11 Best Dog Foods For Pugs In 2023

Every dog has different needs, but there is one thing that most of them have in common – they need food. Pugs are no exception to this rule. 

However, the best dog food for pugs is not necessarily the same as what’s best for other breeds. 

Therefore, it’s essential to find out more about your pet before buying any new type of food!

Best Dog Food For Pugs

Wild Earth Dog Food

Wild Earth Dog Food

Your dog needs a healthy and nutritious diet to stay fit, but grain-based diets can be expensive. 

Wild Earth is the perfect alternative to high-priced dog foods because it’s made from real ingredients that you recognize. In addition, it provides a complete source of protein with no grains or fillers, so your pet will feel great and love what they are eating!

With Wild Earth Dog Food, you’ll save money on food while knowing that you’re feeding your four-legged friend something good for them! The plant-based formula contains all-natural ingredients like chickpeas, spinach, and sweet potato, which help maintain your pet’s health. So why not give it a try? You won’t regret it!

Key Features:

  • Get a variety of flavors that your pup will go wild for with every meal
  • Your dog’s stomach will be satisfied and happy because the food has significant digestive enzymes
  • The food comes from wholesome ingredients, without any artificial flavors or preservatives. 
  • Wild Earth’s plant-based dry dog food is tailored to your canine friend’s digestive system.

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Pug Adult Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Pug Adult Dry Dog Food

Pugs are prone to obesity and hip dysplasia, which can lead to serious health issues. The Pug also has a sensitive stomach, so you must be careful about what you feed him. 

We all know that we need to take care of our pets by feeding them healthy food, but it’s hard when the dog is constantly begging for table scraps or begging for something different from his usual food.

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Pug Adult Dry Dog Food is designed explicitly for Pugs with an ideal weight in mind. 

The dry dog food contains L-Carnitine and prebiotics that help maintain skin health while providing the protein content needed to keep your pet strong and active throughout his life.

This formula helps reduce excess weight without sacrificing nutrition or taste. Ask your vet about Royal Canin today.

Key Features:

  • Made to be easy for the Pug, for him to pick up and chew
  • It helps maintain skin health with a special complex of nutrients
  • Supports muscle tone by providing L-Carnitine
  • Easily digestible

Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food

Dog owners want to keep their dogs at a healthy weight.

Yet, many dog owners struggle with this task. Dogs are notorious for begging and stealing food from the table. 

This can lead to overfeeding or underfeeding the dog depending on whether they get more scraps than planned or not enough due to being left out of the party! 

Purina Pro Plan Adult Weight Management is specifically formulated for adult dogs that need help controlling their weight while still offering them the delicious flavor they love. 

By using Purina Pro Plan, you won’t have to worry about your pup getting too much fat in his diet because it’s made with high-quality ingredients, including real chicken as the first ingredient! 

With just two calories per cup and only 3 percent crude protein, this formula is perfect for pups who need a little extra help staying at an ideal body condition score (BCS).

Key Features:

  • Purina Pro has a special formula for keeping your pup at their ideal weight
  • The nutritious, low-fat kibbles are made with tasty lean chicken and prebiotics
  • You don’t have to worry about your dog’s health as Purina helps to manage it. 
  • It is the best food choice if you want them to stay healthy and happy.

Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

The best dog food for small breeds is hard to find. 

Most commercial dog foods are made with fillers and grains, which can make your pup sick. 

Taste the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food will keep your fur baby healthy and happy! 

This grain-free, gluten-free formula features real meat as the #1 ingredient, plus vitamins and minerals from fruits & veggies. With a high protein content (32%), this recipe supports lean muscles, strong bones & joints. 

In addition, Omega fatty acids help maintain skin and coat health while nutrients provide energy for playtime! Your furry friend will thrive on this nutritious diet!

