Best Food For Corgi Puppy and Adult

We all love our Corgis and we want what is best for them so they can be around for a long time. That means a healthy lifestyle, plenty of exercise, and the best food for Corgi puppies and adults.

Let’s take a quick peek at the products we’ll be reviewing in this blog post.

Corgis have gained in popularity over the past decade or so. In part because they are adorable. But also because they are small, fun, and not too difficult to take care of.

They love to play and play hard. They use a TON of energy very, very quickly. Unfortunately, that means that not just any dog food will meet their specific needs. Corgis need food that is specifically designed for an active breed of dog.

It can get confusing reading labels, comparing ingredients, and then coming to a decision on what food you should feed your furry friend. You’re in luck! Because we have already done the hard parts for you.

Here are our top picks for your Corgi no matter their stage of life; puppy, adult, or even senior!

Top 8 Picks: Best Dog Food for Corgis

You may notice that we do not include very many boutique brands on this list. You will also notice that we do not include anything that is grain-free.

In our review, we have opted to select only foods that follow the AAFCO guidelines.

Why is this, you ask? 

Currently, the FDA is investigating claims on these foods, specifically, grain-free foods, and their connections to Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy. We would hate to make a recommendation for your sweet puppy that may result in a tragic health condition.

Our Top 8 Picks

1. Royal Canin Small Puppy Dry Dog Food – Best Puppy Food
2. Hill’s Science Diet Small Bites Chicken Meal & Barley Recipe Dry Puppy Food
3. Eukanuba Puppy Food – Chicken, Small Breed
4. Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Mini Weight Care Dry Dog Food
5. Iams ProActive Health Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food
6. Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Shredded Blend with Probiotics Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food – Best Adult Food!
7. Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult +8 Dry Dog Food
8. CANIDAE All Life Stages, Premium Dry Dog Food with Whole Grains

The Best Dog Food for Corgis: Our Top Picks

We selected two top picks for Corgis; one for puppies and one for adults.

Our Review: The Full List 

Now, let’s take a look at each of these dog foods to help you figure out the best choice.

Best Food For Corgi Puppies

1. Royal Canin Small Puppy Dry Dog Food – Best Puppy Food!

Corgis may be small in size but they have BIG dietary needs. They reach adulthood in just a short 10 months. Since they grow very quickly they need a good food to keep up with their accelerated growth rate.

Royal Canin Small Puppy dry dog food is specially blended to keep up with that rapid pace. It is packed full of nutrients, vitamins and minerals that are all specially blended to give your Corgi exactly the nutrition it needs exactly when it needs it.

One nutrient that is especially important during the growth process is protein. With a crude protein count of 29%, this food will keep your Corgi puppy happy and healthy. Additionally, this food also has fructooligosaccharide which helps your puppy in the digestion process.

The kibble size is small for a puppy sized mouth. The protein source is primarily chicken so they are going to love the flavor.

Nutritional Analysis 

This dog food contains: 

• 29% protein
• 18% fat
• 3.3% fiber
• 10% moisture
• 354 kcal/cup

2. Hill’s Science Diet Small Bites Chicken Meal & Barley Recipe Dry Puppy Food

Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Food is perfect for a growing Corgi. It is a small bite type of food so it can be easily eaten by your puppy friend.

In addition to covering you’re dog’s nutritional needs during their accelerated growth process, this food also contains a good amount of DHA (you may recognize it from Omega 3/Fish Oil capsules). DHA is a vital nutrient for brain and eye development.

This blend of puppy food is specially formulated to contain a healthy balance of minerals and protein. It also contains wheat for additional nutrition.

Nutritional Analysis 

This dog food contains: 

• 29.8% protein
• 19.1% fat
• 1.7% fiber
• 374 kcal/cup

Pros

• Hill science dog Food ensures easy digestion and consumption.
• The ingredients included support balanced nutrition.
• Made with real chicken for healthy muscles.
• Antioxidants and Vitamin A&C stronger immune system
• No artificial flavour or colour has been added.

3. Eukanuba Puppy Food – Chicken, Small Breed

Eukanuba is a trusted brand for dog food. Their special puppy blend for small breeds is an excellent choice for your Corgi puppy. The inclusion of DHA, similar to the Hill’s Science Diet, promotes healthy brain and eye development.

