Do French Bulldogs Shed? Caring for the French Bulldog's Coat

If you want to take better care of your French Bulldog's coat, it is essential to know how to do a perfect and complete hairstyle. And you must know do french bulldogs shed. The French Bulldog is a smooth, short-haired dog, so the maintenance of this breed is not very demanding. However, you have specific needs to pay attention to, always in perfect health and impeccable hygiene.

Do French Bulldogs Shed? 

Do french bulldogs shed? Although some french bulldogs shed more than others, they usually shed less. This is because Frenchies are easy to maintain. Weekly brushing with a soft bristle brush (or grooming mitt), will suffice for this dog.

It is not necessary to bathe too often, only once a month. The French Bulldog does not shed much hair but occasionally sheds some undercoat.

In spring and autumn, this breed sheds slightly, losing this undercoat.

To avoid having all this hair at home and your dogs bed, it is better to take a little extra care with brushing during these periods, always with the soft brush or glove method.

Taking care of the French Bulldog's skin is essential because it has wrinkled skin folds (like all Bulldogs), in which dirt can nest.

If neglected, this hidden dirt can lead to bacteria and infections, which can endanger your pet's health. Therefore, you will need occasional baths (as mentioned, about once a month). However, a good rule is not to get your dog's face and ears wet while bathing.

In these breeds, moisture can be trapped in the wrinkles of the skin or the ears and, therefore, can increase the risk of infection.

How to bathe the French Bulldog

As anticipated, the care of our French Bulldogs is not very demanding (compared to other breeds).

The monthly bath must be strictly associated with daily cleaning of the folds with a warm and slightly damp cloth. By passing this cloth over the skin, you will go to clean the folds and wrinkles of our Frenchie, but always without using soaps or shampoos. These products can irritate our dog's skin. You can also use delicate wipes, those used for babies. After carefully cleaning the skin and various wrinkles, use a dry towel to remove excess moisture.

Some veterinarians also recommend using baby talcum powder or other powders for grooming, but it is better to consult our trusted veterinarian first.

Another vital aspect is cleaning the tail of our French Bulldog. These dogs usually have a fold of skin just below their tail.

Here you can collect dead skin or fallen hair. To do this, you must check that it is clean at least once a month.

To clean this fold under the tail, you use a method similar to that of leather: damp cloth or wipe, then dry well.

These treatments must then be associated with nail trimming once a week to prevent them from growing too much.

Also, let's not forget to regularly brush our dog's teeth with a special toothbrush and toothpaste.

How to clean Frenchie's ears

A separate chapter is dedicated to cleaning the ears of our French Bulldog, which is a very delicate area.

The Frenchie's ears have a peculiar shape, similar to a bat's. This shape makes it easy for dirt and debris to accumulate. To do this, you must pay more attention to this area of ​​our dog's body for proper hygiene.

Cleaning the ears can be a bit tricky and get dirty. It is better to use old clothes because they could be damaged.

You will need a few materials to have ready before you begin:

Paper napkins or tissues;

Dog ear cleaning solution (or mineral oil),

cotton balls or gauze;

Snacks and treats for your dog (to convince him to cooperate!).

During the cleaning, you must never forget that your dog will not be collaborative, and you must use prizes and a lot of pampering to calm him down.

Remember that if the first cleaning sessions are stressful for your Frenchie, he will never get used to it and will always live badly cleaning his ears.

Let's start by cleaning the outside. To keep the dog still (let's hold it by the collar), gently wipe the outside of the ear with a damp napkin.

You never use water to clean the ears, as it can cause the skin to soften and swell. This creates serious risks of infections.

Using a cotton swab dipped in the cleaning solution (there are several specially designed ones on the market), you confirm it is a small solution, no problem. After you finish, it will be shaken to remove it from the ears. Then, repeat as long as necessary, using even more cotton balls if necessary.

Be careful not to insert the cotton balls into the ear (or other objects): you can push the debris further or damage the eardrum. Once this part is finished, let your puppy shake a little to remove the excess solution. At this time, it will splash everywhere and probably dirty us and the house.

Once at has been shaken enough, you use a paper towel to dry the ears. This phase is crucial, and the humidity could be awful for your Frenchie.

You repeat the same operation in the other ear. Once the external cleaning is finished, let's move on to the internal, more complex one.

You spray the solution in your dog's ear canal until it is full. Then, you massage the base of the ear, using the fingers, for 20 or 30 seconds.

Meanwhile, your French Bulldog will probably show some signs of impatience. So you do a lot of praise and give some prizes to keep it well.

After the massage, let the dog shake the solution out of his ears. Then, you repeat same thing in the other ear.

This operation must be repeated monthly.

Unless your veterinarian informs you of a particular need, it will be enough. 

