When it comes to feeding your beloved pug there is no one size fits all solution. Every dog is different. Age, supplements, activity, illness, and veterinary recommendations are all factors that influence what the “best” dog food (or foods) will be. Be sure to keep in mind the fact that every pug is different. Some may need to have their food portioned (according to weight, activity, and size) and supplemented, while others may be content on a free feed diet. Some may like to have their food alternated monthly, while others may eat the same brand of food from weaning to death.
-Age: Puppies will need a different kind of dog food than their adult counterparts. Deemed “puppy food’ or “puppy chow,” this food is supposed to contain nutrients essential to your puppy pug’s growth. Unfortunately, some brands use fillers, or grain, to lower the cost of their food. Be sure to read the listed ingredients before making a purchase. Additionally, make sure the food will not present a choking hazard to your pug. Some brands to check into are: Ziwipeak, Holistic Selects, Orijen, Venison formula, and Blue Buffalo. Alternatively, you can make (or buy) frozen raw dog food. Be sure you portion your puppy’s food just right as he or she grows.
Pug Puppy Recommendation: Blue Buffalo Pug Dog Food for Small Breed Puppies. A wise man once said that “It’s better to build strong children, then repair broken men.” And I believe that concept applies to dogs as well. When Benji was a puppy, we wanted the absolute best to help him grow and Blue Buffalo was consistently recommended among not only pug owners, but across all breeds as a good solid dog food at an affordable price. If you’re considering another option, be sure to look for dog food specially formulated for small breed puppies.
Did you know: The average South Korean is reported to be 3-6″ taller than the average North Korean. A lot of this difference is attributed to diet and nutrition during adolescence. Just as diet and nutrition is important to humans, it’s important to your dog as well. Don’t skimp on dog food for your pug puppy.
Adult dogs will need to consume a fair amount of nutrients as well. Transition time is usually when the dog turns a year old, but can be earlier or later depending on a variety of factors. However, once an adult your pug will grow out of his or her puppy food. Check into the brands above for a larger kibble size and for new portions. To make transition easier try mixing in a little adult food into the puppy mix, and continue until your pug is weaned onto his or her new diet.
Best Dog Food for Adult Pugs: Diamond Naturals for Small Breed Adult Dogs. I’ve tried many different dog foods to see what Benji would like the most, we started transitioning into Blue Buffalo’s Small Breed adult formula, and while he liked it, at about $2-3 per pound it’s a little pricey. I wanted to find something a little cheaper, that he still loved. I still wanted to keep it natural, as a lot of cheap dog food out there are cereal shavings and meat renderings. And Diamond Naturals, at a little above a $1 per pound is among the highest rated and best value for natural dog food. Benji had no complaints, the only downside is that it’s tough to find at local pet stores, so you’ll likely have to order from Amazon. Another option is Royal Canin’s special formula for Pugs.
Update: I since have used Kirkland’s Nature’s Domain from Costco and now I now use Purina Beyond Superfood Blend Natural Salmon, Egg & Pumpkin because of his allergies. See our post on Pug Allergies for more information.
Senior dogs may or may not benefit from a senior dog mix that accounts for his or her changing needs. Blue Buffalo has a couple different mixes worth checking out.
Update (8/2021): Does your pug have bad breath? I have since added Hill’s Science Diet ORAL CARE, and I feel as though it has certainly helped his breath and hopefully it will continue to keep his teeth in good shape in the long run. The pebble is quite big, so you may consider mixing it with of your dog’s normal food (as some reviewers have noted).
-Supplements & Dog Treats: Supplements, such as canned food and bones can be utilized to add variety to your pug’s diet. However, keep in mind that this may affect the portion size of your dog’s dry food. Additionally, supplements may encourage begging habits around meal time. Since Pug’s have such big eyes they’re susceptible to numerous eye diseases, thus eye care and development is very important, and thus supplements with Omega 3’s are recommended, which have shown health benefits in infants.
-Activity: Active dogs need more food! Additionally, they may need extra nourishment. Be sure your pug is receiving nourishing food, especially when he or she is extremely active.
-Illness: If your pug produces bladder stones, has an upset GI tract, food allergies, or is obese, then a prescription diet would be the best food for him or her. Hill’s Prescription Diet is an extremely reliable brand of prescription dog food. They offer prescription food for all of the illnesses listed above, and then some.
