Email us  

Winter

Pug Dog Winter Care

Overview

One of the trickiest and most challenging times to take care of a Pug of any age is during the wintertime. Freezing rains, harsh winds, dry air and maybe even sweeping snowstorms are some of the winter elements that you’ll need to contend with for several months.

When you add to that shorter, darker days and near or below freezing temperatures, it really amounts to needing a good plan and follow-through in regard to Pug dog winter care.

It is best to prep for the winter season in advance, but it's never too late to start. So whether you're stuck inside during a blizzard right now and have just realized how winter is taking a toll on your Pug or you want to be prepared for this cold season, this article will cover the top 10 tips to keep your Pug happy, safe, warm, and healthy during the wintertime. 

#1: Help your Pug stay warm. 

This breed has a nice dense coat of fur which keeps them warm to some degree; however, when temperatures plummet close to or below freezing or there’s winter precipitation, many Pugs will resist going outside or will not be able to tolerate the weather conditions. 

This can affect everything from bathroom needs to daily walks. And, while you may be tempted to stay inside a lot more with your Pug when the weather is bad, some things like potty time and meeting exercise requirements are a must. So, placing a winter vest on your puppy or dog can help your Pug stay warm and not mind being brought outside. 

Outdoor gear has always been used (at least in the modern era) for working dogs (guard dogs, service dogs, military dogs) and every year more owners are realizing how this can help their own pets endure harsh winters. The key to this is that the core body (from neck to rump) is protected and that the fit is comfortable so that a Pug enjoys wearing it. 
Ready for winter
pug-dog-in-winter-with-coat-on
A recommended winter coat for Pugs is the Gooby Padded Vest for Dogs. This has a fleece lining for warmth and a water-proof outer shell to repel precipitation and block cold winds. It's super easy to put on a Pug because the front paws are placed in and then it zips on the back. And, since it is always recommended to have a Pug wear a harness as opposed to a collar (to not exacerbate breathing issues), the sturdy D-ring on the back of the vest allows you to simply attach the leash there, working just like a harness. 

#2: Protect the Paws

The paws put up with a lot all year round, such as continually adapting to different walking surfaces and contact with allergens and irritants; but, in the winter this is often even more extreme. Frozen walking surfaces can be very drying, ice melt products can cause chemical burns, road sand and salt can be very abrasive on the paws, snowballing (when snow melts between toes, freezes and then stretches the skin there) can be terribly painful, and slippery terrain can make it hard for a Pug to have good traction. 
You can help your Pug in the winter by routinely applying a quality paw wax. This is another care item that was originally made for working dogs but now benefits beloved canine family members. 
One of the top recommended ones is Musher's Secret Paw Protection Wax which adds a layer of protection from all of the aforementioned elements and gives a dog excellent traction whether on snow or ice. This is massaged into the paws pads and between the toes about once every two weeks. And, while it absorbs pretty quickly, you may find it easiest to put this on your Pug in the evening right before bedtime. 

#3: Protect the nose. 

A dog's nose is very vulnerable to the elements year-round; however two issues seen in the winter are chapping and drying. 

A chapped nose develops when the nose is wet (either from natural moisture or saliva from licking) and is then exposed to cold air. It becomes a bit irritated and in response, a dog licks at it, only causing more chapping. This can be an endless cycle that leads to a very raw and painful nose.

A dry nose develops due to overly arid air which is a hallmark of the winter season. When air lacks humidity, it draws it from anywhere it can, including skin (of both humans and pets). Once the nose becomes dry, peeling and painful cracking may be the next steps. 
Preventing these winter problems with your Pug can be done by applying a protective nose balm, just as you may use a lip balm for yourself. And, if you didn't know about this sort of winter care and your Pug already has a dry, peeling, or cracked nose, this sort of product can treat those issues. 
For this, we recommend Natural Dog Company's Snout Soother. This is an all-natural balm that works exceptionally well and has zero fragrance (important when something is applied to a canine's nose).

#4: Keep your Pug Active. 

The snow ain't stopping us! 
pugs-in-winter-snow
It's very unhealthy for Pugs to become sedentary for months a time, something that can be a challenge in the winter. 

Physically speaking, a sharp decline in activity for more than 3 weeks can lead to loss of muscle tone and mass and weight gain. This would also be an entire season of a Pug not benefiting from the extra health benefits of improved immune system and decreased risk of disease such as canine diabetes and even some forms of cancer. Heart benefits (which happen due to increased blood flow to the heart) often revert to the levels of a completely sedentary dog after 3 months. 

In regards to emotional health, a Pug can suffer the impact of staying in too much in the winter and not receiving needed exercise in as little as just days. Dogs can develop the canine equivalent of cabin fever, getting very restless if not allowed to experience the outdoors and some can become depressed and lethargic due to shorter, darker days and less sunlight. 
So, if you've followed these winter tips for Pugs so far, and your little guy or gal has a warm vest, the paws are ready to take on slippery cold terrain and the nose is protected from whipping winds and dry air, make a commitment to keep your Pug moving this season. 
Be sure that you are also dressed warm; if you are cold and uncomfortable, you may want to run back inside well before your Pug is ready. Aim to take your Pug for at least two walks per day for a minimum of 20 minutes. 
On days that it's below freezing or there is dangerous precipitation such as snow or ice storms, play some indoor games with your Pug. If you have a long hallway or a large room, an indoor toy like the Chuckit! Indoor Roller Dog Toy can be a great way to play fetch inside. You can roll this for your Pug to chase after or get the optional launcher which does it for you. Be sure to set a timer so that your Pug is moving for 15 to 20 minutes. 
On cold, snowy days, you can also provide mental stimulation for your Pug by playing hide and seek with treats or toys or teaching your guy or gal to maneuver a puzzle like the Nina Ottoson Dog Brick Treat Puzzle
Keep in mind that your level of enthusiasm will play a role; often the more animated and happy an owner acts, the more a Pug will become interested and engaged in any activity. 

