How Long Do Pitbulls Live? A Complete Guide to Their Lifespan and Health 

A pit bull is a highly muscular, devoted, and affectionate dog that fits well into any family setting. Whether you are considering adopting a Pitbull or already have one, however that one question that should weigh heavily on your mind is: How long should a Pitbull live? This guide will explain everything from Pitbull lifespan to common health problems and how to keep your Pitbull alive and healthy for an extensive period.

How Long Should You Expect Your Pitbull to Live?

Depending on genetics, diet, exercise, and care, the average life span for pit bull breeds is 12 to 16 years. Some are bound to live a little longer, and some a bit shorter because of health issues and environmental stresses, yet proper care encourages a long life and the happiness that goes with it.

Factors Determining Pitbull Age:

• Genetics- This determines if your Pitbull lives healthy or otherwise.
• A very simple key to life being long is a balanced diet with the best quality.
• Exercise-good health and a long life is what Pitbulls get from this.
• Sake of the dog – Checking a vet regularly would go a long way in detecting life-threatening diseases.
• Environment-if made safe and devoid of stress-fosters longevity.
• Neutering helps prevent certain cancers and behaviors that may lead to unfortunate incidents.

The Major Causes of Death of Pitbulls

Like all other breeds of dogs, Pitbulls have their share of issues that impair their lifetime. Common deaths among Pitbulls may result from:

Car Accidents

Pit bulls can be rambunctious, inquisitive beasts who sometimes explore the neighborhood beyond backyard gates and into the street traffic. Good leash management, with the bonus of being behind a sturdy fence, will help prevent accidents from ruining their lives. Having advanced recall training may also save your Pitbull from running into traffic.

Some Common Genetic Disorders

Pitbulls are generally healthy dogs with a few hereditary disorders that tend to interrupt their lives. The following disorders affect a life expectancy countdown for your dog:

• Hip dysplasia– Painful joint condition leading to arthritis with pain often associated with impaired locomotion.
• Heart Disease– congenital heart defects or acquired conditions like cardiomyopathy.
• Allergies-Selected severe allergies can lead to skin or food-related issues that may set off secondary external or internal infections.
• Degenerative Myelopathy– An old dog disorder causing immobility.
• Cancer-Multiple types of cancers affect Pitbulls, with mast cell tumors among them.

Ensuring a Long Lifespan for Your Pitbull

Through optimal nutrition, exercise, and preventive health care, your Pitbull will live in great welfare.

Pit Bull Exercise For a Longer Life

Pitbulls, being energetic dogs, require daily exercise in walking, play, or agility workouts. They should be able to exercise daily throughout their lives. While there are great exercise requirements with some carryover that reduce the chances of obesity-related disease, consider implementing mental stimulation like training and puzzle toys for physical activities to boost healthy living.

Basic Yet Enjoyable Activities For Your Pitbulls Include:

• Walks – A minimum of at least 30-60 minutes daily.
• Play- Games involving tug-of-war, fetch, and other interactive competitions.
• Training- Keeping their minds sharp and active and the body active.
• Dog Activities- Agility, weight pulling, and obedience competitions.
• Swimming- This is good for muscle building yet less stressing on joints.

Pit Bull Preventive Health Tips

Like all other breeds, Pitbulls are prone to certain diseases and health problems; however, they are generally considered a fairly healthy breed.

But to ensure that their good health stays on, here are a few health tips that you should consider doing for your pitbull.

1. Routine Wellness Checks 

These visits can help assess and detect early, slowly developing health problems in the dog. Such annual checkups and screenings are useful in detecting hidden illnesses. Senior Pitbulls (7+) should be more subjected to routine veterinary checks.

2. Updates for Vaccines and Parasite Prevention 

Annual vet visits are essential to keeping rabies, distemper, parvovirus, flea, tick, and heartworm-free, with the utmost importance on monthly treatment and consultation with vets.

3. Keeping Weight in Check 

While joint troubles, diabetes, and heart conditions are usually the bottom line when shortening a pit bull’s lifespan. Therefore, the way that weight is kept healthy is by portioning and feeding healthy food. Signs that overweight Pitbulls show are panting, disinterest in exercise, and lethargy.

4. Become a Dental Specialist

On the other hand, elements signify good health in dogs, while on the other oral health represents one. Regular brushing, dental chews, and professional oral cleaning would help keep other organs from chronic infection resulting from gum disease. Periodontal disease is the most common in dogs without proper dental care.

5. Mental Exercise

Meanwhile Pitbulls do need fairly decent amounts of exercise outdoors. However, they are always better off when spared from extremely low temperatures. For instance, refraining from exercising outdoors during hot summer days to minimize the dangers of heat stroke. In winter, keep those little feet protected from ice and salt!

6. Feed a Well-Balanced Diet 

It’s the best diet—the proper mixed protein, fats, and nutrients any puppy deserves. Discuss the right feed with your vet according to your pet’s age and activity level. Consider raw or grain-free diets, depending on your dog’s needs.

7. Mental Stimulation

Pitbulls are intelligent dogs that need mental stimulation to combat boredom and other destructive behavior. Interactive toys, obedience training, and puzzle games can benefit their entertainment.

7 Unknown Facts About Pitbulls

Pitbulls are an amazing dog breed, with a rough and tough exterior and a softer than ice cream interior.They are highly stigmatized for being a ferocious dog breed.

But here are a few unknown facts about Pitbulls that will remove the stigma of being a dangerous breed.

1. Pitbull Is More Than Just One Breed

It is widely understood that the term “Pit bulls” is used to group many breeds, such as the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. While most pitbulls are not examples of a single breed, they are pitbull mixes of those mentioned dog breeds.

2. Pitbulls’ Bloodline Dates to 1600s England

Pitbulls were developed from bulldogs and terriers in England and were initially kept as companions and farm dogs after being used there for bullbaiting.

3. Early American Immigrants Believed Pitbulls Had Great Value

They were often called “nanny dogs” because they were fiercely protective and generally put up with more than their fair share of beta-type overbearing behavior from children.

4. Make Pitbulls Family Pets

Despite popular misconceptions, while pit bulls make wonderful pets, they are often caring and loyal companions to those they regard as family. However, if properly trained and socialized, they tend to be protective but gentle.

5. A Pitbull is Generally a Healthy Dog

Comparing other breeds, Pitbulls have fewer genetic health problems and can, with proper control, lead long and active lives. The diseases that most pit bulls suffer from are skin allergies and joint problems in old age. 

6. Pitbulls Need Daily Parades to Exercise 

This highly energetic animal needs to be mentally and physically paddled around. Denying such activities can develop into chewing, digging, or excessive barking.

7. Pitbulls Prefer to Have Several Small Meals a Day

Instead of giving one large meal, although many pit bulls do well with several smaller meals to facilitate digestion and minimize bloat. Abiding this feeding method also helps keep the energy levels steady during the day. 

Bottom Line

So, to answer your question – how long do Pitbulls live?

With the right care, Pitbulls may have long, fulfilling lives. Some live up to 16 years or even beyond. Provide quality veterinary care, a balanced diet, exercise, and a loving home, and your Pitbull will be happy and healthy for many years. 

Adoption decisions should factor in that even the lifespan of a Pitbull varies from a much shorter animal to a much longer one depending on the manner of its care. Use these tips to make the best life possible for your furry friend!