Seeing black spots on dogs’ skin can be frightening for dog owners. If your dog has black spots on its skin, this is the right article for you!
In cases like this, it’s necessary to identify probable causes in order to know what steps you should take.
For starters, black spots on dogs’ skin can be caused by several factors, and it may not be entirely alarming.
Although it can sometimes mean serious underlying diseases, it can also be just a harmless skin discoloration.
From causes to treatment and prevention, this guide covers everything you need to know about black spots on dogs’ skin. If you want to get more informed regarding this matter, read until the end!
What Are Black Spots on Dog’s Skin?
Black spots on dogs’ skin may appear like patches of skin discoloration or even small, irregular-shaped lumps. Black spots are typically harmless on their own. However, these spots can also be accompanied by other symptoms, which may be indications of diseases that need medical attention.
Normally, black spots are a sign of hyperpigmentation in dogs. These are patches of rough, velvety, and thickened skin that is darker than the actual skin color.
Black spots usually appear on the dog’s belly, groin area, and hind legs. It’s mostly easier to spot in hairless dogs or breeds with white coats.
Hyperpigmentation, which may cause black spots in dogs, has two types, and these are:
Primary Hyperpigmentation: It’s considered primary hyperpigmentation if this is the only change in your dog’s skin. Like freckles on humans, this is a rather common and harmless condition. There’s no reason behind its occurrence, and it’s just a result of physiological changes that affect the skin color of dogs, such as Dachshunds.
Secondary Hyperpigmentation: Secondary hyperpigmentation in dogs is usually partnered with other skin lesions, such as hair loss, itchiness, swelling, redness, flaky skin, or bumps. This is a sign of a more serious condition and demands medical treatment.
It’s important to note that dogs’ hyperpigmentation isn’t a specific disease in itself but merely a reaction to other dog skin conditions.
Apart from hyperpigmentation in dogs, black spots may also appear as small and numerous dark bumps or as a localized lump surrounded by normal skin, which is rarer and more difficult to treat.
Causes of Black Spots on Dog’s Skin
The causes of this hyperpigmentation vary greatly and depend on what they look like and what symptoms they accompany. Sometimes, it can be a result of skin trauma caused by scratching or injury.
When the affected area undergoes skin repair, there will be an increased production of melanin to protect the superficial skin layers.
Skin cells producing more melanin than normal will result in skin darkening.
To confirm the cause of these spots, you must bring your dog to the veterinary clinic, where they perform diagnostic tests like skin scrapings and impression smears.
Here’s a list that shows the causes of black spots on dogs’ skin in relation to secondary hyperpigmentation in dogs:
Skin Allergies: There are several allergens that may affect your dog, including food, plants, and insects. Intense itching from allergic reactions leads to scratching, licking, and rubbing. This will result in sores that will eventually turn to black spots, and worse, it may even result in atopic dermatitis or contact dermatitis.
Skin Infections: These are often secondary to allergies or open wounds. Secondary bacterial infections make the skin irritated and cause chronic trauma, leading to dark spots in dogs.
Skin Parasites: Fleas, ticks, lice, and mites are dog parasites that cause itching on the skin or mange. This leads to scratching and therefore results in dark patches.
Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder in dogs that is caused by inflammation or shrinkage of the thyroid gland, resulting in a decreased production of thyroid hormones. Symptoms of this include lethargy, unexplained weight gain, and haircoat and dog skin changes.
Cushing’s Disease: Cushing’s disease is another endocrine disorder wherein the adrenal glands produce excessive hormones called cortisol. Symptoms of this include increased thirst and appetite, panting, lethargy, hair loss, skin infections, and dark patches.
The last two are diseases that cause hormonal imbalances in dogs. That’s because skin problems are usual indicators of hormonal issues in pets.
These commonly affect breeds like Golden Retrievers and Labradors.
Meanwhile, the list below shows the causes of black spots on dogs’ skin in relation to small lumps:
Comedones: Schnauzer comedo syndrome is small, black, pimple-like bumps exclusively affecting Miniature Schnauzers. They are often accompanied by localized hair loss near the area where the bumps are, typically on the neck and along the back. Though these blackheads are harmless, they are itchy and need to be treated.
Tumors: A black spot on your dog’s skin that seems like a lump can be caused by a skin tumor, such as melanoma or epidermal hamartoma. Melanoma may either be benign or malignant and can grow anywhere on the outer part of the body. On the other hand, epidermal hamartomas are benign tumors mostly affecting pups.
There are also cases where the black spots on your dog’s skin appear like black pepper flakes scattered on its fur.
It may seem like a material on the dog’s coat that comes off or moves when you brush through it.
This is flea dirt or dried blood dropping caused by fleas. These black spots can be washed off. However, it also means that there’s the presence of fleas on your dog.
Can Black Spots on Dog’s Skin Be a Sign of Cancer?
A black spot on a dog’s skin can be an indication of skin cancer called dermal malignant melanoma.
The black spots associated with this condition appear like dark pigmentation and raised mass on dogs’ skin, particularly on parts where the hair is thin. These parts include the face, areas around the genitals, and the dog’s belly.
Causes of this involve genetics, too much sun exposure, chemical exposure, and hormonal abnormalities.
Dermal malignant melanoma has the potential to grow and metastasize in other parts of the body.
That said, it’s recommended to immediately call your vet if you notice any bumps on your dog’s body that resembles a melanoma.
Black Spots on Dog’s Skin Look Like Dirt
Apart from skin hyperpigmentation and dark lumps, there are also cases where the black spots on your dog’s skin may look like dirt.
If your dog has this, it may be suffering from a fairly common yeast infection. Yeast infection is caused by an abnormal overgrowth of yeast in the dog’s body.
