The Best Dog Food for Pugs
The Pugs are a short and sturdy dog breed that are said to be the equivalent of ten dogs because of their extremely high levels of energy. They are commonly known as the Clowns of the canine as their sense of humor is beyond any other dogs and they often like to show it off.
They have an average height and weight of 30cm and 7.6 kg respectively. The deep, dark wrinkles and eyes in its round face might startle you.
However, there is nothing to be scared of about them as we can assure you that they are full of love and joy. In fact, it is believed that their wrinkled face has been intentionally bred by the Chinese people which represents happiness.
Additionally, this is one of the most suitable dogs that new pet owners can take in as they are indoor dogs and are nothing but full of joy and happiness.
Surprisingly, Pugs love to carry themselves with pride even though they are generally loving and jolly in nature. They might be the most easily engageable breed, but they are extremely fond of human affection.
They must be kept at the very core of the pet owners’ attention; otherwise, they might become dispirited. Thus, at times their training sessions can become a difficult job to do and some people make this rookie mistake of not training their Pug at all.
This must be avoided at all costs since Pugs are highly energetic dogs and training allows for their socialization with children and other animals. Thus, no training will likely result in their energy being drawn to random stuff that you or your neighbors might not like. Another key feature of Pugs is that they have a short nasal
passage compared to other dogs. Hence, the air entering through their noses is effectively not being cooled down.
As a result, they cannot function properly in hot and humid weather as hot air makes them suffocate, according to dog time.
Besides, you will have to get accustomed to skin coats all over your house as Pugs shed intensely. So, it is inevitable that you would have to buy a new vacuum cleaner soon.
All these features of Pugs mean nothing if their health conditions are not good. That’s right! Pugs are unfortunately susceptible to a lot of health problems and so, specific dietary requirements need to be met to ensure the long-term sustainable health of your Pug.
Carbohydrates are one of the essential ingredients that every Pug needs so that they can carry out their high levels of activity daily. Grains can be a rich source of carbs, even though there are certain debates over the different types of grains.
Our investigation has showed that whole grains are relatively better at providing carbs than refined grains. In fact, whole grains contain certain micronutrients that are vital for your Pugs compared to refined grains which are “no better than sugar,” as stated by Honest Whiskers.
However, to be on the safe side, whole vegetables and fruits are a better source of carbs as your dog may have grain sensitivity.
Additionally, vegetables and fruits provide the necessary fibers, vitamins, and minerals needed to ensure proper digestive function and weight maintenance of your dog.
Even though fats are considered as the #1 contributor to obesity, it is one of the most essential
elements needed for your Pug. As a matter of fact, a large portion of the daily calorie of your dog should come from fats alone.
But be careful! The fats should primarily be composed of high-quality omega fatty acids as they can help to prevent dry skin problems by facilitating natural oil production on the skin. Thus, Omega fatty acids are indirectly preventing allergy development caused by dry skin. Fish oils are the best sources of Omega fatty acids and are readily available everywhere.
Some pet owners may think that such a small body does not require a high amount of protein. But that is the last mistake you would want to make as a high protein intake can ensure a better long-term overall health of your Pug.
Protein helps to keep your dog fit by maintaining lean muscle mass. It also contains important micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals that help to fight numerous health problems.
Make sure that the protein is coming from meat sources and you must avoid all kinds of dog foods that address protein sources as “meat” only. Also, meat by-products are extremely harmful since they may be difficult to digest and must be avoided.
Pugs also have some hereditary eye issues. Unlike other dogs, the eye shape of Pugs is unique, which is caused by their skull abnormality. This can lead to a number of non-communicable diseases such as cataracts.
This is where a specialized diet comes into play! Fruits and vegetables such as blueberries and broccoli contain two chemicals called lutein and zeaxanthin that help to maintain the condition of the eye.
Besides, Pugs also suffer from many joint problems, which may deteriorate their conditions. Commonly, they suffer from abnormal growth of gait, which hampers proper flexibility and movement. In extreme cases, too much stress on their spine can lead to herniated discs. These joint issues can be solved by including ingredients such as chondroitin and glucosamine in their diet, enhancing bone and joint conditions.
