American Bully Puppy Food and Weight Chart
The best American Bully puppy food is a complete growth formula with real meat first, solid protein and fat, and DHA, fed in measured meals so your puppy grows steadily and stays lean. Feed three to four meals a day until about 6 months, then two or three, and switch to adult food at around 12 months for pocket and standard bullies or 12 to 18 months for XLs. Below you’ll find an American Bully weight chart by variety, a calorie-based feeding chart, and what to feed an XL bully puppy.
American Bully puppy feeding at a glance
- Food: a complete puppy (growth) formula suitable for large-breed puppies; our pick is Bully Max 24/14 Puppy
- Meals: 4 a day at 8 to 12 weeks, 3 a day to about 6 months, then 2 to 3
- How much: roughly 3 times resting energy needs under 4 months, then about 2 times (estimates in the chart below)
- Goal: steady growth and a visible waist, not the biggest puppy on the block
- Weigh-ins: every 2 weeks; adjust portions by about 10% at a time
- Switch to adult food: about 12 months for pocket and standard; 12 to 18 months for XL
What to Look for in American Bully Puppy Food
American Bully puppies grow from a few pounds to a dense, muscular adult in a year or two. The food that carries them through that needs to do a few specific things.
- A growth claim on the label. Look for a statement that the food is complete and balanced for growth and, for bullies expected to reach 70 pounds or more, wording that includes large-size dogs. A food labeled only for adult maintenance is not made for puppies.
- Real meat first. A named animal protein at the top of the ingredient list gives growing muscle the amino acids it needs.
- Enough protein and fat. Bully puppies are active and fill out fast. A puppy food in the mid-20s for protein with moderate fat supports growth without pushing it.
- DHA. An omega-3 fatty acid that supports brain and eye development.
- Controlled calcium. Large and XL puppies are sensitive to too much calcium, so stick with a complete growth food and skip extra calcium supplements.
- Easy digestion. Soft or loose stool is the most common puppy food complaint. Ingredients that support gut health help.
Not sure how to read a label? Our guide to dog food ingredients to look for and avoid breaks it down, and our best dog food for American Bullies guide compares popular brands side by side.
Why Bully owners pick 24/14 Puppy
American Bully owners are the largest group of Bully Max customers, about a third of the owners in our post-purchase survey. Puppy growth is one of the reasons they list for choosing us. Here is how a few of them put it:
“New bully puppy, want to try a food specific for his breed.”
— Bully Max customer, post-purchase survey
“Researched a bunch of puppy food and decided to give this one a shot and she loves it”
— Bully Max customer, post-purchase survey
“My dog has been eating this since he was 6 weeks old. He is now 4 years old and is solid, muscle definition in his legs.”
— Bully Max customer, post-purchase survey
Bully Max 24/14 High Protein & Growth Puppy Food is built for this stage: 24% protein, real lamb, and TruMune to support digestion and immune health. Every Bully Max dog food is suitable for large-breed dogs, including large-breed puppies, under AAFCO guidelines, so the same bag works for pocket, standard and XL puppies. It comes in 5, 10 and 15 lb bags, and we have over 50,000 5/5 reviews and a Dog Food Advisor 5/5 rating.
Start your bully puppy on the food made for growth.
START YOUR BULLY PUPPY ON 24/14
Made for growing puppies with 24% protein, real lamb, and TruMune to support digestion and immune health.
Watch: what TruMune does
TruMune is in two of our foods: 24/14 Puppy and 30/20 High Protein Chicken. This short explainer covers the ingredient, and our article on the benefits of TruMune in dog food goes deeper.
American Bully Weight Chart by Age and Variety
There is no official American Bully weight chart. The American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) defines its four varieties by height at the withers, not weight, and states that “there is no particular weight for the breed.” Still, owners want to know if their puppy is on track. The chart below gives rough estimates by age, based on typical adult weights for each variety and a typical growth curve for medium to large dogs.
| Age | Standard / Classic | XL | Approx. share of adult weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 months | 4 to 9 lb | 8 to 12 lb | 12 to 20 lb | about 15% |
| 3 months | 8 to 15 lb | 12 to 20 lb | 20 to 32 lb | about 25% |
| 4 months | 10 to 21 lb | 18 to 28 lb | 28 to 46 lb | about 35% |
| 5 months | 14 to 27 lb | 22 to 36 lb | 36 to 58 lb | about 45% |
| 6 months | 16 to 33 lb | 28 to 44 lb | 44 to 72 lb | about 55% |
| 8 months | 21 to 42 lb | 35 to 56 lb | 56 to 91 lb | about 70% |
| 10 months | 24 to 48 lb | 40 to 64 lb | 64 to 104 lb | about 80% |
| 12 months | 26 to 53 lb | 44 to 70 lb | 70 to 114 lb | about 88% |
| 18 months | 29 to 58 lb | 48 to 78 lb | 78 to 126 lb | about 97% |
| 24 months | 30 to 60 lb | 50 to 80 lb | 80 to 130 lb | 100% |
Estimates only, not a breed standard. Adult ranges used: pocket about 30 to 60 lb, standard/classic about 50 to 80 lb, XL about 80 to 130 lb. Classics usually sit at the lighter end. Individual puppies vary with genetics, sex and frame.
