Pekingese is a royal breed with plenty of personality and show-stopping looks. They may be small, but their owners affectionately call them “opinionated.” They tend to form a bond with their favorite owners and are content to sit next to them all day.
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They have fantastic hair and plenty of energy. Quality food will help them keep that beautiful coat healthy and their long lives full of joy.
They may be cherished members of the former imperial family of China, but these down to earth dogs make excellent family companions, provided there’s enough peace and quiet.
Let’s take a look at what it’s going to take to keep them healthy and find out what is the best dog food for Pekingese.
Some owners feed their Pekingese to the point of obesity but using quality food helps keep your Pekingese in good shape. Proteins build muscle tone and keep the coat shiny and healthy while complex carbohydrates deliver energy without spiking blood sugar only to crash. Poor quality foods won’t help your Pekingese stay full or maintain energy throughout the day.
Best Dog Food for Pekingese
Your Pekingese needs densely nutritious foods to keep up muscle tone and skin health. Each food should have quality ingredients and good supplements for coat and joint health to keep your Pekingese in peak condition.
Ollie is a cooked dish that uses limited ingredients. Whole ground turkey plus fresh vegetables give your Pekingese plenty of nutrition using high quality ingredients that appear at your doorstep in easy to serve portion sizes. It’s excellent for Pekingese dogs that have dental issues because the meals are easy to chew and digest.
This formula is specially crafted with your pup’s nutritional needs in mind. The turkey recipe offers a Thanksgiving feel, including turkey, pumpkin and carrots.
Ollie was created in 2016 by Gabby Slome, Alex Douzet, and Randy Jimenez. This New York-based pet food company set out to turn the pet food industry on its head by offering fresh, custom meals for dogs similar to meal-prep services. Each meal is cooked in Ollie’s kitchens and then delivered to your door ready to refrigerate.
They use only foods that are safe enough for human consumption with simple recipes to provide a comfortable balance between the convenience of feeding kibble and the dense nutrition of raw diets.
2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
Blue Buffalo’s recipe uses LifeSource bits, a blend of their vitamins and minerals. The whole protein source uses healthy chicken and brown rice for a healthy weight option.
Essential fatty acids help keep the skin and coat healthy while glucosamine helps protect joints. It has no corn, soy, grains, or poultry by-product meals.
Small dogs have unique needs and this kibble right here is made to meet those requirements. Featuring a smaller kibble size to cater small jaws and with crunchy texture to promote tartar removal.
Blue Buffalo began in the search for the perfect food for a beloved Airedale Terrier, Blue. Now, you can have the best nutrition for your beloved pet just the same. You can trust Blue with your pet’s health because the company uses only locally sourced ingredients from trusted providers.
Pros
Lifesource Bits provide vitamins
Fatty acids support skin health
Glucosamine for joint support
Cons
Some Pekingese eat around the LifeSource Bits
May cause gas
3. Whole Earth Farms Small Breed Chicken & Turkey Recipe
This wholesome and natural dry food for small dogs features a flavorful blend of high-quality chicken and turkey. It includes apples, sweet potatoes and flaxseed for complete and balanced nutrition that’s paw-fect for sensitive stomachs.
This grain-free dry dog food includes added vitamins, minerals and probiotics to support healthy digestion, help reduce shedding, promote a shiny coat and encourage strong nails and skin. It’s crafted without any grains, corn, wheat, soy, by-products, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives and cooked in America using only the Earth’s best ingredients.
Features a flavorful blend of high-quality chicken and turkey. This grain free recipe is developed by nutrition experts and veterinarians using nature's finest ingredients.
The Whole Earth Farms brand follows the tagline, “Goodness from the earth”. This brand is dedicated to creating wholesome, all-natural pet food products and offering them at great value. Whole Earth Farms dog food offers a wide variety of products, all of which are made with the finest ingredients available to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.
