Admin So, you did it. You welcomed a new Puggle into the family. Now you need to figure out what you need to keep him safe, happy, and healthy. The pet store has so many choices of beds, toys, crates, and treats. The food is never-ending. Figuring out the right formula and checking for high-quality ingredients is time-consuming and confusing.
To help you figure out the best option for your new Puggles, we did some of the leg work for you. We have looked at the companies that manufacture dog food and the ingredients they use in the food.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2023
The 10 Best Dog Foods for Puggles
1. Ollie Turkey Recipe Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall
| Main ingredients: | Turkey breast, kale, lentils, carrots, coconut oil |
| Protein content: | 11% |
| Fat content: | 7% |
| Calories: | 1,390 kcal per kg |
Ollie Turkey Recipe is our best overall choice of dog food for Puggles. The fresh turkey with blueberries will provide your Puggle with a complete and balanced diet. The food is all-natural and slow-cooked to preserve the nutrients. The fish oil in the recipes provides your dog with essential fatty acids. The omega-3 and omega-6 help to promote heart and brain health. They also provide your canine with energy and help to absorb vitamins. Ollie’s food is made in the U.S. and is formulated for dogs of all ages.
The food is developed with the help of nutritionists to ensure the diet is prepared for your dog’s specific needs. For instance, once you provide Ollie with the required information, they can adjust the recipe and omit ingredients that may not agree with your dog’s digestive system.
Ollie’s offers baked, fresh, and mixed foods. The baked and mixed foods are fine in a container or cabinet. The fresh food requires a freezer and may not be an option for someone with limited freezer space.
Ollie’s is a subscription service that is delivered directly to your home. The high quality and convenience of Ollie’s Dog Food is costly, however.
2. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Dog Food – Best Value
| Main ingredients: | Water buffalo, lamb meal, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, peas |
| Protein content: | 32% |
| Fat content: | 18.0% |
| Calories: | 422 kcal per cup |
Our pick is Taste of the Wild High Prairie Dry Dog Food for the best value for the money. This grain-free recipe contains a high content of protein. The number one ingredient is buffalo which helps to support joints and bones and maintain lean muscle. The venison and bison are mixed with raspberries, blueberries, and tomatoes. The food contains other vegetables and fruits to provide your pup with fatty acids and nutrients to thrive. The food does contain peas and should be discussed with your veterinarian, however.
The food is priced right for a high-quality, high-protein diet. Although, some of the ingredients are sourced from China.
There may be issues with the size of the kibble if your dog has a small or sensitive mouth. Otherwise, reviewers are pleased with the results. The dogs liked the flavor and were excited to eat.
3. Purina Pro Plan with Probiotics Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, rice, whole grain wheat, poultry by-product meal (source of glucosamine), soybean meal |
| Protein content: | 26% |
| Fat content: | 16% |
| Calories: | 387 kcal per cup |
Our premium choice of dog food for Puggles is Purina Pro Plan High Protein Shredded Blend Dry Dog Food. The main ingredients in this formula are chicken and rice. The high-protein diet includes grains that will provide your pup with energy and keep his body in optimal condition. The mix of tender chicken and crunchy bits of rice are sure to entice the dog’s palate.
The food is formulated to help skin stay healthy and its coat stay shiny. It is also suitable for all breed sizes. The food includes probiotics to support digestive health and fatty acids to promote healthy skin and coat.
Some of the reviewers find that the food is a bit pricey, and it is difficult to get a small bag. Other reviews claim that the large kibble is difficult to chew, and fussy eaters do not like it.
4. Holistic Select Adult & Puppy Health Dry Food
| Main ingredients: | Salmon, potatoes, peas, menhaden fish meal, dried ground potatoes |
| Protein content: | 29% |
| Fat content: | 14% |
| Calories: | 448 kcal per cup |
Our pick for the best choice of dog food for Puggle puppies is Holistic Select Adult & Puppy Dry Dog Food. The recipe includes real food ingredients like cranberries and pumpkin. Holistic Select does not use artificial flavors or preservatives in their foods.
The Salmon recipe may help ease digestion in puppies with sensitive stomachs. The grain-free food also contains peas which is a controversial ingredient1 and should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Our reviews found that the food has a strong fish smell and picky eaters may not like it.
5. Merrick Healthy Grains Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Deboned salmon, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal |
| Protein content: | 25% |
| Fat content: | 16% |
| Calories: | 396 kcal per cup |
Our choice for a Puggles is Merrick Healthy Grains Dog Food Recipe. With ingredients like chicken, brown rice, apples, and carrots, your dog is sure to run for it. The food is made with real salmon, which is the main ingredient. Salmon helps build and maintain healthy muscles. The grain-inclusive formula includes brown rice and ancient grains that will aid and support your pup’s digestive health. The formula includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to keep the dog’s skin and coat healthy, too.
The Merrick Healthy Grains is an ideal choice for pet owners that prefer to feed their dog a pea, lentil, and potato-free diet.
Other than a few negative reviews about taste and smell, users of Merrick are pleased with the food.
6. The Farmer’s Dog
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, brussels sprouts, chicken liver, Bok-choy cabbage, broccoli |
| Protein content: | 11% |
| Fat content: | 8.5% |
| Calories: | 590 kcal per lb |
The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe is a human-grade dog food that is ideal for Puggles. Veterinarians and nutritionists develop recipes to provide your pet with a complete and balanced diet. The food contains real ingredients that are slow-cooked to preserve the nutritional value.
