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Having skincare problems with your bulldog? Don't worry, you are not alone. Skincare problems in bulldogs is an extremely common occurrence.
Owning a bulldog isn't an easy task, they do take a lot more upkeep than most breeds, and there's many daily routines that you should be doing to help your bulldog with its skincare & hygiene, such as ensuring it's tail pocket & wrinkle is cleaned. The sensitivity of a bulldogs skin also means that it's key that you use the right products not to further aggravate the problems.
Keeping your bulldog fit & healthy is key to helping ensure your dog doesn't suffer from any skincare & hygiene problems. Ensure your dog has the best dog toys that it loves to keep its self entertained and exercised.
The most common skin problems in bulldogs
As a breed, bulldogs are far more susceptible too suffering from health conditions than other dog breeds - and skin conditions are the top of the list of things your bulldog is likely to suffer from in its lifetime.
The most common skin problems in bulldogs are:
Bacterial & Yeast Infections
Dry & Flakey Skin
Hair Loss
Hot Spots
Interdigital Cysts
How to determine your bulldogs skin type
If your bulldogs skin is healthy, it'll be glossy and elastic, and its coat will be smooth and shiny.
If you pay close attention to your bulldogs skin, and the products you use on it, you should be able to determine it's skin type fairly easily, and start to understand which products work best for your bulldog.
If you have noticed that your dogs skin has become flaky and it's coat is oily, then it's time for you to seek some professional advise from a vet - these are often signs of seborrheic dermatitis.
If you think your bulldog may have dry skin, then this is easy to spot. A dog with dry skin will have a flaky scalp and dull coat. Dry skin can often be associated with wider health problems.
How to manage Bulldog fur shedding
English Bulldogs do shed - although it is less than most dog breeds. There are several ways in which you can work towards reducing how much your English Bulldog sheds, which are:
Oatmeal Baths
Proper Nutrition
Regular Grooming
Supplements
Cleaning a bulldogs tail pocket
A tail pocket is a small indentation below a dog's tail, they are commonly found in dogs with no tails/short tails such as bulldogs or pugs. It's important that you clean your dogs tail pocket, if it has one, in order to keep it clean and prevent any potential issues. If you don't routinely clean your bulldogs tail pocket, it can lead to it becoming extremely uncomfortable for your dog, and cause infections.
Not all Bulldogs have a tail pocket, and they generally won't develop a tail pocket until they are at least 6 months old.
A few tips on how to clean your bulldogs tail pocket are:
Remove the build up of dirt and debris: The first thing we need to do is remove the dirt and debris from the tail pocket. To do this, you can gently wipe under your bulldogs tail and into the tail pocket indentation with a medicated wet wipe, a baby wipe or damp cloth. If you can, lift up the dogs tail, however if your dogs tail is too tight or a corkscrew this may be painful for them, so you just need to slide under the tail as softly as possible.
Carefully dry the tail pocket: Using a fresh cloth, gently dry your bulldogs tail pocket. Leaving moisture in your bulldogs tail pocket can lead to a build up of bacteria and lead to the tail pocket becoming irritated and painful for your dog.
Apply a soothing balm: After you've cleaned your dogs tail pocket, it's a great idea to apply some soothing balm to help keep your fur baby comfortable after having it's tail pocket cleaned.
Keeping your English Bulldogs tail pocket cleaning should be part of your daily grooming routine. Dirt can quickly build up in your dogs tail pocket and if it does, this will lead to redness, dry skin, inflammation, and yeast or bacterial infections.
For more information, please read our in-depth guide on cleaning your bulldogs tail pocket.
How to clean a bulldogs ears
To help prevent problems from escalating with your bulldogs ears, you should be checking them weekly for any signs of potential issues. A bulldogs ears should be pinkish-grey in colour and odor free.
When cleaning your bulldogs ears, we don't recommend using cotton swabs - they push debris further into the ear canal and can puncture your dogs ear drum if your not careful or if your dog make any sudden movements.
We recommend using an ear cleaning solution for your dog before drying their ears with a soft towel.
For more information, read our in-depth guide on cleaning your bulldogs ears.
