Pug Health Problems & Pug Grooming Tips

Temperament 

Pugs are known to be stubborn at times. Not angry, not aggressive, just stubborn. They’re world revolves around food and sleep. A life that most of us dream of, your pug is living it. Because they’re a smaller breed, pugs are relatively easy to keep fit and are perfect for city, apartments and suburban life. They’re a great family dog and are just as content to sleep on your lap while you’re watching TV as they are to play with your kids or bounce in the kitchen while you prepare lunch. Basically, pugs are the closest thing to a cat you can get while still wanting to be a dog owner, but due to their small stature and flat-faces, pug health problems can be unique that you should be aware of if you’re considering a life as a pug owner.

Top 5 Pug Health Problems

Like we mentioned above, pugs LOVE to eat, play and sleep, but that carefree and relaxed life can lead to a list of pug health problems that are specific to the pug breed. Below we’ll take a look at the top 5 pug health problems and how you can help reduce those risks over your puggies lifespan.

Respiratory Health

We love our pug’s little smushed face. Not only does it give them the ability to, almost, emote in a human way, but it actually can restrict their breathing. Most dogs have snouts that are elongated to assist in their ability to smell over 40 times better than their human counterparts. Pugs, Bulldogs, Schitzus and other pups with flat faces can often suffer from respiratory issues. Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS) is a condition more common in these types of dogs, that can restrict the airflow in their upper airways. The best way to tell if your best bud is suffering from this ailment is: difficulty breathing, gasping which they’ll usually counteract by breathing through the mouth. To combat this, pair your pug with some cooler environments and maintain a healthy weight by keeping some mild dog exercise in your pug’s life.

Neurological Problems

This disorder affects pugs the most with over 24% of the breed suffering from some type of neurological disorders. The main culprit is a disease that targets the brain, causing inflammation, and leads to a high number of seizures in pugs. Wild Thing Pets offers a wide variety of CBD Oil for dogs and CBD dog treats that can assist to lessen the number and severity of seizures in your pug due to neurological disorders.

Seizures

Like we mentioned above, this ailment is common in most dogs, but especially Pugs. That goes hand-in-hand with the Neurological issues that your best-but can suffer from. Identifying these issues as early as possible can help to treat them and lead to a longer and healthier life for your animal companion.

Birth Defects

Birth defects are something that you can’t plan for and are often unexpected. Almost 9% of Pugs suffer from some type of congenital disease. These issues can stem from heart problems and blood flow issues to the respiratory problems we mentioned earlier.

Cancer

Cancer affects every species of dog on Earth, but some types of cancers can become more specific to each breed on a case-by-case basis. When it comes to your pug, they tend to suffer from more skin-based cancers and mammary tumors. CBD Oil for dogs is a recommended addition to your pet’s cancer treatments and studies have shown to reduce the risk over time.

How To Take Care of Your Pug’s Grooming

So you’ve identified whether your pug is suffering from any ailments and you’re working to ensure that your fur-baby is living a healthy life, exercising regularly and eating right. You’re doing everything right but, just like anything else, the more active your pet is, the dirtier it is as well. You might think that caring for your pug grooming is as simple as giving it a bath once a week, but there are some pug-specific grooming strategies that can make sure your pugs skin and coat are clean and healthy. Below are a few tips for pug grooming!

Bathing & Cleaning Those Wrinkles

Yeah, those little face and body wrinkles are so pinchable cute that it drives us crazy. But those rolls are breeding grounds for bacteria and germs that, if left uncleaned, could fester into serious skin conditions. We suggest that you bathe your pet once every 2 or 3 weeks and recommend cleaning each of those folds when you do. Once you’ve cleaned them, be sure to dry your pupper and folds as thoroughly as possible. Excess moisture can increase the chances of yeast and cause unwanted smells and debris.

Maintain a Healthy Coat

Do pugs shed a lot? Yes. Pugs have a dense coat that you need to brush regularly. Pugs are known for shedding almost every day of the year and in some breeds, they even have a second coat. All pets love a good brushing, most people do too, but failing to brush and remove the loose hair can lead to irritation and poor ventilation for your pup. There are plenty of tools at your disposal when it comes to brushing your pooch, so choose one that works well with you and that your pet seems to enjoy.

Manicures

You’re not the only one that likes to get their nails “did”. Failing to tend to your pets nails can actually lead to them becoming overgrown and, sometimes, curling back into the paw itself. The best way to avoid this is to stick with a schedule of trimming your pets nails every 6 to 8 weeks. When trimming your dog’s nails, try to avoid cutting them too close to the paw. Dogs have a nerve in their nails that, if cut too close, can cause lots of pain and deter your pet from letting you cut their nails in the future without putting up a fight. There are tons of different types of nail files you can choose from so just find the one that suits your needs best.

Clean Ears

This one is universal for all dog owners. Cleaning your pet’s ears is simple and helps prevent wax build up over time. The best way to clean your dog’s ears is to use a cotton ball. Cotton swabs are not recommended for this procedure because you can run a risk of injuring your pet’s inner ear. Just drop a little cleaner on your cotton ball and gently wipe the inside of their ears.

Brush Their Teeth

Flat faced (brachycephalic) dogs require more dental care than most. Due to their small mouths and weaker jaws, they can lose teeth from simple playtime rituals like playing tug-of-war. That’s why maintaining strong teeth in your Pug is beneficial. We recommend that you should work brushing your dog’s teeth into your daily routine. Twice a week at least. To create a habit of this within your dog’s life, start them with tooth brushing as a pup. This will ensure things like tooth decay and tooth rot do not ruin playtime for your new family member.

Conclusion