A few rules for using the chart:
- Watch the trend, not one number. Weigh every two weeks and look for a steady upward line. A puppy that drops off its curve, or suddenly jumps above it, deserves a closer look.
- Use the parents as your best guide. Your breeder’s adult dogs tell you more about where your puppy will land than any chart.
- Check body condition. At every weigh-in, you should be able to feel the ribs with light pressure and see a waist from above. Lean puppies grow into sound adults.
- Height comes first, then mass. Most bullies reach close to adult height by about 10 to 12 months, then fill out through the chest and head until around 18 to 24 months. XLs often take the longest.
For your bully’s variety and adult size, see our pocket bully size and care guide and how to determine your dog’s ideal weight.
How Much to Feed an American Bully Puppy
How much to feed depends on your puppy’s current weight, age and activity, and on the calories in the food. A common starting point is about 3 times resting energy needs until 4 months of age, then about 2 times until your puppy is close to adult size. Here is what that works out to:
| Current puppy weight | Calories per day, under 4 months (estimate) | Calories per day, 4 months to adult (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 lb | about 390 | about 260 |
| 10 lb | about 650 | about 440 |
| 15 lb | about 880 | about 590 |
| 20 lb | about 1,100 | about 730 |
| 30 lb | about 1,490 | about 990 |
| 40 lb | about 1,850 | about 1,230 |
| 50 lb | — | about 1,450 |
| 60 lb | — | about 1,670 |
| 70 lb | — | about 1,870 |
Estimates based on resting energy requirement (70 × body weight in kg0.75) times 3 under 4 months and times 2 from 4 months to adulthood. Few bully puppies weigh more than 40 lb before 4 months. Every puppy is different, so adjust by about 10% based on body condition. For a quick calculation, use our dog food calculator.
To turn calories into cups, divide by the calories per cup printed on your puppy food’s label, and use the feeding chart on the bag as a cross-check. Split the daily total into meals, and count training treats as part of it. Treats should stay under about 10% of daily calories.
American Bully puppy feeding schedule
| Age | Meals per day | What to focus on |
|---|---|---|
| 8 to 12 weeks | 4 | Keep the breeder’s food for the first week, then switch over 7 to 10 days. Small, frequent meals. |
| 3 to 6 months | 3 | Fastest growth. Weigh every 2 weeks and adjust portions. |
| 6 to 12 months | 2 to 3 | Growth slows. Watch for extra fat as activity changes. |
| 12 to 18 months | 2 | Pocket and standard bullies move to adult food around 12 months; XLs often stay on puppy food longer. |
Feed at the same times every day and pick up the bowl after 15 to 20 minutes. Free-feeding makes it hard to know how much your puppy is eating, and it is the fastest way to a chubby bully. Our puppy daily routine guide shows how to fit meals, potty breaks and training into the day.
Signs you are feeding too much or too little
| Too much | Too little |
|---|---|
| No visible waist; ribs hard to feel | Ribs, hip bones or spine easy to see |
| Soft, large or frequent stools | Constantly hungry, low energy |
| Gaining faster than the weight chart | Falling behind the chart or losing weight |
| Leaving food in the bowl | Dull coat, slow growth |
If your puppy has diarrhea for more than a day, vomits repeatedly, stops eating, or loses weight, see your vet. Puppies dehydrate quickly.
Picky puppy?
About one in seven of our survey respondents said a big reason they chose us was that their dog loves the taste or finally eats. If your puppy turns its nose up at dinner, first rule out a health problem, then try a regular schedule, a little warm water on the kibble, or a topper. This quick tip from our channel helps, and our guide on getting your dog to eat everything you give them has more.
XL Bully Puppy Food: Feeding the Biggest Bullies
XL American Bully puppies need the same complete growth food as smaller bullies, with a bit more care on pace. Fast growth in large and giant breed puppies is linked with bone and joint problems, so the aim is steady growth on a lean frame.
- Pick a food suitable for large-breed puppies. Every Bully Max dog food is suitable for large-breed dogs, including large-breed puppies, under AAFCO guidelines, so 24/14 Puppy works for XLs.
- Measure, don’t free-feed. XL puppies will eat whatever is in front of them.
- Keep the waist. If your XL is ahead of the chart and getting round, trim portions by about 10%.
- Stay on puppy food longer. Many XLs do best on a growth food until 12 to 18 months.
- No extra calcium. A complete growth food already has what an XL puppy needs.
- Go easy on impact. Short walks and free play on soft ground beat long runs and repeated jumping while growth plates are open.
Own or plan to own an XL? Read our XL Bully ban update for the legal picture in the U.S.
