Best Dog Food For Pugs: Rated by Dog Experts in 2019
Pugs are the clowns of the canine world. These sturdy, compact dogs are full of personality and love to eat. Due to their affectionate nature, as a pet owner, I’m sure you want to provide the best dog food for your Pug.
In this article, you will learn more about the characteristics of a Pug, feeding guidelines, health issues and our list of the top dog food for Pugs.
Quick Comparison: Best Food For Pugs
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If your interested in learning more about each product, you’ll find in-depth reviews of each of the best dog foods for Pugs that we recommend if you scroll towards the end of this article.
Characteristics of a Pug
This affectionate dog is considered a toy breed by the AKC due to their small size.
They tend to be a passive dog, content to sit in your lap. Pugs enjoy companionship and will become your best friend.
Generally, they are fond of children and other pets, and they aren’t afraid of strangers.
Since they have moderate energy and are generally calm and quiet, they adapt well to apartment living. While they are not an overly yappy dog, they tend to wheeze and snore quite a bit.
Expect to be sidetracked by some foolishness if your pug doesn’t get a brisk walk around the block. This exercise gives him the opportunity to investigate new sights and smells.
If there are any drawbacks to owning a pug, some have a stubborn streak and can be somewhat hard to train. Also, they have a double fur coat. So even though they have short hair, they may shed a lot.
Table of Contents
- Quick Comparison: Best Food For Pugs
- Characteristics of a Pug
- What’s the Recommended Calorie Intake for my Pug?
- General Nutrition Guidelines for a Pug
- Feeding Guidelines by Age
- Some Common Health Problems with Pugs
- What is the Best Dog Food for my Pug?
- Editor’s Choice – Best Dry Dog Food For Pugs
- Best Puppy Food for Pug
- Our Recommendation – Royal Canin Pug Dry Dog Food
What’s the Recommended Calorie Intake for my Pug?
Pugs weigh about 14-18 pounds. According to Petpug.com, they should eat about 50 calories per pound which calculates to 700-900 calories.
Pugs are not as active as some other breeds, so this is just a general guide. Monitor caloric intake compared to activity level to determine the best amount of dog food for your pug.
Pug puppies need about an ounce of food for each pound of his weight. Adult Pugs should eat ½ ounce per pound of their weight. Also, reserve healthy snacks for obedience training.
General Nutrition Guidelines for a Pug
Pugs love to eat! If you combine overeating with their mild activity level, it makes them prone to obesity. Obesity causes many health issues for all dogs. For pugs, the extra weight puts too much pressure on their stout legs.
Pugs need a diet that is rich in high-quality protein and carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables. Too much corn and grains may induce a pug’s potential joint problems.
Some dog food manufacturers sell dog food brands that are high in protein and low in calories. These brands work well to help manage weight for less active dogs that tend to overeat.
Look for dog foods that list a type of meat as the first ingredient and avoid dog foods that contain by-products and fillers. These are just empty calories with no nutritional value.
Feeding Guidelines by Age
Acclaimed dog behaviorist, Cesar Milan, recommends feeding according to this schedule:
- 0-3 months/4 times daily
- 3-6 months/3 times daily
- 6-12 months/2 times daily
- After 1 year/1-2 times daily
Switch to adult dog food at 10-12 months of age. Pugs need ½ to 1 cup of high-quality dry food per day.
Some Common Health Problems with Pugs
Dogtime.com lists a variety of health problems that are common with Pugs.
Skin Condition. Cheyletiella Dermatitis, or Walking Dandruff, looks like heavy dandruff. It’s really a skin condition caused by small mites. Chafing will typically appear down the Pug’s back. Cheyletiella Dermatitis is contagious, so when it surfaces, treat all household pets.
Brain Disorder. Pug Dog Encephalitis, or PDE, is a brain disease that only affects Pug dogs. PDE causes the dog’s brain to become inflamed. It causes seizures and blindness, and it can be fatal.
Seizures. Pugs are also prone to another condition that causes seizures called idiopathic epilepsy. There is no known cause of these seizures. If your pet is seizing, take him to the veterinarian immediately.
