How To Feed A Pug: All The Secrets Of A Healthy Diet

A dog in the house is always a blessing. Except for those moments when your pet decided to chew on your shoes or stain clean linen. Or those moments when you do not know how to feed your dog so that he is healthy, full and enjoys life.

And so that you do not flip through 100 sites in search of the necessary information, at Pets Feed we have collected it for you in one place.

Features of feeding pugs

This is one of the most popular breeds of decorative dogs, which are characterized by compactness and proportionality. They are very active and attached to their owners, so they can literally follow them on their heels. But despite all the charms of this breed, they have one drawback – they are prone to obesity. That is why their diet should be monitored very carefully.

Each pug is individual, but there are a few general recommendations that all owners of this breed must follow:

• They can eat everything, but you don’t have to let them. The fact is that they have a very weak gastrointestinal tract, which reacts to any food that is not suitable for the dog.
• Prone to obesity. For this reason, they need to be kept within limits – serving size and feeding time should be determined by the owner. Every day the dog should have the same portion and the same time at which he eats it.
• Even if a pug is using all his charm skills on you, don’t let him overeat. After he has eaten his portion, put away the bowl until the next meal.
• It is very important not to leave your dog without water. But it is not recommended to give tap water, as it contains too many bacteria. Provide your dog with clean, filtered water.
• Do not forget that the dog’s food should not be too cold or too hot. Keep a balance.
• Do not make soup or stew out of food: their stomach is suitable only for solid food, as it is too small in size. In addition, the dog may develop a saggy belly, which subsequently leads to back problems. And liquid and mushy food does not contribute to the full saturation of the body.
• It is not allowed to salt the meat. It must be ingested raw, the dog’s stomach will not digest boiled meat. Vegetables can be salted, but not to the same extent as it is done for a person. Occasionally it is allowed to please the dog with salted fish.
• It is recommended to include milk in the diet. It helps to get rid of heartburn, which so often torments representatives of this breed.
• Despite its cute appearance, the pug is still a predator, and its diet should consist of 70% meat.

Pug puppy feeding

For puppies, the daily amount of food necessary for their full development is five to seven percent of the total weight. For example, if the puppy weighs two kilograms, then the total weight of the portions should not exceed 140 grams. This volume must be divided by the number of feedings. Thus, the optimal volume of one serving is obtained.

For pugs older than six months, the amount of food is halved. Three and a half percent of the total mass is enough for them. A dog weighing ten kilograms per day will need 350 grams of natural food. Two-thirds of the entire serving should consist of meat products. They are given during the morning and evening feeding.

It happens that the bitch refuses to feed her puppy in the first days of life. It is very important to notice this as soon as possible and help the baby by buying milk for feeding at the pet store. In this case, various special mixtures come to the aid of the puppy owners, for example, Wearhar Puppy Milk and Babydog Milk from Royal Canin.

Such mixtures contain an increased number of proteins, prebiotics and lactose, which are necessary in the first weeks of life. The mixture is diluted with water and given to the puppy. For the convenience of feeding, you need to purchase a pacifier and a bottle. Remember: milk should not be hot or cold. You can check your temperature by putting some milk on your wrist. On such food, he should stay for about a month or one and a half, and then you can transfer the dog to adult food.

Nutrition from 1 to 3 months

During this period, the dog develops very actively, the dog’s body must receive all the necessary trace elements and vitamins. The food that you give during breakfast or afternoon tea should not be too heavy and rich. It is advisable to give fermented milk products (cottage cheese, milk, kefir), boiled vegetables, rice or buckwheat porridge. You can sweeten food with honey.

At lunch and dinner, you need to provide a hearty meat meal that will provide enough energy. Puppies need to be fed much more often than adults, which is why during this period the pug should eat five to six times a day. If he feels good and is steadily gaining weight, then you have found the optimal diet for him.

Approximate diet at this age:

• The first feeding is finely chopped raw meat (veal or beef).
• The second feeding is cottage cheese diluted with kefir or milk.
• The third feeding is cottage cheese with kefir or milk.
• The fourth feeding is buckwheat, rice, oatmeal milk porridge (except semolina).
• Fifth feeding – any milk porridge.
• The sixth feeding is raw meat.

