askHELTIE HELTIEdog® Common skin problems in dogs

Common skin problems in dogs

Skin problems are common in dogs and can have a variety of causes. They range from allergies to parasites and from infections to hormonal problems. To help your dog properly, it is important to know what is going on first.

Skin

29 April '25 • 1 min reading time

The skin is the largest organ in a dog’s body. It forms your dog’s protective barrier against the outside world. When there are skin problems, you often see symptoms such as itching, redness, flaking, or crusts. If the problem is severe, skin infections can also occur. Ear infections and sore paws may also be signs of skin issues. Even an unpleasant smell can indicate a skin condition. Skin problems are not only uncomfortable for your dog—some conditions are also contagious to humans. That’s why it’s important to understand what’s going on and take action if your dog has skin problems.

What Skin Conditions Are There?

The most common skin conditions in dogs are:

Skin Allergies
Cause: Reaction to things like pollen, food, or parasites.
Symptoms: Itching, red patches, flaking, and hair loss.

Fleas and Ticks
Cause: Parasites that bite the skin and cause irritation.
Symptoms: Itching, red bumps, and scratch marks.

Fungal Infections
Cause: Fungi such as ringworm that infect the skin.
Symptoms: Red, flaky patches, hair loss, and sometimes pimples or pustules.

Bacterial Infections
Cause: Bacteria entering the skin, often through a small wound.
Symptoms: Red, warm spots, yellow pus, and sometimes fever.

Hormonal Skin Issues
Cause: Hormonal imbalances, such as thyroid problems.
Symptoms: Hair loss, dry skin, and changes in skin color (not always visible under the coat).

Eczema
Cause: Allergies or irritants such as certain shampoos or cleaning products.
Symptoms: Chronic skin irritation, itching, red spots, and flaking.

Skin Tumors
Cause: Not always clear.
Symptoms: Lumps or bumps that may grow or change in shape.

Seborrhea
Cause: Overproduction of sebum (skin oil).
Symptoms: Greasy skin, flakes, and an unpleasant odor.

What’s Going on with Your Dog?

Does your dog have a skin problem? Try to find out what’s causing it first. You can, of course, consult a veterinarian for help. Once the cause is known, you can take the right steps to support your dog.

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