Your bulldog sounds like they’re auditioning for a scratching competition. The constant itching, licking, and pawing at their skin isn’t just annoying, it’s miserable for them and usually signals underlying problems that won’t resolve on their own.
Bulldogs as a breed deal with allergies and skin issues more than most dogs. Their wrinkled skin, genetic predispositions, and compact bodies create the perfect environment for irritations. Knowing what’s causing all that scratching is the first step toward relief.
At Bullgodz HQ, we actually don’t see a ton of major skin issues in our own dogs, but the few that do pop up almost always trace back to the same root causes, food sensitivities, humidity, and basic maintenance. The good news? Most of these problems are manageable once you know what you’re looking at.
Food Allergies Are More Common Than You Think
That premium dog food might be the problem. Bulldogs frequently develop sensitivities to common proteins and fillers found in commercial kibble.
Chicken is one of the biggest culprits, and in our experience, it’s pretty universal across English Bulldogs. All of ours have chicken allergies, and it’s one of the first things we tell new puppy families to watch for.
Other triggers include beef, dairy, wheat, corn, and soy. The scratching from food allergies usually focuses on paws, ears, belly, and face.
In our program, the very first sign we see is yeast buildup, dark tear stains, goop under the eyes, or discoloration around the snout and tail pocket.
Watch for more than itching:
• Chronic ear infections
• Soft stools
• Vomiting
• Red or inflamed skin
• Excessive tear staining
Elimination diets work but require patience. Switch to a limited-ingredient food with a novel protein source your dog hasn’t eaten before. Salmon, duck, and venison are solid options.
Stick with it for 8–12 weeks before judging results. No cheating. Not a single treat with the wrong protein. One bite can reset the whole test.
For kibble, we personally use Taste of the Wild Ancient Grains. For treats, we use We Feed Raw, and yes, they’re one of our affiliates because they’ve earned that trust.
Environmental Allergens Attack Year-Round
Pollen, dust mites, mold spores, and grass all make Bulldogs itchy. Unlike humans who sneeze and get watery eyes, dogs show allergies through their skin.
Seasonal patterns help identify the source:
• Scratching worse in spring or fall → likely pollen
• Itching year-round → indoor allergens like dust mites or mold
Living in Florida, humidity is one of the biggest triggers we see. It gets trapped in their wrinkles and around their noses, creating perfect yeast conditions during hotter months.
Even though we don’t usually need to wipe paws daily with our own dogs, we always recommend it if an owner sees redness on paws or around the face. Pollen drags in easily and sticks to Bulldogs like Velcro.
Simple fixes help:
• Wipe your dog down after outdoor time
• Focus on paws and faces
• Use air purifiers
• Wash bedding weekly
• Vacuum carpets often
Some Bulldogs benefit from allergy testing or immunotherapy shots. We haven’t needed that route ourselves, but many families swear it’s life-changing when nothing else works.
Yeast Infections Love Bulldogs
You know the smell. Sweet, musty, and a little like gym socks mixed with corn chips, that’s yeast overgrowth, and Bulldogs are prime targets.
Yeast thrives in warm, moist areas:
wrinkles, ear canals, paw pads, and between toes. Once it takes hold, it spreads fast.
Look for:
• Dark brown or rust-colored fur stains
• Greasy or flaky skin
• Obsessive licking
Our wrinkle routine:
• Daily: Scouts Honor Pet Grooming Wipes
• Weekly: Earthbath Waterless Blueberry Facial
• In between: Kin+Kind Nose & Paw Moisture Stick
These help prevent buildup, especially during humid months. Medicated shampoos with chlorhexidine or ketoconazole are effective during active flare-ups. Keeping wrinkles dry is non-negotiable.
Fleas Cause Massive Reactions
You might not see fleas on your Bulldog, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Bulldogs often react intensely to just one or two bites.
The base of the tail is usually ground zero. Check for black specks (flea dirt), and test them on a wet paper towel — reddish-brown staining confirms fleas.
