Feed a ground raw diet, or include whole bones.
Many pit bull owners involve their dogs in sporting and working events and contests such as Schutzhund, agility, weight pull and tracking. Good nutrition helps the dogs stay in excellent condition and build muscle tone. Raw meat or BARF (bones and raw food) diets have become increasingly popular since the 1993 publication of Dr. Ian Billinghurst's book "Give Your Dog a Bone." A raw meat diet may be especially beneficial to an allergy-prone breed like the pit bull terrier.
Features
Raw meat diets are based on the premise that dogs are carnivores, so they don't need grains or carbohydrates. There is no known dietary requirement for carbohydrates in the canine diet, according to Julio E. Correa, Extension Animal Scientist, Associate Professor, Food and Animal Sciences, Alabama A&M University. A raw diet emulates a natural carnivore's diet: raw meat, bones and organs. Some people feed vegetables with a raw meat diet, but they're not mandatory. The bones contain calcium and other essential minerals. Fat provides energy, while meat and organs give a pit bull protein and amino acids. Tom Lonsdale, DVM, author of "Raw Meaty Bones," says some table scraps are fine, as long as you avoid harmful foods like grapes, cooked bones and onions.
Types
There are many ways to feed a raw meat diet, and a variety of different meats should be included. Every meat has a different nutrient profile; for well-balanced nutrition, your pit bull needs both red meat and poultry. Many companies formulate freeze-dried and commercially prepared ground raw food; several brands are available at pet stores. Pit bulls, with their sturdy jaws, have no problem eating rather large bones, and it's cheaper to feed whole meat and bones. Meat and bones can be purchased from grocery stores and butchers. Unusual meats, for variety, such as green tripe, goat, mutton, duck or buffalo, are sold by raw pet food distributors.
Benefits
Benefits include smaller, virtually odorless feces; clean, healthy teeth and gums; improved skin; shiny fur; and lack of "doggie odor." Pit bull allergies can be improved or cured with a diet free of highly processed food and artificial ingredients. Those with working or performance pit bulls often choose to feed a raw diet to keep their dogs lean and muscular. Susan Wynn, DVM, writing for the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, states that breeds developed as working dogs may well have different dietary requirements than those bred as lap dogs.
Considerations
Many vets accept a raw diet, even if they don't endorse it; and two have written books recommending it. Dr. Wynn acknowledges that "freshness and variety" are important in dog nutrition and recommends that veterinary practitioners respect their clients' feeding practices. However, feeding whole bones can cause obstructions and broken teeth, and while most dogs handle the bacteria load well, they can be susceptible to food-borne illnesses. Unless you have a very cheap source for raw meat, such as farming or hunting, raw food costs are higher than commercial food costs. It also takes more time to obtain and feed raw meat, compared to pouring kibble into a bowl. If you have more than one dog, take care during feeding time. Raw meat is a "higher value" food than dry kibble, and some dogs will escalate resource guarding or food aggression around food. This is a training issue and not a nutrition issue, and easily managed with a little common sense.
Misconceptions
A common misconception is that raw meat gives pit bulls a "taste for blood" and makes them vicious. There is no evidence to support this claim. Pit bulls may be aggressive because of breeding, genetics or poor training, but not because of the food they eat.
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