It is very important to observe equal intervals between meals. The biggest break is at night – about eight hours.

Nutrition from 3 to 7 months

This is the period of your dog’s most rapid growth. It is important to eat plenty of calcium-containing foods. At this age, three or four meals will suffice. The basis of the diet is still meat and dairy products, the amount of which must be gradually increased. In the morning they give cottage cheese and milk, and in the evening meat and fish products. It is very important that the meat is lean. Ideal: poultry, beef, rabbit, hare. Pugs are very fond of lamb. Pork should not be given to dogs because it is too fatty. Puppies can be offered wings, legs or necks of a bird, having previously beaten them with a hammer. Pugs can also eat fruits and dried fruits.

Twice a week, give your pet a clove of garlic, which is an excellent prophylactic against many diseases.

Nutrition from 7 months to a year

After the age of seven months, the pug will be enough to eat twice a day. The first feeding should contain all the necessary products except meat. In the second feeding, be sure to add meat and bones, sometimes you can pamper your pet with fish.

Nutrition for adult dogs

After about eight months or about a year, the puppy can already be transferred to a full-fledged adult diet. When designing a new diet, there are many factors to consider, including activity, weight, disease, and personal preferences of the animal. New food can be of two types – dry food or natural food. Consider the pros and cons of both diet options.

Natural food for pugs

It is believed that natural nutrition is much healthier, as it contains all the necessary trace elements and vitamins. But at the same time, it also has significant disadvantages – you need to carefully select high-quality products that will not harm the dog. And also, every day to make sure that the dog has a fresh portion. Natural nutrition requires effort from the owner.

To understand what foods should be present in the diet, knowing the daily requirement for minerals for a puppy and an adult pug will help you (1 g of a substance per 1 kg of weight):

1. Carbohydrates – 10 and 6 g;
2. Proteins – 30 and 15 g;
3. Fats – 2.6 and 1.3 g;
4. Calcium – 0.5 g and 0.25 g;
5. Phosphorus, potassium – 0.4 g and 0.2 g;
6. Iron – 0.13 g for both puppies and adult dogs;
7. Magnesium – 0.02 g and 0.01 g.

What to give a pug from natural food:

• Lean meat and beef offal;
• Boneless sea fish fillet;
• Fruits, herbs and vegetables;
• Milk;
• Dairy products.

When compiling a diet, adhere to the following rules:

1. When feeding a natural dog, you should know that 70% of the total daily ration is meat. Pugs prefer lamb, rabbit, lean chicken.
2. The remaining 30% are cereals, dairy products, vegetables and fruits. Of the vegetables, cabbage, cucumbers, beets and peppers are most recommended.
3. You must remember that when feeding natural food, the dog does not receive enough vitamins. That is why she needs an additional source of nutrients. Vitamin A is responsible for the growth and development of organs, skeleton, muscles. Found in greens (dill, spinach, parsley), fish oil and liver, egg yolks, milk, yellow, red and orange vegetables and fruits (apricots, pumpkin, tomatoes). Vitamin B ensures healthy muscle development, normal appearance. Contained in the liver, bran, herbs, dried fruits, nuts, tomatoes, buckwheat. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system, prevents the development of dental diseases, ensures the good functioning of the musculoskeletal system. Present in berries (currants), fruits, citrus fruits, sweet yellow and red peppers, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, greens.
4. Once every two weeks, it is imperative to arrange a fasting day for the dog, during which she will receive about 40% of her usual diet.
5. Do not allow the dog to eat dairy products and meat, as they are not digested together. Possible stomach or digestive problems. It is better to mix meat with porridge.
6. Before giving meat or fish to a pug, be sure to heat treat them
7. When feeding porridge and vegetables, grind them into a puree to make it easier to eat.
8. Do not mix natural food with dry food. Natural and dry food are digested at different intervals.

