How to Treat and Prevent Skin and Ear Issues in French Bulldogs

Posted - February 10, 2025

By Carol Bryant, Professional Pet Blogger

Skin and ear issues in French Bulldogs are some of the most common reasons their owners seek veterinary help. This popular non-sporting breed requires diligent care due to its sensitive skin and predisposition to ear infections. Fortunately, ZYMOX offers a line of veterinarian-recommended products to help prevent ear and skin issues from getting out of control.

According to the American Kennel Club, the French Bulldog has been dubbed one of the most registered purebred dog breeds over the past 10 years. In 2012, it ranked number 12, and as of 2022 and 2023, Frenchies owned the coveted number one spot.

This article will discuss factors like genetics, allergies, and moisture in skin folds and how to manage allergies, infections, hot spots, ear issues, and more.

Understanding Common Skin and Ear Issues in French Bulldogs

Their large bat-like ears and fun disposition make the Frenchie popular with millions of dog lovers. However, their large head, heavy wrinkles, short noses, and the shape of their ear canals make them prone to some health issues.

 According to Veterinary Dermatology, narrow ear canals make brachycephalic (short-nosed/flat-nosed) breeds like French Bulldogs more prone to ear issues. Early prevention and treatment are crucial, given their propensity for allergies and skin itching.

Veterinarian Dr. Lindsey Butzer recommends ZYMOX products to help treat skin and ear infections in French Bulldogs.  Some of her favorites are the ZYMOX Shampoo and ZYMOX ear cleanser.

How to Treat Skin Issues in Frenchies

Frenchies can develop both fungal or bacterial infections on their skin. Unfortunately, the breed is also prone to food and environmental allergies that manifest as itchiness.

Your French Bulldog may have skin bumps, lesions, redness, or swelling, including on the tail folds. These folds create a warm, moist environment where yeast and bacteria thrive. Keeping these areas clean and free of debris is important.

The American Kennel Club says Frenchie’s folds should be kept clean and dry while brushing the coat, which helps promote new hair growth and distributes skin oils through the coat.

Fortunately, ZYMOX’s LP3 enzyme system provides a natural defense against yeast, bacterial, and fungal infections. Our favorites for Frenchies include:

• ZYMOX Advanced Enzymatic Shampoo to soothe and hydrate skin
• ZYMOX Topical Spray with hydrocortisone which provides quick relief for itching and inflammation from hot spots, allergies, and more.
• ZYMOX Topical Cream with hydrocortisone which is ideal for sensitive areas like the face, paws, and skin folds.
• ZYMOX Leave-On Conditioner to help hydrate without rinsing.

Incorporating Zymox’s enzymatic products into your French Bulldog’s skincare routine can relieve common skin issues and promote overall skin health.

How to Treat Ear Infections in Frenchies

Understanding the anatomy of a French Bulldog’s ear canals will help you care for them properly. Unlike a human ear canal, the Frenchie’s ear canal starts vertically and then takes a sharp 90-degree turn. It is almost a backward L shape. Once it turns sharply, it becomes the horizontal ear canal and ends at the tympanic membrane or eardrum.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and keeping ear canals clean is paramount. In most dog breeds, ear canal cells and wax (cerumen) move upward to clean the ear naturally. However, this is not the case with French Bulldogs. Instead, the breed experiences abnormal cell migration, making it more prone to ear infections.

Start by having your veterinarian examine your Frenchie’s ears regularly. An infection or debris may lurk deep in the canal that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Here’s how Dr. Lindsey Butzer recommends cleaning your dog’s ears, including Frenchies.

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 “Zymox ear cleanser provides an effective, non-toxic way to manage dirty ears,” Dr. Butzer says. “The addition of Lactoperoxidase, Lactoferrin, and Lysozyme enzymes have natural bioactive properties for mild microbe control plus gently cleansing surfactants, which makes Zymox Ear cleanser perfect for cleaning dirty ears.”

Like many other pet parents, the folks at Frenchie Journey use and recommend Zymox ear products. In addition to keeping your Frenchie’s ears clean and dry, have the right products on hand to care for them. These include:

• ZYMOX Enzymatic Ear Solution with 0.5% hydrocortisone
• ZYMOX Advanced Enzymatic Ear Wipes
• ZYMOX Otic Enzymatic Solution with 1% hydrocortisone

Be sure to read the description of each product to ensure you can provide fast relief for acute and chronic ear infections without harsh antibiotics.