Do Chinese Crested Dogs get blackheads, particularly the hairless variety? Due to most breeds bearing a hearty coat of fur, it’s easy not to think about the condition of a dog’s skin aside from rashes or dandruff.
However, those who own hairless dogs will notice things going on with their dog’s skin that others won’t.
So, do Chinese Crested Dogs get blackheads? Yes, they can. Blackheads typically develop due to dry skin. Repeated or excessive washing and scrubbing can cause dry skin, causing essential oils to be washed away. It can also be due to a bacterial skin infection or clogged pores.
Not every Chinese Crested Dog has a problem with Blackheads, but when they do- they do.
Not every case of blackheads is necessarily cured completely on every dog. Sometimes it is a reoccurring problem that can span the dog’s life.
However, there are things you can do to decrease the number of blackheads on your dog’s skin and decrease the frequency of breakouts, should this appear as a life-long issue.
Can I Pop My Chinese Crested Dog’s Blackheads?
As tempting as it may be, avoid popping your dog’s blackheads. Rather than popping the blackhead and forcing the contents to come out, it’s possible that you’d be pushing it deeper into the dog’s skin.
So, this removal method isn’t recommended as a quick fix for your Chinese Crested Dog. There are other (and far better) ways to care for this problem without risking making it worse or damaging the surrounding tissue.
Blackhead Treatment for Chinese Crested Dogs
You can do several things to help remove and prevent blackheads from forming. The introduction states that over-washing is not part of the solution but is part of the problem.
One bath per week is fine for your Chinese Crested Dog. Any more than that, you risk removing the natural oils from its skin, drying it out. Dry skin devoid of its oils is a condition ample for blackhead development.
If over-bathing is not the issue, exfoliation, and moisturization with the right products, will remove blackheads and help to prevent more from appearing.
Exfoliation is important because it removes dead skin cells that could wind up being responsible for clogging pores.
Clogged pores and clogged hair follicles create blackheads. Exfoliation removes this from becoming an issue and becoming a source of blackheads.
Here are some popular ideas that work just as well on dogs as on humans. You may already have them in your home. If you don’t, they’re all easily accessible.
Coconut Oil
It turns out coconut oil is incredibly good for your dog’s skin, and fur, and works well as an allergen reducer. Topically, it can help treat various skin conditions and irritations.
Coconut oil helps to remove yeast or fungal infections, prevents dry skin, and clears up eczema.
You apply it to the skin once a week, allowing it to sit for about five minutes. Afterward, remove any excess or lightly rinse the dog, depending on how much of the dog you’ve covered.
Rinse until there is no excessive oily or slippery feel to the dog’s skin.
If you’d rather try to kill two birds with one stone, there are dog shampoo products that contain coconut oil, if you’d rather that approach. Or, you could blend coconut oil and your favorite dog shampoo.
Best Moisturizer
If you’re seeking to control dry skin on your Chinese Crested Dog and prevent blackheads, it’s best to avoid using shampoos and conditioners meant to be used by humans.
Moisturizing dog shampoos and conditioners will often contain substances that will help reduce dry skin and clogged pores.
Additives such as benzoyl peroxide, aloe vera, Abyssinian oil, or coconut oil will help to relieve itching or dry skin and will help to prevent the formation of dog acne and blackheads.
Sugar Scrub
A sugar scrub is primarily exactly what the name suggests. Sugar Scrub is a mixture that uses granulated sugar as the abrasive exfoliating agent.
The shape of sugar granules is more rounded, making it more gentle on the skin than salts or other types of exfoliating scrubs.
Other Chinese Crested Dog’s Skin Problems
Though our main focus on this page is blackheads, there are other skin issues with your Chinese Crested Dog. Particularly, there are two that relate to blackheads.
Pearly Cyst
You might find hard, white sebum-filled bumps on the dog’s skin called pearly cysts.
There’s no easy treatment or cure for pearly cysts, which can last for months, or even years. Your vet can remove them if you desire. Fortunately, they are generally harmless to your Chinese crested dog.
Whiteheads
This form of dog acne is caused much in the same way that blackheads are created. Whiteheads are formed when a hair follicle becomes clogged by a cocktail of oily sebum and dry skin.
What if My Chinese Crested Dog Has Pearly Cysts or Whiteheads?
The same general care for your dog’s skin that helps to conquer blackheads will also help take care of whiteheads.
By removing dead skin cells from the skin surface, making sure not to allow the Chinese crested dog to suffer from dry skin, and appropriate bathing using skin-friendly oils and ingredients, whiteheads will be removed over time.
Pearly Cysts are not something you can manipulate away in the same manner. Your vet can physically remove them, which is considered a routine, easy procedure.
Otherwise, there isn’t much you can do- except to ensure that your dog is eating a healthy diet and not lacking nutrition.
How Do You Care for Chinese Crested skin?
So, to sum it up, prevention is much easier than trying to take care of blackheads after they appear.
- Make sure that you’re not over-bathing your Chinese Crested Dog. Either twice per month or once per week at most is fine.
- Use skin products or dog-friendly oils (coconut oil) when appropriate to keep your dog’s skin healthy.
- Don’t be afraid to use gentle skin scrub to assist in the exfoliation of your dog’s skin.
Final Thoughts
If you’re going to have a dog showing off its skin, you might as well make sure that you do your best to help it out and take preventative measures to avoid different skin problems on your Chinese Crested Dog.
Don’t wait until there’s too much of a problem. If you do your part in caring for your Chinese Crested Dog’s skin, it will find a way to thank you for it!
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