Puppy Care Guide
Everything you need to know to give your new pug puppy the healthiest, happiest start in life.
Nutrition
Feed your pug puppy a high-quality kibble formulated for small breeds. Look for real meat as the first ingredient and avoid fillers like corn syrup or artificial preservatives.
AKC: Best Puppy Food Guide ↗Puppies 8–12 weeks old should eat three small meals per day. Transition to two meals per day around 6 months of age.
AKC: How Much to Feed a Puppy ↗Always provide fresh, clean water. Pugs are prone to obesity, so measure portions carefully and avoid free-feeding.
AKC: Pug Obesity & Weight Management ↗Foods Toxic to Pugs
- Chocolate
- Grapes & raisins
- Onions & garlic
- Xylitol (artificial sweetener)
- Macadamia nuts
- Avocado
- Alcohol & caffeine
Grooming
Pugs shed heavily year-round. Brush your puppy two to three times per week with a soft-bristle brush or rubber grooming mitt to manage shedding and keep the coat healthy.
AKC: Pug Breed Info & Grooming ↗Clean the facial wrinkles daily with a soft damp cloth or unscented baby wipe, then dry thoroughly. Moisture trapped in the folds can cause skin infections.
PetMD: How to Clean Dog Skin Folds ↗Bathe your pug every three to four weeks using a gentle dog shampoo. Trim nails monthly and clean ears weekly to prevent buildup.
AKC: Ear Cleaning Guide ↗Vaccinations & Parvo Prevention
Your puppy will leave us current on age-appropriate vaccinations. Schedule a vet visit within 72 hours of bringing your puppy home to establish a care relationship and confirm the vaccination schedule.
AVMA: Pet Vaccination Guide ↗Core vaccines include DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) given in a series starting at 6–8 weeks, with boosters every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks of age.
AKC: Complete Puppy Shot Schedule ↗Parvovirus is highly contagious and potentially fatal in puppies. Until your puppy is fully vaccinated, avoid dog parks, pet stores, and areas frequented by unknown dogs.
AVMA: Canine Parvovirus Facts ↗
Potty Training
Take your puppy outside immediately after waking up, after every meal, and after playtime. Puppies typically need to go every 1–2 hours.
AKC: How to Potty Train a Puppy ↗Choose a consistent outdoor spot and use a cue word like 'go potty' each time. Praise and reward immediately after success — timing is everything.
Humane Society: Housetraining Guide ↗Accidents will happen. Never punish your puppy after the fact; simply clean thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the scent and prevent repeat accidents in the same spot.
ASPCA: House Soiling Solutions ↗Crate Training
A crate gives your puppy a safe, den-like space of their own. Choose a crate just large enough for your puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
Humane Society: Crate Training 101 ↗Introduce the crate gradually with treats and praise. Never use the crate as punishment. Start with short periods and gradually increase the time as your puppy grows comfortable.
AKC: Crate Training Your Puppy ↗Puppies under 6 months should not be crated for more than 3–4 hours at a time during the day. Overnight crating is fine once the puppy is comfortable.
ASPCA: Crate Training Your Dog ↗Microchipping
We strongly recommend microchipping your puppy if it has not already been done. A microchip is a permanent form of identification about the size of a grain of rice, implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades.
AVMA: Microchipping Your Pet ↗Register your contact information with the microchip registry immediately after the procedure. Keep your information current — a chip is only as useful as the contact details attached to it.
PetKey: National Microchip Registry ↗AKC / CKC Registration
Your puppy comes with AKC and/or CKC registration papers. To complete registration, fill out the application included in your puppy's paperwork and submit it to the American Kennel Club or Continental Kennel Club.
AKC: Register Your Puppy ↗Registration documents your puppy's pedigree and is required for AKC events and competitions. Keep your registration certificate in a safe place along with your puppy's health records.
AKC: Understanding Registration Papers ↗Trupanion Pet Insurance
We recommend Trupanion pet insurance to help cover unexpected veterinary costs. Trupanion offers comprehensive coverage with no payout limits per condition, making it a great choice for pug owners.
Trupanion: Dog Insurance Plans ↗Enroll within 24 hours of bringing your puppy home to take advantage of the best coverage options. Ask your vet about Trupanion at your first visit.
Trupanion: Enroll Your Puppy ↗Pug-Specific Tips
- 1Pugs are brachycephalic (flat-faced) and can overheat quickly. Limit outdoor exercise in hot or humid weather and always provide shade and water.AKC: Brachycephalic Breeds & Heat Safety ↗
- 2Never leave your pug in a hot car — even for a few minutes. Their shortened airways make heat regulation very difficult.ASPCA: Hot Weather Safety Tips ↗
- 3Pugs are prone to eye injuries due to their prominent eyes. Keep the area clean and watch for redness, discharge, or squinting.PetMD: Pug Eye Health ↗
- 4Pugs love to eat and will overeat if given the chance. Stick to a feeding schedule and limit treats to avoid obesity-related health issues.AKC: Dog Obesity Guide ↗
- 5Pugs are social dogs and do not do well when left alone for long periods. They thrive on human companionship and family interaction.AKC: Pug Temperament & Personality ↗
- 6Short, gentle walks are ideal for pugs. Avoid strenuous exercise, especially in warm weather. A harness is recommended over a collar to protect their airway.AKC: Harness vs. Collar ↗
- 7Pugs snore, snort, and wheeze — this is normal! However, if breathing seems labored or your pug is struggling to breathe, consult your vet.AKC: Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome ↗
- 8Socialize your puppy early with people, children, and other pets. Pugs are naturally friendly but early socialization builds confidence.AKC: Puppy Socialization Guide ↗
- 9Keep your pug's nails trimmed. Long nails can affect their gait and cause discomfort.AKC: How to Trim Dog Nails ↗
- 10Schedule regular vet checkups — at least once a year, or twice a year for senior pugs. Preventive care is the best care.AVMA: Preventive Pet Care ↗
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