Tips to Take Care of a Baby Pug for First-Time Dog Parents

A favourite small dog breed in India, the pug has charmed everyone from Chinese emperors to English royalty. With a cute and confused face but a cheerful demeanour with impressive comic abilities, the pug loves to be the centre of attention. Like all other breeds, there are certain things to keep in mind when you take care of a pug. So, here are a few tips for first-time dog parents to look after pugs and retain their happy smiles.

Feeding

It is important to specifically choose small-breed dog food for pug puppies. Consult a vet before introducing anything new to or removing anything from your pup's diet. Also, do that gradually so that it doesn't lead to an upset tummy. Usually, you should feed pups 3-6 months old at least 3 times daily. Reduce it to 2 times daily when they are 0.5-1 year old. Consider using bowls elevated from the ground for the pug's ease.

Exercise

Pugs are naturally overweight although they are a small dog breed in India. Therefore, exercising is key to reducing the chances of health problems. Take your puppy for a walk every day and play games with him to help him stay fit and cheerful.

Dealing with Obesity

Pugs often eat anything and end up putting on too much weight. So, make sure to avoid overfeeding them and follow the feeding chart of the chosen dog food for your puppy. Overeating can not just make them obese but even result in lung disorders, leg pain and eye problems.

Tackling Overheating Issues

Pugs usually get dehydrated in extremely warm conditions since they lack long wet noses like other dogs which causes difficulty for them to adjust to the heat. So, make sure that their living condition is cool and take special care of them in summer, including providing them with plenty of water. If their belly gets overheated, use cold compresses to cool it down.

Grooming

Remember that this small dog breed in India has a double coat which continues shedding profusely. Therefore, daily grooming is needed. Vacuum a pug extensively and brush him at least twice per week. For his baths, consider oatmeal-based shampoos to protect his sensitive skin and keep it soft.

Since these dogs have narrow ear canals, they can easily develop ear infections in case water trickles into their ears. So, it is a good idea to use a cotton ball or soft tissues to wipe their ears dry and clean. Take them to the vet if they have an ear infection.

Cleaning Pug Wrinkles

All kinds of unwanted stuff like dirt, water, food, mucous, etc accumulate in pug wrinkles (folds). So, from time to time, gently clean the folds with medicated wipes or baby wipes dipped in lukewarm water. Then smear petroleum jelly inside the folds using a cotton swab to protect the internal skin.

Follow the above tips to look after your pug well and once you find a good brand of dog food for your puppy, consider sticking to the same brand.