The 8 Best Dog Foods for Pekingese

The Pekingese are royal and elegant dogs, which originally accompanied Chinese imperial families. The AKC recognized Pekingese as a breed in 1906. In 1912, they grew in popularity after a Pekingese was one of the only three dogs to survive the sinking of the Titanic.

Pekingese are compact, stocky toy dogs known for their “lion’s mane” and wide rectangular heads. Pekes are confident and independent companions that are very loyal to their owners. Despite their small size, they are great watchdogs but are too small for roughhousing. When it comes to feeding the Pekingese, they need a quality small-breed formula rich in nutrition. The right amount of exercise and balanced nutrition is necessary to keep your Peke healthy.

After analyzing the available options and comparing ingredients, we have compiled a list of the best dog foods for your Pekingese.

The 8 Best Dog Foods for Pekingese

1. ORIJEN: Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Turkey, Chicken, Turkey Giblets (Liver, Heart, Gizzard), Quail, Whole Blue Whiting

Orijen is a premium pet food brand that uses a “Wholeprey approach” to include the most nutrient-dense and delicious parts of the prey. This recipe uses lean proteins from chicken, turkey, and fish for a high-protein meal that your Pekingese will love. Organ meats and bones supply a biologically appropriate source of nutrients such as glucosamine and chondroitin.

Along with fresh fish, this recipe also includes fish oil, so it is abundant in omega fatty acids, which keep your Peke’s coat healthy. Wholesome fruits and vegetables such as cranberries, pumpkin, and apples add vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for immune support. Coating the kibble is freeze-dried chicken and turkey for maximum flavor.

2. Taste of the Wild: Appalachian Valley Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Venison, Lamb Meal, Garbanzo Beans, Peas, Lentils

Taste of The Wild’s Appalachian Valley recipe contains premium proteins from venison and lamb. This grain-free kibble contains abundant protein and healthy fats, which are responsible for developing and maintaining lean muscles. This recipe is fortified further with the addition of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for immune health. Proprietary K9 strain probiotics are added after cooking to ensure gut health and boost immunity.

This kibble promotes easy digestion and a healthy heart and coat. It contains zero fillers and artificial additives to ensure the safety of your pet.

3. Blue Buffalo: Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley

Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection formula uses lean proteins from chicken and chicken meal. It is a delicious blend of chicken and brown rice, which provides carbohydrates and fiber. Additionally, barley and oatmeal also provide fiber for digestive health. Added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in this kibble provide your pet immune support. Wholesome fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes and blueberries make this a complete and balanced meal.

Additionally, this recipe also includes Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits, which are a carefully selected blend of nutrients proven to improve your pet’s overall health. This recipe boosts immunity, strengthens joints, and keeps your dog’s coat healthy.

4. Wellness: Small Breed Complete Health Adult Turkey & Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal, Salmon Meal, Oatmeal, Ground Brown Rice

This Complete Health recipe by Wellness is rich in protein from turkey, chicken, and salmon. The oatmeal and brown rice add fiber and carbohydrates to make this a balanced kibble. The carefully chosen ingredients in this recipe provide whole-body support to your Pekingese. Superfoods such as carrots, spinach, and blueberries in this recipe provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for immune health. Additionally, your pet gets a good dose of DHA and EPA from salmon oil, providing for a healthy brain, eyes, and coat.

This kibble will also keep your Peke’s bones and joints strong with the addition of glucosamine and chondroitin. It is free of any fillers, by-products, and artificial additives to ensure the safety of your pet.

5. Solid Gold: Wee Bit Bison & Brown Rice Recipe with Pearled Barley Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Bison, Ocean Fish Meal, Oatmeal, Peas, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)

This Wee Bit Bison and Brown Rice recipe by Solid Gold uses premium protein sources such as bison and ocean fish. It contains a good balance of protein, healthy fats, and grains to provide whole-body nutritional support. Made with twenty superfoods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, this kibble is a balanced and immunity-boosting meal for your Pekingese. The additional fish oil is a great source of omega fatty acids for the health of your pet’s brain, eyes, and coat.

