Pugs are notoriously sweet, playful and clownish. They make the perfect companion for families and single dog-owners alike. They are very good-humored and not too grumpy or timid. But like all dogs, Pugs can become overweight if not cared for properly.
People with Pugs now how they can overeat if given the opportunity to, which then leads to health and weight issues. If your Pug’s weight is not monitored properly it can spiral out of control and lead to health problems both now, and later in life.
How do I know if my Pug is overweight? The average weight of a Pug should be is 6.3 to 8.2 kg (14 to 18 pounds) for both males and females. Another way to tell if your Pug is overweight is by checking and assessing their upper torso area and making a visual observation.
But how does this torso check work, and how do you do it?
It’s quite simple; and it’s a great way you can tell if your Pug is overweight if you don’t have scales.
Apply a little pressure to your Pug’s chest and you should be able to feel their ribcage. This is how you know they are of an optimum weight. If you can barely feel the ribs at all, this is a fair indication that your Pug is overweight if there is more fat than ribs to the touch.
The bottom line is, all Pugs are individuals. Yours should not be too skinny, and not too fat. You should be able to easily feel the ribs, but they should not be visible until the waistline, with the ribcage then tapering into the hips area.
Pug weight chart
For a visual indication of how much a pug should weigh and when to worry about yours being overweight you should refer to the graphic below developed by the Cambridge BOAS Research Group.
It’s a great indication on whether your Pug is too skinny, or your Pug is too fat.
How much do Pugs weigh?
I’ve already covered this briefly, but just to confirm, a healthy Pug weight which doesn’t fall into the overweight category could fall into the following weight ranges:
- Average weight of a pug: 6.3 to 8.2 kg (14 to 18 pounds).
However, some Pugs can still weight more or less than these averages and still be healthy, so if in doubt ask your vet. Factors that can dictate Pug weight include gender, mixes in their heritage, and muscle.
As well as taking a Pug’s gender into account, you should also consider their height in comparison to their weight. There are two average Pug heights; males at 11.8 inches (30 cm), and females at 9.8 inches (25 cm) measured to their shoulders.
You should also consider other factors such as Pugs that are considered runts of the litter that may well never reach 11.8 inches high. Consequently, you can expect smaller than average Pugs to weigh a little less than the recommended guidelines.
Ensuring your Pug remains a healthy weight may be challenging at times, but it is possible and helps to ensure your four-legged companion has a long, healthy and happy life.
This guide to ensuring your Pug doesn’t become overweight will explain some of the ways you can help to make that happen.
Handy Hint: Your Pug’s weight gain could possibly be due to pregnancy. Here are ways to tell if a Pug is expecting puppies.
How much should a Pug weigh at 4 months?
But what about Pug puppies who are probably now settled into their new home? How much should a Pug at 4 months weigh?
A 4-month-old Pug should weigh in at around 2 kg to 3.5 kg. (4.4 to 7.7 pounds). At 6 months of age, a Pug should weigh between 3.2 kg to 5.4 kg (7 to 12 pounds).
More ways to tell if your Pug is overweight
As well as weighing them and checking their upper-torso area, there are several ways to check whether or not your Pug is piling on the pounds that doesn’t involve a visit to the vets.
1. Assess their appearance
As mentioned, a common rule of thumb when assessing the weight of a Pug should be is to look to their ribs. If your Pug is a healthy weight, you shouldn’t be able to see their ribs, but you should be able to feel them easily – usually, they should have just a thin layer of fat over them.
It’s the same with their spine: if you see it, that means they’re too thin, but you should be able to feel the spine of a healthy Pug with ease, because it should ideally only be covered by a thin layer of fat.
Pugs of a healthy weight should also have a visible waistline that is slightly smaller than their chest, and the base of their tail should have a small layer of fat that is smooth to the touch.
2. They get tired and overexerted easily
When Pugs are out of shape and overweight, they will become fatigued after just a few steps, panting a lot or wanting to stop already only minutes into your walk.
Now obvious, Pugs are a brachycephalic breed meaning they pant at the best of times, but I am referring to small walks, such as walking up a few steps or 100 meters or so in a straight line with no incline.
If this seems to be happening more often than it should, and you can rule out other external factors (such as hot weather) as being the cause, it is time to consult your vet about a diet and exercise plan.
3. They struggle to groom themselves
If your Pug can’t itch scratches they normally would or don’t seem to have the flexibility necessary to bite or groom themselves, this can be an indication that they need to go on a diet due to being overweight.
Why are Pugs more prone to weight-gain?
When it comes to mealtimes, most dogs are able to self-regulate, and stop eating after a certain point once they’re full up or have enough food to maintain their energy levels.
However, Pugs are one of the few dog breeds that do not possess that ability of knowing when to stop – if left to their own devices, they could possibly even eat themselves to death.
Pugs love food and will eat pretty much anything, but they don’t know where to stop. Their owners need to remain extra vigilant in order to ensure that they do not overindulge and end up harming themselves as a result due to being overweight.
Handy Hint: Your feeding regime could be the reason your Pug’s weight has become problematic. Here’s how much they should be eating.
Owners need to keep mealtimes to twice a day with controlled, limited portions in order to ensure the wellbeing of their dog.
As well as this, Pugs, especially when they approach a more senior age, tend to be a lot less active when they get older.
If left to their own devices, they will run around and play a lot less than is healthy for them, and as with humans, this lack of exercise contributes to them gaining weight.
Conclusion
If you choose a Pug as your pet, rest assured that you have gained an adoring best friend for life who (most of the time) will be easy going and loveable.
However, that doesn’t mean that owning a Pug comes without some challenges to overcome.
Whilst Pugs can be more prone to weight gain to other breeds, this doesn’t have to be a problem provided owners are vigilant in their care and regularly assess and check their Pug weight for signs of unhealthy gains.
On the whole, as long as you don’t feed your Pug more than twice a day and ensure that they get their daily exercise, they should be fine.
If you have any concerns about your Pugs’s weight, it isn’t the end of the world, either. It is just something to discuss with your vet to make sure your dog has a happy, fulfilling and healthy life.
You might also like…
On Doggysaurus we frequently write about Pugs and the questions owners might have regarding their health and personality. In addition to the Pug weight chart and guide to checking whether yours is overweight, you might also like the following guides.
- This is why your Pug drags his bum along the floor
- 19 ways you can try to stop your Pug from snoring so much
- How you can tell whether your Pug is happy and love you
Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/pug-dog-cute-portrait-pet-grass-4314106/