#5: Have a backup bathroom plan, if needed. 

Certainly, paths to the designed outdoor bathroom area should be kept shoveled and moved closer to the house or a more sheltered area, if needed. However, depending on where you live and just how much cold and freezing weather you get in the winter, you may need a plan for when it is just not possible to head outside with your Pug. 

If your puppy or dog is trained to go outside and you don't want to disrupt those lessons, it can help to create an area inside that mimics the outdoor spot. This is done by choosing a place inside your house that you'll actually take your Pug over to, on leash, such as an attached garage, laundry room, enclosed four-season porch, etc. 

Within that area, you can place down pee pads or even a grass mat like the DoggieLawn Disposable Dog Potty. Be sure to follow all of the same rules such as allowing for enough time and giving both praise and reward once the deed is done. 

#6: Address dry winter air. 

In the winter, even if it snows, the air is very dry compared to when it's warm out. This is because cold air has a much lower humidity level. Your home heating system will warm that air, but no moisture gets added. This can predominately affect a Pug in two ways: 
  1. Dry skin issues. Aside from dry nose problems that we touched on earlier under '#2: Protect the Nose', there can be full-body dry skin issues with itching as the primary sign. In some cases, this can affect the fur too, as it becomes dry, brittle, and loses its shine. 
  2. Breathing issues. When the air is overly dry, this can cause dry throat passages which can lead to an increase in snoring which is already an issue seen with brachycephalic breeds and can increase noises like wheezing and gasping. 
There are several ways you can help with this common wintertime problem:
1. Add moisture to the air, aiming for a humidity level of around 40%. The most efficient method of doing this is to use humidifiers. Ideally, you will want to have enough to cover all living areas in your house. But, if you only have one, place this near your Pug's resting and sleeping area. 
If you are looking for a good humidifier, a recommended one is the LEVOIT Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier. This covers a good-sized room, runs for up to 40 hours, is exceptionally quiet, has 3 levels of output, a built-in night light, and an auto shut-off feature. 
2. Use coat products that help prevent dry skin. There are several organic elements that are great in the winter including oatmeal, aloe, shea butter, guava, and tea tree oil. 
Give your Pug a bath every 3 weeks, even if your dog looks perfectly clean and smells fine. This is your chance to soak your Pug's entire body in products that will reach every crevice and moisture every area. We recommend Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo as well as their conditioner. 
In between baths, using a leave-in coat and skin conditioner can be a great help. For this, Warren London Hydrating Butter and Leave-in Conditioner is a fantastic product for dogs that also has a great natural fragrance. 

#7: Anticipate Winter-related changes in behavior. 

There are a couple of behaviors that may develop once winter is underway.

1. Earlier sleep times. When daylight hours are much shorter and sunlight is limited in the winter, this can throw some dogs off. A Pug may want to go to sleep much earlier than normal, sometimes soon after the sun sets. If this does not disrupt your own schedule, you may not need to interfere. But, if you find this makes your Pug wake up much too early in the morning, you may want to address this. 

It can help to perform some grooming tasks once it gets dark out such as brushing the teeth or the coat or engage in some indoor play, and leave on plenty of lights. This can send a message that even though the sun set the day is not quite over yet. 
2. Changes in appetite. This can go both ways. Some dogs eat less as their body naturally adjusts to less physical activity, if this is the case. And, some dogs tend to have an increased appetite during the winter regardless of activity level. 
If your find that your Pug acts ravishingly hungry in the winter but you are concerned about weight gain (this breed does have a propensity for excess weight), it can help to offer extra snacks as long as they are low-calorie options. 
A good choice is Fruitables Skinny Mini Dog Treats; these are 100% all-natural treats, all under 4 calories a piece, and come in some really yummy flavors including berry, mango, apple, watermelon, bison, and chicken.

#8: Keep up with shedding. 

Expect a normal amount of shedding in the middle of winter and for your Pug to have a lot of shedding as winter approaches in anticipation of cold weather and then again as springtime is about to begin as the body readies for warmer temperatures. 
Since a good portion of the hairs will be falling back into the coat, not on the ground, routine brushing should be done regardless of what can be seen. To keep up, aim to go over the coat at least 3 times per week. 
You may find that the best grooming tool for winter shedding is not actually a brush, but rather a glove. For example, the Delomo Grooming Glove has 250+ tips that reach deep into the coat and latch onto tons of dead hairs. This is very easy to use since your hand follows the curve of your dog's body and can get areas that can be difficult with a traditional brush. 

Final Thoughts

Whether you love winter or hate it, it just can’t be avoided unless you are lucky enough to own a warm-weather get-away or live somewhere with moderate temperatures year-round. It is best to plan in advance for the season's challenges and make appropriate adjustments in care for your Pug puppy or dog. Winter can be a tricky season for dog ownership but can also be an enjoyable one. 
Did you find these tips to be helpful?

If so, you will love PetPugDog's GIANT Book of Pug Care, available in both softcover and ebook. 
Share by: