How To Clean French Bulldog Wrinkles And Folds

French bulldogs are known for their adorable squished and wrinkly face! But those cute face wrinkles need regular cleaning and little TLC. 

Face wrinkles are a dark and moist environment which is perfect for bacteria and yeast to grow. Cleaning your Frenchie's wrinkles is a must and helps prevent infection.

It is recommended to clean your Frenchie's wrinkles and folds at least once a week or more if needed (some Frenchies might need their wrinkles cleaned at least once a day).

Most Frenchie breeders and veterinarian recommend using unscented baby wipes or just a soft cloth with warm water to clean a French Bulldog's wrinkles and folds. Here’s the easy cleaning method I like to use for my dogs:

1. Wash your hands before and after cleaning

It's important to have clean hands to prevent adding bacteria to the wrinkles or eyes.

2. Gently wipe the face wrinkles 

Gently remove any debris or eye goo from the wrinkles with an unscented baby wipes or a soft cloth with warm water. Use a different wipe for each wrinkle to prevent cross-contamination. 

3. Dry the wrinkles

With a clean cloth or a clean tissue, gently dry the wrinkles to remove any moisture. Moisture creates ideal conditions for bacteria and yeast to grow and may cause rashes or infections.

4. Apply a wrinkle cream

If your Frenchie has tear stains, you can use a special wrinkle cream for Bulldogs such as Squishface Wrinkle Paste or Two Pets and a Half Wrinkle cream. Wrinkle creams also help to clean and protect your dog's wrinkles and folds.

5. Moisturize

If your dog’s wrinkles are dry you can put a small amount of Vaseline or coconut oil in the wrinkle.

6. Clean the “tail pocket”

If your Frenchie has a tail pocket, which is a fold underneath the tail, (not every French Bulldog has them) clean it using the same method to prevent infection.

7. Consult your veterinarian for any sign of infection.

Signs of infection can appear as redness or inflammation, discharge, an unpleasant odor, or dry/itchy areas.

This method can also be used for other dog breeds with wrinkles such as English Bulldogs, Pugs, Mastiffs, Boston terriers, Basset hounds, Shar-Peis, etc.

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Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian, just a Frenchie mom. The information in this article is not intended to replace the advice of your veterinarian.

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