iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you purchase through hyperlinks on our website, we might earn an affiliate fee at no additional price to you.
Many Pug dad and mom are turning to the most effective uncooked pet food manufacturers for Pugs for his or her pet’s dietary wants. Kibble is perhaps the handy possibility, but it surely typically lacks the protein and vitamins that canines profit from. Raw pet food is a weight loss plan that may assist maintain your Pug in form whereas additionally interesting to choosy eaters.
However, switching to uncooked pet food requires some analysis to be sure you select a recipe that’s best to your Pug’s wants. Consider your Pug’s weight, well being situations, allergic reactions, and preferences when deciding what sort of uncooked meals to get them.
What is Raw Dog Food?
“Raw dog food” normally describes any kind of pet food that makes use of uncooked, raw substances, comparable to meat, organs, bones, fruits, and greens. It’s designed to imitate the high-protein diets of your Pug’s ancestors.
In the wild, it’s widespread for canines to eat complete animals after searching them, bones and all. So, your Pug’s ancestors ate meals that was excessive in protein with minimal carbohydrates. Dogs have modified loads since their time within the wild, however they nonetheless profit from a weight loss plan that incorporates a lot of actual meat.
Most Pug dad and mom feed their canines dry meals, which is excessive in carbohydrates to present it a crunchy texture and improve its shelf life. Kibble typically has extra carbs than canines are supposed to ingest, which may result in weight acquire and different well being issues in some instances. Thus, many Pug dad and mom are actually making an attempt uncooked pet food to present their pups meals which might be increased in actual, nutritious animal merchandise.
Raw pet food is normally served in frozen or freeze-dried varieties.
Raw Dog Food vs. Fresh Dog Food
Fresh pet food is one other kind of pet food that’s rising in reputation resulting from its excessive protein and high quality substances. Both uncooked and contemporary meals comprise complete substances, together with meat, fruits, and greens. However, the primary distinction is that contemporary meals goes by way of a cooking course of whereas uncooked meals doesn’t.
If you’d fairly serve your Pug contemporary meals as a substitute of uncooked meals, take a look at the most effective contemporary pet food manufacturers.
Can You Make Your Own Raw Dog Food Recipes?
Yes, many Pug dad and mom select to create their very own uncooked pet food recipes versus shopping for a model. However, this may be dangerous for those who don’t know what you’re doing. You’ll want to make sure your Pug will get a correct stability of protein, fats, carbs, and vitamins. If you’re not assured you possibly can put together that to your canine, you possibly can discuss to a vet or canine nutritionist for recommendation.
Even although creating uncooked pet food recipes is hard for newcomers, it will possibly assist you to really feel extra assured about your Pug’s well being in the long term. You’ll know precisely what’s going into your Pug’s meals, so you possibly can cater these substances to suit your canine’s wants, comparable to together with their favourite meals and excluding their allergic reactions.
However, uncooked pet food manufacturers are usually safer and extra handy for Pug dad and mom utilizing uncooked meals for the primary time. They’ll already present a nutritionally-balanced meal to your furry buddy, so there are much less dangers concerned.
Raw Dog Food for Pugs: Pros and Cons
Like all forms of pet food, there are advantages and drawbacks to uncooked pet food. Here are some execs and cons to think about.
Benefits of Raw Dog Food for Pugs
- Uses restricted, high-quality substances
- Appeals to choosy eaters
- Improves digestion
- Reduces allergy signs
- Improves pores and skin and coat well being
- Leads to firmer stools
- Assists with weight administration
- Increases power ranges
Downsides of Raw Dog Food for Pugs
- It’s costly
- Has a better danger of spreading micro organism
- Can be more durable to retailer
- Takes extra time to organize and serve
Best Raw Dog Food Brands for Pugs
Below are a number of the finest uncooked pet food manufacturers for Pugs available on the market that can assist you resolve which one is the only option to your furry buddy.
1. Darwin’s Natural Pet Products
Darwin’s is a subscription-based uncooked pet food model for Pugs, making it the most effective uncooked pet food supply companies. Customers begin by filling out a questionnaire about their Pug, after which, the corporate will recommend the most effective uncooked meals to suit their pup’s wants. The meals is auto-shipped to your door frozen for no extra price. So, you’ll have to thaw it within the fridge in a single day earlier than serving it to your canine.
There are three most important forms of uncooked formulation: Natural Selections, BioLogics, and Intelligent Design. Natural Selections are made utilizing free-range meats and natural greens whereas BioLogic makes use of conventionally-sourced substances at a extra inexpensive worth. Then, Intelligent Design has formulation catered to particular well being situations. There are many protein choices accessible, together with rooster, duck, turkey, beef, and lamb. Canine nutritionists helped formulate the recipes.
All of Darwin’s meals is excessive in animal protein, with over 70% protein in every meal. This meals can ship nationwide within the United States, however you received’t discover it in any pet shops. Many Pug dad and mom love this model as a result of it provides balanced uncooked diets in easy-to-open packages. The solely draw back is that this meals is pricier than different widespread uncooked meals manufacturers.
Benefits:
- Offers personalised feeding plans
- Variety of meal choices
- You can select between completely different ingredient-sourcing choices
- Free transport to your door
- Good for Pugs with allergic reactions
- Recipes formulated with the assistance of canine nutritionists
2. We Feed Raw
We Feed Raw is one other pet food firm that creates meal plans that cater to your Pug’s wants. All you need to do is reply some questions on your Pug, after which the corporate will recommend the perfect meals for them. During the questionnaire, the corporate takes into consideration your Pug’s age, weight, breed, allergic reactions, and present weight loss plan.
This firm provides uncooked pet food in a number of proteins, together with rooster, beef, turkey, duck, lamb, and venison. All the formulation are created by a PhD animal nutritionist who has over 30 years of expertise within the business. The meals is at all times excessive in protein, so the primary 4 to 5 substances come from actual animal merchandise. All the meat comes from animals raised on farms within the United States and New Zealand.
This firm solely makes use of USDA-certified and human-grade meats for its merchandise. The meals is shipped to your door at no extra price. It will be shipped to any of the 48 contiguous states. The meals ships chilly, and it will possibly keep contemporary within the fridge for as much as 4 days. In the freezer, it will possibly final for as much as six months.
Benefits:
- Offers personalised feeding plans
- Free transport to your door
- Good for Pugs with allergic reactions
- Only makes use of human-grade meats
- Formulated by PhD animal nutritionist
- iHeartDogs Offer: Save 20% in your first order
3. Stella & Chewy’s Freeze Dried Raw Dinner Patties
If you’re not trying to decide to a questionnaire or subscription to get uncooked Pug meals, Stella & Chewy’s is a extra handy possibility. Their uncooked meals comes within the type of freeze dried uncooked patties, which helps give it an extended shelf life whereas nonetheless preserving the vitamins of uncooked meals. The firm provides all kinds of protein choices, together with rooster, lamb, pork, rabbit, beef, turkey, and venison.
Since the meals is in patties, it’s straightforward to portion out your Pug’s meals. You can serve the freeze dried patties as-is, however Stella & Chewy’s recommends rehydrating them to present your canine some added moisture. To rehydrate, you possibly can crumble the meals and add a 1/4 cup of water for each two patties. These patties can be utilized as full meals, however many pet dad and mom use them as meals toppers as a substitute.
95% of the formulation consists of meat, organs, and bones. The recipes even have natural fruit and veggies in them. The substances used can profit pores and skin and coat well being, coronary heart well being, and digestion. The patties are additionally grain-free to cater to Pugs with allergic reactions. This firm’s merchandise are bought in pet provide shops throughout the United States, and the meals is formulated in USA services.
Benefits:
- Easy to portion
- Easy to retailer
- Several methods to serve
- Good for Pugs with allergic reactions
- Variety of choices
4. Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Meals
Instinct provides one other the most effective uncooked freeze dried Pug meals resulting from its comfort. It is available in small, freeze dried pellets which might be concerning the measurement of kibble items. You can feed the items as-is or you possibly can combine them with heat water, which is right for ensuring your pup will get sufficient moisture. These freeze dried items will be served as full meals or meals toppers.
85% of the formulation consists of meat, organs, and bones. Then, the remainder incorporates non-GMO fruits, greens, nutritional vitamins, and minerals. Despite trying like kibble, this Pug meals has by no means been cooked and it’s minimally processed to protect the vitamins. All the pet food is made in USA kitchens. This meals comes with both beef, rooster, or lamb as the first protein.