We use Bravecto because it’s one of the few flea/tick preventatives recommended for breeding dogs. Plus, living in the woods, we’ve stayed consistent on flea control since day one.
Treat your home too:
• Vacuum deeply
• Wash all bedding
• Use premise sprays if needed
Flea eggs live in carpets and furniture, not just on your dog.
Dry Skin Makes Everything Worse
Bulldogs can naturally have drier skin, which cracks and itches when combined with frequent bathing, harsh shampoos, low humidity, or poor diet.
If we notice dryness starting, we rub a small amount of coconut oil on the skin. It helps moisturize and has antimicrobial properties. If that isn’t enough, we add fish oil supplements for 6–8 weeks.
Stick to gentle, moisturizing shampoos and limit baths to once a month unless medically needed. Run a humidifier in winter. It helps more than most owners expect.
Contact Irritants Sneak Up on You
New laundry detergent, carpet cleaners, lawn chemicals, or even certain plants can irritate your Bulldog’s skin.
Household cleaners are sneaky. The “easy” ones like spray-and-mop solutions leave more residue than people realize. Bulldogs walk and lay on that residue — and it ends up on their skin.
We always tell families:
• Know your pest control schedule
• Don’t let dogs on freshly treated grass for several hours
• Wash bedding with fragrance-free, dye-free detergent
• Avoid fabric softener entirely
If scratching starts suddenly, think about what changed at home.
Bacterial Infections Join the Party
Itchy skin gets scratched. Scratched skin breaks open. Broken skin invites bacteria. It spirals quickly.
Hot spots show up as moist, red sores that your Bulldog can’t stop messing with.
We’ve treated them before. They usually start as a tiny bald spot and turn into an oozy sore overnight. We use a hot spot hydrogel to dry and soothe the area, and most clear up within a few days.
But if it’s spreading — go to the vet. Antibiotics are sometimes the only fix.
Parasites Beyond Fleas
Mites can cause intense itching and skin issues. Sarcoptic mange causes crusty patches on ears, elbows, and hocks. Demodex affects hair follicles, especially in dogs with weak immune systems.
A vet can diagnose mites with skin scrapings. Treatments vary from medicated baths to oral prescriptions.
Stress & Anxiety Show Up as Scratching
Dogs manifest anxiety physically. Excessive licking, chewing, or scratching often becomes compulsive.
Heat cycles and pregnancy can throw yeast levels off completely — we see this every time, and cleaning becomes a daily job.
Some Bulldogs also stress-lick their paws even with zero allergies. Owners will test for everything under the sun and find nothing medically wrong. This is where routine, enrichment, and sometimes supplements help.
We personally recommend:
• Consistent daily structure
• Enrichment toys
• And for overall health, NuVet (our go-to supplement for digestion, coat, joints, and immune support)
Hormonal Imbalances Play a Role
Hypothyroidism and other hormonal issues can show up as dry skin, hair loss, or recurring infections. Bloodwork is the only accurate way to diagnose these disorders.
If scratching isn’t improving after addressing allergies, ask your vet about thyroid testing.
Get Proper Diagnosis Before Treatment
Don’t guess at what’s causing your Bulldog’s itching. Different conditions require different treatments, and the wrong approach wastes time and money.
Your vet can run skin scrapings, cytology, allergy tests, and bloodwork to pinpoint causes. Sometimes multiple factors layer on top of each other.
Before the appointment, document:
• When the itching worsens
• What body parts are affected
• Photos or videos of flare-ups
And as we tell all our puppy families:
An ounce of maintenance saves you hundreds or thousands in vet bills later. Feed the right food. Keep wrinkles clean. Use the right supplements. Watch for changes early.
Relief is absolutely possible once you identify the root cause. Your Bulldog doesn’t have to live with constant itching, and you don’t have to listen to scratching all night. The detective work is worth it.