Pug: health conditions to watch
Pugs are big personalities in a small, flat-faced body. Their shape brings a handful of predictable issues — breathing, skin and eyes — that are much easier to manage when you know what to look for.
What to watch in a Pug
A predisposition is a “worth knowing”, not a diagnosis. Most Pugs never develop these — but knowing the early signs means you can act early.
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome (BOAS)
Learn about Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome (BOAS) →The short muzzle means breathing is harder work; noisy breathing, snoring and heat intolerance are worth taking seriously.
Join the Breathing & Airways community →Skin & Ear Infections
Learn about Skin & Ear Infections →Facial folds trap moisture and debris, a common cause of skin irritation and infection.
Join the Allergies & Skin community →Vision Loss
Learn about Vision Loss →Prominent eyes are more exposed to injury and some inherited eye disease, so any redness, cloudiness or squinting deserves a prompt check.
Join the Vision & Eye Health community →Start here
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BOAS Surgery: What It Involves and the Week-by-Week Recovery
Your flat-faced dog is booked in, or has just come home with a shaved patch on a leg and a slightly bewildered look. The practical questions follow quickly. What did the surgeon actually do in there? How worried should you be in these first couple of days, and when will you hear that easier breathing...
Looking after a Pug
- Ask about a BOAS functional assessment
- Clean and dry facial folds regularly
- Protect the eyes and check them often
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