what kind of dog food is best for pug puppies
10 Highest Quality & Best Dog Food for Pugs: 2024 Update
According to the American Kennel Club, Pugs are known to be charming, mischievous, and loving. If you are a Pug parent, you know these small, wrinkly pups live up to their reputation.
Just like the best dog food for Pugs packs flavor and nutrition, the Pug breed packs a lot of personality in a little body.
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They are easy to recognize due to their large heads, big eyes, and wrinkled brow line and they are known to be uncannily expressive with their emotions.
Pugs can be pretty easygoing, thriving in both city and country atmospheres, just happy to be home alongside their owners.
They are great with kids and will happily and playfully love on anyone within reach. Their mischievous side can get them into trouble with foods, so you will want to be extra careful with your Pug buddy to be sure he does not overeat or sneak food from scraps on the floor or worse your plate!
These pups love to eat and well, who doesnt? But they require a watchful eye because they are prone to obesity and extra weight on a small body can lead to a host of other problems.
Keep reading below to learn a little more about what nutritional needs your Pug has, how you can support him through his different life stages, and our top recommendations on best dog food for Pugs.
Overall Best Dog Foods for Pugs in 2024
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Best Overall  |
| Check Price Here! |
Taste Of The Wild Appalachian Valley
| Check Price on ChewyCheck Price on Amazon | |
Nature's Recipe Small Breed Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe
| Check Price on ChewyCheck Price on Amazon | |
Blue Buffalo Freedom Small Breed Puppy Chicken Recipe
| Check Price on ChewyCheck Price on Amazon | |
Natural Balance L.I.D. Sweet Potato & Venison Formula
| Check Price on ChewyCheck Price on Amazon | |
True Acre Foods Chicken & Vegetable Recipe
| Check Price on Chewy | |
Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach
| Check Price on ChewyCheck Price on Amazon | |
Merrick Lil' Plates Real Beef & Sweet Potato
| Check Price on ChewyCheck Price on Amazon | |
Wellness Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe
| Check Price on ChewyCheck Price on Amazon | |
Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe
| Check Price on ChewyCheck Price on Amazon |
What is the Best Dog Food for Pugs?
- Nom Nom Fresh Pet Food
- Taste Of The Wild Appalachian Valley
- Nature's Recipe Small Breed Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe
- Blue Buffalo Freedom Small Breed Puppy Chicken Recipe
- Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato
- True Acre Foods Chicken & Vegetable Recipe
- Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon
- Merrick Lil' Plates Real Beef & Sweet Potato
- Wellness Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Oatmeal
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice
1. Nom Nom Fresh Pet Food Delivery
First 5 ingredients: Depends on the recipe you choose
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Nom Nom is a fresh food service for dogs that provides specific recipes based on natural, whole ingredients. Each recipe is handmade weekly and delivered straight to your door.
Nom Nom fresh dog food is a tasteful delight for your Pug! It is made with fresh ingredients that are lightly cooked to preserve nutrients.
Nom Nom also keeps this recipe free from any artificial ingredients with fresh ingredients delivered to your door, they know their food is tasty and does not require any fake flavorings or fillers.
The meals from Nom Nom are prepared in small batches and are refrigerated or frozen to maintain freshness. The brand offers a variety of recipes, including options like chicken, beef, turkey, and pork, along with nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. Each meal is portioned according to the dog's specific needs, taking into account their size and activity level.
One of the advantages of Nom Nom is the transparency they provide regarding their ingredients and sourcing. They share information about the origin of their ingredients and have a strong focus on quality control, ensuring that each meal meets their high standards.
What We Like
- Highly palatable
- No fillers or artificial flavors
- Crafted by a Vet Nutritionist
- All ingredients are organic & fresh
- Delivery makes it super convenient for busy pet parents
What We Don't Like
- When compared with other dog food products, Nom Nom is more expensive
2. Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley
First 5 ingredients: Venison, Lamb Meal, Garbanzo Beans, Peas, Lentils
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Especially made for small dogs, it boasts 4 novel protein sources: lamb, venison, ocean fish and duck. This protein-rich kibble is also enhanced with superfoods, probiotics, omega fatty acids and antioxidants for overall wellness.
