Feeding your American Bully puppy
By Nathan Gilmore, May 6, 2022
Good nutrition in the first year sets the foundation for a bully’s muscle, bone and lifelong health. American Bully puppies grow quickly, and they need the right balance of protein, fat and minerals to build a strong frame without growing too fast. Feeding too little or too much can both cause problems. This guide covers what to feed, how often and how to tell whether your puppy is at a healthy weight.
Choose a high-quality puppy food formulated for medium or large breed growth. Look for a named animal protein, such as chicken, beef or fish, as the first ingredient, and a label that says it meets the nutritional standards for growth. Large-breed puppy formulas control calcium and calories to support steady bone growth. Avoid foods heavy in fillers or artificial colors. If you are unsure, ask your vet to recommend a brand for your puppy’s age and expected adult size.
Stick to the food your puppy is already eating for the first week or two, since a sudden change can upset the stomach. Your breeder can tell you what the puppies were fed. If you decide to switch, do it gradually over seven to ten days by mixing increasing amounts of the new food with the old. Watch stools during any change, and slow down if you see diarrhea or vomiting.
Feed on a schedule. Puppies between eight and twelve weeks usually do best with three to four small meals a day. Around three to six months you can move to three meals, and by six months to a year most dogs do well on two meals a day. Scheduled meals, rather than leaving food out all day, make potty training predictable and let you see how much your puppy is eating. Pick up the bowl after fifteen to twenty minutes.
Use the feeding guide on the food bag as a starting point, then adjust to your puppy’s body. You should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat without seeing them, and see a slight waist when looking from above. Extra weight puts stress on developing joints and can lead to problems later, so a lean, muscular puppy is healthier than a chubby one. Weigh your puppy regularly and ask your vet whether it is on track.
Treats and extras count. Training treats add calories, so keep them small and reduce meals slightly on heavy training days. Avoid table scraps, and never give grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions, xylitol or cooked bones, which can be dangerous. Always provide fresh water, and change it often, especially in Florida’s heat. Slow feeder bowls can help puppies who gulp their food.
Supplements are usually unnecessary if you feed a complete puppy food, and extra calcium can actually harm a growing large-breed puppy. Talk to your vet before adding anything. Keep mealtimes calm, and avoid heavy exercise right before or after eating to lower the risk of stomach problems. If your puppy stops eating, vomits repeatedly or seems lethargic, call your vet.
As your bully reaches about a year, you can transition to an adult formula, again over about a week. Keep watching the waistline through adulthood and adjust portions as activity changes. If you have questions about feeding a puppy from our program, contact us any time. To see the puppies we have available, visit our puppies page.
See available puppies | Meet our studs | Contact us
NMG Bullies, licensed American Bully breeder. 7534 Briarcliff Cir, Greenacres, FL 33467. Call or text 561-714-2477. Email nmgbullies@gmail.com. Open anytime by text or call. $1,000 deposit reserves a puppy (Cash App $nmgbullies, PayPal paypal.me/nmgbullies). Prices $4,000–$8,500.
