The 13 Best Dog Foods for Puggles in 2023

By Kevin Myers | 2023 Update

This (updated) guide reviews all of the best dog foods for puggles this year.

The Puggle is a cross between the Pug and the Beagle. This amazing dog is an affectionate companion with a simple palate. Even though Puggles may have a few allergies and face some common health risks, don’t worry too much about finding the right food for them. It’s not as challenging as it might be for some other breeds.

You just need to make sure that your Puggle gets high-quality dog food that meets their nutritional needs. To help you in your quest, we’ve curated this list of the best dog food for puggles based on our detailed 40-point inspection list.

Read on to find out about your Puggle’s dietary requirements and more!

The Best Dog Foods for Puggles Reviewed

Top PicksRatingTop Ingredients
#1. Wellness Grain-Free Complete Health Small Breed Adult Dog Food
(Editor’s Choice)
4.9Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal, Peas, Lentils, Chickpeas
#2. Holistic Select Adult & Puppy Health Grain-Free Dog Food4.9Salmon, Anchovy and Sardine Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Menhaden Fish Meal
#3. Nulo Freestyle Trout & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Senior Dog Food4.8Deboned Trout, Turkey Meal, Salmon Meal, Yellow Peas, Sweet Potato
#4. Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Chicken Recipe in Broth Wet Dog Food4.8Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas
#5. ORIJEN Regional Red Grain-Free Dry Dog Food4.8Chicken, Whole Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Barley, Whole Wheat
#6. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food4.7Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat
#7. Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Natural Dog Food4.7Chicken, Chicken Meal, Chickpeas, Tapioca, Chicken
#8. Purina Beneful Healthy Weight Farm-Raised Chicken Dog Food4.7Chicken, Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Barley, Whole Grain Wheat

#1. Wellness Grain-Free Complete Health Small Breed Adult Dog Food

Ratings:

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Turkey, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Peas, 4. Lentils, 5. Chickpeas

  • Life Stage: Adult
  • Suitable for: Extra Small & Toy, Small breeds
  • Caloric content (per kg): 3,662 kcal
  • Analysis: Protein (min.) 32% | Fat (min.) 16% | Fiber (max.) 5.5% | Moisture (max.) 10%
  • Form: Dry

Adult Puggles require a good amount of carbohydrates to stay energized, but it’s important to balance their carb intake to avoid unwanted weight gain. This recipe from Wellness has just enough proteins and carbohydrates to get the job done. It also contains animal-based fats, which are a great source of omega fatty acids that keep your dog’s coat shiny and its skin healthy.

Chicken and turkey provide protein and fat, while fruits and vegetables balance the meal. It’s free of allergens such as wheat, corn, and soy.

#2. Holistic Select Adult & Puppy Health Grain-Free Dog Food

Ratings:

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Salmon, 2. Anchovy and Sardine Meal, 3. Potatoes, 4. Peas, 5. Menhaden Fish Meal

  • Life Stage: Puppy
  • Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
  • Caloric content (per kg): 3,585 kcal
  • Analysis: Protein (min.) 29% | Fat (min.) 14% | Fiber (max.) 5.5% | Moisture (max.) 10%
  • Form: Dry

This mix of digestion-friendly ingredients is a good choice for your puggle puppy. The Salmon, Anchovy, and Sardine proteins burst with omega fatty acids for the health of your puppy’s coat and skin. It includes antioxidants for immune system health, glucosamine for growing bones and joints, probiotics for digestive health, and taurine for a healthy heart.

Finally, the taste of this grain-free offering from Holistic will have your puggle pup coming back for more.

#3. Nulo Freestyle Trout & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Senior Dog Food

Ratings:

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Trout, 2. Turkey Meal, 3. Salmon Meal, 4. Yellow Peas, 5. Sweet Potato

  • Life Stage: Senior
  • Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
  • Caloric content (per kg): 3,359 kcal
  • Analysis: Protein (min.) 30% | Fat (min.) 12% | Fiber (max.) 5% | Moisture (max.) 10%
  • Form: Dry

A senior dog’s stomach can become grumpy as it ages, and the Puggle is no different. This recipe from Nulo contains pure probiotic strains to aid in digestion. It provides L-Carnitine for an older dog’s metabolism, and glucosamine and chondroitin keep those creaky joints and bones happy.

