If you have a Pug for a pet, you know that baths are a huge part of keeping your pup clean, healthy, and happy. Bathtime is when you can remove any loose fur, debris, and dirt from their body, including the wrinkles, where all the stuff seems to collect.
That said, there is no right answer when it comes to how often to bathe your Pug. If they have skin issues, it may need to be more frequent, even on a weekly basis, depending on your vet’s advice. Pugs with healthy skin should be bathed every few months unless they get dirty or roll in something stinky. Use safe and vet-approved products that promote healthy skin and fur, since chemical and fragrance-heavy shampoos can dry out and irritate your dog’s skin and cause health issues.
Here, we discuss how often you should bathe your Pug in comparison to other breeds and the supplies that you will need to keep them healthy and clean.
How Often Do Pugs Need a Bath?
It’s recommended that you give your little Pug a bath every few months if their skin is otherwise healthy. The Pug’s skin constantly produces oil that helps keep the dog’s skin moisturized and protects against the elements. If your Pug is very inquisitive and loves rolling in unpleasant smells, they may need bathing more frequently.
If your Pug suffers from chronic skin issues, speak to your vet about the most appropriate frequency of bathing and which medicated dog shampoo to use. Too much bathing is not good either, as it may disrupt the balance of the skin oils and lead to dry and irritated skin.
Like Bulldogs, Shar Pei, and Bloodhounds, Pugs have wrinkly faces that need to be frequently cleaned, even when not bathing them. Vet-approved doggy wipes are excellent products for wiping your Pug’s wrinkles. Their tail base is also wrinkled and needs daily inspection and cleaning. Your dog should be groomed on a weekly basis to reduce shedding and remove loose hairs and dander, and their ears and nails should be checked.
Supplies Needed for Bathing Your Pug
You’ll want to gather a few supplies ahead of time when you’re going to bathe your Pug. The last thing you want is to have your dog settled and ready, then realize you forgot something and have to start all over again. You can find the supplies you need to gather here:
- Brush or mitt for pre-bath grooming
- Shampoo (possibly a medicated one)
- Wash-out conditioner
- Scrub brush
- Cotton balls
- Two thin washcloths
- Fluffy towel
- Non-slip mat
Once you’ve gathered your supplies, you’re ready to tackle bathing your Pug!
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Where’s the Best Place to Bathe a Pug?
If you have a Pug puppy, the best place to bathe them might be in the sink. This is a good option because at their young age, many puppies are afraid of the water. Make sure you clean the sink of food or any soap that may have collected there before you put your puppy in to give them a bath.
If you have an adult Pug, they can also be bathed in the kitchen sink if it’s big enough for them to fit comfortably. You can also use the bathtub. If it’s warm enough outside, you can give the Pug a bath in a tub outside or in a big container.
Bathing your Pug shouldn’t be hard to do if you start getting them accustomed to it when they’re a puppy. You want to get your pet used to being given a bath so it’s a stress-free experience for them, just as it is with you.
Bathing Tips
Whether you bathe the whole dog or just a certain area of their body, ensure the water is only lukewarm, since dogs’ bodies temperatures run higher than ours. The ideal bath temperature is from around 78°F to 100°F. After lathering your Pug with shampoo and leaving it for 10 to 15 minutes (in the case of a medicated shampoo), rinse them thoroughly, and avoid getting the shampoo in their eyes or ears. Also, either avoid washing their face altogether, or just give them a gentle wipe while protecting the eyes and ears, as water that goes in the ears may lead to inflammation and ear infections.
Bath time may be a good time for regular ear hygiene with a vet-approved ear cleaner. Pugs are also sensitive to low temperatures and may catch a chill if they’re not dried thoroughly. It’s best to towel-dry your pup, but if you use a blow dryer, ensure that it’s on the lowest heat setting and far away from the dog’s skin, as it may cause burns.
Final Thoughts
Pugs are brachycephalic dogs that need a lot of special care and dedication from their owners due to the breed’s characteristics and susceptibility to various health issues. On top of that, a Pug that isn’t bathed enough or doesn’t have their wrinkles regularly cleaned and checked, especially after rolling in something smelly, can develop additional skin problems due to the accumulation of bacteria and yeast in their wrinkles.
If you feel that you can’t handlegrooming your Pug or bathing them, professional groomers will do the job for you and can teach you how to do it safely, gently, and efficiently. Althoughgrooming costs can add up, the expense is worth it to keep your Pug healthy. Regular cleaning of the facial and tail folds and wrinkles is crucial in preventing skin infections in your dog.
Featured Image Credit: KDdesignphoto, Shutterstock