Hair loss In French Bulldogs

We learned the answer to the question of do french bulldogs shed, so what to do when they shed more than normal? It's never good to see your French bulldog lose his hair. You must act as soon as possible in case this happens to your little puppy. But, you do not know how? Here are some tips that you can apply to avoid or solve the problem in a short time.

Generally, the hair loss of a French bulldog can be caused by two types of situations. This can happen during molting periods or because of pathology.

Molting periods

French Bulldogs tend to shed their hair in the spring and fall. Completely normal; note that you should not worry since these are the molting periods for your dog. You should even be delighted since your hound will have a new coat more adapted to its body for the new season. However, understand that the change in the dog's life can lengthen his hair loss. This period of false molt occurs when the animal will be more exposed to a warmer environment. This is a natural disturbance that you shouldn't worry about. It should also be noted that molting periods are normal for a growing French bulldog.

The pathology of the animal

If your French Bulldog ever scratches regularly while losing a large amount of hair when it is no longer in a period of molting, be aware that this may be caused by an illness related to its pathology. Parasitic infections can be the leading cause. Indeed, the situation can cause inflammation of his body and end up promoting his hair loss. On the other hand, the problem may be the consequences of other pathologies or the appearance of other bacteria. Allergies are the best known in this kind of situation. Hair loss can be moderate or severe. To recognize this, the dog will start scratching or licking excessively. Aside from that, sarcoptic mange, as well as demodectic mange, can also strongly promote hair loss. Whatever the situation, the best solution is to take him to a veterinarian. 

Best Products for French Bulldogs

What to do to solve the hair loss problems of a French bulldog?

To better help you, know that you can apply the following tips in case of dog hair loss. 

Regular brushings

Regularly brushing your French Bulldog will help it remove dead hair. With this method, you will give your dog a better coat while avoiding hair dispersion in the house. Each brushing will also allow you to check whether the animal has fleas or not. This is also valid for ticks as well as sores. Among the many models of brushes available on the market, you recommend the anti-hair glove, specially adapted to prevent hair loss and to have a pleasant time with your companion.

A balanced diet

Understand that the French bulldog's diet can greatly impact his coat, whether its quality or strength. You will then have to give him both vitaminized foods, rich in fatty acids and omega 3. You will have to be attentive to these three points to avoid hair loss in the animal. It should be noted that these elements are to be combined with its usual diet. For this, you can choose salmon or rapeseed oil. 

Revised hygiene

Regarding his hygiene, you are advised to review the use of shampoo when you wash your French Bulldog. Remember that excessive use of shampoo will accelerate your dog's hair loss. We, therefore, advise you to use shampoo only once a month so as not to weaken the animal's skin. Also, make sure that the shampoo you use is of good quality. For this, you can choose the “Furminator Ultra Premium” which is a shampoo capable of fighting hair loss.

What to do to avoid false molt?

Remember that false molts can appear at any time if you are not careful. To avoid this, you must pay attention to the following points.

– Baths that are too frequent can dry out your doggie's hair and promote hair loss. Also, remember that shampoos for adults and babies are strongly discouraged for dogs.

– Acute or chronic stress can also precipitate hair loss in your French bulldog. Specifically, your dog's stress can cause problems with his erector muscles. Indeed, the latter will pull more on the hair to promote hair loss. You will then need to know the situations that can cause stress on the dog. This will allow you to act effectively on the cause of this stress. Do not hesitate to involve a canine behaviorist in case you deem it necessary. On the other hand, you can also use pheromone diffusers capable of calming the animal to reduce its stress.

Finally, it must be recognized that hair loss can cause serious problems for a French bulldog as well as its owner. You will then have to take the necessary measures to minimize the animal's hair loss.

Eczema In French Bulldogs 

Eczema is a very common animal skin disease in dogs. This disease affects 3 to 15% of individuals before the age of 3 years. Some were quick to liken it to atopy. Often of genetic origin, this inflammation of the skin mainly concerns certain breeds of dogs. 

What is eczema in dogs? 

Eczema is not strictly speaking a skin disease. It is rather an inflammation of the skin envelope of your companion. There are three types of eczema namely: chronic eczema, allergic or food eczema, and atopic eczema. The main symptoms of eczema are the appearance of red pimples on the legs, scabs, ringworm, scabies, patches, hair loss... 

Among the causes of eczema in French bulldogs, bites from fleas, mites, and ticks figure prominently. Some harmful fungi can irritate your pet's skin.

Allergic eczema is the consequence of an unsuitable diet. A poor quality diet, low in vitamins but high in fat, can lead to skin diseases or eczema. Chronic eczema exists latently in the body of some subjects. It occurs sporadically. Atopic eczema is a genetic inheritance. Some breeds like the French bulldog are predisposed to it. As in other cases, redness and itching accompany this type of eczema.

What are the drug treatments to treat eczema in French bulldogs?