Key Features:

  • Great for small breed dogs
  • Healthy ingredients with 32% protein to support your dog’s physical health
  • Flourishes because of omega fatty acids and superfoods that promote skin, coat, and energy 
  • It helps bones, joints, muscles with real venison as the #1 ingredient

Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food

Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food

Dogs with delicate stomachs can often be a challenge to feed. In addition, they frequently suffer from digestive issues and skin problems, making finding the right dog food vital.

Many people struggle to find foods made without fillers or additives that don’t contain artificial flavors or colors. 

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food is crafted in small batches using natural ingredients like beet pulp, which provides prebiotics for healthy digestion. 

The formula also contains omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, and essential vitamins and minerals to help support your pet’s overall health—and it comes highly recommended by veterinarians as well!

Key Features:

  • With Omega-6 fatty acids, a dog’s coat will look shiny and healthy
  • It contains natural ingredients which are easier to digest
  • It helps promote healthy skin & a lustrous coat with added vitamins E & omega-six fatty acids
  • Veterinarian recommended

Solid Gold – Holistique Blendz Natural Senior Dog Food

Solid Gold – Holistique Blendz Natural Senior Dog Food

Feeding your dog a quality diet is important, but it can be hard to figure out what’s best. 

Most pet owners settle for whatever their vet recommends or the cheapest food they can find at the grocery store. Unfortunately, this often results in digestive issues and weight gain.

Holistique Blendz with Oatmeal, Pearled Barley & Ocean Fish Meal Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food has been proven to help dogs lose weight and reduce stool volume by up to 50%. It also helps keep them regularly without any added fillers like corn, wheat, or soy! 

This formula is made from natural ingredients easily digested, so you don’t have to worry about your dog experiencing stomach upsets when switching brands. The grain-free recipe promotes healthy digestion while providing all of the nutrients needed for long-lasting energy and vitality. 

Key Features:

  • Nutrition for your dog’s sensitive stomach
  • Provides the perfect balance of protein and whole grains
  • Gently breaks down into easily digestible particles in your pup’s gut
  • Formulated with holistic, natural ingredients that promote healthy digestion

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food

Your dog deserves a great diet.

There are many problems with conventional dog food, but the biggest issue is that it’s filled with ingredients that your pup doesn’t need and can’t digest well. 

Natural Balance L.I.D.’s limited-ingredient diets use only the highest quality meat proteins as the primary ingredient in every formula, along with plenty of easily digestible carbohydrates like potatoes or sweet potatoes to round out each meal for optimal nutrition and digestion. 

Plus, the recipe is made without corn, wheat, or soy – common allergens found in many pet foods – so you know they’re suitable for your best friend!

Key Features:

  • It contains only ten natural ingredients, which makes it easy on your puppy’s stomach.
  • It helps provide maintenance food for adult dogs.
  • No artificial flavors or colors to make sure that no chemical additives in their dry dog food
  • Made without corn, wheat, soy, or gluten

Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Small Breed Dog Food

Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Small Breed Dog Food

The problem with most other dog food brands is that they are filled with artificial ingredients and preservatives. 

That’s why we created Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Small Breed Dog Food. This natural, dry food for small breed puppies is crafted with a smaller kibble size for easy eating and designed to promote whole-body nutrition. 

It’s made using carefully chosen, all-natural ingredients that are expertly balanced to support healthy growth and development. 

This dry dog food features real turkey as the #1 ingredient, plus salmon meal (a source of DHA) for extra heart health benefits; oatmeal as a gentle fiber source; antioxidant vitamins A & E; probiotics to help maintain digestive health; and prebiotic fibers to aid in digestion.

Key Features:

  • Made with small kibble for easy eating
  • Promotes whole-body nutrition
  • It is expertly balanced to support healthy growth and development.

Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food Lamb

Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food Lamb

You’re both sure to be smitten with Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food Lamb Meal Recipe, which includes a healthy combination of probiotics, antioxidants, and healthy fiber. 

Specially formulated with vital nutrients easily absorbed, this kibble ensures your dog feels energized all day long.