The freeze dried uncooked meals are the extra widespread selection, however there are additionally frozen uncooked meals accessible. If you’re not prepared to modify fully to uncooked, Instinct additionally provides “Raw Boost” recipes, that are kibble combined with freeze dried uncooked items.
Benefits:
- Convenient to retailer
- Several methods to serve
- Good for Pugs with allergic reactions
- Other forms of uncooked meals are additionally accessible
5. Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw
Open Farm provides all kinds of Pug meals, together with dry, moist, contemporary, and uncooked. Their uncooked pet food is freeze dried to make it simpler to retailer and serve to your pup. Like different freeze dried choices, it may be used as a full meal or a topper. Freeze dried uncooked meals will be pricy, so many pet dad and mom lower your expenses by mixing it should kibble.
The freeze dried items are concerning the measurement of kibble, so that they’re able to serve if you pour them out of the bag. If you’re fearful your Pug isn’t ingesting sufficient liquid, you possibly can combine heat water with the meals. Otherwise, ensure that clear water is accessible to your canine whereas they’re consuming.
There are six formulation accessible: surf & turf, grass-fed beef, pasture-raised lamb, homestead turkey, harvest rooster, and farmer’s desk pork. Each recipe incorporates meat from humanely-raised animals, together with natural fruit and veggies. On Open Farm’s web site, the supply of each ingredient is listed.
Benefits:
- Convenient to retailer
- Can be served in a number of methods
- Good for Pugs with allergic reactions
- Lots of protein choices
- Lists ingredient sourcing on the web site
6. Sojos Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food
Sojos’ uncooked pet food is designed to offer full uncooked meals in a handy kind. Their recipes are perfect for Pugs of all ages, sizes, and breeds. They presently have 5 formulation: turkey, beef, lamb, rooster, and senior turkey & salmon. They even have “Mix-a-Meal” recipes which might be uncooked pet food toppers.
To serve this meals, you want to combine and measure the correct quantity of meals and water as directed on the bag. Then, you’ll let the meals soak within the water for quarter-hour earlier than feeding it to your Pug. The preparation time is a bit longer than it’s for different manufacturers, however the additional soaking helps activate the vitamins and enzymes within the meals. Every pound of Sojos pet food makes as much as 5 kilos of meals when rehydrated.
Sojos makes use of ingredient lists which might be “short and sweet” to keep away from allergic reactions in canines. The USDA-approved animal protein is paired with human-grade, air-dried fruit and veggies. All the formulation are made in kitchens within the United States.
Benefits:
- Uses USDA-approved and human-grade substances
- Rehydrating prompts the vitamins
- Variety of choices
- Good for Pugs with allergic reactions
- Easy to retailer
7. Wysong Raw Dog Food
Wysong provides a number of several types of uncooked Pug meals diets. Their authentic uncooked weight loss plan known as Archetype, which is a bag of freeze dried uncooked pet food that must be rehydrated earlier than serving. Some recipes of the Archetype meals additionally come within the type of burgers for patrons that need bigger portions. They additionally promote “UnCanny” moist meals recipes, that are designed to be combined with the Archetype formulation.
This model’s uncooked meals is available in rooster, rabbit, quail, and beef. All choices are excessive in pure protein and fats. They additionally comprise plant vitamins, prebiotics, probiotics, nutritional vitamins, and minerals. These “Non-Thermal” uncooked pet food choices are designed to imitate your Pug’s ancestral weight loss plan by specializing in excessive protein. The meals is barely bought in small packages that protect vitamins, so it will possibly make an ideal meals topper for those who don’t need to use it as a meal.
If you want this model, however your Pug isn’t a fan of their uncooked meals, in addition they have dry and moist meals formulation. All the merchandise will be ordered on-line or bought at choose pet provide shops.
Benefits:
- Quite a lot of uncooked pet food choices
- Contains a lot of vitamins
- Packaging preserves vitamins
- Good for Pugs with allergic reactions
- Several methods to serve it
- iHeartDogs Offer: 10% off wholesome meals with the code 10OFFWYSONG
8. Primal Freeze Dried Raw Nuggets
Primal’s freeze dried uncooked pet food comes within the type of mushy nuggets. The nuggets make it straightforward to portion out meals to your Pug based mostly on their weight. To flip the freeze dried items into wholesome meals, you possibly can crumble up the nuggets as soon as they’re portioned and add heat water, broth, or goat milk to it. You’ll combine the chosen liquid with the meals to rehydrate it, making it extra nutritious and flavorful to your Pug.
