Best Dog Food For Pekingese: The Ultimate Guide to a Tail-Wagging Meal!

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.

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.

Why Quality Food Matters

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.

 

1. Ollie Fresh Turkey with Blueberries

First 5 ingredients: Turkey, Kale, Lentils, Carrots, Turkey Liver

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.

This is a nutritious and delicious meal, crafted with real, premium turkey as the main protein source. This recipe is enriched with antioxidant-packed blueberries, fresh veggies, and wholesome ingredients to support your dog’s overall health.

Free from fillers, artificial preservatives, and by-products, it's designed to provide a balanced diet that’s both tasty and nourishing, perfect for keeping your dog happy, healthy, and energized!

It’s excellent for Pekingese dogs that have dental issues because the meals are easy to chew and digest.

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2. Full Moon Freshly Crafted Homestead Turkey Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Liver, Turkey Bone Broth, Spinach, Sweet Potato

This is a premium meal designed to deliver the fresh, wholesome nutrition your dog deserves. Made with real homestead-raised turkey as the first ingredient, this recipe provides a high-quality protein source to support strong muscles and overall vitality.

The grain-free formula is ideal for dogs with sensitivities, replacing grains with nutrient-dense, farm-fresh vegetables like carrots and peas to provide natural vitamins, minerals, and fiber for optimal digestion.

This frozen dog food is carefully prepared in small batches to preserve the natural flavors and nutrients of its ingredients, ensuring a delicious and nourishing meal with every bite.

Rich in omega fatty acids, the turkey and added sunflower oil promote healthy skin and a shiny coat. With no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or fillers, Full Moon offers a clean, natural diet that prioritizes your dog’s health.

Conveniently frozen to lock in freshness, this meal is perfect for pet parents looking for a homemade touch in their dog's food.

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3. Freshpet Vital Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Small Breed 

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Pea Protein

This meal is designed to give your small dog a wholesome, nutritious meal. Made with fresh, real chicken as the primary ingredient, this grain-free recipe is perfect for dogs with sensitivities to grains.

Packed with fiber-rich spinach and antioxidant-rich cranberries, it supports healthy digestion and boosts overall vitality.

This fresh, gently-cooked formula is free from preservatives, fillers, and artificial ingredients, offering a balanced, protein-rich meal that keeps your small breed dog happy, healthy, and full of energy!

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4. Nulo Freestyle Limited+ Turkey Small Breed Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chickpeas, Canola Oil, Sweet Potatoes

This dry dog food is a limited ingredient recipe made specifically for small breed dogs with sensitive stomachs and food sensitivities.

Made with a single animal protein source—real deboned turkey—and completely free of grains, this recipe promotes easy digestion and helps maintain a healthy weight.

Its low-carb, high-protein formula is enriched with probiotics to support gut health, while providing essential nutrients for muscle development and overall vitality.

It also contains fatty acids for coat health and glucosamine for joint support. With no artificial additives, wheat, or soy, it offers a clean, nutritious meal that your small breed dog will love!

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5. Instinct Frozen Raw Bites Grain-Free Wild-Caught Alaskan Pollock Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Pollock, Beef Kidney, Beef Spleen, Beef Liver, Beef Heart

This unique product offers a wholesome, nutrient-dense meal that aligns with your dog’s natural diet.

Crafted with real, wild-caught Alaskan pollock as the primary ingredient, this recipe provides a high-quality, lean protein source rich in omega-3 fatty acids, promoting a healthy coat, supple skin, and strong muscles.

The inclusion of non-GMO vegetables and fruits, like carrots and blueberries, adds essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for overall health and vitality. This grain-free formula is perfect for dogs with grain sensitivities, ensuring easy digestion and a balanced diet.

The small, bite-sized pieces are specifically designed to cater to small breed dogs, making it easy for them to chew and enjoy. These raw bites are minimally processed and never cooked, preserving the natural nutrients and flavor of the ingredients.

