Temptation will be indoors and out, so please be vigilant and know what to avoid, or to prepare for, to enjoy the various times of the year, safely:
Spring is officially here, so there are the usual suspects to be mindful of, on behalf of the health & safety of our pugs:
Spring is here, at last! | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
Many different plants commonly found in the home, gardens and outdoor areas can make your dog ill. Some of these are highly poisonous, while others may only cause a mild tummy upset.
Incidents of poisoning from spring bulbs are most likely to occur from dogs eating the bulbs in spring when they begin to flower and autumn when they are planted.
However, if you suspect your dog might have ingested anything that is appearing to make them ill, contact your vet immediately.
For more information, please see: Poisons | Dog health | The Kennel Club
Including a comprehensive list of poisonous plants: Poisons in your garden | Dog health | Kennel Club (thekennelclub.org.uk)
If you’re walking your dog or holidaying in new, particularly grassy areas, you may want to be extra vigilant regarding ticks. They can be present ALL YEAR ROUND so are not just a warm-weather hazard.
As the temperature rises, it’s never too soon to be considering all the advice and tips to keep your pugs, as a brachycephalic breed prone to heat sensitivity, cool, comfortable, and safe, long before the summer months!
Top Tips:
- Make sure your pug has constant access to fresh water – day and night.
- Make sure your pug has constant access to shade and cool surfaces.
- Remember to move sources of shade as the sun moves around gardens.
- Provide cooling jackets and shallow paddling pools to enable your pug to cool down, and remember that carpets do not help pugs cool down, so provide cooling mats to help your pug cool down indoors and swap them for a spare cool mat regularly to ensure they are cool.
- DO NOT rely on fans alone to cool your pugs down as they are not as effective on pets as they are on us.
- Plan your walks
- Walk your pug in the early morning or late in the evening if the temperatures are cool enough and try to stick to shaded areas.
- If the mornings/evenings are still warm – DO NOT walk your pug!
Remember, no dog has ever died from missing a walk, but dogs die from being walked when it is too warm, particularly if overweight, elderly or very young.
- The Seven Second Test
Tarmac can get very hot in the sun – hold your hand against the tarmac for 7 seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand DO NOT walk your pug as they could burn their paws.
NEVER leave your pug in a car on a hot day – even if it’s just for a couple of minutes, or even if you have left the windows open. Pugs can die in hot cars in minutes!!!
It is important to be aware of the SIGNS OF HEATSTROKE. This includes:
- Excessive panting
- Difficulty breathing
- Increased heart rate
- Drooling
- Bloody Diarrhoea
- Mild weakness
- Stupor
- Collapse & Seizures
- Vomiting
- Drowsy and uncoordinated
If your pug experiences any of these symptoms, please seek the advice of your vet immediately.
The wet spring months means there’s been an abundance of slugs and snails around too. They have the potential to carry, and spread, the dangerous lungworm parasite.
Other pug health articles can be found at:
