Why do dogs get rashes on their belly

Rashes on Your Dogs Belly

Rashes on a dogs belly may look alarming and uncomfortable, but they are quite common. These dog belly rash bumps and redness you see can have a variety of causes, from a simple bacterial skin infection to a more serious underlying condition, such as Cushings disease.

If left untreated, your dogs belly rash could develop into an unpleasant skin infection that will require veterinary care and cause your dog discomfort.

Here is what you need to know about your dogs belly rash, including the causes, symptoms, and treatment options available.

What Causes Dog Belly Rashes?

Your dogs skin protects his body from the outside world, acting as a barrier between his internal organs and harmful organisms. We might think of skin as being tough and resistant, but it is actually very sensitive to changes in both your dogs body and the environment.

One of the ways the skin shows this sensitivity is through rashes.

There are several causes of rashes in dogs:

• Skin infections
• Inflammatory conditions
• Allergies (which many times are genetic)
• Parasites
• Genetic
• Hormonal imbalances and endocrine conditions
• Environmental causes (such as poison ivy or other plants)

Infections

Sometimes cuts can open the skin barrier to infections. Many of the causes of rashes in dogs are the result of bacterial, fungal, or yeast infections.

Bacterial skin infections are called pyoderma, which translates from Greek to pus and skin. Pyoderma typically causes lesions that look like pimples and can also cause crusty, dry, flaky skin. Hair loss and itchiness can also occur.

Your dog can get pyoderma as a result of trauma to the skin, like an abrasion or cut, excessive moisture, or as a secondary condition. Puppies are prone to puppy pyoderma in areas without a lot of hair, such as their underarms and groin. Hereditary factors can also play a role in skin infections for both puppies and adult dogs.

Fungal infections, such as yeast infections and ringworm, are also common. Yeast dermatitis is a skin condition caused by yeast infections. It is also known as Malassezia dermatitis and is caused by the fungus Malassezia pachydermatis. Symptoms of this condition include thickened skin; changes in skin pigmentation; a musty smell; itching; redness; scaling, crusty, flaky skin; and chronic ear infections.

Ringworm is characterized by circular lesions, which can appear red and scabbed. Hair loss is common, and while these rashes are usually not itchy, they can become inflamed, and the condition can be passed to people and other pets.

Allergies

Allergies can also cause rashes on your dogs belly. Environmental allergies, like contact dermatitis or reactions to something on the ground like fertilizer, cleaning products, poison ivy, or other irritants, flea allergy dermatitis, and food allergies, food sensitivities, and food intolerance can lead to itchy bumps and rashes. When your dog itches and scratches, he opens his skin up to infections, which can lead to a rash or complicate an existing rash.

Allergies can have a wide array of symptoms, from digestive upset to skin conditions such as itchiness, hair loss, redness, irritation, and chronic skin infections. Talk to your veterinarian if you suspect that your dog might have an allergy.

Pests and Parasites

Pests and parasites could also be the cause of your dogs rash. Fleas, mites, and ticks can cause irritation, exposing your dog to bacteria, yeast, and fungal infections. Demodex mites, walking dandruff, flea allergy dermatitis, and sarcoptic mange (caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite) can all cause rashes on your dogs skin, including her belly and groin area.

Genetic

Some dogs are more prone to rashes than others. Breeds that are predisposed to skin problems, such as Cocker Spaniels, German Shepherd Dogs, Labrador Retrievers, Bulldogs, Doberman Pinschers, and Standard Poodles, may be at an increased risk of developing rashes on their bellies and elsewhere.

Golden Retrievers, for instance, can get a rare condition called congenital ichthyosis, which causes scaling of the skin on the abdomen. Arctic breeds, for example the Samoyed, can develop zinc-responsive dermatosis, and Cocker Spaniels are prone to primary seborrhea (dandruff).

Hormonal Imbalances and Conditions (Endocrine Disorders)

Most concerning, however, is the possibility that your dogs belly rash could be a sign of an underlying condition, such as hypothyroidism or Cushings disease. These diseases cause hormonal imbalances in your dogs body, and some of the first obvious symptoms are often skin conditions, such as thinning or loss of coat and changes to the quality of the skin.

You can help your veterinarian catch these diseases early by observing your dog for any changes in coat quality, drinking and urination habits, as well as rashes, hair loss, and dry skin.

Symptoms of Belly Rash

Rashes on your dogs belly can present in a few ways. Perhaps the most common is pyoderma, which is characterized by pimple-like lesions; dry, scaly, crusty skin; hair loss; and itchiness.

Your dogs skin may also appear red and inflamed, weepy, or scabbed. Yeast infections can result in a yeasty smell, and fungal infections like ringworm often have a distinct, circular pattern to the lesions.

Find out more about the causes of dry skin on dogs

Diagnosing Your Dogs Belly Rash

The best way to determine the cause of your dogs belly rash is to make an appointment with your veterinarian, who will perform some diagnostic tests based on your dogs age, breed, overall health, and symptoms.

Veterinarians use skin samples, blood tests to detect underlying conditions, fungal cultures, antibiotic sensitivity tests, and in some cases, allergy testing to accurately diagnose skin conditions in dogs. Your veterinarian may refer you to a dermatologist for further testing and treatment.

Treating Belly Rashes

Once your veterinarian has diagnosed the cause of your dogs belly rash, she will discuss your treatment options.

Bacterial skin infections are typically treated with a course of antibiotics. Your veterinarian may want to perform an additional test to determine the best type of antibiotic to treat your dogs rash and avoid building up antibiotic resistance, and could prescribe you with medicated shampoos or scrubs to help manage the infection.

Yeast and other fungal infections are treated with antifungal medications and shampoos.

Allergies, depending on the cause, can be more difficult to treat, and may involve treating both the allergy and any secondary skin infections that developed. Your vet may recommend a dog skin soother balm to help ease the discomfort.

Conditions such as hypothyroidism and Cushings disease, like allergies, require treatment of the condition itself and the skin rash. Your dog may require additional blood tests and follow-up monitoring.

In some cases, your dogs belly rash could be the result of a resistant infection, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It is very important to follow your veterinarians instructions about treating resistant infections, and you will need to be patient, as it may take time for the infection to heal.

Rashes on your dogs belly are not usually serious, but they do require medical attention. As a note of caution, some rashes can be transferred to people, like poison ivy or ringworm, so be careful to avoid touching the rash yourself, and make an appointment with your veterinarian today to get an accurate diagnosis for your dogs rash and to ensure that he stays happy, healthy, and active.

Dog belly rash? Heres how to soothe it

Dogs get belly rashes for a variety of reasons. Without pinpointing the exact cause, treatment can be ineffective and leave your pup still scratching and chewingso its essential to find the underlying cause. When your vet examines your dog, theyll be searching for signs of certain causes as the culprit for their belly rash.

Skin infections

Skin infections are one of the most common causes of belly rashes in dogs. These infections can be caused by multiple pathogens, like bacteria or yeast. A common type of bacterial skin infection is pyodermaTrusted SourceVCA HospitalsCommunity of veterinarians with up-to-date veterinary information.Go to source or impetigo. It can cause pimple-like, pus-filled lesions, and crusty, dry, flaky skin.

A pyoderma infection, on the other hand, is often caused by the staph species of bacteria, which usually occurs because of bacterial infiltration that stems from the skins surface. If the skin has been traumatized, such as through a cut, licking, or chewing, bacteria can multiply.

Fungal skin infections

Fungal infections, like ringworm and yeast infections, are also common. Ringworm is characterized by circular lesions that are usually hairless. These spots can appear red and scabby and generally dont cause itching, but that isnt always the case.

Keep in mind that ringworm is contagious and can be passed from your pup to you and other pets in your household.

