Pugs are adorable, squish-faced little dogs with unique personalities to match their looks. They have quickly become a favorite breed amongst pet owners all around the globe. While having one of these quirky pups is sure to bring pleasure to your day in, and day out, you want to make sure that they are eating the best food possible.
The best dog food for pugs will give them the energy that their bodies need, low calories, so they do not gain weight rapidly and makes sure that they are absorbing the essential nutrients that their bodies need to be happy and healthy.
With how many dog food options there are available it can get tricky picking out the right one your pug needs. Look no further as our list gives you a variety of different dog foods to pick one from, each benefiting the overall health of your beloved pug.
Best Dog Food for Pugs
1. Royal Canin
When looking for the best food for pugs why not chose Royal Canin Pug Adult Food as it caters specifically to the Pug breed.
Key Features:
- Fits the health needs of purebred pugs
- Easy to eat kibble shape
- Weight controlled portions stated on bag
Pugs need a specific diet that best caters to their unique body type. Because of their wrinkles, they need a diet that will strengthen their skin and provide essential nutrients that their wrinkly skin needs.
While small they are muscular, so Royal Canin provides enough protein that will give them a healthy calories boost, without risking weight gain that they need.
Pugs are well-known for their small, squished faces, which can make eating regular dry food a hassle. Royal Canin’s bites are specially made to be easily picked up by your pug so they can eat comfortably and satisfy their tummies.
Pros:
- Maintains muscle tone
- Helps with dental health
- Gives pugs the energy they need
Cons:
- Can only be fed when a pug is ten months or older
- Contains grains so not ideal for dogs with grain allergies
Your pug will fully benefit from Royal Canin Pug Adult Food to make sure that they are happy and healthy throughout their lifetime.
2. Wellness Natural
Wellness Complete Small Dog Food Formula is specifically made to support the needs of small dogs like pugs.
Key Features:
- Comes in six flavors
- Comes in 4lb and 12lb bags
- Promotes a healthy body inside and out
Pugs may have little bodies, but they deserve a diet that will fully benefit them. Wellness Complete uses a mix of high-quality animal proteins, fruits, vegetables, and grains to provide Pugs with the essential nutrients that they need.
Each portion is formulated to ensure that your Pug will get the calories and energy content that they need without risking them getting overweight. Not only that, but they will get an optimal blend of fine fibers and probiotics that will promote an ideal digestive system and better poops.
An ideal level of Omega Fatty acids makes sure that your pup will have a healthy skin and coat, which is essential for the wrinkly skin of a pug.
Pros:
- Animal protein the first ingredient
- Provides essential fatty acids
- Gives essential nutrients
Cons:
- Contains barley so not ideal for dogs with grain allergies
You want to avoid giving small breed dogs a diet that will harm their body more than help, and Wellness Complete Small Dog Food Formula.
3. Blue Buffalo
It is no secret that Pugs tend to gain weight rather quickly, so, to prevent that from occurring in your pug, feed them Blue Buffalo Small Breed Healthy Weight.
Key Features:
- Made specifically to control weight in small dogs
- Made with wholesome ingredients
- Available in 6lb and 15lb options
Pugs need a higher calorie count since their bodies burn calories faster, but they cannot have an overwhelming amount as they can gain weight rather than maintain it. Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight Formulas uses lean animal proteins, so your Pug gets the animal proteins their bodies need while controlling their weight.
Not only that, but the Blue Life Protection Formula boosts your dog’s immune system, can be fed at all life stages and provides a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that dogs need to have strong and healthy bodies.
Pros:
- Contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Contains no corn, wheat, or soy products
- Has Blue Life Protection Formula
Cons:
- Contains grains so not fit for dogs with grain allergies
When you start to feed your Pug Blue Buffalo Small Breed Healthy Weight, you will see a significant improvement in their overall health, especially their weight.
4. Taste of the Wild
Taste of the Wild Small Breed Formula uses venison as its main animal protein, which is easy to digest and an optimal protein source for small dogs.