This Taste of the Wild dry dog food contains within it a balanced diet that includes venison, lamb, duck, egg, and ocean fish proteins to not only satisfy your Pugs palate but also deliver a burst of protein.
The key feature of this particular formula is that it is inspired by the natural diet of small wild canines, aiming to provide a balanced and nutritious meal. It is made with real roasted venison and other premium-quality ingredients, offering a taste that dogs love.
The protein-rich nature of this dog food is particularly beneficial for small breed dogs, as they have higher metabolic rates and require a diet with adequate protein levels to support their energy needs and muscle development. The combination of real roasted venison and other protein sources, such as lamb and egg, makes it a highly nutritious option.
Since this recipe is designed for small breeds, the kibble size is smaller than normal to suit smaller jaws and make chewing a little easier. In addition to protein, this formula delivers enough fat and digestive supplements to encourage an optimally functioning digestive tract.
What We Like
- Highly digestible recipe
- Added vitamins and minerals
- Ingredients come from trusted and sustainable sources
- Specifically crafted for small breeds
What We Don't Like
- Packaging is not resealable
3. Nature's Recipe Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe
First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Tapioca Starch, Canola Meal
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
This budget friendly recipe is protein packed with real chicken as its main ingredient. This kibble is an example that cheap doesn't mean low quality.
The chicken, sweet potato & pumpkin recipe by Nature's Recipe is packed with protein from real chicken that is not only full of flavor and enjoyable for your Pug, but also includes amino acids that support the maintenance of muscle mass.
The added vegetables deliver the antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins your pup needs for immune health. This is a grain free recipe. Instead of grains, this recipe uses sweet potato & pumpkin to give the food a fiber and carbohydrate boost.
Fiber, of course, keeps the digestive system healthy by speeding up elimination and bulking up stools to make it easier for them to pass. Carbohydrates, on the other hand, are converted by the body into glucose which acts as the brains fuel.
What We Like
- Tasty recipe
- Grain-free formula
- Available in different sizes
- Formulated specifically for small breed dogs
What We Don't Like
- Does not guarantee ingredients to be GMO-free
4. Blue Buffalo Freedom Puppy Chicken Recipe
First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Pea Starch, Turkey Meal
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Especially made for growing pups, this formula is gluten and grain free which is ideal for highly sensitive troopers. This is also teeming with healthy fats, ARA and DHA to promote better cognitive development.
This Blue Buffalo dry dog food is specially created with the nutritional requirements of puppies in mind.
The chicken recipe is made with natural ingredients that include deboned chicken and it omits fillers like corn, wheat, or soy. Blue Buffalo expertly blends the high-quality proteins and carbohydrates to deliver the sustained energy your Pug requires.
The development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth is encouraged with added calcium, phosphorous, and essential vitamins and Omegas are incorporated to promote healthy skin and a lustrous coat.
This product is available in two sizes: a 4-lb bag and an 11-lb bag.
What We Like
- Designed specifically for puppies
- Free of gluten, grains and fillers
- Locally made (US)
- Real chicken is the main ingredient
- Enriched with DHA and ARA
What We Don't Like
- The ingredients in this food are not free of GMOs
5. Natural Balance L.I.D. Sweet Potato & Venison Formula
First 5 ingredients: Sweet Potatoes, Venison, Potatoes, Pea Protein, Potato Protein
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
A limited ingredient formula which has venison as its main ingredient. This product is free from gluten, artificial colors, grains, soy or flavors making it an ideal choice for pets with food allergies.
This limited ingredient dry dog food by Natural Balance has limited carbs and omits artificial flavors and colors for pups with a sensitive digestive tract.
The formula includes Omega 3 fatty acids derived from flaxseed that promote the healthy appearance of your Pugs coat along with flake-free and itch-free skin. There is only one animal protein source included in this recipe, further aiding with digestive ease.
You Pug will love the taste of venison and wont even notice that his meal was specially designed to protect his sensitive tummy and deliver only a few, high-quality ingredients. Less ingredients do not have to mean less flavor and this recipe proves that.
