- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
If you see a red spot on your dog, don’t worry. It’s normal for dogs to get rashes and other skin problems. There are many reasons why dogs can get rashes, like allergies, infections, mites, or stress.
Not all rashes look the same. Some might be small red bumps, and others could be bigger and spread out.
A small rash may seem like it’s not a big deal, but taking care of your dog’s skin is important for their health. “Unhealthy skin can be very uncomfortable and itchy for our dog patients,” says Dr. Amanda Chambers, a veterinary consultant for Embrace Pet Insurance.
Below, you’ll learn about the types of dog rashes, where they appear, and how to treat them.
Are Dog Rashes Serious?
The severity of a rash depends on its cause and symptoms. Dr. Chambers says mild rashes can be treated at home, while others signal a life-threatening allergic reaction and require a vet visit.
Certain rash symptoms mean a trip to the vet is necessary:
- Excessive itchiness
- Extreme redness
- Oozing
- Smelliness
Lastly, Dr. Chambers says to take your dog to the vet if the rash doesn’t get better with treatment within 48 hours.
What Causes Dog Rashes?
Many factors can cause a dog to develop a rash. Rashes can occur due to medical conditions, behaviors, and environmental triggers. Dr. Chambers says some causes include:
- Yeast or bacterial infections
- Contact dermatitis
- Allergies
- Fleas
- Skin mites
- Obesity
- Stress or anxiety
Do certain breeds get rashes?
Dr. Chambers says some breeds are likelier to get rashes, including:
Where Do Dogs Get Rashes?
Dogs can experience rashes on most parts of their bodies—from their ears and paws to their groin and belly!
Dr. Chambers reveals that some of the most common rash locations and symptoms include:
| Rash location | Symptoms |
| Behind the ears and/or around the neck | Moist, red area; may or may not involve hair loss; sometimes an oozy discharge from the skin and crusting |
| Armpits and/or groin | Hyperpigmented and thickened skin (known as lichenification) |
| Ventral tummy fold | Red and irritated rash, potential hair loss |
| Lumbosacral region (spine) | Dry and flaky skin, sometimes with crusting |
| Paws | Red skin on the upper or underside of the paws; may or may not involve skin moistening |
What Are the Types of Dog Rashes?
Dog rashes are not one-size-fits-all. Up to 30% of dogs experience atopic dermatitis, and superficial bacterial folliculitis affects dogs more than any other mammal.
Other rashes that dogs can develop include:
- Pyotraumatic dermatitis
- Allergic dermatitis
- Mange
- Acute moist dermatitis (aka “hot spots”)
- Malassezia dermatitis
- Pyoderma (aka “Impetigo”)
- Flea bites
- Chafing
iStock/Sanja Radin
How Do Vets Diagnose Rashes?
It’s important to know that a rash is a sign that something else is going on, not a disease by itself, says Dr. Nell Ostermeier from Figo Pet Insurance. Because of this, your vet will do a physical exam and look at your dog’s medical history to find out what’s causing the rash.
To figure out what’s wrong, Dr. Ostermeier says your vet will likely do several tests and take samples, such as:
- Scraping some skin
- Checking skin cells under a microscope
- Growing germs in a lab
- Allergy tests
- Blood test
- Urine test
- Biopsy, which means taking a tiny piece of skin to look at more closely
She says testing is important because it helps vets come up with the right treatment to make your dog feel better faster.
How To Treat Dog Rashes
Just like figuring out what’s causing a rash, the treatment also depends on the reason, not just the symptoms. This means treatment options can be very different. Dr. Ostermeier explains that some main causes of rashes and how they are treated include:
- Flea allergies: A monthly flea preventative
- Secondary infections: Antibiotics or medicated shampoo
- Environmental allergies: Medicines like antihistamines or corticosteroids
There are many over-the-counter solutions for dog rashes. However, Dr. Ostermeier explains that choosing the wrong option could make the skin problem worse. She says the best thing to do is to visit your vet.
While waiting to see a vet, you can bathe your dog in a gentle shampoo to help with itching and soreness.
Natural solutions
Dr. Ostermeier says a holistic vet who uses natural methods may suggest other ways to help with rash symptoms. These methods include:
- Acupuncture
- Herbal formulas
- Natural supplements
All of these can provide relief, help balance your dog’s immune system, and keep rashes from coming back.
Environmental changes
If the vet finds out the rash is caused by something in the environment, changing some things at home might help. For example, cleaning more often to reduce dust mites or keeping flowers out of the house to lower pollen levels.
“Unfortunately, in most cases, the allergens are everywhere and can’t be completely avoided,” Dr. Ostermeier says.
Can You Prevent Dog Rashes?
Yes! You can do many things to reduce the most common causes of rashes and keep your dog healthy.
- Healthy lifestyle: “A good diet helps the immune system,” Dr. Ostermeier explains. A strong immune system means fewer rashes. It’s also important to keep stress low. “Just like people, pets can have ‘breakouts’ because of stress,” she adds.
- A clean home: Dr. Ostermeier says to keep your home free of fleas to prevent allergies. “If your pet is allergic to dust mites, getting rid of carpet and clutter can help,” she adds.
- Regular vet check-ups: Vet visits are a good time to focus on your dog’s health. Pet insurance doesn’t usually cover regular check-ups, but some insurance companies offer extra wellness plans. Talk to your provider about options to help with costs.
