I recommend you print this list off and stick it your refrigerator… some of the foods I list that your dog should avoid, aren’t just bad for your Pug, they could even be fatal. Some will poison your dog and are foods that are toxic to Pugs.

Because of this, I’ve put the most poisonous foods to Pugs first on the list. It explains why they are toxic and even how much they might eat before you call a vet.

Bottom line though; if your Pug eats anything they shouldn’t, don’t wait to read notes like this on the Internet – call your vet!

So, if you want to find out what food Pugs can’t eat, plus some plants that are poisonous to them too – read on.

Poisonous foods for Pugs

Like most dogs, Pugs will eat whatever you put in front of them. If you happen to drop something on the floor and they gobble it up, in most cases, they should be fine with eating things in moderation.

However, there are some foods that are extremely toxic and not safe for Pugs to eat, even in small amounts. Knowing what Pugs cannot eat is really important in keeping your dog safe.

Here’s the most dangerous foods for Pugs, followed by things that they eat that are not poisonous as such, but are still bad.

1. Chocolate

This is most commonly misunderstood food that Pugs cannot eat, and the one that leads to most people having to call a vet.

It’s all due to the toxic theobromine substance in chocolate. Just small amounts can make your Pug sick, so if chocolate drops on the floor, pick it up immediately. In large quanties your dog will vomit, and in more serious cases develop an abnormal heartbeat, tremors, seizure, and even death.

Dark chocolate is the most dangerous and poisonous to Pugs as it contains more of the theobromine.

2. Onions, garlic, leeks and chives

All of these foods are in the Allium family. Anything in this bracket is a poisonous food for Pugs, whether it’s been boiled, cooked, or whatever – it’s not something your Pug should eat ever.

These foods are said to makes dogs feel poorly and in larger amounts can lead to red blood cell damage. You won’t always see symptoms of poisoning straight away as it can take a few days for the toxic effects to take effect.

3. Artificial sweetener (xylitol) in gum and mints

Xylitol is one of the most toxic things a Pug can eat, and is commonly found in some mints and sugar-free gums.

According to research (see research published on MSU.edu), xylitol is 100 times more toxic than chocolate is for dogs. If they just eat one stick of gum with xylitol, a small dog could see their blood sugar levels dip considerably.

If the small dog went onto to eat a whole pack of gum with 10 sticks containing toxic xylitol, it could damage their liver irreparably and possibly even kill them.

Other foods and household items that can contain xylitol include:

• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Peanut butter
• Sugar-free candy
• Sugar free breath mints
• Fruit drinks
• Jellies and jams
• Cereals
• Baked goods
• Sugar-free puddings and Jello
• Over the counter vitamin supplements

4. Candy and sweets

It’s not just the foods above that come with toxic xylitol. Some candy brands do too, so always check the labelling.

To be frank, you shouldn’t be letting your dog eat candy anyway, even if it’s free of poisonous xylitol. Why? It’s due to the sugar levels plus there’s also the risk of choking or blockages in your Pug’s digestive tract or tooth fractures.

5. Certain peanut butter brands

Our Pug loves peanut butter. It’s one of his favorite treats, especially when we put it in a Kong Toy.

However, some peanut butter brands include xylitol. This substance is toxic to dogs and needs to be avoided at all costs due to poisoning.

6. Corn on the cob

Corn on the cob is not among the poisonous foods for Pugs, but it is dangerous due to the cob part. These can lodge in the throat of your dog and intestines, so should be avoided at all costs.

Sweetcorn is fine, as this will be easily digestible though.

7. Cooked bones

Dogs love to eat bones. Everyone knows dogs love bones, but they are dangers with this food type.

When bones are cooked, they become brittle and can break apart. This means that when Pugs eat cooked bones, small slithers can perforate their internal organs, leading to big risks to their health… with possible fatal consequences.

8. Avocado

Fruit is a great food for Pugs, but not all fruit! Avocado is one such, as it can be bad for Pugs but only when prepared in a particular way.

Avocados contain a poisonous toxin called persin which when eaten in large quantities can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. However, persin is mostly concentrated in the avocado skin and pit, rather than the fleshy part.

So, should your Pug eat an avocado, chances are you won’t have any problems. But, it’s still worth avoiding, especially the toxic parts – the skin and stone.

9. Grapes and raisins

Another group of fruits that can be poisonous to your Pug are grapes and raisins. They are a toxic food for Pugs and can lead to kidney failure when eaten in large quantities.

10. Macadamia nuts and walnuts

All nuts should really be avoided in a Pug’s diet, as they are just the right size and texture that lead to choking. However, these two nuts which are potentially toxic to dogs.

When eaten at volume, both can result in diarrhea, sickness, and the possibility of canine pancreatitis.

The side effects of Macadamia nuts are very nasty and rank high on the list of poisonous foods for Pugs… the poisoning can result in hyperthermia, tremors, vomiting, and lethargy.

11. Cherry, peach, and plum pits

Due to the size of pips and seeds like this, they can become lodged in the intestines of smaller dogs like Pugs. Blockages are a very real risk, so don’t let things like this anywhere near your dog’s mouth.

There are also trace elements of cyanide in the pits of some fruits like peach and plum. It would take a heck of a lot to poison your Pug, but it’s a bad food either way.

12. Mustard seeds

Mustard is so vomit-inducing to Pugs that vets sometimes use it to make dogs sick up for medical purposes. The seeds in particular are very toxic as they contain poisonous elements to dogs.

13. Coconuts and coconut oil

A little bit of coconut is unlikely to harm your Pug, but the milk and white flesh of a coconut is known to cause stomach upsets in dogs.

The reasons coconut water should be avoided is due to the potassium in it, at high levels too.

14. Yeast dough

When ingested, yeast dough will heat up and then start to rise and create gas. This is very problematic in a Pug’s digestive system, leading to extreme pain, bloating, and possibly the twisting of their gut.

It’s potentially fatal, so if your Pug eats yeast dough, visit a vet immediately… the yeast can also change into ethanol, a highly potent alcohol.

15. Alcohol

This is good time to talk about alcohol dangers and how dangerous this drink can be for dogs.

Alcohol consumption can make your Pug have diarrhea, vomit, difficulty in breathing, tremors, a lack of coordination, abnormal blood acidity, central nervous system depression, and even a possible coma or death.

Giving your dog alcohol isn’t funny and can kill them.

16. Hops

On a similar topic, the hops that are used in home brewing kits are also a dangerous ingredient for Pugs to eat. There are compounds in the hops that lead to malignant hyperthermia.

That means your Pug’s temperature can rise rapidly, possibly causing permanent damage to the organs and brain or even death.

17. Coffee, caffeine, and tea

Drinks with in are bad for Pugs. It’s all down to the methylxanthines in the caffeine which causes similar bad reactions in dogs to chocolate.

If your Pug has licked up a couple of coffee granules, chances are he will be fine. But in large amounts such as loose tea and coffee beans, it could be very harmful and require vet’s help.

18. Nutmeg

Myristicin us a toxic substance with trace amounts found in nutmeg. When dogs eat it in large amounts it can lead to various problems including abdominal pain, increased heart rate, seizures, and even the possibility of hallucinations.

19. Moldy food

If your dog has access to trash, be very careful. Moldy food is bad for Pugs as it can contain mycotoxins. Mycotoxins grow on moldy food and make it poisonous when ingested.

Bad food for Pugs

In addition to the foods that are bad for Pugs, there are others. Whilst they are not strictly considered poisonous and toxic, you should avoid them due to the potential negative side effects. For example, weight gain.

20. Milk and dairy products

Many Pugs will be lactose intolerant, meaning dairy products can make them sick. Dogs don’t have the same digestive system as us and can find it hard to break down lactose in milk, meaning runny diarrhea issues!

21. Blue cheese

Given that you know dairy is bad option for dogs, it should come as no surprise that some cheeses can be dangerous. Avoid the blue cheeses, Roquefort, and Stilton. They have roquefortine C which is known to cause very bad reactions in dogs.

This can include symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. In more extreme cases your Pug could develop seizures and tremors if they eat a lot of blue cheese.

22. Meat and eggs that have not been cooked properly

Many owners now feed their Pug a raw diet, and there’s nothing wrong with that providing they get all the nutrients and goodness required.

However, there is some research to suggest that bacterial infections such as Salmonella and E. coli can be contracted by dogs eating raw meat.

23. Food and drinks with high sugar content

Sugary food and snacks aren’t good for us, so they certainly aren’t for your dog. In fact, this is one of the worst foods for Pugs, and can result in a range of health problems.

Dogs that have too many snacks with sugar content are at risk of developing diabetes, weight gain, and even decayed teeth and gums. Sugar can also upset delicate Pug tummies too, so something to avoid at all costs.

24. Food high in salt and sodium content

Just like lots of sugar, the same applies to salt content. Food that is high in sodium can potentially poison your Pug… but is most likely to lead to them getting extreme thirst and increased urination in the volume it would be in dropped food.

If your Pug does eat lots of salt, the warning signs are very severe and include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, high body temperature, and seizures.

25. Fatty foods

Fatty foods such sausage, bacon, burgers, and fried food can result in upset stomachs. If your Pug gets to eat these tasty snacks over a prolonged period of time, it could even result in pancreatitis.

Yes, it’s hard to say no to those pleading eyes when they beg for your food, but often the tastiest food is the worst for Pugs.

What plants are poisonous to Pugs?

There are also things your Pug should not eat outdoors including the following toxic plants.

• Aconitum
• Amaryllis bulbs
• Asparagus fern
• Azalea
• Citrus
• Cyclamen
• Daffodil bulbs
• Day lilies
• Delphiniums
• Dog’s Mercury (Mercurialis perennis)
• Foxgloves
• Hemlock
• Hibiscus
• Hostas
• Hyacinth
• Hydrangea
• Ivy
• Laburnum
• Lily of the valley
• Lupins
• Morning glory
• Mushroom plants
• Nightshade
• Oleander
• Rhododendron
• Rhubarb leaves
• Sweet pea
• Tomato leaves and stems
• Tulip bulbs
• Umbrella plant
• Wisteria
• Yew

This list contains just the most common plants that are poisonous to Pugs. For a more comprehensive list, please download this print out from the Dogs Trust.

Conclusion

The reality is, most of the time if your Pug has just eaten a very small amount of any of the bad foods listed here, they “should” be ok.

But, please never leave anything to chance and also consult with a professional veterinarian for advice.

I am not a vet, just a dog owner so all I have written here today is what I have personally learned and research myself. It should not replace veterinarian advice.

You might also like…

In addition to this list of foods toxic to Pugs, I also write individual guides about other things they can eat, and the health implications. Here’s a small sample of recent content.

• How to keep your Pug warm and comfortable in the winter months
• Can dogs eat horseradish mustard safely?
• Can dogs eat sunflower seeds safely?

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/pug-dog-lap-dog-purebred-dog-cute-375462/

The post What Foods Are Bad, Poisonous, & Toxic to Pugs? 25 Bad Foods! appeared first on DoggySaurus.

In the following guide, I will explain all you need to know about Pugs and cold weather. It includes tips on how you can keep your Pug warm in the winter months, plus advice on safety to keep them healthy and comfortable.

Why Pugs don’t tolerate cold weather

You might wonder; do Pugs get cold? The answer would be yes, Pugs do get cold in winter. This breed is brachycephalic which contributes towards them being more sensitive to lower temperatures. Their bodies lose heat quickly compared to other dogs, and they get breathing problems due to the elongated soft palate.

Their short coats don’t help either, as this means they feel the cold more with not as much winter protection as a longer-haired dog would have.

In simple terms, Pugs have not been bred to be outdoor dogs. Being sensitive to cold, they can become dehydrated and suffer with hypothermia in dangerously low temperatures. They are breed that you really need to take special care of in cold winter temperatures.

