I have groomed and advised owners on plenty of Pugs over the years, and the breed always surprises first time owners in two ways. First, that short little coat sheds far more than people expect. Second, those adorable facial wrinkles are not just cosmetic, they are skin folds that need real, regular care to stay healthy. A Pug that looks low maintenance actually has a few specific grooming needs you cannot skip.
The good news is that Pug grooming is straightforward once you have a routine. In this guide I will cover coat and shedding care, nail trimming, bathing, and the wrinkle and ear cleaning that keep skin infections away. None of it takes long, and a little consistency each week prevents the most common problems I see in this breed.
What You Will Need
Having the right tools on hand makes Pug grooming faster and far less stressful for you and your dog. You do not need anything fancy, but a few basics make a real difference.
- A rubber curry brush or short bristle deshedding tool for the coat
- A gentle dog shampoo suited to sensitive skin
- Soft damp cloths or pet safe wipes for the facial wrinkles
- Dog nail clippers or a nail grinder
- Styptic powder in case a nail is trimmed too short
- A vet recommended ear cleaning solution and cotton pads
Step by Step: How to Groom a Pug
Work through these steps as a weekly and monthly routine. Brushing and wrinkle care happen often, while bathing and nail trims are less frequent.
Brush the coat weekly
Use a rubber curry brush or deshedding tool in the direction of hair growth to lift loose undercoat. Weekly brushing, or twice weekly during heavy shedding seasons, dramatically cuts the hair around your home.
Clean the facial wrinkles
Gently wipe inside each fold with a damp cloth or pet safe wipe, then dry completely. Do this several times a week to prevent moisture, debris, and yeast buildup that cause fold dermatitis.
Bathe about once a month
Wet the coat with lukewarm water, lather a gentle dog shampoo, rinse thoroughly, and dry well including the wrinkles and the tail curl. Avoid getting water in the eyes and ears.
Trim the nails every few weeks
Clip or grind small amounts every three to four weeks, staying clear of the quick. If you hear nails clicking on the floor, they are overdue for a trim.
Check and clean the ears
Inspect ears weekly for redness, odor, or discharge, and clean with a vet recommended solution as needed. Pug ear shape can trap moisture, so routine checks catch infections early.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistakes I see are skipping wrinkle care until a skin infection develops, leaving the folds damp after a bath, bathing too often and drying out the skin, and cutting nails into the quick because they were left too long. Using human shampoo, ignoring early ear odor, and shaving the double coat also cause problems. Each of these is easy to avoid with a steady routine.
Tips for Success
Keep sessions short and pair them with praise and a small treat so your Pug learns that grooming is pleasant. Start handling the paws, ears, and face when your dog is young so trims and wrinkle cleaning feel routine. Brush outdoors or over an easy to clean surface, always dry the folds and tail curl thoroughly after a bath, and keep styptic powder nearby for nail trims. A calm, consistent approach beats long, infrequent grooming marathons.
When to Get Professional Help
Call your veterinarian if you notice redness, swelling, a bad odor, discharge, or hair loss in the wrinkles or ears, since these point to infection that needs treatment rather than just cleaning. You should also seek help if your Pug’s skin looks raw or crusted, if the eyes are red or weepy, or if a nail is bleeding and will not stop. A professional groomer can help with nail trims and bathing if your dog resists, and your vet can recommend medicated wipes or shampoos for recurring fold dermatitis. If your Pug ever swallows a grooming product or other toxin, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.
Safety note: Because Pug skin folds trap moisture and debris, always dry the wrinkles completely after cleaning or bathing to prevent painful fold dermatitis.