Providing your beloved pug with only the best quality food is certainly a good investment in their long-term health and happiness. However, this couldn’t be any more important when it comes to caring for a pug, not least due to the various health difficulties they can face which are often greatly influenced by their nutrition.
In this guide, we’re going to highlight several of the best food options on the market, each of which are well-suited to pugs. So with this in mind, let’s examine the options in closer detail.
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Orijen is a top-rated dog food brand that makes some excellent formulas, and this option is a great example of the quality they produce.
It’s an entirely grain-free formula that uses only the best ingredients, and it also benefits from a single source of protein which complements the general focus on limited ingredients, so it’s a good choice for sensitive dogs, too.
The food is also particularly appetizing for most dogs, so if you happen to have a fussy eater then you may be pleased to discover that your pug is unlikely to turn their nose up at this one.
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The Wellness CORE brand is a product that many dog owners will be familiar with, and they certainly boast a wide range of formulas and flavors that are popular with dog owners of all breeds.
However, this particular ‘small breed’ formula is an excellent choice for a pug, as it’ll provide all of the key essentials without any unwanted additives or cheap fillers that would otherwise distract from the quality on offer here.
Of course, the formula is also grain-free so it’s unlikely to upset your dog’s stomach, and it also shouldn’t cause a weight gain problem just as long as you get the portion size right. The formula is made only in USA kitchens, with n0 ingredients being sourced from elsewhere.
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The Fromm brand is another high-quality dog food company that may not be as well-known as some of the other options listed in this guide, but it certainly manages to deliver where it counts. This blend is specifically designed for small breed dogs, and as such, it comes with a nutritional profile that should give a small pug everything they need to stay strong and healthy.
It’s worth noting that the small breed formula comes with a smaller kibble size which a pug is sure to appreciate, and the combination of duck, chicken, lamb, eggs, and cheese makes it a tasty and enjoyable meal, too. What’s more, it comes with further probiotics to boost your dog’s digestion, along with salmon oil to keep your dog’s coat healthy.
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If you’re looking for a cost-effective formula that’s suitable for small breeds, then this formula from Diamond Pet Foods is a reasonable choice to consider.
The Diamond Naturals formula comes with a smaller kibble size that’s suitable for smaller mouths, and the formulation comes with 28% protein and 16% fat, which is adequate for most smaller dogs.
The formula receives plenty of praise regarding its suitability for smaller dogs in particular, so if you’re looking for an affordable option that a pug will enjoy, you could certainly do much worse than this reliable option.
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Here’s another option that’s designed for smaller breeds in mind, and it comes with a smaller kibble that’s very easy for your dog to chew – which is a good thing for any pug who may sometimes have difficulty when it comes to eating kibble.
The formula uses a decent combination of protein, fat, and carbohydrate to ensure your dog has the energy they need without gaining too much weight, and it also comes with DHA to support healthy eye and brain development. There’s also plenty of omega fatty acids that are key for maintaining a healthy coat and skin.
This particular formula is perhaps one of the most popular dog foods on the market, and it comes with a grain-free blend that offers sweet potatoes and peas along with tasty bison and venison as the primary protein sources, although you also have the choice between lamb, salmon, and wildfowl too.
In general, this is a popular and well-respected formula that comes at a reasonable price and offers plenty of nutrition. It’s also a tasty formula that many dogs seem to take to very quickly, so it’s a nice choice for any fussy eaters who can often times be too picky about their kibbles.
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Here’s another high-quality formula from the Wellness brand, and this formula is from their ‘Complete’ line which focuses on covering a broad range of health benefits. Of course, this means there’s plenty of protein to fuel strong muscles, along with omega fatty acids to maintain a healthy coat and skin.
If you keep the portion sizes in line then you shouldn’t have trouble with this formula causing weight gain, so it’s a good choice for most pugs in this regard. It’s worth noting that the formula is made exclusively in the United States, and it uses a collection of all-natural ingredients without any cheap fillers used to bulk out the product.
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The Royal Canin company makes a range of formulas that aim to be ‘breed specific’, and while this may or may not be somewhat of a gimmick, there’s no denying that the pug formula receives top reviews from most buyers.
The food is designed for pugs that are at least 10 months old, and the kibble is also designed to be small enough for a pug to cope with, as well as coming with a unique shape that makes it easier for a pug to pick up and eat with their shorter, flatter muzzle.
In terms of ingredients, the blend uses chicken meal as the main protein source, along with brown rice and oatmeal for a carbohydrate source. Of course, there’s a number of vitamins, minerals, and supplements to be found, too.
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Here’s a small breed formula that comes with a full and balanced nutritional profile that hits all of the key bases you’ll be looking for when you’re shopping for a smaller pooch.