Signs your Pug is cold

There are some common symptoms that hint your dog is suffering in cold weather. If you see your Pug suffering with any of these, you should make them warmer and in some cases seek professional advice.

• Your dog refuses to go outside.
• Your dog starts to make a nest, for example pulling at blankets or burrowing in bed.
• Your dog has the shivers.
• Your dog appears to be lethargic.
• Your dog lifts their paws off the ground when outside.
• Your dog is barking or whining.

During very cold weather, Pugs can even get frostbite and hypothermia. The latter is a deadly condition that results in blood no longer circulating round the dog’s body, weakness, stiff muscles, and eventual slowed heartbeat and kidney failure.

Signs of hypothermia include:

• Shivering and trembling.
• Slowing down, lack of movement, and trouble walking.
• Cold skin and fur.
• Slowed down heart rate.
• Dilated pupils.
• Blue or pale gums and inner eyelids.
• Breathing problems.

That all sounds very serious, but providing you look after your Pug properly in the cold winter months, you should have nothing to worry about.

However, even when you do take special care, your Pug might develop some of the less serious symptoms. For example, your Pug could actually catch a cold. I have described canine cold symptoms lower down the page, so you know what to look out for.

Handy Hint: Ever wondered why dogs love rolling in snow so much? I put a guide together which explains dogs love affair with snow.

How cold is too cold for a Pug?

There will be a point when the winter gets too cold for a Pug. The temperature that is too cold for Pugs is around 4 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit). This can be too cold, and if combined with wet weather, or with older dogs or puppies, the danger is increased.

If your Pug is lifting their paws off the ground, then it’s obviously way too cold for them. At this point, it’s too late, so check out the infographic below which shows what temperature your Pug should be comfortable at.

Once the temperatures creep into the green and blue numbers, it’s too cold for your Pug, and means their health could be in danger.

Handy Hint: It’s not possible for dogs to catch a cold or flu from a human owner so don’t be too worried when you have a runny nose.

How to keep your Pug warm in cold weather

Here’s what you need to do when temperatures start to drop, and how you can keep your Pug warm in cold weather. It also includes suggestions for walking in the cold, snow, and ice, and what items you should buy to help keep your Pug warm.

1. Winter health check

Older dogs are far more prone to suffering in the cold weather, as are young puppies. Low temperatures can bring on illnesses quicker and affect an existing medical condition.

When the temperatures start to drop before winter, make sure you take your Pug to the vets to get a health check. They will be able to identify anything that could get worse as it gets colder.

2. Move their bed and supply more bedding

Temperatures drop lower during the night, and this is when your Pug could be at their coldest. Think about where their bed is and whether it could be moved into a warmer position; for example, is it next to a door or near a draft?

You should also consider giving them some more bedding and blankets to keep them warmer. Your Pug will be able to make a warm nest at night and get all cosy… but don’t let them get too warm as this can also have a negative effect.

3. Don’t overfeed your Pug in winter

Most people tend to walk their dogs less during the winter. The combination of the lower temperatures and dampness are enough to put most people off.

Of course, that means your Pug won’t be getting as much exercise as before, so you might want to consider how much you feed them to avoid weight issues.

Keep your Pug’s weight at a sensible weight. Whilst “feeding a cold” does have some validity to it, with more food keeping their energy levels up, it’s a fine balance.

Handy Hint: If you aren’t sure whether your Pug is too fat, read this guide on how to ascertain if they are overweight or not.

4. Make sure their drinking water isn’t too cold

Keep an eye on how cold your dog’s water is. Water that is too cold can make dogs ill, including exacerbating exiting cold symptoms and giving them a sore throat.

Make sure their drinking water isn’t freezing over if left outside and leave their bowl near a warmer place inside of the house. If you do leave water outdoors for them, here’ s how to stop it freezing over in winter.

Also think about the water coming through your tap. If the pipes are near frozen, cold water will be too cold, so run tepid water instead into their bowl.

5. Don’t go for walks when it’s too cold

Your Pug might be begging to go outside, but exercise a commonsense approach. If it’s too cold outside, use up some of their energy indoors.

With our dog, we play with him using a laser pen which he chases up and down the kitchen until he’s puffed out. It keeps his fitness levels and weight in check, and means we don’t have to go outside when it’s too cold for him.

6. Use potty training pads indoors

When it’s too cold for your Pug to even go outdoors and pee, you need a solution. I’d recommend puppy pad – you might have used this when potty training your Pug puppy. They work just as well with adult dogs.

You can buy a large packet of them on Amazon. Your dog is bound to remember how to use them, so should be ideal in cold winter weather.

7. Always use a collar and chip

Wintertime is one of the riskier times of year for dogs to get lost. With those dark evenings, possible snow, and their reaction to the unusual environments, dogs will often wander.

If you are taking your Pug for a walk, and it’s not too cold, make sure they have a collar and chip on so they can be easily identified.

8. Buy a winter jacket for your Pug

In recent years there has been an explosion of Pug accessories and clothing lines. Most are a bit gimmicky, but in cold weather, they are essential for winter walking and paw protection. Here are a couple I recommend.

Canada Pooch dog parka jacket (on Amazon)

This one has luxurious Sherpa lining to keep your Pug warm this winter. It even has cargo pockets in it, although not sure what your dog will want to carry? Perhaps some small treats?

Gooby padded winter coat

This won’t win any style awards, but that’s not really the point. It’s extremely warm and is rated very highly by Pug owners the world over. You can attach a leash or lead to it easily, it’s water resistant, has a simply to use zipper, and offers a snug fit.

Before you buy, make sure you measure your pup up properly. There is information and prices on the Amazon page (click the photo below).

Didog reflective winter coat

My third recommendation is the Didog winter jacket. What I like most about it is the reflective material. This should help you see your dog on a dark winter’s night and also ensure cars see them before it’s too late.

It’s just as warm as the Gooby, it’s all down to personal preference on what you buy. Keep your Pug warm this winter just like others have done.

9. Don’t forget winter paw protection

You should be looking at your Pug’s paw during the winter months to check for cracks and wounds. Paws are very susceptible to cold weather and ice, and can deteriorate very quickly, becoming painful – with even the possibility of frostbite!

You can buy winter boots for Pugs on Amazon. Here’s a quick Amazon recommendation to check out.

10. Trim nails to stop skidding and injury

If you don’t think it’s cold enough to buy winter boots, you should still maintain your Pug’s paws in winter, and in particular their nails.

Longer nails and claws won’t have the right traction on ice and compacted snow, and if not trimmed down could lead to slipping and injuries.

11. Avoid street salt and chemicals such as anti-freeze

During icy weather, humans tend to put salt and chemicals on the roads and pavements to stop vehicles and people slipping. Whilst this is ok for us, on doggy paws that are not protective, it can be painful – the same goes for chemicals like anti-freeze which could be split.

This is a risk with Pugs that are not wearing adequate have paw protection in the winter.

12. Don’t let them eat snow

Your Pug is almost guaranteed to love seeing snow for the first time. It’s an unusual feeling for them, so they will probably want to roll about in it.

Dogs being dogs, they will often want to eat snow too. It might seem cute, but it could make them ill if it has urine, poop, or chemical traces in it. Don’t let your Pug eat snow, it could make them ill in the cold weather season.

13. Don’t let them get wet

The biggest risk to your Pug’s health in cold weather is when the cold combines with damp. It can cause hypothermia or in less serious cases, cold symptoms.

After a walk or play in the snow, make sure you towel them down properly, even using a hair dryer if they will let you.

Check for snow stuck into their fur and paws as this will quickly turn to cold water once you get back indoors, making their bedding damp too.

14. Don’t leave them in your car

Everyone knows how fatal cars can be when it’s hot, but it’s equally true in winter too. A cold car can be a killer so don’t leave your beloved Pug in your car or truck.

15. How to keep a Pug warm at night

I’ve already touched on a few ideas on how to keep your Pug warm in winter, some of which can be used at night too. I wanted to offer a few more tips here as well, as once night falls, the temperature will drop.

• Place their bed away from doors, drafts and out of cold rooms.
• Use a (not too) hot water bottle.
• Use a bed that is raised off the floor to avoid the cold floor.
• Perhaps let them sleep with you in your bed.
• Put more blankets than usual in their bed
• Position their bedding in doughnut shaped ring for them to get warmer in.
• Don’t let them sleep too close to a radiator or heat source.

Handy Hint: Here are some tips you can use to keep your dog warm at night when sleeping inside or outside the house.

Pug cold symptoms

As you will now know, Pugs can get colds. If you think your Pug is ill during cold winter weather and low temperatures, it could be a slight cold.

Like humans, the first sign might be a little sniffle and sneeze here and there.

But, just like us again, the symptoms can soon develop into a more serious illness if not treated appropriately.

Pugs don’t cope well with cold weather and winter. As a brachycephalic breed, the cavities in their skull are smaller than other dogs, meaning mucus can block the cavity.

Once that happens, your Pug could get a more serious winter illness such as dehydration, hypothermia, or even pneumonia. With that in mind, it’s important to recognise the cold and flu symptoms in your Pug before it gets too serious.

Here’s what you should always be on the lookout for:

• Runny nose and nasal discharge (what else this could be).
• Runny or watery eyes.
• Sneezing.
• Wheezing or wet-sounding cough.
• Lack of appetite.
• Shivering.
• Warm ears.
• Trouble breathing normally.
• General lethargy.

Handy Hint: Here are some tips you can use to keep your dog warm at night when sleeping inside or outside the house.

Should you worry about slight sniffles?

Almost every Pug will have a cold symptom once in their lifetime, with the winter being the prime season for it. In the main, some sniffles here and there, or wetter nose than usual isn’t something to worry too much about.

When you should be concerned would be if your Pug starts to cough in winter. This will need immediate vet support, as it could lead to a chest infection in the cold weather.

You can do your own check; put your ear to your Pug’s chest. It should sound clear but rattling and gurgling is a sign of possible cold and mucus on the chest area.

Some dog owners try to treat their Pug’s cold without the help of a vet. I don’t recommend it, but the ones who do use a canine nebulizer. More on that in a moment.

How to treat a Pug with a cold

Here’s how to treat a Pug cold. Please note though, this should not replace professional vet’s advice and is purely tips I have found after researching online, plus reading vet comments on trusted web forums.

1. Encourage fluid intake

Dehydration is a risk I winter cold weather, so your Pug needs to be taking on enough fluids to stave off any risk. But of course, when dogs are sick, sometimes it’s hard to get them to drink, so you could try adding chicken broth to the water bowl.

2. Add extra nutrition to their food

Your Pug might also have lost their appetite due to the cold and can quickly start to lose their strength. Try changing them into something like boiled chicken with brown rice for added nutrition.

3. Feed extra dietary supplements

You can also try adding some supplements into the food to help cure the cold symptoms. These can include items such as coconut oil, cinnamon, and honey. The experts say that these supplements can help Pugs recover from colds as they will help to improve the immune system and can also act as a natural cough medicine.

4. Limit outdoors time and maximise rest

Limit their physical activity and don’t let them outdoors into the colder temperatures. The only reason they should go outside is for toilet breaks – but if you can, switch to puppy pads indoors.

5. Love and affection

What’s the one thing that made you feel better when you had a cold as a kid? It was cuddles and affection from your parents… and some Pugs can be the same. See if they want close up love or need their space – they will all react differently.

Handy Hint: Pugs show love and affection in many different ways. Here’s how to know if your Pug loves you and is happy with life.

6. Hot water bottle

If they don’t want you getting close to them, you could heat up a water bottle and put it in their bed. Not too warm of course, but enough to raise their temperatures to a comfortable level.

