The Diet of a Pug

Check out Royal Canin dry dog food especially for pugs in our shop.

“A life without Pugs is possible, but pointless.” This saying comes from Loriot, one of the most famous Pug devotees. Loriot wasn't the only fan of this breed though; stars like Jessica Alba or Mesut Özil are also Pug lovers. Pugs can become famous themselves too, such as in the case of Sir Henry, the Pug belonging to society lady Uschi Ackerman with its own Facebook page and Pug collection. Uschi Ackermann's maxim is: “You don't own a Pug, you fall for it.”

You can easily understand this statement if you know what Pugs are like. These charming dogs with an often surly or melancholic facial expression win hearts in a flash with their cheerful, humorous and lively manner. They are neither aggressive nor combative with counterparts or other pets, but instead are sociable and get on well with everyone. Nevertheless, consistent training is required, since Pugs are very intelligent and have a sense for their owner's severity. They are adaptable and easy-going, hence make ideal companion or family dogs.

The history of the Pug breed has not been clarified exactly, but presumably originates from East Asia, most probably from China. It was tradition there to breed small dogs that have short, wide and flat heads as a common feature. The first European country the Pug made it to was probably the Netherlands by sea around 1600. In 1688, Wilhelm III of Orange took a large number of Pugs with him when he ascended to the throne in Britain.

The House of Orange had a special relationship with this breed after a Pug called Pompey warned its owner, Wilhelm the Silent, of an assassin by barking loudly and saving his life. In the 18^th century, the Pug experienced a boom, which was reflected in paintings, chinaware, songs and stories. It was mentioned in the works of Wilhelm Busch, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and of course Loriot too. The Pug is very much a fashion breed, with the trend of breeding a “retro Pug” with altered characteristics such as a longer nose and throat being an important step in the right direction.

The cornerstone of a healthy life – the right diet from the very beginning

The Pug is a small dog breed and reaches a height of around 26 to 34cm and an ideal weight of approx. 6.3 to 8.1 kg. Since the Pug is a so-called “brachycephalic” breed and struggles with respiratory problems due to its round-shaped head and short nose, excess weight should be avoided. You should make sure its food has an adapted amount of calories, since if not, the Pug can reach a higher weight than foreseen and develop an unstable bone structure.

By nature, the Pug has a compact physique with good, strong muscles. Hence, it needs sufficient exercise and a balanced needs-based diet. If the diet isn't right at the puppy phase, this compactness can easily turn into obesity. In addition, you should keep an eye on the quantity of food, since a Pug won't stop eating of its own accord if there is still food in its bowl.

In order for the little Pug to make a healthy start to its life, you should take care to ensure its puppy food contains a balanced and appropriate proportion of calories, minerals, trace elements and vitamins.

Feeding recommendations for puppy food are based on the current weight of the puppy and the predicted weight of the dog as an adult. The weight of the parent animal of the same sex acts as a guideline for this. The quantity of food also varies depending on the puppy's activity level.

Feeding recommendations for a Pug puppy with a normal activity level

The quantity of food for puppies should always be divided into several portions per day. Also, the dog should always be offered with fresh water.

(We also offer Royal Canin Pug Junior, a complete dry food formulated for pug puppies up to 10 months old.)

Happy as a Pug in muck – feeding an adult Pug

Adult Pugs should be given a food for small adult dogs. Pugs are very attentive and sensitive towards their humans, adapting well to living situations and habits. Perhaps this characteristic leads to the prejudice that Pugs are lazy and therefore fat. Previous breeding selection that made Pugs like to eat is still evident to this day. Thus, you as a Pug owner should accommodate the nature of these temperamental, energetic dogs and not try to put a stop to this.

In this way, it is easier to avoid the danger of obesity. However, in hot temperatures you should keep an eye on potentially reduced exercise and instead take advantage of the early mornings and late evenings for dog walks. The Pug is more sensitive to high temperatures due to its anatomy consisting of a short snout and consequently more rudimentary nose muscles.

You can use healthy snacks or biscuits from dry food as treats for Pugs. The quantity of treats should always be deducted from the daily calorie allowance. Both wet and dry food are suitable for Pugs. You can base your choice on your dog's preference or even give it both. Wet food contains less calories than dry food, which can be a particular advantage for dogs that tend to be overweight.

Dry food offers some advantages for active dogs. Thanks to its higher energy content than wet food, dry food is a good form of nutrition for active dogs. It is mainly cheaper than wet food too. Dry food is practical for when you're on the move or to use as treats or in training too. It's easier to store and generates less packaging waste than wet food.

The Pug in its prime

Due to the physical changes caused by the onset of age, requirements in terms of nutrition and dog food vary. Their energy requirements decrease due to them doing less exercise and activity. To prevent your oldie from putting on weight, you should reduce the calorie content of the food. Nevertheless, nutrient requirements should still be met. Equally, the food should offer high-quality proteins. Since the sense of smell and taste decrease with older dogs, a particularly tasty food proves advantageous.

Feeding recommendations for a senior Pug