This sea of information can be a difficult task to process for pet owners and they might end up making a mistake that will make things worse.
Luckily for you, we have investigated and compiled a list of top 5 dog foods for your Pugs that will surely keep your dog fit and healthy. All these dog products are available in your nearest store or on the Amazon and Chewy websites. So, without any further ado, let’s get to it.
Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Adult Dog Food
The top position in our list goes to Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Adult Dog Food and is the best dog food for your Pugs.
If you are looking forward for a strong Adult Pug when your puppy grows up, then this product is exactly for you! This natural ingredient-containing recipe is extremely puppy friendly as it offers a smaller kibble size, which allows for easier digestion.
The primary protein ingredient is the deboned turkey mixed with other sources such as salmon and chicken meals. These sources provide abundant high-quality proteins that ensure lean muscle mass of your dog.
Also, the salmon meal provides the important omega fatty acids that help to produce natural skin oil and thus protect the skin and coat of your dog.
Additionally, the recipe also contains antioxidants which help to ensure smooth digestion, and also contain taurine, which enhances the overall health of your dog.
As a matter of fact, taurine helps to improve the cardiovascular system of your Pugs and thus prevents diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy.
In addition to all these, the recipe also contains oatmeal and brown rice, which offer easily digestible
foods, especially for your puppy, and also prevent hypoglycemia by supplying vital complex carbohydrates.
However, the recipe also contains grains and thus, certain dogs with a history of sensitivities and allergies cannot consume this product.
Additionally, it sometimes causes the stool to become too soft and might also cause internal gassiness. Apart from these, this recipe is highly valuable in terms of nutrition content. The price range of this recipe starts from a 4-lb bag of $19.98 to a 12-lb bag of $44.98.
Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy Food
The #2 position in our list goes to Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy Food and it is the best dog food for your Pugs in terms of ensuring proper development and growth of your puppy.
It is composed of naturally extracted high-quality antioxidants, real meats, vegetables, and other nutrients that ensure healthy organ growth.
The protein comes from two sources – chicken meal and real cage-free chicken. Besides helping with lean muscle mass, these sources also contain glucosamine amino sugar that ensures strong joint and bone health and helps to prevent arthritis in the later stages of your dog’s life.
Additionally, the recipe also contains omega fatty acids, which help to prevent dry skin and allergies by allowing natural skin oil production. Thus, both the coat and skin are getting a good amount of moisture.
Besides, vital omega fatty acids such as DHA help to improve eye coordination and cognitive development. It also boosts joints and bones by combining with glucosamine.
In addition to all these, each cup of this dog food contains Diamond Natural’s premium K9 strain proprietary probiotics that help to promote smooth digestion as well as improve the developing immune system. Like the previous recipe, this product too is not free of grains.
However, if your dog does not have any allergy or sensitivities, then this product can be served with ease. The price range of this product starts from a 6-lb bag of $17.99 to a 40-lb bag of $56.99.
Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken Senior Dog Food
Merricks Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken Senior Dog Food takes the #3 position on our list. This recipe specializes in the nutrition required for senior Pugs, which helps to support their older skeletal structure.
On top of that, this product is grain-free, which means that this is the perfect product for dogs with allergy and sensitivity issues.
The main protein source includes chicken meal, deboned chicken, and turkey meal that provides high-quality protein and omega fatty acids that ensures smooth skin and coat texture. Apart from that, they also help to increase the mobility of the joints.
Additionally, these sources also contain glucosamine and chondroitin which helps to maintain muscle mass and helps the joints by facilitating cartilage tissue growth around the joint.
This smooth out the joints and thus reduces friction and stiffness. Unlike the other dog foods, Merrick has significantly reduced their kibble size which makes it easy for the senior Pugs to eat effortlessly and with smooth digestion.
Besides, the kibbles have a unique crunchy structure which significantly improves your senior dog’s appetite and ensures that no tartar or plaque accumulation occurs.
