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 Too many times we have rescued pugs that look a bit like they pulled up a chair to the buffet table. Just last week, we rescued a little girl who weighed in at a whopping 38 pounds on what should have been a 20-pound frame! And sadly this year, we have had 2 pugs pass from disorders directly related to their weight.
Let's face it. Prosperous pugs are just darling. Our little puggies love to eat, and those soulful eyes make your heart break if you even consider denying them ‘just a bite' of whatever mommy and daddy are having. But, fat can kill our babies. With their short necks, and already challenged respiratory systems, a few extra pounds can lead to collapsed tracheas, degenerative hip disease, and a decreased quality of life.
I know what a struggle weight is for pugs. I have a ‘fluffy' girl myself. Now, do pugs need to have a slim waistline like other breeds? No, the normal standards of weight don't directly apply to pugs. They are supposed to have wrinkles after all. But, we can work to maintain a weight where exercise is fun, and their breathing is not stressed from the fat pushing down on the neck.
So what do we do to keep our fur babies healthy? First of all, just like humans, there is not one ‘perfect' weight for a pug. It completely depends on the build. Some pugs will be overweight at 12 pounds, and I have seen long legged pugs that weighed 30 pounds without an ounce of fat on them. You as the owner and guardian must evaluate your baby individually. If he or she has trouble on a gentle walk, or is snoring more than they used to, then you may need to help him or her shed a few pounds.
Around here, the rule of thumb is VEGETABLES. You can spend as much money as you like on fancy diet dog foods that just provide more fiber and filler (and make for a lot more poop in the yard), but the healthiest route to go is good old natural vegetables.
We recommend 1/2 to 1/3 cup a day (depending on your pug's size) of a good quality dry food, and 1/2 cup of green beans, carrots, or the like. You can find ‘reduced sodium' or ‘no salt added' versions at any grocery store. Remember just as in humans, peas, corn, potatoes and the like are more starch, and not what is called for. With the veggies, the fur baby thinks they are eating ‘people food', are filled by the natural fiber, and generally love it. As treats, consider small pieces of apple or other fruits (bananas have more fat!).
You may find you need to add a teaspoon of olive oil to their food if the coat starts looking dry (as happens with rapid weight loss). Also, if fleas are a problem, a teaspoon of minced garlic in the food adds flavor and helps prevent infestations. A good rule of thumb is that if you know YOU shouldn't eat it (pizza, Chinese, etc), neither should your pug!
And, with the cooler weather, it is time to get out and stroll with the puggie! Or, if walking isn't your thing, set aside 20-30 minutes a day to pull out the toys and really play with your baby. Roughhousing, ‘Pugtona', and a game of chase are all great ways to spend quality time with your pug and work to shed those unwanted pounds!
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