Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food review

At a Glance

  • Top 5 Ingredients:
    1. Salmon
    2. Ocean Fish Meal
    3. Sweet Potatoes
    4. Peas
    5. Potatoes
  • Type: Dry food
  • Lifestage: Puppy
  • Calories: 360 kcal/cup
  • Protein: 27%
  • Fat: 15%
  • Fiber: 5%

Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy is an amazing food that families can feel good about feeding their Pug puppy. With whole salmon and ocean fish meal as this diet’s two primary ingredients, owners can feel at ease that their puppies are receiving a food that is high in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids as well as DHA to support optimal cognitive function.

Taste of Wild, one of the best foods for Pug puppies, is a grain-free diet that bases its carbohydrates on antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber and easy to digest. This diet is free from grain, corn, wheat, filler, artificial flavors and colors, and preservatives. Probiotics have been added to support fluid digestion.

Pros

  • Owners are pleased that their puppies were easily able to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight when regularly fed this diet.
  • Puppies fed this diet on a consistent basis had coats that were healthy, shiny, and soft.
  • Several owners expressed they were happy with their puppies’ growth rate when fed a steady diet of Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy.
  • Owners reported an increase in energy in their puppies with a change to this diet.
  • Owners expressed they felt this diet was reasonably priced, offering them high quality nutrition and great value.

Cons

  • A few puppies did not like the taste of this food and would not eat it. Their objection may be to the heavy emphasis on fish proteins. A switch to another Taste of the Wild offering with a different protein may solve this problem.
  • In rare cases, some owners noted their puppies’ skin and feet took on an unpleasant odor after having eaten this diet. This may be the result of a sensitivity to an ingredient in the diet, the fact that this diet is based on several different fish species, or too rapid a change from the old diet to the new.
  • Owners of large breed dogs felt the kibble pieces were too small for their puppies and may pose a choking hazard.
  • A few owners noted they felt the smell of this food was very off putting. This is not uncommon in foods with a heavy emphasis on fish proteins.
  • Some owners prefer feeding their puppies a diet that includes some whole grains in its recipe.

American Journey Puppy Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food review

At a Glance

  • Top 5 Ingredients:
    1. Deboned Lamb
    2. Chicken Meal (a source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate)
    3. Turkey Meal
    4. Peas
    5. Chickpeas
  • Type: Dry food
  • Lifestage: Puppy
  • Calories: 380 kcal/cup
  • Protein: 30%
  • Fat: 12%
  • Fiber: 5%

American Journey Grain-Free Puppy Food packs a powerhouse punch of nutrition when it comes to the developmental needs of Pug puppies. A diet that is free from grains, this food also contains no corn, wheat, or soy.

Its carbohydrates are derived from high-fiber, antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, carrots, and dried kelp. Deboned lamb is the primary ingredient, an excellent quality protein included in its whole form.

This formulation, a diet that is consistently ranked among the best dog foods for Pug puppies, is enriched with salmon oil and flaxseed to provide vital omega 3 and 6 fatty acids as well as DHA.

Pros

  • Most puppies love this food, looking forward to their every meal.
  • Several owners reported a switch to this diet yielded coats that were healthier, shinier, and softer. As an added bonus, they also noted their puppies shed less.
  • Owners shared their puppies’ stool quality was greatly improved when fed this diet on a regular basis.
  • Owners feel this diet is very affordable, offering them great value and excellent nutrition.
  • Puppies that formerly struggled with recurring itchiness found relief when transitioned to this food.

Cons

  • Some puppies disliked the taste of this food and would not eat it. American Journey has several puppy formulations based on different proteins. These may be a better fit for these puppies.
  • In a few instances, some puppies displayed mild signs of gastrointestinal distress when fed this food. This could be due to a sensitivity to one of the ingredients or too quick a change from the old food to the new.
  • A few owners expressed they would prefer to feed their puppies a diet that includes no grains. American Journey does offer several grain-free puppy foods, and one of these may be a better choice for those pups and their owners.
  • This food contains both peas and chickpeas, two controversial ingredients that may be linked to lowered fertility rates in adult breeding dogs, rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, and DCM.
  • This diet contains no supplements to support joint health in the growing Pug puppy.

Merrick Lil' Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Puppy Dry Dog Food review

At a Glance

  • Top 5 Ingredients:
    1. Deboned Chicken
    2. Chicken Meal
    3. Potatoes
    4. Peas
    5. Sweet Potatoes
  • Type: Dry food
  • Lifestage: Puppy
  • Calories: 397 kcal/cup
  • Protein: 28%
  • Fat: 15%
  • Fiber: 4.5%

Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Puppy Food hits all the high points a Pug puppy needs from its diet. Its primary ingredient is deboned chicken, a high-quality protein source in its whole form. A formulation that contains no grains, the carbohydrates found in this food are derived from antioxidant and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables which are easy for a Pug puppy to process.

Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Puppy Food is free from gluten, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Enriched with both prebiotics and probiotics, this diet is easy for a puppy to digest well. Also included in this recipe are Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and DHA to promote healthy cognitive function and to improve skin and coat quality.

With so many nutritional benefits to its credit, it is not difficult to see why Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Puppy Food consistently lands on the list of the best dog foods for Pug puppies.

