Pugs are cute pets, but they have unique health requirements. If you’re a first-time pet parent, you may find it troublesome to search for the best dog food for pugs.
You’ll discover that several brands and recipes are offering an outstanding diet for your fur baby.
Let’s help you find the most appropriate nutrition by reviewing some of the most popular dog foods available in the market today.
Table of Contents
The Best Dog Food for Pugs Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food |  Top Pick |
| Check Current Price |
| 2. Purina Pro Savor Shredded Blend Weight Management Formula for Adult Dogs |  |
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| 3. Wellness Core Grain-Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food |  |
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| 4. Taste of the Wild Grain-free Appalachian Valley for Small Breeds of Dog |  |
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| 5. Purina Beneful IncrediBites for Small Dogs with Real Beef Dry Dog Food |  |
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| 6. Wellness Complete Health Turkey, Oatmeal & Salmon Meal Recipe for Small Breed Puppies |  |
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| 7. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Turkey & Chicken Grill for Small Breeds |  |
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1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
I like Blue Buffalo Life Protection Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe because it has a chicken meal and deboned chicken.
Chicken meat is a prevalent ingredient in many dog foods because it provides the energy that canines need to last through the day.
It’s also an excellent source of omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. Moreover, it contains glucosamine and amino acids for sturdy bones.
However, this pug food also has a menhaden fish meal that may cause some adverse reactions to dogs with seafood food allergies.
Specs
- Kibble form
- For little dog breeds
- AAFCO-approved
Pros
- High-quality protein source for the development of healthy muscles
- Essential carbohydrates for the energy needed by active dogs
- Tiny kibbles for smaller jaws to support tartar-free teeth
- Includes omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- Contains glucosamine for mobility and joint health
- No corn, poultry by-product meals, soy, and wheat
Cons
- Not liked by some pugs
- Contains brown rice, a bulk-adding filler that maintains kibble shape
You may want to feed Blue Life Protection Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe to your adult pugs.
It has an average amount of calories at 369 per 100 grams, so your fur babies can maintain their healthy weight.
It has less protein, fiber, and fat and more carbohydrates than average. They’ll have healthy skin and coats because chicken is rich in omega-6 fatty acids.
Overall Rating – 4.7
2. Purina Pro Savor Shredded Blend Weight Management Formula for Adult Dogs
Purina Pro Savor Shredded Blend for Weight Management Formula has chicken as its most plentiful ingredient. Animal meat, as we all know, is an excellent source of protein. We have an assurance that our fur babies are getting high-quality nutrients to keep them healthy.
But this dog food may cause some problems to pugs allergic to soy, corn, and seafood. Adult canines may have an adverse reaction because it has a fish meal, corn germ meal, whole grain corn, soybean meal, and corn gluten meal.
Specs
- Dry dog food
- For weight management of adult dogs
- AAFCO-approved
Pros
- Highly nutritious low-fat diet for a healthy weight
- Includes optimal fat and protein levels for an ideal body composition
- Contains antioxidants for a healthy immune system
- Has omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- Adds a natural prebiotic fiber from wheat bran to boost digestive health
- No preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors
Cons
- Not liked by some dogs
- Includes brewer’s rice, a bulk-adding filler
You may prefer to feed your fur babies with Purina Pro Savor Shredded Blend for Weight Management. It has fewer calories at 343 for every 100 grams.
It means that your pugs can maintain their healthy weight but enjoy the various nutrients that this savory dog food can offer.
It has less protein and fat, a sufficient amount of fiber, and more carbohydrates than the other kibbles. You will also like that it has natural prebiotic fiber for healthy digestion.
Overall Rating – 4.8
3. Wellness Core Grain-Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food — Best Dog Food for Pugs With Allergies
I like that Wellness Core Grain-free Turkey and Chicken Recipe has protein-rich chicken and turkey meals.
I also notice that it doesn’t contain any bulk-adding fillers or lesser quality by-products in its first components.
Bulk-adding stuffings don’t add value to the dogs’ diets. However, they are essential in maintaining the shape of the kibbles. I’m confident that I’m feeding my pugs a higher quality pet food.
Specs
- Kibble form
- Grain-free
- For small breeds
- AAFCO-approved
Pros
- Has salmon oil that’s rich in omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- Includes chondroitin and glucosamine for joint and bone health
- Contains probiotics, antioxidants, and botanicals
- A complete and balanced diet
- Has high-quality protein for the higher energy requirements of small breeds
Cons
- Not liked by some canines
If you have active pugs, you may want to try Wellness Core Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, and Chicken Meal. It has an average amount of caloric content at 366 calories per 100 grams.