Key Features:
- Ideal for small breeds
- Species-Specific Probiotics
- Has essential antioxidants
Taste of the Wild’s Small Breed Formula is rich in proteins and fats so that small dogs can have the ideal energy source that will keep them active and happy.
Venison is one of the best animal proteins for your dog to eat as it is one of the least likely to cause allergies, is easy to digest, and is lean meat, which Pugs need to avoid excess weight gain.
To provide the Probiotics that small dogs need, Taste of the Wild adds 80 million live, active cultures that help support healthy digestive and immune systems. To further maintain digestive health, garbanzo beans, and dried chicory root give your Pug the fiber their bodies need.
Pros:
- Easy to east kibble size
- Has no grains
- Antioxidant-rich
Cons:
- Contains a high ratio of added vitamins instead of natural ones
Cater to your Pug’s special bodily needs all in the handy dog food formula that Taste of the Wild Small Breed Formula offers.
5. Purina Pro Plan
Pugs have it a little bit easier than us with having a weight control diet when feeding them Purina Pro Weight Management.
Key Features:
- Real animal protein is the first ingredient
- Has 25% less fat than standard formula
- Comes in puppy, adult, and senior variations
If your Pug needs to maintain their weight do not sacrifice flavor for results; your Pug can still enjoy a tasty meal and keep off those excess pounds.
Purina’s Weight Loss Formula contains less fat than the standard recipes since it uses leaner chicken as the first ingredient. Even though the animal protein is lean, it will still promote strong and lean muscles so your Pug will not lose energy fast.
While this recipe does contain grains, the grains are all-natural and provide dogs with an optimal fiber source that helps regulate their stomachs and maintain a healthy digestive system.
Pros:
- Natural fiber source
- Promotes healthy skin and coat
- Specified to help reduce and maintain weight
Cons:
- Contains grains so not ideal for dogs with stomach sensitivities or allergies
Never hear someone body shame your Pug again when they eat Purina Pro Weight Management.
6. Diamond Naturals
For high-quality dog food that is sure to keep your Pug in top shape feed them Diamond Naturals Small Breed Formula.
Key Features:
- Animal protein first ingredient
- Small kibble sizes
- Has a healthy blend of fruits and vegetables
Chicken is the primary ingredient of this size-specific formula as it is easy to digest and comfortable on a small pup’s stomach. The 27% protein and 16% fat ratio provides small dogs, like Pugs, with the nutrients necessary for them to have a happy and active lifestyle.
Do not be thrown off by Diamond Naturals using grains in their dog food as they are wholesome and naturally obtained to ensure your Pug is getting the optimal fiber source that they need.
Pros:
- Contains optimal source of fiber
- High protein source
- Contain live, helpful microorganisms
Cons:
- Contains barley, so not ideal for dogs with grain allergies
Diamond Naturals Small Breed Formula is sure to provide your Pug with all of the essential nutrients that they need in easy to eat kibble sizes.
7. Merrick Lil Plates
Merrick Lil Plates Small Breed Formula is specially designed to cater to the pallet and bodily needs small dogs need.
Key Features:
- Real animal protein the first ingredient
- Contains real whole foods
- Comes in four flavors
Merrick Lil Plates has small, bite-sized kibbles that are perfect for Pugs to be able to scoop up in their mouths and eat happily. All of the ingredients are grown and sourced in the USA to ensure that dogs only eat the highest quality of ingredients with the most nutritional content possible.
A healthy blend of fruits, vegetables, and added vitamins helps your Pug to have the healthiest and strongest body possible with no extra effort on your part.
Pros:
- Corn, wheat, grain, and soy-free
- Made in the USA
- Comes in 4lb, 12lb, and 20lb bag options
Cons:
- Some formulas contain chicken fat, so not ideal for dogs with poultry allergies
Once your Pug tastes the delectable taste of Merrick Lil Plates Small Breed Formula, they will not want to eat anything else.
8. Cesar
Your Pug will feel like you are pampering them when you treat them to the Cesar Small Breed Dog Food.
