DFW Pug Rescue

by Carolee Smith

So here we are well into the New Year and most if not all of those pesky New Year's resolutions have gone by the way side, right? How many of you had a resolution to shed some unwanted pounds? Be honest now, get those paws up! Well, as Mary De Camp says, "Food is not something we kid around about". Most of them are professional beggars who absolutely live for dinnertime. My dogs have a sign they carry that says, "Will be cute for food". But when you're short, like a pug, this can become a problem.

Actually any pet that is over weight can have serious health risks, it just seems to be a universal problem with pugs because they love to eat and are such small compact dogs. Add into that equation that most of them are "lounge lizards" and well, you've got the picture. I was stunned to learn that one extra pound on a pug dog is the equivalent of ten on you or me. So that cute little butterball that is only about three pounds overweight is lugging around what would be for us thirty pounds!

Because pugs are considered to be a toy breed the average weight in most of the books I've looked at say the ideal weight for a pug is 14 to 18 pounds. At my house that is difficult to maintain. Course, I have tall pugs! But the health risks involved with obesity (such an ugly word) are staggering. They include:

• Heart Disease
• Skin Problems
• Arthritis
• Diabetes
• Breathing Problems (already inherent in the breed)
• Ruptured Ligaments
• Slipped Discs
• Poor Immune System
• Anesthetic and Surgical Risks

So how do you know if you have a problem? A good place to start is with your vet who's scale is probably more accurate for your dog than the one in your bathroom. Also you can perform a simple test yourself. Simply place your thumbs on the middle of the dog's back and feel the rubs with your fingers. If they are easily felt your pug's weight is probably normal. If you feel fat between the rubs or cannot feel the ribs at all, your pet may be showing signs of a weight problem.

What do you do if your pet is overweight? Well, it's the same as with humans - diet and exercise. Check the fat content of your dog's food the same as you would your own. Ask your vet to recommend a food that is low in fat but still contains the protein your dog needs. Watch those treats. And no one needs to tell you not to feed your pet table scraps, right? The food we eat is just not appropriate for a dog. Table scraps are usually too highly seasoned for a dog's digestive system and do not provide the nutritional requirements for proper health care.

Exercise is important even for couch "pugtatoes", but again you might want to consult your vet on what is appropriate for your pug. You'll need to consider the age, the dog's physical capabilities, and weather conditions. The latter is very important for those of us living in Texas. Heat can be a pug's worst enemy. The average healthy pug can generally handle one to two mile walks providing the weather is not too warm. It is important to be aware of what your dog is capable of and adapt all activities to the individual animal. Always be aware of the dog's breathing. If your dog is not used too much physical activity, start slow. Two short walks may be more beneficial than one long one, especially in hot weather. Always provide a good drink of water following physical activity.

The bottom line is common sense, and if you're unsure about your dog's diet or exercise program ask your veterinarian.