Best Dog Food for Pekingese : 15 Healthy Recipes Reviewed by Budget, Diet and Life Stage

The Pekingese is also known as the Lion Dog and, if you’ve ever seen one of these dogs, it isn’t difficult to tell how it got the name.

Pekingese dogs are a toy breed that weighs less than 14 pounds at maturity but looks much larger due to their long, thick coats.

As a toy breed, the Pekingese has a very long lifespan between 14 and 18 years.

To ensure that your dog reaches his maximum lifespan, however, you need to feed him a high-quality diet that provides for his nutritional needs. He requires plenty of animal protein to support lean muscle mass with healthy fats for energy and to support his skin and coat.

Keep reading to learn more about your Pekingese’s dietary requirements and to see our top 15 picks for the 2023 best dog food for Pekingese.

Here’s what you’ll need to know

What is the Best Food for Pekingese Dogs?

Understanding a Pekingese’s Diet Requirements

All dogs need a balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrate in their diet to ensure complete and balanced nutrition. Protein provides the building blocks for healthy muscles and it is particularly important for your Pekingese to help him maintain lean muscle mass through his adult life into seniority. Protein should come from animal-based sources like meat, poultry, and fish to ensure bioavailability. Fat should also come from animal sources, so your dog can metabolize it properly and to use it as a concentrated form of energy.

Dogs do not have specific requirements in terms of a certain amount of carbohydrate in their diet, it just matters that they come from high-quality digestible sources. Fresh fruits and vegetables (in limited amounts) can also be a beneficial add-on to your dog’s food because they provide fiber as well as a natural source for vitamins and minerals. For fiber content, try to keep it between 3% and 5% because too little or too much fiber can interfere with healthy digestion.

• Puppy Pekingese Diet – In terms of his minimal nutritional needs, your Pekingese puppy needs a minimum of 22% protein and 8% fat in his diet. The best way to meet those needs is with a high-quality small-breed puppy recipe made with natural and digestible ingredients.
• Adult Pekingese Diet – As an adult, your Pekingese needs a minimum of 18% protein and 5% fat. More protein is better for lean muscle mass but watch the fat content because the higher the fat, the higher the calories and the higher the risk for obesity.
• Senior Pekingese Diet – When your Pekingese becomes a senior around 8 to 10 years, you might need to switch him to a small-breed senior recipe to prevent weight gain.

In addition to protein, fat, and carbohydrate you should also look for beneficial supplements in your dog’s food. Chelated minerals are bound to protein molecules which makes them easier for your dog’s body to utilize. Prebiotic fibers support healthy gut flora and probiotics encourage regular digestion. Glucosamine and chondroitin are joint-supporting nutrients and DHA is good for brain development.

Special Dietary Considerations for Pekingese

As an ancient breed, the Pekingese has a fairly low risk for inherited health problems. Unfortunately, there is a long list of other health problems to which the breed may be prone. These include eye problems, joint problems, and problems related to their small size and compressed facial structure.

Here is a quick list of the health problems to which the Pekingese may be prone:

• Brachycephalic Syndrome
• Cataracts
• Cryptorchidism
• Distichiasis
• Ectropion/Entropion
• Fold Dermatitis
• Mitral Valve Disease
• Patellar Luxation
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Intervertebral Disc Disease

Now, let’s take a closer look at some of these health problems.

Perhaps the biggest health problem known to affect the Pekingese breed is brachycephalic syndrome. Technically not a disease but a group of anatomical abnormalities, brachycephalic syndrome includes problems such as cleft palate, narrowed nostrils, collapsed trachea, and other problems affecting the airway. These dogs have a lower tolerance for exercise and heat due to their shortened facial structure and being overweight or obese increases the risks associated with this condition.

In terms of eye problems, the Pekingese has several. A cataract is an opacity that forms in the lens of the eye, causing a partial or total obstruction of vision. Distichiasis happens when abnormal lashes grow on the oil gland in the eye, creating irritation. Entropion is when the eyelid rolls inward, causing irritation to the eye, and ectropion is when it rolls outward. Progressive retinal atrophy is a progressive disease that can lead to total vision loss over time.

The Pekingese is also prone to several musculoskeletal issues including patellar luxation and intervertebral disc disease. Patellar luxation is a condition in which the kneecap slips in and out of place, causing irritation and eventual damage to the joint. Intervertebral disc disease is common in small dogs and occurs when the discs cushioning the spinal column protrude, causing compression that can lead to pain, weakness, and even paralysis.

