Edited by: Mike Powell
Reviewed by: Abby TexasLast Update:
The Rundown
Best Overall for Pugs: Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Dry Dog Food
“This dog food has enough nutrients to boost your dog’s immune system, support growth, and boost stamina – exactly what your pug needs no matter how old he may be.”
Best Limited Ingredient: Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Dog Food
“This dog food is formulated for small breed dogs and is available in different flavors to make it easy for your pup to avoid allergens and give him a good range of options at the same time.”
Best Food for Pug Puppies: Merrick Grain Free Dry Puppy Food
“Your little pup needs food that supports his growth and development. This one has puppy-specific recipes with DHA, protein, and fat counts all great for your young pug. It also includes supplements to help with joint dysplasia and eye problems.”
Pugs are adorable, playful, and probably one of the lowest maintenance dog breeds out there. It doesn’t require regular grooming and needs just the occasional brushing to remove dead hair.
While they’re not generally prone to allergies, pugs commonly suffer from encephalitis and hip dysplasia. These health concerns may seem serious but they can be prevented by providing your dog with a well-rounded diet early on.
Table of Contents
- The Rundown
- Best Dog Food For Pugs
- 1. Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- 2. Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Dog Food
- 3. Merrick Grain Free Dry Puppy Food
- 4. Canidae Pure Grain Free Wet Dog Food
- 5. Wellness Complete Health Dry Dog Food
- 6. Taste Of The Wild Small Breed Dry Dog Food
- 7. Diamond Naturals Small Breed Dry Dog Food
- 8. Blue Buffalo Basics Senior Dry Dog Food
- 9. Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Adult Dry Dog Food
- 10. Royal Canin Breed Health Pug Adult Dry Dog Food
- 1. Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- How to Choose the Best Food for Your Pug
- Questions & Answers
Best Dog Food For Pugs
Here are our top picks for the best dog food for pugs:
- Best Overall for Pugs: Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Best Limited Ingredient: Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Dog Food
- Best Food for Pug Puppies: Merrick Grain Free Dry Puppy Food
- Best Wet Food: Canidae Pure Grain Free Wet Dog Food
- Best with Chicken: Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Dry Dog Food
- Best for Easy Digestion: Taste Of The Wild Small Breed Dry Dog Food
- Best Value for Money: Diamond Naturals Small Breed Dry Dog Food
- Best for Seniors: Blue Buffalo Basics Senior Dry Dog Food
- Best for Less Active Pugs: Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Adult Dry Dog Food
- Best Pug-specific Food: Royal Canin Breed Health Pug Adult Dry Dog Food
1. Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Best Overall for Pugs
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PROS
- Various flavors available (including numerous poultry-free recipes)
- All flavors are grain-free
- Very good Omega fatty acids
- Contains glucosamine, chondroitin, and DHA
CONS
- All flavors contain potato, which is a common allergen
This dry dog food is crafted from high-quality, wholesome ingredients and has been made specifically to cover all the nutritional needs of small breed dogs, for all life stages. There are enough flavors to be able to mix and match and stay away from most ingredients that would cause allergies.
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High In Protein And Fats
Even small breed dogs need a good amount of protein for maintaining their muscles. They also need high levels of fat which is necessary for energy, of which a small breed has plenty.
The different flavors of this dog food has slightly different values, but 30+% protein is a great number for the average, moderately, or highly active Pug. 15% fat is a good number to burn for quick and easy energy.
2. Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Dog Food
Best Limited Ingredient
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PROS
- Various flavors available, making it easy to avoid allergens but still have a range of flavors
- Grain-free, every flavor
- Great levels of glucosamine and chondroitin
- All are high in Omega fatty acids
CONS
- Expensive (although this is not unusual for a limited ingredient food)
- Some flavors contain allergens such as chicken meal or potatoes
If your Pug’s allergies are getting worse, it might be best to put him on a limited ingredient diet. Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Dog Food is a great choice as it has a range of flavors to stop your pooch getting bored with one flavor.
Each flavor consists of fewer than 10 real-food ingredients, and the only additions are flavors (all-natural), vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. If necessary, you can avoid chicken, beef, and potato, as well as any other ingredients your dog may have an allergy or intolerance to.