Yeast dermatitis, caused by the fungus Malassezia pachydermatis, can appear as thickened, scaly, or flaky skin. Changes in skin pigmentation, a musty smell, itching, and redness are also common. Youll probably need antifungal medication from your vet to fully resolve this type of issue.

Excessive heat

Like people, dogs can also develop heat rashes. Often caused by the Staphylococcus bacteria, heat rashes can flare up in hot, humid weather. Heat rashes most commonly pop up in areas where the skin rubs, like under the tail, the neck, and the ears. Typically, a heat rash will start as mild skin irritation (or hot spot), which leads to excessive scratching. With time, it can progress to pimples or scabs that have a foul odor.

To soothe the heat rash, soak a washcloth in cool or room temperature water and apply it to the affected area as it may provide temporary relief from any inflammation.

Dont apply ice packs directly to your pets skin. Instead, wrap packs in a dry towel or washcloth to create a cold compress.

Allergies

A belly rash is a common sign of allergies in dogs. Pets who are allergic to certain fabrics, shampoos, cleaners, fertilizers, and other chemicals can develop itchy, red skin and pimple-like bumps on their stomach.

Seasonal allergies can also cause belly rashes on your pup. If your dog has an allergic reaction to grass, pollen, weeds, or trees, they may develop a belly rash after playing in the yard.

Parasites

Parasites, like fleas, ticks, and mites, can cause your pup to break out in a belly rash. Bug bites and stings from ants, bees, and wasps can also lead to irritated skin, and mites in particular can lead to painful conditions like sarcoptic mange. In the cases of bites or bug-related irritation, youll likely notice hair loss, hot spots, scabs, or a rash on your dogs lower back, hind legs, and tail base.

Keep in mind that fleas like to hang out on your dogs hind end, though, so they may not cause an abdominal rash.

Dog Skin Conditions, From Belly Rashes to Scabs and Sores

Skin problems are among the most common reasons dogs end up at the veterinarians office.

A dogs skin condition can have a wide range of causes, from external parasites like fleas and mites, to allergies and serious endocrine disorders.

While some dogs skin conditions can be treated at home, any worsening skin issue or one that continues beyond one or two weeks without improvement is a good reason to head to your veterinarian.

Here are some telltale signs of common skin problems for dogs and what could be causing them.

Common Signs of Skin Problems for Dogs

Find out what could be causing your dogs skin condition and what you can do about it.

Rash (Commonly on the Belly)

A rash (redness or irritation) can occur on any part of your dogs skin but is commonly seen on the belly. Common causes of a dogs belly rash are:

• Contact dermatitis, which is a reaction to coming into contact with something irritating like poison ivy, fertilizer, or lawn chemicals

• Insect bites

• Allergies

If contact dermatitis is suspected, wash the affected skin to remove any of the irritant that may still be present.

For a rash caused by insect bites that doesnt appear to be bothering your dog, no treatment is necessary. The spots should go away on their own.

For a rash caused by insect bites or allergies that is bothering your dog, give your dog a cool bath using a dog shampoo containing colloidal oatmeal. Contact your veterinarian if the rash persists.

Scabs

Scabs, or crusting of the skin, can be the primary problem, or it can occur after a short-lived pustule (or pimple) pops and crusts over. Scabs on dogs can be caused by:

Treatments will differ, but they may include medicated shampoos or ointments, and possibly oral antibiotics or an antiparasitic medication.

Red Spots

Red spots on a dogs belly during the late spring and early summer can be caused by black fly bites. These flat, red spots typically do not bother dogs and can be left untreated.

Black fly bites can be confused with ringworm spots, which do require treatment in the form of topical or oral antifungals.

Black fly bites will appear suddenly, be accompanied by other bites, be confined to the belly, and not bother the dog.

Ringworm, on the other hand, can appear anywhere, may or may not irritate your dog, and usually starts in one area as opposed to several areas appearing at once.