For discerning dog owners — and pups with picky palates — single-protein dog food is a must. So you’re both certain to be smitten with Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food Lamb Meal Recipe, which includes a healthy combination of probiotics, antioxidants, and healthy fiber.

This formula has been carefully crafted using the highest quality ingredients sourced from around the world. 

These natural ingredients include lamb meal as well as whole grains like brown rice and barley grass. What’s more? Every ingredient in the dry puppy food recipe is human grade.

Key Features:

  • No by-products or fillers
  • Gluten-free & wholesome kibble
  • Made in the USA with quality ingredients from around the world
  • Cost-effective and healthy for your dog

Eagle Pack Original Adult Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

Eagle Pack Original Adult Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

Is your dog not eating?

Eagle Pack Natural Dry Dog Food is a delicious, natural meal that will keep your furry friend happy and healthy. Made with high-quality ingredients worldwide, this recipe has been specially formulated to provide balanced nutrition for adult dogs of all breeds. 

With proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to help keep your pup energized, glucosamine for joint health, and omega fatty acids for skin & coat health, you can be sure that they’re getting everything they need in every bite.

Keep your pup happy and healthy with Eagle Pack Natural Dry Dog Food! This drool-worthy recipe is made in the USA with a unique balance of nutrients to help keep your adult dog healthy and happy. 

While proteins, fats, and carbohydrates help keep your dog energized, glucosamine helps promote joint health while omega fatty acids promote skin & coat wellness – so you can feel good about what you’re feeding them too!

Key Features:

  • Help keep your dog’s tail wagging
  • Keeps taste buds delighted during mealtime
  • Made in the USA with a remarkable balance of nutrients to help keep your adult dog healthy and happy 
  • Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates help keep your dog energized.

Purina Beneful Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Purina Beneful Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Your pug is a small breed and needs to stay slim?

Purina Beneful Healthy Weight With Farm-Raised Chicken Adult Dry Dog Food has 10% fewer calories than Purina Beneful Originals With Farmed Salmon. 

It’s specially crafted to help your furry pal stay slim and trim—and deliver the great taste he loves. The weight management dog food has 10% fewer calories than Purina Beneful Originals With Farmed Salmon. 

It’s specially crafted to help your furry pal stay slim and trim—and deliver the great taste he loves. The weight management dog food has 10% fewer calories than Purina Beneful Originals With Farmed Salmon.

Give your pup a recipe that will keep him looking his best with this delicious, healthy dry dog food for dogs of all sizes! 

Key Features:

  • Keep your dog slim and trim with Purina Beneful Healthy Weight
  • Help your pug get the nutrition he needs while keeping him from getting too heavy 
  • Give him a dry food that will fill his belly without adding excess weight to his frame
  • Dry dog food that’s tailored specifically for small breed dogs

Related:

Buying Guide For Buying The Dog Food For Pugs

Most Important Things To Look For In Dog Foods For Pugs

When looking at different foods, the first thing to do is flipping the bag over and taking a peek at the ingredients. All of what you need to know about whether or not this product will be good for your pug can be found right there, as long as you’re aware of how to decipher it all.

Kibble Size

When shopping for Pug dog food, it’s essential to keep in mind that small breeds with delicate stomachs need a diet specifically designed just for them. 

The Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Pug Adult Dry Dog Food is one such product- these kibbles are very tiny and easy to eat!

It’s best to get your Pugs foods that have a small-sized kibble. Smaller dogs like the pug breed require an easily digestible meal as they have smaller mouths than other animals their size. 

One way of doing this is by selecting products from brands like Royal Canin who offer meals made especially tailored towards the needs of these little buddies.

Quality Ingredients

Pug owners know that their beloved pet deserves the best. Therefore, the kibbles you feed them should not only be tiny and easy to chew but also provide all of the nutrients they need for optimal growth. 

Protein is essential in a diet, while fat helps maintain healthy skin and muscle tone! Vitamins are important too since it supports your Pug’s overall health with balanced levels- lookout for quality meat sources like fresh fruits and veggies and natural ingredients with omega-three fatty acids.

