If you think that caring for a pug does not require any effort, you are mistaken. In order for the dog not to get sick and to inspire admiration from others for his appearance, he requires constant attention and care. The owner must be able to clean his ears and teeth. Must keep claws in perfect order and eyes and nose clean. Considering the profuse shedding that every pug owner inevitably experiences, it is useful to know about special tools that make this process less problematic. If you learn to perform all these procedures correctly, your dog will look like a king.
Beauty requires sacrifice
Before we tell you how to care for a pug, we will tell you what items, products and tools you should purchase:
- shampoo for short-haired dogs;
- ear cleaner;
- aerosol or drops for fleas and ticks;
- collar and leash for walking;
- baby cream, olive oil or Vaseline;
- eye drops;
- rubber brush-comb;
- furminator for hair care;
- wet wipes;
- cotton pads;
- nail clipper
As you can see, the list is impressive, and the pug will have a hard time. But the dog must calmly accept all the manipulations that will be carried out on him for hygiene purposes.
Pug Eye Care
Pug eyes, due to the peculiarities of their anatomical structure, are often subject not only to infection, but also to frequent injuries.
Clean the dog's eyes with a dry cotton pad or swab, removing mucus and dust. If not only mucous membranes, but also purulent crusts appear, this indicates inflammatory processes. You can treat it by placing tetracycline eye ointment or levomycin or kanomycin ointment behind the eyelid. If as a result of injury, then the eyes are instilled with drops, alternating an antibiotic and a regenerating agent. In any case, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Since the eyes of dogs of this breed are often subject to corneal erosion, eversion of the eyelids, or atypical eyelash growth, you need to carefully monitor their health. At the slightest sign of pathology, you should seek medical help.
Wash your paws after a walk
Pug dogs are not suited to live outdoors in the open air. In winter they freeze. The hot season is also difficult to endure due to the special structure of the respiratory system. As a result, many people think that a pug is an indoor dog and it is not necessary to walk with it, and the toilet can be organized in a litter tray. This is a deep misconception.
In fact, the breed requires regular walking, during which the temperamental pug can realize his energy. To control his weight, jumping and running is very helpful for him. It is recommended to walk twice a day for at least half an hour.
In a dry and not too hot summer, a pug can live in the yard for some time. But this does not mean that you should not go for free walks with him. The regularity remains the same. But if the dog constantly lives indoors, then you should take it out for “five minutes” to satisfy its natural needs up to four times a day.
After a walk, especially in bad weather, you should wash or wipe your pug's paws with a damp cloth so that he does not leave dirty marks in the room. If dirt gets on the stomach or sides, then you need to remove it in the same way.
Shampoos and combs
Care and maintenance of a pug necessarily involves the treatment of wool and skin. Your dog needs to be brushed daily. Stroking movements with a rubber brush in the direction of hair growth will be pleasant for your pug, while the skin receives the necessary massage.
These imperial dogs love to swim. But it is better not to abuse water procedures. It is enough to wash your pug once every two months in winter, and once or twice a month in summer. For your pet, you must choose the appropriate shampoo yourself, based on the characteristics of the skin, the condition of the coat and financial capabilities.
American shampoos from the Bio-Groom or Black-Pearl series would be a good choice. From Russian manufacturers, we recommend paying attention to the “Doctor” zoohygienic shampoo with birch tar, which cleanses and softens the skin.
Even though a pug's fur is short, it can be quite a hassle. After all, this breed sheds all year round, only the intensity changes. To get rid of unpleasant hairs in the room, of course, you can trim your dog regularly. But it’s better not to disturb the natural appearance and not to deprive the pet of its beautiful shiny coat, but to use a furminator for a pug. It is a metal comb with a blade and very tightly spaced teeth. It is recommended to comb your dog with it once a month. This is enough to remove excess undercoat.
Getting ready for the baby's arrival
Before you bring your pet to a new place of residence, you should make sure that the puppy in your home has everything he needs:
- A place to sleep - when the dog arrives in your home, he will need somewhere to sleep. Find a quiet place where it’s warm and free of drafts, and arrange a bed there - but at the same time, your pupil should not feel isolated. As for organizing a place to sleep, it could be a cute mattress with a cover or a diaper - there are requirements for a diaper in terms of softness and washability. To the question of how to teach a puppy to sleep in its place, the answer is simple - first, place a dog bed near your bed. And under no circumstances allow him to climb into your bed - otherwise you will hardly be able to find a way to wean him off this.
