Pug Insurance, Care and Health Advice
Pugs are living proof that the best things in life really do come in small packages. Always stealing hearts with their silly sense of humour, life’s never dull with this pint-sized clumsy clown by your side.
Although mostly low-maintenance, it’s important to watch out for the type of health problems that short-faced breeds can be prone to. But with some TLC and a little patience on the training front, the pug is pretty much the ideal companion.
Pug Facts
Is a Pug Right for Me?
Pugs quickly feel at home in any setting - including small houses and flats, and love being the centre of attention. They will also be your number one fan, so if you love the idea of being shadowed absolutely everywhere you go, then a pug is definitely for you.
Pugs make great family pets, and love jumping and tumbling around the garden with kids. They’re deceptively sturdy, too - and smart enough to dodge out of harm’s way if needed.
When they’re not playing and tearing around, pugs spend a lot of time napping. It’s not unusual for a pug to sleep for 14 hours a day (or longer). Expect plenty of naps interrupted by short bursts of fun! Most pugs aren’t that bothered by a game of run and catch, so if you’re looking for long walks around the park - or even the occasional game of frisbee, a pug might not be the right fit.
What Are Pug Puppies Like?
Pug puppies are no different from other breeds of puppies. They’re lively and inquisitive, mischievous and playful. They can be nippy, chew things, jump up and are generally cheeky little monkeys.
Pug puppies aren’t fully grown until around 2 years old, so you can expect lots of playful puppy fun until then!
Life with a Pug
They’re only tiny, but they know it - so “little dog syndrome” is rarely an issue with Pugs. They also have an almost non-existent prey drive, meaning they’re happy to make friends with any other four-legged family members, including cats. Just make sure your cat is just as friendly before the introductions are made.
Now while Pugs will love their own family, they may very well get a bit mouthy when a stranger arrives at the door - at least at first. Once they’ve had a chance to calm down and realise that this is a potential new playmate, everything’s generally cool again.
Separation anxiety can be an issue for a pug left alone all day, so don’t be surprised if your buddy’s been chewing the sofa or yelping for attention while you were out! A nice big indoor play area can help soften the blow (and save your furniture).
Caring for Your Pug
Pugs love their food! They can be greedy so obesity can be an issue with this little breed. It’s really important to make sure your dog maintains a healthy weight to prevent any potential problems. Pugs are a brachycephalic breed, which means they have a flat face and short noses so are prone to breathing difficulties. If your Pug is overweight, the harder they will find it to breathe.
Some tips for feeding your Pug. Weigh the food according to the guidelines given on the back of the food packaging. Split this daily amount into two separate meals, once in the morning and once in the evening. This will keep your dog’s hunger satisfied for longer. If your Pug is particularly greedy, why not try a slow feeder dog bowl. These help to stop your dog from gulping down his dinner all at once. It can also help to stop your dog from choking on their food too.
Pugs tend to shed a lot. A few times each week, give that coat a brush. And even if they don’t look (or smell!) like they need one, a bath is a good idea once every three weeks.
If those wrinkles aren’t looked after, dry skin, yeast infections and dermatitis can develop. Two or three times a week, give them a once over and clean with a canine wipe. Those big brown eyes also have a habit of getting debris in them; so they’ll need a wipe a few times a week, too.
Two walks a day of around 15-20 minutes is bang on. Too much exercise can leave your buddy overheated or breathless, while too little can cause weight gain and loss of muscle strength. When out for your walk, don’t use a leash and collar; these are bad news for brachycephalic breeds, as the extra force around the neck can severely impede breathing. Use a harness instead.
These pups are smart - but only on their terms. When it comes to learning new tricks, a pug is definitely on board. But as for house training, be prepared to be on hand with lots of patience and plenty of praise. Crate training can be a big help here; once your pug grows to love their own little chill-out zone, they won’t want to make a mess inside it.
Pug Pet Insurance
Pugs are known to suffer from health conditions. So when you do decide to bring one of these little pooches home, you should think about your Pug's pet insurance just as much as you’re thinking about their dog bed.
That’s where Everypaw can come in handy. We’ve got levels of Lifetime dog cover all ready to wrap around those little paws. Choose up to £10,000 of vet fee cover, and have comfort knowing your Pug’s in good care.
Common Pug Health Problems by Vetstream
Pugs can suffer from a number of problems, mostly related to their breathing. It makes sense to take your dog for regular vet health checks so you’re one step ahead of any potential problems. We’ve teamed up with vet experts Vetstream to give you an idea of what to look out for in your precious Pug.
Pugs are a brachycephalic breed. This means they have flat faces and short noses, so can struggle with breathing difficulties. Because their nose is shorter, the tissue inside gets squashed. The wrinkles and folds in the tissue block the airways and make breathing difficult. It means they can’t get enough oxygen into their lungs so they can struggle to exercise properly. It also makes the dog breathe noisily.
Obese dogs suffer even more from this condition. The only way to fully resolve the problem is to surgically remove the excess tissue and open up their airways. It’s a risky procedure, but it’ll help your Pug to enjoy a much more active and healthier lifestyle.
This condition develops when the tear glands don’t produce enough tears. Tears are needed to keep the eye wet and flush away any dirt. They also make blinking possible and are antibacterial to help fight infection.
The lack of tears causes dry eyes, which will be sore for your dog. The eyes can also become infected or damaged. Dry eye can even cause blindness in severe cases. There are various treatments, but the aim is to prevent the eyes from drying out. Most cases of dry eye can be sorted out by using special eye drops. Your vet will show you how to give these to your dog if you’re not sure. It’s easy and most dogs are pretty good at having them put in.
Hemivertebra is a common congenital condition of the spine. The vertebrae are deformed caused by vertebrae fusing or developing unevenly. As a result, the spinal cord or nerves can be squashed and damaged. This causes pain, instability, loss of leg function and even incontinence. But some dogs can live with this condition and not suffer any of these problems, but that is rare.
This condition usually affects dogs under a year old. Signs may not be noticed until after a sudden jump, fall or spinal trauma. In mild cases, rest and anti-inflammatories might help, but spinal surgery will be required in most cases.
This is a common condition in smaller dogs like the Pug. The kneecap is unstable and doesn’t slide into the correct place. Instead, it jumps out and ‘locks up’, making the knee difficult to bend. It’s a really painful condition. Sometimes the kneecap will jump in and out of place, making your dog intermittently lame.
In most cases, surgery is needed to correct it. During surgery, the kneecap is realigned, and the groove is made deeper so it can’t jump out of place again. After surgery your dog will have to be on restricted lead exercise for a while, but after 2 or 3 months they should be walking properly again. Your vet might also suggest some physiotherapy to help build up the muscles again.
Quick Pug Q&A
With all the health problems Pugs can suffer from their lives can be short-lived. But most Pugs live to around 11 years old and with the best of care and regular vet visits, your Pug could live to the grand old age of 15.
Yes, Pugs shed a lot!
They shed most of the time and even more as the weather changes throughout the year. Expect to be getting your hoover out most days to get rid of the hair around the house. If you’re allergic to pet hair, unfortunately a Pug probably isn’t for you.
Pugs are great with kids which makes them great family pets. They’ll love nothing more than running and playing around the garden with kids, but not for long, they’ll soon want to take a nap!
The Pug is an ancient breed that originated in Ancient China. It has strong connections to the Buddhist religion and was originally used as a companion dog to nobility and royalty. Pugs then appeared in the UK around the 1600s.
That’s All You Need to Know About Pugs
Pugs are affectionate, friendly dogs that will entertain the whole family. Their short coats are low maintenance, and they don’t need to go for lots of long walks. But they can be lazy and put on weight easily if they eat too much and don’t get enough exercise. They love being the centre of attention, but also have a stubborn and independent streak so be warned, they may need more training than other breeds!
Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis
Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.
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