-Veterinary Recommendations: Be sure to listen to your vet. If you are in doubt or need further clarification, trust the professional. Your vet can observe your dog’s illnesses, suggest portion size, monitor weight, etc. Remember, a visit is not always necessary. A quick phone call is free and may provide the additional information and advice you need!
Other Dog Food Recommendations for Pugs
Next we’ll cover other dog food recommendations for pugs broken down into the following categories:
- Dry Dog Food for Pugs
- Wet Dog Food for Pugs
- Raw Dog Food for Pugs
- Budget-Friendly Dog Food for Pugs
- Organic Dog Food for Pugs
There is absolutely no doubt every Pug parent will want to feed their furry friend with the best dog food.
As responsible dog owners, we need to make sure that our Pug gets enough vitamins and minerals needed, as well as ensuring they get these healthy calories that match their energy levels. In addition, you also have to take special care of their sensitive dental hygiene and the ingredients in their food to make sure it supports what they need naturally.
Overwhelming? Yes. Especially if it’s your first dog.
But that’s the main reason we are here to guide you. Below you’ll be able to find the best dog food products for your beloved Pug(s) that will surely make them look and feel their best.
Best Dry Dog Food for Pugs
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Pug Adult Dry Dog Food
Brand: Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition
Flavor: Chicken
Lifestage: Adult
Total Weight: 10.0 pounds
Special Diet: With Grain
Specially made for purebred Pugs, this diet is certainly one of the best. This dog food is uniquely created for small breeds, with specific nutrients for the breed.
The custom kibble is also formulated for Pugs’ short and square muzzles—making it easy for them to chew.
Benefits:
- Breed-specific for pugs that are 10 months and older
- Contains a balanced formula for the ideal weight for your Pug
- Has protein content and L-carnitine to maintain your Pug’s muscle tone
- Supports healthy skin and coat by protecting the skin barriers through essential nutrients
- Specialized kibble design to help Pugs pick up and chew either food easily
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Small & Mini Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
Brand: Hill’s Science Diet
Flavor: Chicken
Lifestage: Adult
Total Weight: 15.0 Pounds
Special Diet: Weight control, With Grain
Crafted with protein from real chicken, this dog food supports lean muscle maintenance for small and toy breed dogs who need to control their weight.
An amazing fact: This is backed by decades of research to fit your furry friend’s needs so we’re confident that your Pug will absolutely enjoy every bite!
Benefits:
- The kibble supports lean muscle maintenance
- Made with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and natural ingredients
- Quality global ingredients
- Especially crafted for small dog breeds to maintain and control their weight
Best Wet Dog Food for Pugs
Solid Gold Small & Toy Breed Wet Food
Brand: Solid Gold
Flavors: Chicken, Lamb, Salmon, and Turkey
Lifestage: Any
Total Weight: 99 grams
Special Diet: Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy
This wet dog food contains nutrients that are perfectly balanced for small size breeds such as our dear Pugs.
Other than being healthy, it is also tasty because even the picky dogs like it so much!
The only downside is that it is quite expensive and it is not being sold in bigger quantities.
Benefits:
- Each cup contains 75% moisture making it a good source of water
- Has a great source of fiber in it
- Single-serve cups just give the right amount for your pet
- Ideal for dogs of any age
- Ocean fish meal supports overall health and lean muscles
Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct Adult Canned Wet Dog Food
Brand: Purina
Flavors: Beef & Salmon, Chicken & Duck, Gamebird, Turkey & Venison
Lifestage: Adult
Total Weight: 368 grams
Special Diet: High-Protein, No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy, Natural
It is no doubt that your Pug will certainly love munching on this wet food! Inspired by nutrient-dense foods found in nature, this is surely going to be loved by every Pug out there.
This also promotes healthy joints for your Pug due to its natural sources of glucosamine. And the best thing? This has no artificial flavors or fillers.
With this, you’re giving your pug the best-balanced nutrition he truly deserves.