Pros

  • Most puppies love the taste of this food, looking forward to their every meal.
  • Owners love the size of the kibble pieces, feeling they are ideal for their Pug puppy to break down and digest well.
  • Owners reported their puppies saw an increase in their energy levels with a switch to this diet.
  • Most owners feel this food is very reasonably priced, loving that they get great nutrition and excellent value for their dog food dollar.
  • Owners like that this diet is grain-free, making it an excellent choice for puppies with allergies.

Cons

  • Some puppies did not like the taste of this food and would not eat it. This is likely just a matter of personal preference and is not a fault of the food itself.
  • A few owners noted a recent change in the amounts of protein contained in this diet. They disliked that the food now contained less protein than in the past.
  • A few owners found it difficult to seal their bags properly, making them concerned they would not be able to keep their puppies’ food fresh.
  • In rare cases, some owners indicated they felt the kibble pieces were too small and may pose a choking hazard for some puppies.
  • Some people feel this diet is too expensive.

CANIDAE PURE Petite Puppy Small Breed Grain-Free with Salmon Dry Dog Food review

At a Glance

  • Top 5 Ingredients:
    1. Salmon
    2. Salmon Meal
    3. Lentils
    4. Peas
    5. Tapioca
  • Type: Freeze-dried raw and dry food
  • Lifestage: Puppy
  • Calories: 525 kcal/cup
  • Protein: 24%
  • Fat: 13.5%
  • Fiber: 4%

CANIDAE Grain-Free Pure Small Breed Puppy earns high marks for its excellent formulation that is well-balanced to meet the nutritional needs of Pug puppies. A kibble that is coated with freeze-dried meat, this diet’s primary protein is salmon which is included in both whole form and meal.

A limited ingredient diet, CANIDAE is a fantastic choice for dogs with stomach or skin sensitivities and is unlikely to cause any allergic reactions. It is enriched with a proprietary blend of probiotics, antioxidants, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids known as HealthPLUS Solutions to ensure excellent digestion, a strong immune system, and good hair and coat health.

CANIDAE’s emphasis on a recipe comprised of highly digestible ingredients makes it one of the best dog foods for Pug puppies with sensitive stomachs.

 

Pros

  • Owners really like the size of the kibble pieces in this diet, feeling they are ideal for their Pug puppies.
  • Puppies fed this diet consistently saw an improvement in their coat and skin quality. Their skin was well hydrated and free from dandruff, and their coats were healthy, shiny, and soft.
  • Owners shared they felt the crunchy outer coating of the kibble helped to keep their puppies’ teeth free from plaque and tartar buildup.
  • Owners love that this diet is based on a very limited ingredients list, making it a great choice for Pug puppies with allergies.
  • Owners were pleased that this diet did not have an overpowering smell to it.

Cons

  • Some puppies did not like the taste of this food and would not eat it.
  • A few puppies had soft stool when fed this diet regularly. This may be the result of a sensitivity to one of the ingredients.
  • Some owners expressed concern that the kibble pieces were too hard for the puppies to break down well.
  • A few owners felt this diet was too expensive.
  • Some owners disliked that their puppies seemed to have more frequent bowel movements when fed a steady diet of this food.

Holistic Select Small & Mini Breed Puppy Health Anchovy, Sardine & Chicken Meals Recipe Dry Dog Food review

At a Glance

  • Top 5 Ingredients:
    1. Anchovy and Sardine Meal
    2. Chicken Meal
    3. Chickpeas
    4. Peas
    5. Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)
  • Type: Dry food
  • Lifestage: Puppy
  • Calories: 481 kcal/cup
  • Protein: 30%
  • Fat: 20%
  • Fiber: 3.4%

Holistic Select Small and Mini Breed Puppy is an excellent quality diet designed to support all of a Pug puppy’s developmental needs. This formulation is rich in DHA and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to encourage brain development and healthy coat and skin.

The carbohydrates in this food are based on highly digestible grains that are rich in fiber such as brown rice, oatmeal, and quinoa. Holistic Select contains no by-products, wheat, gluten, fillers, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, making it one of the best dog foods for Pug puppies with sensitive stomachs.

Pros

  • Owners noted their puppies’ coats were healthier, shinier, and softer with a switch to this diet.
  • Puppies that previously struggled with allergies found relief when fed this diet on a regular basis.
  • Owners are pleased with the size of the kibble pieces, feeling they are perfect for small breed puppies like the Pug.
  • Puppies enjoy the flavor of this diet and eat their meals with hearty enthusiasm.
  • Puppies with sensitive stomachs saw a great improvement in their digestion when steadily fed Holistic Select Small & Mini Breed Puppy.

Cons

  • Some puppies were uninterested in this food and would not eat it.
  • This diet contains chickpeas and peas, two ingredients of questionable nutritional value that may be linked to such problems as DCM and rapid spikes in blood sugar levels in puppies.
  • A few owners felt this diet was too expensive.
  • This diet contains no supplements to support joint health in the growing Pug puppy.
  • Some owners prefer to feed a diet that includes some whole grains in its recipe, believing these ingredients assist with optimal digestion.