Owning dogs, in particular providing care for the pug, is nothing new for humans. Historians speculate that dogs were first domesticated between twelve thousand and twenty five thousand years ago—and that all dogs evolved from wolves. Since then, we have selectively bred more than 400 different breeds, varying in size from 4-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the distinction of the tallest canine. But the most preferred dogs are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The pug is also a popular choice among canine owners. Some owners are unaware, however, of some of the most important pug care tips.
Health care cost for the pug
The annual cost of raising your pug—which includes meals and snacks, veterinary care, toys and license—could range between $420 and $780. This figure doesn’t include capital expenses for sterilization operations, collar and leash, dog carrier and a doggie crate. Tip: Be sure you have procured all your supplies before bringing your pug home.
Typical pug Care
pug Feeding Plan
- pug puppies between 8 and twelve weeks old need four meals in a 24 hour period.
- Feed pug pups three to 6 months old 3 meals every twenty-four hour period.
- Feed puppies six months old to 1 year 2 times in a twenty-four hour period.
- By the time your pug makes his or her first birthday, 1 feeding daily is adequate.
- Many times adult pugs might eat 2 smaller bowls. It’s your job to learn your pug’s eating schedule.
High-quality dry food provides a well-rounded diet for grown pugs and can mix with broth, water, or canned food. Your pug may also dig fruits and vegetables, cooked eggs, and cottage cheese, but these foods should be less than ten pct of his or her daily nutrition intake. pug pups should probably be given high-quality, brand-name puppy food. You should try to limit “table food”, though, since it can result in mineral and vitamin imbalances, bone and teeth issues, and might create extremely finicky eating habits as well as obesity. Clean, potable water should be available exclusively, and make certain to clean food and water dishes daily.
pug Care Tips: Your pug needs exercise daily
pugs need exercise in order to stay fit, stimulate their minds, and remain in good health. Daily exercise also really helps pugs avoid boredom, which has the potential to lead to naughty behavior. A little fun and games would satisfy most of your pug’s desires to herd, dig, chase, retrieve and chew. Individual exercise needs will vary based on your pug’s age and his or her level of health—but ten minutes in the backyard and merely a couple of walks around the block every day probably won’t be enough. If your pug is a six to eighteen month adolescent, her requirements will probably be more.
Grooming tips for pugs
Regular brushing will help reduce shedding and keep your pug clean. Check for fleas and ticks every day during warm weather. Many pugs don’t need to be bathed more than a few times during the year. Prior to bathing, cut out or comb any and all mats from the pug’s hair. Carefully rinse all soap from the coat, or the dirt will stick to the soap.
pug Handling
Puppies are obviously the easiest to manage. When carrying the pug puppy, take one hand and put it beneath your dog’s chest, with either the forearm or other hand supporting the back legs and rump. Don’t try to lift or grab your puppy by the front legs, back of the neck or tail. If you must pick up a larger, adult pug, lift from the underside, bracing her chest with 1 of your arms and rump with the other.
pug housing
pugs need a comfortable quiet place in order to rest apart from all the drafts and off the ground. You might want to think about buying a doggie bed, or make one out of a wood box. Put a clean sheet, blanket, or pillow in the bed as cushioning. Wash your pug’s bedding frequently. If your pug will be outdoors frequently, make certain she has plenty of cool water and shade in hot weather, and a covered, warm, dry shelter in winter.
Licensing and Identification for pugs
Be certain to follow your city’s licensing rules. Be sure to affix the license to your pug’s collar. This, along with an identification tattoo, can easily help secure your pug’s return if he happens to go missing.
pug Behavior Information
Thoughts on Training Your pug
Well-mannered, companion pugs are a blessing. However, when left untrained, your pug can easily be a lot of trouble. Teaching your pug the fundamentals—”Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, and “Leave it”—will bolster the relationship both with the pooch as well as the friends. If you’re the owner of a pup, begin teaching him or her the right responses asap! Snacks can be used as incentive and recognition. Pups should start obedience classes when they have been sufficiently immunized. Contact your local SPCA or humane society for details on training courses. Always keep your pug on a leash when, even while a puppy. Just be positive your dog will come back to you every time you call him. An aggressive or disobedient pug cannot play with other people.
Knowing Your pug’s Health
Your pug should see the vet for a full check-up, innoculations and a heartworm blood exam annualy, and ASAP if she is injured or sick.
Knowing Your pug’s Oral Health
Although we might object to our pug’s foul breath, it’s important to be aware of what it might be a sign of. Foul breath usually indicates that your pug should have a dental screening. Dental plaque caused by germs creates a terrible odor that requires the help of a professional. After a cleaning done by a professional, her gums and teeth can be maintained in a healthy state by brushing regularly, feeding a special diet focused on dental health, and eliminating table food. Your vet can give you additional guidance on minimizing periodontal ailments and bad breath. You can easily brush your pug’s teeth using a dog toothpaste or a homemade paste made of baking soda and water once or twice a week. Clean them with a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched across your finger, a sterile gauze pad, or a child’s soft toothbrush. Sometimes pugs get periodontal disease, frequently referred to as gum disease. This dreadful condition can possibly lead to your pug’s loss of teeth as well as spread infection to the body. Veterinarians may brush her teeth as a regular part of your pug’s health checkup.
