Are you the proud new owner of a Corgi puppy? Whether Cardigan or Pembroke, this guide explores the best food for growing Corgis, including hot tips on food aggression and dog food allergies.
| Best grain-free food for Corgi puppies = Taste of the Wild |
| Best raw food for Corgi puppies = Farmer’s Dog |
| Best food for Corgi puppies up to 6 months = Hill’s Science Diet |
| Best protein-packed food for growing Corgi puppies = Honest Kitchen or Purina Pro Plan |
Key Takeaways:
- Setting a feeding schedule early ensures you don’t overfeed your Corgi puppy.
- You must feed a puppy more often than a dog, with smaller portions.
- Best brands of Corgi puppy food include Honest Kitchen, Nutro, and Merrick.
- How to manage food allergies and food aggression.
The Benefits Of A Feeding Schedule For Dogs
Your new puppy thrives on routine. Setting a schedule for feeding times will help them feel safe, but it also has other benefits. A feeding schedule helps your dog cope with big changes at home and with potential changes to the food you give them.
How much You should feed your Corgi puppy (and when)
With a feeding schedule in mind, puppies must be fed more frequently than larger dogs because they need regular boosts of vitamins and minerals to promote healthy growth.
At first, Corgi puppies should be fed 1 cup of kibble per day spread over 3-4 mealtimes. Mix the kibble with some warm water and a tablespoon of plain yogurt (great for the digestive system) or canned dog food.
From 6 months of age, you should be feeding your Corgi ½-¾ cup of kibble per day. That’s the total amount, which you can split into two servings (morning and afternoon) to make your Corgi feel like they’re getting more.
Feel free to add a spoonful of chicken or oily fish (like sardines) or a vitamin supplement on top of the kibble. This keeps things interesting for your Corgi and provides a nice nutritional boost.
It may not seem like a lot of food, but trust me… it is! Don’t follow the guidance on the dog food packet because it’s almost always too much. And don’t confuse your Corgi’s greediness and puppy-dog eyes with actual hunger. Most Corgis can eat and eat and eat. They will never turn down food!
Use Your Common Sense When Feeding Your Corgi
Not all Corgis should be fed the same amount of food. Some Corgis are bigger than others, some exercise more than others, and some have different dietary requirements due to underlying health conditions.
Use your eye to keep track of their weight. Remember: A Corgi should always have a discernable “waist” right in front of their hind legs. If you notice that your Corgi doesn’t, cut back on the amount of food you are giving them.
The same thinking applies to treats. If you feed your Corgi treats during a training session or as part of a game, make sure you cut back slightly on how much food you give them that day. The treats should be included as part of their daily intake, not considered ‘extra’.
Corgis who are 10-12 inches tall should be between 25 and 30 pounds full-grown. Males should be 27 to 30 pounds, and females 25 to 28 pounds.
If you’re concerned about your Corgi’s weight and what you’re feeding them, speak to your vet.
Top tip: mix up your puppy’s diet with these 18 healthy snacks your Corgi will love! 🍎🥕🥒
What To Feed Your Corgi Puppy For Optimal Health
When it comes to reputable brands of dog food for your Corgi puppy, you can find advice on the 13 best brands below.
1. Hill’s Science Diet (Royal Canin)
Hill’s Science Diet (Royal Canin in the UK) creates a smaller kibble that meets the needs of the small to medium-sized breeds of dogs. Many Corgi puppy owners recommend this brand because it’s rich in antioxidants, omega acids, and minerals such as calcium and potassium.
2. Acana
Acana offers high-protein puppy food, which is important as it helps your growing puppy to create new cells. The primary ingredient used is fresh Canadian chicken, and many reviews state the positive impact this food has on their dog’s bowel movements.
3. Orijen Puppy
Orijen Puppy takes their ingredients from the most nutrient-dense areas of an animal to create a sumptuous, tasty dry food for your puppy. They use either fresh or raw ingredients and created the well-known WholePrey diet.
4. Honest Kitchen
Honest Kitchen takes its name from using honest ingredients. They don’t put fillers in their foods, nor do they add extra ingredients. Not only do they consist of high-quality ingredients, but they also say that Honest Kitchen pet food is suitable for human consumption… Not that you would necessarily want to!