Pros
Wholesome and natural
Small kibbles for small jaws
Flavorful blend of chicken and turkey
Help reduce shedding
Promote a shiny coat
Encourage strong nails and skin
Cons
Some owners received a different sized kibble
Picky eaters may not like it
4. Nulo Freestyle Limited+ Turkey Small Breed Recipe
This dry dog food is a limited ingredient recipe made specifically for small breed dogs. It uses whole turkey for complete proteins plus quality carbohydrates to keep your Pekingese’s energy up. It also contains fatty acids for coat health and glucosamine for joint support. It’s free of grains, fillers, and artificial flavors.
A limited ingredient formula designed for tiny pooches, it features real turkey as its main protein source. It is also overflowing with vitamins, antioxidants and minerals.
Nulo provides holistic nutrition options for your Pekingese. They use only premium ingredients from trusted sources to create recipes that satisfy the nutritional needs of your companion. Once only available in specialty stores, they’ve expanded their reach to be more easily accessible to owners everywhere.
Pros
Limited ingredient formula
Small breed specific
Supplements for coat and joint health
Cons
Picky Pekingese may not eat it
Only comes in small bags
5. CANIDAE PURE Small Breed Real Chicken, Potato & Whole Egg Recipe
CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Small Breed Real Chicken recipe keeps things deliciously simple. Using a special recipe for sensitive dogs, this limited-ingredient diet is made with just 9 key ingredients and zero corn, wheat or soy. The recipe starts with chicken as the first ingredient, followed by whole foods like peas, lentils and potatoes for gentle digestion.
A limited ingredient formula that is made with just 9 key ingredients and zero corn, wheat or soy. Made from real chicken making it protein-rich to support your tiny trooper's muscle development.
The Canidae company was created by pet lovers for pet lovers, having the goal of creating nutritious and delicious pet food products for pets in all life stages. In just over twenty years of existence, the Canidae company has become one of the premier providers of grain-free and premium-quality pet foods made with fresh, U.S. sourced ingredients.
Pros
Limited ingredient formula
Grain-free, perfect for sensitive stomachs
With Canidae’s HealthPLUS blend of probiotics
No artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
Cons
Sudden price increase
Kibbles too big for small breeds
6. Wellness CORE SIX Salmon & Chickpeas Small Breed Recipe
Just because your Pekingese has a sensitive tummy doesn’t mean they need to miss out on a delicious, wholesome meal. Wellness CORE Six is crafted with salmon as the first ingredient. Other beneficial ingredients include salmon meal, peas and chickpeas for the high-quality nutrition.
And it’s completely free of grains, chicken, potatoes, tapioca, dairy, soy and wheat, making this food perfect for sensitive pups.
Crafted with salmon as the first ingredient, this limited ingredient recipe is made with just 6 main ingredients. Another important thing to note, this kibble is budget friendly.
This company believes in the power of natural nutrition to enhance and extend the lives of pets. They do not make compromises when it comes to their ingredients or the quality of their products, and each product comes with the Wellness Promise.
Pros
Made with non-GMO ingredients
Encourage healthy skin and a lustrous coat
100% free of grains, wheat, soy, dairy, tapioca, potatoes and chicken
Made without artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
Cons
Contains Peas & Pea protein (may trigger allergies)
May not be a hit among finicky eaters
Best Pekingese Puppy Food
Puppies change a lot in a few months. A growing puppy needs guaranteed levels of calcium and phosphorus for healthy bones plus DHA for healthy brain development. Puppies shouldn’t gain weight too quickly even in small breeds because any excess weight only causes problems later.
Merrick’s Lil’ Plates is formulated especially for small breed puppies that may have trouble chewing standard sized kibble. It uses a grain-free formula with whole, deboned chicken and sweet potato for the perfect balance of protein and carbohydrates. It contains guaranteed calcium and phosphorus levels for healthy bones and DHA for brain development.
Merrick is a Texas-based company that uses only locally sourced ingredients for their premium kibbles. They test each recipe thoroughly using expert advice from trusted pet experts and use no cheap fillers or artificial flavors that can cause reactions.
