What Is the Best Dog Food for Pugs?

Feeding your Pug should feel like a thoughtful ritual, not a chore. From choosing kibble or cans, balancing calories, to navigating grain sensitivities, there’s a lot to unravel.

We’ll walk this journey together, helping you find the best Pug food that supports optimal health, keeps the tail wagging, and fits your routine.

Key takeaways

• Choose breed-specific dog food like Royal Canin Pug to support skin, digestion, and ideal weight.

• Mix kibble with wet food or raw food if vet recommended for texture variety and hydration.

• Watch portion control and feed 3 times a day to suit a Pug’s small but efficient appetite.

• For Pug puppies, select puppy food high in protein and DHA for growth.

• If your Pug has a sensitive stomach or skin allergies, opt for limited ingredients and include omega-3s like fish oil.
  

Feed your Pug a mix. It can make mealtimes exciting. Dry food helps with dental crunch, while a little wet or raw food can keep hydration up and tempt picky eaters.

Just watch calories to avoid tipping toward plump. Pugs are masters of puppy eyes, after all.

You can learn more about their puppy-eyed personality in our guide to the Pug dog breed temperament.

Wet food can be a treat or mix-in, but “complete” dry food is a safe foundation if you’re unsure. If you're tempted by home cooking or raw food, please team up with a veterinarian or canine nutritionist. Our guide to raw dog food is a good place to start.

Small, round bellies digest best with routine. Three small meals a day helps reduce gulping, since many dogs love to inhale their dinner, and supports weight control.

A regular rhythm also means predictable energy levels and fewer moments of judgmental begging. This is especially important for breeds like the Pug that can be prone to weight management challenges.

Use the feeding guide on your dog food bag as a starting point. Then:

• Weigh your Pug regularly at home.

• Adjust up or down slightly based on level of activity.

• If in doubt, ask your vet for help hitting that ideal weight. Extra pounds can aggravate breathing and joint issues, so keeping them trim is vital for joint health.
  

Pugs are notorious chunky charmers, so keeping energy in check is key. Choose a formula designed for small breeds or low-calorie management.

Foods with lean animal sources of protein, added glucosamine or chondroitin, and healthy fats like salmon oil or fish oil help maintain muscle tone without excess filler.

Most dogs digest grains fine, but if your Pug shows itchiness or tummy trouble, a grain-free or limited ingredient diet may help.

Our grain-free dog food guide explains what to look for and how to avoid replacing grains with low-quality fillers. Just be sure to check with your vet first, and introduce new foods slowly when changing diets.

Pug puppies are fast-growing fluffballs. Look for puppy food with high-quality protein, DHA for healthy brain development, and extra calories to fuel playful zoomies.

For adult Pugs, switch to a balanced adult dry dog food that targets weight, skin, and muscle tone.

Feeding wisely ensures they thrive. New owners can check out our tips on socialising your puppy for happy, confident adults.

Switching abruptly can upset that sensitive digestive system so transition slowly over 7–10 days:

• Mix 25 % new with 75 % old for a few days.

• Shift to 50/50 for 2–3 days.

• Move to 75/25, then fully new food.

• Add treats or wet food to smooth the switch if needed. Your Pug will forgive your indecision.

A simple vet-approved mix: lean boiled chicken, white rice, and steamed veg like carrots and peas makes a gentle, soothing meal if tummies are unsettled. Just avoid seasonings and excess salt; everything should be plain.

Add a splash of fish oil, as this helps promote healthy skin and coats. This should be occasional, not every day, and not without professional guidance.

Treats are part of the diet for a Pug routine, just don’t overdo it. Choose wholesome treats or a tiny spoonful of unsalted chicken.

Use them for training, not bribery, and lower kibble portions on treat-heavy days to keep calories in check.

See our picks for best natural dog treats for inspiration.

If your vet prompts you, look for foods marked “hypoallergenic” or limited ingredients.

Formulas with chicken, lamb, or fish proteins (one at a time) and digestive system helpers like probiotics, prebiotic fibre, or omega-3 can soothe both tummy and skin issues.

Royal Canin Pug Adult Food is an example, supporting skin barrier, muscle tone, weight, and digestion with EPA and DHA, tailored kibble shape, and L.I.P. proteins. More on some recommended foods for Pugs below.

Here are some tried-and-tested brands of dog food options available in the UK:

Royal Canin Pug Adult Dog Food – Breed-specific formula with nutrients for skin, digestion, and weight control. Buy on Amazon UK.

Royal Canin Pug Puppy Dry Food – Tailored for Pug puppies with immune and growth support. Buy from Pets at Home.

James Wellbeloved Adult Small Breed Turkey & Rice – Hypoallergenic, easy to digest, and free from common allergens. Buy from Pets at Home.

Other excellent UK options include Forthglade Lightly Baked for digestibility and skin health, and Pure Pet Food for a fresh-style choice ideal for sensitive stomachs.

Pugs can be surprisingly lazy drinkers. Keep water bowls topped up and consider wet food or adding water to dry food during hot spells. It’s a small step that helps with digestion, kidney and urinary health.

Feeding your charming, wrinkly Pug well is about balance. With the right diet, a thoughtful mix of dry, wet, or home-cooked meals, mindful portion control, and a recipe tailored to life stage or sensitivities, your Pug will shine with health.

Whether you choose a specialist breed option like Royal Canin, a gentle hypoallergenic choice, or a fresh, home-prepped approach, the best food is one that fits your Pug, your lifestyle, and is guided by veterinary advice.