What We Like
- No fillers
- Grain-free formula
- Limited ingredients for easy digestion
What We Don't Like
- More expensive than other dry dog food options
More Top Rated Foods for Pugs
6. True Acre Foods Chicken & Vegetable Recipe
First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Peas, Pea Starch, Canola Meal, Poultry By-Product Meal
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
This is a balanced formula that features chicken as its main ingredient. It being free from corn, grains, wheat, artificial colors or flavors makes this a good, well-rounded meal.
This True Acre dry dog food is made with chicken raised in the U.S.A. as its main ingredient and completes its nutritional profile with added antioxidants, fiber, and Omegas.
Digestion is supported via natural fibers and the omission of grains, corn, wheat, and artificial colors and flavors. This recipe is for the adult stage of life and is appropriate for different breed sizes. The product is available in a 15-lb bag, a 30-lb bag, and a 40-lb bag.
7. Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula
First 5 ingredients: Salmon, Barley, Rice, Oat Meal, Canola Meal
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
The ingredients in this recipe includes real salmon to deliver a protein-rich meal that encourages lean muscle mass and oatmeal as an easy-to-digest carbohydrate. Added prebiotic fiber assists in keeping his sensitive tummy feeling great.
This Purina Pro Plan dry dog food is made with salmon as the main ingredient and delivers a powerful flavor your Pug will drool over and quickly devour. This means hell be getting the protein he needs in a recipe that is created to make digestion a breeze.
Oatmeal offers carbohydrates for energy in an easy-to-digest fashion and Omegas are included to promote joint health and mobility so your playful Pug can be as active as he wants to be!
8. Merrick Lil' Plates Real Beef & Sweet Potato
First 5 ingredients: Deboned Beef, Lamb Meal, Salmon Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
A protein-packed, small bite kibble designed for the mouths of small breeds. It uses whole beef for a complete protein source as the first ingredient plus whole fruits and vegetables for a comprehensive set of vitamins and minerals.
This is a grain-free dry food with beef for small dogs. This Texas beef and sweet potato dry dog food by Merrick is available in several sizes, including a 4-lb bag, a 12-lb bag, and a 20-lb bag.
Its main ingredient is deboned beef to deliver protein and is followed by real vegetables and fruits that create a flavor explosion your Pug will excitedly consume.
This recipe omits grains and gluten, along with artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives to make room for only high-quality ingredients that deliver balanced nutrition.
Since this formula is poultry-free, it is a great option for pups who are sensitive to any poultry ingredients.
9. Wellness Complete Health Deboned Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe
First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Ground Barley, Peas
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
An excellent source of complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs. It features protein-rich chicken as the main ingredient. The main sources of carbohydrate energy in this recipe are potatoes, peas, and oatmeal plus several supplementary sources.
This Wellness dry dog food is made for the adult stage of life and is suitable for different breed sizes. It is made with a mix of proteins and healthful grains that provide your pup with a solid set of nutrients.
The recipe includes added antioxidants that support immune health to keep your pup thriving year-round. The protein included in this recipe is derived from chicken and whitefish. The formula is also infused with Yucca Shidigera extract to alleviate the unpleasant odor from stools.
The complex carbs ensure your pup has enough energy to run around, play, and just enjoy his life.
10. Rachael Ray Just 6 Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe
First 5 ingredients: Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Fat
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
A very simple dry dog food that contains only six natural ingredients that have been enhanced with additional vitamins and minerals. If you have a dog with severe allergies and need to reduce their exposure to common ingredients, this is the formula for you.
Rachael Rays Nutrish dry dog food is made with only six ingredients with the main source of protein coming from lamb. Added vitamins and minerals support your pups overall health and the fact that there are no by-product ingredients, fillers, or artificial flavors or preservatives will have your Pug bouncing with excitement.
The limited ingredients in this recipe make it excellent for pups who have sensitive tummies and who experience allergic reactions to ingredients found in most other dry dog foods. This product is available in three different sizes: a 6-lb bag, a 12-lb bag, and a 28-lb bag.
6 Special Dietary and Nutritional Considerations
Meats Any pet parent knows that a dog needs to eat meat. Their protein should come from whole sources, meaning from animals this could be lamb, turkey, chicken and fish. Protein derived from meat is a foundational aspect of your pups diet so he can keep a healthy muscle tone.