Pros
Probiotic and prebiotics help with digestion
Small breed specific kibble
Supplements for bone and brain health
Cons
Kibble may still be too hard for smaller Pekingese puppies
Nulo Freestyle Turkey and Lentils is formulated for the needs of small breed puppies. It’s low glycemic, blending quality proteins with slow release carbs for all-day energy. The can sizes are smaller, making storage a lot easier, and with guaranteed calcium and phosphorus plus DHA, your growing puppy has all the building blocks for better health.
This canned recipe comes in smaller portions, perfect for your tiny pooch! Made from real turkey, sweet potatoes and lentils this wet food is nutrient-dense.
Nulo provides wholesome nutrition for families dedicated to providing the best for their dogs. Each recipe is carefully crafted according to recommendations from trusted pet experts, and all ingredients are sourced from trusted suppliers.
Pros
Easy for small breed puppies to chew
Low glycemic and grain free
Small can sizes
Cons
Strong smell
Messy
Best Dog Food for Senior Pekingese
Seniors will need similar nutrition as they did when they were younger, but it may be time for a weight management formula if your Pekingese has become less active. Pekingese with teeth problems could also benefit from wet food to make chewing and digestion easier.
9. Now Fresh Small Breed Senior Weight Management Recipe
Now Fresh’s weight control formula is formulated for small breed seniors who need some help maintaining a healthy weight. It’s grain free and uses only whole proteins with complex carbohydrates to provide all-day energy without empty calories. Glucosamine and chondroitin support aging joints while essential fatty acids help keep skin happy and the brain healthy.
Formulated for small breed seniors, designed to help them maintain healthy weight. With protein sources from novel meats: turkey, duck and salmon plus 20+ natural superfoods, this kibble will keep your mature pet in tip top shape.
Now Fresh uses premium ingredients to create formulas that can support lifelong health and wellbeing. Each ingredient is explicitly chosen based on expert recommendations, and the company proudly uses either locally sourced ingredients or those carefully vetted from trusted suppliers.
Nutro’s wet food is an excellent alternative to kibble for senior dogs who can’t chew very well. It contains good moisture and fiber plus quality, lean proteins from chicken, lamb, and whitefish. Glucosamine and chondroitin plus essential fatty acids help support joints, brain health, and skin health.
An excellent alternative to kibble for pets who can’t chew very well. It is crafted from trio of proteins: lamb, chicken and whitefish along with a precise blend of superfoods making this a wag worthy meal.
Nutro’s foods are carefully crafted to satisfy what your dog needs to stay healthy and allergy free. The company uses premium ingredients with no cheap fillers, artificial flavors, or artificial colors and thoroughly tests each recipe to ensure it performs up to standards.
Pros
Easy for seniors to chew
Joint, skin, and brain support
Satisfies most picky seniors
Easy open cans
Cons
Can become messy
Strong odor
3 Common Pekingese Health Issues a Good Food Can Help With
Pekingese are generally pretty healthy, but they do have a few things you should watch out for as your Pekingese matures and then ages. Let’s take a look.
Patellar Luxation – Smaller dogs often have trouble with their kneecaps popping out of place due to a genetic abnormality that alters the natural alignment of the joint. The condition often happens with excessive exercise or if your Pekingese gains weight.
It becomes an issue with mobility, so foods that have quality proteins can help keep muscle tone strong to support those joints, plus supplements like glucosamine to help strengthen the joint itself.
Brachycephalic Syndrome – Some breeds with shortened faces have a lot of breathing issues. It’s essential to maintain your Pekingese’s weight to prevent those breathing issues from becoming more serious. Some dogs will have to have treatments to help keep the airway clear, but for many, strict weight management can create the best situation for companion’s breathing.
Skin Issues – With all the hair and folds in the skin, some Pekingese can have issues with the skin. Foods with plenty of fatty acids can help keep the skin soft and supple. Also, quality proteins help keep the coat healthy and shiny.
