French bulldogs are among the most adorable species of dogs. The reason for their charming impression is because of their small size and skin folds here we will go into detail about how to clean a Frenchies folds.
The most eye-catching features of this breed are these animated folds that no one can dare ignore. Everything related to this dog is remarkable until their folds either start stinking or getting infected.
It is important to first learn how to clean a Frenchie’s folds before you decide to buy one for yourself.
To clean a French bulldogs folds regularly clean the inner area of the folds with a proper cleaning agent and a piece of cloth.
In this article, I will provide you with all the details of the tips and measures needed to prevent infection in bulldog folds.
Why Do Frenchie’s Folds Need Cleaning?
Reason being that the folds are ideal shelter sites for infectious microorganisms existing in our overall surroundings. Any moisture, sweat, food particles reaching these folds cause infectious microbes to have a feast. Such conditions, left untreated, can cause serious infections.
It is highly recommended not to wait for any symptom to show on the folds.
As this dog does not require regular bathing, it is imperative to clean his folds regularly to avoid any infection. If you are concerned about your wrinkled bulldog, this is the best place for you to clear all your concerns.
The following are the measures you can take to avoid any precarious situation:
Setting up a Regular Cleaning Routine
To avoid any infection in your bulldog’s folds, it is of prime importance to adopt a regular cleaning routine.
To maintain the cuteness and health of the bulldog’s face, setting up a proper cleaning plan is the way to go. Cleaning the folds during the night time is recommended as all the dirt and filth of the day are wiped out with the cleaning agent or wipe.
For starters, I suggest you clean the folds on a daily basis gradually doing it every other day. If you take this situation lightly it might prove to be disastrous for the bulldog’s health.
Once there develops an area of infection it is bound to spread throughout, making it extremely irritating and threatening for the bulldog. Instead of doing something after the problem arises, I strongly recommend you to adopt necessary measures before the situation worsens.
Gathering Necessary Supplies
Before pursuing any further, you might want to know what supplies you would require to start the cleaning process.
Selecting a Cleaning Agent
The first thing to do here is to pick a mild solution (a cleaning agent) or a dog shampoo. I suggest you pick a shampoo that is mild in nature and doesn’t promote skin irritation or rashes. Some owners use simple water to clean the folds that are not effective as the microbes causing the infection are not killed by water alone.
Mix either a mild cleaning agent or a shampoo in water to create a solution capable of killing existing germs or bacteria. You can also use a hypoallergenic shampoo that best fits this situation.
Selecting a Cleaning Tool
The tool that is required to carry out the cleaning process can be anything like a wipe, tissue, cotton ball, or a cloth. Any of these will serve appropriately for carrying out the cleaning process as all of them can hold the cleaning agent through absorption.
A Dry Towel
After undergoing the necessary procedure for removing the unwanted dirt, to dry out the folds from the inside, a dry towel is required. This towel has to be absolutely clean to prevent any bacteria from entering the folds again. I strongly suggest drying the folds of the bulldog appropriately to avoid any buildup of infection through residual moisture.
Carrying Out the Cleaning Process
After selecting the appropriate supplies for the cleaning process, comes the time to undergo the cleaning process. This includes the following steps:
Training the Bulldog
You must undergo the cleaning process while the bulldog is still and calm. This can only be achieved if you train the bulldog from the time when it is a puppy.
Training the dog in the early stages of its life will make it easy for you as the process will be a matter of routine work for him. Otherwise, it will take up a lot of your precious time and effort to carry out the whole process, with the dog being uncomfortable and distressed.
Wipe off the Bulldog’s Folds
Now comes the business end of the procedure. Add 2-3 drops of the solution onto the cleaning tool. The idea is to apply a damp wipe or a cotton ball. Start wiping off the unwanted germs from the folds of the neck and the face. Open the folds with your fingers to reach the areas that are hard to do so otherwise.
The whole process needs to be gentle as hard rubbing can cause redness or skin irritation. During the procedure, be very careful not to touch any area close to the eye region as it will be painful for the bulldog.
Special attention is required to clean the area of the fold present above the nose. It is a dirt and microbe hub which requires proper cleaning as it is the part of where infection can initiate.
Drying the Bulldog Folds
Once you are done with the cleaning process, the next step involves the drying process. Drying the folds after application of the solution is a must. As any type of moisture left under the folds after cleaning can cause irritation and might trigger more infections.
You can use a disinfected dry towel for the process, or can also use a dryer on low power to remove the unwanted moisture in between the already cleaned folds. After this, the bulldog is infection-free and fit for continuing the routine activities.
How to Prevent Fold Infections in Bulldogs?
Preventing the onset of these infections in your pet is the way to go. Taking necessary protection steps from the start can help you save time, effort, and money that you might need to spend due to lack of seriousness.
The following are a few preventive measures that need to be acted upon:
Cleaning folds Regularly
The best practice is to clean your dog’s folds regularly. Dogs differ in skin sensitivity. Some are more sensitive to infections. While some are lesser prone to infections.
Depending upon your dog’s skin condition, you can plan the cleaning process accordingly. I recommend cleaning the folds daily to eliminate any chance of infection, there is. In contrast, there are owners that clean their dog’s folds weekly, which in my opinion, is a bad practice.
Keeping the weight under control
Another ideal way of dealing with this skin infection problem is to keep the weight of your dog under check. Regulating eating habits can be of great help in reducing the chances of infection and maintaining the overall health of your dog.
This might seem a bit harsh, but it is your responsibility as the owner to do what is right for him.
Always be Vigilant to Any Symptoms
During the cleaning procedure, always be vigilant to any red flags (symptoms) of inflammation, redness, or smell. The appearance of any such conditions may be pointing towards a potential infection.
Don’t waste any time and seek the assistance of a veterinary expert as quickly as possible.
Visiting a Veterinarian
As soon as any symptom of infection appears, rush towards the vet, and seek medical advice.
The Vet will provide you with anti-inflammatory prescriptions regarding your dog’s condition and provide advice on how to tackle the situation in the best way possible. Might also assist in changing cleaning routines from a weekly basis to a daily basis.
Changing Cleaning Habits
After contacting the fold infection, the only way out from this irritating condition is to change weekly folds cleaning sessions to regular sessions and apply remedies as well. By doing so, you can help your bulldog recover quickly and enjoy the healthy and active lifestyle you are used to looking for.
What to do if your Frenchie’s caught a Fold Infection?
If your lovable pooch has caught infection between the folds, it is necessarily a painful, irritating, and precarious condition for him. Applying ointments or anti-inflammatory creams may cause a lot of agony and distress to your dog.
It is advised not to apply these remedies while he is active but to apply them after considerable energy loss in a daily walk. It will be easy for you to treat a tired bulldog who needs rest.
Another way to control your dog’s behavior while cleaning the folds is to train him psychologically by giving him a treat after every session. This way, it would not misbehave in the happiness of what is to follow.
Other than the remedies mentioned previously, another option is petroleum jelly and cornstarch. You can apply petroleum jelly on the inflamed folds through any cleaning tool. And to dry the infected folds, you can use cornstarch.
Other resources
Cute Names For A French Bulldog
