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Dogs are known for a lot of qualities. They are loyal, affectionate, obedient, and very intelligent. But the most prominent thing is that they are extremely cute. Nobody can deny that. Dogs are adorable inside and out. If you have a dog around you and you are stressed out, the stress won’t stay for long. Dogs are everyone’s favourite because they know exactly how to cheer someone up. Be it their hilarious shenanigans or their adorable faces, everything works for us.
When you find something really cute, you end up squishing its cheeks because it is irresistible. So a lot of dogs get their skin flaps and scruffs stretched by their humans as a sign of love and affection. Scroll down below to see 40 adorable dogs with stretchy skin. And don’t worry, none of them are in pain. They all love it.
The PDSA had an interview with Bored Panda where they explained how to take care of a dog’s sagging skin, winkles and folds. “Dogs have an area on the back of their necks called the scruff where the skin is a little more loosely attached to the body than in other areas. Sometimes, you can feel it moving as you stroke or scratch your dog, but it still has the same nerves and stretch sensitivity as the rest of the skin. It’s important not to pull on any part of your dog’s skin as overstretching their skin can be really painful, just like it would be for a person. This also applies to the scruff of the neck,” PDSA vet Anna explained to Bored Panda.
“Almost three years ago I went from 31 pounds to about 20 pounds. I lost about 1/3 of my body weight. I have sooo much extra skin! I guess what I technically need is a pug tummy tuck, but that’s okay- my extra skin makes me extra cuddly!”
Unlike cats, we should not pick up dogs from the scruffs of their necks. “Instead, if you need to pick up your dog, support them under their chest and back legs to carry them, or if they’re a bigger dog, try using a big blanket or a board with the help of a friend or family member if you need to lift them for any reason. Find out more on our first aid guide,” she shared.
Shar Peis, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, and Basset Hounds have naturally loose skin, but other dogs can also develop scruffs and wrinkles due to weight gain. “People often think of skin folds on a dog’s face, but they can also be found in other places, especially if a dog is overweight, for example around their tail, back end or at the tops of their legs.”
It is essential to clean a dog’s skin folds as they cam develop skin fold dermatitis, which is a terrible infection that affects the “pockets” between skin folds. “The skin in the folds is often very warm and damp, so yeast and bacteria that live on the skin naturally can overgrow, leading to irritated, red, and smelly skin which is itchy and uncomfortable for your dog. If left untreated, skin fold dermatitis can result in ulcers and sores in the folds which can be very painful.”
You can clean your dog’s skin folds by using cooled boiled water, or apply salt water using cotton wool pads. “Be especially careful when cleaning folds near your dog’s eyes. If your dog finds this really uncomfortable, there could be a problem or infection in one of the folds so it’s best to get them checked by your vet. It’s important not to use any other products (such as creams or shampoos) on the skin folds unless you’ve been advised to by your vet—in many cases these can make any irritation or itching worse,” the vet warned.
Brush your dog to maintain a healthy coat. “If they are dirty or muddy, it’s best to just use water to wash them. There are plenty of pet shampoos on the market and these are suitable for most pets, but using them too regularly can lead to dry skin or skin irritation, especially if your pet’s skin is sensitive or they have a skin problem,” she warned. “There are prescription, medicated shampoos available which can help some skin conditions, ask your vet for advice to find out what’s best for your pet.” If you don’t trust them, just use water.
“Many owners worry about their pet’s skin, and sometimes it can be hard to know if your dog has a skin problem. All dogs will lick or scratch now and then and in many cases, it’s nothing to worry about—it’s just part of them grooming their coat. However, if your dog is itching all the time, is making their skin red, they’re losing lots of fur, they have a rash or bumpy skin or you think they may have a wound or infection, it’s best to contact your vet for advice,” Anna said.
“There are many causes of skin conditions, from allergies and wounds to fleas, mites, and infections. Some dogs will have a skin problem just once in their lifetime, but for many, skin issues need life-long management or treatment. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to help keep your dog comfortable and happy, including medication, special diets, and supplements. The key thing is to get help for your dog early—most skin problems get worse over time and become more difficult to treat.”
If you see any irregular lumps forming on your dog’s skin, check with a vet. “They will be able to check the lump and discuss the next options for your pet. Although many owners worry that a new lump could be cancer, there are actually many different causes for lumps and many of these can be treated and won’t lead to more serious problems for your pet. However, it’s better to get any lumps or bumps checked sooner rather than later, especially if they have come up quickly, seem red or painful, or are causing issues for your dog.”
Did seeing these images make you want to stretch your dog’s cheeks too? Have you tried this on them? Share the images with us in the comments below!