How to clean a bulldogs wrinkle
Cleaning your bulldogs wrinkle is an essential daily activity. If you don't routinely clean your bulldogs wrinkle, it can lead to it becoming extremely uncomfortable for your dog, and even cause serious skin conditions or infections.
A few tips on how to clean your bulldogs wrinkle are:
Wipe the wrinkle every day: Wipe your bulldogs wrinkle with a soft, damp cloth that has been dipped in warm water.
Ensure the wrinkle is dry: After cleaning the wrinkle, it's key to ensure that you dry it. Leaving moisture in your bulldogs wrinkle can lead to a build up of bacteria and lead to the wrinkle becoming irritated and painful for your dog.
Keep an eye out for infections: Infections can be common in bulldogs wrinkles, especially if they are not cared for properly. Signs of an infection can be redness, swelling, rashes or discharge. If you notice that your bulldogs wrinkle has become infected, it's best to seek professional advise for a vet.
For more information, please read our in-depth guide on cleaning your bulldogs wrinkle.
How to clean a bulldogs tear stains
It is common for bulldogs to have tear stains. Keep cleaning those folds, keep them away from allergens if your bulldog hasn't developed tear stains yet.
Tear stains can be just as troublesome for dark-haired dogs as for light-haired dogs; you just can't see them as well. If you have a lot of tears in your eyes, it's very uncomfortable. In some dogs, that gunk can stain.
In order to clean your bulldogs tear stains, you can:
Cut and trim the fur around the eyes
Wipe the tear stains daily
Identify and eliminate the cause of your Bulldogs tear stain
The best skincare & hygiene products for a bulldog
Petpost Bulldog Wrinkle Wipes
The Petpost wrinkle wipes are the best wrinkle wipes that we've used on our bulldog and they are brilliant at wiping away gunk and dirt from a bulldogs wrinkle. The cotton pads are extremely soft and they are delicate enough to be used everyday. They are also brilliant at wiping your bulldogs tear stains.
Earthbath All Natural Pet Deodorizing Shampoo
The Earth Bath All Natural Pet Deodorizing Shampoo is one of the most popular natural shampoos on the market. The shampoo is designed to deodorizing your bulldog without irritating it's skin - which is brilliant if your bulldog has sensitive skin.
It's gentle formula means that it's good to be used for frequent bathing.
Kong ZoomGroom
The Kong ZoomGroom is great if your bull doesn't like to be groomed. It's rubber teeth make it great for groom your bulldog while it's shape can make it a great toy, meaning that you can groom and play at the same time.
Natural Dog Company Organic Skin Soother
The Natural Dog Company Organic Skin Soother is the perfect antibacterial treatment for your bulldog for if they are suffering from a number of different things, such as itchy skin, burns, cuts or bug bites.
It is made with vegan friendly, natural, fragrance free ingredients, meaning it's extremely safe for your bulldog.
Natural Dog Company Snout Soother
The Natural Dog Company Snout Soother is perfect if your bulldog is suffering from a dry or cracked nose.
It is made with vegan friendly, natural, fragrance free ingredients, meaning it's extremely safe for your bulldog.
FURminator De-Shedding Tool
Sick and tired of your bulldog shedding? The FURminator De-Shedding Tool is perfect for removing as much lose hair your bulldog as possible - you'll be shocked at how much loose hair it actually removes!
Pogi's Grooming Wipes
The Pogi's Grooming Wipes are great for cleaning dirt and gunk from your bulldogs wrinkle or tail pocket. They are thick and durable wet wipes that will hold up perfectly if your bulldog has a deep wrinkle.
The wet wipes are free from harmful chemicals and alcohol making them perfect for your bulldogs sensitive skin.
FURminator deShedding Shampp
The Furminator deShedding Shampoo is a great product if your English Bulldog sheds excessively. Bathe your dog with the Furminator deShedding Shampoo, wait until they’re dry, and then brush them with the FURminator De-Shedding Tool. Watch as the hair falls right off your pet!
This product is also fantastic for your dog’s skin and coat, enriched with Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and other herbal extracts.
Finding best skincare & hygiene products for a bulldog
Finding the best skincare & hygiene products for your bulldog will take some trial and error, there is never one solution fits all with bulldogs, but through trial and error we've put together this list for the best dog skincare & hygiene products that have helped to keep our bulldogs happy and healthy.