Before administering treatment to your companion for his eczema, take a trip to the veterinarian. He is the only specialist authorized to prescribe remedies for his illness. This prescription is adapted to the analyzes that the latter will have previously carried out on the animal. With this in mind, identifying the type of eczema is necessary. There is no doubt that the effectiveness of the treatment depends on the detection of the causes.

Apply antibiotic treatments

An antibiotic cream, shampoo, and lotion are sometimes enough to overcome eczema. In addition to antibiotics, antifungals also provide adequate care. Opt for corticosteroid medications. These act against itching and can effectively treat skin diseases. Apply lotion, aloe vera shampoo, or moisturizer to the affected areas.

Adapt the treatment according to the type of eczema.

Appropriate treatments can treat eczema caused by a food allergy, a parasite, or any other reason. However, there is no treatment for eczema with genetic causes. This type of eczema can only be relieved, not cured. Reducing the risk of eczema in dogs requires a healthy and appropriate diet. Reducing sources of stress and a healthy lifestyle prevent the outbreak of eczema in dogs. 

What justifies the fragility of the French bulldog in skin problems and eczema?

Dry skin problems are common in French bulldogs. For this breed, genetic allergy is the main cause of skin pathologies. Parasites and fine polluting particles are two other causes of this atopy. These problems can also occur as a result of a food allergy. In this case, the appearance of the lesions is not immediate. It is sometimes necessary to wait several weeks, months, or years before the onset of eczema in the subject. Beef, lamb or chicken meat, wheat, eggs, or dairy products are allergens for the French bulldog.

Another category of allergy is related to contact with atmospheric pollutants. This involves inhaling fine particles contained in dust, pollen, or mold. Insect bites, mites, or contact with chemicals can also cause eczema in these animals. Canine dermatitis refers to the French bulldog's dry skin problems. Its origins are genetic. 

How to treat French bulldog eczema naturally?

Natural Dog Eczema Treatments

Natural treatments for French Bulldog eczema rely on adapting diets. Do not hesitate to include in its diet foods specially designed for animals with sensitive skin. Choose the best foods for your puppy, rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids (Omega 3). Regularly clean the house and its everyday objects. Be careful, in the presence of signs such as the loss of the coat or the appearance of redness on a paw, go quickly to consult a veterinarian. 

Treat eczema with aromatherapy.

There are many essential oils with softening and healing properties. Use it to treat skin lesions and localized pain caused by eczema in your dogs. Compose a recipe consisting of a mixture of hot water, neutral pH soap, fine lavender essential oil, and thyme essential oil. This mixture is ideal for cleaning the wounds of your French bulldog. 

Green clay eczema treatment

Green clay can also be used to treat your French Bulldog's eczema. Take green clay powder and apply it, two to three times a day, to the parts affected by eczema. Add a teaspoon of green clay to its water or food. Maintain the treatment for three weeks, and you will see the benefits yourself.

What treatments should I use to relieve my French Bulldog's itching due to eczema?

Itching causes discomfort and embarrassment to your pet. It is therefore normal that you seek appropriate advice and treatments to relieve his pain. Check out these few tips that you have been able to gather for this purpose. They could be very useful to you, even if you have a small budget.

Treatment with Garlic and Fenugreek

Give garlic and fenugreek tablets to your companion. This will reduce the itching and strengthen your immune system. Add an anti-itch oil to his food, it will give more tone and firmness to his skin. Thus reinforced, the skin envelope forms an impenetrable barrier against allergens. This treatment reduces the amount of dandruff and makes redness disappear in a short time.

Use anti-itch foam

Relieve his itches by applying an anti-itch foam or lotion to the lesions. Bathe him regularly with shampoo and occasionally give your dog an anti-itch spray. Choose shampoos with aloe vera for their softening properties. They will more easily relieve itching and localized pain. Finally, apply a balm to the irritated parts to reduce the pain. 

My French Bulldog has an infection: is it eczema? If yes, what to do?

The occasional scratching of your best friend shouldn't be a cause for concern. It's part of dog life. However, if you notice regular discomfort, scratching, itching, rolling on the ground, shouting, and barking, it is clear that the subject feels embarrassed and is in pain. Intervene as soon as possible to eliminate the problem. Because in the long run, the situation could get worse to the point of causing a behavioral problem. 

Other Recommendations Dedicated to French Bulldogs

There is no form of contamination of French Bulldog skin problems between animals. In humans, tick bites cause Lyme disease. In French bulldogs, it can lead to eczema. Eliminate fleas and ticks with a pest control treatment. The latter also helps to overcome its itching. At the first signs, go to the veterinarian. Thanks to his expertise, he will be able to give you the best advice. In addition to the reliable diagnosis he will provide, he will prescribe an effective treatment for your companion.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

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