7. Dog nebulizer

Before writing this article on Pugs and cold weather, I didn’t realize you could use nebulizers on dogs. However, a vet told me that some owners will manage their dog’s cold themselves using one of these.

8. Steam vaporizer

Just like us, steam vaporizers can help to clear your Pug’s bronchial tubes and help relieve many Pug cold symptoms, making them breathe so much easier. Put it close to their bed, but not so they can knock it over.

9. Apply Pug nose balm

Pugs can get cracked and dry noses in winter cold weather, or it can go the other way, with their nose starting to run. For cracked and dry skin, you should try dog nose butter or balm on Amazon. It is organic and will soothe and repair any cracks.

When you should call the vet

There are certain things to look out for which really demand a call into your vet. Your Pug’s cold could get worse, with the following signs:

• Your Pug has started to cough.
• Your Pug stops taking on fluids.
• Your Pug appears to be in constant pain.
• Your Pug has a rattling chest sound.

If it’s an older Pug or puppy, I wouldn’t even wait this long. With the slightest sign of a cold, I would call a vet for advice. They are more susceptible in these ages to develop colds in winter temperatures.

Here’s how one vet said they would treat a Pug with a cold:

“We often have owners bring their dogs in during wintertime. It’s peak time for sure. We treat Pugs with colds just like we do any other dog; with a small course of antibiotics. This works by killing bacteria and helping them build up their immune system until their cold has subsided.”

Conclusion

Pugs in cold weather don’t really work out too well. These little guys need warmth in the winter, so please be careful at this time of year when snow, ice, and colder temperatures become the norm.

As a breed, they are one of the most at risk when it comes to cold weather intolerance.

Whilst Pugs can tolerate cold weather to a degree, there is a tipping point at which you should pay more attention – you can see those temperature ranges in the graphic higher up in this guide.

You might also like…

I’ve written other guides to help you look after your Pug, here’s a selection of the most recent.

• The 25 foods that are most dangerous to Pugs
• How to keep a Pug’s biting and nipping under control
• How to not discipline a Pug puppy

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/pug-dog-lap-dog-snow-race-1932463/

The post Pug Cold Weather Guide: How to Keep a Pug Warm in Winter appeared first on DoggySaurus.

As a breed, Pugs are prone to various health problems, with their skin being just one regular complaint. It’s not unusual for Pug skin allergies, rashes, and bumps to develop over their lifetime.

But, it’s not all bad news. You can help your Pug’s skin problems with a range of preventative measures and also look out for some signs of an allergy, such as bumps. Of course, if the skin issue doesn’t quickly clear, you should always consult with a vet.

They will typically prescribe an antibiotic and recommend special medicated dog shampoos to help remedy Pug skin bumps and rashes.

Pug skin problems & conditions

Below you can see a list of the most frequent Pug skin issues. I’ve also added notes on how you might be able to help remedy them from home (based on my online research), or when it’s best to seek professional advice and treatment.

1. Dermatitis

Dermatitis is one of the more common Pug skin issues and can arise for various reasons including a food allergy or something in the home.

It can appear to look like a patch of red and irritable skin, eventually scabbing up, or even leading to pus. Vets prescribe antibiotics or antifungal medication for more serious cases, with some milder dermatitis being treated at home.

For example, Pug owners can clean the skin with antifungal cleansers or shampoos with cool water, or cleansing wipes.

There are different types of dermatitis that can affect Pugs, all detailed below.

Nasal fold and tail fold dermatitis

Your Pug’s tail is often the place where dermatitis will occur most, as moisture and dirt can become trapped under the tail, leading to inflammation. Signs to look for include redness of the skin under the tail, and a nasty smelling discharge.

To help prevent this type of skin issue, keep the area under your Pug’s tail as clean as possible with wiping. Use a clean and damp cloth, or a dog friendly wipe to help prevent infection.

Handy Hint: Read my guide explaining what type of wet wipes you should use on your dog, and how to clean their face, eyes, and ears properly.

With skin infections like this, vets tend to prescribe medication and will show you how to use an antifungal wipe on your Pug. The two things combined will help you to get rid of any bacteria or a yeast infection in that area.

I have never heard from a Pug owner who hasn’t had to go to the vets with this particular Pug skin rash. It’s a very common canine skin complaint.

Acute moist dermatitis – aka a “hot spot”

Also known as acute moist dermatitis or pyotraumatic dermatitis (see definition, hot spots are where your Pug has created a self-inflicted wound, through excessive itching or rubbing.

What might start off as a skin rash on your Pug, and possibly nothing that problematic, can soon become a hot spot if your Pug starts to give it attention. Hot spots will become angry, with thick scaly skin and occasional discharge on the fur.

Of all the possible Pug skin problems, it’s certainly one of the nastiest looking ones.

In terms of a home treatment, you can help this Pug skin issue by trimming back the hair around the wound. That will let more air get to the area, letting it dry out. You can also help speed things along by using an antibacterial solution, like chlorhexidine or betadine.

If the problem gets more serious and struggles to heal, vets tend to give the Pug an antibiotic. Some dogs will continue to chew at the wound, so might need to wear a cone (also known as an Elizabethan collar).

Handy Hint: If your dog does end up wearing a cone, please read these tips on how to make sure they heal quickly.

2. Pug dry skin due to a food allergy

Some pugs will develop skin irritations and dermatitis due to an allergic reaction to certain foods. Food allergies are a common cause of problematic Pug skin conditions.

Food allergies can manifest themselves anywhere on your Pug’s body, and you might not realize it until your Pug starts to paw at the affected area. For example, you might see your dog chewing a paw, or find some itchy bumps on their belly… it could even become an inner ear infection.

Allergic reactions to food can show in a different number of skin conditions with your Pug, and treatment will mean figuring out what food is causing it. This isn’t always that simple.

As part of the process, your vet might recommend that you switch your Pug to a hypoallergenic food, as well as the process of elimination in their diet.

3. Pug skin allergies from environmental conditions

Pugs can also develop skin problems due to things in their environment. That could be their home, yard, garden, or anywhere they frequently visit.

Like many of the skin problems already referenced, you might see some red patches on your dog’s stomach, or again, they could start chewing at their own paws and skin.

This is particularly true when it’s a contact allergy. In other words, something touches them which produces an allergic reaction in the form of a bump or rash.

It can be something as simple as a plastic bowl they drink from, to grass touching them, or to something in the air such as smoke.

Vets will often prescribe antihistamine for environmental Pug skin allergies. It’s not unheard of for dogs to be given a human antihistamine such as Piriton, but there can be side effects as with any medicine.

Your vet will also explain how you can help to reduce the allergic skin reaction by cleaning your dog’s belly and paw down when they come into contact with an allergen.

If this doesn’t work, vets might then prescribe a stronger medication such as Apoquel and Cytopoint, which help to interrupt the allergen cycle in dogs.

4. Pug skin bumps due to fleas

It’s almost impossible for your Pug to not get fleas at some point; they tend to jump on when you’re out taking them for walks! You might also find that the first thing you notice will be your Pug scratching intensely, before you even see a flea.

The majority of the itching will take place on the skin around your Pug’s tail and neck. You might also see some skin bumps on your Pug. Other than those signs, you could see one on your furniture – time to get the flea treatment out!

Fleas are simple enough to treat, with oral and topical medicines available as well as anti-flea collars from companies such as Seresto. You should always make sure your Pug is up to date with worm and flea treatment, and always make the wear a collar – click the image below to buy one on Amazon.

If your dog is has really itchy skin due to fleas, your vet may need to put them on anti-itch medications such as steroids. Canine antibiotics are also an option if they have a bad skin infection from the fleas.

5. Pug skin issues from autoimmune diseases

Another possible reason for a skin issue could be due to an autoimmune disease. This is where the dog’s body will attack itself; this can be triggered by genetic traits, existing medication, or often for no obvious reason at all.

Your dog can develop skin lesions, such as ulceration of its nose, or its body can even attack its red blood cells or platelets, leading to life-threatening anemia.

Unfortunately, there aren’t really any remedies you can do at home to treat autoimmune diseases. Instead, your vet will need to diagnose the disease, often with a skin biopsy, followed by starting immunosuppressive medications.

These may include prednisone or cyclosporine, and some pets need to be on a combination of medications to be effective treated.

6. Pug skin rash from ringworm

Ringworm can also create a skin rash in Pugs. The rash is the first sign of the fungal infection developing, which will then develop into hair loss, looking circular in pattern with scabs and scales.

Vets will treat ringworm with a topical antifungal medication, especially if the problem rash is in one spot on your Pug’s skin.

With more serious cases of ringworm, vets will recommend treatments such as oral medications and medicated shampoos.

What other Pug owners say

I am a member in various Pug Facebook groups, and they can be a great resource for tips and advice. I found a few questions on there that people has asked concerning skin infections and rashes, so have replicated those below with some of the best responses.

“I’ve been asked to share my Pug’s skin problems with you fellow Pug lovers, in the hope it may help some of you. I am not offering any medical advice, or sure-fire cures, just sharing my experiences in the hope it may help some of you. I’ve tried a few different things which help such as avoiding a raw food diet but poultry and wheat free. For medication I use small amounts of Piriton. I bathe them in either tea-tree oil shampoo or coal tar. Needless to say regular walking and stimulation helps with the scratching of skin.”

“Our Pug gets skin bumps and rashes due to food allergies. We’ve tried all sorts of lotions and potions and the things that have worked best are grain and poultry-free food, hydrocortisone spray for when there is an attack of the itchies, and a water pistol to discourage for foot licking.”

“My Pug has terrible skin problems. After a lot of trial and error, I put him on salmon and sweet potato dried food, and it worked wonders. My Pug’s skin is lovely now with no more scabs or redness.” 

“We use coconut oil on our Pugs, rubbing it into their skin and fur and also a spoonful into food once a week depending on the severity of the skin rash. We also had to put them on a salmon and rice-based food which has helped skin and stomach problems no end.” 

“I’ve tried everything including steroids from the vets and honestly, the best thing that still works for our Pug is Piriton twice a day and Sudocrem. Sudocrem is an absolute life saver and when his skin flares up, he gets covered in it for every night for 3 to 4 evenings and his skin calms right down. I have also used an antibacterial shampoo.”

Conclusion

Pug skin conditions can be varied, and most will probably get one at some point in their lifetime. To help minimize the risk, try to feed your Pug good quality food, keep their skin clean and dry, and keep an eye on them with daily checks.

Make sure to regularly clean out their ears. Pug skin allergies can quickly start in darker and wetter areas like ears, so be careful not to get water in them, and if you do, dry it out.

It goes without saying really, but if your Pug’s skin doesn’t get better in a day or two, get professional advice form a vet. They will be able to diagnose and treat your dog effectively, reducing their discomfort from dry skin conditions, allergies, bumps, rashes, and infections.

You might also like…

I regularly write about taking care of Pugs, and here are some other topics that might interest you.

• The foods that are most poisonous to your Pug
• How to stop your Pug from crying at night or when in a crate
• How pugs and cats can live together in relative harmony

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/pug-portrait-dog-2505762/

The post Pug Skin Problems, Issues, Allergies & Bumps + How to Treat appeared first on DoggySaurus.

Now, please don’t worry. You should eventually be able to stop your Pug puppy crying in his crate.

But you will need a degree of patience and large amount of determination. You will need to leave them at times… this might seem cruel, but it’s an essential part of your Pug puppy growing up to be a well-adjusted adult dog.

The reason it’s happening is due to the Pug puppy being taken away from the mother and other puppy siblings. It’s harsh, but it’s true. Your puppy will no longer have that security and familiarity, so will cry in the crate for prolonged periods of time.

It’s kind of like having a baby; you will need to accept that you might miss out on some sleep for a while and keep going until you get night-time training mastered!

In this easy to follow guide, I will explain the steps you can take to cope with your Pug crying and whining at night. It will help you get them settled and used to sleeping in crate without having to be constantly by your side.

Before those crate trainings steps, here’s a little background to why your Pug’s crying.

Why do Pugs cry?

Pugs will and do cry, and Pug puppies are particularly known as big criers. Whimpering and crying will happen when they want your attention, to be fed, or to be let out for a pee or poop.

Pug puppies also cry due to separation anxiety when they are left alone; much of this plays into their night crying habits – it’s need to be cracked otherwise problems will develop.

Pugs puppies can also cry due to health reasons

• Blocked tear ducts: Whilst this might sound odd, blocked tear ducts mean your Pug’s eyes will water more, with obvious tear staining down their face. It can sometimes look a red or brown color, seeping from their eyes.
• Eye allergies: An allergic reaction can also lead to watery discharge from their eyes, which can look like tears and crying.

Pug puppies will always cry, and in the first month you have them home with you, it’s to be expected, and possibly won’t let up until they get a bit older.

But the main reason that Pug puppies will cry, will be when you have them starting to sleep in their crate at night. If you skip crate training, it can lead to bigger issues in later life, so it’s important that you do this.

Do Pugs cry tears?

All dogs, including Pugs, have tear ducts. Pug tear ducts don’t work the same as ours do though.

Instead of their tears running down from their eyes, they will instead drain back into the dog’s nasal cavity… which is why blocked tear ducts result in what look like Pug tears.

Pug crying in crate

If your Pug puppy won’t stop crying when in a crate, here’s what you need to do in order to fix things… for you, and the puppy’s sake.

The reason why your Pug puppy is crying in the crate are relatively simple…

• Loneliness: The Pug puppy won’t be used to being without siblings and not by your side at night.
• Bored: If the Pug puppy hasn’t been stimulated during the day, it could be bored at night and want to come out of the crate.
• Fear: Older or rescue dogs can have negative connotations connected to the crate.
• Toilet: It might just be that the Pug needs a pee or poop.

How to stop Pug crate crying behavior

If your adult or Pug puppy won’t stop crying when in their crate, here are some steps you can take.

Please Note: Pug puppies will cry in their crate for at least the first few days you have them. You won’t be able to stop this, as it’s their natural reaction to being in a new home. The steps below are best applied when the crying is problematic and longer term.

1. Make the crate apositive experience and comfortable

One of the simplest ways to stop your Pug puppy crying at night is to make them as comfortable and happy as possible. That’s obvious of course, but it simply boils down to making them want to be in the crate.

You can encourage this by putting toys in there, warm blankets, and some hidden treats. If the crate is cosy and welcoming, it will have more positive connotations rather than negative ones.

To help with that positive association, place an item of clothing of yours in the crate. This will help the Pug puppy’s separation anxiety at night due to the familiar scent.

2. Position the crate strategically

Where you place your Pug’s crate will have a large influence on their behavior, and possibly even the crying. For example, with a really young puppy, having them in a crate in a faraway room from you might help your sleep, but it won’t help them.

You should be taking baby steps here to help their insecurity and loneliness, so in the first few weeks at least have it and them withing sight of your room – so you can see them and vice versa.

Having them closer to you like this, will also mean you can help their potty training, getting them out when they need to pee.

Over time you can start to move the crate gradually, until they are in the crate, in a room, and with no whining and crying.

3. Use the right-sized crate

Part of the comfort mentioned earlier, will be making sure your Pug has the right crate for their stature. They need enough to room to walk from side to side, move about, stand up, and turn fully without feeling caged.

Crates don’t need to be expensive, with Amazon selling a perfectly good one.

4. Make sure your Pug goes for a pee and poop first

Your pug is crying in the crate possibly because their bladder is full. They should be allowed outdoors or onto a puppy pad before bedtime.

However, with puppies, they will need the toilet constantly. You might have to take them out of the crate every hour…  but there is an alternative; puppy training pads.

You can still expect some accidents, which is why puppy pads are so essential for lining the crate at night. Again, you can buy puppy pads on Amazon – they are cheap when bought in bulk.

5. Tire your Pug puppy out before crate time

The more tired your Pug puppy is, the more he or she will sleep, meaning the less crying in the crate. That’s the theory anyway.

Try to make sure that your Pug has no energy still left to burn at night. They need exercise, even for a small breed, and that’s whether they are adults or puppies.

With a Pug puppy, just a walk and run about for 20 minutes could be enough to make them tired before bed and crate time.

Handy Hint: Read my guide on how to tire a puppy out before bed with these tips on making sure they get their daily fill of both mental and physical stimulation.

6. Ignore your Pug’s whining and crying

It might sound cruel, but sometimes you just have to ignore your Pug crying, unless they need to go outdoors and pee. It’s a simple reason too; if you go to the crate and get them out each time they cry, they will learn to use crying to get what they want.

By taking them out of the crate at night when the Pug cries, you have reinforced the behavior… and will then find it hard to stop as the weeks and months progress.

To get this part of the training working, don’t take the Pug puppy out of the crate unless the crying has stopped for a few minutes.

7. Understanding the difference between a cry for a pee and a cry for attention

But how do you know which cry is which?

To be honest, you don’t… so what I recommend is that you take your Pug out of the crate the first few times he cries and immediately take him to the potty area.

You might end up taking your puppy out of the crate during their early months… it’s too tempting not too!

If he doesn’t pee or poop, put him straight back in the crate without any attention or play. Over a week or so, your puppy should learn that crying gives him the toilet and nothing else.

8. Never punish or scold your crying Pug

Pugs (or any dog for that matter) do not respond well to loud shouting and hitting. Whilst it might be extremely frustrating when your Pug cries at night from the crate, if you tell them it will often make it worse.

If your Pug is crying due to being scared, shouting more will not help. Yes, he might stop crying in the short-term, but only because he is in fear of you.

Handy Hint: You should never punish a Pug with physical action. Instead use some of these ideas I’ve listed to help with puppy discipline.

Conclusion

When training to stop your Pug crying at night, you should always remain consistent. That way, mixed messages won’t be sent.

If you can’t quite figure out why your Pug cries and have eliminated the topics I’ve discussed then please do seek professional help.

You might also like…

Here are some related guides to help you and your Pug puppy, with crying, night-time sleep, and other issues.

• Ways you can keep your dog calm with night-time anxiety
• How to train Pugs to get along better with cats
• Methods you can use to stop a Pug from biting you

Image in header via https://unsplash.com/photos/IL9vpVg6fPE

The post Pug Puppy Crying: How to Stop Crate & Night Tears appeared first on DoggySaurus.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. I’ve had first-hand experience of introducing a dog into our home when we already had a cat, and it worked out brilliantly.

I wanted to share everything I learned with you today including my tips on how to introduce the two and whether Pugs and cats can live together. But let’s start off with the key question:

Are Pugs good with cats? Pugs are good with cats and can live together. However, how they get along will depend on multiple factors such as how they are introduced and the temperament of both animals. There is no reason why you can’t get your cat and Pug to get along and live together, especially if the introduction occurs during the puppy months.

As a generalization, Pugs are considered to be one of the most cat-friendly dog breeds you can get. But that doesn’t mean you won’t have problems introducing them; every single dog and cat have their own individual personality… just like we do!

Do Pugs get along with cats? (and why…)

In my experience, yes, they do get along. Other people might think differently, so why do I think this is?

Well, I think it’s down the Pug’s character. An essential part of this breed’s nature involves being needy and small. They love to be part of a pack, and your cat or kitten could help with that. Many dog owners assume that this is the reason why they seem to get along so well with cats and live together with them. It’s as though the Pug is more than happy to accept a cat as part of its pack.

Another aspect that contributes to how good they are with cats is their happy-go-lucky nature. Most Pugs tend to be quite laid back and are incredibly playful.

Although you may find a Pug is more than happy to chase a cat around the back garden, it tends to be out of a sense of play. Once your Pug is back inside, he’ll be just as likely to cuddle up next to your cat.

That said, you must never allow your cat to meet a new dog unsupervised.

Even if Pugs are more likely to get along with cats, each dog will have its own temperament. Their personality, genetics, training, and upbringing will all make a massive difference in how they interact with cats or any other members of the household.

The temperament of Pug puppies vs Pug adults

There are distinct advantages and disadvantages to adopting either a puppy or an adult. It all depends on what you’re looking for, and what would best suit your lifestyle – and this will play heavily into how you introduce your Pug and cat to each other.

Whether you choose a puppy or an adult could be key to them getting along with your cat, and how easy the integration to your home will be.

Pug puppies and cats

Pug puppies can be good with cats. In fact, this is the best age to do an introduction and bring a dog into your cat’s existing home. The reason being? Puppies have the advantage of being extremely moldable. With training and care, you can help form them from day one so that they fit in perfectly with your lifestyle and family.

By adopting a Pug puppy, it also means that you will be giving your cat this crucial stage in your puppy’s development to establish a strong sense of hierarchy and dominance.

If your puppy tries to mess with the cat at this point, he’ll find out soon enough that it will earn him a sharp swatting.

Although one well-aimed swipe will be more than enough for most puppies, even the dimmest Pug will start to get the picture with time.

Eventually, the hierarchy will become cemented in the young Pug’s mind, and you’ll find that as he gets older, he’ll be less likely to challenge the status quo. This is exactly how things turned out in our house… the cat firmly believes she is the boss, and our dog follows suit.

However, if you don’t have the time or confidence to train your Pug, a puppy may not be the best option. Even the sweetest, most friendly Pug can be ruined in a matter of weeks with bad training.

Another factor to take into consideration would be any differences in energy levels between a Pug puppy and your cat. If you have a senior cat with low energy levels, then a bouncy Pug puppy might be a bit much for your elderly cat to handle.

If you’re determined to get a Pug puppy regardless, it will help family relations if you offer your senior cat a place in the house which is off-limits to your dog.

Even if your cat finds this new bundle of energy utterly unbearable, knowing that she has a place to run off to when it all gets too much can make all the difference in the long run.

A dog-free zone might be a garden or a room. It’s also a good idea to offer plenty of furniture throughout the house that allows your cat to escape when things get to be too much. Good options for this include sturdy cat trees and bookshelves.

Adult Pugs and cats

One of the key advantages to adopting an adult Pug is that their temperament and habits are already well-formed. What you see is what you’ll get with these dogs, and as long as you make sure to ask plenty of questions, there shouldn’t be any unwelcome surprises.

If you choose to adopt a Pug from a rescue, you should be given plenty of opportunities to observe the dog and to get a feel for his personality.

You will also be able to ask the handlers plenty of questions about the Pug’s temperament and history. Most importantly, however, they should be able to tell you how the Pug is around cats. You will often see this on dog rescue ads – it will say something like: this Pug is good with cats and young children – Bingo!

By taking this route, you can be confident that you are adopting an adult Pug dog that will get on well with your cat. There are plenty of very well-trained dogs waiting for their chance to be adopted, and for those who don’t have the time or experience to train a puppy, rescuing an adult can be an excellent option.

However, it is important to note that in the rare instances where Pugs become aggressive with cats, the dog was usually a rescue who came from an abusive and neglectful background. This can happen without warning (click here to find out how to cope with your dog suddenly attacking your cat).

In light of this, it’s essential to ask as many questions as you can, so that you can be sure that you know as much as possible about the Pug’s background before bringing him into a home where a cat is already established.

Even then, a new Pug must never have its first interaction with a cat unsupervised. There is always a chance that something about this particular interaction may trigger something in the dog that couldn’t have been foreseen.