Eukanuba experts have designed this food to help with the rapid growth of Corgi pups. This is in part to the high amount of healthy fats and high protein percentage.

Nutritional Analysis 

This dog food contains: 

• 32% protein
• 21% fat
• 3.2% fiber
• 10% moisture
• 465 kcal/cup

Pros

• Supports healthy brain development
• High-quality ingredients are used
• feeds puppies up to 12 months old

Best Food For Corgi Adults

4. Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Mini Weight Care Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin’s Weight Care food is more of a snack than a full meal. This food is specifically for dogs that have had weight issues in the past. At times, due to stress, lack of exercise, etc, our dogs can gain too much weight and suffer from obesity.

To combat the ill health effects that come along with obesity, we will sometimes need to put them on a diet. This food is kind of an in-between-meals snack so they do not feel bad with a decrease in their food.

Nutritional Analysis 

This dog food contains: 

• 28% protein
• 13% fat
• 8.7% fiber
• 10% moisture
• 313 kcal/cup

Pros

• A perfect healthy snack for corgi puppies
• Nutritional Value
• Recommended by experts

5. Iams ProActive Health Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Corgis are small in stature but have really BIG appetites! To keep them going you need to make sure they have a food that can meet those nutritional needs.

Iams uses real chicken as it’s protein source. It also contains a large amount of crude protein at 27%. That means it will help your dog grow and maintain a healthy muscle mass. The protein in conjunction with the Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Antioxidants helps your dog stay healthy and strong.

Iams has also developed this food to include Omega-6 fatty acids to help nourish and develop a healthy coat and to repair rough or damaged skin.

Nutritional Analysis 

This dog food contains: 

• 27% protein
• 17% fat
• 4% fiber
• 10% moisture
• 393 kcal/cup

Pros

• One of the quality protein source for dogs
• Features omega 6 fatty acids to support skin and coat health.
• Contains antioxidants to promote a healthy immune system.

6. Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Shredded Blend with Probiotics Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food – Best Adult Food!

Purina Pro Plan is a specially formulated food specifically made for dogs under 20 lbs. Best of all, the kibble is extra small to make it much easier for small breeds, like Corgis, to eat with no prblems.

Chicken is the first ingredient and the primary protein source. Rice is the main source of carbohydrates, as well. That makes this food perfect for building energy and strength while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Nutritional Analysis 

This dog food formula contains: 

• 29% protein
• 17% fat
• 3% fiber
• 12% moisture
• 393 kcal/cup

Pros

• It has real chicken as number 1 ingredient
• Fortified with live probiotics to support digestive & immune health
• Assists metabolism

Best Food For Corgi Seniors

7. Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult +8 Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin truly cares for it’s more senior customers. This food is of such quality that it is actually good for younger dogs too.

You could transition a puppy from the Royal Canin Puppy Food above into this one and they would be happy and healthy for their entire life. Plus, with the small sized kibble, they will never have problems eating it at any age.

This food include L-Carnitine which is known to help metabolize fat. That makes maintaining a healthy weight easier, especially for more senior dogs. As our dogs age, their joints become weaker and any extra weight can be uncomfortable, sometimes even painful.

There are no artificial or added flavors to worry about. Royal Canin has included DHA and EPS to help keep the skin healthy.

Nutritional Analysis 

This dog food formula contains: 

• 25% protein
• 14% fat
• 3.5% fiber
• 10% moisture
• 359 kcal/cup

Pros

• Exclusive flavors for enhanced palatability
• Promotes faster metabolism
• Good for healthy skin
• Calcium for strong bones and muscle

Best Food For Corgis With Sensitive Stomachs

8. CANIDAE All Life Stages, Premium Dry Dog Food with Whole Grains

CANIDAE is the closest boutique brand on this list. And for good reason too! They understand that some dogs struggle with extremely sensitive stomachs. If you’ve ever had a dog with these issues you know it can be a tough time for them.

When your pup is going through some of these issues it is crucial to find a food that can keep them nourished and also be gentle on their stomachs. CANIDAE All Life Stages Lamb Meal & Rice Formula is made from a limited number of ingredients, unlike most dog foods.