Calcium and phosphorous help keep your older puggle’s bones strong, and fruits and vegetables retain the immune system’s peak performance. If you have a senior puggle, I highly recommend this food.  

#4. Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Chicken Recipe in Broth Wet Dog Food

Ratings:

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Broth, 3. Sweet Potatoes, 4. Pumpkin, 5. Canola Oil

  • Life Stage: Adult
  • Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
  • Caloric content (per kg): 863 kcal
  • Analysis: Protein (min.) 11% | Fat (min.) 2% | Fiber (max.) 1% | Moisture (max.) 72%
  • Form: Wet Food

If your Puggle is highly energetic, this meal is a good high-test fuel for them — by promoting a healthy metabolism, you get an abundant energy source with less risk of obesity.

This grain-free wet food uses sweet potatoes and pumpkin to provide easily digestible carbs. It contains no artificial flavors or preservatives and uses real chicken instead of the chicken by-product meal some other brands use. This Nature’s Recipe food can be used as a stand-alone meal or meal topper. A smart way to add some versatility to your puggle’s diet.

#5. ORIJEN Regional Red Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Ratings:

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Beef, 2. Wild Boar, 3. Goat, 4. Lamb, 5. Lamb Liver

  • Life Stage: Adult
  • Suitable for: Small, medium breeds
  • Caloric content (per kg): 3,860 kcal
  • Analysis: Protein (min.) 38% | Fat (min.) 18% | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 12%
  • Form: Dry

Get your puggle a taste of a premium ancestral diet with Orijen Regional Red Dog Food. This recipe contains nearly 85% animal ingredients and is super-easy to digest. It bursts with protein from meat and organs of goat, pork, boar, and mackerel, which gives the kibble a meaty texture and delicious taste!

It’s also filled with non-grain carbs like peas, lentils, squash, apples, and various fruits and veggies to power your puggle without digestive complications. Healthy fats provide coat nourishment and fuel your dog for its daily adventures. This all-in-one formula is perfect for all kinds of puggles if you can afford the premium price tag. 

#6. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food

Ratings:

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Buffalo, 2. Lamb Meal, 3. Chicken Meal, 4. Sweet Potatoes, 5. Peas

  • Life Stage: Adult
  • Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
  • Caloric content (per kg): 3,719 kcal
  • Analysis: Protein (min.) 32% | Fat (min.) 18% | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 10%
  • Form: Dry

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free is the right choice for puggle owners looking for a protein-rich diet with more than one source of protein. It is grain-free and gluten-free, and the protein sources complement the blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, and other fruits and veggies, providing your puggle with a balanced bowl of nutrition.

It also includes animal-based fat to supply those healthy omega acids.

#7. Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Natural Dog Food

Ratings:

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Herring Meal, 2. Peas, 3. Dried Eggs, 4. Canola Oil, 5. Flaxseed

  • Life Stage: Adult
  • Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
  • Caloric content (per kg): 3,780 kcal
  • Analysis: Protein (min.) 32% | Fat (min.) 19% | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 10%
  • Form: Dry

If your puggle needs to put on a few pounds, Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch is our recommended formula for putting on lean mass. It’s a seafood-based recipe that derives protein from herring, salmon, and whitefish meal, which is ideal for this sensitive dog. It also contains omega fatty acids to keep your dog’s fur in peak condition.

L-carnitine is another highlight of this formula, as it metabolizes fat and prevents your dog from becoming obese instead of lean. You also won’t find any grains or gluten in the recipe, so you can confidently feed it to allergic puggles. Carrots, blueberries, peas, and apples in the food provide essential micronutrient support to build stronger immunity within your dog.