Dry food for pugs

This type of food is the most optimal for any owner. The advantages include the fact that the food is already saturated with useful vitamins and trace elements that correspond to the age and physique of the pet. You also don’t have to spend time preparing food – just open the package and fill your pet with your favorite treats.

The selection of food must be approached with particular care; it is advisable to consult a veterinarian. Pugs are suitable for premium food and holistics. They contain all the necessary substances. The only drawback is the price of these feeds.

However, you cannot save on your four-legged friend: if you choose an economy class food, it will have a lower content of nutrients than an expensive one. That is why you will have to buy additional vitamin supplements for the healthy existence of your pug.

When feeding with industrial feed, it is important to follow all the rules drawn up by the manufacturer:

• Do not exceed the rate indicated on the package;
• Do not mix different brands of feed;
• Do not combine natural products with dry food;
• Do not feed puppies with adult food and vice versa;
• You cannot drastically change the brand of food, since complementary foods are carried out gradually;
• Do not pour boiling water over the granules (this will destroy most vitamins);
• Do not use additional vitamin and mineral supplements (if the food is premium).

You can soak dry food with water. Fruits and dried fruits can be left as complementary foods if the pet likes them, but not given at the same time as dry food, as they are not digested together. Complementary foods should not be more than 20% of the total diet.

Overview of the best dry food

Eukanuba

This is a super-premium food made in America. There are lines for dogs of different sizes and breeds, as well as medical ones. This food is complete and provides the dog with all the necessary substances. It consists of: meat (usually two types) about 30% of the total composition, wheat, barley, rice, eggs, fish oil, fiber, as well as various vitamin supplements.

The advantages of this food include the fact that the pug does not need additional food. Of the minuses – the number of flavors and the presence of beets in the composition, due to which pugs of light colors can stain the coat.

Hills

Another super-premium food, which is produced in Europe and America. They have feed for everyday nutrition, as well as medicinal. Everyday food for puppies, adult and senior dogs based on chicken. And also, there is a diet food on pork. All types of feed contain corn, pearl barley and vegetables.

The disadvantages of this feed include a small amount of meat (no more than 6%) and the presence of a large number of allergens.

The therapeutic line is quite wide and covers problems ranging from various diseases to high-calorie food for recovery after illnesses and surgeries. The composition of all medicated foods differs depending on your dog’s illness.

For a pug, Hills “Science Plan Puppy Small & Miniature” is suitable. Ingredients: meat, meat meal, corn, wheat, potatoes, rice, beets, vitamins.

Acana

This company produces two classes of food – super-premium and holistic. They are considered the best in Europe and America. This manufacturer has focused on the production of exclusively dry food.

Of the advantages of this brand, it should be noted the absence of offal and flavors in the composition, a large percentage of meat (more than 60%) and a high content of vitamins. And also, in the composition of the feed there are oats, apples, potatoes, peas, berries, vegetables, herbs, amino acids, antioxidants, fatty acids.

First Mate

Super premium food produced in Australia, Canada and Colombia. The composition includes three types of meat, vegetables, fruits, minerals, vitamins and amino acids.

The manufacturer notes that all feeds undergo rigorous quality control.

Canidae

Feeds made in America are holistic. The main ingredients in the composition: meat and meat flour, offal, potatoes, peas, other vegetables, fruits, vitamins and minerals.

Royal Canin

This is the only manufacturer that has a specialized food for pregnant and lactating bitches, and is also suitable for puppies under the age of two months. In addition, it produces various products: for perfect coat, for aging dogs, for overweight, and so on.

Of the minuses of this brand, the detailed composition is not indicated either for meat, or for offal, or for cereals and their ratio. A plus is good digestibility by dogs.

Pro plan

The company “ProPlan” does not provide food for everyday feeding, there are only medical lines – to maintain weight, during the recovery period, with kidney pathology and indigestion. Such a diet is prescribed exclusively by a veterinarian and is used in medical courses.

Monge

This manufacturer has the widest range of wet food. Op is represented by: mono protein canned food with eleven different flavors; pâtés of nine kinds; three types of wet food with meat pieces; five meatloaf.