These freeze dried nuggets make nice full meals or meals toppers. They are available a wide range of protein choices, together with beef, lamb, pork, duck, venison, and rabbit. This firm additionally provides some frozen uncooked choices.
All the substances utilized in primal meals are sourced from sustainable ranchers and inspected by the USDA. In addition to high quality animal protein, in addition they have natural fruit and veggies, together with non-synthetic nutritional vitamins and minerals. Overall, this can be a handy selection for Pug dad and mom who’re new to uncooked pet food. However, some clients complained that the nuggets had been crumbled once they obtained them.
Benefits:
- Comes in a wide range of proteins
- Easy to portion
- Can be served in a number of methods
- Packed with vitamins
- Easy to retailer and journey with
9. Raw Wild LLC
Raw Wild is a web based uncooked pet food subscription service. The meals will ship to your door in a Styrofoam cooler, and it must be saved within the freezer to protect its freshness. When making ready to serve the meals to your Pug, it’s best to thaw it within the fridge in a single day. You can get a reduction for those who order the trial for the primary time.
All of Raw Wild’s meals is created from wild elk and deer. Over 99% of the meals consists of meat and bones from wild animals. The firm selected to not embrace organs as a result of they didn’t need to add organs that might doubtlessly contaminate the wild meals. The remainder of the meals is made up of important nutritional vitamins and minerals.
Raw Wild is a bit pricier than many different uncooked pet food manufacturers as a result of they’ve a restricted inventory since all of the meat comes from wild animals. They hand-pack and hand-inspect each product to make sure it’s the perfect high quality. All the merchandise meet AAFCO requirements, and the meat is processed in a facility that additionally processes elk and deer for human consumption. So, the requirements and stage of high quality are at all times excessive with this model.
Benefits:
- Only makes use of meat from wild animals
- Over 99% of the meals is meat and bones
- Avoids organs to cut back the chance of contamination
- Subscription ships to your door
- Uses uncommon forms of human-grade meat
10. Halo Meal Bites Freeze Dried Raw
Halo Freeze Dried Raw Meal Bites was once known as TruDog Feed Me Freeze Dried Dog Food. The branding modified in July 2022. Even although the identify and packaging are completely different, the meals nonetheless has the identical nice recipe and style. The firm freeze-dries uncooked substances into crunchy pellets to lock within the pure vitamins and flavors.
The meals will be served as-is, however the firm recommends rehydrating it to present your Pug additional moisture. If you don’t rehydrate the meals, ensure that your pup has entry to wash water. The first a number of substances of the meals are animal meat and organs, together with nutritional vitamins and vitamins. Looking on the ingredient listing won’t sound interesting to you, but it surely’s wholesome and mouth-watering for Pugs.
You can select between beef, turkey, whitefish, or turkey & duck recipes. Some Pug dad and mom aren’t keen on this meals as a result of it has robust odors, however that signifies that it normally pursuits choosy eaters.
Benefits:
- Convenient to retailer
- Locks in pure vitamins and flavors
- Multiple methods to serve
- Appeals to choosy canines
- Good for canines with delicate stomachs
11. Raw Paws Pet Food
Raw Paws has the most effective selection in the case of uncooked pet food. They provide uncooked meals recipes in patties or ground-up. They have merchandise with and with out fruit and veggies, and so they even provide uncooked meat by itself. So, you possibly can both order pre-made uncooked recipes or you possibly can order less complicated merchandise and add substances to them to create customizable meals to your Pug.
They provide rooster, beef, turkey, salmon, lamb, goat, and venison merchandise. So, there are many merchandise to select from no matter your Pug’s preferences. Most of the meals must be saved within the freezer, after which you possibly can thaw it within the fridge if you put together to your canine’s upcoming meals. There are a number of uncooked deal with choices too. The meals can all be ordered on-line and shipped to your door. It’s not accessible in any pet provide shops.
The large collection of uncooked pet food merchandise will be overwhelming for brand spanking new clients, but it surely permits you to select the one that’s finest to your Pug. All the merchandise use substances sourced from “responsible and ethical farms.” One of the most effective elements of this firm is that they ship the merchandise shortly so that they don’t thaw throughout transport. US orders positioned on weekdays ship out on the identical day, and weekend orders ship out the next Monday.
