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Care Tips

Top 15 Pug Dog Care Tips

Overview

The Pug is an amazing breed with a unique appearance and an outstanding personality. But, owning a Pug does come with some challenges. There are several aspects about the Pug that require special attention and care:
  • This is a brachycephalic breed (short-nosed with compressed breathing passages) with a stout barrel-shaped body which means that you’ll have to follow certain care tips that relate to activity, overheating, and breathing issues. 
  • This is a toy sized breed (though the Pug is the largest of all toy dogs) which means that you’ll have to follow care tips relating to your dog's size and abilities. 
  • Since Pugs are prone to carrying excess weight, this brings in the care elements of both eating a healthy diet and following an appropriate exercise schedule; though this can be tricky, since Pugs must be exercised with care in regard to both duration and intensity.
  • Pugs have thick coats of fur with heavy shedding, lots of wrinkles that need to stay clean, and are generally prone to skin sensitivities. This all requires proper grooming and upkeep. 
Aside from this, is the general care that applies to every dog. To help you stay organized, we’ve rounded up the top 15 care tips that all owners should follow to keep their Pugs happy, safe, comfortable, and healthy. 

#1: Puppy-proof the home, no matter how old your Pug is.

While many owners do this as part of the excitement and preparation of bringing a new pup into the household, this is something that should be done on a regular basis throughout your Pug's life.

Dogs mouth objects simply to answer the question of ‘What is this?’ and may be tempted to chew on any item within reach. This can lead to accidentally swallowing things, toxic poisoning, or choking. 

Proofing the house involves removing small items from the floor, placing cords out of reach or wrapping them in cord protectors, finding new places for shoes and other objects that may be chewed, and placing child-proof locks on any lower cabinets that a Pug may be able to access. 

#2: Perform grooming on time.

The Pug is prone to skin yeast infections, eye issues, and is a heavy shedder, so this a breed that requires lots of grooming. It is best to stick to a schedule in regard to these care tasks. 
Baths - Bathe you Pug once every 3 weeks, even if your puppy or dog does not appear to be dirty. This will help prevent bad odors, keep skin properly moisturized, and loosen dead hairs from the coat. Young pups can be given a bath in the kitchen sink and older adults can be placed in the bathtub. 

Because the Pug has sensitive skin, use a shampoo that has a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 and does not contain any soaping agents, parabens, pthalates, sulfates, chemical preservatives, artificial colors, and surfactants like cocamide-MEA.
A terrific shampoo to use on Pugs is Earthbath Shampoo which has plant-based cleansers and no additives. The Oatmeal and Aloe formula is ideal for just about Pug since it works to keep skin in great shape. If your Pug's coat tends to hold in odors, the Mediterranean Magic formula is a good choice, and if there are issues like itching, rashes, or irritation, the Tea Tree & Aloe formula can work as an effective treatment. 

Don't forget about a wash-out conditioner. Hair cuticles open during the shampooing process and a conditioner smooths them down. Earthbath's Oatmeal & Aloe conditioner is a good choice no matter which shampoo formula you choose. 
Eye maintenance - Pug's eyes are large and slightly bulging which means they are prone to picking up debris that can irritate the eyes or scratch the cornea. Small food particles are a top culprit. Keep the eye area clean by wiping it at least once a day and as often as after each meal. For this, you can use the same type of wipe that you have for your Pug's wrinkles (see next tip). 
Wrinkle maintenance - Pugs have lots of deep wrinkles on their head and face making these areas prone to skin infection, so attention must be given to keep these folds clean and dry. Wipe the wrinkles at least once a day, and up to 3 times a day by opening each fold and wiping it with a grooming wipe. 
If you are looking for a good grooming wipe, Earthbath All-Natural Grooming Wipes are excellent for cleaning wrinkles, wiping the eye area, and to spot-clean a Pug in between baths. 
Brushing - Pugs are heavy shedders, a lot of the dead hairs will stay lodged in the coat and some will fall to the floor. So, even if you do not notice much shedding, it's important to brush your Pug on a regular basis. Young puppies can be brushed once a week, but adult Pugs should be brushed at least every other day and as often as once per day. 
Use a tool that will reach down through this breed's thick coat and pull out all the loose and dead fur. 
While you may be envisioning using a brush, a grooming glove like the Delomo Pet Grooming Glove works very well on a Pug's dense coat. This has over 200 grooming tips that latch onto dead hairs and debris. 

#3: Use a harness, not a collar. 