Brit

This company produces two types of wet food: premium and super-premium.

The first type is a low percentage of meat in the composition, many components that can cause allergies. Low saturation level. As for the super-premium line, it contains a large amount of meat, there is even a series consisting only of meat. However, this food has a rather high price: not everyone can afford it.

Foods that are forbidden to pugs

Given the peculiarities of the digestion of this breed, they cannot the following products:

• Pasta;
• Semolina;
• Potato;
• Sugar and pastries;
• Fresh bread;
• Sausages, frankfurters, smoked products, semi-finished products;
• Pickles and marinades;
• Various seasonings;
• Mushrooms;
• Corn and peas;
• Grapes, oranges, raisins;
• Mayonnaise, sour cream, cream;
• Raw egg white;
• Fatty, fried and overly salty foods.

What will the violation of the ban lead to?

Caring for pugs is quite complex and specific in nature. If you do not follow all the subtleties of nutrition, then this can lead to:

• Obesity (excessive overfeeding);
• Disruption of the nervous system and even loss of consciousness (in case of a lack of potassium);
• Circulatory disorders (in case of an incorrect combination of potassium and phosphorus);
• Problems with teeth, hair and skin (in case of vitamin deficiency).

If you notice that a pug is not active, constantly lies and wants to sleep, and his coat and skin leave much to be desired, then you should think about the correct diet of your pet. Perhaps he lacks vitamins or is unnecessarily oversaturated.

What to feed an elderly pug

A dog becomes old when it has lived two to three of its total lifespan. A pug can be called an “old man” when he enters the age of six or seven years. In his body, the metabolism gradually slows down and the dog no longer spends as much energy as it used to.

That is why the diet of an elderly dog should be less high-calorie. It is necessary to reduce the percentage of fats and proteins, as this can adversely affect the functioning of the kidneys.

It is considered acceptable to replace part of the meat with lean fish or dairy products. Older pugs can be constipated, so they need to be given dietary fiber to help with defecation.

The daily diet of an elderly pug is calculated based on the following proportions:

• Meat, fish, dairy products – 40-50%;
• Crumbly cereals – 30-40%;
• Vegetables, fruits, herbs – 10-20%.

If you feed your pet with dry food, then you can simply buy a line “for older dogs.” Typically, these foods have all the needs of your aging dog taken into account.

Nutrition for pregnant and lactating pugs

The feeding regimen of both pregnant and lactating females is no different from the usual. Unless it is recommended to give more mineral supplements and vitamins, as well as to refuse meat products in the first 7-10 days of pregnancy, as it can cause eclampsia – a disease characterized by convulsions and spasms. Some owners of whelping females say that the dog begins to act up during pregnancy: refuses food, may completely refuse meat in favor of ice cream or pickles, for example. Dog handlers do not recommend going on about your pet. You just need to double the amount of vitamins, and give vitamin K or a piece of liver every day.

Nutrition for pugs with diseases

• For the prevention / elimination of obesity

If during the examination it turned out that your dog is obese, then the change in the composition of the food should be supervised by a veterinarian. In this case, reducing the portion is not an option.

If obesity is caused by overeating, then the owner himself chooses whether to cut the portion size or reduce the number of feedings. In the most advanced cases, you need to combine both methods. Needless to say, no snacks are allowed between meals, and even more so pieces from the host’s table?

If you choose to cut back on portions, then you need to do it gradually, reducing the amount of food by 10% every day. Unfortunately, there is no method that will work for all dogs. Finding out what is best for your pet will have to practice.

Natural products will also help to bring the dog into shape, of course, in the doses indicated by the doctor:

• Lean poultry meat;
  • Fermented milk products of low-fat content;
  • White fish;
  • Pearl barley;
  • Fruits vegetables.

In addition to diets, enter physical activity. To begin with, increase the walking time by one and a half or two times. Weight will begin to go away when the dog will expend more calories than it consumes.

If the dog has joint problems, it is better to refuse walks, as the dog may experience pain when moving. But even if everything is in order with them, do not rush to start running. This can be done no earlier than after two or three months of hiking.

