Raw Diet for American Bully Pros Cons: The Complete Guide (2026)

You hear the sound at 2:00 AM. It’s the rhythmic thumping of a back leg against the floorboards, followed by the wet sound of chewing. Your American Bully is scratching again. Skin issues and allergies are the plague of this breed, and for many owners, the kibble in the bowl is the prime suspect.

You have likely seen the transformation photos online. A dog goes from patchy, red skin to a gleaming, muscular coat just weeks after switching to raw food. But is it actually safe? Is it worth the massive price tag? And do you really have time to be a butcher in your own kitchen every morning?

This guide breaks down the raw diet for American Bully pros cons without the hype. We look at the costs, the health benefits, the risks, and the reality of feeding a 100lb dog raw meat in 2026.

What Is a Raw Diet for American Bullies?

Before we weigh the good against the bad, we need to define what we are talking about. A raw diet, often called BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) or PMR (Prey Model Raw), aims to mimic what dogs would eat in the wild.

For an American Bully, this isn’t just about tossing a steak in a bowl. It is a calculated balance. The golden rule for a balanced raw diet is usually the 80/10/10 breakdown:

• 80% Muscle Meat: Beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, pork.
• 10% Edible Bone: Chicken quarters, turkey necks, duck wings (soft bones they can crunch).
• 10% Secreting Organs: Liver, kidney, spleen (half must be liver).

Because American Bullies are heavy, muscular dogs, they burn energy differently than a Greyhound. They need high protein to maintain that mass without getting fat. This is where the debate between commercial kibble and raw food heats up.

Raw Diet for American Bully Pros Cons

Let’s get into the meat of the argument. Why are so many kennels switching to this method, and why do some vets warn against it?

The Pros: Why Owners Switch

1. The End of Skin Allergies This is the number one reason Bully owners switch. This breed is notorious for environmental and food allergies. Many commercial kibbles use fillers like corn, wheat, soy, or peas that trigger inflammation. Raw food eliminates these fillers entirely. If you are battling constant itching, hotspots, or yeast infections, a raw diet is often the “cure” that works when medicated shampoos fail. For a deeper look at managing these issues, read our guide on American Bully skin problems and allergies.

2. Better Muscle Definition and Weight Control American Bullies, especially the Pocket and Exotic classes, gain weight easily. Kibble is high in carbohydrates (starches are needed to bind the nuggets together). Raw food is high in protein and fat but almost zero carb. This helps your dog build lean muscle rather than storing soft fat.

3. Smaller, Less Smelly Poop This sounds minor until you own an XL Bully. Dogs on kibble produce large, soft, frequent stools because their bodies are trying to process ingredients they can’t digest. On raw, the body absorbs almost everything. The waste is small, firm, and turns white and chalky after a day or two. It smells significantly less.

4. Cleaner Teeth and Breath Chewing on raw, edible bones scrapes plaque off the teeth naturally. You avoid the “dog breath” associated with fermenting starches in the mouth.

Never feed cooked bones. Cooking makes bones brittle, causing them to splinter and puncture the stomach or intestines. Always feed bones raw.

The Cons: The Harsh Reality

1. The Cost is High There is no way around this. Feeding a 100lb XL Bully a raw diet is expensive. While a bag of high-end kibble might cost $80 (£65), a month of raw food can easily run $200–$400 (£150–£300) depending on whether you prep it yourself or buy pre-made blends.

2. Bacterial Risk Raw meat carries Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. While a healthy dog’s stomach acid is strong enough to handle these bacteria, you are at risk. If your dog licks your face after eating, or if you don’t sanitize your kitchen counter perfectly, you can get sick. This is a major concern for households with small children or immunocompromised people.

3. Nutritional Imbalance If you just feed your dog ground beef and chicken breast, they will get sick. They need calcium from bone and vitamins from organs. Getting the balance wrong can lead to serious health defects, especially in growing puppies.

4. Freezer Space and Prep Time You cannot store raw meat in a pantry. You will likely need a dedicated chest freezer if you have a large Bully. You also need time to portion out meals, thaw them safely, and clean up afterward. It is not as convenient as scooping kibble from a bag.

Summary Comparison Table

The Cost Breakdown: Can You Afford It?

Money is usually the deciding factor. American Bullies are big eaters. Let’s look at the numbers.

According to general feeding guidelines, an adult dog should eat 2-3% of their body weight in raw food daily.

• Example: A 100lb (45kg) XL Bully needs roughly 2.5lbs (1.1kg) of food per day.

United States Costs:

• DIY Raw: Sourcing cheap cuts, chicken quarters, and bulk organ meat might cost you $2.00 – $3.00 per pound. That is $5.00 – $7.50 per day, or $150 – $225 per month.
• Pre-Made Commercial Raw: Buying ready-made patties from a pet store can cost $6.00 – $10.00 per pound. That is $15.00 – $25.00 per day, or $450 – $750 per month.

United Kingdom Costs:

• DIY Raw: Roughly £1.50 – £2.50 per day if you have a good butcher connection.
• Pre-Made Commercial Raw: Expect to pay £3.00 – £6.00 per day for brands like Nutriment or Bella & Duke for a large dog.

If you are already worried about the ongoing expenses of owning this breed, you need to look at the full financial picture. We break down insurance, vet bills, and food in detail in our American Bully cost and price guide.

Addressing Specific Bully Health Issues

Switching to a raw diet isn’t just about preference; for many Bully owners, it’s a medical necessity.

