We all know that pugs come with their health issues, which need to be addressed whenever possible. In this article we will be learning Best Tips to increase the Pug Lifespan.
Nobody likes to see their dog in pain or feeling sick, so it’s important to make sure that when we have the opportunity to help them, we should take that opportunity.
In terms of health problems, pugs have a wider range than a lot of other pugs that might come to mind, so it’s always good to ensure you keep tabs on your pooch.
Increasing your pug’s lifespan can be done in lots of ways, which we’ll look at throughout the rest of this guide.
We’ll give you suggestions and make sure that the ways mentioned are achievable. Pug-tastic!
Contents
- 1 How Long Do Pugs Usually Live? (And How to Increase Pug’s Lifespan)
- 2 Common Health Issues Found In Pugs
- 3 Giving Your Pug A Healthy Diet Plan
- 4 Making Sure Your Pug Get Enough Exercise
- 5 Playtime!
- 6 Pug’s Dental Health
- 7 Treating Pug’s Sickness And Illnesses As Soon As Possible
- 8 Clean Environment And Good Quality Of Life
- 9 Final Thoughts
- 10 Learn More
How Long Do Pugs Usually Live? (And How to Increase Pug’s Lifespan)
The average lifespan for pugs is around 13 years old, although some live longer than others.
This means that if a pug reaches the age of 13 years, then they will probably continue living for another couple of years, depending on their lifestyle and some factors that might affect their health.
1. How Healthy Your Pug Is When He/She Was Born
If your puppy was born with any major health issues such as hip dysplasia or heart disease, then his/her life span could be greatly reduced and will have to be monitored accordingly.
2. How Well Cared For Your Pug Is
You may find that your pug has been poorly looked after over time, meaning that he/she has a lot of physical and mental health issues that might need attending to.
If your dog has been rescued, then this could be down to their old lifestyle.
3. Their Living Environment
If you’ve got a very busy home life, then your pug might not get enough exercise.
For example, if you’re constantly running to school pick-ups and drop-offs, then your pup might not be getting as much attention from you.
All dogs love company but too much company isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It just depends on how close together the people are in your household.
If you have multiple children, then you don’t want your dog being left alone all day while you run out to do chores.
4. Your Pug’s Diet
Some foods are more likely to cause certain health issues than others. If your dog eats a high-fat diet, then he/she is more prone to developing obesity-related illnesses.
Also, they need a healthy diet to thrive properly and live a happy life without too many health complications.
Common Health Issues Found In Pugs
Pugs are known for having several common health issues that need highlighting. Here are some of the most common ones:
1. Hip Dysplasia
This condition occurs when one or both hips become dislocated due to abnormal development. They also tend to suffer from arthritis later in life, making it harder for them to move around.
2. Heart Disease
This is a relatively big issue in pugs, and it tends to occur because of a lack of activity. If you notice that your dog seems lethargic, then it might be something else causing him/ her to feel unwell.
3. Eye Problems
These include cataracts and glaucoma, two conditions that can cause blindness. They also tend to develop dry eye problems, meaning that they can lose vision and even go blind.
4. Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
UTIs are caused by bacteria entering the bladder, and they can lead to incontinence and will need lots of treatment as they occur.
5. Ear Disorders
There are quite a few ear disorders that can happen to pugs, including ceruminous gland hypertrophy (or “pug ears”). This is quite common and can be treated by medical professionals.
6. Obesity
This is a huge problem for pugs because they eat so much food, particularly fatty foods like meat. This can result in weight gain that leads to other health issues.
However, this can be prevented with regular exercise and proper care with their diet.
Giving Your Pug A Healthy Diet Plan
If you want to keep your pug healthy then you’ll need to give him/her a good diet plan.
Remember that the best diets are based on the needs of each dog. So, create a list of what your dog likes and avoid giving him/her anything that he/she doesn’t enjoy eating.
Also be sure to give them fresh fruit and vegetables when you can, whilst avoiding meats with high-fat content.
