s extremely easy on the pocket
- Perfect protein and fat counts for active Bullies
- Above-average Omega fatty acid numbers
- Contains good protein sources and antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies
CONS
- This particular recipe is only available in chicken flavor, so if your pet is sensitive to chicken you may need to go with another
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food is high in protein, fats, and contains all the necessary elements to keep your pooch healthy and tough. The list of ingredients you can find in this product is like any other premium dog food only it’s available at a much more affordable price.
Its 32% protein content is great for active dogs. The fat content at 25% is higher than average, making it an awesome dog food for pups who will be burning lots of energy during their day. Joint-strengthening supplements are also present, which is another thing that puts this dog food right in the high-quality category.
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High Omega Levels
This food has more Omega-6 content than the average dog food making it a better option for an American Bully who has skin that is susceptible to allergies. It keeps skin soft and supple and reduces itching and dry patches.
4. Taste Of The Wild Ancient Prairie Dog Food
Best With Grains: Healthy grains that are easily digestible
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PROS
- Contains healthy grains that are easily digestible
- Contains L-carnitine, which helps digestion and energy regulation
- High fatty acid levels, which promotes health
- Contains great nutritional supplements for Bullies
CONS
- Contain chicken ingredients
American Bullies can be sensitive to certain ingredients, and some grains are definitely on that list. But the grains in Taste Of The Wild Ancient Prairie Dog Food are all gluten-free and very healthy. They include sorghum, millet, and quinoa which are generally quite easy on the tummy and your American Bully shouldn’t have any problems digesting them.
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Good Or Bad Grains?
Wheat, soy, and corn are seen in lower-quality dog foods, and are not easy for a dog to digest. They contain gluten and don’t have any nutritional value in them.
But the grains contained in this Taste of the Wild dog food are gluten-free, all-natural, and super healthy. They are far easier to digest than the lower-quality grains in most dog food products. They’re great sources of energy and also provide a huge amount of fiber that can only benefit your pup. These good grains include rice, barley, sorghum, millet, and quinoa. It’s extremely safe even pregnant dogs won’t have any problem consuming this dog food.
5. Wellness Core Natural Senior Dry Dog Food
Best For American Bully Seniors: Packed with antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits
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PROS
- Super low fat count for seniors who are less active
- The higher protein count is great for maintaining muscles
- High Omega fatty acid content which helps keep skin and fur healthy
- Grain free and packed with antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits
CONS
- Slightly pricey, but great quality
- Not suitable for dogs who are sensitive to chicken
Wellness Core Natural Senior Dry Dog Food is formulated with superior quality ingredients coming from all-natural, wholesome sources. Aging dogs typically have a less active lifestyle and the fat content in this food is ideal for them. The protein content remains high enough to maintain muscle strength. And the calcium/phosphorus levels are great for keeping older bones strong without making them brittle and prone to breaking. The added glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate help with aging joints, making this a great option for senior American Bullies.
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Senior-Specific Nutrients
In addition to having a fantastic fat and protein content, the vitamin A, E and Omega-3 and -6 content in this dog food is at optimum level, ideal for boosting immune system in older dogs.
6. Orijen Dry Puppy Food
Best For American Bully Puppies: Supports growth and development of puppies
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PROS
- Biologically appropriate ingredients for a growing puppy
- Contains DHA and EPA amino acids
- Great levels of glucosamine to help your heavy puppy’s joints stay tough
- Grain free and packed with superfoods
CONS
- Somewhat pricey in comparison to other puppy specific foods
Orijen Grain Free Dry Puppy Food is loaded with first-class protein ingredients, whole fruits and vegetables, and vitamins and minerals that makes it a well-rounded food for growing puppies.
This grain free dog food is formulated to fit the WholePrey biologically appropriate ratios of ingredients, to mirror a wild puppy’s diet. It contains 85% meat ingredients and 15% fresh veggies and fruit.
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Puppy-specific nutrients
The protein in this food comes from 5 different sources, including muscle meat, organ meat, bone, and cartilage. It’s got DHA and EPA which are crucial amino acids for a developing puppy. They assist in the development of eye and brain tissue, which means your dog will grow up with sharp physical and mental senses. Glucosamine and chondroitin are excellent supplements to start feeding your little one as early as possible to make sure their bones and joints are well-supported from the start.