It’s a harmless fungus that normally lives in the body and is commonly found in places like the ear canal. When it’s overabundant, it causes illness.
This illness usually occurs when a dog’s immune system is weakened. Often, yeast infection grows on the dog’s belly, around the genitals, and the groin area. However, it can also be found on the ears, paws, and armpits.
Symptoms of yeast infection, which may cause black spots on dogs’ skin, include:
Licking, rubbing and scratching on the affected areas
Foul odor or cheese-like scent
Lethargy and decreased appetite
Hair loss
Skin texture may become leathery, thick, or scaly
Redness and swelling
Seborrhea or greasy skin
Speckles of tiny black spots that look like dirt
With these symptoms, it’s apparent that yeast infection causes discomfort to many dogs. Hence, it’s important to get them the treatment they need.
Check out this homemade dog food recipe that may help clear up black spots on your dog caused by yeast infection:
Homemade Dog Food for Yeast Infections<a href="https://youtu.be/kt_y3pfpLws" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Fkt_y3pfpLws%2F0.jpg" alt="Homemade Dog Food for Yeast Infections" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Black Spots On Dog’s Skin With Hair Loss
Almost all black spots on the dog’s skin accompany hair loss. Conditions like skin infections, endocrine disorders, blackheads, tumors, and yeast infections all cause hair loss.
However, the most common cause of black spots with hair loss is alopecia X. This appears as dark patches of baldness with crusty skin. This genetic condition is caused by a hormonal imbalance in dogs.
Alopecia X is generally harmless. It’s only a cosmetic condition that doesn’t cause itchiness or discomfort in dogs. It merely affects the way they look.
Still, a skin biopsy is important to help rule out some conditions with similar symptoms to alopecia X, such as Cushing’s disease and hypothyroidism.
How to Get Rid of Black Spots on Dogs’ Skin
Getting rid of black spots on dogs’ skin will vary depending on the underlying cause.
It’s recommended to consult with your veterinarian to determine the diagnosis. They might need to perform tests, such as skin scrapings or impression smears, to rule out other causes.
When the cause of the underlying skin problem is identified, that’s the best time to talk about the best treatment plan.
For example, primary hyperpigmentation and alopecia X don’t require treatment. However, if the former is accompanied by skin inflammation, it may be cured by medicated shampoos and steroid ointments.
To treat secondary hyperpigmentation like skin allergies, infections, and endocrine disorders, experts need to treat underlying conditions first before treating the black spots.
This recommendation also applies to blackheads, tumors, fleas, and yeast infections.
Skin allergies can be treated by avoiding the allergen or through allergy relief medication prescribed to the affected dog.
Additionally, to treat a skin infection, oral antibiotics or topical spray and shampoo may be necessary.
Further, treatment of endocrine disorders would heavily depend on veterinary medicine and guidance.
When it comes to treating the conditions causing black spots forming lumps, topical ointments or shampoo are good for comedones, and surgical removal is recommended for tumors, whether they are malignant or benign.
Fleas, on the other hand, can be controlled with spray-on flea medication or topical ointments. Meanwhile, yeast infections can be treated with antifungal medications or a specialized diet.
As soon as the underlying disease is treated, the black spots will resolve on their own. However, note that it will take a long time for the pigmented skin to lighten up or go back to its normal color.
How to Prevent Hyperpigmentation & Black Spots in Dogs
Because there are many varying causes of black spots on dogs’ skin, it can be quite difficult to know exactly how to prevent them.
But, there are general ways that may lessen the instance of your dog acquiring it.
To help you out, listed below are tips to prevent hyperpigmentation and black spots in dogs:
Keep your dog’s skin and coat clean
Bathe and brush your dog regularly
Wash all wounds and itchy areas with warm water and mild soap
Limit outdoor activities, especially during warm and humid days
Watch your dog’s diet and avoid possible allergens that may affect your dog
Visit your vet regularly
By following these tips, dogs will also have a lesser chance of acquiring genetic conditions and breed-specific issues in relation to black spots.
Furthermore, it’s advised to do regular checkups for early diagnosis and to keep these health issues from worsening.
Also, consider investing in pet insurance to greatly reduce your pooch’s medical costs in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is My Dog Getting Black Spots On Her Belly?
There are several reasons why your dog is getting black spots on the belly. Primary hyperpigmentation is one cause. It’s a harmless skin condition only affecting the Dachshund breed.
Other causes of black spots on your dog’s belly are yeast infections and melanoma. If you’re concerned about your dog possibly having these health issues, it’s best to consult with your vet.
Why Is My Dog Getting Black Spots On Her Chest?
Black spots on your dog’s chest may also mean primary hyperpigmentation or an underlying cause that’s more serious and requires medical treatment.
These causes can be any of the conditions mentioned in this guide, such as skin allergies and secondary infections, hormonal disorders, fleas, yeast infections, or alopecia X.
Does Dog Yeast Infection Cause Black Spots on a Dog’s Skin?
Yeast infection can cause black spots on dogs’ skin. It generally doesn’t appear as hyperpigmentation, but it’s typically described as black spots that look like dirt.
Final Thoughts
Black spots on dogs’ skin can mean a lot of things. Although generally, they are just a reaction to an underlying condition.
Black spots are sometimes harmless, but they can also mean serious conditions, especially if accompanied by other symptoms.
In relation to your dog’s health, it’s not advised to come up with a self-diagnosis. It’s still better to consult with your veterinarian to identify what really causes the black spots and what are the possible treatments.
For the dog’s safety, it’s also important to note that any oral and topical treatments that you ought to give them should be prescribed by your veterinarian.
Hopefully, you learned a lot about your dog’s skin condition in this guide. If you have any experience related to black spots on dogs’ skin, let us know in the comment section below!
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