The Best Food For Pug Puppies

The best food for Pug puppies supports their dental and breathing issues, without compromising on their diet.  Puppies need more protein and calories than adult Pugs for the development of tissues, muscles and bones. They need the right balance of nutrition for each stage, but they also need to be able to comfortably pick up the pieces, and chew them too. 

Contents

• Nutrition and ease of eating
• The best food for Pug puppies
• How much and often to feed

The best food for Pug puppies is easy to swallow, but still provides them with a complete diet. Because while this adorable dog is partially popular for that cute little face, their flattened features make finding the right food a little trickier. 

Chewing and Swallowing

Pugs are brachycephalic, which means that they have been bred for their wider muzzles. This flat face makes it tricky to breathe, even more so while they are trying to eat.  Their jaws and teeth often have problems because they’re smaller than they should be.

Pugs are also prone to retained deciduous teeth.  A fancy way of saying their baby teeth don’t fall out, causing adult teeth to erupt in odd places. Again, making chow down more of a chore.

Nutrition Matters

Pug puppies have different nutritional requirements to adults. They need more fat and more protein, along with additional amino acids and minerals. They should also have more omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) for brain and eye development.

Feeding growing puppies the right balanced commercial diet can help keep them healthy.

What is the Best Food for Pug Puppies?

Puppy food is good for puppies, of course, because it includes more energy-intensive ingredients. However, you should be cautious. Research shows our understanding of specialist dog foods needs to be more nuanced. For example, researchers have found that even dogs within the same family had a 20 percent difference in energy requirements from their food.

It also showed that temperature may play a role in their needed energy requirements. Basically, your dog has individual needs that must be balanced against each other when it comes to health and growth.

But Pugs are one of the breeds that may be able to benefit from specialist dog foods.  This is because of their conformational and health issues, and their low energy level. Bespoke meals may be able to address their obesity issues and come in sizes that are easier for their teeth to pick up.

Royal Canin Pug Puppy Food

Royal Canin Pug Puppy Dry Dog Food*, 2.5-Pound is specially designed for your pup’s breed.  This brand is designed with a shape that’s easy for short-nosed pups to pick up. The formula supports skin and digestive health as a Pug puppy is growing, but without adult natural defences.

Purina Pro Plan

Purina’s Pro Plan small puppy food* is a great choice for Pugs.  This formula is designed to be easy to digest.  It also comes in a variety of shaped pieces, which should help your pup to pick it up. 

Blue Life Puppy Food

BLUE Life puppy food* might not mention Pugs on the packet, but it’s still a good choice.  Designed with protein-rich chicken, wholesome whole grains, and garden veggies and fruit.  This specialist food uses natural ingredients and great quality designed to support the healthy growth and development of puppies.

Nutro Puppy Food

NUTRO Dry Dog Food* is another nice option.  The grain-free puppy formula features farm-raised chicken.  It is designed for easy digestion and weight management in young dogs. The kibble is small so puppies of small breeds can pick it up more easily. High-quality ingredients include a blend of veggies and fruit.

Hill’s Science Diet Toy Breeds

Hill’s Science Diet produces a food aimed at small and toy dog breeds*. The Puppy Stew version of this puppy food for small breeds provides balanced nutrition for little dogs under a year old. The formula includes high-quality lean protein. It promotes healthy digestion, and comes in a tiny peel and serve tray with the exact serving for a small pup.

Wellness Complete

Wellness Complete* make a very popular puppy food. The formula used to create this chicken, oatmeal and salmon recipe supports complete, balanced health. Wellness Complete Health uses a guaranteed level of minerals to promote bone growth. It contains natural sources of DHA for brain development and has more protein for building muscles.

   

How Much Food Should I Feed My Pug Puppy?

Pugs gain weight easily. In such small dogs even 1 lb. can make a big difference. And extra weight can exacerbate the breathing problems that pugs may already have.

The amount of food a Pug puppy needs depends on a lot of factors, including age and activity level. You should feed a puppy four times a day, until about 6 months of age.  Then you are able to reduce to three or two times if you like. But there is no reason to reduce the frequency if you don’t want to.

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