Pugs are a brachycephalic breed that is very prone to breathing issues. Just about every purebred Pug has some level of stenotic nares (narrowed nostrils) which can make it difficult to breath well and/or elongated palate (soft tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth partially blocks the windpipe). Using a collar when on leash, which places pressure on the trachea, is near guaranteed to exacerbate this. 

So, part of caring for a Pug involves using accessories that do not impede breathing. For this reason, a harness should be used any time a Pug is on a leash. Harnesses displace tension over the shoulders, back, and chest, leaving the neck free. 
If you are looking for a harness for your Pug, the Puppia Soft B Harness Vest is a great choice. This is a step-in design (just the front legs are placed through the holes, so nothing has to slip over the head), there is an easy-close adjustable Velcro flap on the back, and it is made with air-mesh to keep a Pug cool and comfortable. 

#4: Keep your Pug on a healthy diet. 

What you choose to feed your Pug will have both short and long-term consequences, affecting everything from weight maintenance to allergies to intestinal health. 

Pugs do best with a dry kibble as opposed to a wet canned food; a dry formula tends to keep stools firm and is better for the teeth. Puppies should be fed 3 times a day and this can transition over to twice per day at the 9-month mark. Several dry snacks should be given in between meals and moist treats can be given to reward good behavior such as house training and obeying commands. 
This breed generally has a very hearty appetite and this, along with their intolerance for extended exercise, makes it easy to gain excess weight. Pugs also tend to have sensitive stomachs and are prone to skin reactions from food additives. Therefore, aim to provide all-natural foods that have no chemical preservatives, no artificial flavoring or dyes, and no by-products, high grain counts, generic meats or oils, corn, soy, or other cheap fillers. 
If you are not sure what rating your Pug's current dog food has, a good place to check this is Dog Food Advisor which rates the quality of hundreds of brands. 
And, if you are looking for a good kibble, one recommended brand is Wellness Complete for Small Breeds. 
For snacks and training treats, Wellness offers several good choices in their line, and if you have an adult Pug and you are working on helping them keep off excess pounds, a good low-calorie option is Fruitables Skinny Minis Dog Treats. 

#5: Make sure your Pug drinks enough water (but not unfiltered tap water). 

It’s important for this breed to stay properly hydrated and this is particularly true in the summer when it's hot and during the winter when the air is dry. Pugs need to drink 1.5 to 2 ounces of water per pound of body weight, per day. 
The tap water in many regions of the US, the UK, Canada and other countries is either outright unsafe or improperly monitored. A number of studies have found drugs in tap water including contraceptive medications, Prozac, Naproxen, Ibuprofen and even illegal drugs; these contain fine particles that are not caught by municipal filtration systems. 

Other toxins include Chromium-6 (a known carcinogen), fluoride (which is toxic to canines), chlorite (which can cause central nervous problems) and HCB (which can cause can cause liver disease and skin lesions). And, heavy metals are also an issue.
So, for this care tip you can offer bottled spring water, a filtering device that connects your kitchen tap, or a more portable device like the Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher.

#6: Use the right type of bowls. 

Pugs are prone to bloat, a dangerous and potentially fatal twisting of the stomach. Raised bowls are a contributing factor, as well as eating or drinking too fast or too close to a bout of exercise. For this reason, place food and water in floor-level bowls. If your Pug tends to gulp down his food or water quickly, use a slow-feeder bowl. After eating a meal, do not take your Pug out for exercise for at least one hour. 

Another element to consider is that stainless-steel bowls are recommended since plastic bowls can cause allergic reactions to either the material itself or to dyes and tend to more easily harbor bacteria, 
A bowl like the DuraPet Slow Feed Stainless-Steel Dog Bowl fits the requirements of both height and material. 

#7: Clean food and water bowls on a regular basis.

When saliva and tiny food particles mix into water, this creates a slimy film in the dish, which can lead to a dog avoiding it. This in turn, can lead to dehydration; just a 1 to 3% loss of normal body fluids can result in loss of focus and lethargy.

With food bowls, caked on food can lead to a buildup of bacteria and even mold. 

Make it a habit to wash both of your Pug's dishes with hot water and soap every day. Since dogs can be very protective of their bowls, a good time to do this is in the evening, after dinner or once your Pug has gone to sleep.

#8: Follow exercise requirements and restrictions. 