- Bowls for food and clean water - it will be convenient if they are on tripods.
- A toilet can be a rag or a diaper at first, but it is better to have a special tray from the very beginning. To the question of what age to toilet train, the answer is simple - the earlier, the better. If you waste time, you won’t figure out how to wean your dog off the floor.
- Toys – you should definitely take care of them, since pugs need to be constantly played with. Toys can be anything - the main thing is that they are not traumatic for the dog. In addition, this is a good “switch” of energy if the dog is prone to biting, and you want to wean him from it.
The period of active shedding in a pug begins in early spring and late autumn.
Care carefully
Your pug's ears will need to be cleaned as they get dirty, which happens after about a week. He also needs to be taught this procedure in childhood. You will need special ear cleaning drops, which can be purchased at a veterinary pharmacy. In this case, the manufacturer is not important, they all have the same effect.
For example, take the Russian ear cleaning lotion “Bars”. Place a few drops in each dog's ear. Then give a light massage to the ear and surrounding skin. Massage briefly - only 20-30 seconds. You will hear “clicking” sounds - this is the liquid doing its job. Now wrap a bandage around your finger and clean the inside of your ear, removing any softened dirt. You should not go far into the ear canal; it is enough to wipe only the easily accessible part of the auricle.
A healthy pug's eyes are usually clear. Nothing stands out from them, and they do not tear. But for prevention purposes, you can use Diamond Eyes drops. After dropping 1-2 drops into each eye, wipe off excess liquid with a napkin.
Follow from an early age
Young pugs can have their teeth cleaned when they get dirty. The doctor will carefully perform the procedure under anesthesia. But for aging dogs after seven years, this is unacceptable. Their heart may no longer withstand anesthesia. Therefore, other methods need to be used.
At any age, you can use toothpaste and a special brush for dogs. For example, the German company Hartz Brush`n Clean Dental has a range of bacon-flavored paste, specially shaped brushes, double-sided brushes, and fingertips for removing food debris in particularly difficult places. Movements are made in a circle and from top to bottom. This cleaning is done every day and requires a lot of patience from the pug. Untrained dogs eat the paste and chew the brush.
Another important point. Pugs love the minty smell. Therefore, during a walk, they willingly pick up used chewing gum from the ground. This is very harmful, so keep a close eye on your dogs to keep them healthy.
Also, to maintain teeth in good condition, you need to give your pug special dental sticks that remove plaque and stimulate the removal of tartar. For this purpose, you can use Peddigree Denta Stix sticks designed for small breed dogs. Analogs from other manufacturers will also work. They should be given once every two to three days.
Vaccinations
An unvaccinated dog is susceptible to many diseases. Also, without vaccination marks, it cannot be taken on trips. The first vaccination is given to a pug at the age of two months. Before this, you need to ensure that your pet is quarantined - not to allow contact with other animals.
This will be interesting: What name should you not call a pug?
Expert opinion
Anna Abramenko
An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.
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2 weeks before vaccination, the puppy must be given anti-worm medications.
The first vaccination is carried out against plague, enteritis, hepatitis, parainfluenza and a number of other diseases. A second injection is given after 2 weeks. The second course is done at the age of six months, if by this time the puppy’s teeth have completely changed. During this period, the puppy is injected with rabies vaccines and repeated vaccinations against distemper and hepatitis.
Antihelminthic prophylaxis is required every 4 months. After the first vaccination, the veterinary hospital issues a veterinary passport for the animal with notes on the injections given. There they also give you a reminder calendar with a schedule.
Girls of this breed are less hardy and more susceptible to disease.
Now you can lick your lips
Special care is required for the folds of skin near the pug's nose, as dirt and food debris accumulate there. Inattention to this part of the muzzle can lead to serious inflammation and the appearance of an unpleasant odor.
After each meal, wipe the area near the nose with a damp cloth. This should be done with blotting movements, pushing the folds apart. You should not rub or press hard, as the skin here is very delicate. She has virtually no hair and tampering too much will cause your dog pain.