Low-Calorie Recipes

Pugs are the cutest and most lovable of all dog breeds, but they are also laziest. This is why it’s important to make sure your Pug stays healthy by feeding him in moderation. 

Look for low-calorie food options that will help keep his weight at a reasonable level instead of risking obesity or diabetes, which could lead to health problems down the line!

Pugs can be some mischievous little creatures who love getting into trouble when you’re not around. 

However, this is entirely understandable considering their lazy nature, thanks to those adorable faces constantly begging for attention. Unfortunately, with them being such takers. Puggles have been susceptible to weight gain more than any.

Nutritional Needs Of Pugs

Pugs are such active pets that it is vital to feed them foods with energy-boosting qualities. So to avoid a cranky and tired Pug, make sure your pup eats at least twice their regular intake of high protein food. If you’re looking for some great options, try these:

  • Eggs
  • Chicken breast without the skin or bone.
  • Beef liver cooked in milk (or cream).
  • Cottage cheese blended with fruit juice like apple juice or pineapple squash smoothie mix (you can also add yogurt).

Pug owners should be aware that feeding pups too many sweets will cause obesity!

Protein

Protein is one of the essential ingredients in a dog’s diet. Protein from premium quality animals helps make their coat shiny, hair grows smoothly, and gives them the energy to play all day long! 

To ensure your doggo gets enough protein, try looking for foods with animal-based proteins at the number one spot on the ingredient list, such as chicken or turkey, followed by fish or beef. 

Avoid any food where what you’re feeding appears higher up than meat sources because this may mean that they are getting too much fat which can cause obesity problems later down the road when it comes time to groom your pup again!

Fat

Fatty acids are the building blocks of a Pugs skin and coat, not to mention their increased immunity. 5% for adults and 8% on average is needed for fat intake from food sources like fish oil or flaxseed oils.

Carbs

The humble Pug enjoys the rich taste of a good carb. Carbs can come from wheat, vegetables, or even sweet potatoes and peas! Carbohydrates are essential to a healthy diet for any animal, and Pugs aren’t an exception.

The best way to get your pup on board with their new carbohydrate-filled lifestyle is by making them taste test all the different types before deciding which they like best because what one pug doesn’t care for might be another’s favorite food dish.

Vitamins And Minerals

It is crucial to provide your pup with high-quality nutrients to help them live a long and healthy life. Whole fruits and vegetables are an excellent way to do this, but they can be limited in protein content.

For the best of both worlds, try mixing different colorful foods like raspberries or blueberries for antioxidants alongside carrots for some vitamin A!

Supplements

Pugs need a lot of care. They have sensitive skin, so you should be careful around their eyes and ears to avoid them getting irritated or sunburned. You also want to make sure they’re well-fed with supplements that provide calcium, zinc, vitamin E, glucosamine, and chondroitin because these nutrients can contribute significantly to maintaining your Pug’s health!

Main Health Concerns For Pugs

Pugs are cute, fluffy bundles of joy that will shower you with endless amounts of unconditional affection. 

However, their small stature also means that they’re prone to a lot more health problems than other breeds might experience in the long run. 

These little guys have some pretty big issues on their plates but don’t let it stop you from taking one home!

Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE)

Your Pug can experience seizures, dementia, and lethargy when they are afflicted with this neurological condition. This is caused by inflammation in their brain, which usually causes early symptoms such as seizures or a loss of muscle coordination. 

Talk to your vet immediately if any of these symptoms arise so that they may be given medication for the condition!

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

Pugs are known for their small stature, squishy faces, and short snouts. Unfortunately, they also have a knack for having Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, which can cause the rear legs to be deformed due to hip problems. 

One sign of this is limping on one leg that has been affected by the disease with an offset femur head typically in its left thighbone.

Eye Problems

Pugs are known for their big, expressive eyes. Unfortunately, this means they also have dry eye issues that can affect everything from chronic irritation to infections and distorted vision. The good news is we’re here to help!

