Adopted pug a little heavy around the middle

[Mowgli23]

We just adopted a 10 month old pug for our family Christmas gift. We are very excited to experience the pug world and I know that also comes with some weight issues. Mowgli is VERY chunky for 10 months old. We have some of the food his previous owners were giving him and are working on switching him to a premium dry food. The problem, he is very picky and won't eat the dry kibble. I want to make sure he eats something, but don't want to add too many calories as he is already heavier than he should be for his age. Any suggestions on how to get him interested in the dry kibble with out adding too many calories to his diet. The previous owners mixed a high calorie paste in with the dry food, and he does not need high calorie anything any more!!

[Oregon Pug Mom]

Hi! I'm new to this puggy world, too, but I might suggest a small amount of canned food added for aroma since he's used to the paste. Also, add some warm water to the kibble--it also releases aromas & slows down eating & might help with the transition to better food. Let us know how it goes......

[Tinker's mom]

Adding water to the kibble should help, just cut down the amount of food and exercise more.

[pugtown]

We just adopted a 10 month old pug for our family Christmas gift. We are very excited to experience the pug world and I know that also comes with some weight issues. Mowgli is VERY chunky for 10 months old. We have some of the food his previous owners were giving him and are working on switching him to a premium dry food. The problem, he is very picky and won't eat the dry kibble. I want to make sure he eats something, but don't want to add too many calories as he is already heavier than he should be for his age. Any suggestions on how to get him interested in the dry kibble with out adding too many calories to his diet. The previous owners mixed a high calorie paste in with the dry food, and he does not need high calorie anything any more!!

Take into account pugs come in different sizes too. Some pugs are just small (by breed standards), and some are just taller and longer and wider built, so some pugs normal weight is 16 pounds where some other "normal" weight is 26 pounds or even 28. They should not have fat pads around their rib cage to where they can't easily be felt. You might even be able to see the last 2 or 3 ribs in a normal size pug and when they're running or trotting, you might even see the ribs when the skin is stretched out. Also they should have an abdominal tuck or tapering waistline. They should not have fat pads sitting on top of the hind quarters like "butt implants". I go by physical appearance more than by weight. since they vary so much in body frame.

All my fat fosters get fed above-average to high protein and grain free. They lose weight and maintain muscle mass and this kind of food is not a "temporary fix". It's food they can eat for life.

[pugtown]

Take into account pugs come in different sizes too. Some pugs are just small (by breed standards), and some are just taller and longer and wider built, so some pugs normal weight is 16 pounds where some other "normal" weight is 26 pounds or even 28. They should not have fat pads around their rib cage to where they can't easily be felt. You might even be able to see the last 2 or 3 ribs in a normal size pug and when they're running or trotting, you might even see the ribs when the skin is stretched out. Also they should have an abdominal tuck or tapering waistline. They should not have fat pads sitting on top of the hind quarters like "butt implants". I go by physical appearance more than by weight. since they vary so much in body frame.

All my fat fosters get fed above-average to high protein and grain free. They lose weight and maintain muscle mass and this kind of food is not a "temporary fix". It's food they can eat for life.

Here's my 2 "normal" sized pugs that weigh in at 23-24 pounds. Sounds overweight, but their physique is good.




Here's one that looks like a sheep or fluffed baked potato that happens to only weigh 25 or 26 pounds. Not much muscle mass here, just blubber. She also has a smaller frame than the other 2 so her ideal weight should probably be around 18-20 pounds. She is just one fluffy ball of fat pads everywhere!




They just come in so many sizes!!