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Best Foods for a Picky Eater Pit Bull

By: Zyra Capalac
Zyra is a Special Project Coordinator of HomeLife Media and a writer for iHeartDogs.com. She has 3 dogs namely Skye, Luna, and one of them is a rescue, named Tesla.Read more
| April 21, 2026
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We hear it all the time: “Why won’t my finicky pit bull eat the expensive food I buy them?!” Dealing with a picky pit bull can be frustrating, so we asked our I Love My Pit Bull Facebook community the following question: “What’s the best food for a picky eating Pit Bull?” We received hundreds of replies and summarized some of the best suggestions below.

Best Foods for a Picky Pit Bull

Mine is too Purina True Instincts. I change it up every couple of months

Author: Lynne L.

Likes: 6


My pits & my Cane LOVE their 4Health food. It’s been the best I’ve encountered for them!

Author: Breann P.

Likes: 19


I used to feed mine rotisserie chicken on top of his dry dog food. I used Iams Lamb and Rice

Author: Jessie M.

Likes: 4


Zignature is great and has 13 or more flavors. The base is the same, and the protein just changes.

Author: Kelly B.

Likes: 7


I feed my two dogs Hills food, Perfect Digestion, recommended by our vet. It’s a chicken stew with peas and carrots in gravy. It has all the goodness needed for dogs. They love it! Helene

Author: Barry E.

Likes: 2


Victor. My pittie had stomach problems, was picky, dog training facility suggested Victor brand. Cost is great, protein is listed first, etc. Great dog food.

Author: Mara A.

Likes: 1


Try raw, this happened to my angelina. She wouldn’t eat kibble anymore and lost so much weight, so we tried raw, and she loves it, eats every meal, and put her weight back on. She is 12, and we did this when she was 10

Author: Sharon M.

Likes: 8


I never have that problem with my pit. She will literally eat anything. We feed her & our shepherd Blue Buffalo wet & dry. I mix salmon oil that I buy at Petco & organic pumpkin with their food.

Author: Lisa Percz S.

Likes: 2


We feed our babies Avoderm, and it’s helped tremendously with their dry skin! One of our pups always had bad hotspots, and he doesn’t anymore after a few months on it. They also seem to go nuts for it, which is nice because they used to tire of food easily.

Author: Kevin S.

Likes: 0


Purina One. My girls love it, and it’s great for them. Both lost much-needed weight and have their hourglass figures back.

Author: Richard S.

Likes: 2


Blue buffalo, call of the wild, good holistic foods, but let me ask you if you eat steak 7 days a week for a month, you’d get tired of it after a month, so find a good holistic dog for an switch it up, they will appreciate it, just a thought….

Author: Edward P.

Likes: 1


I’ve been using Zignature Salmon and whitefish recipe. Thor has severe food and environmental allergies; he’s also food-picky, but does well with this

Author: Andrea P.

Likes: 0


Pedigree is the only thing one of our dogs ate. He was not a pitbull. My pittie was raised on it. Try that. If not, kibble and bits are not the store brand. Your pit. Sounds like my 4 cats. My husband made a mistake and bought an off-brand cat food. My cat threw a tantrum and ended up throwing his cat food at me. I was sitting the cat was next to its food dish on the counter. If your pitbull doesn’t eat, try cooking stew meat, throw in vegetables, put it all in water, and simmer on the stove. My grandfather had to do that for one of his dogs. He had to put it on top of a small scoop of dry dog food. By the way, other family members could be picky too.

Author: Deborah C.

Likes: 0


Taste of the wild and easy to interchange between the flavors. Our puppy is the same and never gets sick with Taste of the Wild from duck to venison and Buffalo to fish, as with other food brands, she would have the runs

Author: Michelle W.

Likes: 0


My pittie was eating Purina True Instinct for 2 years, but then I found some questionable ingredients, so I switched her to Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials ‘salmon and rice formula, and she absolutely loves it. She also gets 1 can of Purina Beyond wet food a day.

Author: Kenny S.

Likes: 0


I have a SUPER picky one as well! I give him American Journey Salmon Blend. If he still doesn’t want to eat, I put some warm water in it and swirl it around to make a gravy, and he usually eats it right away after that!

Author: Brittany O.

Likes: 0


I’m no food or dog expert, but I do have a pitbull. This is my third one; they were all rescues. They were happy to eat anything I put in a bowl of food-wise. Until I started spoiling them a little bit, table scraps, etc., special treats. That’s when my dogs got picky. I would put food in the bowl, and she would turn her nose up at it. It would sit for a day or two until I added something to it or she got really hungry. Just my opinion, but I believe a hungry dog will eat anything unless he’s smart and knows something else is coming.

Author: William M.

Likes: 35


The honest kitchen. They have great stuff. Try a smelly food like something with fish and put hot water with it (make sure it’s not too hot though)

Author: Megan C.

