Dog skin issues and the signs to look out for

It’s almost inevitable that your dog will develop a skin issue at least once in their life; it’s a common dog health problem and the reason for many vet visits. While it’s tempting to blame fleas for every scratch, nibble and bald spot—and often they are the culprit—many other common skin issues look remarkably similar. To help you get things under control quickly, here are the signs and conditions to look out for.

Physical signs of dog skin issues

Physical signs are the visible changes to your dog’s skin and coat. While vets may need to look for subtler signs using blood, skin or hair samples, many are easy to spot at home:

Red, inflamed skin
Hair loss – thinning, patchy or bald spots
Colour change – usually darker, rarely lighter
Flaky or scaly skin
Scabs or crusts – dried blood, clear fluid or pus, sometimes with matted hair
Bumps or spots, including blackheads, cysts or abscesses
Thickened skin
Bad smells or body odour
Greasy or oily coat

Behavioural signs of dog skin issues

Behavioural signs are changes in what your dog does and how they act. These can start before physical changes are visible, or help you discover problems hidden under long fur, in the ears, or between the toes.

Itching, scratching, biting or rubbing
Scooting or belly-dragging
Over-grooming
Mood changes
Restlessness
Loss of appetite
Head shaking or ear rubbing

One surprisingly common sign is drinking more. Constant licking and nibbling can give your pup a very dry mouth.

Common causes of dog skin problems

Many things trigger skin issues in dogs, and frustratingly, the signs often look alike. Even when you pinpoint what’s causing the symptoms, that isn’t always the same as diagnosing the underlying problem, so a bit of detective work, and sometimes your vet’s help, is needed.

1. Allergies

Skin allergies in dogs are common, but the trigger and severity vary. Allergens can come from the environment, flea bites or ingredients in your dog’s food. Sometimes, small changes like regular flea treatment, a new diet or lifestyle tweaks can be enough to make a big difference.

2. Parasites

Dogs can pick up fleas even without direct contact with other animals. It only takes one sneaky flea to start an infestation, and the one on your dog is the least of your worries. The eggs fall off into your home, so it’s important to know how to get rid of fleas effectively. Flea bites are very itchy, and even the sensation of them running through the fur can irritate some dogs. Things get worse quickly when your dog is allergic to their bites.

Mites, for example, harvest mites or those that cause mange, and lice can also cause problems, though they’re less common.

3. Skin infections

Skin infections can develop from cuts and scrapes or even if your pup’s biting or scratching breaks the skin. Bacterial infections are the most common, but dogs with allergies or weakened immune systems can also develop yeast infections when yeasts found naturally on the skin overgrow.

4. Dry skin

Hot dry weather can dry out your dog’s skin, as can sitting too close to a heat source in winter, over-bathing or under-grooming. It’s all about water loss, either speeding up evaporation or disrupting the protective oils that act as a moisture barrier.

5. Wounds

Wounds don’t always get infected, but they’re always sore. Pain can trigger excess licking, which prevents healing and increases the risk of infection. Often, pain relief from your vet and covering the area are enough to allow healing. Just remember, bandages that are too tight or damp can do more harm than good…as can eating the bandage!

6. Alopecia

Hair loss has many causes, including hormones, seasonal changes or follicle problems linked to certain coat colours. Some breeds experience specific conditions, such as Alopecia X in Pomeranians and zinc deficiencies in Arctic breeds like the Alaskan Malamute. Depending on the cause, alopecia can be itchy and sore, or the skin may look completely normal.

7. Ringworm

Ringworm is actually a fungal skin infection (dermatophytosis) and has nothing to do with worms. When broken skin is exposed to fungal spores, an infection can begin. Healthy skin is usually resistant, but even tiny scratches, like those from clipping, can create an opportunity for fungi to invade. This means ringworm in dogs spreads very easily and needs prompt veterinary treatment. Typically, the skin develops dry, slightly flaky rings with patchy hair loss.

8. Hotspots

Hot spots, also known as wet eczema or moist dermatitis, are areas of damaged skin that ooze, crust and can become infected. They can be triggered by many of the skin issues on this list. Some hot spots on dogs heal simply by keeping the area clean and dry and preventing further damage, but if the cause is left untreated, more can develop.

When to see a vet

If the symptoms are mild and the cause is obvious, such as fleas or a small wound, you may be able to manage the skin issue at home. But if you don’t know what’s causing the problem, if symptoms return, or if your dog is scratching so much they’re damaging the skin, it’s time to see your vet.

Severely irritated skin can thicken and change, losing many of its natural protective qualities, and these changes can become permanent. This doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s another good reason why persistent problems shouldn’t be ignored.

What to remember about skin issues in dogs

Skin issues in dogs are common, but not always serious. You don’t need to call the vet every time your dog scratches, but ongoing behavioural changes or physical signs of skin problems deserve attention. Some causes are straightforward to treat, while others require investigation and long-term management.

If you want to know whether your dog is prone to any particular skin conditions, browse the dog breed library.

Dr Nicole Olewinski - BVSc MRCVS

Straight after a youthful ballerina phase, Nicole set her sights on becoming a vet—and never looked back. A 2006 Liverpool Graduate, she spent a decade in small animal practice before an adventurous move to Poland with her husband and two kids, followed by COVID, changed the course of her career. Stepping away from clinical work wasn’t planned, but it did open an exciting new door—connecting through the written word. After years of developing verbal communication skills in practice, she embraced the challenge of refining her writing in a commercial environment. Now, she thrives on transforming the complicated into the comprehensible, blended clarity with compelling narratives to inform and inspire.