It is often seen that senior Pugs suffer from gluten sensitivity issues. However, with the no-grain formula, you can provide this to your dog without worrying about anything.
Last but not the least, the taurine in it helps to strengthen the cardiovascular system and helps to avoid DCM in your pug.
There are several downsides to this product, one of its carbohydrate sources includes potatoes which is also a food that has the potential to trigger allergies among Pugs.
It also has lower fiber content compared to the other brands and hence digestion problems may take place among some dogs. The price range of this product starts from a 4-lb bag of $22.98 to a 12-lb bag of $47.98.
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Small Breed Chicken Canned Food
The #4 position goes to Blue Buffalo’s Homestyle Recipe Small Breed Chicken Canned Food. This food is one of the best wet dog foods for your pug and is extremely effective when it comes to maintaining weight or feeding a picky eater.
The key feature about this recipe is the inclusion of wet food which allows for certain high-quality proteins that are usually missing in other brands. Its main protein source includes chicken and chicken broth.
The latter source is what separates the wet food from dry food as this is a rich nutritious source which includes many important micronutrients like fats and proteins.
We have observed that many brands try to compensate for the broth by using water which simply does nothing but improve the hydration of your dog.
Additionally, it also contains vegetables and whole fruits such as peas and carrots that provide antioxidants and vitamins, which helps to ensure smooth digestion and promotes smooth skin texture.
However, it has certain downsides. The presence of brown rice is there and while it provides high quality complex carbohydrates that provide the fuel for your Pug, it also contains grains.
Hence, this product is highly discouraged if your dog has a history of allergies and sensitivities. Another thing to make sure is to check your dog’s dental history. As with any other wet food, they generally cause teeth and gum problems which can make it difficult for your dog to eat any food or function properly
in general. On top of that, dental issues are a prevalent issue among Pugs and hence it’s best to choose any other dry dog food if your dog has these issues. The product is available in only one package – 5.5-oz can of $57.36
Purina Beneful IncrediBites Small Dog Dry Food with Farm-Raised Beef
Last but not least, the #5 position in our list goes to Purina Beneful IncrediBites Small Dog Dry Food with Farm-Raised Beef.
This is one of the most popular dog foods for Pugs in terms of its affordable prices and serves almost all the necessary nutrients for your adult Pugs.
Our analysis has shown that its value for price is quite high, considering the fact that its main protein source comes from farm-raised beef which provides the high-quality protein that provides essential amino acids needed to maintain muscle mass, followed by the glucosamine which enhances bone and joint mobility.
Besides, some dogs may have allergic reactions to chicken and hence this beef flavor can actually act as a sustainable substitute.
Besides, it also contains numerous essential vitamins, minerals, and added antioxidants extracted specially from real vegetables and fruits.
The antioxidants help to promote smooth digestion, while the vitamins and minerals help with the maintenance of coat and skin condition. Besides, the immune system of Pugs is vital as it helps to fight off diseases that may be life-threatening to the dog.
Thus, the peas and carrots in this recipe help to improve the immune system while also improving the digestion of the dog by acting as a natural probiotic.
Unlike any other dog food, this recipe includes Vitamin B, an ingredient that further enhances the digestive system and so this recipe is recommended for Pugs with sensitive stomach issues.
People often think that price and quality have a positive correlation. While that is true for many things, yet you can trust this product with ease as Purina has processed this dog food using the most trusted and scientifically verified ingredients in the United States.
It is also thoroughly tested for quality and safety standards and so you can trust the credibility of the company easily. This recipe is available in only one package of 14-lb bag, whose price is $16.49.
Conclusion
The products listed above will definitely help you to make the best choice. However, it is noteworthy that no product is, by any means, demeaned because of its position in the list. In the end,
it comes to you and your preferences about dog food. Budget is one of the most concerning factors that you may have which limits your choices to some extent. Other factors include your dogs’ preference and needs.
Every dog’s appetite is different and so one product may not be suitable for every Pugs. The choice must come by taking into account the different factors related to you and to your dog.