Probiotics can keep digestion regular, which can help with some inflammation as well. Cheap fillers can cause issues with food allergies and could have detrimental effects on the quality of the skin.
What to Look For in a Quality Dog Food for Pekingese
Protein should be the first ingredient in any food that you choose but not just any protein. You need to check that protein comes from whole sources that are clearly labeled. Ingredients like whole deboned chicken or salmon offer lean protein sources that keep your Pekingese in great shape.
Fruits and veggies offer vitamins and antioxidants that support your Pekingese’s health and digestion. Other supplements could also be beneficial including essential fatty acids, which can help with skin health and glucosamine and chondroitin, which support joints.
Your Pekingese isn’t going to eat a lot of food daily, so the proper balance of protein and carbohydrates can help keep up energy levels without having extra calories. Those complete proteins combined with slow release, complex carbs prevent blood sugar spikes and offer good fiber for weight control.
If your Pekingese has issues with food allergies, it can be helpful to switch to a limited ingredient diet. These use a single protein source plus a few ingredients to help alleviate allergies and return digestion to normal.
Ingredients to Avoid in Your Pekingese’s Dog Food
Cheap fillers can cause a lot of allergies, and they offer absolutely no nutritional value whatsoever. Many companies use them to bring down the cost of the food, but in the long run, you’ll end up paying more for vet bills.
Proteins from unlabeled sources or by-product meals are not quality sources of protein and should not be in the ingredients list. Also, artificial flavors only encourage your Pekingese to overeat or to eat too fast. Artificial colors just convince you that food is healthier than it actually is. All of these types of foods are not good for your Pekingese.
Some pet owners are switching to grain and gluten-free foods, but a worrying condition called Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy has been recently linked with a diet heavy in potatoes, peas, and legumes. Talk to your vet about avoiding these foods entirely or at least foods with those listed in the first two or three ingredients.
Brands To Avoid
We know that some foods are bargain choices, but they don’t offer much in the way of nutrition. You might save money in the short term, but you’ll end up with more vet visits in the long run if your food can’t support your dog’s health.
Kibbles N Bits: There’s a healthy dog on the bag, but this food uses everything on the list we said to avoid. It’s not going to support your Pekingese’s health at all, so don’t fall for the bargain.
Pedigree: This might be another classic option, but it also isn’t going to support health or wellbeing. It’s affordable, but that’s about it. It uses corn and soy as cheap fillers, plus by-product meals for protein sources.
Alpo: Both the wet and dry options have been recalled multiple times, and the recipe uses a lot of cheap fillers. The protein sources aren’t always clearly labeled, either. It might be affordable, but it’s just a bad decision overall.
Pekingese Feeding Chart
The average adult Pekingese is between six and 14 pounds total, so yours isn’t going to need much food to maintain a healthy weight. Check with your vet for individualized recommendations, but here’s a bit of what to expect.
Puppies: Your vet will probably change recommendations a few different times throughout your puppy’s maturation. Make sure that you follow your vet’s prescribed diet to build good health from the beginning.
Adults: Adult Pekingese won’t get much food throughout the day. Most will receive only about a cup of food divided up over several meals to help keep energy up, but check portion sizes on your chosen food.
Senior: Seniors will have similar nutritional guidelines as younger dogs, but you may alter portion sizes a bit if your Pekingese has become overweight or inactive. Senior weight control formulas can be a great help here.
Final Thoughts
Your Pekingese is an elegant companion who can live a long time with proper nutrition. Maintain joint health and keeping the skin and coat happy depends on a quality diet without common fillers used in bargain foods.
Investing in your Pekingese diet pays off in the long run when you’ve got a happy, active friend who doesn’t have to slow down due to weight issues or inflammation. Help your Pekingese stay healthy, and the two of you can get back to what you love whether that’s laying on the couch or heading outside.
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An individual with a profound affection for animals, who was brought up in an environment surrounded by dogs, cats, and chickens. A self-taught enthusiast in the realm of pet care. At present, the proud caretaker of two rescued felines and two lovely mixed-breed canines.
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