5. Cleaning the Eye Area
Another classic feature of the Pug is this breed's large, slightly protruding eyes. The eyes are very beautiful, but their size and shape make them prone to collecting flecks of debris. And, any sort of eye irritation, which is common with Pugs, can cause excessive tearing.
The goal for this grooming aspect is to keep the eye area as clean as possible, wiping away 'sleep' (technically known as rheum), any eye discharge, and any possible fine particle debris on a regular basis.
Ideally, this should be done once a day and can be done up to 3 times per day (after each meal).
Because the area around the eyes is very sensitive, we recommend using a specialty wipe for this. One like
Arava Soft and Gentle Pet Eye Wipes
is made just for around a dog's eyes and is an all-natural product that is terrific at removing eye crust and preventing discoloration on the fur around the eyes (known as tear stains) which can develop with chronic discharge.
This is an all-natural product that uses a blend of chamomile, aloe vera, Lion's tooth (dandelions, known for its soothing abilities) and eyebright (a flowering plant known for its ability to reduce eye inflammation).
Read more
about
Pug eye care
for complete details of common issues and care guidelines.
6. Cleaning the Ears
Pugs have folded drop ears, either with a rosebud or button shape (though a small number have 'flying ears'). And, while a drop ear does cover the ear canal (thus helping to prevent debris from entering), this type of ear also contributes toward excess wax and moisture becoming trapped in the ears which can lead to an unpleasant smell and possible ear infections (bacterial or yeast).
For these reasons, part of grooming a Pug involves keeping the ears clean. This is done by wiping the ear flap and cleaning the ear canal.
The ear flaps
should be wiped using only a semi-moist
grooming or ear wipe since you'll to avoid using anything too wet so that moisture does not enter the canal. This should be done at least once per week. if your Pug has a history of ear infections, this can be used as often as every other day.
A recommended one is
PPP Pet Aroma Care Ear Wipes
which has both aloe vera and eucalyptus which cleans the ear flaps very well and also deodorizes the area for a fresh scent.
The ear canals
should also be kept free from excess wax buildup, any accumulation of debris, and any excess moisture. All of these elements can lead to ear infections. This is done by placing a few drops of an ear cleansing solution into the ear canal, massaging the base of the ear (which works the solution around and helps break up wax) and then wiping the ear flap of any debris that has come out with a piece of gauze or a cotton ball.
This is typically done every 6 weeks; but, if a Pug is prone to ear infections, the veterinarian will usually suggest that this be done every 1 to 3 weeks.
A recommended ear cleaning solution is
Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner
which has no alcohol (which can sting) and works excellent for both cleaning gunk out of the ears and drying up any excess moisture.
Read more
about
Pug ear care
for additional information regarding infections.
7. Paw Care
A dog's paws take on an awful lot; there are numerous terrains to adjust to, both hot and cold walking surfaces, tiny debris like sand and pebbles, contact allergens (especially pollen), and contact irritants (like lawn care chemicals in the spring and summer and ice melt products in the winter).
Without good paw maintenance, paw skin can become overly dry and the paw pads can become damaged, causing both discomfort and loss of traction. In severe cases, there can be cracking which is very painful for dogs and can take quite some time to heal.
For these reasons, part of grooming a Pug is applying a paw wax to the paw pads and in between the toes. There are many benefits of using paw wax including:
- A layer of protection from hot walking surfaces
- A layer of protection from frozen walking surfaces
- Help in preventing 'snowballing', a term used to describe when a dog walks in snow, snow melts between the toes, and then stretches the sensitive skin there when it re-freezes.
- Keeps paw skin properly moisturized
- Gives a dog good traction
Though it varies depending on how much outdoor walking a dog does, most Pugs should have a paw wax applied once every 2 weeks.
One of the most popular and effective paw waxes is
Musher's Secret Paw Protection Wax; this is massaged in every 2 weeks, both on the pads and between the toes, it absorbs pretty quickly (about 10 to 15 seconds) but you may find it easiest to put this on your Pug right when they're resting and about to go to sleep.
Read more
about
Pug paw care
for details regarding all possible paw issues, including itching, along with effective treatments and remedies.
8. Nose Care
Most Pugs do not need any extra attention given to the nose during most of the year, as long as there are no issues. However, this changes for many Pugs in the wintertime and into early spring.
For those living in areas that have cold winters, this usually means much drier area since cold air cannot hold humidity like warmer area can. Dry air, when heated, stays dry, so this is a common problem regardless of how much time a Pug spends outdoors or indoors.
This sort of overly dry environment can end up taking a toll on a dog as the nose skin becomes parched. Added to this, when a dog is out in the cold and licks their nose, this can lead to chapping, compounding the issue. A Pug's nose can end up raw, sensitive, dry, peeling, or even cracked. If this problem starts in the winter, it may not be noticed until things are very bad, often as winter transitions into spring.
This issue can be prevented by applying a quality nose balm to a Pug's nose which can be done once a week for maintenance or as often as 3 times a day to treat existing problems.
A nice protective and healing balm for this is
Natural Dog Company's Snout Soother
which is 100% all-natural and has no fragrance (an important aspect considering where this is applied).
9. Trimming the Nails
The frequency of how often a Pug needs their nails trimmed will vary from dog to dog. Walking on hard outdoor surfaces can keep nails somewhat filed down, however it cannot be a replacement. For most Pugs, this grooming task is needed every 6 to 8 weeks.
If the nails are not tended to, they can curve around and grow back into the flesh. This can be cause quite a bit of discomfort and lead to a dog walking with an irregular gait that, if not addressed, can eventually lead to skeletal damage in some cases.
Some owners are squeamish when it comes to nail trimming (though it is not that much different than cutting your own nails) and that is okay and one of the reason that dog groomers exist. Alternatively, many vet offices also offer this service.
If you decide to trim your Pug's nails at home, the most commonly used tool is a canine nail clipper. The goal is to clip the nail right before it begins to hook over. One like the
Dog Nail Clippers By Boshel
has a safety guide to help you line up each nail to help avoid the quik (a vein that runs down the center of the nail which can bleed quick profusely if nicked); though you should have some septic powder on hand just in case (which helps stem any bleeding should an owner clip a nail too short).
Did you find this to be helpful?
If so, you'll love
PetPugDog's GIANT Book of Pug Care
- This is the most comprehensive Pug care book that exists, available as a hard copy (8.5x11" soft cover) or PDF ebook.
You may also be interested in:
Leaving a Pug Home Alone
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