Bulldog Shampoo: Our 6 Picks for the Best Dog Shampoo for Bulldogs

Known for his massive build and wrinkled skin, the Bulldog, is one of the most recognizable breeds out there. Not only are these dogs easy to identify, but they are easy to get along with as well! They have friendly, often goofy personalities and they absolutely love spending time with family – they also make wonderful family pets.

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Though the Bulldog is a fairly low-maintenance breed in terms of its exercise needs, his wrinkled skin requires a moderate amount of care. Without regular baths and proper skin care, your Bulldog could develop all manner of skin problems such as skin fold dermatitis, demodectic mange, and skin allergies.

As a Bulldog owner, it is your job to understand the skin problems to which the breed is prone and to take steps to prevent them. In this article, you’ll find an assortment of tips to help you care for your Bulldog’s skin as well as our recommendations for the top 6 bulldog shampoos.

What to Look for in a Top-Rated Bulldog Shampoo

The same feature that makes the Bulldog so recognizable is also the one that causes the most trouble. Because the Bulldog’s skin is so loose, it forms folds around his face and neck. When these folds get wet, the trapped moisture can harbor bacteria which may cause a skin infection – it can also lead to a condition called skin fold dermatitis. This breed is also prone to other skin problems like demodectic mange, contact allergies, and food allergies.

Many people don’t realize that dogs are just as prone to allergies as humans are – their fur is not a forcefield that protects them from everything. Your Bulldog can be allergic to environmental allergens like dust, pollen, and mold as well as food ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy. In terms of skin infections, fungal (yeast) infections and bacterial skin infections are the most common. Demodectic mange is caused by tiny parasites and is particularly common in puppies. Keeping your dog’s skin and coat clean is an important step in prevention, so you’ll want to have a good shampoo on hand.

Here are a few things to look for when shopping for Bulldog shampoo:

  • Hypoallergenic – Because the Bulldog is so highly prone to skin problems, choosing a hypoallergenic shampoo designed to minimize the risk of a negative reaction is very important.
  • Deodorizing – Generally speaking, if you keep your dog’s skin and coat clean you shouldn’t have trouble with odor but choosing a shampoo made with deodorizing agents couldn’t hurt to keep your dog smelling fresh between baths.
  • Moisturizing – Natural moisturizers like oatmeal and aloe vera should be included in your dog’s shampoo, especially if he has itchy and dry skin or is recovering from an infection or allergy.
  • pH Balanced – A dog’s skin has a different pH than human skin (between 6.5 and 7.5), so look for a shampoo that is pH-balanced specifically for dogs.

In addition to looking for these qualities in a good dog shampoo, you should also pay attention to the ingredients that are NOT included. Avoid products made with heavy artificial fragrances and other artificial additives. You should also avoid irritating ingredients like paraben, sulfate, and phosphate.

Different Types of Shampoos for Bulldogs

Now that you have a better idea what qualities to look for in a Bulldog shampoo, you are ready to start shopping. Here is a quick overview of some of the different types of shampoos for Bulldogs you’ll see:

  • Puppy-Safe – As sensitive as your Bulldog’s skin is, it is even more sensitive in puppies. Puppy-safe shampoo is typically made with gentle soap-free cleansers for mild cleansing action.
  • General Purpose – A good general-purpose shampoo for Bulldogs will be hypoallergenic and made with natural moisturizers and conditioning agents.
  • Flea and Tick – These shampoos are designed to kill fleas and ticks on contact, but most do not provide the same lasting protection you’d get from a monthly topical preventive or flea collar.
  • Antifungal/Antibacterial – Yeast infections and bacterial skin infections are fairly common in Bulldogs, and a good medicated shampoo can help resolve the infection while also soothing and rejuvenating your dog’s itchy and irritated skin.
  • Benzoyl Peroxide – This type of shampoo is designed to relieve demodectic mange, seborrhea dermatitis, and other skin problems while cleansing and moisturizing your Bulldog’s coat.
  • Conditioner – Because you want to avoid bathing your Bulldog too often, it’s important to use a product that will keep his skin and coat moisturized between baths. You can find 2-in-1 shampoo conditioners as well as stand-alone conditioners and leave-in conditioning spray.

There are many more shampoos out there, but these are the types you’ll most likely find yourself using for a Bulldog. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our top 6 picks for the best Bulldog shampoo.

The 6 Best Dog Shampoos for Bulldogs

The best shampoo for Bulldogs will be gentle, hypoallergenic, and made with natural ingredients. You want a shampoo that will gently cleanse and deodorize your dog’s skin and coat while also moisturizing it for long-lasting protection. Here are some of our top picks for the best dog shampoo for Bulldogs:

Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

Overall Best Bulldog Dog Shampoo: To keep your Bulldog’s skin and coat clean and in good condition, try this Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner. This 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner is ultra-gentle for your dog’s sensitive skin and made with natural soothing and moisturizing ingredients. It features natural botanical extracts with essential oils as well as soap-free cleansers and natural deodorizers. Plus, it is made in the USA and free from harsh and irritating ingredients.

  • Pros: Natural soap-free formula, 2-in-1 shampoo, and conditioner, creates a rich lather, leaves coat silky and shiny, pure botanical extracts, natural conditioners, natural deodorizers
  • Cons: Scent may not last long after the bath

TropiClean Hypoallergenic Gentle Coconut Puppy Shampoo

Best Shampoo for Bulldog Puppies: If you’re concerned about your puppy’s sensitive skin, this TropiClean Hypoallergenic Gentle Coconut Puppy Shampoo may be the right choice. Made with simple, natural ingredients, this shampoo is soap-free and ultra-gentle. With its super-mild formula, this shampoo cleans and deodorizes your puppy’s skin and coat, leaving him smelling fresh until the next bath. This shampoo won’t interfere with flea and tick treatments, and it naturally replenishes your puppy’s skin moisture. It is also a tear-free formula, so you don’t have to worry about irritating your puppy’s eyes or nose.