5. Farmer’s Dog
The Farmer’s Dog brand focuses on those who want to provide their Corgi puppy with a raw dog food diet. Raw feeding harkens back to the days of feral dogs. It represents what prey they might catch on their own, in the wild. We love it for its lack of additives and its hearty meats.
6. Kirkland
Kirkland enhances their puppy food with protein, animal fats, probiotics, and essential nutrients. Their specialty is using omega fatty acids and fresh chickens to create a puppy formula your Corgi will love. Kirkland is Costco’s own brand of dog food.
7. Blue Buffalo Puppy
Blue Buffalo puppy dried food comes with the branding of a life protection formula. This includes whole grains, healthy fruits and vegetables, and deboned chicken. Blue Buffalo keeps everything as natural as possible, using only the finest ingredients.
8. Fromm
Fromm is a fifth-generation, family-owned business. They use premium ingredients to offer a range of flavor choices to pets needing nourishment. They try to use local Wisconsin suppliers and responsibly sourced ingredients.
9. Merrick
Merrick puppy food comes in both grain and grain-free versions. They offer a unique freeze-dried, raw-coated kibble meal that puppies love.
10. Purina Pro Plan
Purina Pro Plan is a high-protein puppy food that many Corgi owners recommend. It contains DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that promotes healthy brain function.
Top tip: Opting for a specific brand’s puppy version of their best dog food makes meals easier to digest for growing tummies.
Is Your Corgi Food Aggressive?
If you have a food-aggressive Corgi then mealtime schedules can be trickier. Although uncommon, food aggression in Corgis does exist. If your Corgi is food-aggressive they may growl at you or snap if you put your hands near their food.
You can solve Corgi food aggression with an easy-to-follow 7-step training plan. Learn more about food aggression in Corgis in our previous article.
Is Your Corgi Puppy Allergic To Grain?
The types of grain used in traditional dog foods can upset delicate Corgi tummies. If your dog starts to show symptoms of a grain allergy, then try switching them to a grain-free diet.
Symptoms of a grain allergy in Corgis include:
- Blood in their feces
- Vomiting
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Itchy, dry, or flaky skin
You can find a full list of symptoms of a food allergy in Corgis courtesy of the PDSA.
The Best Food Options For Corgis With Sensitive Stomachs
If your dog has allergies, try the following types of food suitable for Corgi puppies.
11. Taste of the Wild
Taste of the Wild pet foods provides dog food to match your Corgi’s stage of life. Their puppy chow has the wholesome goodness of smoked Pacific salmon. Taste of the Wild puppy food is free from eggs, makes small kibble, and contains legumes, vegetables, and salmon.
12. Wellness CORE
Wellness CORE provides this probiotic-coated kibble ideal for puppies. They use prebiotic fiber, which gives puppies the best start possible. This dog food is aimed at those puppies with poor digestive health.
13. Nutro
Nutro creates the Wild Frontier dry puppy food range. This grain-free, high-protein diet seeks to replicate the food your dog’s ancestors may have eaten in the wild.
Frequently Asked Questions About Feeding Your Corgi Puppy
Still wondering what food is best for your Corgi puppy? See if we haven’t already answered your questions below.
How do you know which food your Corgi puppy eats?
The breeder ought to provide you with a few days or weeks’ worth of puppy food when you pick up your new Corgi puppy.
What food should I feed my Cardigan Corgi puppy?
Corgi puppies require a mixture of proteins and vegetables often prepared for you by different puppy food brands. Choose a brand with small kibble pieces or choose a wet food in line with what your breeder recommends.
Should I feed my Pembroke Corgi wet or dry food?
You may feed your puppy wet food, dry food, or a combination of both. Wet food introduced too early may cause an upset stomach. You can find out more about wet food puppy feeding here.
What should I look for when shopping for puppy food?
Look for dry food with smaller chunks that are easier on your puppy’s teeth. Consider extra-nutrition-based foods and look for grain and egg-free recipes if your dog has a regularly upset stomach.
