Your pug's nutritional needs will likely change as he ages. Older dogs are less active than they were in their prime, so they need fewer calories to maintain an appropriate weight. Because their digestive system is less able to efficiently metabolize protein, they need a high-protein food to ensure that their nutritional needs are met.

You can find any number of foods formulated for the needs of older dogs. As always, look for a food that contains high-quality ingredients. The ideal food for an older dog has about 25 percent protein and is low in fat and calories. Some diets for senior dogs have higher levels of fiber to help decrease caloric density. Your pug will feel full, even though he's taking in fewer calories. You can do the same thing by slightly reducing the amount of dog food you give and adding plain canned pumpkin (not the sweetened kind) to your pug's meals.

Supplements

A healthy pug that's eating a balanced diet usually doesn't need vitamin or mineral supplements. Sometimes, however, supplements can help improve certain conditions related to aging. For example, in the event of reduced kidney function, your veterinarian might advise supplementing your pug with a B-vitamin. Dogs with dry, itchy skin can benefit from essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and zinc supplements. Before you start adding supplements to your pug's diet, ask your veterinarian for advice.

Lack of Appetite

If your pug doesn't go after his food the way he used to, his lack of appetite might be related to a decreased sense of smell. An older dog's senses, including smell, aren't always as sharp as they used to be. When dogs can't smell food, they're not so interested in tasting it. Help him out by warming his food in the microwave to increase the scent. This works with dry food as well as canned food. Be sure to test the temperature with your finger before giving it to him. You can also tempt his taste buds by adding a little canned food or low-sodium beef or chicken broth to his meal.

Weight Gain or Loss

The gain or loss of a pound or two might not seem like much to you, but for a pug it can be as much as 10 percent of his body weight. Both weight gain and weight loss can have serious consequences. Sometimes they're symptoms of underlying health problems.

Weight control is always a must for pugs, and even more so the older they get. Fat, old pugs are more prone to disease, especially arthritis, congestive heart failure, and diabetes. Continue to exercise strict portion control, and don't slack off on the daily walks. If your pug is still putting on the pounds, try switching him to a lower calorie diet or feeding him several small meals each day so he doesn't feel deprived.

Unexplained weight loss is often a sign of disease. Pugs that eat ravenously but still lose weight may have developed diabetes. If weight loss occurs because your pug has developed a picky appetite, his teeth might be hurting him. Weight loss can also be an early, subtle warning sign of cancer. In any event, your pug needs to visit the veterinarian for a definite diagnosis — fast! Don't take a wait-and-see attitude.

Even with the best care and diet in the world, your pug will eventually develop some sort of health problem related to the aging process. It's just a fact of life. Happily, when these problems are caught early, veterinary medicine has many ways of treating them, ensuring your pug a long and comfortable life.