Combating Atopic Dermatitis

If your Bully has red paws, rashes on the belly, or pimples on the chin, they likely have atopic dermatitis. While environmental triggers (grass, pollen) play a part, diet is the foundation of the immune system. A raw diet rich in Omega-3s (from oily fish like sardines or salmon oil) reduces systemic inflammation.

Joint Health and Hip Dysplasia

American Bullies carry a lot of weight on their joints. Hip dysplasia is a genetic concern, but diet affects how severe the symptoms are.

1. Weight Management: Keeping a Bully lean reduces pressure on the hips. Raw food makes it easier to cut calories without sacrificing nutrients.
2. Natural Glucosamine: Poultry feet (chicken or duck) and beef trachea are packed with natural glucosamine and chondroitin, which support joint health better than synthetic supplements. If you are concerned about your dog’s movement, read more about American Bully hip dysplasia to understand the signs.

How to Start: A Transition Plan

You cannot switch a dog from kibble to raw overnight. Their digestive system needs to adjust from processing starch to processing heavy proteins and bone. Doing it too fast results in “cannon butt”—diarrhea that you do not want to clean up.

The 10-Day Transition Schedule:

• Days 1-3: Treat the raw meat like a treat. Feed their normal kibble, but offer a small piece of raw chicken breast by hand.
• Days 4-6: Replace 25% of the kibble with raw meat (boneless at first).
• Days 7-9: Replace 50% of the kibble with raw meat and introduce soft bone (like a chicken wing).
• Day 10: 100% raw. Monitor their stool.

What meat to start with? Start with Chicken or Turkey. They are bland and easy to digest. Do not start with rich meats like Beef or Pork until the dog has been on raw for a few weeks.

Add a tablespoon of pure canned pumpkin (not pie filling) to their meals during the transition. The fiber helps firm up the stool while their gut bacteria adjusts to the new diet.

Handling Safety and Hygiene

The biggest criticism from veterinarians regarding raw diets is safety. This is valid. You are bringing raw bacteria into your kitchen.

Rules for a Safe Raw Kitchen:

1. Stainless Steel Bowls: Plastic bowls develop micro-scratches that harbor bacteria. Use stainless steel or ceramic and wash them in hot, soapy water after every meal.
2. Dedicated Sponges: Do not use the same sponge to wash your dog’s bowl that you use for your own dishes.
3. Defrost in the Fridge: Never defrost meat on the counter at room temperature. Thaw it in the fridge to keep bacterial growth slow.
4. Wash Your Hands: This sounds obvious, but you must wash your hands immediately after touching the meat or the bowl.

The Puppy Question: Is Raw Safe for Bully Pups?

Can you feed an American Bully puppy raw? Yes, but it is risky if you don’t know what you are doing.

Puppies need a very specific ratio of Calcium to Phosphorus to ensure their bones grow straight. If you get this balance wrong with a DIY diet, your Bully could develop rickets or bone deformities.

For puppies under 12 months, it is highly recommended to use a pre-made commercial raw balanced specifically for puppies. Let the experts handle the calcium ratios until your dog is fully grown. You also need to ensure you are feeding the right amount for their rapid growth phases. Check our [feeding chart](https://bullyowners.com/how-much-to-feed-american-bully-chart) to see how caloric needs change as they grow.

Is Raw Right for Your Lifestyle?

Before you buy a chest freezer and 50lbs of chicken quarters, ask yourself these questions:

1. Can I afford an extra $150+ per month?
2. Do I have time to prep meals every day?
3. Do I have the freezer space?
4. Can I stomach handling raw organs like liver and kidney?

If the answer to any of these is “no,” there is no shame in feeding a high-quality, grain-free kibble. A fed dog is better than a hungry dog. However, if your Bully is suffering from chronic skin issues and nothing else has worked, the raw diet is often the only thing that will turn their health around.

Buying an American Bully is a commitment that goes beyond just paying the breeder. You are signing up for 10-13 years of food, vet bills, and care. To understand the full scope of what you are getting into—from picking a breeder to managing insurance—we strongly recommend you read the American Bully Buyer’s Guide. It covers the hidden costs that most new owners overlook until it is too late.

If you are looking for the long view on your dog’s health, understanding their life stages is crucial. You can read more about what to expect as they age in our article on the American Bully lifespan.

No. This is a complete myth. Feeding a dog raw meat does not give them a “taste for blood.” Aggression is behavioral and genetic, not nutritional. A raw-fed dog is just as sweet and family-oriented as a kibble-fed dog.

Yes, you can. Some owners do “half and half” to save money. However, some dogs have sensitive stomachs because raw food and kibble digest at different rates. If your dog gets gassy, try feeding raw in the morning and kibble at night rather than mixing them in the same bowl.

For an adult Bully, chicken quarters (leg and thigh), duck necks, turkey necks, and pork ribs are excellent. Avoid “weight-bearing” bones like beef leg bones or marrow bones for eating, as these are too hard and can crack their teeth. Those should only be recreational chew toys, not food.

Many vets see the “worst case scenarios”—dogs with fractured teeth from hard bones, or puppies with rickets from unbalanced diets. They also worry about Salmonella risks to the human family. Vets generally prefer kibble because it is scientifically guaranteed to be complete and balanced, whereas DIY raw feeding has a margin for human error.

Final Thoughts

The debate on raw diet for American Bully pros cons ultimately comes down to your resources. If you have the budget and the discipline, the health benefits for the Bully breed are undeniable, particularly for skin and coat condition. If you choose to go this route, do your research, keep your kitchen clean, and watch your dog thrive.