Eating Problems
Top 10 Pug Eating Problems
#1 My Pug Eats Too Much
This sort of eating problem can be divided into two types of issues.
1. If your Pug is ravenously hungry, despite offering good amounts, this is covered separately in its own article.
2. If your Pug overeats and you feel that you are part of the problem (i.e., outright giving too much food or too many treats), we’ll dive into this here.
It’s very common to show our love via food, so giving a Pug too much food is something that owners do. You may be filling the bowl to the brim or continuously giving out snacks and treats. The result, most likely, will be a Pug that becomes overweight, an issue that can lead to all sorts of health problems.
What to do:
1. Use the right sized bowl.
If your Pug has a giant bowl, you’ll be more apt to fill it up since a normal serving size of food will look exceedingly small in it. You’ll want to know how much your Pug should be eating (servings sizes are listed on the kibble bag) and obtain a bowl meant for that amount. Be sure to obtain a stainless-steel bowl since plastic bowls can lead to issues including allergic reaction and gradual discoloration of the nose. If you are using a portion pacer (to help your Pug slow down his eating pace), allow for a bowl large enough for that to fit inside.
2. It’ll be important to keep everything on schedule.
Offering your Pug food whenever you want or whenever your dog gives you ‘the look’ is what got you into trouble in the first place. So, write down the times and the serving sizes for each meal and each snack and then do not deviate from that. Aim for 3 meals per day and 3 to 4 snacks (dry) in between those meals to keep your Pug satiated. The only thing that can be given spontaneously is training treats (see ahead, point #4).
3. If your Pug begs for food, do not give in. If your Pug bothers you for food outside of the 3 meals and 3 to 4 snacks, draw attention to something else. You can keep a few toys hidden out of view and offer those, take your Pug outside for a game of fetch, head out for a walk, etc.
4. Take care with reward treats.
Reward treats are much different than snacks. Snacks are meant to keep a dog happy when it’s not quite mealtime yet. However, training treats are designed to be very small since they are given out repeatedly during training. The idea is to offer a little burst of flavor that does not affect the appetite, yet sends a strong signal for a job well done (command training, housebreaking, heeling, etc.)
So, these are important, and you should be giving them to your Pug to mark good behavior. But, be sure to offer the right type (small, healthy, no additives). For puppies, Wellness Natural Grain-Free Puppy Training Treats
is a great choice.
is a great choice.For adult Pugs, and especially those that tend to carry a few extra pounds, Fruitables Skinny Minis Soft Dog Treats
are fantastic; these are low-calorie yet serve their purpose by being super-delicious.
are fantastic; these are low-calorie yet serve their purpose by being super-delicious.#2 My Pug doesn’t eat as much as they should.
Note that when a Pug flat-out refuses to eat, this is a topic covered separately.
Eating, but not as much as expected, is covered here.
With puppies, this eating problem can develop due to there being rapid growth, but a Pug puppy can have trouble ingesting enough food to keep up with that. Only so much food can fit in the tummy at one time. With adults, this may be a matter of being a picky eater, which is covered up ahead, yet there are other aspects to explore.
Keep in mind that generally speaking, if your puppy is gaining weight as he/she should or your adult is maintaining, this means that your Pug is indeed eating the required amount. This is not to say the food itself is offering the right amount of protein and other nutrients. However, in regard to pure intake volume, puppy growth (or adult maintenance) is your cue that it’s on track.
If you still believe your Pug is not eating as much as needed:
1. Know how much your Pug weighs. Never guess how much your Pug weighs, because serving size for manufactured dog food is based on weight. And it’s near impossible to judge weight by eye.
If you have an accurate scale at home, you can do weigh your Pug by weighing yourself first, then weighing yourself while holding your dog. If you have a very young pup, a kitchen scale may be sufficient. If you do not trust your scale to this degree or do not have an accurate scale, all it takes is a quick trip to the vet to find out. Most vets will not charge a steep fee for a fast weight check.
2. Once you know what your puppy or dog weighs, read the labeling on the kibble.
These are not arbitrary numbers; most are pretty spot-on. Do note, however, that if a puppy or dog is not as active as he should be, calorie requirements may not be as high. Other things such as health status or even how much a dog paces can affect requirements.