Despite their reputation for being lazy, Pugs can have a good amount of energy. And, you'll want to meet this by keeping your Pug moving along, for several reasons: 

Exercise plays an important role in a Pug's physical health; it's good for the heart and lungs, regulates metabolism, helps maintain proper muscle composition, boosts the immune system, and can keep certain diseases at bay including canine diabetes and even some forms of cancer. Exercise also plays a vital role in a dog's mental health; it allows a dog to release any restlessness that bottles up and allows for desensitization and socialization to all outside elements. 
At the same time, too much exertion in either duration or intensity can lead to breathing difficulties or overheating for this brachycephalic breed. 

So, the goal for this care element is to exercise your Pug on a regular basis while keeping in mind your dog's limitations. 

Pugs do best with at least two walks per day. Each session should last a minimum of 20 minutes, but can extend to 45 minutes or even longer if your Pug is game. Breaks should be taken at the halfway mark of a short walk, every 15 to 20 minutes for a longer walk, or any time that a Pug is breathing noticeably heavier than normal. Bring your Pug into the shade and offer fresh water, ensuring that breathing is back to normal before starting up again. 
Light to moderate cardio sessions can also be added in, with a rousing game of fetch being the easiest to play and one that most dogs love. 

#9: Adjust certain care tactics according to the season. 

Pugs are sensitive to seasonal changes in temperature and some care elements will need to be adjusted. 

Summer - Hot humid weather makes summertime care a bit tricky with Pugs. Breathing issues are more pronounced and it's more difficult to keep a Pug active. It can help to take your little guy or gal for walks in the early morning and then later in the evening, avoiding the hottest parts of the day. 
You can help your Pug stay cool by offering lots of water and refreshing treats like frozen blueberries or raspberries.
Stay aware of hot walking surfaces which can cause burns to a dog's paws. Take routes in the shade when possible and use a paw wax to offer a layer of protection. 
Another helpful care tip is to give your Pug a cooling mat to rest on. The Green Pet Shop Self-Cooling Pet Pad works by drawing excess heat away from the body, is self-activating (you don't have to plug it in), and can be used both indoors and outdoors. 
Winter - Plunging temperatures and slippery weather conditions can make wintertime care a bit challenging as well. Fortunately, Pugs have thick coats which help them stay warm in the winter, but never-the-less, many don't like to go out when it's snowy and cold. And, even with dense fur, dogs that are outside for too long, particularly when it's below freezing, are vulnerable to developing hypothermia. 

So, continue to take your Pug out for their regular exercise sessions, but limit this on days with heavy winter precipitation or below-freezing temperatures. 
Another aspect to keep in mind is that arid winter air can lead to issues with dry skin. Be sure you are using a hydrating shampoo (see care tip #2: Baths) and apply a paw wax every two weeks to offer better traction and keep the paw pads in good shape. 
If you don't yet have paw wax for your Pug, Musher's Secret Pet Paw Protection Wax is one of the best and should be used year-round. 

#10: Offer a supportive bed. 

The Pug is prone to certain issues related to the joints, bones, and ligaments including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and Legg-Calve-Perthes. In addition to this, all dogs age 8-years and up suffer from some level of osteoarthritis and this is more common with breeds that have the aforementioned issues. 

For this reason, supplying your Pug with a quality bed to rest and sleep on that provides good cushioning and proper support for the body is vital. This should be an appropriately sized orthopedic memory foam bed with at least a 2-inch base. 
Either a flat mattress or a bolster bed will work and sometimes dogs do have a preference. Because Pugs tend to snore and may have other sleep-related breathing issues, like sleep apnea, being able to place their head on a bolstered cushion which helps extend the neck can be helpful. 
A bed like the BarksBar Orthopedic Snuggly Sleeper Dog Bed has a nice 4-inch memory foam base and great padded cushions to provide head and neck support. This also has a non-slip backing and the cover is machine-washable. 

#11: Supply your Pug with helpful toys.

There are lots of effective toys that can help your Pug in a number of ways and it's always better to have just a few that do their job than a ton that are ignored. 
Teething puppies need teething toys that help them scratch their itchy gums and soothe the discomfort of erupting teeth. Pugs of all ages that enjoy chewing should be given durable chew toys that they find pleasant to use, as opposed to looking to non-toy items in the house. 

Pugs that are home alone and suffer from separation anxiety can be helped with interactive toys that respond to them and a companion toy that helps ease feelings of isolation.
Routinely check your Pug’s toys for those that are worn or torn, throwing out old ones before they present a choking hazard and clean toys at least once per month in hot soapy water.