In terms of dietary restrictions, the Pekingese is no more prone to food allergies than any other breed. It is, however, very important to maintain a healthy body weight for this breed due to the risks associated with brachycephalic syndrome and his musculoskeletal issues.

Pekingese Feeding Chart

The amount you feed your Pekingese will depend on his age, body weight, and activity level. Puppies will eat more than adults because they need extra energy to fuel their growth and development while senior dogs may need a little less as their metabolisms slow down. Generally speaking, however, your Pekingese will eat somewhere between ½ and 1 cup of high-quality dog food per day.

In terms of how often to feed your dog, that too depends on his age and activity level. Small-breed puppies generally do best on four small meals per day, so they have enough fuel for their fast metabolisms. As an adult, your Pekingese still has a fast metabolism, but he can get by with 3 meals per day. Senior Pekingese may still do well with three meals if you reduce their size or the caloric content of his food. If your dog is very inactive or already overweight, however, two meals a day may be better.

The Best Dog Food for Pekingese: Our Top 14 Picks for 2023

Now that you have a better understanding of your Pekingese’s nutritional needs, you’re ready to start shopping around for dog food. Remember, the best dog food for Pekingese will be rich in animal proteins and fats with digestible carbohydrates and beneficial supplements for bone, joint, and digestive support. Here are our top 15 picks:

Rank	Dog Food	Price	Rating
Overall Best	Solid Gold Mighty Mini Weight Control Salmon, Lentil & Green Bean Small & Toy Breed Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.11/lb	A+
Most Popular	Taste Of The Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$1.69/lb	A+
Super Premium	Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Small Breed Original Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$3.88/lb	A+
Allergies	CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Sea With Salmon Limited Ingredient Diet Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.57/lb	A
Sensitive Stomachs	Go! Sensitivity + Shine LID Grain-Free Turkey Small Breed Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.63/lb	A

Solid Gold Mighty Mini Weight Control Salmon, Lentil & Green Bean Small & Toy Breed Recipe

Overall Best Food for Pekingese: For all-natural, high-quality nutrition specifically designed for toy and small breeds like your Pekingese, try this Solid Gold Mighty Mini Weight Control Salmon, Lentil & Green Bean Small & Toy Breed Recipe. This formula is grain-free to ensure digestibility and it is rich in protein with moderate fat content to help your dog maintain a healthy body weight. It features salmon and ocean fish meal as the main ingredients which provide protein as well as omega fatty acids with plenty of prebiotic fibers and probiotics for digestive support.

• Pros: High-quality natural ingredients, grain-free for digestibility, rich in protein with moderate fat, prebiotics and probiotics, balance of omega fatty acids, chelated minerals
• Cons: May be too low in fat for active dogs, contains some plant protein (pea protein)

Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe

Most Popular Food: Your Pekingese deserves a high-quality diet so, if you’re not sure what to get him, try a popular option like this Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe. This formula is protein-rich and grain-free which means that it is highly digestible as well as being formulated to meet your dog’s needs for animal protein. It contains 32% protein and 18% fat, inclusive of a blend of omega fatty acids. This recipe features venison as the main ingredient with supplemental proteins like lamb, duck, and ocean fish. It is also supplemented with antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies as well as chelated minerals and dried fermentation products for probiotic support.

• Pros: High-quality natural ingredients, rich in protein and healthy fats, highly digestible, grain-free carbohydrates, several animal proteins, chelated minerals, probiotics
• Cons: Contains some plant protein (pea protein), first source of fat is plant-based (canola oil)

Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Small Breed Freeze-Dried Turkey Recipe

Super Premium Food: For premium-quality nutrition formulated specifically for small breeds, it is hard to do better than this Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Small Breed Freeze-Dried Turkey Recipe. This formula features high-protein kibble mixed with freeze-dried raw pieces, so your Pekingese gets the nutritional benefits of raw food with the dental benefits of dry food. Deboned turkey is the first ingredient, supplemented with turkey meal and chicken meal. Overall, it provides 38% protein and 15% fat which is an ideal ratio for maintaining lean muscle mass and fueling your dog’s fast metabolism.

