What and how to feed a pug?

In order to preserve the health and activity of the pug for many years, it is necessary to provide him with a high-quality balanced diet from a very early age. Let's take a closer look at the most important aspects of feeding this funny pet.

Pugs are funny animals that come across as well-fed but constantly hungry. This is a misconception - in dogs of this breed, the muscles are quite elastic, and under them the ribs and ridge are clearly visible. These are very active dogs, therefore, the diet in terms of the amount and composition of food must necessarily take into account not only the age of the dog, but also the characteristics of its physical activity.

Many owners make a rather common mistake - feeding the animal to such an extent that it has digestive problems, shortness of breath - all this leads to heart problems and premature aging.

Today 2 schemes of correct feeding of dogs of the pug breed are proposed - this is nutrition with natural products and dry food. The first method is considered more time consuming, since it involves an independent search for products and the preparation of mash based on meat or fish with the addition of cereals, vegetables and lactic acid products.

There are several rules to follow when organizing feeding your pug.

• It is forbidden to mix natural and industrial feed. If you give your dog store granules in the morning and offer porridge to your dog in the evening, you will soon encounter problems such as eating disorders and weakening of the immune system. Failure to adjust the diet in time can lead to serious health problems requiring costly and long-term treatment.
• Any new product in the animal's diet should be introduced gradually, so that the final replacement occurs within 10-14 days.
• If you prefer ready-made feeds, be sure to read the information on the packaging - preference should be given to products that do not contain vegetable fats, salt and soy components.

Natural foods can be offered to dogs at any age. About 70% of the diet should be meat and offal, the remaining 30% should be:

• fillet of white sea fish, low fat;
• vegetables;
• fruits;
• juicy greens or sprouted grains;
• whole grain cereals;
• lactic acid products;
• eggs.

From meat, it is better to give preference to beef or veal, 1-2 times a week it can be replaced with chicken or turkey pulp. It should be borne in mind that with a more frequent inclusion of poultry meat in the diet, the development of allergic reactions is possible. Up to 15% of meat can be replaced with high-quality offal (heart, liver, udder, as well as broth or jellied meat from chicken legs are good).

Of cereals, preference should be given to rice and buckwheat, it is advisable to refrain from eating corn and wheat - they are poorly absorbed by the dog's body, therefore they cause severity and nutritional disorders in the animal. Unlike dogs of other breeds, many pugs react badly to oatmeal - it causes them diarrhea and in some cases even vomiting.

About 5% of the total volume of the mash is made up of vegetables and fruits - they should be introduced chopped. Best of all, animals perceive mashed potatoes from steamed carrots, pumpkin, zucchini or cauliflower. It will not be superfluous to add chopped herbs and sprouted cereals.

The mash should be filled with vegetable oil, which is perfectly absorbed by the pug's body and compensates for the lack of fat in the finished feed mixture. Vegetable fats, unlike animal fats, do not cause obesity.

Once a week, you can replace meat with fish - cod and hake are suitable for dogs, but fatty varieties of red fish are contraindicated for dogs. You also need to abandon river fish, since it contains a lot of small bones, and in addition, it is often affected by helminths.

Some pugs are very eager to eat fruit - in this case, they should definitely include their favorite treat on the menu. Dogs should be given low-fat cottage cheese or kefir once a week, as well as chicken egg yolk.

We draw your attention to the fact that when feeding with natural products, dogs need to additionally give vitamin and mineral complexes, which are very important for the pug's body:

• vitamin A - necessary for puppies, as well as adult animals during mating, pregnancy and lactation;
• vitamin b - maintains the condition of the coat, skin and muscles;
• vitamin C - strengthens the immune system, prevents diseases of the teeth and gums;
• vitamin D - prevents rickets of a young dog;
• vitamin E - Needed for the formation of a healthy reproductive system.

From mineral elements, dogs need phosphorus, calcium, zinc, selenium, chromium, iodine and many other trace elements.

If you do not have the opportunity to devote sufficient time to buying products, measuring proportions and making mash, then it is better to stay on ready-made feeds - they are offered in a wide range of stores.

The use of such products makes life much easier for the breeder due to the fact that the manufacturer usually indicates all the necessary dosages for feeding the dogs, depending on their age. In addition, within the framework of each brand, there are always several lines - for puppies, for adult dogs, elderly animals, as well as a series of medicated feeds.

Finished feeds can be granulated, dry and wet, jelly-like. When eating dry food, it is unacceptable to dilute it with natural food, and a wet product can be mixed with cereals.

When choosing feed, preference should be given to products. premium and super premium, the most caring owners buy holistics for their pets. These categories of feed are made from the highest quality meat with exact adherence to the established dosages. There is no place for preservatives, flavor enhancers and flavorings, and the composition of the product is extremely transparent.

