Pitbull Dog Life Expectancy: Lifespan and Care Tips

If you’re thinking about adopting a Pitbull, you’re most likely wondering about the Pitbull dog life expectancy. Afterall, you’re going to want to spend as many years as you can with your new fur baby!

This article will dive into the average lifespan of a Pitbull, factors that impact how long they live, and what you can do to ensure your pup lives a long and healthy life. 

How Long Do Pitbulls Live?

The Pitbull is not a specific breed of dog, rather it is a group of dog breeds that evolved from bulldog-terrier crossbreeds. The most common crossbreeds are the American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and American Bully. 

The average Pitbull dog life expectancy is between 10 and 16 years. That’s quite a big range. When it comes to Pitbull lifespan, it really depends on a variety of lifestyle factors and the exact crossbreed. Among all the different crossbreeds, American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are known to have the longest lifespans. 

The oldest Pitbull on record was a terrier crossbreed from Louisiana that lived to the ripe old age of 26! There have been other reports of Pitties living well into their late teens. This just goes to show that lifestyle may have more of an impact on Pitbull dog life expectancy than genetics.

Ways to Extend Your Pitbull’s Lifespan

As we just saw, there have been those Pitbulls that have defied the odds and lived well beyond the average life expectancy. So how can you ensure your pup will live a long and healthy life?

Spay or Neuter

Spaying and neutering isn’t just about population control. These surgical procedures can actually help our pups live longer. In female Pitbulls, spaying decreases the incidence of breast tumors, which are usually malignant or cancerous in roughly 50% of dogs.

Neutering male dogs can significantly reduce the chance of developing testicular cancer and other prostate problems. 

Quality Nutrition

One of the biggest things that will impact your pup’s health and lifespan is what you feed them. There are so many dog foods on the market that contain additives and fillers, and include only the minimal amount of nutrition to be able to call themselves “balanced.”

In order to grow and sustain their musculature, pitties need the right amount of fat, protein, vitamins and minerals. We always suggest speaking with your veterinarian who can guide you on what to feed and how much at each stage of your pup’s life. 

Proper diet and nutrition and incredibly important for helping your Pitbull live the longest and healthiest life possible!

Exercise

Equally important to proper nutrition is making sure your pup gets plenty of exercise. Due to their stocky, muscular build, Pitbuls can suffer from obesity if they don’t get enough daily exercise. And with every extra pound comes an increased risk of developing serious health issues. This is particularly true in older Pitbulls.

So be sure to take your dog for a walk, hike or jog each day. Just be sure to equip them with the right harness and collar. Pitties are strong and you want to make sure you have proper control of them when around other people and dogs.

On hot days, make sure to walk or exercise your pup either in the early morning hours or in the evening when it’s cooler. And be sure to give them plenty of fresh water after each walk or hike.

Dental Health

Dental health is extremely important for your pup’s overall health. When their teeth and gums are allowed to become infected, that bacteria can enter the bloodstream and begin to infect other organs. This often leads to kidney, liver and heart disease. 

Good oral health is dependent on getting your pup’s teeth professionally cleaned every one to two years. In between cleanings, be sure to brush your dog’s teeth at home. Your vet can show you how to do this. Only use dog-safe toothpaste, NEVER human toothpaste as it’s toxic to dogs.

If your dog just doesn’t cooperate with at-home cleanings, offer them dental treats on a regular basis to scrape off that plaque and tartar. 

Treat Them Like Family

Pitbulls have a pretty sad and tragic recent history. They are a chosen breed of people who are not looking for a family member but a fighter. Pitbulls are no different than any other dog in that they need to feel loved and safe. They need to live INSIDE a home, not chained outside in all kinds of inclement weather. They need to be a true part of the family that is cared for as a cherished being. 

Enroll Them in Pet Insurance

Like any other dog breed, or crossbreed, Pitbulls come with their own set of common health issues. And many of these can be expensive to treat!

The key to extending your dog’s life is being able to afford treatments should they become seriously ill or injured. This is why so many pup parents are enrolling their fur babies into a pet insurance plan.

Many plans offer affordable monthly premiums and some will even pay 90% of the vet bill! That gives Pittie parents peace of mind.

If you’ve been thinking about getting pet insurance for your pup, but weren’t sure who was the best pet insurance provider, here are the top providers based on reviews from pet parents just like you:

 

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2024

Rating	Provider	Total Review
4.9	Embrace	10,254
4.9	Healthy Paws	7,461
4.9	Fetch	171
4.9	Lemonade	774
4.8	Trupanion	55,007
4.8	Nationwide	21,391
4.8	Prudent Pet	124
4.7	ASPCA	5,692
4.7	Hartville	164
4.7	MetLife	408
4.7	PetPartners	98
4.7	Spot	159
4.5	Pets Best	7,187
4.4	AKC	889
4.4	Figo	587
4.3	Pet Assure	12
4.3	Pumpkin	54
3.4	ManyPets	10

Final Thoughts

What is the Pitbull dog life expectancy? That really depends on their specific genetic traits and their lifestyle. If you offer your dog proper nutrition, plenty of exercise, take care of their oral health, treat them with love and kindness and enroll them into a pet insurance plan, you have every chance of spending many, many years with your Pittie.

References:

https://www.caninejournal.com/pit-bull/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Pit_Bull_Terrier

 

Disclaimer

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.