#8. Purina Beneful Healthy Weight Farm-Raised Chicken Dog Food

Ratings:

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Whole Grain Corn, 3. Chicken By-Product Meal , 4. Barley, 5. Whole Grain Wheat

  • Life Stage: Adult
  • Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
  • Caloric content (per kg): 3,213 kcal
  • Analysis: Protein (min.) 25% | Fat (min.) 8% | Fiber (max.) 7.5% | Moisture (max.) 12%
  • Form: Dry

Obesity is a common puggle problem. But with Purina Beneful Healthy Weight Formula, your dog can lose excess fat without starving or compromising on taste. Farm-raised chicken, whole grains, apples, carrots, and beans provide high nutrition with great taste. 

This formula helps maintain muscle mass with 25% protein content while using whole grains to make your puggle feel satisfied quickly. It still has tons of essential micronutrients for immunity strengthening, bone health, and other crucial body functions. The crunchy kibbles also benefit dogs with dental diseases by gently scraping off plaque.

#9. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Adult Wet Dog Food

Ratings:

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Turkey, 2. Turkey Broth, 3. Potatoes, 4. Pea Protein, 5. Flaxseed

  • Life Stage: Adult
  • Suitable for: Extra Small & Toy, Small breeds
  • Caloric content (per kg): 1,273 kcal
  • Analysis: Protein (min.) 8% | Fat (min.) 6% | Fiber (max.) 1.5% | Moisture (max.) 78%
  • Form: Wet Food

Some Puggles are allergic to dairy and eggs on top of grains. For those dogs, this recipe is a safe bet. It keeps the Puggle full while nourishing their coat and skin.

Made with a limited number of high-quality ingredients, it minimizes potential allergens while maximizing flavor. Real turkey is the star of this recipe, providing a protein source that is both delicious and easy to digest. It contains no artificial ingredients or additives.

#10. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy Deboned Turkey Dog Food

Ratings:

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Turkey, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Turkey Meal, 4. Peas, 5. Chicken Fat

  • Life Stage: Puppy
  • Suitable for: Small breeds
  • Caloric content (per kg): 3,910 kcal
  • Analysis: Protein (min.) 38% | Fat (min.) 18% | Fiber (max.) 4.5% | Moisture (max.) 10%
  • Form: Dry

Some dog foods replace grains with ingredients that are not safe for dogs. However, this grain-free formula is made of high-quality ingredients only. Since it’s gluten-free, too, there is a lower chance of allergic reactions in your Puggle.

Not only is this recipe great for physical growth, but it also encourages cognitive development.

#11. My Ollie Turkey Feast

Ratings:

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Turkey Breast, 2. Kale, 3. Lentils, 4. Carrots, 5. Coconut Oil

  • Life Stage: All
  • Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
  • Caloric content (per kg): 1,390 kcal
  • Analysis: Protein (min.) 11% | Fat (min.) 7% | Fiber (max.) 2% | Moisture (max.) 72%
  • Form: Frozen

My Ollie’s customized diet is an ideal choice for puggles because it is individualized to meet the specific nutritional requirements of your dog. Just select a protein, and answer some questions about your dog, and board-certified nutritionists will prepare an optimal diet plan for your unique puggle.

We recommend the Turkey Feast recipe for puggles as it’s full of flavor and safest for pups with allergies/sensitivities to less novel proteins. My Ollie will also remove any ingredients your puggle has trouble digesting, so they can enjoy their diet without tummy upset. Once you subscribe, the fresh food will be delivered regularly to your doorstep with a complete feeding guide.

#12. Instinct Raw Boost Small Breed Grain-Free Real Chicken & Freeze-Dried Dog Food

Ratings:

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Chickpeas, 4. Tapioca, 5. Chicken Fat

  • Life Stage: Adult
  • Suitable for: Extra Small & Toy, Small breeds
  • Caloric content (per kg): 4,290 kcal
  • Analysis: Protein (min.) 35% | Fat (min.) 20% | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 9%
  • Form: Dry

Kickstart your puggle’s appetite with the delicious Instinct Raw Boost Small Breed Dog Food. One of the most attractive factors of this food is its freeze-dried raw bites, which pack a ton of flavor and lure picky eaters just by the smell. It’s also filled with healthy fats and sources carbs from chickpeas, an excellent alternative to grains for the sensitive puggle. 