Solid Gold believes gut health is linked to immunity and delivers 90 million probiotics per pound of kibble. This kibble also contains taurine, L-carnitine, and probiotics for complete health.

6. Nutro: Ultra Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Rice Bran

Nutro’s Ultra Small Breed recipe is a delicious blend of lean proteins, nutrient-laden superfoods, fiber-rich grains, and healthy fats. Chicken proteins promote the development and maintenance of lean muscles, while additional lamb and salmon make this kibble flavorful. Pumpkin, kale, and blueberries supply vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for immune health, and brown rice compliments the chicken flavor and is a healthy source of carbohydrates plus fiber for your pet.

Nutro’s Ultra recipes are tailor-made by a team of experts to meet your adult Peke’s nutritional needs. They are free of fillers and artificial additives to ensure safety and quality.

7. Natural Balance: L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Small Breed Bites Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Formula Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Cassava Flour, Potatoes

Natural Balance’s grain-free kibble is a balanced meal made with limited ingredients. It is suitable for an adult Pekingese with food-related allergies or sensitivities. The single protein source in this recipe is farm-raised chicken combined with sweet potatoes, which provide complex carbohydrates. This hearty kibble contains the right balance of nutrients and is the right size. The additional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants give an immune boost.

This kibble is made with the finest local ingredients and is free of fillers. Natural Balance uses the combined experience of a team of board-certified clinical veterinarians, animal nutritionists, research scientists, design engineers, and pet feeding analysts.

8. Nulo: Frontrunner Ancient Grains Turkey, Whitefish & Quinoa Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal, Oats, Barley, Brown Rice

Nulo’s Frontrunner recipe uses delicious protein sources like turkey, chicken, and whitefish for the picky Pekingese. The high protein content in this kibble is optimal for the development and maintenance of strong muscles. At the same time, healthy grains such as oats, brown rice, and quinoa encourage easy digestion by adding ample fiber to this recipe. The blueberries and apples add flavor as well as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for immune health.

This kibble is easy to digest due to prebiotic fiber and inulin. Additional taurine and omega fatty acids encourage the health of your pet’s eyes, brain, heart, and coat.

9. ACANA: Wholesome Grains Small Breed Recipe Gluten-Free Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Oat Groats, Whole Sorghum, Whole Millet

Acana’s gluten-free recipe uses the best local ingredients. It contains real chicken as the primary protein source, while catfish and turkey provide additional protein. Your Pekingese will find this kibble easy to digest since it is rich in fiber from quality grains like whole sorghum, millet, and oats. The meat organs in this recipe are naturally rich in nutrients such as taurine, L-carnitine, glucosamine, and chondroitin, which aid whole-body health.

This recipe also contains omega-rich fish oil for the health of your pet’s brain, eyes, and coat. The kibble has a freeze-dried chicken and turkey liver coating for a nutritional and flavor boost.

10. Diamond: Naturals Small Breed Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground White Rice, Chicken Fat, Cracked Pearled Barley

This recipe by Diamond is for a small-breed dog like your Pekingese with a great deal of protein (32%) from chicken to maintain lean muscles. Diamond’s recipes include carefully chosen superfoods and probiotics to support your pet’s overall health. The spinach, blueberries, and carrots in this recipe provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for immune health, while proprietary probiotics make it easy to digest.

Your pet gets a good dose of Omega-3 Fatty Acids from the salmon oil in this recipe for eye, brain, and coat health. Diamond’s kibble is filler-free and manufactured in state-of-the-art facilities with advanced food safety protocols.

11. Blue Buffalo: Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe with Red Meat Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Deboned Beef, Beef Meal, Peas, Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch

Blue Buffalo’s Rocky Mountain Recipe provides red meat for your pet Pekingese. This small-sized kibble is perfect for small jaws and can prevent tartar buildup. The inclusion of fish meal and eggs in this recipe provides extra protein and nutrients.

