The Pug is among the most easily recognized dog breeds, also famous for its body, wrinkled skin, and bulging eyes.
While these dogs may seem a little absurd, they have a lot of love to offer and are lovely pets. It’s no surprise that they are among the best companion pets, especially for families with children.
In addition to their friendly characters, Pugs are known to be very low maintenance. While they may not be the most active breed, pugs require a diet rich in nutrients, particularly when they are dogs.
If you want your Pug puppy to grow up strong and healthy, take the opportunity to choose a balanced and nutritious diet. Read on to find out more about your Pug puppy’s dietary needs and our top picks for your top 8 pet foods.
9 Best Food For Pug Puppy Reviewed
The following formulas meet AAFCO’s nutrient profile guidelines. Before switching your dog to a pregnancy-friendly option, please consult with your veterinarian.
1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Dry Dog Food – Best Overall
- REAL MEAT FIRST: Blue Buffalo foods always feature real meat as the first ingredient; High-quality protein from real chicken helps your dog build and maintain healthy muscles; Plus they contain wholesome whole grains, garden veggies and fruit
Main features –
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley
- Guaranteed Analysis: 27% Crude Protein, 16% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 3,707 kcal/kg, 400 kcal/cup
- Breed Size: Small Breeds, Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, All Breeds
- Lifestage: Puppy
- Key Feature: No Corn No Wheat No Soy, With Grain
Reasons to suggest–
- While not the cheapest food for your dog, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula puppy food may be the best.
- It is packed with healthful vitamins, antioxidants, and chelated minerals to boost immune system health. It also helps support healthy brain and eye development by including DHA and ARA.
- This food contains omega fatty acids to keep your pug’s coat and skin healthy.
- This Blue Buffalo food has a minimum of 27% crude protein, with boneless chicken as the main source.
- You can be sure your pugs are getting good nutrition. It might be expensive, but if you can afford it, it could help keep your pug puppy healthy and happy in the long run.
2. Royal Canin Pug Puppy Dry Dog Food – Premium Choice
- FORMULATED FOR PUREBRED PUGS: Royal Canin Pug Puppy Dry Dog Food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of purebred Pugs 8 weeks to 10 months old
Main features –
- First 5 Ingredients: Brewers Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn, Chicken Fat, Dried Plain Beet Pulp
- Guaranteed Analysis: 27% Crude Protein, 16% Crude Fat, 3.5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 3,781 kcal/kg, 371 kcal/cup
- Breed Size: Small Breeds, Extra Small Breeds
- Lifestage: Puppy
- Key Feature: With Grain
Reasons to suggest–
- Royal Canin Pug Puppy dry dog food is a high-end brand that will give your Pug the luxury and satisfaction of knowing that you are feeding him to the fullest.
- This is the only breed-specific food we’ve seen that provides the nutritional needs of Pugs. But it’s also one of the more expensive foods we’ve seen, with an 11kg bag worth more than a 6kg bag from other manufacturers.
- This food is suitable for 8-10-month-old pugs. It has a unique combination of nutrients that helps maintain the health of your Pug’s skin, coat, and digestive system.
- Additionally, prebiotics and antioxidants help strengthen the immune system of pugs & because they’re a brachycephalic breed with a short face, these kibbles are shaped like a clover leaf, so it’s easier for them to pick and chew.
- The ingredient list for this food isn’t nearly as good. List brewers’ rice as the main ingredient with the second ingredient being the chicken by-product.
- They certainly haven’t compromised the quality of the ingredients for such a high-end Pug food!
3. Rachael Ray Nutrish Bright Puppy Dry Dog Food – Best Value
- Contains (1) 14 Pound Bag of Dry Dog Food. For a limited time, you may receive either bag as we update our packaging
Main features –
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Soybean Meal, Whole Corn
- Guaranteed Analysis: 28% Crude Protein, 16% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 3,672 kcal/kg, 390 kcal/cup
- Breed Size: Small Breeds, Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, All Breeds
- Lifestage: Puppy
- Key Feature: Sensitive Digestion, With Grain
Reasons to suggest–
- It can be expensive to feed your dog high-quality food to keep him healthy. But with Rachael Ray Nutrish Bright Puppy dry dog food, it doesn’t have to be.
- It’s affordable and won’t cost more than the rest of your family’s grocery shopping. This is why we believe it is the best food for Pugs.
- But don’t feel like you’re skimping on your Pugs’ health with this food because you won’t. Instead, you’ll be providing them with a healthy diet that contains DHA for clear vision and healthy brain development. Plus, it contains omega fatty acids for a healthy coat and skin.
- Although affordable, quality whole ingredients were used to make this dog food, starting with real chicken as the first ingredient.