Free from artificial flavouring and preservatives, this recipe ensures a clean and pure meal for your furry companion. Conveniently frozen to lock in freshness, it provides the closest thing to a raw, ancestral diet, offering unmatched nutrition and taste tailored for small breed dogs.

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6. The Pets Table Human-Grade Chicken Casserole

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chickpeas, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Green Beans

Just because your Pekingese has a sensitive tummy doesn’t mean they need to miss out on a delicious, wholesome meal.

This formula is thoughtfully designed for small dogs with food sensitivities (it is grain-free). Boasting high-quality, human-grade ingredients, this recipe features tender chicken as the primary protein source, supporting strong muscles and overall vitality.

The wholesome casserole is complemented by a medley of fresh vegetables like carrots, peas, and sweet potatoes, delivering essential vitamins, minerals and fiber to promote healthy digestion and immune function.

This premium dog food is gently cooked and then frozen to lock in natural flavors and nutrients, ensuring a fresh and satisfying meal in every bite.

Ideal for dogs of all breeds and sizes, this grain-free recipe caters to pups with sensitivities, while the carefully balanced formula helps maintain healthy weight, energy levels, and a glossy coat.

With this meal, your furry companion will enjoy a wholesome meal that’s as nourishing as it is delicious.

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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.

7. Merrick Lil' Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Puppy

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Sweet Potatoes

Merrick’s Lil’ Plates is formulated especially for small breed puppies that may have trouble chewing standard sized kibble.

This kibble is specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of small breed puppies. Made with real deboned chicken as the first ingredient, this grain-free recipe supports healthy growth and muscle development.

Sweet potatoes and other wholesome ingredients provide easily digestible carbohydrates for energy, while DHA helps promote brain development.

Packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and probiotics, this recipe supports digestion and overall well-being without any grains, gluten, or artificial additives. It’s the perfect choice to help your puppy grow up strong, healthy, and happy!

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8. Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Lentils Small Breed & Puppy Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Broth, Turkey Liver, Lentils, Dicalcium Phosphate

Nulo Freestyle Turkey and Lentils is expertly crafted to support the unique nutritional needs of small breed dogs and growing puppies.

Featuring real turkey as the primary protein source, this recipe is rich in essential amino acids for muscle development and overall health. With lentils providing fiber and a healthy source of carbohydrates, this grain-free formula promotes digestion and sustained energy levels.

Enriched with probiotics for gut health and omega fatty acids for a shiny coat, it ensures your pup gets a balanced, delicious meal without any fillers, grains, or artificial ingredients.

It’s also 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.

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Best Food for Seniors

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

First 5 ingredients: De-boned Turkey, Whole Dried Egg, Potatoes, Potato Flour, Peas

Now Fresh’s weight control formula is formulated for small breed seniors who need some help maintaining a healthy weight.

Made with fresh turkey, salmon, and duck, this recipe provides high-quality protein to maintain lean muscle mass while promoting healthy weight management.

Packed with a blend of fruits, vegetables, and omega fatty acids, it supports heart health, boosts immunity, and maintains a shiny coat.

It only uses 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.

This grain-free formula is free from artificial preservatives, colors, and fillers, ensuring your senior dog gets a wholesome, delicious meal that keeps them happy, healthy, and active in their golden years!

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10. Nutro Ultra Grain-Free Trio Protein Chicken, Lamb & Whitefish Pate

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Spinach, Tomatoes

Nutro’s wet food is an excellent alternative to kibble for senior dogs who can’t chew very well.

This premium pâté features a trio of high-quality proteins—real chicken, tender lamb, and nutritious whitefish—ensuring a delicious and satisfying meal. Packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from a blend of superfoods, it supports your dog’s overall health and vitality.

It contains good moisture and fiber plus quality, lean proteins. Glucosamine and chondroitin along with essential fatty acids help support joints, brain health, and skin health.

Grain-free and made without artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors, this pâté is perfect for dogs with sensitivities, offering a wholesome and tasty option that keeps them healthy and happy.

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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

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

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.