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Various Nutrient Values
Every single recipe contains high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin and a good amount of Omega fatty acids. This makes them great Pug food for all ages, sizes, and breeds. The numbers on the guaranteed analysis lists vary, from 25-32% protein and 14.5-18% fat.
3. Merrick Grain Free Dry Puppy Food
Best for Pug Puppies
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PROS
- Puppy-specific recipe
- Great protein and fat counts for puppies
- Contains glucosamine and DHA
- The beef flavor is poultry-free
CONS
- The beef flavor contains potatoes, which can be an allergen
- May not be affordable for all
Puppy pugs need certain supplements for growth and development, and Merrick Grain Free Dry Puppy Food provides exactly what they need. It uses deboned beef as its main ingredient which is an excellent protein source and makes up 28% of this food. Fat is available at 15% which is sufficient for an energetic, bouncy little pug who loves to play all day.
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Supplements For Puppies
Because joint dysplasia and eye problems are common for Pugs, it’s essential to make an effort to combat these diseases early on. This dog food contains a good amount of glucosamine and chondroitin which strengthens joints from a young age. DHA can also be found in this formula – a necessary addition that helps the proper development of the eyes and brain tissue.
4. Canidae Pure Grain Free Wet Dog Food
Best Wet Food
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PROS
- Various flavors available, easy to avoid allergens
- Doesn’t contain carrageenan
- Grain-free
CONS
- A little pricey
- Slightly high in calories
Feeding your pooch dry dog food can get boring after a while and it’s nice to mix it up a bit by introducing tasty, wet toppers to their usual kibble. This dog food from Canidae is not just a delicious option, it’s also packed with healthy ingredients that add nutritional value to your dog’s meal.
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A Range of Limited Ingredient Flavours
There are 5 key ingredients in this dog food – all premium proteins and wholesome ingredients. We recommend adding this to your pup’s dry dog food if they need extra calories or if they’re getting picky with their food.
5. Wellness Complete Health Dry Dog Food
Best With Chicken
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PROS
- Great quality ingredients
- Very nice protein and fat levels for Pugs
- High Omega fatty acids
- Contains good glucosamine and chondroitin levels
CONS
- Slightly pricey
- Not suitable for pups with a poultry sensitivity
Chicken is a very common ingredient due to its great protein content and affordability. If your pug is not sensitive to chicken, the Wellness Complete Health Dry Dog Food is a nutritious, tasty option that he can enjoy. It is made from premium quality, lean meat that is packed with protein and other nutrients.
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Glucosamine For Strong Joints
Although they’re small dogs, Pugs are prone to dislocating joints. A dose of glucosamine and chondroitin in their food can help significantly to reduce the chances of this happening.
6. Taste Of The Wild Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Best for Easy Digestion
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PROS
- High protein and fat counts
- Good Omega fatty acids for skin and coat
- Avoids major allergens
- Small breed specific
CONS
- No glucosamine included
- Lamb meal is a possible allergen
The Taste Of The Wild Small Breed Dry Dog Food is packed with flavor and loaded with nutrients from premium, pasture-raised venison and added superfoods. It contains proprietary probiotics with species-specific strain that aids in digestion.
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Great Nutrients For Active Pugs
With 32% protein and 18% fat, this dog food will provide your pug enough protein to stay strong and supple, and easily-metabolized energy to support his daily activities.
7. Diamond Naturals Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Best Value For Money
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PROS
- Affordable meal packed with flavor and nutrients
- Avoids most common allergens (chicken, beef, potatoes)
- Nutrient content is perfect for small breed dogs like Pugs
- Contains L-carnitine and great Omega fatty acid levels
CONS
- Doesn’t contain glucosamine or chondroitin
The Diamond Naturals Small Breed Dry Dog Food is an awesome choice for Pug parents who are looking for something less pricey but still containing all the good stuff your dog’s needs. The main protein source in this food is pasture-raised lamb so you can guarantee the quality is impeccable.
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Perfect Nutrient Content For Pugs
25% protein and 15% fat content is well within the recommended range for moderately active pugs. This dog food provides just the right amounts of essential nutrients to keep small dogs satisfied and well nourished.