#12: Good dental hygiene.

Toys breeds and brachycephalic breeds are both prone to tooth decay, so that means that if you have a Pug you need to pay particular attention to keeping your dog's teeth clean and healthy. 
A build up of plaque, which eats away at tooth enamel and can travel under the gum line, can lead to terribly painful infections, tooth loss and more. 

Taking care of your Pug's teeth includes brushing the teeth with a quality canine toothbrush and effective canine toothpaste, or using a spray if your Pug is intolerant to brushings, and offering daily dental treats like GREENIES Dental Chews. Note that this applies to puppies as well, since decay on milk teeth can affect adult teeth that are waiting to emerge. 
Pugs should have their teeth examined by the veterinarian at least once a year during their wellness checks. An x-ray may be taken to look for any decay and if there is plaque or tartar present, this may require a 'full dental' which involves scraping the teeth clean. This is done with a dog under light sedation. 

#13: Avoid the most common dangers to small dogs. 

Trauma is one of the leading causes of death for all puppies, the Pug breed included, and is a top concern for Pugs of all ages. Many instances of severe injury and death can be prevented by following some simple care tips:
  • If your Pug has trouble navigating stairs (most applicable to puppies and seniors), block these off with a gate. 
  • When outside, never allow your Pug to be off leash. 
  • Never allow your Pug to be in the yard unsupervised.
  • If you have a puppy, do not allow anyone to handle him unless they have been shown proper handling techniques, which includes using both hands, one under the rump and one supporting the chest. 
  • Have young children stay on floor level to play with your Pug. 
  • Always be aware of where you are walking, especially at night, so that your puppy or dog is not accidentally stepped on or tripped over. 
  • If your Pug will be a passenger in your car, use a safe canine car seat or a canine belt restraint. 

#14: Don't Skip the Vet

Visits to the vet are not just for injuries or illness; it’s vital to realize the importance of wellness checks. These yearly (for dogs age 1 and up) or twice-per-year (typically starting at age 8) visits are crucial for good health, prevention, and the best possible prognosis, should any issues be detected. 

The vet will perform a full physical examination to check for issues seen with canines in general and health issues specific to the Pug breed. Vitals will be taken (temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate) and your Pug will be weighed. The head will be checked (eyes, ears, nose, mouth). The coat and the skin will be examined to look for any signs of concern.

Proper posture will be assessed, knees and hips will be examined, and reflexes will be checked. A stool sample will be tested for possible parasites and a blood test will be run (to evaluate overall health, flag any infections, and check organ function and electrolyte and protein levels). Senior dogs may have more advanced testing, including x-rays. 

The veterinarian will also discuss your Pug’s diet and exercise routine. During the visit, this is your opportunity to ask any questions; a good owner is an involved owner. 

#15: Prepare for a ‘Lost Dog’ scenario, no matter how careful you are.

We always think it’s going to happen to someone else and not us, but a study by the ASPCA revealed that 15% of owners reported their pet had gone missing in the past 5 years. Of those, 15% of the missing dogs were never recovered. 

The American Humane Association estimates over 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the US every year. Only about 22% of lost dogs that found their way into animal shelters were reunited with their owners. 
Here are some tips to prevent this: 
  • If your Pug tends to run off, consider spaying or neutering. Intact dogs can have strong urges to take off, looking for a mate.
  • If your Pug darts for the door as soon as its open, have a rule that everyone knocks before entering to allow enough time for someone to hold onto the dog. 
  • Consider having your Pug micro-chipped; dogs with chips are returned to owners at a much higher rate than those without. 
  • Have current photos of your Pug. If your dog does become lost, create 'lost dog' posters and bring these to all animal services and shelters within a 20-mile area (dogs are sometime brought to local shelters but send further away if there is over-crowding). 
Did you find these care tips to be helpful? If so, you'll really love PetPugDog's GIANT Book of Pug Care. This is available in both soft-cover paperback and ebook. 
Pug Paw Care - The most common issues seen and helpful tips to keep the paws in excellent shape. 
When a Pug is Super Itchy - Top reasons that cause both acute and chronic itchiness and how to offer fast relief. 
Housebreaking a Pug - Pugs typically aim to please, but house training can still be a bit challenging. See exact guidelines for fast success. 
Tips to Keep a Pug Busy and Occupied - Does your Pug stay home alone or seem lost unless you interact with him or her? See super-helpful advice to keep your Pug entertained and happy. 
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