The ‘serving per day’ amount will vary depending on which brand of kibble you are offering. Note that for most brands, serving recommendations on the kibble assume that you are also offering 3 to 4 small snacks per day.
There’s a good chance that your Pug is actually eating enough. As an example, let’s look to one of our top recommended brands, Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free for Small Breeds
. For adult Pugs, amount of food PER DAY for a 9 to 12 pound Pug (4 to 5 kg) is 3/4 to 1 cup. For a 17 to 20 pound Pug (8 to 9 kg), it's 1 and 1/4 to 1 and 1/2 cups, and for a 21 to 25 pound Pug (10 to 11 kg), it's 1 and 1/2 to 1 and 3/4 cups.
. For adult Pugs, amount of food PER DAY for a 9 to 12 pound Pug (4 to 5 kg) is 3/4 to 1 cup. For a 17 to 20 pound Pug (8 to 9 kg), it's 1 and 1/4 to 1 and 1/2 cups, and for a 21 to 25 pound Pug (10 to 11 kg), it's 1 and 1/2 to 1 and 3/4 cups. Those are the daily amounts, spread out over 2 to 3 meals. Given that less than 2 cups does not seem like an awful lot, it’s easy to feel that you’re not giving your Pug enough.
3. If you see that your Pug is not eating close to the recommended amount, these steps can help:
For puppies,
you’ll need to speak to the veterinarian since lack of proper nutrition can be exceedingly dangerous during times of growth. The vet may recommend a nutritional supplement such as Tomlyn High Calorie Nutritional Gel for Puppies. This is a soft gel (the pup doesn’t even need to chew) that is given in addition to meals to offer calories and vitamins. In some cases, there will be a need for prescribed medications to stimulate the appetite.
For adults:
• If your adult is unable to maintain his/her weight, this is a red flag that warrants an immediate vet visit.
• Offer a superior food. If the brand you are giving is causing slight upset stomach issues (not enough to cause vomiting, but enough to throw off the appetite) you may not have considered this, but it can, of course, cause a dog to be reluctant to chow down.
• Assess how many snacks you are giving. If it’s more than 3 to 4 small snacks per day, try to cut down on those so that your Pug is hungrier at meal times.
• Assess what you are giving for training treats. These are different than snacks. These are meant to reward good behavior and are designed to be small as to not interfere with appetite. If you are offering something more substantial as rewards, switch to proper training treats like Wellness CORE Beef Marrow Grain-Free Training Treats
.
.• Keep your Pug active. Regular exercise helps in a number of ways, including stimulating the appetite. Aim for two walks per day (20 to 30 minutes at a pace that is brisk for your Pug) and one 20-minute cardio session such as fetch.
#3 My Pug only eats if I hand-feed him.
This can become a trap for many owners. You hand-feed your dog just a few times and he expects it all the time. In fact, he may demand it and refuse to eat unless you do this. It’ll be important to get things back on track.
What to do:
1. Reassess the bowl
to make sure it is one that your Pug is comfortable with. Unfortunately, while a raised bowl is a good choice for many breeds, it is NOT with this breed due to the risk of bloat. However, an over-sized bowl or one that is too deep that causes a dog to have trouble reaching his food or puts the neck into an uncomfortable position may be contributing to the problem.
2. Assess the eating area.
Dogs can feel quite vulnerable when eating. Make sure that your Pug’s spot is in a quiet corner (but not isolated), where there is no foot traffic, noises, or other elements that can cause a dog to feel stressed.
3. Remain firm and do not give in.
The idea is to use ‘tough love’ which involves simply not hand-feeding. It’ll be worth it in the end.
Once you have followed points 1 and 2, place the kibble in the bowl and walk away. Be sure to walk away entirely; do not stand over your Pug to see what’s he’s doing. At first, your Pug will resist and will be assuming that you will concede. You will need to wait him out. It is canine instinct to survive and very few dogs will refuse to eat when it comes down to it.
4. If your Pug refuses to budge,
each hour, remove the bowl for 20 minutes and then place it back down.
5. If this lasts for 3 hours
and your Pug outright refuses his food because you are not hand-feeding him, this points to a more significant problem. There may be a condition that is causing discomfort when the Pug positions himself to eat from the bowl, which may include the back, hips, or neck.
