The Best Dog Food for Pugs in 2022

Best Dog Food for Pugs Buying Guide & FAQ

As well as knowing the best foods that are available for your Pug, it is important to know more about their nutritional needs. In this section of the buying guide, we explore the needs of both adult and puppy Pugs, the common health problems that you need to be aware of, and the ingredients that you should avoid feeding your Pug.

Nutritional Needs of Pugs

Pugs are energetic, small breed dogs who love to play. They also love to eat, so it is important that their food is both balanced and filling to help stop them from overeating. Because Pugs are so energetic they also need a high protein diet that is balanced with complex carbohydrates for slow energy release.

Protein

Your Pug’s diet should consist of at least 18% crude protein. For puppies, the crude protein content of their diet should be at least 22% to meet their needs as they grow and develop. When looking for the best dog food for pugs you need one that has quality animal protein as one of the main ingredients. If the food contains animal by-products, then this needs to be balanced with other protein sources such as fish. For a full list of our favorite options, see our round-up of high-protein dog food.

Complex Carbohydrates

Ensure the food contains slow-release complex carbohydrates that give your Pug energy throughout the day and that help avoid crashes and spikes in their blood sugar. However, with their limited ability to digest plant fiber, your Pug’s intake of carbohydrates and fiber should be no more than 5% of their diet. The best Pug food brand to choose is one that contains brown rice, sweet potato, or potatoes, as they are all good sources of carbohydrates.

Crude fats

The most concentrated source of energy for your Pug and animal fats such as fish oils for dogs and chicken fat are the best sources. Crude fat should make up at least 5% of your adult pug’s diet and 8% of your puppy’s diet.

You may also like our review of Salmon Oil for Dogs.

Fatty acids

Fatty acids are an essential part of any dog’s diet, but they are vital to the coat and skin health of Pugs. Fatty acids in Pug food help to maintain the moisture levels of their skin and stop it from drying out causing the hair to become brittle and shed more heavily than it would normally do.

Check out our guide on the best food for shedding for more info.

Common Health Problems with Pugs

One of the most common health problems faced by pugs is obesity. Pugs love their food and if it is not monitored carefully, they can put on weight very easily. The easiest way to avoid weight gain in Pugs, and the associated joint and breathing problems that come with weight gain, is to provide high-quality food with no filler, avoid titbits, measure their food carefully, and ensure they have plenty of exercise and playtime. As well as obesity there are several other common health conditions that Pugs can suffer from, some of which are unique to the breed. This include:

Pug Dog Encephalitis

A fatal brain disease that is unique to Pugs, Pug Dog Encephalitis or PDE is a little-understood condition. It currently has no test or treatment and is only diagnosed after death.  The disease causes inflammation of the brain, leading to seizures, blindness, coma, and death. While little is known about the causes of the condition, experts believe that there is a genetic component. This means that it is important to check the family history of any Pug you are considering buying.

Epilepsy

Pugs are one of the breeds that are prone to idiopathic epilepsy. Such seizures happen for no known reason. If your Pug shows signs of seizures, then speak to your veterinarian who can discuss appropriate treatment with you.

Take a look at our guide on Dog Food for Seizures.

Nerve Degeneration

Nerve degeneration is most common in older Pugs. If your pet pooch is beginning to drag their rear, have trouble jumping on and off things, staggering, or showing signs of incontinence, then they may be suffering from nerve degeneration. The condition is generally thought to be painless and advances slowly. Little is known about its causes, but veterinarians can often prescribe medication that alleviates the symptoms. As the front legs remain strong with this condition, one course of action is to buy a cart or dog wheelchair to aid your pug in getting around easier.

Corneal ulcers

Pugs are very susceptible to eye problems and injuries. The main reason for this is that their eyes are very prominent and large in comparison to their face. If an injury occurs, it can lead to ulcers developing on the cornea.

The main symptoms to look for are squinting, redness in the eye, and excessive tearing. Corneal ulcers are treatable with medication from your veterinarian, however, if left untreated they can lead to blindness or eye rupture.

Dry eye

Pugs often suffer from either pigmentary keratitis or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and in some cases, they can occur together. Both can cause reduced tear production. When the eye does not produce enough tears to stay moist, it causes dry eye. Both conditions are treatable with the correct medication and care, but both also require lifelong therapy to stop them from returning.

Other eye problems

Pugs suffer from several eye conditions caused by the size and nature of their eyes. One of the problems associated with the bulging eyes of a pug is proptosis. This is where the eyeball becomes dislodged from the socket and the eyelid clamps behind it. Pugs are also susceptible to distichiasis, where the eyelashes grow abnormally and rub against the eye, and entropion, where the eyelid rolls inward. This causes the hair to rub against the eye and cause irritation; it usually occurs with the lower eyelid. Pugs can also suffer from progressive retinal atrophy. This is a degenerative disease of the retinal visual cells that leads to blindness.

