Pugs can be quite tricky to take care of due to their digestive system. It’s crucial that you are giving your pug the correct food it needs in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
So what is the best dog food for pugs?
Before I reveal my top 3 picks here's why you can trust this recommendation...
Before writing this post I spent 20+ hours researching what top Veterinary Experts and Pug owners were feeding their pets allowing me to narrow it down to just 5 Pug food brands.
Armed with that information I analyzed over 1,000 user opinions on each brand and was able to whittle it down to these top 3 picks of Pug food below...
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Best Food For Pugs
OUR TOP PICK
Our top pick is Purina’s Pro Plan Weight Management because it makes it easier for tracking your pug’s health thanks to its important nutrients and vitamins which are crucial for ensuring your pug is in the best shape it can be.
It’s so easy for pugs to get out of shape as they sleep for 14 hours of the day and can’t run as fast as other dogs
But Purina have got you covered with their Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food.
Your pugs’ immune health and digestive system is taken care of thanks to the live probiotics and the high-protein formula with real chicken.
Purina’s Pro Plan Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food is a necessity and repeat buy for many pug owners because it is so crucial to their healthy lifestyle.
Ensuring that their pugs will have a healthy digestive system and not be at risk of obesity, this means that you can sleep well knowing that your pug won’t have breathing problems or issues exercising.
Pros
- Great to maintain your pug’s healthy diet
- Filled with high-protein formula and real chicken
- Improving your pug’s immune health and digestive system
Cons
- Your pug may crave for more in their bowl initially
EDITORS CHOICE
Our second choice comes from Blue Buffalo and is their Natural Adult Dry Dog.
Available in a variety of different flavors, you can purchase whichever option your pug prefers making it a custom diet for them specifically.
Again, like our top pick, you can choose which size bag to purchase which is great if you aren’t sure which flavor your pug will prefer.
Packed full of real meat and protein, the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula is all you need to make sure that your pug is on a healthy diet and maintaining their weight and immune and digestive systems.
The Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula is the most popular dog food available on the market and it’s easy to see why.
Perfect for small breeds as the food is made of small chunks, this is a great choice for pugs especially as it is the perfect size portions as well as being easy for their teeth which can suffer over time due to poor health.
Blue Buffalo ensures that your pug will have a happy and healthy lifestyle with their natural ingredients including real meat and garden vegetables.
Pros
- Natural ingredients including real meat and garden vegetables
- Can select whichever weight bag you want
- A variety of flavors so your pug can choose their preference
Cons
- Cannot be exposed to direct sunlight for too long as this can cause sickness in your dog
BEST VALUE
Our third choice is from Pedigree and is their Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food.
Specifically engineered and made for smaller breeds, this is ideal for pugs and is the perfect inclusion to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Filled with real chicken and steak mixed in with grains and vegetables, this Pedigree option is filled with vital vitamins and minerals your pug needs to keep up their immune system and digestive system.
Also containing Omega-6 fatty acid to improve the condition of your dog’s skin, this is a great option for those who want to see improvements in their pug from the inside out.
There is no added sugar or artificial coloring which is important when it comes to pugs as they are susceptible to upset stomachs if they eat the wrong thing.
Pedigree’s all natural ingredients have made this a favorite for those who want to invest in a trusted brand to take care of their pug.
This is also an ideal pick for those who have pugs that are picky and fussy when it comes to what they eat as the chicken and steak meats are bound to draw them in.
The small pellet sizes means that there is no risk of choking and it’s easy to digest making it less painful and healthier for your pug.
Pros
- Filled with natural ingredients
- Contains Omega-6 fatty acid to nourish the skin
- Smaller pellets are ideal for the digestive system and reduce any risk of choking
Cons
- Can be a bit dry at times
RUNNER UP
Our penultimate choice comes from Wellness Complete Health and again is their Small Breed Dog Food which is perfect for pugs.
Filled with fatty acids and antioxidants, Wellness have put the health of the dog first when creating their food.
Full of real and natural ingredients, you can be assured that your pug will have a healthy digestive system and coat.
This particular option is made for dogs with limited dietary options which includes pugs as it is important to give them the right food that won’t cause them any distress or pain.