Although it contains many natural nutrient-rich ingredients, it still includes LifeSource bits, a carefully chosen blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Adding nutrients such as glucosamine, taurine, L-carnitine, and omega fatty acids ensures overall health. Your Pekingese will find this filler and grain-free kibble easily digestible because of added probiotics.

12. Whole Earth Farms: Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Canola Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat

This grain-free kibble by Whole Earth Farms supplies chicken and turkey for the maintenance of lean muscles. The chicken combined with low-glycemic peas and sweet potatoes provides carbohydrates for energy. The apples and carrots in this recipe enrich it with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for immune support.

This heart-shaped kibble is the perfect size for your Pekingese. The prebiotic fiber, probiotics, and taurine in this kibble promote overall health.

13. Crave: Chicken Pate Grain-Free Canned Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Chicken Heart, Pork Broth

This Crave recipe will satisfy your Peke’s instinctual cravings for a meat-rich diet. It is a biologically appropriate diet rich in protein from chicken and chicken organs. The meat is a pate texture, accompanied by a chicken and pork flavored broth to fulfill your pet’s hydration needs. Your Peke gets a good dose of DHA and EPA from the fish oil, which is responsible for the health of your dog’s brain, eyes, and coat.

Additionally, this recipe contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for immune health. This recipe is a simple but balanced meal, rich in protein and easy to digest since it has no wheat, corn, or soy.

14. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Small Bites Chicken, Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Cracked Pearled Barley

This kibble by Chicken Soup for The Soul delivers proteins from chicken, turkey, duck, and salmon for ample amino acids. The pearled barley and brown rice provide your pet fiber for digestive support. While carrots, blueberries, spinach, and cranberries fortify this recipe with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for immune health. This kibble is made with the best local ingredients to promote your pet’s overall well-being.

This kibble consists of simple and delicious ingredients that your Pekingese will love. The abundance of probiotics in this recipe makes it easily digestible for your pet.

15. Merrick: Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Senior Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes

Merrick’s Lil’ Plates Chicken and Sweet Potato recipe is a complete and balanced meal for a senior Pekingese. With real chicken as the first ingredient and additional protein from turkey, this kibble promotes lean and strong muscles. The peas and sweet potatoes in this recipe are a low-glycemic source of carbohydrates and fiber. Additionally, your senior Peke gets a good dose of Omega-3 and 6 Fatty Acids from flaxseed and salmon and sunflower oils, which aid brain, eye, and coat health.

This easily digestible kibble promotes overall health due to the addition of taurine, L-carnitine, vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and antioxidants.

16. Horizon: Amicus Small & Mini Breed Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Turkey, Chicken Meal, Red Lentils, Peas, Pea Starch

This Amicus Small and Mini Breed kibble by Horizon is a great option for your Pekingese. Made with lean proteins such as turkey, chicken, and salmon, this recipe promotes strong and healthy muscles. Additionally, it uses red lentils, rich in fiber and antioxidants for digestive and immune health. It provides fruits and vegetables like carrots, blueberries, and broccoli which make this a balanced meal.

Your pet gets enough omega fatty acids from additional salmon oil for nervous, optic, and skin health, while glucosamine and chondroitin promote strong joints.

17. Blackwood: Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Millet, Ground Grain Sorghum, Catfish Meal

The Blackwood Lamb Meal and Brown Rice recipe is suitable for Pekingese with skin and food-related sensitivities. This kibble contains protein from lamb and catfish, while healthy grains such as brown rice and sorghum provide fiber for digestive support. It is abundant in wholesome fruits and vegetables, supplying vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for immune health.

This slow-cooked kibble by Blackwood is a simple but hearty meal handcrafted in small batches to ensure quality and nutrition. It offers taurine, glucosamine, and omega fatty acids for overall wellness.

18. Lotus: Oven-Baked Small Bites Grain-Free Duck & Cassava Recipe Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Duck, Duck Meal, Peas, Cassava Flour, Potatoes

Lotus’ oven-baked kibble is a great option for your Pekingese due to its size and ingredients. This recipe uses real duck as the first ingredient, providing ample amino acids for strong muscles. Additionally, peas and potatoes in this grain-free recipe provide carbohydrates for energy. This recipe furnishes wholesome fruits and vegetables such as pumpkin, blueberries, and carrots, providing immune support.