Here are some key points to remember when feeding your pug:
- Make sure that your dog gets plenty of freshwater throughout his/her lifetime. This helps to keep him/her hydrated and healthy and will avoid urinary infections when possible.
- Feed high-quality dog food. Avoid cheap cuts of meat and instead opt for high-protein dog food when possible.
- Don’t feed your puppy any bones. Bones contain calcium which is important for strong teeth and bone growth, however, they can splinter and cause internal bleeding when ingested.
- Give your dog treats in moderation. Too many treats can make them overeat and overweight.
Making Sure Your Pug Get Enough Exercise
Exercise is important for everyone, but especially for dogs.
When they’re young, puppies should get plenty of playtime. Older dogs should still have at least an hour of daily exercise time.
If you don’t offer your dog enough exercise, then he/she might not do well physically.
You can take your pup out for walks or just let him/her run free inside your home.
Either way, ensure that he/she has access to plenty of water during these times and enough food to ensure they have sufficient energy to go about their day.
If a dog doesn’t get enough exercise, it may lack mental stimulation and will have shorter life spans as a result.
It also ensures that your dog stays at a healthy weight, so don’t overlook it!
Playtime!
Many people might assume that dogs will only have playtime to have fun when the reality is that it counts towards their exercise and making sure that they are happy in their lives.
It can be dull for dogs to sit around all day, waiting for their owner to come home from work or find time to play with them.
So ensuring your dog has enough toys and things to play with, is important to extending its lifespan.
Playing is also important because it keeps them mentally active, encouraging them to stay fit and healthy.
Having a lot of toys can help with this too, so be sure to provide your pet with lots of different types.
Toys can include balls, frisbees, tug-of-war ropes, chew toys, rope toys, and anything you see fit!
Pug’s Dental Health
Lots of dogs will fall victim to poor dental hygiene and this can cause them to become unwell, with bacterial infection and dental disease very common in dogs.
Dental cleaning is very important and can make a huge difference to your dog’s life expectancy, with chew sticks and regular brushing playing a huge part in boosting your canine’s average life expectancy.
Keeping your pug’s teeth clean will help them to have a healthy life because it reduces the risk of tooth decay and gum problems.
You need to brush their teeth every week to prevent plaque build-up, and if they start to develop tartar on their teeth, it can lead to serious health complications over time.
Treating Pug’s Sickness And Illnesses As Soon As Possible
Most dogs will become ill at some point, and unfortunately, that’s life.
However, it’s very important to treat illnesses as soon as possible, this could mean treating your pug before they become sick, rather than after they’ve already been diagnosed with something like an infection.
Making sure that they have all of the relevant shots they need is always recommended to extend their life expectancy.
If you notice any changes in your pug’s behavior – such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or loss of appetite – then contact your vet straight away.
These symptoms could indicate that your pooch has developed an illness and needs to be addressed to ensure that the symptoms don’t get worse or indicate a medical condition.
Clean Environment And Good Quality Of Life
Your pug must have a clean environment to live in, whether indoors or out. This includes having good-quality bedding and towels, as well as ensuring that your pup gets plenty of fresh air and sunshine each day.
Pets should be kept warm and comfortable inside throughout the year, especially during the winter months.
They should also be given a chance to get outside once in a while, allowing them to enjoy themselves and get some exercise.
They also need somewhere clean and safe to use the bathroom, to avoid any health issues.
Overall, keeping your pug healthy and happy is one of the best ways to extend its life expectancy.
Make sure that you’re doing everything you can to keep your dog safe, healthy, and happy so that they can continue to enjoy an even longer life together.
Final Thoughts
The lifespan of a pug depends on various factors, including breed, lifestyle, genetics, diet, and overall health.
Keeping your pug happy is a great way to start, with physical and dietary factors being implemented whenever you see fit.
Pugs tend to live for around 12 years, but different dogs will live longer depending on their diet, quality of life, and their amount of exercise and playtime.
If you can make sure that your dog is happy, healthy, and protected against illnesses and diseases, then you’re definitely on the right track.
At the end of the day, we all want what’s best for our four-legged companions, don’t we?
Learn More
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