Can Pugs have hard dental chews?

It is worth being cautious with very hard chews, since a Pug's short jaw and crowded teeth make them more vulnerable to chewing strain and tooth damage than a longer-jawed breed. A softer dental treat or a proper brushing routine is generally a gentler approach.

Why do Pugs gain weight so easily?

Pugs are naturally less inclined towards intense exercise than many breeds, partly due to their compressed airway, which means they burn fewer calories day to day. That makes portion control on both meals and treats more important than it would be for a higher-energy breed.

How many treats a day is too many for a Pug?

There isn't one fixed number, since it depends on the size of the treat and your dog's daily calorie needs, but treats should generally make up no more than around ten per cent of a dog's total daily food. For a Pug prone to weight gain, staying on the lower end of that is sensible.

Are soft treats better than crunchy ones for a Pug?

Soft or easily crumbled treats are generally kinder on a Pug's compressed jaw and crowded teeth than very hard, dense chews. Crunchy biscuits sized appropriately are usually fine; the concern is mainly with large, hard items that need prolonged, forceful chewing.

Best treats for a Pug

A Pug does best with small, soft or crumbly, low-calorie treats rather than large or very hard chews. Their short snout and small jaw make bigger, harder items more of a choking and dental strain than they are for a longer-nosed breed, and Pugs are also a breed that gains weight easily, which makes calorie-controlled treats worth prioritising over size or hardness.

Why a Pug's shape changes what treat works best

Being a brachycephalic breed, a Pug has a compressed jaw and airway compared with most dogs, which makes a large or very hard treat more of a choking risk and more of a strain to chew properly than it would be for a breed with a longer muzzle. A treat that is small, soft, or breaks down easily in the mouth is a safer everyday choice.

Very hard chews can also put uneven pressure on a Pug's already crowded teeth, since their shortened jaw often leaves less room for a full set of teeth than a longer-jawed breed has. A softer training-style treat, or a biscuit that crumbles rather than needing to be gnawed, is generally kinder on the mouth.

Why calorie content matters more than usual

Pugs are a breed that tends to gain weight easily, partly because they are naturally less inclined towards high-energy exercise than many breeds, and extra weight makes their existing breathing difficulties worse rather than better. A low-calorie or portion-controlled treat lets you reward your Pug regularly without that extra weight creeping on.

Small training treats, given in tiny pieces, let you reward frequently during training sessions without the calorie load of a full-sized biscuit each time. Breaking a larger treat into several smaller pieces is a simple way to make any treat go further and keep portions genuinely small.

Pedigree DentaStix Light daily dental chews for medium and large dogs

£2.35

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Common questions

Can Pugs have hard dental chews?: It is worth being cautious with very hard chews, since a Pug's short jaw and crowded teeth make them more vulnerable to chewing strain and tooth damage than a longer-jawed breed. A softer dental treat or a proper brushing routine is generally a gentler approach.
Why do Pugs gain weight so easily?: Pugs are naturally less inclined towards intense exercise than many breeds, partly due to their compressed airway, which means they burn fewer calories day to day. That makes portion control on both meals and treats more important than it would be for a higher-energy breed.
How many treats a day is too many for a Pug?: There isn't one fixed number, since it depends on the size of the treat and your dog's daily calorie needs, but treats should generally make up no more than around ten per cent of a dog's total daily food. For a Pug prone to weight gain, staying on the lower end of that is sensible.
Are soft treats better than crunchy ones for a Pug?: Soft or easily crumbled treats are generally kinder on a Pug's compressed jaw and crowded teeth than very hard, dense chews. Crunchy biscuits sized appropriately are usually fine; the concern is mainly with large, hard items that need prolonged, forceful chewing.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.

Best treats for a Pug

Why a Pug's shape changes what treat works best

Why calorie content matters more than usual

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Common questions

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