After a successful introduction, it will still be necessary to supervise for any subsequent interactions. Moving slowly in this way will give you the chance to catch any behavioral issues early on, and it will provide you with the opportunity to nip it in the bud before it can form into a real problem.

Given the right introduction period, and barring any severe behavioral issues, you should soon find that even if your Pug and cat aren’t best friends, that they can at least co-exist peacefully.

How to introduce a Pug to a cat

Pugs can live with cats, but the key to success is how you introduce them… it needs to be taken very slowly. By allowing your animals to have a gentle introduction, you will significantly improve the chances of your Pug and cat getting along in the future.

While in this introduction phase, the cat and Pug should never be left alone together. Doing this will be especially important if you have rescued an older dog.

Step 1: Prepare the house

Once you have decided to bring a Pug home, the first thing you will need to do is prepare a safe space for your cat. Ideally, this needs to be one room that the dog cannot access or part of a large room that has been sectioned off. You can achieve this with a baby gate, a cat gate, or a foldable dog pen.

Some cat gates even come with a little cat flap, which will be ideal for cats who are a bit older or less mobile. However, this will only be a viable option if you are bringing home an older Pug, as a puppy will have no trouble slipping in.

Once you have sectioned out an area for your cat, you will need to move all of your cat’s essentials there. This should include their bed, food, and water, as well as their litter tray, and scratching post.

Aside from giving your cat a place to escape, it will also keep your dog from getting to the cat’s litter and food, which can both be very tempting. In our house, we placed our cat’s food up high to reduce the chances of any flashpoints at feeding time.

Although doing this will be important for your dog, who will find little benefit in consuming cat litter or food, it’s also important for your cat. It won’t help your cat’s opinion of the situation if she keeps getting pestered every time she tries to eat or go to the toilet.

Additionally, it will be necessary to create a safe space for your cat in every other room in the house. This escape could be a sturdy cat tree or even a bookshelf. Whatever you choose, it should always give your cat a place to escape that will be well out of reach of your Pug.

If you have an especially nervous cat, it may also help to use a cat pheromone diffuser. This will reduce the chance of your cat peeing in the house due to the nerves associated with a dog coming into her territory.

There are some excellent options available on Amazon, here’s the one we used. If you install this a few days before introducing your Pug, it will help immensely with keeping your cat calm.

Step 2: Initial introduction

Once your new Pug is home, it will be essential to keep the two separated for the time being. If you can, restrict your dog to one room initially. As your Pug starts to settle in, you can start the process for the initial introduction: by exposing both animals to the other’s scent.

To do this, you can first swap bedding. If you can do this before bringing your Pug home, all the better.

Another way to get each of them used to the other’s scent is to pet them both without washing your hands. First, pet your cat for a little bit, then go to pet your dog, and then back to your cat again.

The aim here is to mix their scents, allowing them to become more comfortable with the idea of the other’s presence.

Once you have done this for a few days, you can start on the final stage.

Close your cat into one room, and then allow your Pug to explore the house. Aside from giving him a chance to become accustomed to his new home, it will also allow him to become comfortable with your cat’s scent.

Allow him to roam for a few hours until he’s more comfortable with his surroundings, and then take him for a walk. As you head out for your walk, allow your cat out of her room to explore while you’re gone.

Continue this process for a few days, until your Pug is comfortable with his surroundings. You need to make sure your dog is calm before introducing them face-to-face, so make sure your Pug has had plenty of time to get accustomed to his surroundings before moving him onto the next step.

Step 3: First interactions

Once your Pug has had a chance to settle in, and you’ve had a few days to get your cat and dog used to each other’s scents, you can move onto the first interaction.

This exercise aims to give your cat time to get used to the presence of your dog. It also trains your Pug dog to stay calm around the cat.

To do this, your cat will ideally need to be in her safe space, behind a cat gate. Using this, you can approach this initial interaction with a physical barrier between the two animals, and it will allow you to maintain much more control over the situation.

Additionally, it will give your cat plenty of time just to observe and to consider this new addition to your family.

For the most part, you will want to leave your cat alone during this process. Resist the urge to pick your cat up and bring her closer, as this may frighten her further. Allow her to assess the situation at her own pace.

With you Pug, you need to put him on a leash for an extra level of control and take him out for a walk to wear him out. You will also need to bring a few tasty treats or some of his food to reward good behavior.

Initially, you just need to sit with him on the other side of the gate. Allow him to sniff and explore, but if he becomes too excited or tries to bark, you will need to distract him. If he persists, take him away. Once he calms down, you can try again.

Aside from discouraging high energy, you also need to keep a close eye out for any signs of aggression. If you notice him freezing, his hair standing on end, or him staring at the cat, correct him immediately. You need to do this calmly, but firmly to avoid escalating the situation further.

If he persists with this behavior, take him away, and put in another room for a ten-minute time out. Ideally, this room needs to be dull, without any rewards or distractions. Once he’s calmed down, try again.

When your Pug does display calm behavior, make sure to give him a treat and plenty of attention.

These initial interactions should be short but relatively frequent. Five minutes should be more than enough time, and as many times during the day as you can manage.

As you notice your cat’s confidence growing, and your Pug puppy becoming less excited, you can extend these interactions.

Step 4: Closer contact

Once the novelty has worn off for your dog, and your cat is showing enough confidence, you can start thinking about moving to the next step.

Bring your cat and Pug to a neutral space and allow them to interact without the gate to separate them. Even as you move onto this next step, however, you will still need to keep your Pug on a leash just in case.

Keep this first interaction quite short, and make sure to watch them both carefully. If either your cat or dog shows signs of being frightened, separate them and go back to the last step for a bit longer before trying again.

Allow your cat to continue exploring at her own pace and keep a close eye on your dog. You will need to stay consistent with the training you’ve done up until now; distracting him when he gets excited and separating him if he persists with this behavior.

You will need to be especially watchful for any signs of aggression in your dog at this stage. If you notice any hint of aggression, correct him immediately. If he persists, put him in time out, and try again later once he’s calmed down.

During this stage, you need to show him that the cat is higher in the hierarchy than he is and that any hint of aggression will not be tolerated. Even so, it’s essential to stay calm. The last thing you want is for your new dog to feel threatened by you during this crucial period, as this may only escalate the situation further.

Eventually, with patience and persistence in your training, you should hopefully start to see them becoming more comfortable around each other.

Even if they don’t become best friends, they should at least be able to co-exist peacefully, without your Pug chasing or barking, and without your cat becoming frightened or aggressive without provocation.

As you continue to see positive signs, you can slowly increase the times of their interactions and give them more and more freedom together.

Even as their relationship continues to improve, it will be essential to supervise them until you are entirely confident that they can get along together. It’s important to take it slow, as rushing could ruin all of the hard work you’ve put in up to this point.

Stage 5: Peaceful co-existence

Only once you are entirely confident that your cat and Pug are on good terms, can you start to leave them alone together.

However, it will still be necessary to make sure your cat has her own space, which your Pug cannot access. Even if your cat and dog are getting along nicely, that could soon change if your Pug is harassing your cat every time she tries to eat or uses the toilet.

Additionally, make sure your cat continues to have places she can escape to if she needs it. Maintaining a peaceful co-existence is likely to go a lot smoother if she has a place to escape to in the event your Pug decides to chase or gets a little too energetic.

However, if at any stage during this process you notice your Pug showing persistent signs of aggression, and you begin to worry for your cat’s safety, do not hesitate to bring in a dog behaviorist. Most disputes like this can be fixed relatively quickly with the help of a professional.

Whatever the case may be, Pugs are still one of the friendliest breeds you could choose as a housemate for your cat. The worst behavior they tend to exhibit is chasing, but this is typically their way of trying to play.

With consistent training and plenty of patience, you should be able to nip any potential issues in the bud, and before long, the two should be able to co-exist peacefully.

Conclusion

To conclude, there’s no reason why your cat and Pug can’t get along and can live together… but the bottom line is; all animals are different. But with the intro guide above, you should stand a good chance of success in having them both living in your home harmoniously.

You might also like…

Here are some more guides to help you with your new Pug puppy.

• How to stop your Pug from biting you and other people
• How to (not) punish a Pug for bad behavior

Pug image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/dog-pug-face-pet-black-young-dog-2640076/

The post Are Pugs Good With Cats? + 5 Step Intro Guide to Getting Along appeared first on DoggySaurus.

With that in mind, how often is too often when it comes to bathing your Pug? I spoke to our vet about this to get a professional opinion, and here’s what he said about washing regularity and how often Pugs need a bath.

How often should you bathe a Pug? You should only bathe a Pug every 2 to 6 months in order to maintain a balance between their skin health and hygiene. However, the reality is this probably isn’t practical, as Pugs love to run in mud, so will need more regular baths and showers.

If you’re a dog owner, you know that bathing any dog every couple of months is almost impossible, especially if you live in a wetter climate where mud is common.

So, in practical terms, if your Pug gets his coat muddy, and he starts to stink, you need to give them a bath outside of the regular bathing schedule.

However, due to Pugs’ skin conditions, there are a few things you ought to know in order for their grooming and bathing regime to be happy, healthy and effective. 

How to bathe your Pug in 5 simple steps

Smaller Pugs can be bathed in a usual bathtub with a shower, but if you have a smaller Pug or a Pug puppy, you can bathe them in a sink with a sink sprayer.

I would not bother filling up the tub. I would instead recommend you use the shower or sink sprayer, but if you want to fill up the tub, I would advise only filling it insofar as your dog’s ankles. This means they can still have their feet touching the floor and they’re paddling, not swimming.

This is especially important if your Pug is young, anxious or not a very confident swimmer.

1. Gently wet your Pug’s coat

The first step is to gently wet your dog’s fur with the shower orsink sprayer. When doing this, you need to keep an eye on two things: the water’s heat and intensity.

The water should be lukewarm: not too hot and not too cold, and if you’re using the shower, you don’t want to scare them off with the jets! I would only turn on the shower/sink sprayer halfway, so what you have is a gentle trickle rather than an intense spray.

It is incredibly important to get the temperature and the consistency of the water right, because not only do you risk harming your Pug with burns, but you also risk scaring them and making them associate baths with unpleasant memories, feelings and sensations – making it incredibly difficult for you to give them baths in the future.

2. Use a specialist dog shampoo

Then, get a gentle, soap-free dog shampoo and use your fingers to lather and work the shampoo into the coat.

As mentioned, Pugs have extra sensitive skin, which is why a soap-free shampoo is the best option.

What is the best shampoo for a Pug smell?

If you’re wondering which shampoo Pug owners most often recommend, particularly to help get rid of the smell, it’s Wahl’s 4-in-1 doggy shampoo and conditioner on Amazon. You don’t need to buy a separate conditioner. It also helps to moisturise their skin, and smells great too.

3. Rinse the shampoo away

Rinse the shampoo out and repeat the process as many times as necessary to get all of the dirt out.

4. Use a specialist dog conditioner

Once you’re done with shampooing, get your conditioner specially formulated for dogs (scent-free again to avoid skin issues and allergic reactions for your Pug) and apply it evenly to the coat, brushing it through with a wide-tooth comb.

Give the conditioner no more than two minutes to set and then rinse again thoroughly.

5. Dry your Pug thoroughly

To avoid that nasty wet dog smell, you need to dry your Pug completely. Dry your dog with either a towel or a hairdryer on the lowest setting.

Handy Hint: If you don’t dry your Pug off completely, they will probably run about like crazy after a bath. This is their way to get water off their coat and out of their ears.

Additional Pug bathing and washing tips

Now you know how to bathe a Pug, I wanted to get into a little bit more detail about how you wash some specific parts of their body in the bath or shower.