It has more protein, enough fat and fiber, and fewer carbohydrates than many dog foods. This mix of nutrients provides the optimal nourishment that your fur babies need to grow healthy.
Overall Rating – 4.7
4. Taste of the Wild Grain-free Appalachian Valley for Small Breeds of Dog
I like Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Venison and Garbanzo Beans because it has high-quality protein from lamb meal and venison.
I also notice that it doesn’t contain any bulk-adding fillers or by-products. As such, I have an assurance that my pugs are getting the essential nutrients they need to grow healthy.
The caveat is that pet parents have to be wary about feeding it their sensitive canines with eggs, seafood, or lamb food allergies.
Specs
- For small breeds
- AAFCO-approved
- Dry dog food for adult pugs
- Grain-free
Pros
- Has real venison, lamb, duck, ocean fish, and egg as protein sources for healthy muscles and lean nutrition
- Natural ingredients fortified with vitamins and antioxidants
- Includes omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- No grain, wheat, corn, filler, preservatives, and artificial flavors and colors
- Highly digestible recipe with proprietary K9 strain probiotic blend
Cons
- Not liked by some canines
If you have active pugs, you may want to try Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Venison and Garbanzo Beans Recipe. It can provide the necessary energy that they need.
Your fur babies will gain 391 calories per 100 grams and an average amount of protein, carbohydrates, and fat.
It also has less fiber content, but it’s a digestible recipe with a proprietary probiotic blend for healthy digestion.
Overall Rating – 4.6
5. Purina Beneful IncrediBites for Small Dogs with Real Beef Dry Dog Food
Purina Beneful IncrediBites with Real Beef Recipe is suitable for small breeds. It has mini bite-sized kibbles that fit in tiny mouths. It includes beef as a premium source of protein, Vitamin B, iron, selenium, and zinc.
My pugs don’t have food allergies, but some sensitive dogs may have adverse reactions to it. This pet food has artificial colors, eggs, soy, corn, and beef.
Specs
- For small breeds
- AAFCO-approved
- Kibble form
Pros
- A nutrient-rich recipe that meets the requirements of a higher metabolism by small breeds
- Provides a premium formula of 27 grams of protein per cup for healthy muscles
- Fortified with 23 vital minerals and vitamins for optimum health and wellness
- Complete and balanced nutrition
- Crunchy and tender mini bites sized
Cons
- Not liked by some pugs
- Has inferior-quality chicken by-product meal in its top ingredient
- Includes corn gluten meal and whole grain corn, bulk-adding fillers that pugs don’t need in their diet
You may try Purina Beneful Beef Recipe for small breed dogs if you’re searching for pet food with fewer calories.
It only has 351 for every 100 grams, and it also has less protein, fat, and fiber, and more carbs than average. It offers a complete and balanced diet for pugs with a higher metabolism.
Overall Rating – 4.8
6. Wellness Complete Health Turkey, Oatmeal & Salmon Meal Recipe for Small Breed Puppies
Wellness Complete Health in Turkey, Oatmeal, and Salmon Meal Formula has deboned turkey, chicken meal, and salmon meal. I like that it doesn’t contain bulk-adding fillers and by-products as its top ingredients. It means that I’m feeding my lovable pugs a higher quality dog food.
However, it includes seafood, so some puppies experience adverse reactions from eating it. Fortunately, my pups don’t have any food sensitivities and allergies. They like eating this recipe from Wellness Complete Health.
Specs
- Dry puppy food
- AAFCO-approved
- For small breeds
Pros
- Complete and balanced nutrition for puppies
- Contains salmon meal that provides DHA for brain development
- Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
- Barley and oatmeal provide the carbs for energy
Cons
- Not liked by some pups
If you’re on the lookout for a nutritious diet for your pugs, you may want to try Wellness Complete Health Turkey, Oatmeal, and Salmon Meal Formula.
It offers balanced and complete nutrition that’s rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. It has less fiber and protein, an average fat, and more carbohydrates content than average. It provides slightly higher calories at 380 per 100 grams.
Overall Rating – 4.7
7. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Turkey & Chicken Grill for Small Breeds
I like feeding wet dog food from time to time for variety, so I opted for Blue Buffalo Wilderness Turkey and Chicken Grill.