7. Merrick Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food Recipe
Best For Weight Management: Lower calorie content than most dog foods
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PROS
- Lower in fat for dogs who are less active due to being overweight
- 55% meat and 45% healthy carbohydrates
- Grain free and easy on the stomach
- Good levels of glucosamine to help support joints
CONS
- Not suitable for pups who are sensitive to poultry
Bullies are naturally heavyset dogs, but it can be easy for them to become overweight if their calorie content and exercise aren’t moderated. This can be dangerous, as it puts more strain on their joints and bones, as well as kicking off health issues such as heart problems. Merrick Healthy Weight Grain Free Dry Dog Food Recipe is formulated for American Bully dogs who need to lose some weight. It has a lower calorie count than most dog foods you can find on the market but still includes all the necessary nutrients your dog needs.
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55% Meat Ingredients
Protein is essential, even for dogs who are overweight, and this kibble contains a good amount at 34%. This is sourced from deboned beef, chicken meal, and turkey meal. Real meat contains amino acids while meat meal contains almost quadruple the amount of protein than fresh meat does.
45% Fruits and Vegetables
Fiber is important for a weight management food and it’s typically sourced from fruits and vegetables. This dog food has potatoes and sweet potatoes which are great energy sources while apples and blueberries add a great amount of antioxidants and vitamins.
8. Instinct Raw Boost Natural Dog Food
Best Intro to Raw: Mix of kibble and raw pieces
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PROS
- Mix of kibble and raw pieces
- Packed with protein from premium sources
- High fat count to keep your pooch going throughout their day
- Great Omega fatty acid levels
CONS
- No joint-strengthening supplements on the list
- Some of the non-chicken flavors contain hidden poultry ingredients
Grains are a great source of protein and American bullies need a lot to maintain muscle mass and boost their immune system. Instinct Raw Boost Natural Dog Food is loaded with high-quality, all-natural ingredients which are excellent protein sources.
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Multiple Protein Sources
This food uses a variety of animal proteins (beef, duck, turkey meal, chicken meal, and more). It’s got a perfect mix of fresh and freeze-dried bits, packed with some healthy veggies and fruits. It’s an excellent choice if you’re trying to transition your dog into a raw diet. Be aware that even the beef and duck recipes contain chicken in their ingredient list, although the venison and salmon flavors avoid chicken entirely. If your dog doesn’t handle chicken well, you know which flavors to avoid.
9. Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
Best Limited Ingredient: For dogs with sensitive tummies
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PROS
- Nice protein and fat levels despite being limited ingredient
- Various flavours available
- Contain useful supplements
CONS
- Low levels of Omega fatty acids
- Somewhat expensive
For an American Bully with a sensitive tummy or has the tendency to develop many food allergies, a limited ingredient diet which decreases the potential for your pup’s body to reject the food is ideal. The limited list of ingredients in the Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food avoids common problem ingredients for sensitive dogs without compromising its quality.
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Benefits of a Limited Ingredient Diet
Whatever flavor of this dog food you choose, you’ll find it has a single source of protein and comprises of 60% meat and 40% vegetables or fruit. This restricted ingredients approach means that there are minimal ingredients that your sensitive pet can have a bad reaction to while providing all the nutrients they need in a balanced diet.
10. Victor Select Dry Dog Food
Best Lower Protein: Low protein formula with added dose of probiotics
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PROS
- Slightly lower in protein for dogs who need it
- Contains healthy grains
- Added probiotics and prebiotics
- Contains L-carnitine
CONS
- No joint supplements
Victor Select Dry Dog Food is highly recommended for dogs who need a slightly lower protein meal. It has 24% Protein content from good, healthy sources. And with the 12% fat content, this kibble is suited for dogs who are moderately active.
And because this dog food uses meat meal instead of real meat, you can pack in more protein in less amount of food.
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Great for dogs with digestive issues
The carb content comes from good, high quality grains – sorghum and brown rice. They’re a good fiber source and your Bully’s stomach should deal quite well with those.
You’ll also find L-carnitine, which is a really nice supplement that aids in digestion and energy regulation. There’s also an extra dose of vitamins E and B, as well as probiotics and prebiotics.
Caloric Requirements of an American Bully
The American Bully is sometimes mistaken for the Bullypit breed which is the mix of American Bulldog/Pitbull Terrier mix. They’re absolutely different breeds and thus have different nutritional requirements. The generally accepted caloric requirement for American Bully dogs is between 35 and 40 calories per pound of bodyweight.
You’ll also need to take into consideration your pet’s activity level. More active American Bullies will need more calories than cuddly couch potatoes. It may also take some experimenting to get this right, and you might need to adjust numbers once or twice to hit their nutritional needs.