Benefits:
- Wide number of merchandise can be found
- Fast transport
- Full meals, elements of uncooked meals, and treats accessible
- Good for choosy eaters
- Offers free meal plans
Transitioning Your Pug to Raw Dog Food
It’s at all times a good suggestion to do a gradual transition when switching your Pug to a brand new meals as a result of it helps forestall tummy troubles. Transitioning is particularly necessary when there’s a drastic change in weight loss plan, comparable to from kibble to uncooked pet food.
Here’s our really helpful transitioning course of:
- Days 1 to three: Serve 80% previous meals with 20% new uncooked meals
- Days 4 to 7: Serve 50% previous meals with 50% new meals
- Days 7 to 14: Serve 20% previous meals with 80% new meals
- Day 15: 100% new meals
Since uncooked meals is way completely different than dry pet food, it’s finest to have a sluggish transition. It ought to take not less than one to 2 weeks earlier than you feed your Pug a 100% uncooked weight loss plan. If you already know your canine is delicate to new meals, chances are you’ll need to make the transition much more gradual. It’s higher to be secure than sorry in the case of your Pug’s well being.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some widespread questions canine dad and mom switching to uncooked meals ask.
Are Raw Dog Food Diets for Pugs Safe?
Yes, uncooked diets are secure for Pugs, so long as they supply a balanced weight loss plan. Pugs have shorter digestive tracts and better acidity of their digestive techniques, permitting them to tolerate micro organism higher than people. So, so long as you select a model with a really perfect stability of substances and observe by way of with a gradual transition, your Pug might be unlikely to face points.
How Will Raw Food Change My Pug’s Stool?
Once a Pug will get used to a uncooked weight loss plan, their stool will possible be smaller and firmer. However, in the course of the transition interval, chances are you’ll discover unfastened stool as their physique adjusts to the brand new weight loss plan.
Can Pugs Get Salmonella From Raw Chicken?
Yes, canines can get Salmonella from uncooked meals, however canines can deal with a better stage of micro organism than people can. So, uncooked pet food poses an even bigger danger for people than it does for Pugs. To forestall the unfold of micro organism, at all times wash your arms and anything the uncooked meals touched after making ready your canine’s meals.
Are Bones in Raw Dog Food Dangerous?
No, uncooked bones are useful to your Pug’s well being. They don’t splinter the best way cooked bones do, so that they’re safer to eat. However, uncooked bones aren’t really helpful for puppies below six months as a result of their enamel aren’t robust sufficient to chew them.
Can Dogs With Allergies Eat Raw Food?
Yes, uncooked pet food is usually higher for canines with allergic reactions as a result of it has fewer substances. So, it’s simpler to maintain observe of what substances your Pug is consuming so you possibly can keep away from potential allergens.
Can You Switch Between Meat Sources When Serving Raw Dog Food?
Yes, as soon as your canine has transitioned to a uncooked weight loss plan, you possibly can change between meat sources usually. Using a wide range of meat sources is nice to your Pug’s well being and retains them within the meals, so long as you don’t use meat they’re allergic to.
Why Isn’t Raw Dog Food for Pugs More Popular?
The variety of Pug dad and mom utilizing uncooked diets is rising, but it surely’s not very fashionable for a number of causes. The largest motive is price. Lots of Pug dad and mom aren’t in a position to commit additional time and money to making ready pet food, so sticking to kibble is the better selection. Also, many pet dad and mom are unaware of the advantages and the number of choices in the case of uncooked pet food.
Pug dad and mom trying to strive uncooked meals with out wanting to modify the meal completely can strive uncooked meals toppers.
Is Raw Dog Food Right for Your Pug?
If you’re in search of a more healthy weight loss plan to your Pug, the most effective uncooked pet food manufacturers must be thought of. Raw pet food will be nice for choosy eaters or canines who aren’t getting sufficient vitamins of their present diets. However, uncooked meals will be pricy and will take extra time to organize to your canine, so it’s not for everybody. If you don’t need to need to maintain your canine’s meals chilly, you possibly can go for a number of the finest dehydrated uncooked pet food for simpler storage.
No matter what model you select, the most effective uncooked pet food weight loss plan will help your Pug have a more healthy life-style. Any of the manufacturers on this listing are nice choices to modify to, so long as you present a gradual transition.
