MAGAZINE

Chow Chow Skin and Eye Care

Folds, Coat, and Entropion Watch

2 min read · editor-reviewed

KennelLab

Educational care notes from KennelLab editors — not a veterinary diagnosis.

By Jordan EllisPublished Oct 30, 2026 · Updated Oct 30, 2026

Quick answer
Clean and dry facial and neck folds weekly, brush the double coat often (daily in shed season), and dry to the skin after baths. Watch for entropion—inward lids that rub the cornea—if you see squinting, discharge, or pawing. Persistent itch or patchy loss may involve allergy; skip guessing with random topicals and involve your vet.

Skim the quick answer, then use the sections below — or jump with the contents menu when you already know what you need.

This site is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page.

Built-in care load

Chows are not fragile—but folds, dense double coats, and eyelid conformation raise the odds of chronic skin and eye issues if you skip targeted care. Prevention beats treating a long flare after it starts.

Fold cleaning and checks

Facial and neck wrinkles trap moisture, secretions, and debris. Left alone, they favor bacteria and yeast and fold dermatitis—redness, odor, and in worse cases broken, weeping skin.

Clean at least weekly: wipe gently with cotton or a soft damp cloth, then dry thoroughly. Skip alcohol and harsh disinfectants that strip the barrier; plain pet skin cleanser or saline is usually enough.

Coat care is about undercoat, not endless baths

Thick undercoat helps cold tolerance and complicates grooming. Shed season is the danger zone: dead fluff left in place mats against the skin, blocks airflow, and invites dermatitis.

Brush two to three times a week; daily in heavy shed. Use a pin brush and wide-tooth comb to open layers, then smooth. Bathing about every four to six weeks is often enough—what matters is drying all the way to the skin. Damp undercoat left packed against skin is a ready-made infection climate.

Eyes: entropion is a structural risk

Loose head skin means higher rates of entropion—lid edges rolling inward so lashes scrape the cornea. Mild cases mean chronic irritation and tearing; severe ones ulcerate the cornea.

Frequent squinting, more discharge, or pawing the eyes deserve a prompt exam. Mild puppy entropion sometimes improves with growth; clear, persistent cases often need surgical correction. Wipe corners daily with a damp cotton ball; darker or heavier discharge means call the clinic.

Allergies show up too

Environmental or food allergies are not rare—scratching, local hair loss, redness, or recurring dander, often on belly, armpits, or toe webs. Do not only smear surface creams; work with your vet on cause. Suspected food allergy may call for a proper elimination diet trial—the more reliable diagnostic path than endless protein hopping.

Educational care notes only; red-flag eye or skin changes need hands-on veterinary assessment.