Dog acne is a real problem, especially, for certain breeds. If you’ve ever wondered “can Pugs get Pimples?”, you’re in the right place. We’re going to take a look at what age your Pug can start developing acne.
Can Pugs Get Pimples?
Yes, Pugs are extremely prone to getting Pimples as well as other short-haired breeds such as boxers, English Bulldogs, Rottweilers, Great Danes, and others.
Just like you and I can get bumps and spots on our skin, Pugs can get acne on different parts of their body. Most dogs will have mild cases of acne, however, some will develop severe acne problems.
Both cats and dogs are susceptible to acne.
Whatever you do, you do not want to squeeze these pimples. That will only cause the problem to spread to other parts of their body. Read this article if you want to know how to get rid of their acne.
What Is Canine Acne?
Canine acne is an inflammatory disorder that usually develops around or on the lips, muzzle, face and other parts of a canine’s skin.
Dogs with mild cases will usually develop red bumps or pustules (pimples) on their skin. Swelling of the lips and muzzle, scabs on the face, and bleeding can occur in more severe cases.
If left untreated it can cause permanent scarring for your pooch.
What Causes Pug Acne?
Canine acne is no different than humans in the fact that it is caused when your pup goes through puberty. It is also triggered by a combination of excess oily sebum and dead skin cells.
These dead skin cells cause the hair follicles to become clogged which results in raised red bumps, whiteheads, or blackheads.
There are literally tons of different reasons why some Pugs develop acne including hormonal changes, genetic factors, food, trauma, and environmental allergies.
Bad hygiene can also be a cause of acne. It’s especially important to practice good bathe your Pug once in a while. Bad doggie dental care may also attribute to acne problems.
Make sure that you’re brushing your dog’s teeth and giving them dental chews every once in a while to help promote good oral hygiene.
Sometimes, it is just a normal part of adolescence that no matter what preventative measures you take, it’s just a way of life.
Read this article to find out what type of skin disorders can affect a Pug.
What Does Pug Acne Look Like?
Maybe you’ve never seen a Pug with pimples? I know I hadn’t, especially, since Mindy, my black Pug never had any.
Well, after doing some research I found an image on Flickr that shows a Pug dog with acne.
Loki does not have a terrible case of acne, but the video below will give you an idea of how bad this condition can be if left untreated.
This 8-month-old Pug has a terrible case of facial and ear pimples.
You never want to let your dog’s acne get this bad.
Symptoms of Dog Acne
Pugs are susceptible to several different types of skin disorders. However, if they are struggling with acne, you’ll notice the following:
- Red Bumps
- Scars from lesions that may have healed
- Inflammation
- Pus-filled pimples
- Pain/irritation (they might rub their face against the furniture or carpet for relief)
- Cringe when you touch their lesions from the pain
The most important thing to keep in mind is that acne will make your Pug feel discomfort, depending on the severity of the issue.
You should never take this condition lightly.
Types of Canine Acne
Nasal Acne: occurs when you have a puppy that loves digging or is constantly sticking their nose in unsuitable places.
Juvenile Acne: starts developing when your puppy is about six months of age and will not usually go away until your pup reaches adulthood.
Superficial Acne: this is when bumps and pimples develop on your pet’s chin, lips, and muzzle.
Hyperkeratosis: Your dog produces too much keratin, which results in the appearance of calluses on their body. This condition is a thickening of the skin, which resemble pimples.
Interdigital Acne or Furunculosis: Boils that develop between your puppy’s paws. This is usually caused by the bristly hair follicles that are overgrown and forced into your pup’s skin when they walk.
Breeds Most Affected By Acne
This condition is known to affect short-haired dogs and the following breeds are prone to deal with this condition.
- Doberman Pinschers
- Mastiffs
- English Bulldogs
- Great Danes
- Weimaraners
- Rottweillers
- German Shorthaired Pointers
- Pugs
Other breeds than these can be affected by acne, but the breeds above are more susceptible to acne.
Teenage Dog Acne
Dog acne tends to affect puppies around five to eight months of age. In most cases, acne is a benign disorder that typically lasts for a while.
Once your pooch reaches adulthood, this problem tends to disappear. However, if Fido’s acne is a severe case, it may not go away on its own.
Read this article to find out the aging timeline of your Pug.
Pugs are prone to acne and this is why it’s important to feed them the right food to help prevent these types of skin conditions and bathe them on a regular basis.
You also want to make sure that you’re feeding them in a stainless steel bowl like one of these to prevent this condition.
Where to Look for Pimples?
Dog pimples are caused by a hormonal fluctuation and if your Pug is going through puberty (4 to 12 months old) they may start developing pimples along the chin, face or even other parts of their body.
Pugs are more prone to this condition because their wrinkles can hold a lot of food and debris that can pimples and other skin conditions. These wrinkle wipes are great for keeping their skin folds clean.
Do Dog Pimples Go Away?
In most cases, your dog’s acne is not a huge medical issue, it’s just a part of growing up.
Just like teenagers, this condition usually goes away on its own. If you have a pimple faced Pug puppy, there’s a good chance that this condition will go away by the time he reaches adulthood.
Of course, if it doesn’t then you will want to take them to your veterinarian to make sure that it is acne and not a deeper underlying problem.
References and Further Reading
K9 of Mine – Can Dogs Get Zits? An Intro to Canine Acne
VCA Hospitals – Acne In Dogs