• Pros: High-protein kibble and freeze-dried raw pieces, deboned turkey as first ingredient, digestible grain-free carbohydrates, 38% protein and 15% fat, fresh fruits and vegetables
• Cons: Very expensive to feed as a staple diet, some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients

CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Sea with Salmon Limited Ingredient Diet

Best Food for Pekingese with Allergies: If your Pekingese suffers from food allergies, try a limited ingredient diet made with a single source of animal protein like this Canidae Grain-Free PURE Sea Small Breed Limited Ingredient Salmon Formula. This recipe contains just 8 main ingredients with real salmon as the only animal protein. It is rich in omega fatty acids for energy as well as healthy skin and coat, plus beneficial supplements like chelated minerals and probiotics. All in all, it provides 24% protein and 13.5% fat.

• Pros: Limited number of main ingredients, single source of animal protein, real salmon as first ingredient, digestible grain-free carbohydrates, rich in omega fatty acids
• Cons: Main source of fat is plant-based (canola oil)

Go! Sensitivity + Shine LID Grain-Free Turkey Small Breed Recipe

Best Food for Pekingese with Sensitive Stomachs: For dogs with sensitive stomachs, digestibility is key, and this Go! Sensitivity + Shine LID Grain-Free Turkey Small Breed Recipe is a great choice. Not only is it made with a limited number of ingredients to reduce sensitivities, but it is all-natural and free from artificial additives. It features real turkey as the main ingredient with digestible grain-free carbohydrates and chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption. It is also rich in healthy fats for skin and coat support.

• Pros: Limited number of main ingredients, highly digestible, single source of animal protein, all-natural ingredients, grain-free carbohydrates, chelated minerals, 26% protein and 14% fat
• Cons: Main source of fat is plant-based (canola oil), very expensive to feed everyday

3 more Top Rated (5 Star) Pekingese Adult Foods

Rank	Dog Food	Price	Rating
Adult Food	Halo Holistic Game Bird Medley Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$4.84/lb	A+
Adult Food	AvoDerm Natural Grain-Free Revolving Menu Small-Breed Adult Lamb Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$3.63/lb	A
Adult Food	Castor & Pollux Organix Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe Dry Food Buy Online Customer Reviews	$4.49/lb	A-

Halo Holistic Game Bird Medley Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe

Another great option for an adult Pekingese food is this Halo Holistic Game Bird Medley Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe. Formulated for small breeds, this recipe features turkey as the main ingredient with duck for supplemental protein. It is naturally grain-free for digestibility and contains chelated minerals for nutritional balance. It is also supplemented with probiotics and prebiotics for healthy digestion.

AvoDerm Natural Grain-Free Revolving Menu Small-Breed Adult Lamb Recipe

This AvoDerm Natural Grain-Free Revolving Menu Small-Breed Adult Lamb Recipe is a unique product because it features the healthy fats found in avocado in addition to other omega oils. It also contains lamb and lamb meal as the top two ingredients with digestible whole-grain carbohydrates and nutrient-rich chicken fat. It offers 23% protein and 13% fat to help your dog maintain lean muscle mass.

Castor & Pollux Organix Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe Dry Food

Made with fresh, organic ingredients this Castor & Pollux Organix Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe Dry Food is high-quality and highly digestible. It features free-range chicken as the main ingredient with grain-free carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and peas. It is supplemented with prebiotic fiber and probiotics for healthy digestion as well as fresh berries for nutritional balance.

3 More Top Rated (5 Star) Pekingese Puppy Foods

Rank	Dog Food	Price	Rating
Puppy Food	Holistic Select Small & Mini Breed Puppy Anchovy, Sardine, & Chicken Meal Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$4.74/lb	A+
Puppy Food	Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy Deboned Turkey Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.63/lb	A
Puppy Food	Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Puppy Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$1.58/lb	A

Holistic Select Small & Mini Breed Puppy Anchovy, Sardine, & Chicken Meal Recipe

If you want to start your Pekingese puppy off right, a holistic recipe like this Holistic Select Small & Mini Breed Puppy Anchovy, Sardine, & Chicken Meal Recipe is a good choice. Made with only the finest natural ingredients, this recipe features anchovy and sardine meal as the main ingredient with chicken meal for supplemental protein. It is high in protein and rich in fat to support growth and development.

Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy Deboned Turkey Recipe

Formulated specifically for small-breed puppies, this Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy Deboned Turkey Recipe offers high-quality nutrition and excellent digestibility. It contains premium animal proteins like deboned turkey and chicken meal with whole-grain carbohydrates and nutrient-rich chicken fat. It also contains probiotics and chelated minerals.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Puppy Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe

For a high-quality diet designed to nourish your small-breed puppy into adulthood, try this Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Puppy Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe. This recipe features deboned lamb as the main ingredient with menhaden fish meal for additional protein and omega fatty acids. It also contains whole grains for digestible carbohydrates with chelated minerals for digestive support.