Wellness’ option is great for those looking for a low calorie option which makes it great when tracking your pug’s food consumption.
The luxurious combination of various meats means it will satisfy your pug no matter what their favorite flavor is and the grains and vegetables are adding extra important vitamins and minerals.
Packed with a lot of protein, this is definitely one of the healthiest options on the market that is guaranteed to go down a treat.
Pros
- Full of different meats, vegetables and grains for protein and vitamins
- Low calorie option makes it one of the healthiest
- Filled with fatty acids and antioxidants
Cons
- A premium product with a matching price tag.
RUNNER UP
Our last pick is from Royal Canin and is their Pug Adult Breed Specific Dry Dog Food.
What makes this different from the other options is that it is specifically engineered with pugs in mind.
For those who want to select a food that is made for pugs, this is the best option on the market for you to choose.
With small chicken kibbles which are easy for the pug to pick up and eat, Royal Canin have included ingredients that maintain your pug’s coat and muscle tone which is so important as it can motivate them to be more active.
Particularly great for those who want to switch their pug’s food elsewhere, Royal Canin have thought of everything when making this recipe.
Whether you have a pug that is fussy, need to switch or are looking for a pug-specific food in general, this is the best pick for you if you want something tailored to your dog.
Pros
- Made specifically for pugs and gives them the nutrients they need.
- Ingredients that maintain the coat and muscle tone
- Small portion which makes it easy for pugs to pick up and eat
Cons
- As it's a premium product it has the price tag to match.
Best Dog Food For Pugs Buying Guide
Looking online at the amount of choices on the market, it can seem overwhelming due to the amount of food available.
Finding which one is perfect for your pug will probably take more than reading reviews, however, as you have to think about what is best for your pet, specifically.
As every dog is different, particularly when it comes to pugs, you have to make sure that you’re giving them food that will keep them healthy for years to come.
When researching what food is best for your pug, there are some factors you need to consider when deciding what to go for.
These are the age of your pug, its weight, the ingredients in the food and what portion you are looking for.
With so many options on the market, you want to make sure your pug is having the food possible to ensure that it lives long and healthy lives.
Age
The age of your pug is paramount as there are foods geared towards puppies and adults separately.
The majority of recommendations in our list are for adults but brands always provide options for puppies as well which you can begin with and transition to the adult option.
There are a lot of ingredients in puppy food that accommodates growth which would not be suitable for an adult dog to eat.
Weight
Consider the weight of your pug as there are foods like our top pick which are geared towards weight management if your pug is overweight.
There are also foods that are full of nutrients that can help maintain your pug’s coat and overall lifestyle, improving their immune and digestive system.
This is crucial when it comes to pugs because they are vulnerable to poor digestion if not taken care of.
Ingredients
Following on from the previous point, also consider the ingredients in the food.
For pugs, it’s always best to go as natural as you can as artificial ingredients and colouring can cause damage to the digestive system.
The recommendations we have provided are full of real meat and garden vegetables meaning that your pug is getting natural minerals and vitamins directly from the source rather than adding in fake ingredients that can cause any damage.
Portion
Lastly, decide what size bag you want to purchase. Most brands have different size bags to suit any lifestyle.
So whether you prefer to buy the dog food weekly, monthly or in bulk, there is always an option for you.
Small portions are great if you are not sure which flavor your pug will like as you can buy one of every flavor and decide to bulk buy later if that’s what you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should a pug eat daily?
Of course it is all dependent on how old your pug is and their weight, how much exercise they get, etc.
However, the average is usually ⅔ cup of food for puppies and more than a cup of adults. Whatever your pug can eat in 15-20 tends to be enough for their meal.
What food can pugs not eat?
Due to their digestive system, there are human foods that pugs cannot eat.
It’s always best to check with a veterinarian if you are still in doubt but there are foods like grapes, raisins, chocolate and onions which cannot be given to pugs under any circumstance.
There are also ingredients such as salt and cashews which should be limited as too much can cause damage to the digestive system.
What is the best food for pugs?
The best food for pugs is one that considers the dietary requirements for your pug.
Always make sure the ingredients are suitable for them to eat as well as the portion size as large kibble can be difficult for pugs to swallow.
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API