Nerve Degeneration. Another serious problem that affects Pugs is nerve degeneration. This disease doesn’t seem to cause pain, but it causes lack of mobility in their rear legs and backside. This condition impedes jumping and running.
Dry Eyes. Pugs have large, pronounced eyes. Eye injuries and corneal ulcers are common. Pugs are also plagued by dry eyes. Two conditions called keratoconjunctivitis sicca and pigmentary keratitis, are diseases that cause eye dryness. Both conditions are treatable, but not curable.
What is the Best Dog Food for my Pug?
Take a look at our in-depth reviews of dog food for a Pug. We reviewed several top-notch dog food brands for your special pup.
Editor’s Choice – Best Dry Dog Food For Pugs
Royal Canin Pug Dry Dog Food
This dog food is formulated specifically for Pugs over ten months of age.
Since the Pug has a short snout, the small cloverleaf-shaped kibble is easy for them to eat compared to some other brands. It is made with a high-protein chicken meal, brown rice, ground corn, oatmeal, and chicken fat.
Pugs have unique folded skin, this recipe contains special nutrients to help maintain skin health.
Key Features:
- Formulated specifically for a Pug
- Nutritionally balanced for weight maintenance
- Cloverleaf-shaped kibble which makes it easier for the Pug to pick up and chew
Best Puppy Food for Pug
Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Turkey & Oatmeal
Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Puppy Recipe is formulated to promote the unique health needs of smaller puppies like the pug through whole foods.
Made with nutritious turkey, oatmeal, and salmon, the smaller kibble size is perfect for pug puppies!
This formula contains an extra boost of glucosamine and Omega 3 fatty acids for a healthy coat. It’s a balanced blend of antioxidant-rich fruits & veggies and vitamins & minerals to help support healthy growth and encourage a healthy digestive system.
Key Features:
- Contains the perfect kibble size for small puppies like your Pug
- Formulated with salmon oil which is a natural source of DHA to support brain and eye development
- This recipe contains no meat by-products, artificial colors, flavorings, preservatives, corn, wheat or soy
Holistic Select Lamb Natural Dry Dog Food
Lamb meal is a high-quality protein source for dogs and it’s the main ingredient in Holistic Select Lamb Natural dog food.
This formula doesn’t contain meat by-products, wheat, corn, or soy. Plus, it has a good balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. The added Omega 3 fatty acids will provide the nutrients for a shiny coat.
Key Features:
- Made with premium protein from real lamb, pre & probiotics, natural fiber, digestive enzymes to promote an overall health
- The size of the kibble is comparable to a peanut, so it should be fine for a Pug to eat
- Contains No: Meat By-Products, Fillers, Wheat or Wheat-Gluten, Artificial Preservatives, Colors or Flavors
Eagle Pack Lamb & Rice Natural Dry Dog Food
Eagle Pack is a highly rated, well-balanced dog food with no additives. This recipe has a good balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates made with lamb meal, oatmeal, and barley.
The kibble sizes are small enough for your Pug to eat. Glucosamine is added to help maintain joint health and flaxseed to support skin and coat health.
Many pet owners comment that this formula is mild enough for a dog with a sensitive stomach. Plus, this recipe really supports a shiny coat with less itching.
Key Features:
- Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that improve the shine of your Pug’s coat
- Oatmeal and brown rice provide natural nutrients and fiber for healthy digestion and firm stools
- Made in the USA with no corn, wheat, by-products, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
Our Recommendation – Royal Canin Pug Dry Dog Food
Any of the reviewed brands would be a great choice for your Pug. It really depends on your dog’s special needs.
Since Pugs are known for their short muzzle, which makes it difficult for them to pick up some kibble. We recommend Royal Canin overall. The best feature of this dry dog food is that the cloverleaf-shaped kibble is specially designed for them in mind. Further, it contains special nutrients to support a pug’s unique skin and joint issues.
While it does contain some fillers, it’s still high in protein and appropriately balanced to maintain the ideal body weight of this small dog.