Veterinarians advise once a week to wipe the inside of the folds with a solution of miramistin or hydrogen peroxide, and then lubricate with olive oil. And even if the dog licks his lips, nothing bad will happen. For lubrication, baby cream or Vaseline is quite suitable, but provided that the pug is accustomed to the treatment and will not lick itself.
Don't hurt your pet
You will need a special tool – a nail clipper – to care for your pug’s claws. The fact is that he cannot sharpen his claws naturally, that is, asphalt and other hard road surfaces will not help. The owner must come to the rescue here. Otherwise, the claws may grow so long that they interfere with movement. Even worse, your fingers may even become deformed.
Nails should be trimmed twice a month. Be careful during the procedure and do not touch living tissue. It is difficult to see in pugs because their claws are black. A nail that is cut too short will hurt and may even start to bleed.
You need to accustom your dog to hygiene procedures from childhood. Without knowing how to care for a pug puppy, you can accidentally frighten him or cause him pain with your careless actions. As a result, he can remember the unpleasant sensations for a long time and will constantly create problems. Brush your puppy every day and give him treats, then he will quickly fall in love with these procedures
The baby's ears should be cleaned very quickly and also be sure to encourage calm behavior with something tasty. To the eyes, nose and claws - the same affectionate approach and gentle touches. Be patient and over time your Pug will trust you completely no matter what you do to him.
It remains to add that with proper care, pugs live up to 15 years and are considered the longest-livers among dogs.
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Bathing an adult pug
Do I need to remind you that to wash your pug you should buy special, good quality detergents? If the animal gets dirty and the dog shampoo has run out, use a gentle baby shampoo or your own shampoo designed for dry skin.
The bath procedure looks something like this:
- Cover the bottom of the tub with an anti-slip mat, which will protect the enamel from claws while giving your dog stability.
- Pour slightly warmed water (not higher than 36°C) so that it covers the pug's paws.
- Mix the shampoo in a small amount of water, lather and then apply with massage movements, distributing over the entire body.
- Do not forget about the dirtiest areas, then carefully rinse the solution with a shower: water should not flow into your eyes and ears.
- Wipe your pug's face clean with a soft, damp cloth when finished.
Important!
If a pug has a problem, do not rub the hair after bathing so as not to speed up the process of shedding. After the water has drained, the remaining drops are blotted with a towel, as if lightly squeezing the fur.
It is allowed to dry the dog with warm (not hot!) air from a hair dryer
. Until the dog is completely dry, do not allow him to lie down on a cold floor or stand in a draft.
Grooming
– the concept is very capacious, it is a system of proper dog care. Washing her, cleaning her ears and eyes, anal glands, removing tartar, trimming her nails, etc.
Grooming can be divided into everyday (in my opinion, the most important, since it plays a role in the quality of life of your dog) and exhibition (this is care aimed at creating a “show environment” for the dog). Without regular, daily dog grooming, you will never be able to achieve the show condition your dog needs to be shown.
By using cheap, low-quality dog shampoo, you wash away sebum (sebum) and deprive the dog of its natural protection.
Dogs have much drier and more delicate skin than humans, and bathing actually removes natural lubrication. Therefore, you need to bathe with special shampoos for dogs. It is not permissible to wash your dog with human shampoos and conditioners!!! They are designed for washing hair, and we wash wool... Often after using human products after washing, the dog begins to smell like “dog” - this is how intensive restoration of sebum occurs.
Never wash your dog with hot water! Hot water softens the coat and loosens the hair, which leads to a loss of elasticity and ultimately, breakage. The structure of a dog's hair resembles a fir cone with tightly pressed scales. Under the influence of hot water and steam, the scales begin to open, the hair splits, and then splits and breaks. The water temperature should be moderate, preferably slightly warm or cool. It should also be remembered that heat exchange in dogs does not occur through the skin, like in humans. Dogs do not have sweat glands, so they do not sweat as we understand them. For wool, sudden changes in temperature from +20 to -20 outside can be a big stress, which happens very often in urban conditions; in addition, central heating contributes to the process of drying out the hair and losing its elasticity. During the winter, the dog requires special cosmetics that support and moisturize the hair in extreme conditions, often oil-based or containing fatty acids.