The limited number of ingredients means that it is dutrient dense and there are no empty calories. The lamb and rice is gentle for the digestion process and can help your dog get back to their happy, energetic selves.

Nutritional Analysis 

This dog food formula contains: 

• 23% protein
• 12.5% fat
• 4% fiber
• 10% moisture
• 457 kcal/cup

Pros

• Good for sensitive stomach
• No harmful ingredients

All-in-One Buying Guide: Best Dog Food for Corgis

Here are some of our best tips and recommendations you can use when picking out a new dog food.

Remember to not get too frustrated. Dogs can be picky and it may take a food or two before they find one they love.

Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Food

There are so many different types of food available out there. It really can get overwhelming when you see all the different options. We want to pick the perfect food but how does one decide when everything seems critical?

Here are a few of the top things you should take into consideration when choosing the right food for your Corgi. Hopefully, this will cut out some of the confusion and help you make the right decision.

Nutrients

The nutritious value of the food is of the utmost importance. Everything about your dog’s health will stem from the nutrition they receive from their food.

You can consult your vet for your dog’s specific needs but in general Corgis fare well with protein and fats due to their high energy output. You will want to make sure their food uses high quality ingredients and not a lot of “bad” fat and fillers.

Health Issues

All dogs are going to face some form of health issues throughout their lives. Unfortunately, that is just a part of being a pet owner. There are steps we can take, however, to mitigate some of the more avoidable health issues.

For example, Corgis are known to develop issues like obesity and hip dysplasia. Both of these can be slowed down by choosing a food that is lower in fat and by giving them smaller, healthier portions.

Cataracts are also a common problem as they get older. Finding a good food that includes DHA promotes eye health and can help keep their vision healthy.

Other issues that dogs can deal with are sensitive stomachs, bloating, dizziness, and even epilepsy. Not all of these can be prevented completely but diet will help play a role in their management.

Size of Your Dog

Finally, you will want to consider the size of your dog. This is again where nutrition comes into play. You will want to speak with your vet about your pups specific needs compared to their size.

Another size consideration is the size of the kibble compared to the size of your dog’s jaw. If your puppy has a small mouth and small teeth, they will want a small or extra small sized kibble.

What Ingredients To Look For In Dog Food

Dogs are not too different from us. If given the choice between some raw broccoli or a warm, chewy, chocolate chip cookie, most of use will have finished the cookie before the question is even finished.

Dogs will tend to want to eat the food that is tastier and less healthy. It’s up to us to make those good healthy choices for them (but the occasional treat is perfectly okay).

Proteins

Protein is one of, if not the, most important nutrients in dog food. It is kind of like the building blocks for your dogs muscles.

Protein will often come from a meat source but can also be derived from plants, as well. Pay attention to the protein source as it can also be a source of allergies for many dogs. For example, one of ours is allergic to everything except kangaroo! Go figure, right?

Carbohydrates

Allergies to things like wheat, grains, and other carb rich ingredients are not uncommon. If your dog is not allergic to them, that’s great.

Carbohydrates are a great source of energy for an especially active Corgi. Just try not to feed them too heavy of a carb load. If their activity level does not match up with their carb intake they can pack on the pounds pretty quickly.

Oils & Fats

Fats always get a bad reputation. Fat is not actually bad for your dog. It’s when they have too much fat in their diet that it becomes a problem.

Fat is needed for the proper absorption of vitamins, as well as a good source of energy. You will want to look at the source of the fat and the type of fats in your dog’s food.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acid are both healthy fats which will benefit your dog in a number of ways, including eye and brain health.

Minerals & Vitamins

Many dog foods will have Vitamin A and Vitamin C included in their nutritional analysis. That is because they are both vital for healthy skin, eyes, etc.

Other vitamins and minerals aid in things like maintaining your pup’s digestion, metabolism, and keeping their immune system functioning properly.

Preservatives

You will want to make sure that your dog food is using natural preservatives. In fact, some natural preservatives can actually aid in your dog’s overall nutrition and health.

