Do you want a toy breed that’s playful and silly? You can never be wrong from having a pug. This is one of the best small dog breeds that’s loved and adored by many. Because of their playful and loyal nature.
This dog can give you the best time at home, bring you happiness, and make you feel better on days you don’t feel your best. Truly, a pug is the best friend you can count on.
As a pug owner, you need to embrace both the good and bad sides of pugs. As a brachycephalic breed, they have sensitive body conditions. This dog breed is prone to respiratory and skin problems. That’s why you need to observe proper pug grooming to keep them healthy.
Just like other dogs, problems will arise if you don’t care for your pug. It can get sick and be prone to all sorts of infections. In this article, we’re going to focus on pug skin allergies. We want to help you care for your pug’s skin. Also, give you some ideas on how to prevent these skin infections.
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What are the traits of a pug’s skin?
While a pug’s uniqueness can be attributed to its interesting folds, these folds also give your pug a distinct smell that may not be pleasant to other people. Attending to its skin will ensure the odor is managed and not turn into something you can’t take. You need to be very diligent about it.
Actually, a pug’s skin healthy if you care for it. But they are prone to skin allergy because of their deep skin folds. Do you ever wonder why their skins are like that? This dog breed is intended for combat. Their folded skin is a defense mechanism so that they don’t easily get wounded.
These deep skin folds are the main reason why pugs are susceptible to skin problems. Most of these folds are present in their neck, chest, and shoulders. This is also the common place for skin irritation to happen.
Skin fold dermatitis occurs in these areas since dirt and oils get trapped there. To avoid this, you need to brush those hidden areas when bathing your pug. You can do touch up cleaning by using grooming wipes. It must be unscented to avoid skin irritation. Some pugs react to scented products, so it’s safer if you use the unscented wipes.
What are the common pug skin problems and their remedies?
We have compiled the most common pug skin fold problems and possible remedies. It’s best if you know them, so you can better take care of your fur buddy.
#1 Food Allergies
Pugs have a sensitive appetite, especially for grains. When they eat an allergen, their immediate reaction is itchy red skin.
Food allergies are more common in Pugs than most think. While some dogs can eat anything without showing issues, others respond to several allergens. Your dog’s immune system reacts to the allergens causing that skin irritation.
If skin irritations become worse, scabbing can happen. That is something you don’t want to happen to your pug since it leads to more severe infections.
Solution
The common remedy for this is topical creams and antifungal powders. Apply it to the scratchy skin area to ease redness and itchiness. To avoid this from happening,
you can apply the elimination diet. Determining where your pug is allergic can be challenging, so you need to carefully observe it and take note of any unusual occurrences. The elimination diet means you must remove any suspected allergens once you notice anything unusual with your pug’s skin or behavior after consumption.
You have to relay your observations to your vet, so they may recommend a hypoallergenic diet or prescribe medication to manage their symptoms. You can also ask your vet for those food that cannot be eaten by your pug.
#2 Skin Fold Pyoderma
This pug skin problem happens at the deep skin folds. It’s where most dirt and oils are trapped causing skin irritation. Some of these common areas are on your pug’s groin, face, and tail. At the skin folds, the irritation starts and then scatters when left untreated.
Some of its common symptoms are skin inflammation, itchiness, and bad odor. Bacterial skin infection is one cause since it grows in those dark moist areas. This condition must be attended to right away. If left untreated, it can leave your adorable pug helpless because it can be excruciatingly painful for them.
Solution
Use antibacterial wipes and antifungal cream on the skin folds. You can wipe it first with grooming wipes, then followed by a dry paper towel. After, you can apply antifungal powder or cream. You can also ask for professional advice from your nearby veterinarian.
#3 Skin Ringworm
If you see ring-shaped skin lesions on your pug’s skin, that’s a sign of a ringworm skin problem. This is caused by fungal growth on your pug’s skin. Itchy skin and redness are common signs for this skin disease. For severe cases, your dog’s skin might turn scaley and there will be hair loss too.
When left untreated, it can scatter all over your pug’s body. You can also check the skin folds for any fungal infection.
Solution
You can go to your local vet to ask for a prescription for topical creams and oral medicines. Early treatment for pug skin problems is your best solution to prevent things from worsening. This is also applicable to other dogs.
#4 Dog Flea Infection
You might wonder if flea and mite infections are the same, right? They are totally different, but they just seem the same because both are small critters. Dog skin problems happen when the flea bites their skin. It causes redness and a bump on your pug’s skin.
Your dog will scratch their skin due to flea bites. This causes skin problems since it can worsen the redness of the skin. If there is persistent scratching, it can wound your dog’s skin.
Folliculitis is the condition where a skin breaks due to constant scratching. This can happen to your pug when the fleas are not removed.
Solution
Your best remedy for this is to use anti flea dog shampoo. You can buy one from your local store or from a pet shop. There are over-the-counter shampoos or prescribed ones you can buy from the shop.
There are many ways you can prevent infection caused by fleas or ticks from worsening over time. For instance, some vets will also prescribe oral medicines or external ones to be used on your pet to kill those fleas.
#5 Skin Infections due to Ear Mites
You will find this skin irritation to happen on your dog’s ears. Ear mites live there, in those dark areas and folds. The ear canal is their favorite place. This creature feed on tissue fluids on your pug’s ears. These creatures cause allergic reactions to your pug’s ear canal and ear lobes.
