How much should a Pug weigh? This is a question that a lot of new pet owners find themselves asking. I know, I did when I had Mindy. Today, we’re going to take a look at the Pug ideal weight as well as how to tell if your Pug is overweight.
How Much Should A Pug Weigh?
Both adult male and female Pugs typically average around 14 to 18 pounds. However, if your Pug weighs a little bit more, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are overweight.
Don’t focus too much on your bathroom scale to determine a Pug healthy weight. Instead, you’ll want to pay attention to your dog’s body shape, which we will discuss in more detail below.
Pro Tip: Every Pug dog owner should have good pet insurance that can save you big the next time you take your Pug to the vet. Get your free quote to see how much it will cost to insure your furbaby!
Average Weight For A Pug?
As I mentioned the average weight for this breed is around 14-18 pounds.
That being said every dog is different and the weight depends on several different factors such as:
- Age
- Gender
- Body structure (big bones and etc)
- Metabolism
- Activity level
You can have a Pug that weighs 22 pounds and is still considered a healthy weight for their body frame. That same weight can be considered unhealthy for a different Pug because their joints can’t handle the extra pounds.
A dog’s weight should be considered unhealthy when they no longer have the quality of life they deserve.
A Pug is a brachycephalic breed and if they are overweight, they will breathe heavily and pant excessively when trying to do anything.
How Much Does A Newborn Pug Weigh?
Normal birth weight for small breed newborn dogs like the Pug will range from 75g to 350g.
At this stage in your puppies life, their body weight should double by 7 in 10 days. You should also notice a 5-10% increase in their body weight every day.
If the litter has a runt they will develop at a slower rate then the other puppies.
From six weeks onward, a small breed puppy will gain around 5 ounces per week.
How Much Should A 6 Month Old Pug Weigh?
A 6-month-old Pug will weigh between 7-12 pounds. However, puppies tend to grow fast and so don’t be surprised to see them put on weight quickly. Small breeds tend to grow faster than large dogs, but not as fast as toy dogs.
Your puppy should reach their adult Pug weight when they are between eight and twelve months old.
Pug Weight Chart by Age
I’ve put together an ideal weight chart for Pugs. These are just averages and should NOT be used as normal weight for Pugs. As I mentioned above, every dog will be different and their weight will be dependent on several different factors.
If you are concerned that your Pug is overweight, you should contact your veterinarian to determine if they are. They will be able to determine the best course of action and whether or not your Pug needs to lose weight.
Age | Average Weight in lbs |
8 Weeks | 4 lbs (1.814 kg) |
9 Weeks | 4.5 lbs (2.041 kg) |
10 Weeks | 5 lbs (2.267 kg) |
11 Weeks | 5. 5 lbs (2.494 kg) |
12 Weeks | 6 lbs (2.721 kg) |
13 Weeks | 6. 5 lbs (2.948 kg) |
14 Weeks | 7 lbs (3.175 kg) |
15 Weeks | 7.5 lbs (3.401 kg) |
16 Weeks | 5 – 8 lbs (3.628 kg) |
5 Months | 11 lbs (4.989 kg) |
6 Months | 12 lbs (5.443 kg) |
7 Months | 15 lbs (6.803 kg) |
8 Months | 17.5 lbs (7.937 kg) |
9 Months | 19.5 lbs (8.845 kg) |
10 Months | 21.5 lbs (9.752 kg) |
11 Months | 22.8 lbs (10.341 kg) |
12 Months | 22.8 lbs (10.341 kg) |
*These are just averages and not every Pug will reach 22 pounds. My black female Pug weighed 22 pounds and she was NOT considered overweight. She was a very active Pug and we went on 3-mile walks every day.
According to the AKC (American Kennel Club), most Pugs will maintain a steady weight when they reach 18-19 pounds.
Average Male Pug Weight
Don’t be surprised if your male Pug weighs more than your female Pug. This is typically normal as male Pugs are slightly taller and broader than females. Some male Pugs have been known to reach 20-22 pounds, which may still be considered a healthy weight.
Pug Female Weight
Females are slightly smaller in stature than male Pugs, on average a female will weigh slightly less than a male Pug.
Senior Pugs
As your Pug ages, its metabolism slows down. According to Chewy, small dog breeds are considered seniors around 10-12 years of age, and medium-sized dogs around 8-9 years.
Every dog is different, and as dog parents, you’ll be able to see signs that your dog is becoming a senior. As your Pug becomes older, they may look thinker, and this is due to them losing muscle mass.
A healthy senior Pug won’t weigh as much as they did when they were younger. At this life stage, you’ll want to monitor their diet and exercise to help them stay healthy.
Pug Puppies
Pug Puppy weight differs from that of an adult. Like toddlers, puppies have a ton of energy and will burn off a lot of calories throughout the day. It’s completely normal for a Pug puppy to have a fat belly.
As your Pug ages, they will lose some of the baby fat, as long they are fed the right food and exercised properly.
Why Do Pugs Become Obese?
Canine obesity can be a result of physiological reasons, however, this issue is usually caused by feeding your dog too much food and not providing enough exercise. A small dog like a Pug shouldn’t be fed too much food.
Let’s take a closer look at the possible reasons of obese pugs.
Overeating
Pugs love to eat and many pet parents love sharing their food with them. Like us, your dog should be fed on a set schedule. When feeding them treats, table scraps, or any other snacks in between meals, do so in moderation.
Exercise
Like us, Pugs require 30 minutes of exercise daily. Without the proper exercise, your Pug is likely to become obese.
Age
As your Pug ages, its metabolism slows down. Research has shown that a dog becomes middle-aged when they reach five or six years of age.