Allergies

Pugs are extremely susceptible to allergies and this is one of the main reasons why their food must be chosen with care. Avoiding fillers, additives, and other ingredients that commonly cause reactions it the best way to prevent a reaction. If you are unsure of the possible cause of an allergic reaction, speak to your veterinarian who can advise on the best way forward.

You may also like our review of the Best Dog Food for Allergies.

Hemi-vertebrae

This is a condition that is common in short-nosed breeds, including Pugs. The severity of the condition depends on the number of vertebrae that are affected and misshapen. Many dogs suffer no noticeable effects. At its more extreme end, it can lead to paralysis. Treatment usually involves surgery.

Hip Dysplasia

Commonly considered as a condition that affects large breeds, hip dysplasia can also affect pugs. Diet and environment play a role in the onset of the condition, as does your Pug’s weight.

Legg-Perthes Disease

This condition mainly affects toy or small breed dogs, such as Pugs. It causes the blood supply to the head of the femur to decrease and causes degeneration of the head. It is usually noticeable in puppies around 4 to 6 months of age. Its main symptoms include limping and leg muscle atrophy. It can be treated through surgery.

Vaccination Sensitivity

Of course, vaccinations are an important part of your dog’s wellness routine, but Pugs are more susceptible to reactions than other breeds. Usually, these reactions are minor and include soreness, facial swelling, hives, and lethargy. However, the reactions can be more severe, so it is important to watch your dog carefully after they have been vaccinated and to contact your veterinarian if you notice anything unusual.

Ingredients to Avoid

When it comes to foods to avoid, you need to take the same precautions as you would with any dog. Onions, chocolate, grapes, and raisins are among the foods that no dog should ever be given. However, there are also certain ingredients, present in dry dog food, that should also be avoided for the health and welfare of your Pug.

One of the key ingredients to avoid in Pug food is fillers. If the food has a high cereal or soy content, then not only is it likely to be of inferior quality, but it puts your dog’s digestive health at risk. Cereals ferment in the gut and can cause an increase in problems with flatulence. Head over to our review of the best dog food for flatulence.

Animal by-products should be avoided, especially if they are the main ingredient. They provide very little in the way of quality protein for your pet.

Wheat and other sources of gluten should be avoided if your Pug has sensitivities or suffers from allergies. While not a general problem, gluten can be the main cause of allergies in dogs with sensitivities.

Best Dog Food for Pugs FAQ:

Q:  What’s the recommended calorie intake for my pug?

A:  The recommended calorie intake for an adult Pug is 40 calories per pound of body weight. However, you need to take into account your dog’s fitness, activity level, and individual metabolism. If your dog is already overweight, then they need fewer calories, if they are extremely active, then they may require more. Experts suggest that this amount can be varied by 30% to suit your individual dog.

Pug puppies require around 50 calories per pound of body weight, with the same 30% variation depending on your individual dog. It is also important to remember, with both adult and puppy Pugs, that these calories should come from a high-quality source.

Q:  How often should I feed my Pug?

A:  Up until around three months of age, it is ok to free-feed your pug high-quality pug puppy food. After this, it is important to structure mealtimes and make them part of your dog’s general routine. Not only will this help with their general behavior, but it also makes monitoring their food intake and maintaining them at a healthy weight that bit easier.

Between 3 and 6 months Pugs should be fed three times a day. This can be reduced to twice a day at 6 months and remain at this level for the majority of your Pug’s adult life. Some owners feed smaller, more regular meals to senior dogs to help them with energy levels and digestion. This is suitable, as long as the overall amount of food does not increase beyond what is suitable.

Q:  How much food should I feed my Pug?

A:  If you are feeding your Pug one of the best dry dog foods for Pugs, then start with the manufacturer’s guidance on the amount you should feed them. This is important because every food is different. Check the feeding amounts for the size and weight of your dog but take into consideration the recommended calorie intake for Pugs.

As a general rule, it is recommended that puppies from 3 months have the equivalent of one cup of food spread over their three meals. Adolescents require slightly more and should have 1 ½ cups split between two meals, while an active adult requires one cup a day across two meals. Seniors generally need 1/3 cup at each meal.

Q:  Is my Pug overweight?

A:  The breed standard, set by the American Kennel Club, states that the ideal weight for an adult Pug is between 14 and 18 pounds. The weight standard is currently the same for males and females. Of course, most dogs fall somewhere just outside of the breed standard and their ideal weight is determined as much by their individual shape and size as it is by breed expectations.

The best way to determine whether your Pug is overweight is to visit your veterinarian. However, if your male Pug weighs more than 22 pounds, or your female is more than 19 pounds, then they are overweight.

If you can feel a thick layer of fat over the ribcage and it prevents you from feeling the bones, then this is an indication your dog is overweight. Similarly, if they are beginning to struggle with their mobility, their breathing is more labored than normal, or a friend points out that your dog looks heavier, then the weight is becoming an issue.

Sources:

1. Pug, Wag!
2. Dr. Marty Becker, How to Choose the Best Pet Food for Puppies, Vetstreet
3. Dog Nutrition Tips, ASPCA