Taking care of your English Bulldog

With a lovable appearance and gentle manners, the English bulldog makes a great pet. Keeping it healthy is a challenge due to its many inborn physical deficiencies. However, taking care of its skin will go a long way to keeping your dog healthy. In addition, you can show that you care for your doggie by walking it daily, feeding it a healthy diet, and taking it for regular vet checkups.

1

Wipe between your dog’s folds with an anti-fungal wipe. Because English bulldogs’ skin is layered in folds, it is susceptible to diseases like yeast intertrigo, a condition which leads to itchy rashes on the skin. Wiping between your dog’s folds one time each day will prevent this.

• Choose the right wipe for your dog’s skin. Use a nontoxic anti-fungal wipe. Try to choose one with many natural ingredients like cucumber and chamomile.[1]

• Avoid wipes that have many chemicals and additives. If you have concerns, ask your vet for a recommendation as to which anti-fungal wipe is best for your dog.

Begin cleaning your dog’s skin folds early. If you wait until your dog has already developed a rash within its skin folds, it will cause your dog pain when the skin is finally cleaned. Start daily cleaning with your dog from the time it is a small puppy.

• Familiarize your dog with the cleanup process by having it sit in the same spot every time you begin the cleanup.

2 Begin cleaning your dog’s skin folds early. If you wait until your dog has already developed a rash within its skin folds, it will cause your dog pain when the skin is finally cleaned. Start daily cleaning with your dog from the time it is a small puppy.

• Familiarize your dog with the cleanup process by having it sit in the same spot every time you begin the cleanup.

3 Make the cleaning process enjoyable for your dog. If your dog comes to associate cleaning within its skin folds with pain, your job will be that much harder, and cause your dog undue stress. Give your doggie a treat both before you begin the cleaning process and after the process is complete. This way, the dog will come to associate having its skin cleaned with positive feelings and the knowledge that it will soon be rewarded.

• With one hand, part the folds and use your other hand to apply the wipe gently to the skin within. You will probably need to wipe the same area several times, moving the wipe in overlapping swipes along folds of your dog’s body.

• You may need several wipes to complete the job, but your dog will thank you and remain healthy.

• Be sure to wipe its back, tummy, legs, and face. Healthy bulldog skin is smooth and soft. Check your dog’s face for irritation.[2] Facial skin should be loose and wrinkly, but should not hang off the face. Check the belly for redness or signs of itching. If present, these may be signs of springtime allergies.

4

Keep an eye out for signs of irritation.[3] If your doggie is having skin troubles, it will let you know. If you see your dog constantly scratching, rubbing, or biting itself, this is a sign that your dog’s skin is irritated. Nasty odors -- especially those emanating from the face, groin, ears, and stomach -- might also be signs of irritated skin. You might also observe a brown discharge coming out from between the folds of your dog’s skin.

• When you observe that your dog’s skin may be irritated, investigate why and take proactive steps to solve the problem.

5

Bathe your dog once or twice each year. If you bathe your dog more frequently, you could remove the natural oils which protect its skin.[5] Of course, if your dog starts to smell or has a romp in the mud, bathing is the only option. Generally, though, avoid bathing your dog often.

• Use tear-free shampoo and work it into your dog’s skin folds when bathing. Lather the shampoo and let it sit for a minute or two before rinsing.[6]