Pug Health Care Is Important For Every Owner

There are many sources of Pug health care advice but most of them come down to the same common sense advice you hear for humans. The problem has always been getting people to follow the advice and practice good health habits for their Pug.

You can begin any list of health tips with proper nutrition and exercise and both are areas where attention to detail makes a big difference with your Pug. You’ve probably noticed that your Pug loves to eat. When the scent of almost any kind of food is in the air, their tremendous acting abilities come out and they can quickly resemble a starving animal or someone who is coming off a 30 day fast. You would think that they never had never seen food before and were about to fall over from hunger.

Left to their own devices, a Pug would quickly become overweight and that’s the last thing you want for your little friend for a number of reasons. An overweight Pug is more prone to diabetes and that can bring on a whole list of complications and none of them are good. Second, an overweight Pug is also going to have more difficulty breathing. Pugs are more susceptible to breathing difficulties to begin with because of their facial structure. Their extra weight will just add more strain on their respiratory system. As a matter of fact the extra weight will add more strain on their system overall and will make them less comfortable, more stationary and could start a steady decline in their total health.

Having said that, and being familiar with a couple of different Pugs in our life, the hardest thing is to not feed your Pug when that is the thing he would like most in the world at that moment. We know from experience that it’s hard to say no to that little face even though it’s probably the best thing for them. So we have a little bit of a confession to make here. We resort to a treat that our Pug seems to love and is healthy for them as long as it’s given to him in moderation: carrots! We found this out completely by accident when a baby carrot (from a tray for vegetable dips) fell on the floor and he grabbed it before we could get to it. They’re very fast when they want to be! He loved it. Maybe it was the crunch and texture but he is now a lover of carrots and they actually might be his favorite treat. He doesn’t appear to have any reaction to them and it keeps owner and Pug happy. It probably isn’t part of any Pug Health advice anywhere else but, as owners who don’t claim to know the first thing about the principles of veterinary medicine, we endorse it as a treat.

As we mentioned previously, a Pug is somewhat more prone to respiratory problems than your average dog. They have a short or flat nose and this facial structure can make it a little bit more of a strain to get air especially in warm weather. You should take extra care with your Pug in warm weather. You’ve probably noticed the extra noises your little friend makes, especially when he’s tired. And it’s very common for Pugs to snore when they’re asleep. The extra sound effects, again comes from their smaller nasal passages. Many Pugs can have episodes of reverse sneezing and although this may sound a little frightening when it happens, it is usually harmless.

There are some orthopedic conditions that Pugs seem to have more of a tendency to develop than other breeds. A slight limp or favoring of one of the legs could be a sign of a serious conditions such as

Patellar Luxation which affects the knee or Hip Dysplaia, which some experts think is the most undiagnosed condition among Pugs. If you notice your little friend favoring any leg you should consult your veterinarian right away. An annual checkup is highly recommended. Pugs can develop life threatening diseases such as diabetes or cancer so a complete check up at least once a year is highly recommended. Your vet can give your little guy a complete examination and give some important tips to keep your dog healthy.

Proper grooming is an often overlooked element in your Pug's health as well as providing a safe and comfortable environment for your little companion. Every Pug owner has an essential list of Pug supplies and you may soon have your own items to add to the list. One essential item is a Pug First Aid Kit that you will want close by at all times.

Just as with humans,regular exercise is another area of importance for your Pug. With this breed you do have to be careful in the warm weather. Again, because of their susceptibility to respiratory problems, they may struggle in the summer or in warm conditions and could very quickly become over heated. Don’t count on your Pug to “slow down” on his own to prevent this condition. You’ll have to monitor his pace for him. This brings us to the most important topic of all: you, the owner.

Clearly a Pug is not capable of monitoring their own health. That responsibility falls entirely upon you, the owner. Just as a parent is responsible for their child’s health and welfare, you have complete responsibility for your dog. Part of proper Pug Health Care is finding a good veterinarian and keeping up to date on all vaccinations and physicals. There are software programs that can assist you in keeping track of all the important pieces of your Pug's health profile. Good dental and oral hygiene is another important part of good Pug Health Care.

Your veterinarian is your primary source for Pug health care advice for your dog so make sure you find one who you are very comfortable with. Make sure they will take the time to answer your questions fully. You will want them for advice when your Pug is a puppy and to guide you through what is best during their maturation process. It is especially important as your Pug ages. Senior Pugs need special care and attention. Part of a good Pug health care program that you work out with your veterinarian might be to supplement your little friends diet with vitamins and minerals that may act as a preventitive for some of the problems that come with your dog's advancing years. If your Pug develops a condition that needs treatment, keep in mind that there is a broad range of care that is available. There are even some veterinarians who specialize in alternative medicine as part of a total Pug health care program so, if that is of interest to you, it might be worth the time to explore the options in this area as well.

All Pugs, especially the pure bred ones, are susceptible to certain conditions common to the breed. Sometimes a sudden change in behavior can be a clue that something might be wrong. If you Pug starts to "scoot" along the ground (or your carpet), he may be having a problem with his anal sacs . This is not uncommon. These specific Pug Problems are worth knowing about and being aware of these conditions and what to look for as an owner is also an important, and often overlooked, part of Pug health care. Some of these conditions can be serious and expensive to treat and that's one of the reasons some owners investigate pet insurance . That, of course, is entirely up to you. It won’t make sense for every owner.

Pugs are a great source of joy and companionship. Keeping your little friend happy and healthy is the goal of every owner. Recognizing that you are the primary source of good Pug Health Care is a good first step.