Benefits:
- Different recipes inspired by nutrient-dense foods in tasty gravy
- Made with real meat plus vitamins and minerals
- Highly digestible which indicates more nutrients are absorbed by your Pug
- Has twice the recommended antioxidant levels with zinc, selenium, and vitamins A and E
Best Raw Dog Food for Pugs
TruDog Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Brand: TruDog
Flavor: Beef
Lifestage: Adult
Total Weight: 397 grams
Special Diet: No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Pea-Free, Raw
If you want to give your Pug a meal that’s packed with real and raw nutrition, then TruDog is a great choice for you.
Since it is freeze-dried, all the nutrients are locked in on the food! This raw food also helps your pet to have healthy gums and teeth—perfect for a Pug’s sensitive dental hygiene.
It is also hypoallergenic and easy to digest, making it an excellent choice for Pugs will sensitive stomachs.
Benefits:
- Free of wheat, gluten, corn, soy, grain, fillers, antibiotics, artificial flavors & coloring, salt, and hormones
- Helps maintain weight and promotes healthy digestion
- Supports healthy gums and teeth, as well as a strong immune system
- Perfect for Pugs with sensitive tummies
- Easy to digest and hypoallergenic
Instinct Raw Boost Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Brand: Instinct
Flavor: Chicken
Lifestage: Adult
Total Weight: 4.0 pounds
Special Diet: No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, High-Protein, Raw, Natural
This Instinct Raw dog food is definitely another way to feed kibble to your Pug. It is specially made for small breeds as it features small bite-size raw meat.
Featuring cage-free chicken as the foremost ingredient, there’s a perfect balance of protein, fat, and calories to promote a healthy weight.
It also contains probiotics for digestive health, high levels of omegas for healthy skin and coat, plus plenty of antioxidants for immune health and it all comes from the finest ingredients.
Benefits:
- Contains high-protein kibble and freeze-dried raw food
- Packed with animal protein as the first key ingredient is cage-free chicken
- Guaranteed levels of live, natural probiotics, natural omegas, and antioxidants
- Has natural glucosamine and chondroitin for your Pug’s joint health.
- Has calcium and phosphorous for strong bones and teeth
Best Budget-Friendly Dog Food for Pugs
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management
Brand: Purina
Flavor: Chicken
Lifestage: Adult
Total Weight: 6.0 pounds
Special Diet: High-Protein, Weight Control, High Fiber, Low Fat, With Grain
With its specialized weight control dog food recipe, Puro Pro Plan gives your adult Pug a tasty meal while supporting his overall health and wellness.
And great news! It is also budget-friendly.
This is one of the best food for Pugs for your money as it is very high in protein, making it good for Pug owners who are trying to save a few pennies.
Benefits:
- Features natural prebiotic fiber for digestive health
- Used to be known for Focus Weight Management formula
- Guaranteed live probiotics for digestive and immune health
- High protein formula with real chicken
- The protein-to-fat ratio is optimized to keep muscle mass in the weight loss process
Best Organic Dog Food for Pugs
Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Brand: Organix
Flavor: Chicken
Lifestage: Adult
Total Weight: 10.0 pounds
Special Diet: No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Organic, Sensitive Digestion
Castor and Pollux ORGANIX is USDA certified organic, and it is also made with love in an organically certified USA kitchen.
Its first ingredient is a free-range chicken which means the chicken is raised without added growth hormones or antibiotics.
On top of that, this recipe is absolutely free from GMOs and artificial preservatives, colors, and even flavors.
If you eat organic, why shouldn’t your pup? Especially if you want your pug to live a long and healthy life.
Benefits:
- A great option for Pugs with sensitive stomachs
- USDA organic certified
- Has real chicken, sweet potato, and also superfoods including organic blueberries, organic flaxseed, and organic sweet potatoes.
- Also features prebiotic fiber to support healthy digestion.
Conclusion
Pugs are indeed adorable.
However, we cannot deny that Pugs are prone to health issues. And if they are not taken care of accordingly, then we might put our Pugs in danger. It’s always a good idea for such illnesses to happen. As they say, “Prevention is better than cure.”
One of the best ways to do this is by providing them with the right food to take.
Quick Tip: If you plan to buy a Pug, make sure your buying from a responsible pug breeder as some backyard breeders care little about Pug’s overall wellness.
There are a lot of great dog foods on this list for your Pug that you can try. But it’s also always a great idea to observe your buddy if he is enjoying the food so you would know what to get him next time. But keep in mind to make sure that its food has all the nutrients it needs to be as healthy as it could be!