As much as these guys look like they need a bodybuilder style diet, it’s best to feed them in smaller but more frequent doses. You should feed your American Bully at least two, if not three meals a day.
How to Choose the Best Bully Dog Food
1) Protein Count & Quality
The American Bully is a powerful-looking fellow, and those muscles don’t just come from nowhere. The best dog food for them should contain a constant supply of high-quality protein from good sources to keep those muscles in prime condition.
Animal protein provides the most comprehensive package of amino acids, vitamins and minerals that your pet needs in their diet. Plant protein doesn’t quite give the same mix of good stuff, and can also be a little more difficult to digest, although it’s usually a great source of fiber.
Look for dog foods with great quality animal proteins (real meat or meat meal) as their primary sources and contain 30% protein and more.
2) Moderate Fat Count & Quality
Fat gets a bad rap when it comes to dog foods, but the right amount of fat is essential to keep your pet’s energy levels up, as it’s a super dense, easily-metabolized form of energy.
The key here is choosing the good, healthy kinds. The second important thing is making sure there’s enough of it to fuel your American Bully throughout his or her day. Carbs play a role to a certain degree, but fats are digested quicker and provide a more accessible form of energy to round out your dog’s nutritional needs.
The best dog food for your active Bully should have more than 15% fat in them.
3) Omega Fatty Acid Content
The American Bully can be prone to allergies, which affect both their digestion and their skin and coats. They are very short-haired dogs, which means skin irritation should be easy to see but it’s also quite exposed to the outside environment.
A high Omega fatty acid content and the addition of vitamins A and E are essential components of a balanced diet to keep your American Bully’s immune system up and skin allergies to a minimum.
4) Joint Supplements
With the heavy muscular build that these pups have, it’s a no-brainer that their joints would need a little more support than other dogs.
Glucosamine and chondroitin should be present in a balanced diet to help strengthen and maintain joint strength. If a food doesn’t contain either one, it’s not the end of the world – you can purchase supplements to feed your dog separately.
5) Affordability
Your dog should be getting all the best nutrients he needs while eating a meal that fills him up and that he enjoys at the same time. For most of us, though, we can’t just go wild and get our pooch or our kid the fanciest, most expensive stuff out there. But it is possible an affordable dog food that has most (if not all) of the nutrients your dog needs.
Our Best Value For Money option is aimed specifically at dog parents who are looking for the best dog food at a low price.
Ingredients to look for in the Best Bully Dog Food
A great dry dog food for Bullies should have all-natural ingredients to meet their nutritional needs.
Real Meat. An all-natural dog food is the best option for your American bully and that requires a real meat source for its main nutrients – especially protein. Make sure the protein source in the dog food you feed your little pooch is identified ( the animal it comes from has been named, for example, beef, chicken, lamb, etc).
High-quality Fat. Fat sources such as animal fat, fish oil, canola oil, and flaxseed are considered as the best. Look for dog food products that use them as their main fat source.
Carbohydrates. Carbs should include some fruits and vegetables (sweet potatoes and squash are great), and grains that are acceptable include oats, rice, millet, barley, and sorghum. Corn, wheat, and soy must be avoided.
Other things you should keep an eye out for to make a balanced diet include glucosamine and chondroitin, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, calcium and phosphorus, and vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin E. These are important supplements that make up a well-rounded dog food for your American Bully.
Common Health Concerns for American Bully Dogs
This bully breed is relatively new, having been around for only 20 or so years. This means that there isn’t much info on this breed. We can make some fairly accurate assumptions about potential health issues based on the breeds they come from.
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
The bully breed is quite prone to hip and elbow dysplasia and luxating patella, which is compounded by the fact that they are pretty solid animals. Glucosamine can help with this, and should be given to your Bully breed from a young age.
- Heart Disease
Bully breeds are likely to suffer from congenital heart disease. To help prevent or at least manage their condition, be sure to give them a low sodium diet from a young age.
- Eye Problems
Eye problems are also common in American Bully dogs, such as cherry eye, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, entropion, and corneal ulcers. If you notice your dog having any vision problems, give them a dog food with high DHA and EPA content. And consult a vet before it gets worse.
- Skin and Coat Allergies
The bully breed can also struggle with skin issues, including demodectic mange (a parasitic condition), eczema, and allergic dermatitis. A dog food that has high Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acid levels would be great to keep skin and coat issues at bay.
Other things to watch out for are food allergies, hypothyroidism, obesity, and gassiness.