The L-carnitine found in this food promotes healthy weight and energy levels, which is great for small breed dogs prone to weight gain. The Omega fatty acids are also present in significant amounts to help your pup’s skin and coat to be hydrated and itch-free.
8. Blue Buffalo Basics Senior Dry Dog Food
Best For Pug Seniors
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PROS
- Limited ingredient food, reducing the chances of allergies
- Contain good Omega fatty acids for skin and coat health
- Contains nice glucosamine and chondroitin levels
- Lower in calories than many to prevent weight gain
CONS
- Contains potato, which could be an allergen
- Lower in protein and fat than necessary (best for inactive seniors)
Just like puppies, senior dogs need specific nutrients in their diet to keep them strong and healthy as they age. The Blue Buffalo Basics Senior Dry Dog Food contains essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals an aging pup needs to keep his or her quality of life as normal as possible.
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Low Protein & Fat
Senior dogs are typically less active and they don’t need as much protein and fat to support their daily activities. This dog food has just the right amount to maintain muscle mass and provide energy that will last through the day.
It also has a significant amount of glucosamine and chondroitin to fortify your senior pup’s hip and joints which is especially necessary since pugs commonly suffer from hip dysplasia. It also has DHA to keep your aging pooch’s brain sharp and active.
9. Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Adult Dry Dog Food
Best For Less Active or Inactive Pugs
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PROS
- Low fat count for Pugs who don’t get much exercise
- Good protein count for a reduced-fat food (24%)
- Quite affordable in comparison to others
- Contains glucosamine
CONS
- Contains chicken meal which is a common allergen
Reduced-fat food for Pugs who are not active (due to age, injury, or illness) could help prevent weight gain. This dog food is highly recommended if you want to regulate your little pug’s weight while making sure they still get all the nutrient they need. It has added brown rice which contributes a good amount of fiber for healthy digestion.
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Low Fat, Moderate Protein
Most low-fat dog foods often come with low protein counts too, but this one has 24% protein content which is ideal if you want to maintain your dog’s muscle mass. The fat content is 6% which is significantly lower than most dog breeds. If your pooch doesn’t get regular exercise and is typically less active throughout the day, this is the perfect food for him.
10. Royal Canin Breed Health Pug Adult Dry Dog Food
Best Pug-Specific Food
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PROS
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin
- Contains DHA, EPA, and L-carnitine
- Good fat count, at 14%
- Special kibble design for brachycephalic dogs
CONS
- Contains common allergens
The Royal Canin Dog Food is one of the few breed-specific dog foods for pugs on the market (and it comes in a puppy variety too). The nutritional value is ideal for pugs. It has 23% protein and 14% fat content. There’s a significant amount of glucosamine and chondroitin in this food to keep your Pug’s joints healthy. It also has added DHA, EPA, vitamins and minerals that makes this a well rounded dog food that provides a balanced nutritional profile for your beloved pug.
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Good Nutrients & Supplements
Its appropriately balanced formula ensures your pug maintains the ideal weight while getting the essential nutrients he needs. The combination of premium protein and L-carnitine guarantees your pug maintains its muscle tone.
How to Choose the Best Food for Your Pug
1) Free From Allergens
Pugs aren’t as susceptible to allergies compared to other small dog breeds. But there’s no harm in being extra careful when it comes to making sure your pooch is getting a well rounded diet without any risks of harmful, allergy-causing ingredients. Educate yourself about the common allergens that can be found in dog foods for pugs and triple check if your dog is sensitive to them.
The most common allergens include chicken (or chicken meal), beef, and potatoes, as well as any artificial ingredients. Wheat, corn, and soy are always avoided. Food for pugs may include grains if they’re gluten-free, like brown rice and oatmeal.
2) Premium Ingredient Quality
The best dog food for pugs should be full of healthy, real-food ingredients that are recognizable to the average person. You want to see meat, veggies, fruits, and gluten-free grains like brown rice on the lists.
Dogs are omnivores, so they need a good mix of protein, carbs, and fats. Look for foods that contain high-quality animal protein, slow-burning, healthy carbs (that avoid wheat, corn, and soy), and healthy fats.
3) Protein & Fat Counts
After ingredient quality, the next thing you need to check is the nutritional value of your dog’s food. Make sure it contains all the essential nutrients he needs and within the recommended amount per serving or per meal.
These nutrients should be present in the list:
- Protein. Proteins build muscle and keep your pet strong, and an adult pug needs 25% or more in a food. More isn’t necessarily better, but it’s also not a bad thing. A pug puppy typically needs slightly more than adults, so around 28% and upwards.
- Fat. Fat is the easiest, quickest energy source for active pups.Your adult pug will need 15% fat content and upwards to keep their energy levels up.
- Omega Fatty Acids. These fatty acids are necessary to maintain healthy skin and shiny coat. Pugs don’t have long coat which means they don’t need as much grooming but their skin absolutely needs additional care. A good dose of Omega fatty acids should keep their skin healthy and protected froms any skin allergies.
4) Glucosamine & Chondroitin
These little fellas are prone to joint dysplasia and luxating patella or dislocating kneecap. Glucosamine and chondroitin help strengthen joints and keep them more flexible. Needless to say, glucosamine and chondroitin are necessary supplements for pugs but they’re not always present in dog food products. You can, however, add them as a supplement.
5) Affordability
Although Pugs are on the smaller side and need strict food monitoring, it can still be expensive feeding one. Some of the foods on this list are higher in price than others, but there are a good few options that are extremely affordable – more so even than some of the lower quality products out there.
Questions & Answers
What health conditions affect Pugs?
The most common health problem that pugs suffer from is obesity. These little guys like to eat, so if they aren’t carefully monitored it can be super easy for their weight gain to get out of control. Being overweight also brings with it other problems, such as joint issues and breathing problems. Some common issues to be aware of include:
- Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE)
- Epilepsy
- Eye problems, such as corneal ulcers, dry eye, eyeballs popping out, progressive retinal atrophy, and eye irritation due to inverted eyelids
- Joint dysplasia, arthritis, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and nerve degeneration in their back legs
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome (which is made worse by weight gain)
- Allergies
How many calories does my Pug need per day?
The average adult Pug requires 40 – 45 calories per pound of body weight per day, while puppies need about 55 calories. This is a highly individual thing, though. You’ll get a good idea of if your pooch is eating the right amount if they remain the same size and weight as time goes by. If you notice your Pug getting a little pudgy, it may be a good idea to feed them a little less than you are. If your Pug is looking a bit scrawny, it may be time to start feeding them a little more, or at least adding a few treats in between meals to up calories.
The best dog food for Pugs should be slightly lower in calories. A lower-calorie, nutrient-dense food will keep your pooch full for longer, meaning they won’t be getting hungry as quickly.
How often should I be feeding my Pug?
It’s very important NOT to allow free feeding, as Pugs love to eat and won’t regulate their intake at all. A Pug puppy should be fed three times a day, and preferably at the same time every day to encourage a routine. From around 6 months, you can decrease this to 2 meals a day if necessary, although if you’re able to keep up 3 meals a day your Pug will be happy with that.
If you arrive home to find white or yellow foam patches, it’s likely your Pug has been throwing up stomach bile due to an empty tummy. You may need to feed them more at each meal to combat this, or find a way to get them a midday meal.
How can my Pug get more exercise?
Pugs may be slightly more round than other dogs but they still need plenty of exercise to prevent weight gain, and they also quite enjoy a bit of play.
It’s essential to give your Pug the opportunity to exercise, but make sure to allow them to dictate how much and for how long. As brachycephalic dogs, they can suffer from breathing issues that can be made worse by too much exercise. If they are starting to wheeze or struggle with their breathing, it’s time to stop. Brachys also have trouble in very hot weather, as they cannot pant like other dogs. Therefore, it’s a good idea to keep exercise to a minimum in very warm weather.
Introducing a daily walk into their schedule is a great, low-stress way to burn more calories. These pups also love a good play, so a game of fetch will work well. Play-wrestling or chase will give your pooch a bit of a workout and also help with bonding.
