Bulldog and Pug Wrinkle Care Guide for Dry, Sore or Smelly Skin Folds

Wrinkly breeds, also known as brachycephalic breeds, often need a little bit of extra care when it comes to their skin folds.

Breeds like bulldogs, pugs and french bulldogs tend to have folds around the face and other areas which can trap dirt and moisture very easily. Those folds are naturally warm with very little airflow, which means they can quickly become irritated if they are not looked after properly.

Dog wrinkle care is something many owners underestimate at first, but keeping folds clean and dry really does make a huge difference. This is something I used to see on a regular basis when I was dog grooming. One of the key parts of grooming these breeds was always making sure the folds were properly cleaned and dried before the dog went home.

Why bulldogs, pugs and wrinkly dogs get skin fold problems

There are a lot of reasons why skin folds can become irritated.

Quite often around the face, tears and eye watering can collect in the folds. Saliva can build up around the mouth folds, especially in dogs that drool more. Food, dust and dirt also get trapped very easily, and then moisture from drinking, wet weather or the environment gets held against the skin.

Once you combine warmth, lingering dampness and very little airflow, bacteria and yeast are able to multiply much more easily and this is when problems tend to start. Bacteria and yeast are naturally present on the skin anyway. The problem starts when warm, damp folds allow them to multiply too quickly. If it is not managed properly, this can then lead to sore, irritated folds and eventually skin fold dermatitis.

Signs of skin fold dermatitis in dogs

If you are not sure whether your dog simply has slightly dirty folds or whether there may be more irritation going on, there are a few things worth looking out for.

Redness, soreness, rubbing at the face, scratching, licking or biting around folds can all be warning signs.

You may also notice

• sticky skin
• discharge
• a stronger smell
• skin looking damp or inflamed
• your dog reacting when you try to clean the area

As I understand it, skin fold dermatitis is more common around facial folds, above the nose, tail pockets and genital folds. Of course I am not a vet, so if you are worried there may be infection or your dog seems uncomfortable, it is always best to seek professional advice rather than trying to treat it yourself.

Why do dog wrinkles smell

One of the biggest misconceptions is that wrinkles naturally smell. They should not.

All dogs can get a bit stinky from time to time depending on what they have been doing. Mine is currently obsessed with finding cat poo on walks, so I am constantly on high alert. (Apologies if you were eating whilst reading this!)

But if your dog’s folds are particularly smelly, this is usually down to trapped moisture combined with bacteria or yeast overgrowth within the fold and it is especially common in folds above the nose, around the mouth, around tail pockets and sometimes around the genital area in female dogs.

The smell itself is often one of the first signs owners notice before redness or soreness becomes obvious.

How to clean bulldog and pug wrinkles

Assuming your dog simply needs regular wrinkle maintenance, this is something most owners can easily keep on top of at home.

The best advice I can give you is do not be afraid to properly get into the folds and clean them. Many owners worry about hurting their dog, especially around the eyes or above the nose, and because of that they only clean the surface. But with some dogs, particularly the very wrinkly ones, you do need to gently open the folds properly to clean inside them.

It can feel like you are getting quite deep in there, especially around the nose folds, but as long as you are gentle and there is no existing infection or soreness, there is no reason why it should hurt your dog.

Very soft cotton buds can sometimes make cleaning easier around tighter areas, as long as you are gentle and careful around the eyes. Once folds are properly clean, they are usually much easier to maintain going forwards.

The most important thing to remember is...

Cleaning removes build up.
Drying prevents bacteria multiplying.
Balm helps maintain and protect the skin barrier.

Owners often focus entirely on cleaning, but the drying stage is just as important.

Preventing moisture build up in skin folds

I have touched upon this already, but preventing trapped moisture is one of the biggest parts of keeping wrinkles healthy.

After drinking, eating, walks in the rain or swimming, it is worth checking and drying folds if needed. This is particularly important in deeper folds where moisture can sit unnoticed. Friction also plays a part. When skin constantly rubs against skin, especially if dirt or moisture is trapped there, irritation becomes much more likely. That is why maintenance matters. Once folds are clean and healthy, it is usually much easier to keep them that way than it is trying to deal with ongoing irritation later on.

Daily wrinkle care routine for wrinkly dogs

Wrinkle care doesn't need to be complicated.

• Check folds daily, especially after meals or walks
• Gently clean if needed
• Dry folds thoroughly afterwards
• Apply a balm if the skin needs extra support or protection (or use a balm to clean and protect)

That is often all it takes to stay on top of things.

Can you overclean dog wrinkles

Yes, you can. Using harsh products, highly scented wipes or constantly overwashing folds can irritate the skin and disrupt its natural balance. This is why I personally prefer gentler, natural products for wrinkle maintenance.

You still want to clean effectively, but without stripping the skin or leaving excess moisture behind. I would also avoid heavily fragranced baby wipes around folds, especially if the skin already looks irritated.

Best balm for bulldog and pug wrinkles

There are plenty of wrinkle balms out there now, but personally I would look for something that is gentle, not overly greasy and easy to work into folds without feeling too heavy.

I prefer a balm based product because it helps reduce friction while also supporting the skin barrier. It also allows you to clean and maintain folds without introducing extra moisture to the area. I know it may sound counterintuitive using an oil based balm to clean greasy folds, but there is logic behind it. Gentle oils help dissolve excess oils and grime, in the same way an oil cleanser works, so dirt lifts away more easily when wiped away. At the same time, butters and waxes leave behind a light protective layer which helps support the skin and reduce friction.

My own wrinkle and fold balm was designed with exactly this purpose in mind. It contains raspberry seed oil to nourish and support the skin barrier, alongside calendula infused sunflower oil, which is traditionally used to soothe and support skin health.

It is not a treatment for infection or a cure for underlying problems. It is designed as a gentle maintenance product to help keep folds clean, supported and protected.

If you would like to try it, you can find it here Wrinkle and Fold Care Balm for Dogs

Pet business owners interested in stocking the product can also find information about wholesale, unlabelled and private label options from the home page here 

How often should you clean dog wrinkles

This really depends on the individual dog.

Some dogs need daily wrinkle care, especially if they have deep folds, watery eyes or are messy eaters. Others barely need any intervention at all. There is not really a black and white answer because dogs are a bit like us. They all have different skin types, sensitivities and lifestyles.

Daily cleaning is absolutely fine as long as you are using gentle products and properly drying afterwards. The key is consistency and paying attention to what your own dog needs.

Once you get into a simple routine, wrinkle care quickly becomes just another normal part of looking after your dog.