What Can I Use on a Chapped Bulldog's Face?

Bulldogs and other breeds can have pale skin and thin fur along their faces. This lack of protection can make them sensitive to abrasion and sunlight, and even a small amount of time spent in the sun can result in sunburns for these animals. Luckily, several treatments are available that can treat this issue and are safe for you to use on your chapped bulldog's face.

  1. Aloe Vera

    • Used to treat chapped skin and burns of various types, aloe vera contains both an anti-inflammatory agent and a pain reliever. You can buy aloe vera at most drugstores in various creams, which you should apply gently and thinly to the affected areas several times a day. If the affected areas are in places your dog might lick, then use an aloe vera salve without ingredients that might harm your dog.

    Cold Compresses

    • Often when no other alternatives are available, cool compresses can soothe the pain and discomfort of chapped skin. Make a cool compress by soaking a damp washcloth in a small dish of cold milk. Wring the cloth of any excess moisture, and apply it to the affected area of the dog's face. The lactic acid in the milk will help reduce swelling.

    Vitamin E

    • You can buy liquid vitamin E at most drugstores, or in a pinch, you can puncture vitamin E gel capsules and squeeze the resulting liquid onto a washcloth. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and can reduce itching and redness. Some veterinarians also recommend giving vitamin E orally as well as topically. Vitamin E is completely harmless to dogs.

    Caution

    • If your dog's skin is chapped, then it may be because of treatable conditions, such as yeast cultures growing between the wrinkles in its skin or allergies. If your bulldog's face is frequently chapped, without any identifiable cause, such as sunburn, then schedule a visit with your veterinarian. You can treat such conditions by administering certain antihistamines, ensuring a proper diet for the dog and regularly bathing and cleaning your dog.