6 Best Dog Foods For Pugs in 2023

Who would not find pugs adorable? Pugs are small-breed dogs who are irresistibly cute. We can’t stop praising them for the way they snore while sleeping, slobber while giving us kisses, and the way they grunt while playing. They look adorable every time we look at them. When you own pugs, the first thing that you are concerned about is their diet. It is important for the diet to have high-quality ingredients, vitamins, and minerals that support their health.

The markets are full of brands that make bold claims for providing high quality but do they really provide what they are claiming? To find out the best dog food on the market, we bought and used some of the dog foods for pugs. Below we have reviewed them. Scroll down to have a look at our favorite ones.

1. Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Adult Dog Food

Since pugs are known for being obese, Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Adult Dog Food is the best you can get that helps pugs in weight management. One thing that we loved about it and that makes it on the top of our list is that it uses 25% less fat than other dog foods. Weight management had always been an issue for our pug and Purina Pro Plan Dog Food has solved the issue. The primary ingredients used in the kibble are chicken and rice. This kibble is a shredded blend which means some of the pieces are crunch and others are partially soft. Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Formula has also used live probiotics which help in healthy digestion and improve the immune system.

2. Royal Canin Weight Care Canned Adult Dog Food

Royal Canin Weight Care Adult Dog Food comes in canned form and provides the proper nutrition your pug needs. This canned food includes pork and chicken which makes it high in protein. What we did not like about this dog food is that the pork added to it is made of by-products. Another thing added to this canned food is flour. Both corn and rice flour are added to it.

Dried beet pulp is added to this canned food which makes the pugs feel full. Taurine is also an ingredient that improves the heart health of your doggo. Royal Canin Weight Care Canned Adult Dog Food is a wet dog food that makes it fatty and it’s not good for your pet’s teeth so we added some dry kibble to it.

3. Blue Buffalo Super Nutrition Senior Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Super Nutrition Senior Dog Food is the best for senior dogs because it uses real meat as the primary ingredient. This formula is specially designed for senior pugs as it contains less protein, less fat, and more fiber to help the pug’s digestion. It also contains calcium for your pug’s bones. After using Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula, we felt that our pug’s itchiness, dry skin, and allergies have almost gone if your pug is sensitive, allergic, or picky, no need to worry because this dog food will suit all pugs. Although it is slightly pricey but worth buying.

4. Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Small Breed Dog Food

We Also tested out Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free real chicken and sweet potato recipe for small breeds. It is suitable for all life stages, especially senior dogs. The added probiotics in this grain-free dog food help in digestion. The crunchy texture of the kibble keeps the dog’s teeth clean.

Senior pugs need energy so Merrick Lil’ Plates Senior Real Chicken Dog Food provides energy and promotes muscle health. The sweet potatoes added to this kibble are an excellent source of dietary fiber and improve the digestive health of your doggo.

5. Royal Canin Health Nutrition Pug Puppy Dog Food

For our puppy, we tried Royal Canin Health Nutrition Pug Puppy Dog Food as it was full of nutrition and made from healthy ingredients. This kibble is designed in a tiny and cute shape which makes it perfect for short-nosed pugs to chew it.

Chicken by-product meal is the primary ingredient which makes it rich in protein. For carbs, brewer’s rice and corn are added. Chicken fat and fish oil are also added to this kibble to provide omega fatty acids to your pug.

6. Wellness Complete Health Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food

Wellness Complete Health Grain-free Dog Food is made from natural ingredients. It is made using turkey, chicken meal, salmon meal, and chicken fat which makes it high in protein and essential amino acids. One thing that we loved about this dog food is that it is made from natural ingredients and free from grain and does not use any filler ingredients. Nutritious foods are added like peas and lentils for carbs.

Wellness Complete Health Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food also includes salmon oil. Salmon oil has a strong odor so our puppy didn’t like the smell. Overall, we love Wellness Complete Health Natural Grain-free Dog Food. You can consider getting this dog food if money is not an issue for you as this product is a little pricier due to its ingredients.

Buying Guide To Choose The Best Dog Food for Pugs

There are plenty of dog foods on the market that claims to be best for pugs but you need to carefully check the bag before buying it as it can tell you if the dog food is of high quality or not. The bag of dog food contains all the necessary information you need to know.

Below are some of the factors that you must check before buying dog food for your pug:

Quality Ingredients

The first thing you need to look at in your pug’s dog food is the ingredients list. The best dog food is the one that is made with premium ingredients and offers nutritional value that helps them grow.

Pugs need a balanced diet that includes protein, fat, and carbs as well as vitamins and minerals for their overall health. Look for natural ingredients, quality meat, fresh fruits, and veggies before buying dog food for your pug.

Kibble Size

Pugs are small breed dogs so they need something they can easily chew and digest. It is best to get pug food that has a small kibble size because it is easy for pugs to chew.

Low-Calorie Formula

Pugs are more prone to obesity than other dog breeds so it is important that you check the calories before getting certain dog food for your pug. Make sure to get dog food that has a low-calorie count because it will save your dog from obesity and diabetes etc.

A low-calorie formula keeps the pugs active and helps your pug to manage a healthy weight.

Filler-free Formula

We all know skin allergies are most common in pugs. They would eat something and have allergic reactions so avoid dog foods that have filler ingredients like corn or soy because they can cause allergies. Prefer dog foods that have natural ingredients.

Daily Calorie Requirements of Pugs

Pugs need energy to stay well and these energy requirements change at different stages of life. Puppies need more calories than adults for activity and growth. As they grow older, their energy requirements decrease.

Puppies: A pug puppy needs 50 calories per pound of body weight.

Adults: An adult pug needs 40 calories per pound of body weight.

Seniors: Pugs enter their senior years when they are around 6 to 7 years old. A senior pug needs 32 calories per pound of body weight.

FAQs

How often should I feed my pug?

Pug puppies have more energy needs so they need to be fed three times a day with several snacks in between each meal. 8 to 12 months of pugs should be fed 2 times per day.

Pugs older than 12 months can be fed 1 or two times depending on their activity level.

What to feed and not feed your pug?

Avocados, green tomatoes, mushrooms, raw potatoes, peach pits, plums, and cherries are not good for pugs and should not be fed to pugs. While chicken, beef, lamb, and cooked potatoes should be fed to pugs.

What is the best protein for pugs?

Chicken, lamb, beef, and turkey can provide quality proteins to your pug. Processed byproducts should be avoided.

Should I feed my pug dry kibble or wet dog food?

Dry kibble is best for pugs as they keep the teeth clean while wet dog food may lead to runny stools.