The additional salmon and olive oils in this kibble are great Omega-3 and 6 Fatty Acids sources for healthy eyes, brain, and coat. Made with simple ingredients and minimally processed, your Peke will love this delicious and nutritious meal.

19. Farmina: Natural & Delicious Chicken Grain-Free Mini Breed Formula Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Dehydrated Chicken, Potatoes, Chicken Fat, Dehydrated Egg Product

Farmina’s Natural and Delicious recipe is made with 70% chicken and herring to provide ample protein to your Pekingese. This low-glycemic-index, grain-free kibble is great for pets that need to watch their weight. Additionally, many wholesome vegetables such as spinach, alfalfa, and carrots provide vitamins and minerals. Antioxidant-rich pomegranate and berries boost your pet’s immune health and add flavor.

This recipe includes taurine, L-carnitine, and omega fatty acids for overall health and wellness. There are no by-products or artificial additives in this grain-free kibble.

20. Earthborn Holistic: Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Top Ingredients: Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, Dried Egg, Tapioca, Canola Oil

This small-breed recipe by Earthborn Holistic contains a variety of proteins from turkey, eggs, and fish. It includes brown rice and pearled barley which provides energy and fiber for digestive support. This kibble offers balanced nutrition for your pet since it is abundant in wholesome fruits and vegetables that deliver vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for immune health. It is a balanced diet which can also be a good option for a Peke struggling to maintain a healthy weight.

This dry food is just the right size and contains taurine, L-carnitine, omega fatty acids, and probiotics to provide whole-body nutritional support.

Buyer’s Guide

When it comes to buying food for your pet, there are many things that one needs to consider. While options are abundant, it can be difficult to figure out which is the right one for your Pekingese. Luckily, since there are many sources of information, it is easier for pet parents to learn about the best kind of nutrition for their pets.

When it comes to Pekingese, they need a high-quality small-breed formula. Due to their small size, they have specific nutritional needs and burn through calories much faster than a larger dog. When looking for small-breed dog food for your Peke, keep the following needs in mind:

1. Caloric Needs

Since Pekingese are small dogs, they need more calories per pound. They also burn through calories faster, so a nutrient-dense food that provides enough calories is ideal. Pekingese weigh 8 to 10 pounds as adults, so they need anywhere from 300 to 400 calories per day, depending on their activity level.

The healthiest calories for your pet come from a biologically appropriate diet rich in protein and healthy fats. Avoid food that contains an excess of starchy fillers as these can cause your Peke to gain weight.

2. Nutritional Needs

You should also consider the role the ingredients play in your dog’s food. In general, all dogs require a diet that includes protein, fats, and fiber.

The preferred composition includes real meat as the first ingredient, wholesome fruits and vegetables, whole, healthy grains, and supplements. The best option is dog food with natural non-GMO ingredients and no vague listings (e.g., “meat meal”).

What You Should Avoid

If you see any of the following in the ingredient list, you should be wary of making a purchase:

• Wheat
• Corn
• Soy
• Soybean Meal
• Corn Gluten Meal
• Corn Syrup
• Meat By-Products
• Artificial color
• BHA
• BHT
• Carrageenan
• Unnamed Ingredients (for example, “meat meal”)
• Ethoxyquin

Although these ingredients are not toxic, some can produce allergies, digestive upset, and various health issues in dogs. With prolonged use, they can cause problems as severe as diabetes and cancer.

If your Pekingese suffers from food-related allergies or sensitivities, you should steer clear of these ingredients.

What You Should Look For

The following nutrients are necessary and play many vital roles for your pet. Although a healthy and balanced diet will provide these nutrients, additional supplements are still needed to ensure complete health.

They are especially important for seniors since their production slows down with age. It is also likely your dog might be deficient in one or two of these nutrients. At a minimum, you should ensure your pet’s food includes the first three to four ingredients.

