This article was co-authored by Lancy Woo. Lancy Woo is a Certified Pet Groomer and the Owner of VIP Grooming, a pet grooming salon based in San Francisco, California. VIP Grooming has served San Francisco for over 35 years. Lancy received her pet grooming certification from the WWPSA (Western Word Pet Supply Association). VIP Grooming has been voted "Best in the Bay" in 2007, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019 and won Bay Woof’s "Beast of Bay" in 2014. In 2018, Lancy's work contributed to VIP Grooming's acceptance onto San Francisco's Office of Economic and Workforce Development's Legacy Business Registry.
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One of the primary health risks for a pug is infections growing inside their facial wrinkles. This can be easily avoided by cleaning them daily. To clean your pug's wrinkles, select a cleaning supply. Gently lift each wrinkle and clean the skin and fur. Make sure to dry the wrinkles completely after you finish cleaning. If you notice any signs of an infection, take your pug to the vet for evaluation.
Steps
Beginning the Cleaning Process
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1Select a cleaning product. You can clean your pug's facial folds using a variety of different products. You may have some of these products around your home already, which can save you a trip to the pet store.[1]
- Canine facial wipes are the best option. You can get them at a pet store, vet's office, or order them online. If you don't have canine facial wipes, hypoallergenic and sanitary baby wipes can work in a pinch.
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2Gather other supplies. If you're not using wipes, you will need something to apply your cleaner. You can use a thin, clean rag, cotton swabs, or gauze. You will also need a dry rag to dry off the fur between the folds when you finish cleaning your pug.[2]Advertisement
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3Inspect the folds prior to cleaning. Do not start cleaning the folds until you make sure they are free of rashes and sores. You do not want to clean a pug's folds if they're irritated, as this can make the issue worse.[3]
- Gently lift up the folds and examine the skin in between.
- If the skin is red, do not clean the folds. You should also refrain from cleaning the folds if there's a strong odor or if you notice any sores or a musty smell.
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4Add the solution, if necessary. If you're not using wipes, you will have to add your cleaning solution to a cotton swab, towel, or gauze. Dab the cloth, swab, or gauze in your cleaning solution. You only need a light amount of the solution to clean your pug's facial wrinkles.[4]
Completing the Cleaning Process
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1Clean one side of the dog's face. Gently lift up the skin to get to the area between the facial folds. Run the cloth or wipe across the length of the folds. Continue wiping the folds until the cloth is clean after wiping.[5]
- Make sure to be gentle. Wiping too hard can cause irritation to your pug's skin.
- Use one sweeping motion when wiping the folds. You do not want to rub the skin.
- Be sure to wipe the entire length of the facial fold.
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2Clean both sides of the dog's face. Once you've finished cleaning one side of your dog's face, repeat the process on the other side. Use the same process as before. Remember to be gentle and not to rub your dog's skin.[6]
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3Dry your dog's skin completely completely. Leaving the skin between folds wet can cause complications.[7] This greatly increases your dog's risk for skin irritation, rashes, and infections. After you finish cleaning the skin between the folds, use a clean cloth to wipe the skin dry.[8]
- Again, use a single sweeping motion. Make sure not to rub the skin.
- Keep swiping until the wrinkle is completely dry to the touch.
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4Reward your pug after grooming. You want your dog to leave a grooming session feeling positive. If your dog dislikes cleaning, it may become resistant to the process. Always make sure to reward your dog after cleaning its facial folds.[9]
- Give your dog a treat and praise after you finish the cleaning process.
- You should also talk to your dog throughout the process. Praise it for sitting still and allowing you to clean it.
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5Clean the wrinkles daily. You should clean your dog's facial wrinkles each day. Pugs are very prone to skin rashes and infections due to their facial folds. Daily cleaning is necessary to your dog's health and comfort.[10]
Handling Complications
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1Watch for signs of infection. You want to address a potential infection right away. Your dog will need veterinary intervention to address the issue. You may notice browning of the skin between the folds in the case of an infection. You may also notice hair loss and redness.[11]
- In the event of an infection, there may be a strong, musty smell coming from your dog's face. Any unusual smells should be evaluated by a vet.
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2Seek treatment from a veterinarian. If you suspect an infection, make an appointment with your vet. Your vet can help you think of a safe treatment plan for your dog.[12]
- You will have to clean the infected area more frequently. You may also have to apply topical medications to the area.
- In rare cases, the infected skin folds may have to be removed surgically.
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3Take steps to prevent an infection. Daily cleaning is the best means to prevent an infection. However, obese pugs may be more prone to skin infections. If your dog is overweight, talk to your vet about how to address the issue. You may have to cut back on your dog's food or increase its daily physical exercise.[13]
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat is the best food to feed my pug?
Community AnswerIt depends on how healthy your pug is, what size, weight, and which food he prefers. Talk to your vet for recommendations. -
QuestionCan I use almond oil to remove crusty parts on my pugs face?
Community AnswerYes, almond oil is soft for the skin so you can use it to remove crusts. However, make sure that you are not busting the skin or irritating it to much, because this can cause extra crusts to appear. -
QuestionHow many times a day do I need to walk with my pug?
20DragonGirl17Community AnswerAt least three times per week.
Warnings
- You need to make sure the folds are dry after cleaning or else all the work would be counter-productive.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Never use soap on the washcloth or a dog face wipe that isn't animal safe.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Never clean your pug's face with just water.⧼thumbs_response⧽
References
- ↑ http://www.petpugdog.com/pug-wrinkles
- ↑ http://www.petpugdog.com/pug-wrinkles
- ↑ http://www.dummies.com/pets/dogs/caring-for-a-pugs-ears-and-wrinkles/
- ↑ http://www.petpugdog.com/pug-wrinkles
- ↑ http://www.petpugdog.com/pug-wrinkles
- ↑ http://www.dummies.com/pets/dogs/caring-for-a-pugs-ears-and-wrinkles/
- ↑ Lancy Woo. Certified Pet Groomer. Expert Interview. 26 February 2020.
- ↑ http://www.petpugdog.com/pug-wrinkles
- ↑ http://www.clickertraining.com/node/3199
About This Article
Before you clean your pug's facial wrinkles, make sure they're free from rashes or sores, since cleaning them could make them worse. If you do notice signs of infection, like browning skin, hair less, and a pungent smell, you should take your pug to a doctor for a diagnosis. If its skin is healthy, use canine or hypoallergenic baby wipes to wipe one side of your pug’s face at a time. You should lift the skin up to get to the area between its folds and gently run the wipe across. When you’ve cleaned both sides of your pug’s face, dry its skin with a clean cloth to avoid irritation from trapped moisture. Try to clean its wrinkles every day to reduce the chance of skin rashes and infections. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to spot signs of skin infection in your pug, read on!