2 More Picks for Pekingese Foods

Rank	Dog Food	Price	Rating
Senior Food	Lotus Oven-Baked Small Bites Senior Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.28/lb	A
Senior Food	Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Senior Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$3.07/lb	A

Lotus Oven-Baked Small Bites Senior Recipe

As your Pekingese gets older, his needs for quality nutrition do not change which makes this Lotus Oven-Baked Small Bites Senior Recipe a great choice. This oven-baked recipe offers high-quality nutrition with plenty of protein, healthy fats, and joint-supporting nutrients. It also comes in a smaller kibble size that is easy for your senior Pekingese to eat.

Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Senior Recipe

If you’re looking for an all-natural, highly digestible diet for your senior Pekingese, try this Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Senior Recipe. This formula features turkey, salmon, and duck to maintain lean muscle mass with moderate fat from healthy sources to provide energy. It also contains beneficial supplements like fresh fruits and veggies, chelated minerals, and glucosamine and chondroitin.

Our FAQ and Pekingese Feeding Guide

If you’re going to take the time to choose a high-quality dog food for Pekingese dogs, you want to make sure that the food stays fresh. After you open a bag of dog food, exposure to the air will cause it to lose some of its nutritional value over time. What you shouldn’t do, however, is pour the entire bag of food into an airtight container. Dog food bags are treated to help preserve the food, so if you throw out the bag you lose that protection. Instead, put the whole bag in the airtight container.

In addition to properly storing your Pekingese dog food, you need to feed it properly as well – that means buying a high-quality dog bowl. Your dog is only eating a little bit of food at a time, so you don’t need a big bowl. This means you can afford to buy one of high quality. Look for ceramic or stainless-steel bowls because they are easy to clean, and they won’t scratch easily. Scratches leave room for bacteria to grow – bacteria that could make your dog sick. You should also wash your dog bowls often.

And now, here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about feeding a Pekingese:

How much food should I feed my Pekingese?

Generally speaking, your Pekingese will eat about ½ to 1 cup of food per day. Keep in mind, however, that this amount will vary depending on his age, weight, and activity level as well as the calorie content of the dog food you choose. Start with a small-breed recipe for your dog’s life stage then follow the feeding recommendations according to his age and weight.

How many times a day should I feed my Pekingese?

Most small-breed dogs do well with three meals a day but puppies may need as many as four meals a day while they are still growing. The most important thing is to divide your dog’s daily portion into several meals, so take the feeding recommendation on the package and divide it by three. If your dog is very active, you can supplement his three meals with some snacks in between.

What kind of food do Pekingese eat?

The quality of your Pekingese’s diet is very important because he has a high risk for obesity. Look for a recipe made with premium animal proteins, moderate fat content, and fresh fruits and vegetables for dietary fiber as well as essential nutrients. Dry food is generally better for this breed because small breeds have a high risk for dental problems and chewing on crunchy kibble helps keep your dog’s teeth clean. If your dog is picky, you can supplement his dry food with wet food or rehydrated fresh food.

What vegetables are good in a Pekingese food?

Dogs have a limited ability to digest plant foods, but fresh vegetables are a valuable source of fiber and nutrients in a high-quality dog food. Here are some of the best vegetables for dogs:

• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Cucumber
• Green beans
• Peas
• Pumpkin
• Spinach
• Sweet potato
• Zucchini

In addition to looking for fresh vegetables in your dog’s food, you can feed him small amounts as a healthy treat. Just make sure that any treats, no matter how healthy, make up no more than 10% of his daily diet.

Do Pekingese need grain-free dog food?

Some Pekingese dogs develop food allergies and sensitivities but the breed as whole is no more prone to allergies than any other. More important than the type of ingredients in your dog’s food is the quality and digestibility – a high-quality diet that is easy to digest will help your dog maintain a healthy body weight. If your dog has trouble digesting grains, then, by all means, choose a grain-free diet.

Pekingese Dog Food – A Final Word

Now that you’ve developed a deeper understanding of your dog’s nutritional needs, you’re ready to start shopping for the best Pekingese dog food. Remember, it should be made with high-quality natural ingredients to ensure digestibility. It should also be rich in protein with moderate fat and fortified with fresh fruits and veggies as well as beneficial supplements for balanced nutrition.

If you’re still not sure where to start in choosing the best Pekingese dog food, try one of our top 15 picks reviewed above!