Below is a quick, fun guide for bulldog moms and dads who’ve seen one too many belly scratches, mystery rashes, upsetting balding, and that funky, ever-changing rainbow of bulldog skin discoloration […]
Let’s be honest, our bulldogs are cute enough to break the internet… but their skin and skinfolds? Sometimes it feels like it’s running its own reality show.
Here are five misunderstood “skin bugs” every bulldog owner should know about, minus the drama and “Dr. Google” confusion.
#1 Fleas & Flea Allergy:
The Tiny Ninjas With a Drama Queen Energy
Fleas are the Beyoncé (Madonna if you are my generation) of skin bugs, everybody knows their name, but not everyone understands their life story.
They don’t just show up, take one bite, and leave. Oh no. They have a whole life cycle 95% of which is your home and yard, and if you don’t interrupt it, they’ll move in like bad roommates.
Fleas & Tapeworms
And here’s the kicker: Fleas = tapeworms.
Yes, ladies, the glamour continues. If your bulldog has fleas, they might also get an intestinal hitchhiker in the form of tapeworms.
👉 Want the full guide flea, flea allergy and tapeworm? The symptoms, diagnosis, prevention, and how to shut down the flea–tapeworm party? Click HERE.
#2 Demodex Red Mite Mange:
The “I’m Usually Harmless… Until I’m Not” Mite
Most breeds handle Demodex mites like champs, just a few bald patches as puppies, and they grow out of it.
But bulldogs? Well… we love them, but their immune systems and genetics sometimes act like they forgot to clock in for work.
So in addition to the mild form, bulldogs often get the more serious long term adult generalized demodex, which is often misdiagnosed and that’s where the trouble begins
The mild puppy form isn’t itchy, but the adult bulldog version usually comes with a secondary infection, which itchy “allergy level itchy”!.
WARNING: Adult generalized demodex often gets mistaken for allergies, So what happens? They get put on steroids, and that leads to:
- more mites
- more infection
- more flare-ups
- more drama (emotional and dermatological)
Basically, steroids throw gasoline on a mite fire.
👉 Curious about types, diagnosis, prevention & proper bulldog-safe treatment? Click HERE.
#3 Sarcoptic Mange Scabies:
The “OMG Why Is Everyone Itching?!” Mite
This one is less common in bulldogs but WAY itchier.
Like… “wake-you-up-at-2AM scratching” itchy.
The important part: Sarcoptic mange is contagious to other pets AND humans. If your bulldog is itchy and so is your cat… and your husband… and maybe you, raise the alarm.
WARNING: Also, unlike demodex, this mite loves to play hide-and-seek, skin scrapes testing often miss it, even after multiple tries.
#4 Ringworm Infection:
Not a Worm, Not Cute, and Definitely Not a Ring
Despite the name, ringworm is not a worm at all—just a cranky fungus with a flair for dramatic circular lesions.
It’s uncommon in bulldogs, but when it shows up, it’s contagious to both pets and people. Think of it as the houseguest no one invited but everyone has to deal with.
👉 For diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and decontamination tips, click HERE.
#5 Yeast Infection:
The Frenemy Living on Your Bulldog’s Skin
Yeast isn’t the villain most people think it is. It’s actually part of your bulldog’s normal skin ecosystem, like that one friend who’s fine as long as she doesn’t drink too much caffeine (or tequilas).
Yeast only becomes a problem when something ELSE goes wrong, its secondary to
- allergies
- skin barrier damage
- hormonal imbalance
- immune suppression
- wrinkles that stay moist
- ear inflammation
- medications overuse
WARNING: yeast ≠ tear stains.
Tear stains have zero to do with yeast, bugs, or any creature from a science documentary.
👉 Want the full scoop on yeast, wrinkles, ears, and tear stains? Click HERE.
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