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Caring for a Pug

Amy McCready
By Amy McCready, Animal rights journalist. Updated: August 31, 2017
Caring for a Pug
Pug

Animal file: Pug

The pug. An immensely popular breed of dog. Although originally from China, they have found great fame in many countries. Their popularity should not surprise us though. Pugs not only have an adorable look, but a very balanced and cheerful temperament.

Although the pug is a small dog, they have a muscular constitution: a big head, a short snout and a powerful jaw. This doesn't stop them from being an excellent companion animal. In fact, the pug ranks among the 30 most popular dog breeds in the world.

You may have decided that the pug is your ideal pup. So, in this AnimalWised article we will shed some light on caring for a pug.

You may also be interested in: Caring for a Hedgehog

Exercise for a pug dog

As we mentioned, pugs have a very muscular structure. Therefore, physical exercise is essential for their well-being. That said, physical activity should always be adapted according to the characteristics of each dog.
Pugs are not easily excitable, but this doesn't mean they are not energetic. Therefore, a good way to channel this energy will be incorporating two daily walks, with some opportunity for play. You can teach them to bring the ball, take them to swim or practice some games of intelligence.
Yet, due to their short snout, it is possible that the pug may suffer respiratory difficulties. The moment we observe any symptoms that indicate our dog is tired or cannot breathe well, physical exercise must be interrupted. We should also take precaution against intense heat.
The best supplement for physical exercise should be a good diet. Whether we opt for a natural diet or a diet based on feed, we must ensure they are not overfed. Pugs love to eat and could very easily become overweight or obese.

Caring for a Pug - Exercise for a pug dog

Hair care for pugs

The pug has a short, smooth and shiny coat, which makes it very easy to maintain. However, we should not confuse easy maintenance with avoiding regular hair care.

The coat of this dog should be brushedregularly, preferably with a rubber brush. Then gently brush them with a hard bristled brush. In times of molting we will observe that our dog sheds a lot more, so it is necessary to increase the frequency of brushing.

This habit not only takes care of the hair of our dog and helps us to detect parasites, it also helps us show authority. This is quite essential for pugs as sometimes, they can be stubborn.

How to wash a pug

We recommend bathing pugs only when strictly necessary and to use specific products suitable for dog hygiene.
Even more important than the bath itself, is the drying after it. The pug does not tolerate the changes of temperature well. Therefore, after a warm bath, we must dry them well to avoid them getting too cold.
Their skin folds retain moisture very easily, so they will need a thorough drying to prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria. The skin folds can also retain more dirt and food, so inspect and clean them whenever necessary; drying well after. We suggest you clean their facial folds once per week. If you don't, they may develop a fungal infection.
Take extra care after a visit to the beach or the swimming pool.

Caring for a Pug - How to wash a pug

Caring for a pug puppy

Pug puppies, as you can imagine, are even cuter than their fully grown self. Although they are small and appear vulnerable, they are generally easy pups to take care of. They only have a few special needs.
Ensure you start training your pug pup the moment you take them home. The first six months of their life are when they learn how to behave. This behavior will continue throughout their adult life.
Don't leave your pug puppy alone for long periods of time. Pug pups need lots of attention and stimulation during the first months of their life - this prevents behavior problems later in life.
You should also feed your pug puppy high quality pet food, suitable for this breed. If you are unsure what to buy, have a chat with your vet and they will advise you on the best for your pug.

Caring for a Pug - Caring for a pug puppy

Regular veterinary care for a healthy pug

The life expectancy of a pug is between 13 and 15 years. Although, to reach this longevity and enjoy a good quality of life, they will of course require good veterinary care.
We do not only mean following the vaccination program or regular deworming, but also to detect any disorder that could arise, early on.
Because of their short snout, the pug has a certain predisposition to suffer many changes in their respiratory apparatus

. They are also prone to allergies and skin disorders, such as dermatitis. Periodic visits to the vet are very important to monitor this and to act against any changes that may occur.


If you want to read more similar articles to Caring for a Pug, we recommend you browse our Basic Care section.

If you want to read similar articles to Caring for a Pug, we recommend you visit our Basic care category.

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Akash
Can we feed other bread dog milk
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi Akash,

Do you mean milk from another dog?
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