Just like dog fleas, they can transfer to other parts of your pug’s body. They can go to skin folds and cause skin irritations there.
Solution
You can visit your nearby vet to ask for a liquid medicine to kill those ear mites. You apply drops of this medicine on your pug’s ear canal. Cleaning your dog’s ear canal can also help prevent ear mites from coming in.
You also need to check on your dog’s immune system. The presence of ear mites is also a sign of weak immune systems. In that case, you need to bring your pug to the vet to ask for a prescription.
#6 Environmental Allergies on Pug Skin
Besides food allergens, the place where your pug usually stays affects their skin conditions. There are many allergens in your surrounding that can cause skin irritation on your pug. Some of these environmental allergens are pollens, dust, and grasses.
The symptoms of this are similar to food allergies. Expect redness and itchiness of pug skin. Don’t let your pug continue scratching their skin, otherwise, it can lead to wounds. Pet owners must be cautious with both environmental and food allergies to pugs.
Solution
There is no definite solution to this aside from keeping your pug away from allergens. Keep their place dry and free of dust. This helps them keep healthy skin and lungs. Also, limit their exposure outdoor since they are sensitive to pollens and heat.
#7 Skin Fold Dermatitis
Pugs have a flat wrinkled surface. These deep skin folds are prone to skin issues. That’s because dirt and bacterial infections can happen underneath those hidden areas. Skin fold dermatitis must be treated right away to avoid scattering over your pug’s body.
The folds in their nose, neck, and chest areas are the common ones for skin fold dermatitis. Itchiness and redness of the skin are the common signs.
Solution
Proper dog grooming is your best prevention for this skin allergy. You need to scrub those folds to remove dirt and oil. You can also wipe it using unscented wipes after bathing your pug.
Keep it dry and clean all the time. You can also buy anti fungal or anti bacterial ointments for treating it.
#8 Skin Fold Pyoderma
This is another pug skin allergies that occur at the folds. It is contagious, so better isolate your pug one’s infected. When your dog has this, you will see a pus on their folds.
If you let this skin disease linger, it can infect the entire body of your pug. Those skin underneath the folds will smell bad and turn red.
Solution
Most pugs having this skin disease are overweight. Your vet will advise you to put your pug into a weight loss program. Bring back your dog’s diet to a healthy one. After doing that, your pet will feel cooler and can move freely. This promotes healthy immune and skin for them.
Applying antibacterial cream will also help in treating this pug skin allergy. You can get a prescription from your vet for the right ointment.
#9 Hot Spots
When your pug feels so lazy and sits or sleeps on the same position, it results to hot spots. This is a skin irritation happening in one area where pressure is constantly applied as your pug sits or sleep. You will see hot spots at the limbs or back of your dog.
This skin disease is also called acute moist dermatitis. For mild cases, it starts as a skin irritation. When your pug continues to lick and scratch the hot spot, it worsens and forms a scab.
Solution
Treating this is easy, you can use betadine to heal the hot spot wound. There are also other anti bacterial solutions sold in pet shops that you can buy for your pug. If the condition worsens, you need to bring your pug to a nearby vet for medication.
#10 Demodectic Mange
There are many skin health problems for pugs, and this one is caused by a demodex mite. If you pug has this skin disease, you will notice some skin areas without hairs. The insect bites caused this hair fall.
Pug puppies are the common victims of demodectic mange. But it also affects dogs that are older when the mite transfers to them. The mite feed and berries themselves into the dog skin. This causes irritation and inflammation. If you see large patches of their skin without hair, that’s a sign for this skin disease.
Solution
This skin problem is contagious. You need to immediately find an over-the-counter drug for your pug to treat it. You can also bring your pet to a local vet clinic for skin biopsy and prescription.
#11 Skin Lesions and Ulcerations
This skin condition is caused by an auto disease. It may can come from nowhere, and then suddenly, your pug has it. It starts with a minor skin allergy that leads to break outs. Bleeding will happen to the wound formed by this pug skin problem.
Skin lesions can come from genes or mite bites. Environmental allergies can worsen this skin disease, so keep your pug in a clean place.
Solution
It’s an autoimmune skin disease, so medical treatment is recommended. You need to bring your pug to a local vet clinic for early medication. This also helps avoid spread of skin rashes to your other dogs.
#12 Pimples
Pug also develop acne on their adorable wrinkles. This happens to adults dogs and young ones. This is one of the common skin conditions every pug face in their life.
Don’t be alarmed too much since this can be treated. Dog pimples usually happen in the facial area. You can prevent that from happening by wiping their wrinkled face. You can also wipe their necks and chest to avoid body acne.
If you want more information about Pug acne, we have dedicated article for that.
Solution
Using antibacterial wipes for dogs is your best solution. Touch up cleaning on their face and body helps remove those dirt and oils on their nasal folds and face.
Takeaways…
Your pug will encounter different health concerns in their life. Skin disease is one of the many concerns you need to face together with your buddy. When that happens, having the right knowledge is your best help.
We hope to have given you enough information on different pug skin concerns and how to handle them. There are different reasons for each skin problem and you need to know them.
If ever you don’t know what to do, you can go directly to your local vet clinic for help. They have the experience and expertise of treating your pets.
Well, prevention is still better than cure, right? Keep your pug’s place clean and cool to keep their skin fresh. You also need to watch their diet since overweight dogs are more prone to getting sick.
In case you still have questions, feel free to browse our site, we have tons of resources about pugs.