• For an allergic pug

There are three types of allergies that pugs are prone to:

• Food;
  • Ecological;
  • Chemical.

Most often, representatives of this breed suffer from food allergies, and the most banal product can cause it. That is why the owners need to be vigilant and monitor everything that gets into the dog’s mouth.

Common allergy symptoms in a pug:

• Lethargy, fatigue, changes in mood;
• Skin itching, redness, swelling;
• Gastrointestinal disorder;
• Alopecia in the affected area;
• Nervousness;
• Dandruff;
• The formation of pimples, pustular rash.

At the initial stage of treatment, it is necessary to identify the allergen product and exclude it from the menu. Usually a protein food (namely chicken) can cause such a reaction, as it is included in most feeds and supplements.

Sometimes it is not easy to determine the allergen product, so the pug is put on a mono-diet:

1. Choose a brand-new protein source that has never been given to a dog before. It can be rabbit or lamb meat.
2. There is only one hypoallergenic cereal – this is rice, so it is suitable for a diet. Give your dog only rice porridge with meat for three to four weeks. Monitor your health: as a rule, the symptoms pass.
3. For the next two to four weeks, one new ingredient should be introduced every seven-7 day.

If a product again causes redness and itching, it is an allergen. It must be immediately eliminated from the diet. Keep adding new ingredients.

Through trial and error, you will come to the menu that will completely suit your pet.

If you are feeding dry food, it is more convenient to buy hypoallergenic food for sensitive dogs, which is available from almost all manufacturers. The composition of hypoallergenic feeds includes lamb meat or fish, rice, and most importantly, the complete exclusion of cereals, preservatives, dyes or flavors. Proper nutrition will help your pet heal faster.

Among the owners of pugs, the following products are popular:

1. Bosch Adult Lamb & Rice;
2. GO! natural holistic;
3. ACANA Lamb & Okanagan Apple;
4. Purina Pro Plan Adult Small Sensitive;
5. HAU-HAU SP Lamb grain-free;
6. Royal Canin Hypoallergenic
7. Hills SP Canine Adult Advanced Fitness Large Breed Lamb & Rice.

• in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Pugs can also have diseases associated with the gastrointestinal tract. The most common of these are gastritis and ulcers. Among the common symptoms of such diseases are diarrhea and vomiting, in especially severe cases with blood. In order to cure the dog, his usual food should be replaced with oatmeal porridge. And also, you need to put enemas to cleanse the body. After these measures, the pug should return to normal. If the symptoms persist, you should immediately consult a specialist.

• with urolithiasis

If your dog is concerned about urolithiasis, then you need a food with a reduced protein content. This helps to reduce the formation of toxic components. Such feeds allow you to slow down the process of oxalate formation, losses, unload the excretory system and alleviate the condition of your pet.

What to do if a pug refuses to eat

The reasons why a dog loses its appetite can be explained by some psychological factors, such as:

• Stress;
• Spoiled food;
• Poor quality food;
• Stale water;
• Unsuitable utensils;
• Change of feeding place;
• The mature age of the pug;
• Moving to a new place;
• Constant feeding of the dog only liquid food.

What should be done in the first place so that the dog takes dry food with pleasure?

1. Remove the bowl of food so that the pet does not start eating every time he runs past. A diet that will not allow you to overeat and wait for each meal is very important.
2. If a pug is begging for food, be strict and give only when it’s supposed to. If he does not eat food due to overeating, then after a day of restriction in food, he will begin to eat food with the same pleasure.
3. If your dog stops eating, don’t show that you are upset about it. Do not yell or raise your voice, as the dog may develop negative emotions towards food.
4. Try to eliminate all stressful moments, show more care and warmth.
5. Perhaps your dog is just bored and lacking exercise – try introducing or increasing the amount of exercise so that he does not sit idle.

If you follow all the recommendations, you will be able to raise a healthy and active pug who will live for decades next to you. Please your dog with care and warmth – that’s all she needs!

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