Aren't shampoos all the same, what difference does it make what shampoo you use? In terms of what they all wash, they are probably the same, but the effect of use is different. It is rightly said that the miser pays twice. The cheaper the cosmetics, the higher the consumption to achieve the desired effect and it is fleeting. For a pet, series of semi-professional cosmetics are suitable, but for an exhibition item you will need special series.
In general, here it goes something like this: The dog is placed in the bathtub on a rubber mat so that the paws do not slip and the dog does not get nervous. Before soaping, the wool should be thoroughly soaked with warm water. When the dog is thoroughly wet, I wash it with super-cleansing shampoo. It is very economical and perfectly washes away the first dirt. I tried super-cleansing shampoos from different companies, but I chose All System for myself. It is best to pre-dissolve the shampoo in water in the proportions specified by the manufacturer. Then I wash off this shampoo and apply another one that is suitable for the type of coat. Which one depends on your mood. Sometimes you want the dog to be fluffier, sometimes you want it to be very shiny, but smooth, or you want to emphasize the shade of the coat.
After rinsing off the second shampoo, I apply a balm or mask. Conditioners are also different, some need to be washed off, others don’t. Most often I use rinse-out conditioners. While the wool is soaked in balm, I wash my paws with paw shampoo. Then I wash everything off properly and dry the dog.
Here I would like to dwell in more detail on wiping wool. Previously, I suffered with a bunch of sheets and towels, the dogs walked around the apartment, constantly shaking themselves and wiping themselves on the sofas. My friends told me that there is such a miracle - a super-absorbent towel. I tried it out and was very pleased. After drying, the dog remains practically dry, and much less time is spent drying with a hairdryer.
Hair dryer combs - I use the Allsystem brush and sometimes their slicker brush, PIN BRUSH “35 MM. WHITE" and SLICKER BRUSH, if you need to make the coat glossy, use a regular comb for everyday use - Trixie.
1) All System. The dog is shining, very shiny, the first wash is super cleansing, then washed with shampoo for light or red dogs. Conditioner - protein. If you need an ironed, smooth dog, you won't find anything better. I didn't like the Botanist shampoo and conditioner, but some people praise it. It gives structure and makes the coat stiff.
2)Iv San Bernard. Makes wool very soft and self-folding. Economical, foams well, rinses off quickly and smells delicious. I tried banana, lemon. Seemed the same in the end result. Recently, on the recommendation of experienced groomers, I “discovered” Mineral H shampoo. The effect is wonderful!!! The shampoo reduces shedding time and prevents daily hair loss. Anyone who is a pug knows that all our clothes are strewn with beige hairs that firmly “eat into” our clothes. This is a small drawback of our favorite breed, especially for beige pugs, since their undercoat is more developed. This is due to the fact that seasonal shedding in dogs kept in an apartment is practically absent, and coat change occurs throughout the year. After using shampoo, the coat is soft, shiny, and elastic.
3).Pet Silk. I really liked it. Soften the oatmeal for everyday use, and the tropical rain makes it great to step into the ring. The downside is that it takes a very long time to dry under a hairdryer. But when it dries……great. Makes the coat color brighter.
4) Biogroom. Total poop. This is my IMHO. I've tried almost the entire range.
5). Le Artis and Lehi Artis. Not bad, but not economical. No way.
6).Laboratoires Héry. No way. It's okay for everyday use. Quite economical, pleasant smell, wool does not change much.
7). Ring 5. I liked the structuring one, as well as the “dirty dog” shampoo for the first wash. Very pleasant to use. Conditioner in sprays, convenient, no need to rinse.
And lastly: from the wide variety of cosmetics, you will certainly be able to choose a shampoo that is suitable for caring for your four-legged pet and will ensure a spectacular coat.
However, there is one “but”: you need to find out what is included in the shampoo, since sometimes manufacturers advertise their product in every possible way, without thinking about how harmless it is. The shampoo may contain chemicals that are undesirable for your pet's skin. In order not to doubt the quality of the products, be sure to read the list of harmful and even prohibited chemicals for use in the cosmetics industry, which can be found on the Internet.
When drying with a hairdryer, you need to monitor the strength and temperature of the air stream. Then the air directed at the dog should not be very strong and should go in the direction of hair growth. While blow-drying, you need to take breaks to allow the hair to cool to room temperature, combining accelerated drying with natural drying. Remember that a hair dryer dries out your hair, so you need to use additional hair moisturizers.
