The Milwaukee Pugs Care Guide

Pugs are clowns with big hearts. They were bred for one job, being companions, and they take it seriously: most Pugs want to be wherever you are, preferably on your lap. Before you bring one home, here's an honest look at Pug life.

What Pugs are like

• People-focused. Pugs usually love everyone and do best when someone's home a lot. Many don't like being left alone for long stretches.
• Funny and stubborn. They're smart, but they'll happily ignore you if a snack isn't involved.
• Moderate energy. Short walks and indoor play are usually enough, though young Pugs can be surprisingly zippy.
• Good with families. Most Pugs get along with kids, other dogs, and even cats, with proper introductions.

The less glamorous parts

• Shedding. Pugs shed a lot, all year. Fawn Pugs often shed more than black Pugs. Expect hair on everything.
• Snoring and noises. Snorts, snores, and grunts are part of the package.
• Health care. Their flat faces, big eyes, and skin folds need regular attention, and vet bills can add up. Pet insurance or a savings fund is a smart idea.
• Heat sensitivity. Pugs can't handle hot, humid weather. Summer means air conditioning and short walks.
• Weight gain. Pugs love food and gain weight easily.

A long-term commitment

Many Pugs live into their teens, so you're signing up for a decade or more of snuggles. If that sounds wonderful, a Pug might be for you. Consider adopting from a rescue: see Pugs Needing Homes, or tell us what you're looking for.

This guide is general information from Pug owners, not veterinary advice. Your vet knows your Pug best.

Whether you're bringing home a puppy or an adult rescue, a little preparation makes the first weeks easier for everyone.

Your shopping list

• A harness, not just a collar. Collars put pressure on a Pug's throat. Use the collar for ID tags and clip the leash to a well-fitting harness.
• A leash (a standard one; skip retractable leashes in busy places).
• ID tags with your phone number, and a microchip registered to you.
• Food and water bowls. Shallow or tilted bowls are easier for flat faces. A slow feeder helps Pugs who gulp.
• A comfy bed and soft blankets. Pugs love to burrow.
• Grooming basics: a rubber curry brush or deshedding tool, unscented wipes or soft cloths for wrinkles, and nail clippers or a grinder.
• Toys for chewing and gentle play.
• A crate or gated area for safe alone time, if you plan to use one.

Pug-proofing

Pugs are low to the ground and nosy. Before they arrive:

• Pick up shoes, socks, cords, and small items they could swallow.
• Store food, medicine, and trash out of reach.
• Block off stairs for puppies and seniors, and anywhere a Pug could fall.
• Check your yard fence for gaps.

The first few weeks

• Keep it calm. Give your Pug time to explore before introducing lots of new people and places.
• Set a routine for meals, potty breaks, walks, and bedtime.
• Schedule a vet visit in the first week or two, and bring any records from the rescue or breeder.
• Be patient. Many rescues describe settling in as about 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn the routine, and 3 months to feel at home.

When your Pug is ready, come meet the pack at a meetup.

This guide is general information from Pug owners, not veterinary advice.

Ask any Pug owner: their dog would eat all day if allowed. Keeping a Pug at a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do for their breathing, joints, and lifespan.

Choosing and measuring food

• Feed a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for your Pug's age. Your vet can help you choose.
• Measure every meal with a real measuring cup. The amount on the bag is a starting point; adjust based on your Pug's body, not the bag.
• Most adult Pugs do well on two meals a day. Puppies eat more often.
• Change foods gradually over about a week to avoid an upset stomach.

Treats count

Treats add up fast for a small dog. Many vets suggest keeping treats to about 10% of daily calories. Break treats into tiny pieces, and try vet-approved low-calorie options like small pieces of green beans or carrots.

Is my Pug overweight?

• You should be able to feel the ribs easily without pressing hard.
• From above, there should be a slight waist behind the ribs.
• From the side, the belly should tuck up a little.

If you're not sure, ask your vet at the next visit. If your Pug needs to lose weight, ask for a plan. Slow, steady loss is safest.

Foods that are dangerous for dogs

Keep these away from your Pug:

• Chocolate, coffee, and caffeine
• Grapes and raisins
• Onions, garlic, and chives
• Xylitol, a sweetener found in some sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, and peanut butters
• Alcohol
• Macadamia nuts
• Cooked bones, and fatty foods like ham or bacon trimmings

If your Pug eats something toxic, call your vet, an emergency vet, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away.

This guide is general information from Pug owners, not veterinary advice.

A Pug's short face affects almost everything about how they breathe, cool down, and exercise. Understanding it helps you keep your Pug safe.

Pug breathing

Many Pugs have narrow nostrils, a long soft palate, and other airway differences, often called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Snoring and snorting are common. Some Pugs breathe well; others struggle.

Talk to your vet if your Pug:

• Breathes noisily even at rest
• Tires quickly or can't finish a short walk
• Gags, regurgitates, or has trouble eating
• Sleeps sitting up or wakes up gasping

Blue or gray gums, collapse, or fainting is an emergency.

