How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Pug Puppies
The comical Pug is a delightful little pup, adding charm and whimsy to the life of its family. A breed easily recognized by its compact body, wrinkled forehead, and prominent eyes, this adorable little pooch is easy to love. An excellent family companion, the Pug is an exceptionally friendly breed with low grooming requirements.
However, Pug puppies can grow up to be prone to several health issues including respiratory problems and issues with their jaws and teeth. The breed is also well renowned to enjoy eating, meaning care must be taken to feed the Pug puppy a high-quality diet in the correct amounts to prevent obesity from occurring.
The best dog foods for Pug puppies place a high emphasis on nutritional value, ensuring they are nutrient-dense for maximum calorie efficiency.
Feeding Pug Puppies
To maintain energy levels and to keep hunger at bay, Pug puppies should be fed a minimum of three to four times a day. However, the correct serving size is vitally important to prevent this dog breed from becoming overweight. The feeding guide found on the packaging of a high-quality puppy food is a good place to start to ensure the correct amount is fed as your puppy grows. The Pug puppy’s appetite and weight will serve as excellent guidelines.
The best dog foods for Pug puppies are specifically formulated to meet the specific nutritional needs of small breed puppies.
Dietary Requirements for Pug Puppy Foods
There are several key things to look for in a high-quality diet that is suited to the needs of a Pug puppy. One of the most critical components is that the food is properly balanced with the correct amount of protein, healthy, fats, and carbohydrates that are derived from the best possible sources.
Since proper bone growth is vitally important for puppies, the right balance of calcium to phosphorus is critical to keep this moving at the correct rate. A diet specially formulated for small breed puppies will ensure this requirement is met to promote a healthy rate of growth.
Protein is the foundation of any high-quality diet that supports the Pug puppy’s growth and development. Animal-based proteins are the preferred source. Whole meats are the best choice; however, meat meals are also acceptable.
All balanced diets include carbohydrates. Though some Pug puppies can suffer from allergies and sensitive stomachs, there is no need to avoid grains in the diet. If you are concerned that your puppy may have a food allergy or sensitivity, speak to your veterinarian who will be able to recommend a hypoallergenic diet option that is also suitable for growth. The carbohydrates included in a Pug puppy’s diet should be easy to digest and high in fiber; whether they come from grains, fruits, or vegetables.
Healthy fats are a vital part of any diet for a Pug puppy, contributing to healthy skin and coat and providing vital energy. The most important fats to look for in a diet for this pooch are omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and DHA.
As a general rule, Pug puppies should eat a diet that has a minimum of 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Pug Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best food for a Pug puppy:
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Complete proteins listed at the beginning of the ingredients list
Protein should be one of the first ingredients listed on the label. Choose a diet that lists a whole meat if possible, but meat meals are also an excellent source of high-quality protein.
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Enriched with helpful supplements
All foods can benefit from the addition of helpful vitamins, supplements, and minerals to ensure they are well-rounded. The main supplements to look for in a food for the Pug puppy are omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. These are often found in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, and anchovies.
Prebiotics and probiotics are a great support to the Pug puppy’s digestion as well.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All foods for the Pug puppy should have received the stamp of approval from AAFCO, certifying it is nutritionally balanced and complete.