Cleaning a Pug’s face

When you’re bathing your Pug, it is important to take steps to ensure they don’t get any water or shampoo in their eyes. The dog friendly shampoos are designed not to sting, but I don’t think it’s entirely comfortable.

One way of doing this is by applying protective ophthalmic ointment to your dog’s face before bath time.

To clean your Pug’s face, use a flannel soaked with lukewarm water (no soap!) and gently wipe every nook and cranny of the face. This includes the outside ear flaps and the corners of the eyes to get rid of any stubborn tear stains.

I would do this instead of pouring water on their face – not many dogs like this!

Cleaning a Pug’s ears

Due to the way Pug’s ears hang, they don’t get a lot of air circulation, which unfortunately makes them more prone to infections. To avoid this, a Pug’s ears should be cleaned weekly.

Specially made dog ear-cleaning solution contains ingredients that helps to break down and remove wax, as well as anti-bacterial agents that soothes inflammation and prevents infection.

You should apply this solution to a damp cotton ball and gentle wipe the inside of the ear (use a different cotton ball for each ear in order to prevent spreading infection) and check for any injuries, infection, inflammation or scrapes.

If you notice something unusual, apply antibiotic ointment and go to your vet in order to seek further advice.

Taking care of your Pug’s toenails 

If your Pug’s nails get in the way of their movement, this is a good time to get them cut. You can either do them yourself or take them to a vet or a groomer if you don’t feel confident.

It is important to be careful when you are cutting your Pug’s nails, as inside each nail is what is called the ‘quick’ – which is extremely sensitive pink flesh that holds the blood vessels and the nerves that go into the nails.

If you cut into the quick, this will cause bleeding and extreme pain for your dog. It will also make it incredibly difficult to cut their nails in the future.

To cut your Pug’s nails, use a sterile pair of scissors to avoid infection and gently trim the very ends of the nails off – this might take longer, but it is better to cut off too little than too much.

After cutting the nails, give your Pug a treat so that they have positive associations with the experience.

Caring for a Pug’s coat

Pugs have what is called a ‘double coat’, which means that there are two layers of fur. The top layer is thick, waterproof and usually a brown colour, whilst the bottom layer is softer, more sensitive and yet also dense because it acts as an insulator.

It is usually white and is more likely to shed during the winter months. Luckily, with Pugs being short-haired breeds, their coat, despite its complexities, is reasonably easy to care for.

• Brushing: Brush out dirt, prevent shedding and distribute natural oils throughout your Pug by brushing them at least once a week with a bristle brush, a hound grooming glove or or a finer brush if you want to remove excess dirt or hair. Brush your Pug more frequently – up to three times a week – during shedding season.
• Trimming:  Pugs don’t really need trimming, but if you choose to trim them, it is advisable to lightly trim them with electric clippers. You should also pay attention to any fur around the feet or on the pads of the feet that you might want to trim for tidiness.
• Freshening up: To keep your Pug clean between baths, doggy dry shampoo is quick and easy to use – you just need to sprinkle it on your dog and then distribute it with a brush. You can also use a spray-on dog conditioner in order to keep the coat looking shiny.

Conclusion

Although you should always keep in mind the allergies and skin issues that come with owning a Pug, bathing them can be a rewarding bonding experience that helps to keep them squeaky clean, happy, and free from infection! 

With any dog, it is important to strike that balance between not enough grooming and too-much grooming. Whilst it is important to ensure your dog is clean, tidy and healthy, over-bathing can cause its own issues, making it ultimately more counterproductive.

You might also like…

Here are some more guides to help you care for your Pug.

• How you can stop your Pug biting with a few simple training hacks
• How you can tell if your Pug is getting too fat!

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/no-person-dog-pug-bowl-bath-pet-3201739/

The post How Often Should I Bathe My Pug? + How to Bath & Shower appeared first on DoggySaurus.

When do Pug puppies open their eyes? The age that Pug puppies’ eyes open between 10 and 14 days after birth. Despite the eyes no longer being closed, eyesight will remain poor, and they will only really see their mother and siblings. Pug eyes won’t clear completely for full vision until the 8-week point.

When do Pug puppies’ ears open?

But what about their ears and hearing?

Whilst Pug puppies’ eyes open up by the 14^th day, the ears don’t fully open up until just afterwards. It can be a few days before the ears completely open allowing them to hear properly, usually at around 3 weeks of age.

Handy Hint: You can read a more detailed guide into when puppies’ eyes open here.

Before these two points in their development, Pug puppies can only navigate their new world using the power of scent. Born deaf and blind, it won’t be long before they are scampering around exploring all the new and exciting things the world can offer.

Pug puppy development timeline

Now you know when Pug puppies open their eyes and ears, how about a more detailed timeline of the development stages. Pug puppies can expect to go through the following phases.

Please note, this is generic. Not all puppies will follow these development steps exactly.

• Day 10: Eyes start to open, but with limited vision.
• Day 21: Possibly starting take their first steps and baby teeth start to appear.
• Day 28: Could start little running patterns and have solid food introduced.
• Day 35: Most puppies will now be able to run with a full set of puppy teeth.
• Day 56: By the 8^th week they will have clear eyesight and can leave their mother.
• Day 70: Eyes will change to the permanent coloration.

Do Pug puppies eyes change color?

That last step on the development phase is interesting isn’t it? Yes, the eyes of your Pug puppy will actually change color as they get older. They will also lose their baby teeth, and grow adult ones!

Most Pug puppies are born with blue eyes, or at least a paler version of their final color. Regardless, by 10 to 16 weeks old, your Pug puppy’s eyes will have changed color to their permanent shade.

The reasons your Pug puppy’s eyes change color is because during their first few months of life their eye’s iris has no melanin. As they grow, the melanin concentration increases, leading to the final color change.

Do Pug puppies born with their eyes closed?

Back to the main topic, and there’s a good reason why your Pug was born with his or her eyes closed. It’s all down to evolution and survival, harking back to the days when dogs were still wolves living in packs.

According to the Psychology Today website (read source), a mother would find hunting and survival very hard if she had to spend a long time carrying a litter of puppies.

It stands to reason, that a full belly of pups would slow her down, making her vulnerable to prey and limiting her ability to find food. Here’s a quote from the referenced article:

“Getting the pups out of the womb and onto the ground quickly is an advantage. In addition, between hunts (which can be spaced days apart) there is not much to do, so the female has time to care for helpless infants. When she is out pursuing food, the pups can be safely stored in a den.”

Because of this, wolves (which then evolved into dogs) would give birth before the offspring had the time to fully develop. This means that the puppy was delivered into the big wide world before he had the time to develop full eyesight and hearing in the womb.

The benefit being, the mother would not have to continue to support and get even bigger and slower with growing puppies inside of her.

Fast forward to today, and this means that the gestation period of a Pug is relatively short, coming it somewhere between 58 and 68 days. In reality, it could be longer allowing for her puppies to open their eyes and ears… but instead, they are born without the development of a full set of senses.

When can Pug puppies leave their mother?

Another aspect I placed on the development phases timeline was guidance on when the puppies can leave their mother. Obviously, it’s imperative that the Pug’s eyes and ears are open fully and functional before this happens.

The recommended age for any puppy to leave their mother is no sooner than 8 weeks or 2 months of age. By this point their senses are developed, they have been weaned off the mother’s milk, and they can be more independent.

Please don’t ever take a Pug puppy away from their mother before this point. It’s hugely irresponsible and can lead to health and mental development issues for the puppy.

Conclusion

During the first two weeks of life, Pug puppies don’t actually need to be able to see and hear in order to get along. The mother will keep them safe and secure, and they can latch onto her by instinct due to smell and touch alone.

Being completely deaf and blind for 2 weeks doesn’t present any real problems for them, providing they are in a safe environment in your home… e.g. a bed and den away from any hazards and suitably enclosed.

Once the two-week stage passes, the development of the Pug puppies will be really quick. Their eyes will open, hearing will develop, and they will move freely about. You might even hear them making some little bark noises at the 5-week point!

Being able to move means they will want to go and explore what the world has to offer. Their sense will come to life, with them being able to see and hear all that’s around them in your home – meaning they will also start to take on their own individual characters.

It’s truly a magical in the development of a Pug puppy, and when they open their eyes, just imagine what it must be like for them too!

You might also like…

Now you know when a Pug puppy opens his eyes, you might also enjoy these other related reads about this breed.

• How you can successfully potty train your Pug puppy
• Why your Pug loves to drag his bum along the floor

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/pug-puppy-dog-animal-cute-pet-3567637/

The post When Do Pug Puppies Open Their Eyes? (What Age) appeared first on DoggySaurus.

In this guide I will explain how you can overcome Pug puppy biting problems, despite the challenges involved.

The training methods are all ones I’ve used with my own dog as a puppy. He has never been an aggressive biter, but he would nip a lot as a puppy. Unfortunately, a lot of the biting was down to me, as I would do rough play with him and almost encourage the nipping.

But, as my puppy got older, those playful nips started to hurt.

Please do take all my tips in, as I believe it to be the most detailed solution you will find for stopping a Pug biting that you see anywhere on the Internet.

But first, why do Pugs bite you?

Why Pugs bite (what’s normal and what’s not)

Most Pugs will show some fear or aggression at some point in their lives. Most will let you know they are scared with a little bark, letting you know to keep away.

If you don’t keep your distance, the barks can turn into a growl, with their little (but sharp) teeth showing. If you continue to advance and upset them, the growl can then become a snap and possible bite.

Most Pugs will bite you with a little nip when scared, and hopefully won’t cut you. But, with an older and more aggressive Pug, that bite could be very painful, particularly to young children.

Do Pugs bite a lot?

When Pugs are puppies, they do tend to do a lot of biting. Most of the time it’s all about playing and teething, and most will grow out of the behavior.

Why Pug puppies bite?

The teething phase is when you will notice your Pug puppy biting the most. I’ve written at length about the Pug teething phase here, which explains how they explore their surroundings with little nips and chew on things to soothe their painful gums.

Some Pugs will also bite a bit too enthusiastically when they are playing with you. This is a hangover from their days with their siblings where mouth play would have been used.

You need to draw the line between biting and playing. As mentioned earlier, I would play with my own puppy and he would go for my hands with his teeth. I turned this into a game, which then became an issue as I had to train him out of it as he got older.

Pug puppies can also bite as a way of showing their dominance over you. Yes, that’s right, these little bundles of fun might think they are the ones in charge of your relationship, so it’s up to you to put that right.

Whatever the reason is for your Pug puppy biting, it needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. If not, you will have problems with your adult Pug thinking that biting is acceptable.

An adult Pug that bites is a problem

If your Pug continues to bite as an adult and hasn’t grown out of the nipping, you need to train them to stop. Also, if your Pug suddenly starts biting for no obvious reason please go to the vet immediately – it could be the sign of a new illness or injury.

How to stop your Pug puppy from biting

Here are different ways that really work if you need to know how you can stop a Pug from biting as a puppy.

1. Squeal like a puppy (bite inhibition)

When you see puppies playing together in their litter, they will let out a tiny squealing sound when bitten by sibling. The puppy that bit will hear the squeal and then tends to back off.

As Pug owners we can imitate this behavior!

If your Pug puppy bites you and gives you a nip, make a high-pitched squeal sound. You can also use a firm command, like “no”, or “stop”.

This bite inhibition method is used by expert dog trainers and works because the puppy thinks you’ve been hurt after being bitten.

Some Pug puppies won’t like this, because it’s a bit like being told off. You might find your puppy seeks re-assurance and comfort, but the key is to not give it. Instead, ignore them for a few moments, for example; turn your back to them.

This might sound mean but if you want your Pug to stop biting it can work very well. The quicker you begin using this technique the sooner your Pug will biting you and your family.