Likes: 0


I cook for them my own chicken thighs, chicken liver, some salmon or cod in the oven with carrots, then I chop it into pieces with white rice, for some reason, they don’t like brown rice. To avoid boredom, I put butternut squash or parsnips, sweet potato, apple, and pear also cooked like a soup or oven it with the meat. Sometimes I mix dry dog food hypoallergenic, as they have so many allergies to the food that is made for them. 13-year-old Pitbull and 7-year-old Australian Silky Terrier.

Author: Emily C.

Likes: 0


Fromm, my little pit has a sensitive stomach, and she absolutely loves this. I can’t even keep the cats out of it.

Author: Danny H.

Likes: 0


Our family pets love Super Gold and have no more digestive or allergy problems. Our little dogs also love it. Venison is a big hit.

Author: Merri O.

Likes: 0


Science Diet sensitive skin and stomach for all 3 of mine due to allergies. Only cancer caused one to be picky, but he ate it for 9 years

Author: Katie A.

Likes: 0


The honest kitchen. My pit loves it. Never any issues. I see a lot of people saying white rice. Both of my pits threw that up almost immediately. I read that if you’re going to feed them rice, give them brown rice.

Author: Jimmy S.

Likes: 0


Beneful prepared meals for dogs, our Pit loves it and never walks away from it. Add a scoop of dry, and he is licking the bowl clean and wanting more

Author: Cheryl Nobles H.

Likes: 0


Both of mine are on Stella and Chewy’s Raw Dinner Patties. My 1-year-old is on surf and turf, and my puppy is on chicken and fish. I also add a tablespoon of goat’s milk for my dogs and cut up chunks of fresh pet.

Author: Jessica G.

Likes: 0


Earthborn Holistic Dog food. I have 2 pitbulls. I feed them the grain-free

Author: Debra D.

Likes: 0


Taste of the Wild is what I’ve been giving my pitbull puppy for about 12 years now. One of the top healthy dog food options is not too expensive.

Author: Dana R.

Likes: 0


Mine likes Blue Buffalo, but once in a while, I give him as a treat a little bit of fresh pet food and I give it as a little treat.

Author: Angela W.

Likes: 0


Before I switched to making my own food, I always bought Diamond Naturals lamb flavor, I think …

Author: James R.

Likes: 0


Blue wilderness hard food mixed with soft food… after we rescued her, she was very picky…I fixed her up some sweet potato to add on top, and she gobbled it up

Author: Patty B.

Likes: 0


Frequently Asked Questions About Foods for Picky Pit Bulls

1. Why is my Pit Bull such a picky eater?

    Pit Bulls can become picky due to boredom with the same food, previous exposure to table scraps, or underlying health issues. Sometimes, they simply prefer variety in their meals.

2. What is the best food for a picky Pit Bull?

    The best food is one your dog enjoys while still meeting their nutritional needs. Many owners find success with high-quality kibble, raw diets, or foods with strong aromas like fish-based formulas.

3. Should I switch my dog’s food often?

    Occasionally rotating flavors or protein sources can help keep your dog interested in their food, but frequent sudden changes should be avoided to prevent digestive upset.

4. Can adding toppers help my Pit Bull eat?

    Yes, adding toppers like cooked meat, pumpkin, or a bit of broth can make meals more appealing and encourage picky eaters to finish their food.

5. Is raw food a good option for picky Pit Bulls?

    Some picky dogs respond well to raw diets because of their taste and texture. However, it’s important to ensure the diet is balanced and approved by a veterinarian.

6. Can warm water or broth help picky eaters?

    Yes, adding warm water or low-sodium broth can enhance the smell and texture of food, making it more enticing for your dog.

7. Are Pit Bulls sensitive to certain ingredients?

    Some Pit Bulls have food allergies or sensitivities, which can affect their appetite. Identifying and avoiding trigger ingredients can improve both digestion and interest in food.

8. Should I avoid giving table scraps?

    Yes, feeding table scraps can encourage picky behavior by teaching your dog to hold out for more appealing human food instead of their regular meals.

9. How long can a picky Pit Bull go without eating?

    Healthy dogs can skip a meal or two, but if your dog refuses food for more than 24–48 hours, it’s best to consult your veterinarian.

10. How do I transition my Pit Bull to a new food?

    Transition gradually over several days by mixing the new food with the old in increasing amounts to avoid digestive upset and help your dog adjust.

11. When should I see a vet about my dog’s eating habits?

    If your dog shows signs of weight loss, lethargy, vomiting, or ongoing refusal to eat, it’s important to seek veterinary advice to rule out health problems.

The Best Diet for a Picky Pit Bull

Feeding a picky Pit Bull can take patience, but the right approach can turn mealtime into a positive experience. Offering variety, enhancing meals with healthy toppers, and choosing high-quality, flavorful foods can help encourage better eating habits. Since every dog has unique preferences, it may take some trial and adjustment to find what works best. With consistency and guidance from your veterinarian, you can help your Pit Bull stay well-nourished, maintain a healthy weight, and enjoy their food again. Always consult your vet before making any health changes to your pit bull’s diet, especially if they frequently suffer from any medical issues.

RELATED: The Complete Dog Food Guide: Nutrition, Ingredients, Feeding & How to Choose

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