#4 My Pug appears to have trouble with dry kibble.
Dogs typically like the taste of wet canned food over dry food; however, dry kibble is better since wet food does not help keep teeth strong and can cause runny stools. As a side note, if you are feeding wet and wish to remain doing so, giving daily dental chews and performing at-home dental care will be more important than ever.
Having trouble with dry food can be classified into two categories:
1. If your Pug merely prefers the taste of wet over dry, but you want to switch to a dry diet, do this in gradual increments. It’s best to stick with the same brand (given that you are offering a high-quality food). Start with a 50/50 mixture. Over the course of a couple of weeks, work your way to 80/20.
You can remain at 80/20 or finish with 100% dry but with low-sodium chicken or beef broth or a dash of wild fish oil mixed in. Fish oil is incredibly beneficial, particularly for the Pug breed; it keeps skin and coat healthy, can help with issues related to allergies (dry skin, itchy skin, skin sores), is an excellent supplement to help prevent arthritis, and can reduce pain and inflammation in dogs that already have arthritis or joint conditions such as hip dysplasia or patella luxation.
If you are looking for an excellent omega-3 fish oil for your Pug, we highly recommend Zesty Paw's Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil
. This comes in a handy pump, so it is super-easy to add a dash to a meal (about 1 pump, exact serving size is listed on this and is based on weight).
. This comes in a handy pump, so it is super-easy to add a dash to a meal (about 1 pump, exact serving size is listed on this and is based on weight). 2. If your Pug literally has trouble chewing dry food, this points to an issue with the teeth. Any sort of infection or decay can make it very difficult for a dog to grind down on hard dry food. Dental issues are not something to be ignored; infection can spread up into the sinuses and throughout the body (sepsis), which can be fatal. Therefore, signs of discomfort when eating hard dry kibble warrants a veterinary examination.
#5 My Pug eats too fast.
Pugs, being relatively small compared to humans, will eat less food than we do. So, it’s common for them to finish eating a meal within mere minutes while we can take much longer.
However, if a Pug is truly gulping down his food at a fast rate, this is a problem that should be addressed.
Eating fast or drinking fast are top triggers of bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) which is exceedingly dangerous and can be fatal. Aside from that danger, eating too fast can leave a dog wanting more food before he realizes that he’s full (and if you give in, this can lead to overeating and unwanted weight gain), and/or cause upset stomach and/or flatulence.
What to do:
1. Assess the eating area.
If a dog does not feel relaxed when eating, he’ll be prone to gulp down his food. This is particularly common if two pets are eating too close to each other, but can also happen if the dishes are in a spot with foot traffic, people sitting or talking too close, etc. So, provide your Pug with a stress-free zone.
2. Encourage slower eating. Since your Pug won’t listen if you say ‘Slow down!', there are steps you can take to make eating slow the only choice. Options include:
• A slow-feeder bowl. These are designed to displace the kibble via a safe protrusion. Note that there are lots of plastic bowl options with 'mazes' and the like; but plastic can cause a range of issues including contact allergies, so you’ll want to stick with stainless steel. A good option is the DuraPet Slow-Feed Premium Stainless Steel Dog Bowl
, in size small.
, in size small. • A portion pacer. These are orbs that are placed in a bowl that forces a dog to eat around it. It works for some dogs, but others can quickly become pros at nosing it out of the way.
• A treat-release toy. While you don’t want to serve all of your Pug’s meals in one of these, it can work great for the mid-day meal and are especially great to use to offer meals when you’re away from home. One like the OurPets Interactive Food Dispensing Toy
is fantastic, which comes in both 3" and 4" sizes.
is fantastic, which comes in both 3" and 4" sizes. #6 My Pug is Super Stubborn with Food
If your Pug is exceedingly finicky about his food, which leaves you always searching for something new or giving in and offering your own food, it’ll be time to make some changes. This involves having realistic expectations, being mindful about snacks and how these may interfere with meals, feeling confident about what you are offering, choosing a meat base that pleases your Pug’s taste buds, and standing firm once those things are in order. Read further about Pugs that are picky eaters.
#7 My Pug hides his food/brings it to a different spot.
At the foundation of this behavior is a dog feeling vulnerable and that his food is not ‘safe’ where it initially was. In most cases, this can happen if the kitchen is a very noisy room, if there are other pets in the home and the Pug feels as if they need to compete for food, or if people sit or walk too close to where the food dish is.