For some Pugs, surgery to open the nostrils or shorten the soft palate makes a big difference. Your vet can tell you if it's worth considering.

Reverse sneezing, a sudden honking or snorting fit that lasts a few seconds to a minute, is common and usually harmless. Staying calm, and gently stroking their throat, often helps.

Heat is dangerous

Dogs cool down by panting, and a Pug's airway makes that harder. Pugs can overheat quickly, even on days that feel only warm to you, especially when it's humid.

• Walk early in the morning or late in the evening in summer.
• Keep walks short and slow on warm days.
• Always bring water and look for shade.
• Never leave a Pug in a parked car.
• Air conditioning is a Pug's best friend.

Signs of heatstroke: heavy panting that won't settle, a dark red or purple tongue, drooling, vomiting, stumbling, or collapse. Move them somewhere cool, wet them with cool (not ice-cold) water, and get to a vet immediately.

Exercise

Pugs still need daily activity to stay fit and happy. Two or three short walks plus some play is plenty for most. Use a harness, let them set the pace, and stop if they're breathing hard. Puzzle toys and short training sessions are great exercise for their brains, too.

This guide is general information from Pug owners, not veterinary advice.

Pugs don't need fancy haircuts, but they do need regular care. A few minutes a week prevents most problems.

Wrinkles

Face folds trap moisture and dirt, which can lead to redness, odor, and infection.

1. Gently open the fold, especially the deep one over the nose.
2. Wipe inside with a soft, damp cloth or an unscented wipe or cleanser your vet recommends.
3. Dry the fold completely. This is the most important step.

Most Pugs need this two or three times a week; some need it daily. Call your vet about redness, a bad smell, or discharge.

Coat and shedding

Pugs shed a lot. Brushing a few times a week with a rubber curry brush or deshedding tool cuts down on hair around the house. Bathe only when needed, every month or two, with a gentle dog shampoo, and dry the folds well afterward.

Nails

Long nails are uncomfortable and can change how a dog walks. Trim every few weeks, or whenever you hear clicking on the floor. If you're nervous, a groomer or vet tech can do it or show you how.

Ears

Check ears weekly. They should be clean and not smelly. Wipe the outer ear gently with a vet-recommended cleaner; never push anything deep into the ear canal. Redness, odor, head-shaking, or scratching means a vet visit.

Teeth

Pugs' small mouths often mean crowded teeth, which collect plaque. Brushing with a dog toothpaste (never human toothpaste) a few times a week helps a lot. Ask your vet about dental checkups and cleanings.

Skin

Watch for itching, licking paws, hair loss, or red skin, which can point to allergies or skin infections. Your vet can help find the cause.

This guide is general information from Pug owners, not veterinary advice.

A Pug's big, prominent eyes have less protection than most dogs' eyes, so injuries and irritation are common, and they can get worse quickly.

Everyday care

• Look at your Pug's eyes every day: they should be clear and bright, with no squinting.
• Gently wipe away tear stains and discharge with a soft, damp cloth.
• Keep the nose fold clean so hairs don't rub the eye.
• Watch for hazards at Pug height: thorny bushes, tall grass, sticks, and swatting cats.
• Don't let your Pug ride with their head out the car window.

Call your vet the same day for

• Squinting, or holding an eye closed
• A cloudy, blue, or white spot on the eye
• Lots of tearing, or thick or colored discharge
• Pawing or rubbing at the eye
• A red, painful-looking eye

An eye that suddenly bulges more than usual, or comes out of its socket, is an emergency. Keep it moist with saline or a wet cloth, keep your Pug from pawing at it, and go to an emergency vet right away.

Conditions to know about

Pugs are prone to corneal scratches and ulcers, dry eye, and dark pigment building up on the surface of the eye. Many of these can be managed with medication when caught early, so regular vet checkups matter.

This guide is general information from Pug owners, not veterinary advice.

Pugs have some breed-specific health concerns. Knowing about them helps you spot problems early and work well with your vet.

The basics

• Checkups: at least once a year for adults, and more often for puppies and seniors.
• Vaccines and parasite prevention: ask your vet what's right for your Pug. In Wisconsin, that usually includes heartworm, flea, and tick prevention.
• Spaying and neutering: talk with your vet about timing.
• Anesthesia: flat-faced dogs need extra care under anesthesia. Ask your vet about their experience with brachycephalic breeds and how they'll monitor your Pug.
• Pet insurance or a savings fund can make unexpected bills much easier. Look into it while your Pug is young and healthy.

Health issues common in Pugs

• Breathing problems (BOAS): see the breathing chapter.
• Eye problems: corneal ulcers, dry eye, and pigment on the eye.
• Skin fold infections and allergies: itching, redness, and odor.
• Obesity: makes nearly every other problem worse.
• Joint problems: loose kneecaps (patellar luxation) and hip dysplasia can cause limping or skipping.
• Spine problems: some Pugs have misshapen vertebrae (hemivertebrae) or develop rear-leg weakness as they age, sometimes called Pug myelopathy.
• Pug dog encephalitis (PDE): a rare but serious inflammatory brain disease that can cause seizures. A genetic test can show risk; ask your vet.
• Dental disease: crowded teeth collect plaque.