I love pugs’ huge eyes; it’s just unfortunate when a common condition like dry-eye makes them more susceptible to accidents or injury because of the results on their already delicate sight – but don’t worry about your pup anymore.

Skin Allergies

Pugs are known to have susceptible skin. You may notice some symptoms, such as redness in their armpits or on their bellies and elbows at times. 

Some pug owners might not even know that they suffer from allergies! They often happen when a person is eating something the dog happens to be allergic to – feed your pup other healthy foods like beef instead of corn-heavy choices so you can avoid this problem altogether!

Epilepsy

Epilepsy in pugs, also known as Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE), is thought to be caused by rapid changes in the electroencephalogram. 

The neurological disease is characterized by seizures primarily associated with jumping and attention during exercise or extended periods of excitement. A seizure can last up to 2 minutes. 

Fortunately, there are a few tips for dog parents who have dogs with PDE that will help ease the severity of their epileptic attacks. Here’s what you need to do when your dog has an epileptic attack:

Stay calm! Administering CPR or mouth-to-snout resuscitation should only be done if instructed by a veterinarian trained in veterinary medicine. 

Nerve Degeneration

Nerves in Pugs (and other dogs) degenerate when exposed to constant monotonous stimulation for a prolonged period. This is called “junkyard dog syndrome.” 

In these breeds, sensory nerves can be depleted entirely on one side and largely hypoactive on the other. 

The root cause for this nerve degeneration is yet unknown but may be linked with allergies caused by urban air pollution or lack of sunlight exposure that leads to weakened Vitamin D production.

It’s not entirely clear what causes it; some theories point to environmental insults like air pollution or vitamin deficiencies that make nerves more susceptible to damage from stimuli at a cellular level.

It could also simply be because the breed has been genetically selectively bred.

Corneal Ulcers

A common treatment for corneal ulcers in Pugs is phenylephrine HCL eye drops 1% to reduce the pain and itching.

Oral Benadryl can also help with pain reduction. However, B12 may be needed if not being supplemented elsewhere. 

Finally, a bland diet may help ease some of the discomfort associated with this condition; while usually not necessary for healing, it often helps keep a pug occupied, so they do not lick at the wound and thus deepen it. 

And while something could go wrong with chronic corneal ulcers, these will be addressed under “What if there are complications?”

Hemivertebrae

Hemi vertebrae in pugs are the result of an error in metabolism. Pugs have a metabolic disorder that causes nitrate formation to be higher than others — because nitrate induces hemivertebrae. The condition can arise from different genetic mutations, including GDNF nonsense mutation or “Dax.”

Pugs may experience pain when eating at times, and it’s suggested that they should not eat large quantities of food at once due to this condition (though feed them smaller meals more frequently). 

Some veterinarians even recommend keeping food tasty treats out of reach, so they’re not tempted to chow down on them throughout the day.

Hip Dysplasia

Dogs with hip dysplasia often have a malformed pelvic joint. The way it develops is unknown, but genetics and other factors might play a role because of the location of the joint. 

Symptoms include unwillingness to jump or climb stairs, difficulty getting up from laying down on their sides (also known as “going down”), hesitation squatting to urinate outdoors or attempting unsuccessfully, also pain or discomfort in hips when trying these actions can occur.

Common treatments are exercise and medication- particularly glucosamine sulfate supplements. 

It is recommended that dogs who develop symptoms early in life should be formally examined for hip dysplasia by an animal clinic at least once every six months until they are two years old; after that, they should be

Vaccination Sensitivity

Pugs are a breed of dog that has been called out as being more likely to have allergic sensitivities.

Pugs are prone to biting humans during grooming and having skin problems due to scratching. They can also be sensitive to anesthesia, requiring much higher dosages. 

This means Pugs should never undergo surgery or any kind of invasive procedure without the help of a veterinarian beforehand. An allergy sensitivity test would indicate how much previous exposure they’ve had before deciding on an appropriate dosage for their size and weight before undergoing any kind of treatment or surgical procedure. 

