Article by Helen. (MRCVS)
PDWRA Vet Advisor.
Because pugs are brachycephalic (with little/no nose/muzzle), their jaws are an abnormal shape, and as a result, they are more likely to have problems with their teeth.
To help reduce any progression of dental disease, teeth can be cleaned every day (depending on your pug!). I use a toddler toothbrush and non-flouroscein toothpaste, however, there are dog toothbrushes and toothpaste available.
It is likely that a pug will need up to 2 to 3 dentals in its lifetime. It is important to budget for these as dentals are rarely covered by insurance, and costs have increased considerably over the last few years, with charges being up to £900 with X-rays and severe dental disease including multiple extractions.
Pugs can manage well with very few/no teeth, on a soft diet, though it does cause the tongue to droop out of the mouth.
It is essential that a pug’s mouth is checked regularly to ensure that the mouth is healthy; gingivitis, loose teeth and tarter build up are all signs of dental disease that needs addressing. It causes extreme discomfort, and if left, can affect a dog’s well-being/welfare without the owner realising the impact on the pug. If you’ve ever had a sore tooth, and the pain that causes, you can imagine what it must be like when multiple teeth are involved!
So, in summary, clean your pug’s teeth daily, and ensure her/his mouth is checked regularly so that any disease can be addressed in its early stages.
Good luck with the teeth cleaning!
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