Feeding the Void: A Pug’s Guide to Cuisine, Chaos & Cuddles

Your pug will act like it’s starving to death exactly 12 minutes after every meal. They are expert performers. Do not be fooled. You could feed them a roast dinner and they’d still eye your sandwich like you owe them rent.

But beneath the drama, pug nutrition genuinely matters—they’re prone to weight gain, allergies, and mysterious grumbles if not fed right.

Best Foods to Feed the Gremlin

Look for high-quality commercial dog food (complete and balanced) that’s:

• Designed for small breeds

• Has meat as the main ingredient

• Moderate fat, low fillers (no cornfest!)

• Free from artificial stuff and, ideally, tear-jerking price tags

You can feed kibble, wet, or a mix. Some pug parents go raw or home-cooked, but always check with a vet or canine nutritionist—they can’t live off dreams and toast crumbs.

Foods to Avoid (a.k.a. The Forbidden Buffet)

• Chocolate (obviously)

• Grapes/raisins

• Onions, garlic, leeks (they’re not seasoning, they’re poison)

• Xylitol (found in sugar-free gum and nightmares)

• Fatty table scraps (no sharing your bacon, Dave!)

• Cooked bones – splintery dangers of doom

And no, they can’t have “just a little taste” of your pizza. That’s how gremlins win.

Feeding Schedule for the Goblin

• Puppies (under 6 months): 3–4 meals a day

• Adults (6+ months): 2 meals a day

• Senior pugs: 2 meals, smaller portions, and a stern chat about slowing metabolism

Keep it consistent. Your pug has a built-in clock powered by hunger and passive aggression.

How Much Should You Feed?

For the average adult pug (6–8 kg), you want to aim for around 425 calories. 5kg is around 330 calories, and 9kg is around 500 calories.

And remember—your pug will want to eat three times this amount. Daily. Loudly. Dramatically.

Choose Your Feeding Gear Wisely, Brave One

Feeding a pug isn’t just about what goes in the bowl—it’s about how you deliver the goods to your royal gremlin.

Say no to the sad metal bowl that slides across the floor like it’s trying to escape.

Say yes to the raised trough style feeder — like a pig trough, but make it bougie.

Why?

• Raised bowls are kinder on those compact, twisty pug necks and help reduce gulping and wheezing while eating

• Reduces bowl skidding, flailing, and dramatic mealtime tantrums

• Trough shape = maximum snout access, minimum face immersion drama

Bonus: watching your pug delicately devour their meal from what looks like a hog feeder is deeply satisfying.

They’ll still act like you’ve forgotten to feed them seconds later—but at least they’ll do it from a place of ergonomic comfort.

“Exercise”: A Pug’s Least Favourite Word

Pugs need at least 30 minutes of exercise per day—short walks, gentle play, a light sprint from the couch to the food bowl.

They’ll try everything to skip it:

• Pancaking on the pavement

• Becoming mysteriously “limp”

• Giving you betrayal eyes halfway down the driveway

But daily movement keeps their joints healthy, their weight in check, and their chaos levels manageable.

Try puzzle toys, indoor fetch, or walking them to sniff every lamppost like it’s a work of art.

Final Thoughts: Feed the Body, Love the Gremlin

Feeding your pug is more than topping up a bowl—it’s fueling a little emotional whirlwind made of snorts and crumbs. Get it right, and you’ll have a healthier, shinier, slightly-less-judgy companion.

They’ll still act hungry, of course. But deep down you’ll know: that full belly is just theatre.