Small Red Bumps

Raised red bumps can be caused by several different things. If the bumps are smaller and include crusts, they may be caused by a bacterial or fungal skin infection called folliculitis. This is typically treated by your veterinarian with oral antibiotics and possibly with medicated shampoos or ointments.

Large Red Bumps

If the bumps are larger and flatter with no crusting, they may be hives caused by an allergic reaction. They are usually treated with an antihistamine and/or steroids. While usually not life-threatening, the swelling caused by an allergic reaction can obstruct the airway, so its important to contact your veterinarian immediately.

Redness/Irritated Skin

Along with itching, redness and irritation are often the most common signs of allergies in dogs. Finding the cause of the allergic reaction, whether its to a food, fleas, or something in their environment, is the most effective way to treat the irritated skin.

While the root cause is being discovered, and to give your dog temporary relief, a gentle oatmeal dog shampoo or oatmeal bath can be used to soothe and hydrate the skin.

Hot Spots

A hot spot is a moist, irritated area of skin, usually with hair matted over it. Hot spots are caused by excessive licking or chewing of an area. The excessive licking introduces bacteria to traumatized skin, causing the hot spot.

Hot spots are more common in hot, humid climates and will sometimes arise after a dog has been exposed to moisture from swimming or muddy/rainy weather. They are also more common in dogs with a dense undercoat.

Uncomplicated hot spots can be treated by carefully clipping the area to allow the skin to breathe and cleaning the area with medication or a topical solution recommended by your veterinarian. You can prevent hot spots by keeping your dog groomed and drying them after swimming or being in the rain.

Dry/Flaky Skin

Flaking of your dogs skin can be caused by more serious conditions like seborrhea, where a dog produces too much sebum, or cheyletiellosis, a condition caused by a mite thats also known as walking dandruff.

But these flakes can also simply be a sign of dry skin. Ensuring that your dog is fed a good-quality food that is high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is a good first step in maintaining their skin health. If the flaking continues, consult your veterinarian.

Itchy Skin

The two main causes of itchy skin are allergies and external parasites like fleas and mites.

Allergies

Itchiness due to allergies usually involves a dogs feet, armpits, flank, ears, and groin. Mild allergies or itchiness can be treated with a soothing dog shampoo containing oatmeal. Switching your dog to a sensitive-skin diet (which often contain fish as the main protein source and are high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) can also help.

External Parasites

Fleas will more commonly cause itchiness at the base of the tail, on the stomach, and along the inner thighs. Itchiness due to fleas and mites (that cause sarcoptic mange) will needed to be treated with medications specific to the type of parasite, such as a flea preventative.

Hair Loss/Bald Patches

The causes of hair loss, excessive shedding, or bald patches in dogs are extremely varied, including:

• Allergies

• Ectoparasites like fleas and mange mites (demodectic mange)

• Cushings disease

• Pressure sores, most often seen in large breed dogs, will cause hair loss at bony pressure spots like the elbow

• Genetics

• Stress

• Poor nutrition

Most causes of hair loss in dogs require a trip to the veterinarian to diagnose the cause. If you suspect pressure sores, ensuring your large breed dog has a cushioned place to lie down can help prevent the pressure sores.

Sores

Sores that do not have an obvious cause or are not healing properly could be the sign of a serious underlying condition such as cancer or another disorder that is preventing proper healing. These areas should be kept clean and seen by your veterinarian.

Dark Spots

Dark spots, or hyperpigmentation, can be secondary to chronic inflammation, in which case, they can clear up (slowly) if the underlying condition is treated. Dark spots on dogs can also indicate a hormone-associated disorder or be a sign of skin damage from the sun, trauma, or constant friction.

See your veterinarian to diagnose the underlying cause of dark spots.

WRITTEN BY

Geneva Pagliai, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Geneva Pagliai was born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada. She received her undergraduate degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from...