Atopic dermatitis in French bulldogs is one of the most common conditions that are triggered by food ingredients, yeast infection, and environmental allergens. Itchy behavior, red skin, bald patches, bumps, and hot spots are only some of the symptoms that can be difficult to cure. Due to the hereditary nature, some breeds are on a higher tendency to suffer from atopic dermatitis, and Frenchies are one of them.
What causes atopic dermatitis in French Bulldogs?
Atopic dermatitis in French bulldogs may lead to severe skin damages and progress into an infection that requires topical and antibiotic treatment. To prevent your pooch from this condition, it’s essential to ’wisely invest’ in his immunity. Dogs who eat food rich in byproducts, artificial flavors, and other harmful ingredients will be on a higher tendency to suffer. Therefore, you should feed a dog with a healthy and well-balanced diet in order to have a stronger immune system and become less susceptible to health issues.
Since food can be one of the triggers for occurring atopic dermatitis in French bulldogs, you need to determine the root of the problem. Usually, skin allergy can be caused by eating a diet with a high percentage of grains. According to the experts’ opinions, corn, wheat, and soy are common culprits. Besides itchiness, these ingredients also cause stomach flatulence that is very common in French bulldogs.
Another thing to examine is whether your Frenchie shows itchy behavior when it comes to contact with an environmental allergen. Seasonal pollen, dust, mites, fleas, ticks, and molds are only some of the potential threats.
Itchy skin in French Bulldogs- Diagnosis
Once your vet determined the condition, he’ll perform several tests. The Intradermal allergy test represents a traditional method of testing. On the other hand, serologic allergy testing is a more comfortable way since it requires only blood examination. Since atopic dermatitis can be persistent, you may need several months to control it. Unfortunately, even when the treatment is successful, the symptoms may flare again. Therefore, it’s extremely important to strengthen a dog’s immunity. Like we previously said, the food your dog eats must contain a high amount of healthy proteins. If you want to switch your Frenchie to another diet, we recommend you read the article about the best food brands for French bulldogs.
What shampoos to use to relieve atopic dermatitis in French bulldogs?
Choosing the right shampoo for a French bulldog might sound challenging because of their sensitive skin. Therefore, before you pick the right one for your pet, we recommend you to carefully read the label. Using human and baby shampoos is also not recommended because dogs have different pH of the skin (between 6,50 -7,50).
As one of the best shampoos for Frenchies that relieves itchiness is the following SOS Natural French bulldog shampoo. It contains Aloe Vera which is famous for anti-inflammatory features. It is one of the most widely used herbs for treating topical skin conditions. The shampoo comes in a big package of 530ml and has been tested by Royal Veterinary College, University of London.
Natural remedies to treat itchy and irritated skin in French bulldogs?
Aside from using a prescribed therapy that usually includes using steroid creams and gels, and antibiotics, you can ease your dog’s suffer by trying a natural way too. Let’s find out what you can use to help your dog with this year-round issue.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil features magical powers when we talk about itchy and irritated skin. Besides, it also helps in healing wounds and possesses antimicrobial properties. You can apply it on your dog’s paws, on the armpits, and belly area. It may also serve as a useful ingredient for treating hyperkeratosis in French bulldogs.
Oatmeal bath
Oatmeal is very beneficial for a dog’s skin. It is actually one of the most recommended ingredients for treating atopic dermatitis. Since it’s easy to prepare an oatmeal bath at home, we advise you to follow these steps:
- prepare 200ml of warm water
- add a 200g of grounded oat
- mix these two ingredients and gently massage the dog’s skin
- leave it for approximately 20 min
- rinse the dog’s skin with warm water
Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids
To strengthen the dog’s immunity and improve his coat, we advise you to add a supplement rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Fish represent one of the biggest sources of Omega 3 oils. Therefore, it’s a good idea to include it in your French bulldog’s diet too.
Switch to a raw diet for French bulldogs
There are many studies that show a great progress in relieving itchiness in dogs who eat a raw diet. It’s the best way to tailor your Frenchie’s menu according to his age and needs. Since you’re the only one who will choose the ingredients, your dog’s health will undergo a complete makeover. Your French bulldog’s coat will become smooth, shiny, and he will heal atopic dermatitis.
Wear clothes
If your Frenchie suffers from environmental allergies then you should dress him in clothes every time you go outside. The allergens such as seasonal pollen will hook onto the skin and cause irritations. Thus, regardless of the part of the year, your pooch should wear a lightweight piece of clothing. During the summer season, it can be a mesh vest that allows skin breathing.