2. Don’t smack your Pug puppy who bites

Dogs don’t understand physical punishment, and it never works. All it will do is make your dog scared and could lead to more biting out of fear.

3. Don’t react to biting by playing back

If you want your Pug puppy to stop biting you, don’t react back to them when they nip. I made this mistake with my own puppy, as would push him away playfully, but that just encouraged the biting more.

I think it’s because you are mirroring the fun back to them and reacting in a playful way. They will want more of the play, so will bite back again.

4. Use chew toys instead of your hands

When puppies are young, it can be fun to use your hands when playing with them, and a little nip here and there probably won’t hurt you. But you are training them into thinking your hands are fair game.

Instead you should use chew toys for this type of play. If you can focus their attention onto a toy and not your hands, they will learn that fingers and hands are not there to be bitten.

It’s all about positive association.

There’s a great chew toy on Amazon I let my puppy play with when we started training him not to bite. You can also see the prices by clicking the photo below.

5. Teach your Pug to accept your hands near their mouth

This leads onto having to teach your Pug puppy that it’s ok to have your hands near their mouth without biting at them. It’s something they need to accept, and will also help with the points later in this guide.

Puppies will often eat things they should not do, so you will need to hook stuff out of their mouth. You will also need to check the health of their teeth and gums.

You won’t be able to do this if your Pug won’t stop biting your hands anytime you attempt a check or intervention.

One of the best ways you can train a Pug puppy to not bite your fingers in their mouth is to use a treat or snack. Let them see it, and then use your fingers to pop it into their mouth and out again.

Over time, they should get comfortable letting you put fingers in their mouth without biting back.

6. Train your Pug puppy to not bite over food

One of the most common times a Pug puppy will bite is when food is in the equation. Puppies tend to be very overprotective of food, which they learned when in the litter as they had to fight for nutrition.

Unfortunately, it will be behavior that can extend to occur over their food bowl.

If your Pug is showing food aggression, then you need to train the puppy to learn you are in charge and can pick their bowl up and put it back down at any time – with no aggression from the dog.

What you do is put a bowl in front of your Pug then quickly remove it again. If your Pug doesn’t react with a bite attempt, praise them vocally and reward with a treat.

If you do get a growl and bite, give them a firm “no” command and keep hold of the bowl.

Repeat the process until you get the response that you want… the end game is your Pug viewing you as the dominant alpha who controls the food source and doesn’t get bitten.

7. Put a thumb under the puppy’s tongue and a finger under the chin

With persistent biting you could try this tip. It seems to be quite cruel, and admittedly I’ve never tried it, but it is used by some dog trainers so could be a fall-back tactic.

Dog trainers tell you to do the loud squeal when the Pug puppy bites you then quickly place your thumb in their mouth, pressing it underneath their tongue. You can then put a finger under the chin.

Hold this position for 10 seconds if you can, but not hard enough to hurt the puppy.

The Pug will not like it, and it could mean they stop biting you and will learn for next time.

8. Wear gloves with a nasty tasting substance

Another Pug bite prevention tip I’ve seen online on a dog trainer website was to use gloves that have a foul-tasting substance on.

Dog trainers use bitter spray (see on Amazon), and puppies soon learn that bites won’t taste good so should stop the aggressive behavior.

9. Let your Pug know you are in charge

Older Pugs that bite will often do it to try to exert dominance over their owner. They can also bite due to jealousy, or when you tell them to do something like get off your chair or bed.

Handy Hint: I’ve written an in-depth explanation to why dogs like to steal your seat when you get up.

You need to train your Pug to realize you are the pack leader and the dominant one. Alphas like us owners, should not be bitten by pack members lower down the chain.

Being assertive will help, but often simply rewarding good behavior is enough to get a dog to bend to your will.

10. Socialise your Pug puppy with other dogs

Puppies will learn from each other and older dogs. That’s why it’s so important to socialize your Pug with other dogs from a young age. It will help them learn to understand what’s acceptable and what’s not.

We often look after puppies for our friends. Our friends will often say what a positive impact they see in their young pups after spending a day in the company of our now older dog. And that can include not as much biting.

There’s another thing here too; they will also tire each other out. This means your puppy hopefully won’t have the energy to bite you!

11. Expose your puppy to loud noises and fearful situations

As well as socialization, it’s also important to expose your Pug puppy to situatons that can spark fear and aggression such as vehicles, children, and busy public places.

The sooner they can get used to things like this, the sooner they should learn not to bite out of fear.

12. Always supervise your puppy when young children are present

A Pug that bites a child is a massive problem.

In most case the bite won’t be serious. But it’s still enough of a risk to make sure you supervise younger kids during Pug play and at all times.

Kids can easily be knocked over by an excitable Pug, and I’ve seen puppies try to go for ears and faces when they are over-excited.

When to get help with your Pug’s biting problem

If even after using all these training methods to stop a Pug biting, you still have problem behavior, do contact a professional vet.

They can very quickly tell you if it’s simply mouthing to do with teething, or something more behavioral or health-based that needs to be addressed.

There are also specialist animal behaviourists who can help with biting and fear aggression in Pugs. If you are in the United States you can find help from a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist on the CAAB website (d=for UK readers take a look at the RSPCA website).

Something to consider though is how long your Pug could be teething for. It can last up until they are 8 months of age, so biting and chewing things is to be expected during this phase.

The dangers of a dog bite

Adult Pugs that start biting can be dangerous. Whilst they are a small breed, people can get ill from infections. For example, around half of all dog bites will infect the person with bacteria, possibly leading to illness.

“A dog’s front teeth will grab and compress your tissue, and their smaller teeth can also tear your skin. The result is an open, jagged wound. If the wound becomes infected, it is often severe. The No. 1 concern with these bites is infection. You may need hospitalization and require intravenous antibiotics. You should always see a primary care provider if you’re bitten.” Dr Sayles of the Cleveland Clinic.

What do so when bitten by a Pug

If you get bitten by a Pug and it leaves a bleeding wound rather than just an abrasion, take the following steps:

1. Press down on the bite wound. This might mean that blood comes out, but that is good as it might help bacteria to come away from the wound.
2. Use clean water and a mild soup to clean the bite wound.
3. Use a clean cloth to press down on the bite wound again as this will help to slow and stop any bleeding.
4. If you have it, apply antibiotic cream to the dog bite wound and then dress it with a new or sterile bandage.
5. If serious, contact a health professional for advice.

Conclusion

To conclude, some of the quickest ways you can stop a Pug from biting is to make sure you use positive and negative affirmations. In other words, you praise the good, and discourage the bad.

Whichever method you try to use, and can be a combination, just make sure that you are consistent when training your Pug puppy to not bite. Tell your friends and family to use the same methods too if they have contact with the puppy.

Ultimately, unless you a clear and obvious to your Pug, the puppy will not understand that his biting behavior is a bad thing.

You need to take the role of the pack leader.

You might also like…

I regularly write about Pug related issues, some of which you can explore below.

• How to discipline a Pug without using physical punishment
• The most common skin problems and conditions that Pugs are prone to
• Tips on potty training a stubborn Pug puppy

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/pug-pugs-dog-pose-portrait-2640386/

The post How to Stop a Pug Biting: 12 Ways to Stop Puppy Nipping appeared first on DoggySaurus.

Being prepared for all of these changes during their heat cycle will make the whole journey much easier for both of you.

I am going to start off this introduction to the Pug heat cycle with some very quick pointers on how often it happens, how to tell, and how long the heat will last. I will then go into each aspect of the heat cycle in more detail.

How often do Pugs go into heat?

Unless you have spayed your Pug, she will enter her first heat (also known as a season) at around six to eight months of age.

How often do Pugs go into heat? After her first heat at 6 to 8 months, your Pug will then go into twice a year, typically every 6 months. Initially, her cycle may be sporadic, but after the first year or two, you should notice her reproductive cycle settling into a regular pattern.

The average Pug will go into heat once every six months. Occasionally, she might show signs of going into heat between these regular cycles, but she will typically be infertile during these additional seasons.

Once an Pug reaches six years of age, her fertility will start to slow down. Fertility will continue to drop off until roughly ten years of age when her ability to reproduce typically ceases altogether.

That said, unless spayed, a female Pug will continue showing signs of going into heat for the rest of her life.

How do you know when your Pug is in heat?

You will know your Pug is in heat due to a range of signs including:

• Swollen vulva.
• Bleeding from the vulva.
• Increased mounting behavior.
• Licking her genital region.
• Obvious nervous or agitated behavior.
• Increased urination.

The Pug heat cycle length in detail

The reproductive cycle for dogs is made up of four distinct stages, each with its own physical and behavioral changes. Read about each stage below, including the Pug heat cycle length and what to expect.

1. The Proestrus stage

Typically, this is the stage that most people are referring to when they say that their Pug is in heat. On average, this initial stage of the reproductive cycle lasts nine days for most dogs, but it can last anywhere up to twenty-seven days in total.

During this stage of the reproductive cycle, estrogen levels will begin to peak in your dog, and the follicles (eggs) will start to develop. Most owners may start to notice male dogs showing an interest, although the female Pug will not reciprocate during this time.

Handy Hint: Despite what you think, spayed female dogs can still attract males for a number of reasons you might be surprised about!

If anything, she may even seem more on edge than usual. It’s not uncommon to see dogs holding their tails close to their body and becoming a little clingier with their owners during this first stage.

Physical signs include a swollen vulva and a blood-tinged discharge. Although many dogs will keep this area clean, Pugs tend to have a hard time reaching this area. To avoid any messes, many owners recommend using diapers.

You may also notice your dog urinating more often during this stage.

2. The Estrus stage

This second stage can last anywhere from four to twenty-four days in total. On average, however, the Estrus stage only tends to last nine days for most dogs and marks the fertile window in a dog’s reproductive cycle.

Attention from male dogs will continue, but now the female Pug will be receptive to these advances. One of the most common ways your dog may show her availability is by “flagging”, where she lifts her tail up or to one side.

Physical changes will include an enlarged vulva and brown or clear discharge.

With the pheromones she emits during this period, the attention she receives from male dogs will be heightened.

It may also result in aggression from females, which can sometimes escalate into fights. If you have no intention of breeding your Pug during this period, it will be necessary to keep her away from other dogs as much as possible during this time.

3. The Diestrus stage

During this stage, your dog will once again lose interest in reciprocating male attention. On average, this third stage of the reproductive cycle will last two months.

Physical changes include her vulva returning to normal, and an absence of any discharge.

There are instances where she may act as though she is pregnant, even if she isn’t. If this happens, you may notice your dog exhibiting the following behaviors:

• Restlessness
• Lethargy
• Reduced appetite
• Nesting (may involve digging bedding or moving it around)
• Nursing (may show increased attachment to a favorite toy)
• Depression
• Aggression

Aside from these behavioral changes, you may also notice several physical changes. Even though a loss of appetite is common during false pregnancies, the female Pug may stay at the same weight, owing to fluid retention.

Other physical changes include a swollen belly and enlarged mammary glands that may or may not lactate.

If you suspect that your Pug is pregnant, it would be best to take her to see your vet as soon as possible. Pregnancies in Pugs must be carefully monitored from the onset due to the health risks involved, both for the puppies and the mother.

4. The Anestrus stage

During the fourth and final stage of the reproductive cycle, the body will begin to prepare itself for the next season.

Typically, this final stage lasts an average of four months for most dogs, although for certain breeds it can take a lot longer. During this time, there are typically no physical symptoms or behavioral changes.

Handy Hint: There are some ways that breeders use to make their female dogs come into heat faster.

Can a spayed dog still go into heat?

Generally, no.

The process of spaying a dog means removing all the reproductive organs, including the ovaries and uterus. As this eliminates the possibility of reproducing, it also means that her heat cycle will usually stop as well.

