One of the things that makes the Bulldog so unique is the fact that its body is covered in thick wrinkles. Those wrinkles can be adorable but they are also challenging to care for at times because they can harbor bacteria. Another part of your Bulldog’s body that you need to keep an eye on is the tail pocket.

What is a Bulldog Tail Pocket?

The wrinkles on your Bulldog’s face and body are easy to see so you can easily tell when they need to be cleaned. The tail pocket, however, is not as visible and it is one area of the body that many Bulldog owners forget about. A tail pocket is simply a small indentation, or pocket, located under the dog’s tail. Just like your Bulldog’s wrinkles, his tail pocket can accumulate dirt, dust, and even bacteria which puts him at risk for infection. If you don’t clean your dog’s tail pocket regularly he could develop inflammation and irritation or even a serious bacterial infection in some cases.

How Do I Care for My Dog’s Tail Pocket?

The rule of thumb to follow is that prevention is the best policy. It is much better for your Bulldog if you take the time to keep his tail pocket clean than it is for you to treat him for an infection later. Fortunately, cleaning your Bulldog’s tail pocket is fairly easy – you just have to make sure to include it in your daily routine. One way to clean your dog’s tail pocket is to use mild baby wilds – just use them to wipe the area under and around your dog’s tail once or twice a day then pat it dry with a soft cloth. Don’t be surprised if your Bulldog fidgets a little bit or starts licking the air – it is a sensitive area and cleaning it can sometimes tickle.

In addition to keeping your Bulldog’s tail pocket clean with baby wipes you should also keep an eye out for signs of inflammation or irritation. After cleaning the tail pocket, take a closer look to see if there are any areas of raw skin. If there are, you can use a little bit of diaper cream to keep the raw flesh moisturized so it can heal properly. If the raw skin is allowed to dry out it could crack and open up the pathway for bacteria to move in, causing an infection. Check these raw areas twice a day and apply the diaper cream as needed to keep them moisturized.

Keep in mind that not all Bulldogs have tail pockets – most puppies do not develop them until they are 6 months old and some Bulldogs don’t get them until much later. Tail pockets tend to develop as the Bulldog starts to fill out and their bones become bigger and thicker. Just check your dog for a tail pocket once in a while and after it develops start employing the methods described above to keep it clean and dry.

Photo credit: Ondra/Flickr