Canine Acne Treatment

Acne on My Dog... Really?

Canine acne, also called dog acne, does happen. Many cases are mild to moderate and respond to treatment fairly easily. If left alone however, the acne can get worse and lead to secondary bacterial infections.

Just like regular human acne, there is no cure. But again, just like human acne, there are treatment options.

Dogs get acne in their "teenage years", typically when they hit puberty at around 5-8 months of age. It almost always goes away by the time they reach adulthood. This is different from cats, who can get it at almost any point in their lives.

Dogs get blackheads on their chins, muzzle, and lips. It is almost exlcusively seen in breeds that have short hair and large bodies. This includes boxers, English bulldogs, Doberman pinschers, Great Danes, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, and German short-haired pointers.

What are the Causes?

Just like us, dogs have sebaceous glands that produce sebum (oil) to lubricate their skin and fur. Unlike us, some breeds use it for waterproofing and territory marking.

These glands get clogged near the pore, although nobody is really sure how. Doesn't that sound a little familiar to human acne?

Here are some possible factors that could trigger canine acne:

• hormonal imbalances
• a weak immune system
• allergies
• stress

Prevention

• Keep your dog's chin clean.
• Avoid the use of plastic food bowls, as this can irritate the dog's chin. They get nicked and chipped which will scratch the dog and are great breeding grounds for bacteria.
• Feed your dog a healthy diet to ensure healthy skin.

Canine Acne Treatment

Dog chin acne is generally mild to moderate. If you spot it early, it's going to be fairly easy to treat.

If not, it could develop into more severe papules and pustules. Your dog's chin could become itchy, and dog's don't have as much self control with scratching. The scratching will just make things worse.

Wash your dog's chin daily with warm water. If that doesn't appear to be working, try a gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil. If there are open wounds, gentle cleansing with salt water will help.

If you do not see any improvement over the course of a week or two, or if the condition worsens, see a veterinarian. They will be best able to assess the situation and provide the correct solution.

Please Don't...

• use human acne treatments, unless told to do so by your veterinarian.
• pop the dog's pimples as it will only irritate him/her. The bacteria will be pushed underneath the skin and will only make things worse. It's the same reason I highly recommend that people avoid popping pimples too!

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