They can also make their food taste better and be more palatable. Tocopherols and ascorbic acid are both good for this.

What Ingredients To Avoid In Dog Food

There are a lot of commercially produced dog foods out there that cut corners to keep their product cheap. Sometimes these ingredients can be, at best, empty calories and, at worst, dangerous.

Here are several ingredients you should be on the look out for and avoid.

Chemical Preservatives

Unfortunately, many companies use chemical preservatives in their foods that can be harmful to dogs. For example, Butylated hydroxytoluene, or BHT, is known to damage kidney and liver tissue yet it is till used in dog food as a preservative.

Furthermore, there are many preservatives used in dog food that are actually illegal to put in human grade food. Ethoxyquin is an example of this.

If you want a healthy, natural alternative to these preservatives look for Vitamin A and Vitamin C.

Unhealthy Fats

This is why fat gets such a bad reputation. As we discussed previously, fat is a necessary component of a healthy diet when portioned properly with other nutrients.

The problem lies in when excessive fats are added to boost calories and give a better flavor. Aside from contributing to obesity, these unhealthy fats may also contain heavy metals and other toxins which can negatively affect your dog’s health.

Again, you will want to monitor the fat content and source when parsing ingredients.

Colours

Artificial coloring can also be dangerous as a food additive. They are often used just for aesthetics and are completely unnecessary. They can do anything from upset your dog’s stomach to cause cancer, as is the case with methylimidazole.

Corgi Feeding Guide

Feeding a corgi might sound simple but that is not always the case. Your head can spin sometimes at the thought of making the perfect feeding routine and selecting the perfect brand of food.

Just try and remember, every dog’s routine of feeding differs because of things like size, age and activity level.

Developing the right routine is critical but not impossible. You will want to make sure they are receiving the correct amount of food and not being overfed. Too much food will have them feeling lethargic and unwilling to exercise. Too little food can leave them without the energy they need for the day.

According to AAFCO, Corgi puppies should have at least a daily intake of protein around 22.5%. They should also have a good amount of Vitamin A, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.

Feeding A Corgi Puppy

There are a lot of options for feeding a puppy. We recommend sticking with dry food as it is better for their teeth.

A good Corgi puppy feeding schedule looks like this:

• 2 – 4 months of age: 4 meals daily
• 4 – 6 months of age: 3 meals daily
• 6 – 8 months of age: 2 – 3 meals daily
• Over 8 months of age: 1 – 2 meals daily

Feeding A Corgi Adult

The actual amount will vary depending on the brand of dog food you buy but typically an adult Corgi will get anywhere between 3/4 and 1.5 cups of food a day.

You can split that amount into two or three feedings, if you like or you can allow them to graze and just refill each day.

Remember, bigger and more active dogs will eat more than smaller and less active ones. That is completely normal. If your dog is not eating or seems to always be hungry, you may want to consult your vet to determine an exact feeding amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked Corgi questions!

How Often Should I Feed My Corgi? 

As said earlier, puppies need to be fed more frequently. Sometimes as often as 4 times a day!

Adults and seniors may only need food two or three times a day. If you just have one dog, you can even leave their food down for them to graze throughout the day.

What Food Can Corgis Not Have?

You will want to avoid giving them things like:

• uncooked bones
• onion
• bread dough
• chocolates

It’s really a good idea to avoid giving them most human foods. Our dietary needs and digestion systems work differently than a dogs. So, too much of any human food can upset their stomachs.

Can My Corgi Eat Apple?

Ignore the above answer for this question. Yes, Corgis LOVE apples!

They are natural, nutritious, and delicious. They are the perfect snack for Corgis, especially seniors.

Can My Corgi Eat Cheese?

They sure can. Give it to them sparingly because cheese is usually pretty fatty. But it can make a good reward treat for them.

The Best Dog Food for Corgis: Our Top Picks

We selected two top picks for Corgis; one for puppies and one for adults.

Final Word

Did you find what you were looking for? 

Corgis are cute and can be fun additions to your home. They’re super active and pretty easy to train. They are always playful and good around new people. We hope our guide helped you decide the right food for your Corgi

Still confused about something? Share your questions in the comments, and we’ll get back to you soon.