This is a specific conversation about New puppy essentials — what you actually need — ask about yours and get one honest answer for your exact situation.
inparticular.ai
Sounds like your Pug has had a vet visit with a bit of a wake-up call — weight gain at eight years old is really common in Pugs, and the good news is that the right food makes a genuine difference. Before I point you at something specific, a couple of quick questions: how much does your Pug currently weigh, and what have you been feeding them up to now — dry kibble, wet food, or a mix?
He's about 11kg and the vet said he should be closer to 8 or 9. We've been feeding him a standard adult dry food, whatever was on offer at the supermarket. The vet just said to switch to something low-calorie but didn't name anything specific.
inparticular.ai
That's a fairly significant amount to lose, so I'd take the vet's advice seriously — but it's very achievable with the right food and consistent portions. At 11kg he's probably been eating a fairly calorie-dense kibble without you realising it, because supermarket own-brand and mid-range foods often pack in more calories than the bag suggests. What I'd recommend is Royal Canin Pug Adult. I know it sounds like a marketing gimmick, but the breed-specific range for Pugs is genuinely different — it's calorie-controlled for their slow metabolism, the kibble is a specific curved shape that suits their flat face and underbite, and the formula supports their skin folds and breathing health too. For an 8-year-old Pug trying to lose weight, it's the closest thing to a vet-diet food without needing a prescription.
Does it actually help with weight loss though, or is it just marketing? And how much should I be feeding him?
inparticular.ai
It's a fair question. Royal Canin Pug Adult isn't a therapeutic weight-loss diet — that would be something like Royal Canin Satiety or Hill's Metabolic, which your vet can prescribe. But it has meaningfully lower calories than generic adult kibble, and for a dog who's only moderately overweight, switching to it with strict portion control is usually enough to see steady loss. For an 11kg Pug targeting 8.5kg, I'd start at the feeding guide for his target weight, not his current weight — so look at the 8–9kg band on the bag. That's the key trick most owners miss. Weigh the food with kitchen scales rather than using a cup. And cut treats right down for now, or use small pieces of his daily ration as treats instead.
That's really helpful. Is there a particular size bag that's best value?
inparticular.ai
The 3kg bag is the one I'd start with — it lets you confirm he takes to it well before committing to a larger quantity. Pugs can be fussy and it would be a waste to buy 10kg upfront. Once you know he's happy with it, the larger bags work out noticeably cheaper per kg. On Amazon UK you'll find all sizes, and it's usually cheaper there than in pet shops. Search for 'Royal Canin Pug Adult dry dog food' — it comes up immediately and the reviews are consistent. Give it eight weeks on proper portions and you should see a real difference at his next weigh-in.
Perfect, thank you. I'll order the 3kg to start.
inparticular.ai
Good plan. One last thing worth knowing — Pugs tend to eat very fast, which can make them feel less full and lead to begging. A slow-feeder bowl can help with that and it's cheap. Not essential, but worth considering alongside the food switch. Good luck with the weight loss journey — Pugs who get back to a healthy weight have noticeably more energy and far less strain on their breathing. Your vet will be pleased.