The recipes include four choices including beef, turkey, chicken, or pork. The proteins are mixed with vegetables like Bok-choy, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and lentils. The food is pre-packaged, so your pup gets the right portion for his age, weight, breed, and activity level.
The food is available with a subscription service that is delivered to your home in packages that are ready to serve. The Farmer’s Dog requests some basic information about your pet. Once you have completed the questionnaire, the company uses the information to create some recipes that are sure to please you and your dog.
The cost of The Farmer’s Dog is on the high end, which is not surprising considering the high quality and convenience of the product.
7. Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult Senior Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, Poultry by-product meal, rice, whole grain corn, corn gluten meal |
| Protein content: | 29% |
| Fat content: | 14.0% |
| Calories: | 423 kcal per cup |
Our choice for a senior Puggles is Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult Dry Dog Food. This special diet will provide your older Puggle with a high-protein diet that includes grain. The food contains botanical oils that help a senior dog with mental sharpness to help the mind stay alert and his memory intact. The formula includes chicken as the main ingredient to provide your senior dog with energy. The glucosamine and fatty acids are added to support joint health and promote healthy skin and coat.
The formula is suitable for all size breeds that are seven years old and above. The high-protein diet is an excellent choice for senior Puggles that may tend to be overweight. If you have a senior dog with dental issues, you will appreciate the small size kibble. It may be easier for it to chew.
This is a grain inclusive formula for pet owners that do not want a grain-free diet for their pet. If you have a picky eater, you may want to find something else. There are mixed reviews on the taste.
8. Royal Canin Veterinary Adult Satiety Support Canned Food
| Main ingredients: | Water sufficient for processing, pork-by-products, pork liver, chicken by-products, corn meal |
| Protein content: | 5.4% |
| Fat content: | 0.9% |
| Calories: | 241 kcal per can |
Our pick for a weight management dog food for Puggles is Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canned Dog Food. The fiber blend in this veterinary diet helps your pet to feel fuller so he is satisfied longer. This is a good formula for Puggles that are obese or overweight and need to reduce their caloric intake. It is specially formulated to support your pudgy pet’s joints and bones. The high protein content helps to maintain muscle strength while providing Fido with the complete and balanced diet it needs to stay lean and healthy.
The Royal Canin wet diet is a desirable choice for pet owners of all breed sizes, including Puggles that need to lose and maintain a healthy weight. However, the Royal Canin Diet is on the costly side and requires authorization from your vet.
9. Rachael Ray Nutrish Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Lamb meal, brown rice, brewers rice, dried beet pulp, chicken fat (preserved with mixes of tocopherols) |
| Protein content: | 20.0% |
| Fat content: | 13.0% |
| Calories: | 321/cup |
If you have a Puggle with food sensitivities or allergies, you may want to consider Rachael Ray Nutrish Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food. The formula is limited to six ingredients, and it is free from artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and fillers. For dogs that have sensitivities to certain ingredients, the real lamb will tempt your dog’s palate and aid in digestion. The food is packed with vitamins and minerals to ensure your dog gets the nutrients it needs to thrive.
The high-quality ingredients are cooked in the U.S., and the formula is free from wheat, soy, corn, and gluten.
If you are a pet owner with a limited budget, Rachael Ray Nutrish Limited Ingredient Dog Food may be an affordable option for you.
Some reviewers are not impressed. They complain that the food stinks and is waxy or oily. Their dogs agreed and would not eat it.
10. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, carrots, peas |
| Protein content: | 8.5% |
| Fat content: | 5.5% |
| Calories: | 451 kcal per cup |
We chose Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Chicken Dinner that may need extra hydration. Serve it to your pet alone or mixed with some kibble. The soft diet is also a good choice for older dogs or Puggles with dental issues.
The chicken in the recipe is the main ingredient and will give your dog the energy it needs to stay active. The food includes ingredients like carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, and brown rice. There are no artificial flavors or preservatives, and it does not contain any by-product meals.
The Blue Buffalo Chicken Dinner contains some controversial ingredients and should be discussed with your veterinarian, however.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Dog Food for Puggle
Puggles are a cross between a beagle and a pug. Both breeds love to eat so it is not surprising that Puggles love food too. As a pet parent, you will need to be aware and prevent your pet from obesity. Fortunately, there are food options to help maintain your dog’s weight so it can stay active and energetic.
For active Puggle puppies to grow and gain lean muscle, they require a high protein diet. Once it becomes an adult, its diet will need to be transitioned slowly to a carbohydrate-rich food. As always, any changes in your dog’s diet should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Once your Puggles reach senior years, your canine will need food to strengthen its immune system. To keep its mind alert and improve its memory, the food should contain antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fibers. Be sure to feed your senior dog something that will keep it from getting overweight, and if the dog is missing teeth or has dental problems, be sure the food is soft and moist.
Conclusion
For Puggles, our best overall pick is Ollie’s human-grade dog food. Your Puggle is sure to enjoy the slow-cooked food that is made with real meat, fruit, and veggies. The customized, pre-portioned meals are conveniently delivered to your door so you can spend more time with your pet and less time at the local pet store.
For pet owners that are on a tight budget and want a grain-free diet for their Puggles, we picked Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food for the best value for the money.
Our third choice for Puggles is Purina Pro Plan High Protein Shredded Dry Dog Food to provide your dog with the protein and carbohydrates it needs for an active and energetic life.
We hope this review helps to narrow the search for the perfect food for your pet. We do recommend, however, that you discuss your pet’s diet with your vet.
Featured Image Credit: everydoghasastory, Shutterstock