Bad Breath in pugs
Even though dental disease in isolation is not a serious threat when found early, halitosis may also indicate fairly serious, chronic issues. A sweet, even pleasant smell can sometimes be indicative of diabetes, while intestinal or liver diseases may cause foul breath. When your pug’s breath smells of ammonia or urine, kidney disease may be the reason. If ever you find your pug has halitosis accompanied by other indications of disease, such as loss of appetite, vomiting and nausea, weight loss, moodiness, including depression, increasing drinking and urinating, schedule a visit to his doctor.
Fleas and Ticks in pugs
When it’s warm, it’s important for you to perform daily, regular inspections of your pug for ticks and fleas. Find and remove fleas with a flea comb. There are numerous new techniques of flea and tick mitigation. Get advice from your veterinarian about his recommendations.
pugs With Heartworm Issues
This parasite lives in the heart and is passed from an infested dog to your pug by way of mosquitoes. Several pugs die yearly from heartworms. It is extremely critical you ensure your pug has a blood test for this parasite annually each spring. It is also good to give your pug a once-a-month pill throughout the course of the warm, wet time of the year to help you protect her from heartworms. If ever you vacation in a warmer-than-usual climate with your pug during the winter, he needs to be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In some of the milder climates, veterinarians advise preventative worm medication year round.
Poisions and Medicines
Don’t ever give your pug medicine that hasn’t been prescribed by a veterinarian. Did you know that just 1 ibuprofen capsule causes stomach ulcers in some dogs Make sure your pug is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. Be sure you contact your pug’s doctor if you have cause to believe your pug has ingested a poison. You could also call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for twenty-four hr. help.
Neutering and Spaying pugs
Female pugs should be spayed—which is the removal of the uterus and ovaries—and males neutered—extraction of the testes—by 6 months of age. Spaying before maturity significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer, a common and frequently deadly disease of more mature female pugs. Spaying also eradicates the risk of a sick uterus, a traumatic condition in older females that can only be treated with surgery and intensive medical care. Neutering male pugs helps prevent testicular and prostate diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggression.
Innoculating your pug
- The combination vaccine (also called the “5-in-one shot”) needs to be given to your pug at two, three, and 4 months of age and again once annually. This vaccine protects your pug puppy from hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and distemper. The pug puppy’s vaccination regimen cannot be finished prior to four months old.
- If your pug has not been immunized and is older than 4 months, he will need to be given 2 innoculations promptly, two to 3 weeks apart. After that you must innoculate every year.
- Your pug pup’s socialization should coincide with the vaccination program. Many veterinarians recommend that new owners take their pug puppies to socialization courses, beginning at eight or 9 weeks old. At this age, they should have already received their first series of vaccines.
Statutes are so different around the country, the best thing is to contact your neighborhood doctor about rabies vaccination information. For example, in NYC, the statute requires all pets older than 3 months of age to be vaccinated for rabies. After the initial immunization, she must get another immunization the following year, and then every 3 years after that. There are a variety of immunizations, many of which are appropriate for your pug. Others, however, are not. Ask your pug’s vet for her opinion. Also, if your pug gets sick because she is not innoculated, do not give the shots until the dog has made a full recovery.
Intestinal Parasites in pugs
pugs are often exposed to worms and possible infestation—even in urban areas. Eggs that carry roundworms are transmitted through a pug’s stool. Even the healthiest of pug puppies carry roundworms or hookworms. The key to effective treatment is early detection. This will maximize the possibility that the treatment is highly effective against the parasite your dog has. A dewormer that eradicates hookworms, for example, can’t kill tapeworms. Your doctor can best determine the culprit—and assign the effective medication.
pug Care Tips: Additional Info
Checklist of pug Supplies
- Excellent-quality dog food and snacks designed for pugs and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water dish
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Comb and brush for grooming, including flea comb
- Collar with ID tag and license
- Leash
- Dog carrier (for pups)
- Crate for training
- Box or dog bed with sheet or towel
- Dog toothbrush
The no-no list
Do not feed your pug the following:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Caffeinated foods, like coffee, tea or chocolate
- Grapes or raisins
- Spoiled or moldy food of any kind
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Poultry bones
- Salt or salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems or unripe fruit
- Yeast dough
Final Thoughts
Unless you are at home, or in a secured, fenced-in spot, always keep your pug on a leash. If your pug goes #2 on a neighbor’s lawn, on the sidewalk or any other public location, please take care of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about pugs
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