Key Features:
- Specially formulated for small dogs
- Easy to eat kibble sizes
- Nutritious meal guaranteed
Cesar uses only the highest quality ingredients in their dog foods. Your Pug will feel like they are eating at a fancy dinner at each meal. But compared to elaborate meals, this dog food will provide your pug with all of the quality nutritional needs that their small bodies need.
Grains are used in this dog food, but they are used as a fiber source rather than as a filler ingredient. But when you look past the grains, this is still a top-quality, nutritious dog food.
Pros:
- Optimal calorie content for small dogs
- Good for all life stages
- AAFCO certified
Cons:
- Contains grains so not ideal for dogs with grain allergies
While you are having your fancy dinner, your Pug will be as well when they chow down on Cesar Small Breed Dog Food.
9. CANIDAE PURE
If you are looking for a limited ingredient diet that is still an optimal nutrient source for your growing Pug, then they need Canidae Pure Dog Food.
Key Features:
- Limited ingredient diet
- Small kibble size
- Ideal even for picky eaters
Pugs are prone to developing food allergies, so to make it easier both on you and them to prevent any annoying flare-ups Canidae is there to help.
Limited ingredients are used to be sure no allergic reactions occur, and they even go far and beyond to not use any wheat, grains, or corns in their formula. All of the ingredients are guaranteed to provide your Pug with the nutritional content that their little bodies need.
Better yet, if your Pug happens to be a picky eater they should have a better, and more eager, time eating Canidae due to its irresistible flavors.
Pros:
- Wholesome ingredients used
- Specifically made for small dogs
- The optimal formula for dogs with allergies or stomach sensitivities
Cons:
- Meant only for adult dogs
By turning to Canidae Pure Dog Food not only will your dog have a healthy body, but you will also prevent any reactions or flare-ups if your dog is known for having food allergies.
10. Nutrisource
When looking for the best food for pug puppies, nothing can beat the small bites of NutriSource Small Breed Formula.
Key Features:
- Grain-free
- Potato-free
- Good for all life stages
- Easy to eat small bites
NutriSource is packed full of all the essential nutrients tailored explicitly for small breed dogs. Not only are the bites easy for a Pug to eat, but they have a high protein source thanks to the high-quality chicken being the first ingredient.
By eating NutriSource, your Pug will have better digestive health, better mental health, and a stronger immune system. Best of all, it can control any foul odors that may come out of your Pug from both ends.
Start feeding NutriSource to your Pug at an early age and keep feeding this formula to them as you will not have the change the formula as your Pug ages. And it is such a high-quality dry food you can switch between flavors with little risk of upsetting your dog’s stomach.
Pros:
- Promotes healthy skin and coat
- Has all the essential nutrients for small dogs
- Comes in 5lb and 15lb bag options
Cons:
- Contains chicken so not ideal for pugs with poultry allergies
Your Pug’s little tail will not stop wagging, and you may need to mop up some drool after when you feed them NutriSource Small Breed Formula as it is one of the best dog foods available for pugs.
Bottom Line
You should have a better idea now on what types of dog foods can be considered ideal pug food. The main concern you should have is the quality of ingredients used in the food as that is where your dog will be absorbing all of its nutrients.
It is okay for some dog foods to have grains and still be considered one of the best foods for pugs, but you have to be sure that all the grains are wholesome and are not the first ingredient on the list.
As long as an animal protein is the first ingredient on the list as dogs need a high animal protein source to strive. You also need to be sure of the calorie content in the dog food you are considering since pugs do tend to gain weight rapidly due to a low activity level.
When you find the right balanced dog food, then you will have a happy, healthy pug for many years to come.
The Review
Best Dog Food for Pugs
If you're looking for a reliable and effective dog food brand for your dogs, check out our review of the best dog food for pugs now!
Review Breakdown
- Royal Canin
- Wellness Natural
- Blue Buffalo
- Taste of the Wild
- Purina Pro Plan
- Diamond Naturals
- Merrick Lil Plates
- Cesar
- CANIDAE PURE
- Nutrisource
Best Dog Food for Pugs DEALS
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