People who live in homes with pugs need to keep in mind that these dogs constantly shed (averaging 180 hairs per day). 

FAQS

What Is The Recommended Caloric Count For Pugs?

A typical Pug needs to be fed 50 calories per pound of their body weight. They need more as they grow older, and the number changes as well depending on age. 

For example, an adult pug will require 40 calories per pound of bodyweight while a senior pug requires fewer because it has slowed down its metabolic level over time.

What Food Is Bad For Pugs?

Third-wave coffee.

It’s true. Thanks to caffeine, pugs produce more saliva than normal and, in turn, need more frequent water intake, which causes high levels of dehydration and might lead to kidney failure over time. 

Be strong for the four-legged creatures by avoiding any drinks with caffeine in them – but remember that besides mammals, caffeine is also not safe for Rabbits (50mg/kg as an acute lethal dose), Calves (<2 mg/L as a cow’s LD ), Cats (>75mg) or Dogs (>200mg).

Can Pugs Stay Home Alone?

I let my pug stay home alone all day long; he’s got a big fence in the yard to run and play. He just lays in our bedroom when we’re gone!

It is very important to let the dog know who the boss is. He needs to know his boundaries and that you are always in charge of him. 

Allowing your pug to bark at people passing by the house, as well as spend time lounging around laying on the furniture, will make him more likely to do it again and get into trouble with family members or neighbors. 

Set up clear expectations for the dog before letting him go home alone, so he knows what is acceptable behavior while left alone without supervision.

Are Bananas Good For Pugs?

It depends on the reasons behind eating bananas, but generally, it is good food for them.

Is Royal Canin Pug Food Good?

Royal Canin Pug is a french brand.

Pugs are originally from China, and their droppings were considered healthy by the ancient royals in the Chinese Imperial court of the Zhou Dynasty. So naturally, they would eat what their masters ate, making pugs an exclusive and expensive breed for centuries.

Do Pugs Like Carrots?

No.

Pugs are often fed excessively, which makes them sick and hungry daily. The consumption of carrots can lead to health problems in this scenario, specifically an upset stomach and respiratory system distress. 

Keep in mind that the Pugs’ diet is something that a vet should monitor. Also, feed fresh fruits and vegetables only every once in a while (not every day), instead of rotating with human-grade kibble specifically formulated for their digestive systems as well as canned wet food (chicken or beef) at least once weekly. 

It will help maintain a healthy weight without adding too many unhealthy calories to your daily dietary intake. 

Additionally, Ensure or Healthsmart complete liquid calorie supplement may also help you regulate your pug’s nutrients, so be sure not.

What Human Foods Can Pugs Eat?

Pugs are omnivorous and can eat any type of food. However, they should avoid food that is high in oils or fats.

Food such as pizza, hot wings, or bacon should be avoided as these are oils and fats that a pug doesn’t need and may cause diarrhea or vomiting if consumed in excess. Other types of human food like rice, chicken breast, or tofu, will be fine for a Pug to have on occasion. 

Still, it’s best to talk with your veterinarian about what kind of diet will work for your pet, which is determined by their age and health needs, first before starting your picky eater on a new diet plan!

Can Pugs Eat Peanut Butter?

Yes.

Pugs can eat peanut butter, although it should be kept in mind that anything a pug eats must be properly chopped into small pieces as its muzzle is quite small, and it may not handle larger amounts of food well. 

Other considerations would also include the degree of care that the person initially has for the dog – if they own a pug with allergies, for example. Peanut butter would need to be avoided (as peanuts often aggravate these allergies). Pugs can also eat other nut butter such as hazelnut or almond butter!

Lastly, are there any other instances where nut butter would need to be avoided? If this is a first-time owner that’s allergic to nuts themselves, then they will

Conclusion

We hope this article has provided you with some helpful information about the best dog food for pugs. With a little bit of research and patience, it is possible to find an option that your pup will enjoy eating.

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