When your Pug begins showing signs of slowing down, you may want to consider changing their food to senior dog food. I’d recommend consulting with your veterinarian to perform a health check.
Spaying or Neutering
Spaying or neutering is known to lower a dog’s metabolism, but dogs don’t normally gain a lot of weight from the process. However, neutering or spaying can be linked to weight gain as your Pug ages, especially if you continue overfeeding them, without proper exercise.
Breed
Pugs are a brachycephalic breed, which means they are more susceptible to weight gain. The Pug was bred to be a lapdog, and they’d rather be couch potatoes than go for walks.
Too many treats can lead to weight gain.
Hormonal Disorders
While not common, some dogs can suffer from hypothyroidism or an under-active thyroid gland, which can cause weight problems. Regular health checks are essential.
They can help your veterinarian diagnose problems before they become uncontrollable.
Is My Pug Overweight? Pug Overweight Signs
When humans gain weight it usually goes to a specific part of our body, such as our waistline. When dogs gain too much weight, you’ll be able to notice it just by looking at them from above.
Here are some of the signs to look for when trying to determine if your Pug’s weight is out of control
#1 They Are Rounder With No Definition
You’ll notice that you can no longer feel their rib cage because there is a layer of fat that prevents you from feeling the bones.
A healthy Pug should have some definition to their body shape, meaning you should be able to see a waist. This article will explain why Pugs get fat and what you can do to protect your furbaby.
#2 Can’t Feel Their Ribs
You should never be able to see your Pug’s ribs, but according to Dr. Emi Saito, you should be able to feel them if you dig a little bit.
When digging to feel their ribs, make sure you do it gently so you don’t hurt them. If you can see their ribs, your Pug may be underweight?
#3 Can You See Their Waist?
All dogs have a waistline just like us, your dogs is around her stomach and between her hips and ribs.
The easiest way to check your dog’s waistline is to stand directly above her and look down at your pet. A Pug’s waistline is not as pronounced as some other breeds, but you should still be able to see a small indent on their waist if they are not carrying too much weight.
A Pug that is more rounded, is most likely becoming a fat pug that may need to lose weight.
Pug Overweight: Why You Need to Help Them Lose Weight
Just like an overweight person struggles to perform certain tasks without tiring easily, an overweight Pug will feel the same way. If your Pug is carrying extra weight, you’ll want to put them on a diet to help them shed some pounds.
Below are some of the main reasons you want to manage your dog’s weight.
Struggle With Mobility Issues
An obese or overweight Pug will struggle with mobility issues. They will have trouble climbing steps, walking short distances, climbing onto the sofa or performing any of their normal activities.
You’ll notice that your once active Pug will just want to lie down because their joints hurt when they walk or do anything relating to movement.
Trouble Breathing
By now you already know that your Pug can struggle with breathing issues if exposed to hot temperatures or is overexercised. This doesn’t mean that he/she should always have trouble breathing.
Constant shortness of breath can be signs that your Pug is overweight. If they are constantly panting after walking a block, it could be a sign that they are out of shape.
Trouble With Grooming
If a Pug is overweight, they will become rounder, which makes it hard for a dog to reach spots they should be able to clean or scratch.
Overweight Pug Life Expectancy
Carrying around extra weight is bad for both humans and dogs. Obesity can severely affect their overall health and can shorten their life expectancy. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you need to maintain a healthy weight for your Pug.
Breathing Problems Can Become Worse: This brachycephalic breed already has trouble breathing and it will only become worse with the extra fat from being obese.
A strain on Their Body: If you’ve ever been overweight, you know how much harder it is on your back, joints, knees, and hips. Your pet will also suffer from the strain of carrying extra pounds.
If you don’t put them on a special diet and help them get back into shape, it can lead to bone and ligament damage.
Life Span: It’s a proven fact that people’s life spans can be shortened if they are obese, well so can your dog’s. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a Pug’s life to be shorted by 8 – 24 months if they are obese.
Your pet will also struggle with everyday activities that will make their life miserable. It’s up to you as the pet owner to ensure they maintain a healthy weight so they can live a long happy life.
Prone to Diseases: Obese dogs are more prone to deal with type 2 diabetes, heart, and respiratory diseases, cancer, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and osteoarthritis.
Being overweight is bad for Pugs, but being underweight can also affect their health. While not a topic that is discussed often regarding this breed. An underweight Pug can also have damaging effects on their bodies.
My Pug Is Overweight? How Do I Help Them Lose Weight?
If your Pug is overweight, there’s no need to panic. Getting a dog to lose weight, is much easier than a human trying to lose weight. After all, you control what and how much your Pug eats throughout the day.
I’ve written an article on how to put a Pug on a diet safely. I’d recommend reading it, as it will help ensure you don’t try to get your Pug to lose weight too fast.
FAQ’s to Pugs Weight
Some Pugs can weigh 22 or 25 pounds and are not considered unhealthy. As long as your Pug can continue doing things without breathing hard and still gets excited to play and go for walks, they are most likely fine.
Final Word On Healthy Weight For Pugs
When you have a pet, their lives are your responsibility. It’s up to you to make sure they are eating the right foods and getting the proper amount of exercise that will help them live a healthy lifestyle.
I totally understand how easy it can be to want to feed your dog whenever they start begging. Pugs love food, at least Mindy did, and it seemed like she was always hungry.
Don’t let them eat whenever they want, it’s not healthy and will only lead to an unhealthy canine. Your dog’s weight is not an issue that should be taken lightly, as it can lead to other health-related problems if left untreated.
References and Further Reading
PubMed – Roedler FS, Pohl S, Oechtering GU – How Does Severe Brachycephaly Affect Dog’s Lives?
The Veterinarian Expert – Samantha Bloomfield – What Is Normal For A Newborn Puppy