Recommended feed brands include the following products.

Among the feeds of this brand, there are specialized lines for pugs - they are marked "pug", which means "flat nose" in English. The pellets of such food are made in the shape of a trefoil, thanks to which the owners of a flat muzzle can easily grip them. Royal Canin has balanced composition, the feed is made from the highest quality meat, does not contain preservatives.

This food produced in the USA is referred to as holistic. It contains all the substances necessary for the full growth and development of the pug - natural meat, meat flour, vegetables grown in an environmentally friendly way, as well as herbal extracts and probiotics.

Another holistic, which is 60% natural meat. Additionally, the composition is enriched with vegetables, fruits, herbs and vitamin and mineral complexes. Holistic does not contain by-products and fat substitutes. The product has a beneficial effect on the digestion of the pug and improves the overall health of the pug.

Super premium food of Austrian-Canadian production. The composition includes three types of meat, vegetables, vitamins and minerals. All products included in the feed belong to the category Human Grade, which stands for Human Quality Standard.

For pugs, food from the category of holistic is preferable, they exclude negative reactions of the dog's body to the proposed food. However, such products are very expensive and can only be purchased in specialized stores by prior order.

Not all foods are well absorbed by pugs. So, you need to completely exclude from the diet:

• pasta;
• bakery products;
• semolina and wheat porridge;
• raw and boiled potatoes;
• all kinds of sweets - pastries, sweets, chocolate;
• sour cream, cream;
• smoked and spiced foods;
• mushrooms;
• all types of citrus fruits;
• legumes;
• soybeans and corn;
• grape;
• all kinds of pickles and pickled foods;
• wieners, sausages and sausages;
• foods containing sharp long bones;
• fried foods.

As practice shows, most pug owners prefer natural food for their pets. Usually for dogs at home they prepare mixed cereals, which include:

• lean meat - 30-35%;
• vegetables - 30-33%;
• cereals - 30-33%;
• vegetable oil, vitamins with mineral supplements -1-2%.

Dogs are always given mash freshly prepared and only warm, all uneaten portions must be disposed of. Meat and offal are cut into small pieces, after which they are poured over with boiling water or boiled.

It is necessary to teach puppies to a balanced diet from a very early age. In the first weeks of life, the animal feeds on mother's milk, but there are situations when, for some reason, such feeding is impossible - then breeders have to look for an alternative.

Veterinarians usually advise using dry formulas that replace breast milk. Starting from the second month of life, you can gradually add products chopped to a puree state. Puppy bags are usually made liquid.

The daily diet of small pugs is divided into several feedings, the number of which, depending on age, is:

• from 1 to 2 months - food is dispensed 6-8 times a day;
• from 2 to 4 months - 4 times a day;
• from 4 to 6 months - 3 times a day;
• from 6 to 10 months - twice a day.

The amount of food per daily dose for a pug is calculated from the ratio of 6-7% of the total weight of the animal. If a puppy, for example, weighs 2 kg, then the amount of feed per day should not exceed 140 g. Thus, one can easily calculate the volume of one portion for a pug.

After six months, the amount of food is reduced by 2 times - 3-4% of the dog's weight is enough for such puppies. For example, a 10 kg animal needs about 350 g of natural feed per day.

The first complementary food is usually introduced in a month and a half, it is best to use low-fat cottage cheese, kefir or yogurt in this capacity. When the baby gets used to the new food, you can supplement the menu with stewed vegetables, rice or buckwheat porridge in the water. The quality of nutrition can be judged by the behavior and condition of the pet - if it grows well and gains weight, it means that the diet is drawn up correctly.

Meat products are introduced starting from the age of three months. At the same time, dry food is introduced if the owner does not have the opportunity to feed his pug with a natural.

Keep in mind if you purchased a dog from a kennel - be sure to ask the seller how the animal was fed... In the first week, you must adhere to the previous menu, and only then gradually transfer to your diet. The transition from one type of feeding to another must necessarily be smooth.

Sterilized and castrated pugs are very often prone to obesity. The situation is complicated by the fact that pugs are by nature ready to eat all the food offered to them, to the very last crumb, and in addition, they often beg for food from the table. It is strictly forbidden to indulge in such tricks, as well as to arrange snacks for your pet between main meals.

Usually a healthy dog ​​is a muscular, dense dog, but after spaying or neutering, animals often experience disruptions in digestion, which can provoke rapid weight gain. This becomes the cause of cardiovascular disease and ultimately affects the life expectancy of pets.

To avoid such adverse consequences, you need to reduce the proportion of foods that are sources of carbohydrates - cereals. Also, at the first signs of obesity, it is necessary to reduce the volume of the offered portions, it will be useful to visit the veterinarian and, together with him, choose a special dietary food for the animal.

See below for recommendations for feeding your pug with dry food.