- It is safe for both your fellow Pug and his stomach. Although it contains grains, this makes it an excellent choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- MORE CHICKEN IS COMING: An evolution of your dog’s formula with more chicken than ever, plus wholesome grains
Main features –
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein, Peas, Tapioca Starch
- Guaranteed Analysis: 36% Crude Protein, 16% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 3,662 kcal/kg, 423 kcal/cup
- Breed Size: Small Breeds, Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, All Breeds
- Lifestage: Puppy
- Key Feature: High-Protein, Grain-Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy
Reasons to suggest–
- Blue Buffalo is a premium brand known for using high-quality ingredients. Wilderness Puppy Grain Free Dry Dog Food Formula has higher protein levels than the original.
- This formula contains at least 36% crude protein. Most of it comes from boneless chicken, which is referred to as the first ingredient, followed by a chicken meal.
- This food is expensive because it uses high-quality ingredients in high concentrations.
- More than just wholesome, whole ingredients, this food is also fortified with healthy nutrients and supplements.
- It has DHA to support cognitive development and vision. It also contains a perfect blend of essential vitamins, including calcium and phosphorus, to support healthy bone growth.
- Finally, the omega fatty acids ensure that your Pug’s coat and skin stay healthy and look good.
5. VICTOR Select Nutra Pro Active Dog & Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food
- ACTIVE DOG FOOD: VICTOR Purpose Nutra Pro is a gluten free, high protein dog food with a nutrient-dense, multi-meat formula; this dry dog food’s ingredients help provide sustained energy for sporting dogs
Main features –
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Blood Meal Conventionally Dried, Whole Grain Millet, Chicken Fat, Yeast Culture
- Guaranteed Analysis: 38% Crude Protein, 18% Crude Fat, 3.5% Crude Fiber, 9% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 3774 kcal/kg; 401 kcal/cup
- Breed Size: Small Breeds, Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, All Breeds
- Lifestage: Adults & Puppy
- Key Feature: High-Protein, Sensitive Digestion, Gluten Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Pea-Free, With Grain
Reasons to suggest–
- VICTOR SelectNutra Pro Active Dog and Puppy Formula Dry Dogfood is packed with nutrients designed specifically to feed dogs that train moderately to vigorously. It looks better than it turns out.
- The large 18kg size and affordable price were both great features. We loved the high protein and low carb content which are great for all dogs, but especially pugs.
- This food does not use the highest quality ingredients, listing chicken meal, blood meal, and whole grain millet as the first three ingredients; no signs of a high-quality whole food protein source there.
- We found that not all dogs were interested in food after we gave it to them. Others ate the food but had difficulty digesting it.
- However, it hasn’t been a problem for many of our dogs. However, dogs with sensitive stomachs in particular would do well to avoid this food.
6. NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE Puppy Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Kibble
- 100% Complete and Balanced Food for Puppies: NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE Puppy Dry Dog Food provides balanced nutrition for puppies up to 1 year of age
Main features –
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Barley, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Brown Rice
- Guaranteed Analysis: 28% Crude Protein, 16% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 3727 kcal/kg, 390 kcal/cup
- Breed Size: Small Breeds, Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, All Breeds
- Lifestage: Adults
- Key Feature: High Fiber, Molasses-Free, Natural, Sensitive Digestion, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Non-GMO, High-Protein
Reasons to suggest–
- Many companies choose to save money by using low-quality ingredients such as meat by-products or GMO vegetables.
- Nutro is not one of them. The Wholesome Essentials Puppy Dog Food is non-GMO and contains no by-products.
- However, they are still reasonably priced. This is achieved in part by including several grains in their formula while keeping protein levels low compared to other foods.
- However, this food has a minimum of 29% crude protein derived primarily from chicken and chicken meal, the first two ingredients listed.
- However, some of the leftover ingredients aren’t our favorites, such as beer-brewed rice, brown rice, and oatmeal, which is why Nutro Wholesome Essentials puppy food failed to decipher our top five.
7. Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Dry Dog Food
- One (1) 34 lb. Bag – Purina Pro Plan High Protein Puppy Food Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula
Main features –
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Poultry By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Wheat, Beef Fat Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols
- Guaranteed Analysis: 28% Crude Protein, 18% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 4,188 kcal/kg, 456 kcal/cup
- Breed Size: Small Breeds, Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, All Breeds
- Lifestage: Puppy
- Key Feature: High-Protein, With Grain
Reasons to suggest–
- Purina is a well-known name in dog food, but their Pro Plan Focus Puppy dry dog food isn’t what we prefer.
- It is still rich in DHA, which helps strengthen teeth and bones. The formula also contains prebiotic fiber, which supports digestive health. While a 28% crude protein minimum isn’t the maximum, providing basic nutrition for your Pug is sufficient.
- The problem is, we weren’t impressed with the ingredients used in this food. Ingredients like corn gluten meal, whole corn, corn germ meal, poultry by-product meal, and more.