However, if you do notice your dog showing signs of going into heat once spayed, this may be an indication of ovarian remnant syndrome.

If the surgeon misses some of the ovarian tissue during the surgery, this can result in the remaining ovarian tissue still producing estrogen. If this happens, it will continue to trigger your dog’s usual heat cycles.

It can be annoying, since this may only become obvious several months after the initial surgery. However, it is a non-threatening condition, and also relatively easy to remedy.

If you notice that your dog is showing signs of going into heat once spayed, you will need to get your dog booked in to see your vet again. Typically, ovarian remnant syndrome can be treated with a simple operation to remove any remaining ovarian tissue.

Breeding Pugs

When it comes to breeding, Pugs are some of the most challenging, time-consuming, and expensive dogs to breed.

Owing to the many health problems this breed faces, owners must be present through every stage of the pregnancy and delivery. Owners will also need to keep a very close eye on the litter for the initial few weeks of development to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

You can expect a female Pug to have an average litter size of four to six puppies. Although it may be possible for a Pug to give birth naturally, many people advise against this owing to the risks involved.

As a result of this, many Pugs will give birth via C-section. The cost of this, as well as the costs involved with the regular veterinary visits you will need to make, can cost anywhere from £1,000 to £6,000 in total.

Why it’s might be better for Pugs to have C-sections

Although it may be tempting to try and reduce the cost of breeding by opting for a natural birth, many experts advise against this.

The health risks involved with a natural delivery for this breed makes it a dangerous option, not just for the mother, but for the puppies as well. Some of the most significant risks include:

The size of the puppies

Pugs have been bred to have large heads, broad shoulders, and narrow hips. Owing to the puppy’s large head and stout shoulders, it often can’t pass through the mother’s narrow pelvis.

Overheat and stress

As the Pug is a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed, owners must be cautious of any over-exertion. Owing to how these dogs have been bred, they have a harder time breathing and are more prone to heat exhaustion as a result.

In light of this, it’s important to note that C-sections will help to reduce the intense stress of delivering puppies for the mother.

Dystocia

Canine dystocia is an umbrella term used to describe any birth difficulties faced during labor and the delivery of puppies. Typically, the most common birth difficulties faced by Pugs include:

• Small pelvis: This occurs where the mother’s pelvis is too narrow to deliver puppies naturally.
• Fetus position: Where a fetus is abnormally positioned in the womb, this can also cause complications.

Anasarca puppies

Some pugs can be born with water puppy syndrome, this is, unfortunately, a very common condition faced by bracycephalic breeds. You can read more about it on WagWalking.com.

Puppies born with this condition suffer from an excessive accumulation of fluid in the organs, body tissues, and cavities.

As a result of this, some puppies with the syndrome can be two-to-four times as big as a healthy puppy. They appear swollen, especially in the face, where the eyes and nose can appear sunken.

Unfortunately, most puppies born with Water Puppy Syndrome will pass away immediately after delivery, or they will be stillborn.

If they survive, they will typically be afflicted with a range of health conditions. Issues such as cleft palates and vertebral column defects are not uncommon.

If even one in the litter has this condition, they will often be too big to deliver naturally. As a result, an Anasarca puppy has the potential to block up the delivery passage, and a C-section will be necessary.

How to prepare for your Pug being in heat

Now you know how long and how often your Pug will be heat, it’s time to get prepared. By doing so, you can guard against your girl getting pregnant unexpectedly, leaving messy blood spots on the floor, and even possible changes to behavior including aggression.

Here’s how you get prepared using some inspiration I found on Chewy.com.

1. Track her heat cycles

On the day your Pug starts her heat cycle, place a note on your calendar. I’d use your phone’s calendar as you can record day 1, and then put a reminder in that it could come again in 6 months’ time.

Set the reminder up a week before the 6-month point, as that gives you time to prepare again.

2. Buy dog diapers

A dog in heat will leave blood spots and mess on her bedding and the floor. You can mitigate this by using specialist dog diapers.

If you don’t want to spend this money you can use human baby diapers but will need to cut a hole out of the back of them for the tail to come through.

3. Think about security

Some dogs will try to escape during their heat cycle and can show aggression. If this sounds like your Pug, think about keeping her secured using door gates, or just being more vigilant than usual – perhaps an off-leash walk isn’t a good idea during this period!

Conclusion

My wife and I recently looked after a female Pug who came over to play with our Frenchie, Claude. The female hasn’t been spayed yet, so it wouldn’t surprise me if she started to show signs of going into her first ever heat cycle very soon – she’s 7 months old.

When that happens, our friend will need to be prepared, as the Pug heat cycle can be quite a shock if you’ve never owned a female dog before.

I’ve told them to be prepared for some changes to her personality!

You might also like…

There’s a wealth of information on the DoggySaurus website about Pug ownership:

• How to tell if a Pug is pregnant
• How long a Pug pregnancy lasts for
• How many times you can breed a Pug

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/pug-dog-animal-cute-nature-3067597/

The post Pug Heat Cycle: How Many Times a Year & Signs appeared first on DoggySaurus.

However, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to take a disciplined approach at times. Pugs can be very stubborn and have a character that can naturally lead them into trouble!

Good training and discipline should never be confused with physical punishment and loud shouting. No dog reacts well to aggressive behavior, and in fact can mirror back anger with barking and possibly even biting.

But don’t think you can’t punish your Pug puppy. You can punish a Pug, but not in the way you think. Instead you use discipline without anything that will hurt or scare them.

And this is exactly what I will explain today, with a guide that shows you how to discipline a Pug, leading to a well behaved and happy dog. There is no physical punishment involved, and it never should be with dogs.

How do you discipline a Pug puppy without punishment?

As you know, Pugs are stubborn little characters meaning it can be a struggle to get them to behave well at the right moments. But, with patience, perseverance, and a consistent approach to discipline it is possible to reduce unwanted behavior,

You will need to:

• Only ever discipline your Pug at the point the problem occurred to help them relate the two actions.
• Always use positive reinforcement after they have done something positive.
• Be consistent with the way you discipline your Pug including your body language and a firm tone of voice.
• Never resort to shouting and hitting as this will get the opposite response to the one you want.

Pug discipline tips

Use the following tips with your Pug and you should never need to physically punish them. Not that you should ever hit a dog anyway!

1. Discipline them at the time of the offence

Pugs don’t like being left alone and can become destructive due separation anxiety. You might come home to find paperwork shredded, furniture torn, and shoes chewed up.

Whilst the temptation to shout might be you first response, your Pug won’t understand that and correlate the angry owner with the shoe he destroyed earlier that day.

Pugs do have good memories, but no dog will be able to reconcile you punishing them for something that they did earlier that day. Their brains aren’t wired to work that way.

The bottom line is, unless you catch your Pug being naughty in the act, there’s no point meting out punishment once that bad behavior has already happened. Instead you need to act in the moment and discipline your Pug at the time with firm words and body language which are described in tip 2.

2. Use firm body language and tone of voice

Dogs will pick up on the most subtle of changes in your body language and voice. My recommended Pug punishment method is to use a combination of the two; a firm “no” command with your finger raised and changing your face to frown from a smile.

This is an effective way of disciplining a Pug as they will hear the change in your voice and see the change in your face. And what’s key here is that you haven’t had to hurt them and lose your temper.

Disciplining your Pug in this way will help to cement your position in the household as the alpha dog and pack leader. If you end up shouting and hitting all you are doing is becoming a threat to the dog, making them more anxious. This can only exacerbate the behavioral problems you wanted to eliminate.

Handy Hint: Your dog should respect you as the leader in the house. Here are the signs you can look for to make sure your dog considers you the alpha.

3. Stay consistent with the discipline and training

It’s easy for dogs to get confused so keep the way you act consistent and simple when disciplining your Pug.

To give you a real-world example, let’s say you slap your thighs to get them to jump up to you on Friday to give them love. Then on Saturday your Pug jumps up to stranger and puts his dirty paws all over their trousers… and you tell them off.

Your Pug is getting mixed messages.

This mixed approach to training is one of the biggest mistakes you can make with your Pug. When our dog was a puppy I would play fight with him in our lounge, encouraging him to nip at my hands. It was a fun game and didn’t hurt as he was so young. I should never have started this game though…

When my puppy got to 5 months old, the teeth were sharper and his jaw a lot stronger. But he still wanted to play the same game, but it was now a problem as you can imagine. I was telling him to stop, and he couldn’t understand why as it’s something I’d previously encouraged him to do.

You need to be very consistent with any Pug discipline. If you stick to the same approach each time, results will come a lot quicker.

4. Use positive reinforcement

After you have disciplined your Pug and are heading towards the behavior you desire, always reward them with positive reinforcement when they do well.

Dogs can be trained to respond to a treat or the promise of a treat. Dogs also respond well to just words of encouragement and praise each time they get something right.

If you’re training your dog to come back to you when off the leash, treats can work wonders. Withholding treats is a way of punishing a Pug by showing them they didn’t quite hit the high standards you demand of them!

5. Take breaks and give them a timeout

You can also teach your Pug good behavior by using verbal hints and time outs.

Let’s say you are playing with your Pug and he nips at your hands. You can respond with a firm “ouch” sound, turn around with your back to your Pug, then walk out of the room.

What you’ve done here is stop the very thing your Pug wanted to do which was to have fun and play with you. The loud “ouch” also tells your Pug they hurt you; dogs will yelp when hurt, so we assume they correlate the sound to meaning pain.

After doing this a few times, you can teach your Pug that if they bite you or do something naught during play, then the fun stops. Time outs are brilliant ways to punish Pugs; 5 minutes probably feels like 5 hours!

Handy Hint: I’ve written an easy to understand guide which shows you how to stop a Pug puppy from biting you and other people.

6. Try using a squirt bottle or water pistol

Some Pug owners use a water pistol to discourage bad behavior. It’s not something I’ve ever tried with my own dog, but many people say it’s a punishment and disciplining method.

All you do is give your Pug a little squirt of water when he or she misbehaves, and use that firm “no” command and body language at the same time.

7. Use distraction methods

As a last resort, you can use distraction to stop a Pug doing something bad. For example, my dog loves sticks. If I say the word “stick” he will drop everything he’s doing and run straight towards me.

When we’re out this can be really helpful. I used it last week when we were at our local park and my dog went to steal a sandwich from a young couple having a picnic. Before he get himself into too much trouble, I used the “stick” distraction and he bounded back to me.

It’s a classic distraction method and any type of distraction can work very well, if the discipline isn’t working or you don’t have time.

How you should NOT discipline your Pug

To brings things full circle I wanted to reiterate all the ways you should not punish a Pug.

• Never shout at your Pug.
• Never hit or hurt your Pug.
• Never drag or jerk your Pug on their leash.
• Never chase after your Pug.
• Never rub your Pug’s nose in their urine or poop.
• Never use electric shock collars with your Pug (legal in the US still).

Conclusion

Many Pug owners will know how hard this breed can be to train. But if you stick with at it, it will be worth in the long run and save you a lot of problems in the future.

Just remember that Pugs don’t connect the punishment you mete out, with the thing they have just done. That can make it harder to get them to rectify any bad behavior, instead making them scared when shouting and hitting is used.

Instead use timely discipline and positive reinforcement. This is the best way to discipline a Pug puppy and will result in a very happy dog… and owner!

You might also like…

Here are some additional guides about raising a well-adjusted Pug puppy.

• How you can tell if your Pug is happy
• How you can make your Pug’s snoring get better
• Why your Pug likes to cling to you so much

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/dog-pug-face-pet-black-young-dog-2640076/

The post How to Discipline a Pug Puppy: 7 Alternative Punishments appeared first on DoggySaurus.