Puppy Supplements and Training Treats
A complete puppy food covers the basics, so supplements are optional extras, not a replacement for a good diet. Talk to your vet before adding anything if your puppy has a health condition or takes medication.
Puppy Tabs add daily nutrients for bones, joints, immune support and brain development, with choline and omega-3.
SUPPORT HEALTHY PUPPY GROWTH
Daily puppy tabs with nutrients for strong bones, flexible joints, immune support, and brain development with choline and omega-3.
Prefer a soft chew? Our puppy chews with colostrum support healthy growth, immunity and digestion. Read more about colostrum in dogs.
Training starts the day your puppy comes home, and bullies work hard for food. Keep treats small, count them in the daily calories, and use them to build the habits you want. Our guides on how to train an American Bully and the puppy training schedule by age show where to start.
Our soft training treats are bite-sized, so you can reward often without overfeeding.
MAKE PUPPY TRAINING MORE REWARDING
Soft bite-sized treats with real beef, 22% protein, and DHA to support growth and brain development while your puppy learns.
Setting up for a new puppy? Use our new puppy checklist so nothing gets missed.
Switching Your American Bully to Adult Food
Switch when your bully reaches about 75 to 85% of its adult size. For most pocket and standard bullies that is around 12 months. XLs often stay on puppy food until 12 to 18 months. Change foods gradually over 7 to 10 days, mixing in a little more of the new food each day. Our guide on when to switch to adult dog food covers the details.
For most adult bullies, we recommend Bully Max 30/20 High Protein: 30% protein, 20% fat, 535 calories per cup, and TruMune in the chicken recipe. Because it is calorie dense, portions stay small. Bullies that gain fat easily, or need a chicken-free food, often do better on 25/11 Lamb (45% less fat, 415 calories per cup).
| Ideal adult weight | Calories per day (estimate) | Cups of 30/20 per day (535 kcal/cup) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 lb | 690 to 890 | 1.3 to 1.7 |
| 40 lb | 860 to 1,110 | 1.6 to 2.1 |
| 50 lb | 1,020 to 1,310 | 1.9 to 2.4 |
| 60 lb | 1,170 to 1,500 | 2.2 to 2.8 |
| 70 lb | 1,310 to 1,690 | 2.5 to 3.2 |
| 80 lb | 1,450 to 1,860 | 2.7 to 3.5 |
| 100 lb | 1,710 to 2,200 | 3.2 to 4.1 |
| 120 lb | 1,960 to 2,520 | 3.7 to 4.7 |
Estimates for typical adult dogs (about 1.4 to 1.8 times resting energy needs). Start low for calm or neutered dogs and higher for very active ones, then adjust by about 10% based on body condition.
Why Bully Owners Trust Bully Max
Bully Max is a family-owned U.S. company founded in 2009, making high-performance, meat-based nutrition for dogs like yours. Our food is made in the USA, every batch is triple tested for safety, and we have zero recalls. We have served millions of dogs, earned over 50,000 5/5 reviews and hold a Dog Food Advisor 5/5 rating. See every recipe side by side in our dog food comparison chart.
FAQ
What is the best food for an American Bully puppy?
A complete growth formula with real meat first, solid protein and fat, DHA, and wording that covers large-breed puppies. We make Bully Max 24/14 Puppy for exactly this: 24% protein, real lamb and TruMune, and it is suitable for large-breed puppies under AAFCO guidelines.
How much should I feed my American Bully puppy?
As an estimate, about 3 times resting energy needs until 4 months and about 2 times after that. A 20 lb puppy under 4 months needs roughly 1,100 calories a day; a 40 lb puppy over 4 months needs roughly 1,230. Divide by the calories per cup on your bag, split into meals and adjust to body condition.
How many times a day should an American Bully puppy eat?
Four meals a day at 8 to 12 weeks, three meals until about 6 months, then two or three. Adults do well on two meals a day.
How much should a 3-month-old American Bully weigh?
As a rough estimate, about 8 to 15 lb for a pocket, 12 to 20 lb for a standard and 20 to 32 lb for an XL. Genetics vary a lot, so the parents’ size and your puppy’s body condition matter more than any chart.
What should I feed an XL bully puppy?
A complete growth food suitable for large-breed puppies, in measured meals, with no extra calcium. All Bully Max dog foods, including 24/14 Puppy, are suitable for large-breed puppies under AAFCO guidelines. Keep your XL lean and expect to stay on puppy food until 12 to 18 months.
When should an American Bully switch to adult food?
At about 75 to 85% of adult size: around 12 months for most pocket and standard bullies, and 12 to 18 months for XLs. Switch gradually over 7 to 10 days.
Give your bully puppy the right start. Feed Bully Max 24/14 Puppy in measured meals, weigh every two weeks, and switch to 30/20 when your puppy is close to adult size. Put it on autoship and save 10% so you never run out, and browse the full puppy food collection.