When to call the vet

Call if your Pug stops eating, has vomiting or diarrhea that lasts, seems in pain, limps, has a seizure, or just isn't acting like themselves. Trust your gut: you know your Pug best.

This guide is general information from Pug owners, not veterinary advice.

Pugs are clever and eager to please, as long as there's something in it for them. Positive, patient training works best.

Training tips

• Use rewards. Tiny treats, praise, and play. Pugs respond poorly to harsh corrections.
• Keep sessions short: five to ten minutes, a few times a day.
• Be consistent. Everyone in the home should use the same words and rules.
• Start with the basics: name, sit, down, stay, come, and walking nicely on a leash.
• Consider a class. Group classes help with skills and socialization. Look for trainers who use positive reinforcement.

Potty training

Pugs can be slow to house-train. Take them out often: after waking, eating, playing, and before bed. Praise them outside the moment they go. Clean accidents with an enzyme cleaner so they don't return to the same spot. A regular schedule is your best tool.

Socialization

Gently introduce puppies to new people, friendly dogs, sounds, surfaces, and places. Adult rescues benefit too, at their own pace. Meetups are a great, low-pressure way to practice.

Common Pug behaviors

• Following you everywhere: totally normal. Pugs are velcro dogs.
• Begging: don't feed from the table, or you'll have a beggar for life.
• Being alone: practice short absences and build up slowly. Puzzle toys can help. Talk to your vet or a trainer if your Pug seems truly distressed when left alone.
• Pug zoomies: sudden bursts of running in circles are normal and delightful. Just make sure it's not too hot.

This guide is general information from Pug owners, not veterinary advice.

Milwaukee weather swings from icy to sticky. Here's how to keep your Pug comfortable all year.

Winter

• Pugs get cold too. Their short coats don't offer much protection. A sweater or coat helps on cold walks, and very cold days call for quick potty trips.
• Salt and ice melt can irritate paws and make dogs sick if licked off. Wipe paws after walks, consider dog booties or paw balm, and use pet-safe ice melt at home.
• Antifreeze tastes sweet and is very poisonous. Clean up spills right away.
• Watch the ice. Slippery sidewalks are hard on Pug joints and backs.

Spring

• Ticks and mosquitoes come back. Keep up with flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.
• Spring cleaning and lawn treatments: keep Pugs away from fertilizers, pesticides, and cleaning products.
• Allergies can flare up. Itchy paws and ears are common signs.

Summer

• Heat and humidity are the biggest danger of the year. Walk early or late, keep it short, bring water, and stay inside with air conditioning on hot days.
• Hot pavement burns paws. If it's too hot for the back of your hand, it's too hot for your Pug.
• Fireworks around the Fourth of July and summer festivals frighten many dogs. Keep your Pug inside, close the curtains, and play music or white noise. Make sure their ID tags and microchip info are up to date, since scared dogs can bolt.
• Many Pugs aren't strong swimmers. Use a dog life jacket near lakes and pools.

Fall

• Cooler weather is perfect Pug weather. Enjoy the walks!
• Halloween candy, especially chocolate and anything with xylitol, must stay out of reach. Costumes should be comfortable and never cover the face or restrict breathing.

The holidays

• Keep rich, fatty, or seasoned foods, bones, and chocolate away from your Pug.
• Watch out for tinsel, ribbon, ornaments, and electrical cords.
• Some holiday plants, like lilies, mistletoe, and holly, can be harmful to pets.

This guide is general information from Pug owners, not veterinary advice.

Caring for a senior Pug

Pugs are often considered seniors around 8 to 10 years old. Older Pugs slow down, but they still have plenty of love to give.

• More frequent checkups: many vets suggest twice a year for seniors.
• Comfort at home: soft, supportive beds; rugs on slippery floors; ramps or steps for the couch and car.
• Gentle exercise: shorter, slower walks keep muscles and joints working.
• Watch the back legs. Wobbling, dragging feet, or weakness can be signs of spine or joint problems. Tell your vet.
• Changes to report: drinking or peeing more, weight loss, confusion, trouble seeing or hearing, or new lumps.

Be ready for an emergency

• Know your nearest 24-hour emergency vet and save the number and address in your phone now, before you need them.
• Save the ASPCA Animal Poison Control number: (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply).
• Keep a simple first-aid kit: gauze, a soft muzzle or cloth, saline, a digital thermometer, and your vet's number.
• Keep copies of medical records and a recent photo of your Pug.

Go to an emergency vet right away for: trouble breathing, blue or gray gums, collapse, signs of heatstroke, a seizure, an eye injury, repeated vomiting, a swollen belly, suspected poisoning, or being hit by a car.

Saying goodbye

Deciding when it's time is one of the hardest parts of loving a Pug. Your vet can help you think about your Pug's quality of life and talk through your options. However you're feeling, you're not alone. Our resources page lists pet loss support.

This guide is general information from Pug owners, not veterinary advice. Your vet knows your Pug best.