The Best Dog Food for Pugs in 2022

Before you rush out to buy your pug food, you should start by looking through this next section which gives you more information on some specific features to look out for.

• Nutritional Guidelines

The food which you choose for your pug diet should be full of all the nutrients which they need. And since pugs love to eat, you need to make sure that what you are giving them is healthy and balanced! Their diet should center on high-quality protein and carbohydrates. Brands which are high in protein and low in calories can help less-active dogs to manage their weight. Watch out for too much corn and grains as these can induce joint problems. Also, by-product and fillers tend to be empty calories without nutritional value. We will look more into pugs’ nutritional needs in the next section.

Related Post: High Protein Dog Food

• Main Protein Source

As we have just mentioned, protein is a highly important source of food for your pug to give them the energy to sustain their adventurous lifestyles. However, not all protein sources were created equal. There are all sorts of different options out there ranging from beef to lamb to chicken. However, by-product meals should be avoided. Many of the brands which we have listed above specifically mention that they don’t contain any of these.

• Age

The age of your dog also plays a role in how often they need to be fed and the type of food you offer them. You should be looking to make the switch from puppy to adult food when they are 10-12 months old. If you have an older dog, look out for senior dog food which helps to keep them full nourished in their advancing years. The age of your dog also plays a role in how often you should feed them – another point which we will explore in more detail later.

• Food Type

Most foods which we have chosen in this guide are dry kibbles, which many pug owners decide is the best option as it is suitably-shaped, small, and easy to chew. However, if your dog prefers to give your dog wet food, we have also selected one of these too. The main problem with wet food is that it is not as good for their dental health and can also lead to wet and runny stools which can be a nightmare to clean up. However, if your dog is missing teeth, has gum issues, or there is some other reason why dry food could cause them pain, wet pug food may well be the better option. 

• Package Size

When you are first trying out a new food for your dog, it makes sense that you don’t get a huge bag straight away. After all, you can’t be certain that they are going to like it. Also, pugs are small and aren’t going to need huge quantities of kibble, so you should choose based on the shelf life of the food.

• Country of Manufacture

Much of the food which we discussed above is made in the USA, which many take to be an indication of quality. Often, special ingredients are sourced from elsewhere, and it is worth taking a closer look at these places. After all, you don’t want to end up buying a dog food which is harmful to your pug in any way.

Since pugs are high-energy dogs who love playing, their food needs to give them plenty of energy. At the same time, they tend to overeat, so the kibble should be filling enough to stop this from occurring. As already mentioned, high protein and complex carbohydrates will help to ensure a slow energy release.

• Protein

You should be aiming to feed your dog around 18% crude protein, but for puppies, this figure should increase to 22% to meet their growth and development needs. Quality protein from an animal should be the primary ingredient of the pug food you select. Too much animal by-products are not a good thing. If the food contains this, it needs to be balanced out with different protein sources such as fish. Otherwise, it is best avoiding.

• Complex Carbohydrates

Your energetic pug needs slow-release energy throughout the course of the day, and that is exactly what complex carbohydrates will give them. They also help to prevent spikes and crashes in their blood sugar. Many pug food brands get their carbohydrate content from sources such as brown rice, potatoes, or sweet potatoes.

• Crude Fats

While crude fats should make up only around 5-10% of your pug’s diet, they still form an important part of it. Chicken fat and fish oils are a couple of the places from which they can derive this substance from.

• Fatty Acids

Every dog’s diet should include fatty acids of some description, and they are essential to the coat and skin health of your furry friend. These help to maintain their skin’s moisture levels, stopping it from drying out and the hair becoming more brittle and shedding too easily.

Just like there are plenty of ingredients which are good for your pug, there are also plenty more which can be harmful to their health. Obviously, you should know the list of food which is harmful to all dogs. This includes grapes, onions, raisins, and chocolate. However, some specific dry dog food ingredients can also be harmful to their health.

To start off with, you should watch out for fillers. High cereal or soya content can be an indication that the food is inferior quality, and this can also put digestive health at risk. When these items ferment in the stomach, this can lead to digestive issues. You should be looking to give your pug plenty of protein but remember that animal by-products do not provide quality protein. If your dog suffers from sensitivities or allergies, you should avoid feeding them wheat or other sources of gluten as these can exacerbate the issue. 

Just like other specific breeds of dog, pugs can suffer from some health issues which are specific to them. And feeding your pup an unbalanced diet can end up exacerbating some of these issues, which is why it is so important that you watch what goes into their body.

• Allergies

Pugs are prone to developing allergies such as irritated skin and dandruff. A lot of these come from genetics, so there is not much that you can do about them directly. But you can try switching their food to a grain-free formula to reduce any irritation and cut down on their dandruff issues. For a wider selection of choices, check out our grain free dog food guide.

• Breathing Problems

While the wrinkly face of the pug is one of the main reasons why they have become so iconic, their wide head and short nose can result in breathing issues. If your dog starts to put on weight, this can end up making the issue worse by putting additional pressure on their respiratory system and making it harder for them to breathe normally.

• Hip Dysplasia

Pugs are second on the breed list for the highest percentage of hip dysplasia cases. If they are carrying around excess weight, this can add an additional risk factor that they are going to suffer. So, feeding your dog a balanced diet is a good way of cutting back on their chances of gaining weight, and therefore reducing the chances that hip dysplasia will be an issue for them.

• Eye Trouble

Pugs can often suffer from conditions which reduce their tear production and cause their eyes to dry out. While this condition is treatable with the proper medication and care, it often takes a lifetime of therapy to stop the issues returning. The size and nature of their eyes can lead to difficulties. Proptosis is a common condition, which essentially means that the eyeball gets dislodged from the socket and the eyelid clamps behind it.

• Pug Dog Encephalitis

A little-understood condition, encephalitis causes an inflammation to the brain which can result in seizures, blindness, comas, and death. Experts believe that this is genetic condition rather than one which is impacted by lifestyle, so you should check the family history of the pug before if you are looking to buy one.

Our top pick of the best food for pugs, Blue Buffalo always features real meat as the number one ingredient, and they supplement this with whole grains, garden vegetables, and fruit. The blend of complex carbs and protein make it perfect for active lifestyles.

Also, it does not contain any of the stuff which can be bad for your pug such as corn, soy, wheat, meat by-products, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

All-in-all, it is a highly popular and respected choice which adult pugs love, and we have decided that it deserves to top our list as well.