To be honest, I rarely use a hairdryer... I prefer natural drying.
Furminator
After washing for 3 days, the pug's fur sheds with a vengeance, so I recommend combing the fur properly immediately after washing and drying.
I comb my dogs with a special furminator comb.
Super helpful!
Attention!
The furminator can be used only in the direction of hair growth. Do not use the furminator on wet or damp wool. Dry only!!! It is not recommended to use the furminator several times in one place. It is better to repeat the combing the next day. Work without strong pressure.
CLAWS
This procedure should be taught from childhood, as dogs do not like having their nails trimmed. The owner who bought the puppy must constantly monitor the condition of its claws and trim them in time, otherwise the baby, clicking on the floor with eagle claws, will have incorrect placement of the limbs, soft pasterns, loose paws in size and vicious movements. To trim nails, lift your pet's paw slightly up and forward. With your left hand, firmly grasp his fingers behind the claw phalanges, armed with a nail clipper or guillotine - with your right hand (scissors with sharp ends are not suitable, since a dog not accustomed to this procedure will most likely break free, and you risk injuring yourself and your pet). You should cut the claw just short of the fleshy growth zone, that is, closer to the beginning of the bend (it’s easy to see when looking at the claw from the side).
It is very important not to hurt the dog, since one mistake of yours can significantly complicate this procedure for life. Now you need to polish the claws, removing all burrs and roughness.
File only in one direction: from the tip of the claw to the paw, in a circular motion. Don’t forget to praise your dog in a calm voice, and a piece of cheese or other treat won’t go amiss.
If a blood vessel has been damaged and the claw is bleeding, use Bio-Groom's Sure Clot, a quick-acting hemostatic powder.
The bleeding will stop immediately. Now the infection is not scary. I do not recommend cutting your nails before going outside; it is better to do it at night, after a walk. It is very good to wash your paws first; the claws will become more elastic and will not crumble or break when trimmed.
Dogs who “especially love to have their nails trimmed” file off their nails with a Dremel.
TEETH
What is suitable for other breeds is not suitable for a pug!
In pugs, like many other short-faced breeds, the lips fit so tightly to the teeth that it is almost impossible to brush them. Anyone who has tried it knows how unpleasant this procedure is for a pug, so it is more important in caring for a pug’s teeth to prevent the formation of plaque.
To do this you need:
If possible, feed your pug good quality dry food; there are also special foods.
As a treat, treat your pug to Grinis bones; they reduce the accumulation of tartar and plaque, and strengthen the gums.
Give bones, hooves, etc. regularly.
To prevent and combat tartar, I use Dog a Dent dog teeth cleaning spray.
If a stone does form, it must be removed as quickly as possible with a scarifier, and the inflamed gums must be treated with dentavedin for several days.
Another problem occurs in pugs during the period of teeth change; the baby teeth have not yet fallen out, but the permanent teeth have already grown in, so it is very important to monitor the puppy’s teeth and remove the baby teeth in time so as not to spoil the bite. Only a specialist should remove teeth, since the root may be larger than the crown of the tooth, and the gum will have to be cut. If your veterinarian hasn't done this before, it's best to see a dentist. It is important not to allow puppies to pull toys, things, or bones. etc., so as not to spoil the bite.
FOLD ABOVE THE SPOUT
Keep an eye on the skin fold above your pug's nose; it should be clean and dry, without diaper rash or irritation. It should be inspected periodically, and if there are no diaper rashes, then it is enough to wipe it with a dry, clean gauze, especially this should be done in the hot summer. For prevention, you can use Tsamaks powder (sold at a pet store) or regular baby powder. After this procedure, you should wipe the pug's face with a clean napkin to remove excess powder. It is good to treat the puppy's fold with chamomile oil or tea tree oil; it has remarkable antibaterial properties. If you find irritation or redness of the skin (diaper rash), wipe the fold with dry gauze and lubricate it with Hyoxyzon (this ointment is sold at the pharmacy). Clotrimozole or Ecodax ointment will help against fungus (fold rotting). All treatment procedures should be carried out every day for 7-10 days, until the inflammatory process is completely cured. The cause of inflammation of the fold may be: -summer heat; - dead hairs that can irritate the skin; -allergy; -fungus.