Fruits and Vegetables Pugs benefit from fruits and vegetables that are added to dry dog food formulas. This is because fruits and vegetables have naturally occurring vitamins and minerals that help with their organ growth and overall health.
Grain-Free Foods Since grains are known to cause allergic reactions in Pugs, it is best to feed them a grain-free diet. Pugs can also struggle with digesting grains so to give them a more comfortable mealtime experience, choose foods that omit grains from their recipes.
Canine Glucosamine and Chondroitin Canine glucosamine and chondroitin are excellent dietary supplements that assist with the encouragement and maintenance of healthy joints.
This is especially important as your Pug ages into the senior stage of his life, when many pups suffer from painful arthritis. Starting early with meals that incorporate joint support will help them throughout their lives and especially when they reach their later years.
Fish Oil and Digestive Supplements Fish oil provides Omega fatty acids that keep your Pugs skin healthy and free from irritation or flakiness. Omega fatty acids also promote a shiny coat that reflects his overall well being.
A dull coat demonstrates he is not getting sufficient assistance via these supplements so check ingredients and make sure you are keeping him well fed and looking extra handsome. Probiotics can also assist with digestive health and immune system support so check those ingredients and make sure you are feeding your Pug only the best dog foods available.
Antioxidants Antioxidant supplements are excellent to promote a healthy immune system and are also thought to help fight against the effects of aging, like issues with brain deterioration that include the loss of memory and other cerebral dysfunctions.
5 Key Nutritional Needs of a Pug Puppy
Protein Protein is a must-have staple in your Pug puppys diet, especially during puppyhood because this is the time when his muscles develop and help propel him into adulthood.
The year of puppyhood is a time of growth and weight gain and protein will not only be a delicious aspect of your Pug puppys diet, it will be essential for the development and retention of his lean muscle mass.
Fat During puppyhood, your Pug will need plenty of fat to sustain his energy as he develops day by day. Fat will be derived from sources like chicken fat and oils like salmon oil. Since your Pug is a smaller breed, he requires a higher fat content in his diet.
This is because his metabolism is extra fast during his peak years and he will burn right through his fuel much more quickly than a larger dog would. Therefore, it is important to seek out foods with a higher fat content to keep your Pug happy and energized instead of sluggish and lethargic.
Omega 3 and 6 Omega fatty acids are extremely beneficial for maintaining the health of your Pugs coat, as well as the health of his skin. In addition to maintaining skin free from irritation, Omegas promote the healthy development of both his cerebral function and his immune system.
Vitamins and Minerals Vitamins and minerals are delivered via fruits and vegetables incorporated into dry dog food recipes and there are often additional vitamins and minerals added to deliver complete nutrition.
Minerals are a foundational aspect of a pups diet to support organ and tissue growth. Vitamins are crucial for multiple reasons, including cell function, immune function, energy regulation, hormone regulation, inflammation reduction, and more!
Water Without water, all the nutrients listed above cant get transported to the rest of your Pugs body to do their work.
Water also serves for body temperature regulation and keeps your Pug from overheating during summer months. Keep your pup hydrated, especially in his senior years, to ensure proper lubrication of his joints and avoid any hip or knee issues.
Pug Puppy Feeding Chart
6 Weeks Old Your Pug puppy, at six weeks of age, is not yet ready to be removed from his mothers care but many little ones are taken away prematurely. If this is the case with your Pug puppy, consider mixing some puppy replacement milk with puppy kibbles to soften them and make them easier to eat.
Otherwise, moms milk will be enough at this stage so she can deliver all the vital nutrients to your little Pugs growing body.
Soon, your pup will have outgrown mamas milk but at six weeks, most pups will do best with their moms sustenance. A six-week old Pug will be extremely adorable, weighing only a couple of pounds.
10 Weeks Old At ten weeks, your Pug puppy will be fully weaned from mom and you should have a regular feeding schedule that your Pug looks forward to.
There should be three mealtimes per day, one in the morning for breakfast, one midday for lunch, and one in the evening for dinner. In addition, your Pug should be given some snacks to munch on throughout the day, in between meals to keep his tummy satisfied.
