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I AM NOT A VET.

This page only has "tips" for caring for your Pug in the most general way, for the most common everyday problems. These tips may be thought of as "first-aid" until you can consult a vet.

The most common problem with Pugs is eye injuries. Always keep on hand an ointment. You can get it from the vet or from the pharmacist. Jusk ask for "opthalmic polysporin". Indications of an eye injury include: exessive tearing and squinting, swelling around the eye, a blueish cloud over the iris or a reddish/purple cloud in the eye. Use the ointment every three hours until able to take to the vet.

DON'T try to heal it yourself ! Permanent damage can occur very quickly and if not treated properly, an eye injury can result in blindness or even in the loss of the eye.

Pugs seldom have that "doggy odour" and don't need baths more than every few months. Over bathing can strip the natural oils out of the coat and cause dryness and skin irritations. However they do need their nose wrinkles wiped out every day. Being flat faced, they tend to get dirt inside the wrinkle and if left, can cause yeast infections. A good indication of this is a foul odour when the Pug puts his face up to yours.

Pugs can get heatstroke very quickly. Take extra care in hot, humid weather. Keep walks to the cool of mornings or evenings. If out in the car, always keep ice water on hand. Don't leave the Pug in the car, even in the shade, for more than 10 min. To cool rapidly, pour icewater over the head and stomach and use cold compresses. GET TO THE VET. If travelling in hot weather, put an icepack in the bottom of the crate covered with a towel. Check frequently to see that the Pug is not too cold. If the house is hot the Pug is better off in his crate with a fan on him.

Pugs like to eat. Pugs exist to eat. People exist to feed Pugs.

Pugs put on weight very easily. Excess weight can cause breathing problems as well as shortening their life. Most Pugs do well on 1 cup of dry food a day. This is for the average "couch potato". If the Pug is very active this amount will have to be adjusted. A good test of weight is to feel their ribs. If the ribs can be felt without having to "dig" your fingers through the fat, then that is a good weight for them. You should not be able to see the ribs, just the slight upswing at the end of the ribcage. If there is a large hollow behind the ribcage and in front of the hind legs, then they are too thin. Pugs are basically square and straight from the shoulders to the hips. They should not have a "waist" like a Dobermann. I prefer this method as opposed to weighing them, as muscle tissue weighs more than fat tissue so therefore a well-muscled Pug might well weigh more then the same sized couch potato.

There are many good sites on the Net that deal with major problems in the Pug so I won't go into them here. I've included some on the LINKS page and encourage you to research before buying. That way you'll know what to ask the breeders.

Above all, there is no substitute for good veterinary care.