Senior Shar Pei care: skin folds and joints

A 13-year-old Shar Pei with both skin fold issues and joint stiffness — that's a genuinely demanding combination, because those two problems often need different types of product support and it's easy to end up with a cluttered routine that doesn't fully address either one. Senior dogs generally benefit from adjustments to nutrition, joint care, dental health, and sometimes sleep comfort, but how much intervention is needed really depends on the individual dog. Before I point you toward anything specific, can you tell me a bit more: are the skin fold problems mainly about redness and odour between the folds, or are you seeing soreness or infection? And with the stiffness — is it worst first thing in the morning, or after longer rest periods? That'll help me make sure whatever I suggest is actually the right fit.

That pattern of stiffness — worse after rest, then easing off — is classic early-to-moderate osteoarthritis, very common in Shar Peis at this age partly because of their build and partly because the breed carries a genetic predisposition toward joint issues. The face and tail pocket redness with smell is almost certainly a yeast or mild bacterial overgrowth in those warm, airless folds — again, extremely typical for the breed. You're right that most products treat one or the other. Can I ask: is she on any prescription treatment from a vet for either issue, or are you managing both with over-the-counter products at the moment?

Good — that gives you plenty of room to work with. For the joint stiffness, the most evidence-backed over-the-counter option at her age is a combined omega-3 and green-lipped mussel supplement; the omega-3s reduce inflammation and the GLM adds glycosaminoglycans that support cartilage. For the skin folds, a chlorhexidine-based wipe used daily in the affected folds is the most consistently effective way to control yeast and bacteria without disrupting the skin barrier the way some stronger treatments do. The product I'd start with is YuMOVE PLUS for Large Dogs — it's a high-strength joint supplement with green-lipped mussel, glucosamine, and omega-3 all in one, which means you're not managing separate products. It won't touch the skin folds directly, but it's the foundation I'd get right first because joint pain at her age affects everything else — sleep, movement, mood. Pair it with Petkin Ear and Skin Wipes, which are safe for fold use and chlorhexidine-based. Between those two you're covering both problems without overcomplicating her routine.

Yes, 22kg puts her just inside the large dog range for YuMOVE PLUS dosing, so the large dog formula is the right one. At her age and with established stiffness, I'd also recommend going with the 300-tablet tub rather than a smaller pack — it takes around 4 to 6 weeks to see meaningful improvement with joint supplements, and you don't want to run out before you've had a proper chance to assess it. One thing worth noting: YuMOVE PLUS is the higher-strength version of their range, which is appropriate for a 13-year-old with visible stiffness rather than the standard formula they market for younger or mildly affected dogs.

Good plan. Give the YuMOVE at least four weeks before judging it — most owners notice the biggest difference between weeks three and six. With the fold wipes, consistency matters more than frequency; once a day in the problem areas is better than doing it sporadically. If the fold redness starts looking angry, weeping, or she's pawing at her face, that's the point to go back to the vet rather than manage at home. At 13 she's doing well to still be mobile and manageable — sounds like she's got good care.