- Unsurprisingly, some Pugs won’t eat this food after reading the ingredients list. We would not and we do not recommend that you give it to your Pug
8. Diamond Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food
- Carefully determined levels of protein and fat to support your growing puppy, including DHA from salmon oil for brain and vision development
Main features –
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken By-Product Meal, Whole Grain Ground Corn, Wheat Flour, Chicken Fat, Dried Beet Pulp
- Guaranteed Analysis: 33% Crude Protein, 20% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 3,890 kcal/kg, 441 kcal/cup
- Breed Size: Small Breeds, Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, All Breeds
- Lifestage: Puppy
- Key Feature: High Fiber, With Grain
Reasons to suggest–
- We were immediately drawn to the rock-bottom price and wholesale sizing of the Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food.
- While it sounded great for saving money, we quickly found it wasn’t excellent value for money at any price.
- This food uses poor-quality protein sources. You won’t find boneless chicken or beef here. Instead, the chicken by-product will be listed as the main ingredient.
- Whole-ground corn is next. Because it is a whole grain, this corn is not easily digested for your Pug, although it is cheap to use as a filling ingredient, which is why it is in this food.
- While it may seem difficult to let go of what appears to be low-cost value, if your Pug needs proper nutrition, you may want to avoid Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food.
9. Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Food
- One (1) 22 lb Bag – Merrick Dry Puppy Food, Real Beef and Sweet Potato Grain Free Dog Food Recipe
Main features –
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Beef, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Whitefish Meal
- Guaranteed Analysis: 28% Crude Protein, 15% Crude Fat, 4.5% Crude Fiber, 11% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 3,673 kcal/kg, 400 kcal/cup
- Breed Size: Small Breeds, Medium Breeds
- Lifestage: Puppy
- Key Feature: No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Gluten Free, Grain-Fre
Reasons to suggest–
- Merrick is known for making quality dog food and we have had good luck with their food in the past.
- We haven’t had the same experience with Merrick Grain Free Puppy Food. It’s fair to say that things got off to a good start when we used high-quality ingredients with multiple protein sources like boneless beef, lamb meals, and salmon meal.
- These protein sources can cause food to cost more than other options and this causes its price to spiral out of control. It is even lower in protein than other brands, with only 28% of the minimum crude protein.
- Although Merrick is a good dog food manufacturer, it did not impress our Pugs.
Buying Guide
If you’re just looking for a gimmicky way to choose the best puppy food for your Pug, then you can skip to the conclusion to read our tips and do away with your dog food ordeal. If you’re interested in how these puppy foods were compared so you can make better dog food choices for the future, read on.
In this short shopper’s guide, we’ll discuss the most important things to look out for when choosing puppy food for your pug. These three areas are key to making sure you choose a food that is both good for your dog and affordable.
Ingredients
At the end of the day, no dog food formula can be of higher quality than the ingredients used to make it. When inspecting puppy food, the first thing to do is look at the ingredients.
The ingredients are listed in the exact same order as their respective quantities. So the first ingredient listed is in the highest amount, the second ingredient is used in the second highest amount, all the way to the final ingredient which is the least popular ingredient.
In general, you want to see a quality protein source listed as the first ingredient. You don’t want to see a carbohydrate listed as the main ingredient as dogs mostly rely on protein and fat for their nutrition.
Also, watch out for grains. Grains are cheaper to use as fillers than many other alternatives, especially corn, which isn’t great for dogs. Dogs cannot digest these grains, so avoid them if possible.
Nutritional Content
But the ingredients only tell you part of the story. The overall nutritional content of the food is another important aspect to consider. This means extra proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and more.
Like most dogs, pugs thrive on high-protein diets. It is important to choose foods rich in protein. Many foods will have at least 27% crude protein, which is a good place to start. Remember, the more fat and protein in the formula, the less room for carbohydrates that aren’t as good for your dog.
Also, look for foods fortified with nutrients to support your pug’s healthy functions. For example, DHA and ARA support eye health and vision or calcium and phosphorus to help improve bone health. These vital nutrients are abundant in many foods today and can be beneficial for your Pug’s overall health.
Price
The final aspect to consider when choosing food for your pug is the price. While we would like to give our best friend the best food, it is not always possible to afford such high-quality food. But that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on your best friend’s nutrition. You can find a variety of dog foods that provide the exact nutrition your Pug needs at an affordable price.
First, look for foods that will provide your Pug with optimal nutrition. So, narrow it down by choosing the ones that are also affordable and excluding the overpriced options. Finally, compare leftover dog foods to see which one offers the best value for money.
Simply select your dog’s breed below to access the guide
- Best Dog Food for Akitas
- Best Dog Foods For American Bulldogs
- Best Dog Food For American Bullies
- Best Dog Food for Basset Hounds Puppy
Warning: Our reviews on the Best Food For Pug Puppy are mostly based on information from experts and manufacturers. We test many products, but it is impossible to test them all. That said, we ask that you remember that the recommendations above are opinions, and before using a treatment, we recommend that you consult with your veterinarian.
Last Note–
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