Dog health

Pug health problems and costs

The health issues a real source ties to the Pug, what each one is, and what it tends to cost, so you can plan ahead.

Last updated: October 2026 · 19 sources · see sources

Quick answerThe breed club and AKC point to 4 health issues to plan for: hip dysplasia, luxating patella, dry eye and breathing problems. A typical vet bill for a small dog runs $273 – $1,110.

Health problems linked to the Pug

Conditions and what they can cost
ConditionWhat it isRelated costs
Hip dysplasiaNamed by: breed club screening [3]The hip joint forms loosely, so the ball and socket rub and wear. Over time this usually leads to arthritis and pain. [2]Hip surgery (owner bills): $2,500–$5,500 (estimate) [4]
Ongoing arthritis care: $500–$2,500 total [5]
Luxating patella (slipping kneecap)Named by: breed club screening [3]The kneecap slips out of its groove. Mild cases may only cause an odd skip in the step; severe cases can need surgery. [6]Surgery, median invoice: $1,284 (typical $578–$3,229) [7]
Dog X-rays (owner bills): $130–$300 [8]
Dry eye (KCS)Named by: AKC breed page [1]The eye doesn't make enough tears, so it gets sore, sticky and infected. Most dogs need eye medicine for life. [9]Sick visit (owner bills): $160–$525 [10]
Breathing problems (brachycephalic airway syndrome)Named by: AKC breed page [1]Flat-faced breeds can have narrow nostrils and a long soft palate that make breathing hard, especially in heat. Surgery can open the airway. [11]Surgery, median invoice: $1,284 (typical $578–$3,229) [7]
Emergency visit (owner bills): $500–$1,600 [12]

Costs are national figures from our sourced cost guides, not breed-specific prices. Being on this list doesn't mean a pet will get the condition.

Here is how the AKC breed page puts it: Eye problems including corneal ulcers and dry eye have been known to occur. Like all flat-faced breeds, Pugs sometimes experience breathing problems and do poorly in sunny, hot, or humid weather. [1]

Health screening

The national breed club recommends these health tests for breeding dogs: Hip Evaluation, Eye Examination by a board Certified ACVO Ophthalmologist, Patellar Luxation, Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) - DNA Test. [1][3] If you are buying a puppy, it is fair to ask the breeder for the parents' results. OFA keeps a public database of many of them.

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory lists 1 DNA health test for the Pug, including Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd). [13] One health test costs $58 there. [14]

What to budget

For a small dog like the Pug, a typical vet bill runs $273 – $1,110 (median $508), and surgery, when needed, runs $435 – $1,484. [15]

Lifetime cost, roughly. Our yearly estimate for an adult Pug at US-average prices, before insurance, is $880–$1,400. Multiply that by a life expectancy of 13–15 years and you get roughly $11,400–$20,700 over a lifetime, before inflation and before any major illness. The low end is the ASPCA's yearly cost of care; the high end adds one typical vet bill a year. [15][16] It's simple math on sourced figures, not a quote.

Insurance and savings

The average accident and illness policy cost $836 a year for a dog in the US in 2025. [17] Timing matters more than the price. A condition that shows up before you enroll is usually treated as pre-existing and isn't covered. [18] Many plans also have a 6 to 12 month waiting period for orthopedic problems like knees and hips. [19]

Prefer saving instead? Putting money aside each month works too; see insurance vs a savings fund.

Common questions

What health problems are common in the Pug?

Based on the AKC breed page and the national breed club's screening list, the conditions to know about are hip dysplasia, luxating patella, dry eye and breathing problems. That doesn't mean every Pug will get them.

How much are vet bills for a Pug?

Breed-specific bills are rare, so VetReceipt groups dogs by size. For small dogs, a typical vet bill runs $273 – $1,110 (median $508).

Should I get pet insurance for a Pug?

It's a personal call. The average accident and illness policy was $836 a year in 2025 (NAPHIA). If you want it, enroll while your pet is young and healthy, because conditions found before enrollment are usually excluded.

What health tests should a Pug breeder do?

The national breed club recommends: Hip Evaluation, Eye Examination by a board Certified ACVO Ophthalmologist, Patellar Luxation, Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) - DNA Test. Ask to see the parents' results.

How long does a Pug live?

The AKC lists a life expectancy of 13–15 years.

Pug breed guideHip dysplasia in dogsLuxating patella surgery cost for dogsCarprofen (Rimadyl)Dog ACL (TPLO) surgery costArthritis treatment cost

This page is general information for planning, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own pet.

Sources (19) — tap to show
  1. AKC – Pug breed page (with the national breed club)
  2. VCA – Hip dysplasia in dogs
  3. OFA – CHIC program: breed-specific health screening requirements
  4. VetReceipt – Dog Hip Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  5. VetReceipt – Dog Arthritis Treatment Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  6. VCA – Luxating patella in dogs
  7. VetReceipt – Vet care cost by category (2026)
  8. VetReceipt – Dog X-Ray Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  9. VCA – Dry eye (KCS) in dogs
  10. VetReceipt – Dog Sick Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  11. VCA – Brachycephalic airway syndrome in dogs
  12. VetReceipt – Emergency Vet Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  13. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Pug DNA tests
  14. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Dog DNA test prices (effective Aug 3, 2026)
  15. VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
  16. ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
  17. NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
  18. RealVetCost – Feline diabetes treatment cost
  19. VetReceipt – Dog TPLO Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)