EARS
Be sure to check your ears once a week, because... A lot of light brown ear fat accumulates in a pug's ears. You can wipe your ears with a cotton swab soaked in chamomile oil. Or buy a special ear cleaner at a pet store. I use Dewdrop Ear Lotion. Attention! The product should not contain boric or salicylic acid; it is better if the product is oil-based.
During the change of teeth, the puppy’s ears may become fluttering (raised on the cartilage to the sides and turned towards the back of the head). Many owners correct their pug's ears at this time using a patch. During correction, you need to make sure that there is no irritation on the puppy’s ears from the patch.
Please be patient because... This process is quite long; for some pugs it can last 1-2 years. In other puppies, the ear placement becomes correct again after changing teeth.
PAROANAL GLANDS
Pugs sometimes experience blocked anal glands.
This manifests itself in the fact that the dog scratches its sides, spins behind its tail, bites its hind legs, is bothered by the base of its tail, gets angry, and fidgets on its butt. There may be discharge from the anus with an unpleasant and pungent odor. In this case, you need to cleanse the anal glands. It's better to consult a veterinarian. EYES
The expressive, beautiful, “talking” eyes of a pug need constant examination!
Due to the anatomical structure of the skull, the pug's large eyes are not protected from injury and dust, so the eyes are better every day. I use a special lotion “Dewdrop for eyes”. ATTENTION! Never touch your eyes with tea, boric or manganese acid - they burn and cause chronic conjunctivitis. Under no circumstances should you use ALBUCIDE - it causes severe burns!!!
CARE OF THE EXTERNAL GENITAL ORGANS
Puppies very often have purulent discharge from the genitals.
This comes out dust and dirt. He cannot take care of himself, and his mother is not around. Your task, if necessary, is to wash the puppy in the morning and evening with a solution of chamomile and a weak solution of potassium permanganate. If the discharge becomes greenish in color, it is necessary to syringe with a solution of furatsilin, chlorhexidine bigluconate. Girls need to be washed with warm water and intimate gel. I'm using human. ATTENTION!
Never jerk or sharply untwist the pug's tail, which is curled into a tight ring - this can lead to spinal injury, including a fracture.
Have you decided to buy a pug puppy and bring the baby into your home? Get ready, it will require careful care. In order for a dog to grow up healthy and beautiful, you need not only to feed it properly and carry out hygiene procedures, but also to educate it. A small pug will require a lot of attention and patience.
Pug puppies are small and do not know much about the world around them, which means, like all children, they are curious. The first thing to take care of is safety. Be careful to keep small and sharp objects out of reach - anything that can be swallowed will be swallowed instantly.
Dogs of this breed have vulnerable eyes; try to cover the sharp corners of furniture with caps at the height of the pet, the same applies to sharp handles on drawers of tables and cabinets. From the very beginning, pick up your pug correctly - with one hand under the sternum and the other under the seat. Do not pull the animal's paws or grab it by squeezing its stomach. You cannot pick up an animal by the scruff of the neck. Here are some more recommendations:
- remove all wires; as the animal grows up, it will inevitably begin to chew on them;
- put away outdoor shoes until your pet has completed a full course of vaccinations - we bring many diseases dangerous to animals home on the soles of our own shoes;
- do not leave the pug alone with other animals, if any;
- do not leave home without checking where the baby is - if he falls from a high chair or sofa, he can damage his paws;
- buy toys in advance; you cannot force them out of your mouth - this will damage your teeth;
- Teach children how to properly pick up the baby.
Caring for a pug puppy has several more features, unlike adult dogs. The pet needs to be accustomed to water procedures and nail trimming from childhood.
Train your pet to relieve itself in a strictly defined place. How to toilet train a pug correctly, read here.
Many veterinarians recommend bathing pugs. Puppies can be bathed and washed from 2 months, bathing is carried out as needed (the fur should not smell like a dog). It is worth noting that bathing and washing are different procedures. Bathing involves rinsing with warm water and cleaning the skin folds, and during washing, special animal shampoos are used as detergents. It is recommended to wash pugs no more than once every 3 months; more frequent use of shampoo harms the fur. After a walk, regularly wash the paws, belly and nasal fold, wiping everything dry.