Pug Skin Problems – The Basics
If you’re interested in getting a Pug, but you heard about the common Pug skin problems and are afraid of those issues, don’t worry; we have the best tips to fix them! Pugs are indeed somewhat prone to some skin issues, but this is sometimes highly exaggerated by some people. The other side of this coin is that those issues are easily fixable with proper treatment, and even more, they can be completely avoided with simple care at home in the first place! In this article you’ll learn:
- All the common Pug skin problems that your pup may suffer.
- All the solutions to those issues.
- And the best ways to avoid them with a simple care routine (+ the best items to use!).
When you’re done reading, you’ll be more than ready to protect your Pug easily at home and with few items that we’ve already reviewed for you. Finally, you’ll understand that, even though they’re slightly more prone to some issues, you have a huge impact on the health of their coat. Let’s get started!
AVMA – American Veterinary Medical Association
Common Pug skin problems
Pugs are cute little dogs with a lot of skin from the minute they’re born. They actually grow into their skin a little bit, which then starts stretching to their size until they reach their adult age. If they keep growing, their skin keeps stretching, which is only noticeable when they lose weight. Throughout their bodies, you will find loose skin, especially around the head, face, neck, chest, and a little bit in the upper back. When they reach seniority, they start losing muscle, which also causes more loose skin. Why is this important? Because those are the parts that are most prone to cause Pug skin problems.
The things that can cause skin issues to appear in a Pug are:
- Poor hygiene and care.
- Allergies.
- Moist coat.
- Dry coats.
- Mites and fungus.
Another issue that may or may not be present from the moment they’re born is Demodectic Mange, but we’ll get into that later. Let’s start with the most common Pug skin problems.
Hot Spots.
A hot spot is not an issue per se, but it is instead caused by other issues, like dry skin, itchiness, and allergies. It presents itself with red inflamed spots that can be perceived through the coat if you pay enough attention. If they’re not treated in time, hair loss can occur. They are itchy, which may cause your Pug to scratch or bite the area a lot.
Solution: To fix this issue, you need to find what is causing it. It may be caused by environmental allergies (dust, pollen, chemicals), food allergies, the wrong shampoo or if your Pug has contact with detergent or sheets washed with strong ones. Make sure to wash your Pug’s bed and blankets with dog-friendly detergents. After that, you can use medicated wipes (which can also be hypoallergenic) and antibacterial ointments. After a few days and if you removed the allergen causing the issue, your Pug should be healthy again.
Yeast infection.
This is very common in all dogs with skin folds. It can affect Pug’s faces, ears, and coat. Also, if your Pug smells weird or simply bad, this can be the cause. The good news is that it can be fixed easily.
Solution: To fix this issue, you’ll need to apply an antifungal and antibacterial shampoo. Make sure to rub your Pug thoroughly with it. Also, you might need to increase the number of baths per month. You can also make it more effective with oral anti-fungal medication prescribed by a vet.
Skin Fold Pyoderma.
This Pug skin problem is related to hot spots and moist coats. It can appear in the areas with loose skin, especially in the skin folds on their faces. It’s also related to obesity, as it is most possible that the infection appears in almost hidden places. Some dogs can also suffer from seasonal atopic dermatitis, which only appears during certain seasons of the year, like spring. It can present in the form of foul smells, itchiness, and infected hot spots.
Solution: If your Pug is obese, make sure to change this using our tips on how to keep Pugs lean and make a few changes in his diet. If the issue is related directly to hot spots, you’ll have to look for the allergens causing them. Once you keep your Pug away from them, you can start treating the area with medicated wipes. Make sure to keep it dry. Once your Pup loses some weight and stays away from the allergens, he should recover his healthy skin.
Ringworm.
Pugs are not prone to this; all dogs, cats, and people can suffer from it! Ringworm is a fungus, mostly carried around by cats. If you have a cat that is in contact with your Pug, make sure to check him for this fungus. It presents itself in the form of dry skin and grayish patches in the skin. You must pay attention to your pet’s skin, especially if you have a cat that’s allowed to leave the house and wander in the garden or around other cats. This is vital because Ringworm can be passed to humans, which can be very annoying.
Solution: You may need the help of a vet for this one depending on the severity or if your Pug has special needs (allergies to certain medication). You can also use a medicated shampoo with anti-fungal and antibacterial ingredients.
“Conditions that can cause itchiness were among the top seven health issues for dogs and cats as of 2017, according to the 2017-18 edition of the AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook. For dogs, ear infections were the top health issue, and skin disorders and allergies were third and fourth.” AVMA – American Veterinary Medical Association
Demodectic Mange.
These Pug skin problems are not as common as other issues. This issue is caused by Demodex mites, which can be passed down to puppies by their parents. It causes hair loss in the infected areas, weird smells, and more.
Solutions: If you’re adopting a Pug puppy, you should ask for lab tests that prove the puppy doesn’t have this problem. If you think your new puppy has it, you’ll have to take him to a vet. The vet is the only one who can prescribe useful medication to treat it.
Common minor issues.
Other issues like Pimples can also affect Pugs regularly. This can be caused by hormones as your pup grows and by plastic allergies, usually from using plastic bowls – check the best Pug-friendly bowls here! If you notice they have Pimples in their face or other parts of their skin, don’t try to pop it, as it may infect causing further issues. To treat it, you simply need to improve your Pug’s hygiene. Baths, wipes, and other healthy hygiene routines can eliminate this issue.
Frequently Asked Questions – Pug skin problems
Issues like a yeast infection and skin fold dermatitis can affect Pugs more than other dogs. Why? Simply because they have more skin folds! Also, those issues can appear in their ears because they have flopped ears.
Most of the Pug’s skin issues can be avoided with a proper hygiene routine and in-between baths hygiene practices. Pug friendly wipes for each part of their bodies, Pug friendly shampoo, and a brush are your best friends to avoid just about everything.
Itchiness, hair-loss, irritation, inflammation, pus, and weird smells. Still, if you can spot a Pug scratching too much, you can avoid further symptoms by taking him to the vet for a check.
Conclusion
Now that you know that most of the Pug skin issues can be treated early, easily, and safely at home, you’ll save a lot of money on vet trips. Most of the mentioned issues can be cured in their early stages if you identify them, which is why we always recommend that you should check your Pug every day. Check his face, his ears, coat, bum-bum, genitals, and paws. You should also follow the right guidelines regarding the number of baths you should give them, the best shampoos to use, and use wipes to keep his coat healthy.
We’ve created the best tips to keep Pugs safe from most of those issues; it’s up to you to use them!
Are you ready to fight Pug’s skin issues?