Glucosamine and chondroitin provide your puggle with healthy joints, while calcium and phosphorus beef up their bones. It includes probiotics to promote beneficial gut bacteria and improve nutrient absorption. Lastly, Instinct Raw Boost will also make your dog appear healthy on the outside with omega fatty acids for coat nourishment.

#13. VICTOR Purpose Active Dog & Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dog Food

Ratings:

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Beef Meal, 2. Peas, 3. Sweet Potato, 4. Chicken Fat, 5. Menhaden Fish Meal

  • Life Stage: Puppy
  • Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
  • Caloric content (per kg): 3,614 kcal
  • Analysis: Protein (min.) 33% | Fat (min.) 16% | Fiber (max.) 3.8% | Moisture (max.) 9%
  • Form: Dry

Put allergies to rest while fueling your energetic puggle with Victor Purpose Dog & Puppy Dog Food. The grain-free formula is perfect for high-performance puggles with its high-protein content.

Micronutrients include a blend of essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids for the overall health of your puggle. This diet is suitable for puppies, adults, or even lactating females because of its high nutrition content. 

How to Switch Dog Food Without Getting Your Pup Sick

Related:

The Best Dog Food for Puggles – A Buyer’s Guide

Puggles are an easy breed to feed, but you still need to find the right product.

So, how do you do that? There are many contributing factors. Let’s look at each one in detail.

All About the Breed

The first step is to familiarize yourself with this lovely breed. Puggles originated in the USA. They are a cross between Pug and Beagle. This breed has been around since the 1980s.

Both Pugs and Beagles are very voracious eaters, and this explains why Puggles are always hungry. They can gain weight very quickly. The average weight of a healthy Puggle ranges between 18 and 30 pounds. Toy-size Puggles are smaller, so their weight is somewhere around 8 to 17 pounds.

As for their height, the range for a Puggle is usually 13 to 15 inches. Toy-size Puggles are, of course, smaller.

Feeding Requirement

Puggles can eat for days if you let them. They will generally keep eating unless you stop them, so it is your duty as a pet parent to administer their food intake. Feeding requirements vary according to the age of the Puggle. Each life stage has a different requirement, and so you need to cater to the needs accordingly.

When your Puggle is a puppy, it needs proteins. The amino acids protein provides should make up the majority of the meal portion. These are the building blocks that help your Puggle’s muscles grow.

At one year of age, a Puggle is considered an adult dog. It’s time to shift to a carbohydrate-rich diet slowly. There’s not much to worry about at this stage except the caloric count. An average adult Puggle shouldn’t be given more than 660 calories per day. However, if your dog is more active than usual, up to 1050 calories are fine.

At the age of 9 years, the Puggle becomes a senior. Now your dog needs food that is easy to digest. Keep in mind that as the dog ages, its immune system weakens. Therefore, your senior dog will need a lot of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fibers. Most senior dogs aren’t as energetic, and their calories should be cut down to 540 per day.

Allergies

The biggest challenge with Puggles is their sensitive digestive system. What’s even harder is that the allergy-triggering ingredient is not the same in every case. Gluten, soy, eggs, and other dairy products are generally what cause allergies in Puggles.

The only way to find out for sure what your furry friend is allergic to is an elimination diet. Remove one ingredient at a time from your dog’s meals. You’ll figure out what the culprit ingredient is when the allergic symptoms go away. To double-check, use the ingredient again. If the symptoms come back, you have your answer.

I know this can be very hectic and time-consuming. Unfortunately, there is no other way around it. But once you figure out the harmful ingredient, narrowing down dog foods for your Puggle will become much more manageable.