  • Pros: Ultra-gentle soap-free formula, coconut-based cleansers, mild for sensitive skin, simple natural ingredients, tear-free formula, replenishes skin moisture
  • Cons: Scent may be too strong for some puppies, bottle cap may break easily

Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Shampoo

Best Shampoo for Sensitive Skin: If your Bulldog has particularly sensitive skin, this Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Shampoo may be a good option. Made with soothing natural ingredients, this soap-free formula gently cleanses your dog’s skin and coat while moisturizers like aloe vera and oatmeal leave his skin soft and his coat shiny. This shampoo heals and hydrates dry, itchy skin while also neutralizing odor. It has a lovely vanilla and almond scent, and it is 100% biodegradable and both paraben- and phosphate-free. This shampoo is great for adult Bulldogs but also safe for use in puppies over 6 weeks of age.

  • Pros: Soap-free recipe, natural moisturizers such as oatmeal and aloe vera, both cleans and deodorizes, gentle vanilla almond scent, 100% biodegradable, paraben- and phosphate-free
  • Cons: Some dogs dislike the scent, may not relieve severe itching

3 More Top-Rated Dog Shampoos for Bulldogs

If the three Bulldog shampoos reviewed above don’t seem quite right, don’t worry – there are plenty of other options out there. Here are 3 more top-rated shampoos for Bulldogs:

Davis Benzoyl Peroxide Dog & Cat Shampoo

If your Bulldog has problems with demodectic mange or dermatitis, a benzoyl peroxide shampoo might be in order. Davis Benzoyl Peroxide Dog & Cat Shampoo is a great option because it contains 2.5% benzoyl peroxide for easy skin penetration but also provides deep cleansing and moisturizing benefits. This shampoo opens and flushes the hair follicles to clean and promote healing, plus it works as a degreaser if your Bulldog has a problem coat. It is made in the USA and is very safe and effective.

Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo

For Bulldogs with skin infections, a medicated shampoo like this Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo might be a good option. This shampoo is formulated to relieve fungal (yeast) infections as well as bacterial skin infections, helping to soothe your dog’s itchy and irritated skin while also promoting healing. This product features soothing natural ingredients like aloe vera but also contains active ingredients like benzethonium chloride and ketoconazole. All in all, this formula is very safe and effective, plus it is 100% paraben-free.

Vet’s Best Hypoallergenic Shampoo for Dogs

Another excellent option for a general-purpose shampoo for Bulldogs is this Vet’s Best Hypoallergenic Shampoo for Dogs. This hypoallergenic shampoo cleanses and moisturizes your dog’s skin to leave him looking and feeling his best. It features simple natural ingredients like vitamin E and aloe vera to support sensitive skin health while also improving the condition of your dog’s coat. It won’t affect flea and tick treatments, and it is very gentle with its tearless, soap-free formula.

7 Tips for Bathing a Bulldog

Bathing your Bulldog should be a fairly straightforward process – you place him in the tub with some warm water and go to town. To get the most out of your baths, however, we’ve collected a quick series of Bulldog bathing tips:

  1. Before bathing, go over your Bulldog’s coat with a stiff brush or blow dryer to remove any dirt and dander from his skin as well as any dead or loose hairs.
  2. Put down a nonslip mat or towel on the bottom of the tub so your Bulldog has good footing – if the tub is slippery it could make your dog nervous, and he may try to jump out and hurt himself in doing so.
  3. Avoid getting your Bulldog’s face and ears wet in the bath but be sure to clean them afterward with a dog facial cleanser or alcohol-free wipe to remove bacteria.
  4. Pay close attention to your Bulldog’s skin during bathing – you want to check all of the folds and look for signs of irritation or infection.
  5. Be very thorough when rinsing your dog’s coat – you want to remove all traces of soap residue, so it doesn’t dry out or irritate his skin.
  6. After bathing, make sure your Bulldog’s skin is thoroughly dried – if moisture becomes trapped in the skin folds it can harbor infection-causing bacteria.
  7. Brush your Bulldog once more after bathing, just to make sure you get all the loose hair out of his coat – you can also check his coat as you go to make sure it’s completely dry.

The Bulldog is not a high-maintenance breed like many others, but his skin and coat do require a certain degree of care. By following these tips and using one of our recommended dog shampoos, you can keep your Bulldog’s skin and coat in optimal condition.

FAQ:

How often should a Bulldog be bathed? – There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question because each Bulldog is different. Generally speaking, you should only need to bathe your Bulldog as often as he gets dirty enough to necessitate a bath. You want to avoid exposing his skin to too much moisture because it can become trapped in the folds and harbor bacteria. You can use alcohol-free wipes between baths to keep the skin clean and dry. As long as you brush your Bulldog a few times a week, frequent baths shouldn’t be necessary – you should be able to get away with one bath every 8 to 12 weeks.

How can I make my Bulldog smell better? – Before you take any steps to resolve Bulldog odor, you need to identify the cause of the odor. If your Bulldog has dry, itchy, or irritated skin, excess odor could be the result of demodectic mange or a skin infection which may require treatment with medicated shampoo. Otherwise, keeping your Bulldog smelling fresh is a matter of regular brushing and keeping his skin folds clean and dry. You should also brush your dog’s teeth as often as he’ll let you and clean his ears once every week or two. Feeding him a high-quality, easily digestible diet can also improve odor by reducing gas.

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