Of course, it also comes with a smaller kibble design that makes for a comfortable dining experience whenever this is served as your dog’s main meal, and the use of chicken and pork as the main protein ensures your dog will enjoy their meal.
The ingredient quality is very good overall, and there’s no use of meat by-products or artificial preservatives that would detract from the quality or trouble your dog’s stomach. The formula is also made in the United States for peace of mind during the making.
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This small breed formula from Nutro uses farm-raised chicken as the main protein source, along with brown rice and sweet potatoes to give your dog the carbs and energy they need to stay strong and healthy.
You’ll also find plenty of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that help maintain a healthy coat and skin, and there’s also very little in the way of cheap filler ingredients or additives that you’d rather avoid.
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Blue Buffalo is certainly one of the most famous and well-known dog food brands on the market these days, and for many good reasons.
The Life Protection Formula is a particular highlight that tends to be a good choice for most dogs, and this small breed formula will always be enjoyed by a pug. It comes with a quality source of protein in the source of chicken, and the brown rice will give your pooch plenty of energy to fuel their day.
In terms of ingredient quality, you won’t find any low-cost fillers or additives used to bulk out the formula, but you will find deboned chicken as the main ingredient along with chicken meal, and various vitamins and minerals that add plenty of useful supplementation to your dog’s diet.
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Finally, we have this excellent formula from Merrick which comes with a whopping 38% protein thanks to the use of deboned beef as the primary ingredient. Of course, this makes it one of the highest protein blends on the market right now, too.
In addition to the tasty deboned beef, it comes with lamb meal, sweet potatoes, peas, and potatoes to complete the formula.
What’s more, there’s no use of grain or gluten, and it’s also a poultry-free product. However, there is a separate chicken formula if that’s what you’re looking for, and there’s also a salmon option as well.
No ingredients are sourced from anywhere questionable like China, so you can rest assured that the formula is made entirely in the USA.
The Best Food For Pugs With Sensitive Stomachs
If you have a pug that’s particularly prone to stomach sensitivity, then it may be worth investing in a formula that takes this into account. Fortunately, there are several top-quality formulas on the market that specifically cater to sensitive stomachs, and they’re also useful for dog’s who suffer from allergies, too.
Now, it’s also a good idea to work out the ingredients that your dog is sensitive or allergic towards. In many cases, you’ll find it comes down to ingredients such as corn, wheat, or various additives and preservatives – which is why many of the leading dog food brands tend to avoid these ingredients and instead focus on hearty, natural-based ingredients.
But in some cases, your dog may simply be allergic to contaminants that have found their way into the food. Again, this is another reason why it pays to do some research and only buy the best-rated dog foods on the market.
Keeping this in mind, let’s take a closer look at a few of the best dog food products for sensitive stomachs.
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The Limited Ingredient formula from Blue Buffalo is always a worthy option to consider when you have a sensitive dog, as the streamlined formula manages to avoid many of the most common triggers for allergies and stomach sensitivity.
It comes in a variety of different flavors, with the turkey and potato being a popular choice, although there’s also a ‘healthy weight’ version that’s useful for a pug that needs to lose some excess weight, too.
The formula uses top quality turkey as the main protein source, and it also uses several easily-digested carbohydrates in the form of oatmeal, potatoes, and brown rice. Despite the focus on limited ingredients, it still manages to provide plenty of vitamins and minerals due to the use of carefully selected vegetables.
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Another excellent choice when it comes to limited ingredient formulas is this product from Merrick, which promises to deliver a complete and balanced nutritional profile without the usual allergy or stomach sensitivity triggers.
It uses high-quality farm-fresh ingredients for the most part, with salmon as the number one ingredient – so practically any dog will take to it very quickly indeed. Of course, the formula is also marketed to dogs of all breeds, and a pug shouldn’t have too much trouble with the brand overall.
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Lastly, we have this limited ingredient formula made by Natural Balance, who has a great reputation for making these limited ingredient formulas that don’t trigger allergies or cause stomach issues.
The formula is available in both adult or ‘small breed bites’ versions, and the products do a great job of cutting out the unneeded ingredients while providing a solid base of nutrition that’ll keep your dog strong and healthy.
Of course, the formula is entirely grain free, and the few added ingredients are ideal for maintaining good digestive health as well as supporting a healthy coat.
The Best Dog Food For Pug Puppies
If you’re shopping for a pug puppy, then it’s a good idea to buy a formula that’ll take a puppy’s specific nutritional requirements into account, so your dog will grow into a strong and healthy adult dog without developing obesity or any other nutritional-related health issues.
With this in mind, let’s examine a few of the top puppy food options that are ideal for a pug puppy.
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The Orijen brand is always a reliable choice when you’re looking for only the best ingredients, and this puppy formula is certainly a great option that’s worth a closer look if you’re planning to treat your dog to a quality product.
