If you have a Pug for a pet, you know that baths are a huge part of keeping your Pug clean, healthy, and happy. Giving your Pug a bath is the time to remove any loose fur, debris, and dirt from your dog’s body and the wrinkles where all the stuff seems to collect. There is no right answer when it comes to how often to bathe your Pug. If they have skin issues, this may need to be more frequent, or 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.
We’ll discuss how often you should bathe your Pug in comparison to other breeds and the supplies you 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. On the other hand, 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 Peis, and Bloodhounds, Pugs have wrinkly faces that need to be frequently cleaned, even before 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 still be groomed on a weekly basis to reduce shedding and remove loose hairs and dander, and their ears and nails should be checked as well.
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 Pug settled and ready, then realize you forgot something and have to start all over again. You can find the supplies you need to gather below:
- A brush or mitt for pre-bath grooming
- Shampoo (often 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, but where?
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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. The sink is a good option because, at that 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 it a bath.
If you have an adult Pug, they can also be bathed in the kitchen sink if the sink is big enough for them to fit comfortably. You can also give them a bath in 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 used to it when they’re a puppy. You want to get the Pug used to being given a bath so that it’s a stress-free experience for the dog, just as it is with you.
Bathing Tips
Whether you bathe the whole dog or just a certain area of the body, ensure the water is only lukewarm since dogs’ body temperatures run higher than ours. The ideal bath temperature is from around 78 to 100° F. After lathering your Pug with shampoo and leaving it for 10-15 minutes in case of a medicated shampoo, rinse 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 sensitive to low temperatures also 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 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 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 you can’t handle grooming 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. Although grooming 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