Health Risks

Here is a rundown of some common health risks and how you can avoid them.

  • Hypothyroidism: With this condition, the thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormones. Liver-rich foods are an excellent choice here. Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables should also become a vital part of the dog’s diet.
  • Hip Dysplasia: Puggles, like many other breeds, are susceptible to this, and obesity certainly exacerbates the situation. In addition to keeping the weight under control, you should also up the amounts of calcium and phosphorus in the dog’s diet. Glucosamine and omega fatty acids also help promote bone and joint health.
  • Stenotic Nares: This condition is also called ‘pinched nostrils,’ and that is precisely what it is. Obesity can trigger stenotic nares. Avoid inflammatory ingredients if your dog is going through this condition.
  • Patellar Luxation: This condition is the dislocation of kneecaps. Once again, obesity is a major contributing factor to this issue. Keep the bones and joints healthy with regular exercise and a calcium-rich diet.
  • Obesity: These chowhounds can gain weight in days. Healthy eating and regular exercise are the only solutions to obesity. Choose foods with healthy fats only.

Ingredients: What’s Good and What’s Not?

There aren’t any hard and fast rules for Puggles. Harmful ingredients include grains and fillers. Simultaneously, the must-have ingredients are vegetables, fruit, and some sort of protein source. If your Puggle is allergic to a specific ingredient, avoid that. But other than that, pretty much everything is safe. This is why I say that Puggles are very easy to feed!

Wet vs. Dry Food

Both wet and dry foods are right for Puggles. The rule here is pretty much the same as for any other breed. If your dog is good at keeping itself hydrated, you can lower the amount of wet food and feed more dry food. But if your dog doesn’t drink enough water, wet food becomes a good option.

Whatever the case, include both types of food in your dog’s meal. How you balance the two is dependent on your dog. It is recommended to feed more of wet food to senior dogs since it is easier to digest. Other than that, it is all about your dog’s preference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Being a pet-parent comes with many responsibilities, and that can bring many questions to mind.

Here are some commonly asked questions of Puggle parents.

Are Puggles smart dogs?

Puggles are very loving and friendly; there is no doubt about that. As for intelligence, that’s somewhat subjective. If you consider their clever tactics to get what they want smart, then yes, Puggles are very intelligent. They can be stubborn. However, despite these traits, they are super family pets.

What is the average lifespan of a Puggle?

A healthy Puggle can live between 10 and 15 years. It all depends on the environment and diet you provide your pet. Health issues can reduce your dog’s life expectancy by a few years.

Do Puggles like to cuddle?

As I previously mentioned, Puggles are very loving and caring. They love being close to their owner, and yes, they are very fond of cuddling. Their playful nature may not let them sit in your lap for long hours, but they will surely jump into your lap now and then to show their affection.

Do Puggles get cold easily?

Puggles inherit their cold intolerance from pugs. Not only are Puggles sensitive to cold, but they also have a hard time bearing hot weather. Humidity can also take a toll on their health. You need to be very careful when the weather is changing. Even the slightest environmental changes can affect Puggles.

Are Puggles healthier than pugs?

Puggles are generally healthier than Pugs because they inherit the Beagles’ longer snout, making them less prone to being brachiocephalic. You get the fun-loving nature of pugs with a better build in the form of Puggles. Puggles inherit all the playful qualities of pugs and leave behind their sensitive nature.

Why do Puggles smell bad?

If your Puggle is stinky, it can be an indication of a health-related problem. It is usually a smelly mouth that causes the dog to smell bad. Check for tooth decay or other mouth infections. It is best to consult a vet when your dog smells of something irregular.

Conclusion

In conclusion, finding the best dog food for your Puggle can greatly contribute to their overall health and happiness. These adorable and energetic companions deserve a diet that supports their specific needs and keeps them thriving. So don’t forget to compare your best options in this article and choose the best one keeping your puggle’s specific nutrition requirement in mind.