Ingredient wise, the formula is free of grain and it’s also fairly limited in its approach, which is great news for a puppy that suffers from allergies or stomach sensitivity. Additionally, it uses a single primary source of protein, too.
The formula offers plenty of nutrition due to the use of poultry, cartilage, whole fish, and whole eggs which provide many of the key vitamins and minerals your puppy needs from a natural source, with the only ‘added’ supplement being zinc.
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Here’s a grain-free puppy formula that’s available in either a ‘high prairie’ or ‘pacific stream’ versions that your puppy is sure to enjoy.
The formula uses a range of fish protein sources along with fresh fruits and vegetables to provide all of the key antioxidants that are needed to support the healthy development of your small pooch.
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The Wellness CORE formula is an exceptional product in many ways, so it’s easy to see why it’s been such a top-rated seller for a number of years now. When it comes to the ingredients, there’s no use of grain or unnatural preservatives and additives, but there is a strong focus on all-natural ingredients that your dog is sure to enjoy.
The protein-rich formula uses chicken, turkey, and salmon as the main protein sources, and there are no meat by-products that would detract from the quality of the blend.
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Here’s an excellent puppy-focused version of the popular Merrick grain-free formula, and it’s a recipe that most pooches will enjoy. Of course, the formula is made specifically for small breed dogs in mind, so it’s formulated with all of the key nutrition you’d expect to see.
What’s more, it comes with ‘industry-leading’ levels of Glucosamine and Chondroitin, which aids the healthy development of your dog’s joints, amongst many other things.
You can rest assured that the same high-quality ingredients are in the puppy version as well, with no ingredients being sourced from China or elsewhere. It’s also cooked entirely in USA-based kitchens.
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Here’s another respectable entry from the Wellness company which comes under their ‘Complete Health’ product line, which focuses on covering many important areas of a dog’s nutrition.
In terms of ingredients, it uses deboned chicken as the primary protein source, and it comes with oatmeal for a steady source of carbohydrate and salmon to give your pooch plenty of healthy fats.
Importantly, there’s no use of any meat by-products or artificial additives and flavorings which could upset your dog’s stomach, so you can rest assured that there’s plenty of tasty, high-quality ingredients that your dog will certainly enjoy.
The Best Wet Dog Food For Pugs
If you’re looking to give your beloved pug a tasty treat at dinner times, then few options are better than giving them some delicious wet food. In most cases, you’ll find your pug will be thrilled to receive some added wet food in their dinner bowl, and it’s also a great way to get some much-needed moisture into your dog’s diet – particularly if they don’t seem to drink enough from their water bowl.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at a few of the best-rated wet dog food products that will be suitable for a small pug.
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This formula from Blue Buffalo is a top choice if you’re in need of a wet formula for a small breed, and it comes in handy packs of 24 which makes it more affordable than you’d think, depending on how much your dog is likely to consume.
It comes with chicken as the primary protein source, along with chicken brown, carrots, ground brown rice, peas, and ground barley – along with numerous vitamins and supplements that ensure the formula is well-balanced.
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Here’s a high-quality wet food that uses real poultry as the main ingredient, along with a selection of fruits and vegetables that are sure to appeal to your pooch.
You’ll also find plenty of omega fatty acids that are important for the maintenance of a healthy coat and skin. Additionally, there’s plenty of added vitamins and minerals, but no use of wheat, corn, soy, or other fillers that you’d rather not see in your dog’s food. Overall, this is a high-quality product that’s often recommended for small breed dogs who need some tasty wet food, and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.
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Here’s a formula from Nutro that’s specifically designed to cater to the nutritional needs of a small breed dog, and it does a great job of giving them a tasty meal that they’re sure to enjoy.
It uses a convenient pate texture that a pug won’t have any trouble with when it comes to eating, but it still contains plenty of tasty ingredients such as chicken, lamb, and salmon. The focus on all-natural ingredients is also nice to see, and it’s good to know that the product is made exclusively within US-based facilities for further peace of mind.
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If you’re looking for tasty wet food, then you certainly can’t go wrong with the Merrick brand – and this version is certainly one of their most popular wet food creations.
There are three different flavors to choose from, with the options being Cowboy Cookout, Grammy’s Pot Pie, or the Thanksgiving Day Dinner, all of which have top-quality ingredients and flavors that any small breed pooch is going to love.
The Thanksgiving Day Dinner option uses deboned turkey as the main ingredient, and it’s also entirely free of grain and other unwanted additives that you may wish to avoid. However, it goes come with the important addition of glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids.
What’s more, the calories are pretty good in each meal, with under 100 calories being found in a single can, so it’s useful for keeping your dog at a healthy weight as well.