The following recommended ingredients should provide balanced nutrition:

• Added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
• Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids
• Probiotics
• Taurine
• Chondroitin
• Glucosamine
• L-Carnitine

These nutrients play many roles and are essential for your dog’s health. They encourage the health of vital organs such as the heart and stomach. They maintain strong bones, promote fat metabolism, boost immunity, and keep your pet’s coat healthy. A puppy or senior Pekingese should eat a diet including these nutrients because they are essential for development and maintenance.

3. Health-Related Concerns and Needs

The Pekingese, like any other breed, is prone to certain health conditions as well. Some of these health issues are genetic, while others are preventable with a healthy diet and enough exercise. Certain nutrients can considerably reduce the chances of your pet becoming ill. They can also ensure that a sick pet does not suffer severely from the disease.

The health issues that Pekingese usually suffer from include:

1. Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is common in dogs with long backs and short legs, like your Pekingese. In this condition, the jelly-like cushion between the vertebrae slips or ruptures, causing the disc to put pressure on the spinal cord. It has the following symptoms:

• Paralysis
• Abnormal walking
• Unwillingness to jump
• Pain and weakness in rear legs (lameness)
• Crying and whining in pain
• Anxious behavior
• Hunched back or neck with tense muscles
• Reduced appetite and activity level

If your Pekingese is suffering from IVDD, it could either be genetic or due to obesity. In either case, a diet rich in the following nutrients can help you manage their symptoms:

• Glucosamine
• Chondroitin
• L-carnitine

2. Heart Problems

Heart failure is a leading cause of death among Pekingese. Most heart diseases in dogs occur due to the weakening of a valve. The valve can become deformed, leading to blood leakage and strain on the heart’s muscles. This disease is often called Mitral Valve Disease and causes heart murmurs. The symptoms include:

• Lethargy
• Fainting
• Collapsing
• Coughing
• Gagging
• Trouble breathing
• Exercise intolerance
• Reduced appetite

If your Pekingese is at risk for developing heart problems, feed them a diet rich in the following nutrients:

• Taurine
• L-carnitine
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids

3. Eye Problems

The Pekingese breed is susceptible to eye problems such as glaucoma, Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS), and cataracts. To prevent these illnesses for your Pekingese and help him manage symptoms, include the following nutrients in his diet:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• DHA
• EPA
• Lutein
• Beta-Carotene

4. Bone and Joint Issues

Like many small-breed dogs, your Pekingese is susceptible to developing musculoskeletal issues such as Patellar Luxation and Hip Dysplasia. These issues are genetic and show up during the puppy years.

To prevent your puppy from developing these issues, you should ensure they get enough exercise and feed a diet rich in the following nutrients:

• Chondroitin
• Glucosamine
• Vitamin D
• Calcium
• Phosphorus
• Vitamin E

5. Brachycephalic Syndrome

Breeds with shortened noses like the Pekingese can suffer from breathing issues. It’s important to ensure your Pekingese maintains a healthy weight to prevent these issues from becoming worse. If your Pekingese is suffering from breathing issues due to their weight, consider feeding them a diet with the following nutrients:

• L-carnitine
• Omega Fatty Acids

FAQs

Should I feed my Pekingese a grain-free diet?

There is no need to feed your Pekingese a grain-free diet unless they have an allergy or sensitivity to grains.

As long as your pet’s food contains whole, healthy grains and not wheat, corn, or soy, you can feed them a grain-inclusive diet. Whole, healthy grains such as brown rice, pearled barley, millet, sorghum, and quinoa are a great source of fiber and antioxidants.

Are Pekingese dogs fussy eaters?

Pekingese are royal dogs with refined palates. They can be picky eaters, so you should be ready to go through a trial-and-error process to find a food they enjoy.

How often should I feed an adult Pekingese?

You should feed an adult Pekingese three times a day. Due to their small stomachs, you should not give Pekingeses too much food in one meal as this can lead to digestive issues. Break up your Peke’s daily caloric intake into two to three meals to prevent overfeeding.