Pug puberty?

[XrachyrawrX]

Hello,

Just noticed recently that my boy Oscar (19 months old which google tells me is 19.5 human years) is a bit more sleepy than normal. I mean as a pug he loves a good nap anyway. But I mean he's napping through playtimes and seems to be more snuggly for Mummy.

I was just wondering if it's just that he is getting older (maturing from play) or that I should be keeping an eye out for anything? He's also got a bit fussy about food-sometimes doesn't eat it and turns his face away- which is very unlike him. He does eat eventually but hours later or from a spoon rather than his bowl (spoilt dude/persistent Mummy). It seems like he's depressed or something haha- hormones? Or is it the winter slog?

He's a active boy as we also have a 7 year old Collie so he goes on 2X20 min walks over the field and 2X5 minute road the block walks a day and then he's just as active. He weighs 11KG. He had flea and worm treatment this week, boosters not due until October. No breathing/skin/joint/health problems at all.

I'm not overly worried, just curious.

Thanks in advance- Rachy. x

[GordonBrunoPugMom]

Hello,

Just noticed recently that my boy Oscar (19 months old which google tells me is 19.5 human years) is a bit more sleepy than normal. I mean as a pug he loves a good nap anyway. But I mean he's napping through playtimes and seems to be more snuggly for Mummy.

I was just wondering if it's just that he is getting older (maturing from play) or that I should be keeping an eye out for anything? He's also got a bit fussy about food-sometimes doesn't eat it and turns his face away- which is very unlike him. He does eat eventually but hours later or from a spoon rather than his bowl (spoilt dude/persistent Mummy). It seems like he's depressed or something haha- hormones? Or is it the winter slog?

He's a active boy as we also have a 7 year old Collie so he goes on 2X20 min walks over the field and 2X5 minute road the block walks a day and then he's just as active. He weighs 11KG. He had flea and worm treatment this week, boosters not due until October. No breathing/skin/joint/health problems at all.

I'm not overly worried, just curious.

Thanks in advance- Rachy. x

Pugs settle with age but usually they do not turndown food. The activity alone would not concern me - not eating proper is unusual. Monitor him and with no change perhaps see the vet.


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[Snifter]

That doesn't sound quite right. Pugs do mellow a bit, some more than others, but it's normally such a gradual process that you only notice it much later. You know - "oh gosh, pug sleeps so much more these days than he did a year ago".

Pug puberty hits at around 6 months of age and at that time it is not unusual for there to be some food pickiness and some testing of boundaries. At 19 months it is odd and I would certainly monitor him closely.

You say he weighs 11kg which is really a lot for a pug. I am not saying he's overweight because I have not seen him and have no idea. He could just be a large-framed pug. But I mention it because the biggest favour you can do for a pug health-wise is to keep them slim. My Snifter was a large pug and he weighed 9.5kg. Toddy was 7.5kg.

[Lu Ci and Ri Ki]

Just a thought, but what kind of flea treatment did you use? One of my companions had a strange reaction to NexGuard. He was off his food for about 5 or 6 days, seemed clingy and slept more than usual. I would keep an eye out and if this continues a Vet visit would be in order.

[Wonka & Nilla]

I agree with what has been said above. It is normal for pugs to mellow with age and slow down a bit, but turning away food is not normal. I would watch him for a few days and see if he perks up. If not, it might be time to visit the vet, just to be safe and sure that nothing is wrong.