New Pug Owners: You'll Love These Important Tips on How to Keep Your Pug Healthy!

One of the most distinctive physical characteristics of a pug is her short snout, allowing for that “smooshed” look that causes her snorting and huffing. It is adorable, but it can also be a problem as can other health issues a pug and her parents may encounter. However, there's nothing new pug owners can't handle! 😉

Smoosh Face Problems.

Pugs have very short snouts and it makes them sensitive to heat. They have a narrower windpipe, narrow nostrils and a long soft palate, which takes up room at the backs of their throats. This tissue vibrates whenever they take a breath, often making them noisy breathers and especially noisy snorers! From transporting them in vehicles to being out in the sun too long, just make sure you’re keeping them cool and well hydrated. Learn to recognize the signs of distress, including blue gums or tongue, thick sticky saliva and/or a reluctance to move.

A Fit Pug is a Happy Pug

Exercise your Pug! Some people assume that if you have a small dog, they don’t need the kind of exercise that a larger breed may need. And while it’s true that your Pug might not want to run laps around the block with you (save that for the Labs!), they do need exercise in the same way all animals do. While they’ll be used to sleeping 14 hours a day on average, make sure to get them outside for a walk a few times a day.

Pug Teeth.

Care for their teeth. Dogs with healthier teeth digest their food better, reducing the chances of intestinal blockages and stomach related illnesses. While it can feel like an awfully big pain, it’s important to brush your dog’s teeth as often as possible (once a week is already ahead of the curve!)

Choose an awesome food.

Pugs are muscular, solid dogs with rounded features. (We recommend DOG for DOG’s DOGSFOOD, a Save Our Shelter partner, with a mission to feed healthy food to your dog, and dogs in need!) Healthy food will deter carrying extra weight, which is harder when you’re smaller, as it puts extra demands on the body for oxygen, compressing the lungs, airway and throat. Your little dude doesn’t need anything else impeding his breathing!

For more health tips visit Save Our Shelter. You may already know about these health concerns and suggestions, but if you take care of your new pug she will take care of you in return!