I like that it has chicken, turkey, and turkey liver as the principal sources of protein. I notice that it doesn’t have any by-products or bulk-adding fillers in its top ingredients.
Therefore, I have an assurance that I’m feeding my fur babies a higher quality product.
It also doesn’t have any components that are potential food allergens. However, it doesn’t mean that some dogs won’t have any allergic reactions from it. I also notice that it has carrageenan and guar gum that may contribute to some medical issues in canines.
Specs
- Wet dog food
- AAFCO-approved
- Grain-free
- For small breeds
Pros
- Has tender pieces of real chicken and turkey
- Provides the unique energy needs of small breeds
- No grain, by-product meals, wheat, gluten, corn, and soy
- No preservatives or artificial flavors
Cons
- Not liked by some pugs
You may prefer to feed your pugs with Blue Wilderness Grain-free Turkey and Chicken Grill Formula.
It has more protein, fat and fiber, and fewer carbohydrates than average. It’s suitable for active puppies because it provides 117 calories per 100 grams.
This amount is higher than many wet pet foods, so you may want to try another recipe if your fur babies don’t like moving about. They will only gain weight from eating this dog food.
Overall Rating – 4.5
Buying Guide For Pet Food For Pugs
You already know the top seven dog foods for pugs. Let’s discuss some significant guidelines about choosing the appropriate for your fur babies.
If you’re shopping for pet nutrition, you always have to check the list of ingredients to determine if it’s high or low quality.
Size Of The Kibble
Because of the peculiar shape of your pet’s mouth and head, it is troublesome to chew large pieces of food. The risk of choking is high, especially for pugs, because they can’t chew on bones.
Therefore, you must opt for an adequate kibble size. You can choose a slightly smaller kibble than average and check if your pug can chew it.
You have to buy another dog food if you notice that it’s too big or troublesome for your canine’s jaw.
Low-Calorie Diet
Weight is an issue for pugs, even if you think they’re cute when they’re chubby. They grow fat more quickly than the other breeds.
As a responsible pet parent, you have to walk your pets daily and choose the appropriate food for them. Obesity is a problem among dogs too, and your favorite pug may have diabetes if you don’t take care of its weight maintenance.
As your pug ages, it also has an increased risk of painful bones and joints. You have to pick a low-calorie diet, so your fur baby has a higher chance of achieving and maintaining its healthy weight.
Quality Ingredients
Pugs are susceptible to skin allergies, especially around their armpits, back of their elbows, and on their tummies. Usually, they have adverse reactions to the food they eat.
You have to pick a limited ingredient recipe to reduce their exposure to components that can cause skin irritation.
If your pugs have allergies, you have to avoid giving them foods with fillers such as soy and corn. These ingredients provide very little natural value and may cause allergies in some pets.
You also have to avoid foods with artificial ingredients and low-quality meat by-products. When you read the label, you have to search for real animal meat as the first ingredient.
Nutritional Needs of Pugs
Pugs are extraordinarily active and energetic canines, and they love eating and playing. As such, you have to ensure that the foods they eat can offer enough energy without increasing the risk of gaining weight.
Protein
Your lovable fur babies need healthy proteins that come from chicken, beef, and turkey. They’re excellent options for pugs because they can provide 30% of a puppy’s and 18% of an adult’s requirements without the processed by-products.
Proteins from meats are the foundations of your pet’s diet for a healthy muscle tone.
Fats
Pugs need about 5% of fats, so they will have enough energy to last throughout the day. On the other hand, omega fatty acids help make their immune system functioning in tip-top shape.
Carbohydrates
Complex carbohydrates from sweet potatoes and peas are a better option than simple carbs. However, no data is available on how many of these ingredients your pugs need daily.
You can opt for a grain-free diet because some grains can cause allergies in pugs. Some pets also have trouble digesting grains, so you can make them comfortable by omitting them during mealtime.
A grain-free diet is also the best dog food for pugs with allergies.
Final Thoughts
It isn’t too cumbersome to pick excellent dog food for your pug. Armed with what you learned from this article, you can already choose the most appropriate diet for your fur baby.
Of the seven excellent pet food options reviewed, I recommend that stands out: Blue Buffalo Life Protection.
It can provide the protein-derived energy that your pug needs each day. It also has sufficient omega fatty acids to keep its skin and coat healthy. Moreover, it has the necessary nutrients to help maintain the strength of its bones.