12 Weeks Old Feeding your growing Pug at twelve weeks will not look much different than his feeding at ten weeks. Keep a consistent schedule with three meals per day and some snacking in between.
Each Pug is different but if you are looking at your little fur baby and his belly is round, that is a good sign he is eating enough food. Pugs can range from 4 7 lbs. at this stage.
3 Months Old Up until this stage, your regular feeding routine should remain. If you are opting for high-quality foods that are packed with nutrients, you may find that feeding a little less is enough for your Pug thats usually around 1/4 cups to 1/2 cups of puppy food.
5 Months Old At five months, your Pug will be transitioning to eating a little bit less often. This means you can cut out snack time but maintain his daily caloric requirements. Three meals per day, spaced out, with consistency in amount will be great for your pup.
Even if he starts whining for more food, maintain the quantity with high-quality foods. Pugs are notorious for their ability to gain weight so you will want to protect him from overeating and gaining excess weight.
1 Year Old At this stage, your Pug puppy is leaving puppyhood behind to brave the world as an adult Pug. Once he is at this age, you will be able to reduce feeding times further to either once or twice a day.
Since your Pug has a tiny stomach, it will be easier on his body if you maintain two mealtimes instead of giving him his daily caloric intake in one meal. If you do opt for one meal, understand that his system may not be able to digest the food as easily, meaning he may experience some discomfort.
Therefore, be prepared to adjust to his bodys needs by breaking up his food into two separate mealtimes.
Our 2024 Pugs Feeding Guide
Puppy Life Stage The puppy stage of a Pug can be extremely enjoyable for owners because those scrunchy faces are endlessly endearing and their little bodies call forth so much love and affection. When feeding your puppy, choose foods that are specially crafted for this particular life stage.
This is important because your Pug at this stage has a completely different set of nutritional requirements than he will when he gets older. Your puppy can weigh anywhere between four to 14 pounds, just before reaching adulthood.
Feeding instructions will be included in the packaging of the food you choose so be sure to abide by those instructions and feed your pup at scheduled times throughout the day expect to feed between three to four times a day. If you are feeding full meals three times per day, add a couple of snacks in between mealtimes to keep his belly full and satisfied.
Adult Life Stage Once your Pug enters adulthood, you will notice that feeding instructions change. Be sure you are no longer feeding products meant for puppyhood at this stage because the formula may cause your adult Pug to gain weight.
Choose foods for the adult stage of life; reduce feeding times per day and increase serving sizes. Most pet parents choose to feed twice a day during adulthood to keep their Pugs from consuming one meal too excitedly and having them struggle with digesting a big meal.
Your adult Pug should weigh between 14 to 18 lbs. at this stage in his life. Anything over that and you have got yourself an overweight Pug. Engage the assistance of your vet to help bring that number on the scale down!
Senior Life Stage When your Pug reaches the senior life stage, his metabolism will get significantly slower, which means he is extra prone to weight gain. Your senior Pug will also be slowing down his activity level and that combined with a slower metabolism means you have to adjust his caloric intake.
Your Pug should be maintaining his weight, not losing or gaining, but staying around the same weight as he was in his adult life stage. Be mindful and loving with mealtimes during this phase and be patient with your Pug lovebug as his body will have changed over time and he will need a little extra care and attention from you.
Conclusion
You have done it! You have equipped yourself with enough information to get out there and find the best food for your Pug puppy or your Pug in the adult stage of his life (or a Mini Pug).
Whether you are just starting out on your Pug journey with a young pup or you rescued an older mischievous companion, you have a list of the best food for Pugs to work with.
Your Pug will love to eat so always keep an eye on what hes getting into and schedule your feeding times, so he knows when its time to enjoy a meal and when its time to exercise and rest.
Remember that Pug puppy food is crafted differently than adult dog food and feeding instructions will change over time. With the love and devotion you have for your small furry friend, we know you will be supplying him with only the best dog food for Pugs out there.
With his nutrition taken care of, you can spend the rest of your time worrying about the more important matters in life like play time, long sunset walks, dog park time with friends, and evening cuddles on the couch while vegging out watching your favorite shows. The presence of a Pug is a gift that will keep on giving!