How to help:
1. Offer a peaceful eating area.
This should be a spot with no one walking by, without loud noises, and without people talking to your dog or trying to pat or play with him while he eats.
2. When your dog takes any food out of the dish, immediately take the food and place it back into the dish. Get ready for your dog to test you; he may try to move it multiple times before finally giving in to your request. While this can seem like a game, it is not, so try to not give the impression that you are amused by this.
3. Stay consistent.
For this, no food, not even snacks, should be given outside of the designated eating area.
#8 My Pug Keeps Trying to Eat Non-Food Items
If your Pug literally eats or tries to eat non-food items, this can be a blend of boredom, chewing obsession, and/or curiosity.
How to help:
1. Puppy-proof the house no matter what your dog’s age.
Do a thorough sweep of the interior and exterior of the home. Pick up anything and everything that you possibly can, that can be moved to a new spot, up higher.
2. For things you cannot move
– Tie up loose electrical cords and keep them out of sight. Run cords through purchased spiral cable wrap, cord concealers, or even PVC pipe to keep them inaccessible. For furniture and other such large items, if your Pug chews on those, use a quality deterrent spray like PRO Anti Chew Spray For Dogs & Puppies
. But, keep in mind that these sorts of sprays are based on bitter agents (like apple or lemon) and for some reason some dogs don't mind the taste.
. But, keep in mind that these sorts of sprays are based on bitter agents (like apple or lemon) and for some reason some dogs don't mind the taste. 3. If your Pug is teething, take some time to carefully choose quality teething chews like the Nylabone Dura Chew Petit Chicken Flavored Chew
. This is sized for small pups, has textured nubs to 'scratch' the itch of erupting teeth, and is flavored to keep a pup focused on it.
. This is sized for small pups, has textured nubs to 'scratch' the itch of erupting teeth, and is flavored to keep a pup focused on it.#9 My Pug Eats Everything On Walks
Dogs may mouth or even swallow things while out on walks due mostly to curiosity. They first mouth something and then decide if it's worth their time. Some of these things may be inadvertently swallowed and other things, like pebbles, may be intentionally swallowed (due in part to their salty taste).
How to help:
1. Know that you are in charge.
Have your Pug on a leash and harness (not leash and collar). With your Pug wearing a harness, you can have full control over your Pug, keep the leash taut and quickly move him away before he eats anything by moderately tugging on the leash, without fear of injuring him (because the harness prevents neck injury).
If you are looking for a harness, the Puppia RiteFit Harness
is fantastic. It's sturdy, breathable, adjustable, and easy to put on and take off.
is fantastic. It's sturdy, breathable, adjustable, and easy to put on and take off. 2. Anytime that you stop your Pug
from trying to eat something, give the ‘Leave it’ command. Even though you will be the one forcing your dog to ‘leave it’, also give praise. If this happens a lot, every 3 to 4 times offer a training treat (if you do it each time, your Pug may learn to fake going for something just to get the yummy treat).
#10 My Pug guards/protects his food.
Some dogs can be very protective of their food. They may growl at, snap at, or even lunge at people or other animals that are nearby.
What to do:
1. Assess if there is an aggression issue aside from this food issue.
This may include your dog growling when you try to groom him, snapping at you when you take away a toy, etc. If so, training will be in order to instill proper hierarchy.
2. Assess if you are feeding your dog enough.
If your Pug is right on the borderline of receiving enough food, he may very well be maintaining his weight but is extremely hungry at each meal time. This alone can cause a dog to feel over-protective of his food. If needed, add in a few extra snacks per day and/or increase serving sizes of each meal.
3. Offer a stress-free eating environment.
Have the dish set up in a quiet corner where there is no foot traffic, people chatting away or watching TV close by, pets running around, etc. Dogs deserve to eat in peace without being bothered.
4. Desensitize your Pug to having you near the bowl.
This can be done by tossing special treats into the bowl as your dog eats. In this way, you are teaching him that you coming nearby during mealtime can be a good thing. After you’ve done this at least one meal per day (and up to 3) for about a week, things should resolve. However, every now and then, repeat this so that lessons are not forgotten.
