What are the raised bumps on my dog

Common Bumps On Dogs Skin And What They Mean

Finding a bump or lump on your dog can immediately send you spiraling trying to figure out what it is.

Is it just a fatty tumor? Is it cancerous? Do you need to worry?

We reached out to Dr. Corinne Wigfall, a veterinarian working with SpiritDog Training, and Dr. Justin Padgett, a veterinarian at Branchville Animal Hospital, to learn more about the different kinds of bumps on dogs' skin.

Common types of bumps on dogs skin

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of different types of lumps and bumps that dogs can get. Some are harmless, while others might mean something more serious is going on.

And you may even notice these bumps on your dog more often as he gets older but that doesnt always mean theyre a cause for concern!

As they age, the lumps and bumps increase as their cellular defense mechanisms break down and tumors (benign and malignant) are free to proliferate more readily, Dr. Padgett told The Dodo.

Some of the most common bumps and lumps you may find on your dog include:

1. Lipomas

These are benign fatty tumors that are typically harmless. Lipomas are usually soft and squishy and will probably move around under your fingers. They usually arent tender to the touch, so your pup likely wont even notice it.

2. Sebaceous cysts

According to Dr. Padgett, sebaceous cysts are cauliflower-looking growths that are full of gray, pasty material (this material can be liquid or semi-liquid). They arent cancerous, but you should still get them checked out (and possibly removed) if theyre bothering your pup.

3. Papillomas

Papillomas are oral warts typically found in your dogs mouth as a result of having papilloma virus. They usually grow in clusters and can sometimes become cancerous, so theyre always good to get checked.

4. Skin tags

Skin tags are pretty common on dogs (especially older pups), so youve likely seen one or two before. They arent cancerous and are often long, thin pieces of skin that hang off of your pup.

5. Haematomas

These are blood blisters under the skin most commonly seen in the ear. These arent cancerous, but your pup will have to get surgery in order to remove it.

6. Abscesses

An abscess is a painful bump or swelling that can sometimes fill up with pus. They should always be checked out (and usually drained) by a vet so that they dont rupture on their own and cause an infection.

7. Cancerous masses

These are various types of bumps that can be cancerous, like mast cell tumors (cancer of the immune system), melanoma (skin cancer) and mammary carcinoma (breast cancer).

While it can be difficult to know just by looking which bumps are cancerous or not, if a growth seems to have appeared overnight, is larger than the typical bumps your dog has had, and is painful or hard, you should get it checked out ASAP.

Dogs can have multiple bumps or lumps on the skin, and each one can have a different origin, so [they] all need testing by a veterinarian at least once, Dr. Wigfall told The Dodo.

What causes lumps and bumps on your dogs skin?

Some lumps and bumps are caused by different cancers or skin conditions, and others can be caused by skin infections or even allergic reactions.

When it comes to skin infections, Dr. Wigfall said that those can present as lots of small, raised bumps on the skin, while allergic reactions can present as big welts all over the body that come and go within 72 hours.

When to take your dog to the vet

Any lump or bump should be checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Owners should be concerned about growths that grow quickly, are firm to the touch, appear to contain a lot of inflammation and those that are bothersome/painful for the dog, Dr. Padgett said.

What your veterinarian finds will determine how the bump is treated, if at all. If it is a bacterial infection, antibiotics or surgery can resolve the issue, Dr. Wigfall said. If it is a non-cancerous growth, such as a wart [or] skin tag, you may choose to leave it alone and only surgically remove it if it is growing too big and causing a problem for the animals mobility or is getting caught and infected.

If the bump is determined to be cancerous, itll require surgical removal and be tested to figure out if any further treatment is needed.

So while many bumps on dogs' skin will be OK and nothing to worry about, its always a good idea to get them checked out by your vet just in case.

Bumps Under Your Dogs Fur: Heres 5 Things It Could Be

With different environmental and physical conditions affecting dogs at different times of the year, at different times of their lives, and even times of day, their health can suffer.

Allergies, dry spells, humidity, high and low temperatures, and rain may damage the dogs coat and irritate its skin.

When you encounter bumps under your dog's fur (not a lump), many things could happen.

When your pooch is developing bumps on its skin, it can be caused by any of these or more.

Sometimes, it may be a combination of different medical issues and situations. As the dog's condition worsens, you must identify the possible causes so that you can reduce the problems affecting your pet.

With the increasing amount of bumps surfacing on your dog in different sizes and shapes, it may become alarming, and you may wonder if there is a more significant health issue behind them.

To be completely sure, it's best to visit your veterinarian to check what the bump actually is because sometimes this may require a test.

Luckily, most times, these bumps under your dog's fur are nothing too serious and typically may be caused by skin sensitivities and issues that

you can treat at home without the need to visit a vet unless the condition worsens. Here are five of the most common causes of bumps on a dog's skin that aren't related to tumors.

5 Possible Reasons of Bumps Under a Dog's Fur

1. Canine Atopy

Canine atopy refers to allergens that dogs may be exposed to by breathing them in, also known as inhaled allergens.

These allergens can include pollen, dust, and mold. A dog may show symptoms of distress after inhalation and should be treated immediately.

Benadryl can be used to treat the reaction, but you should contact a vet beforehand to obtain the proper dosage for your dog.

Signs that your dog may be suffering from canine atopy are itching, scratching, rubbing, hair loss, greasy and flaky skin, foul odor, and excessive chewing.

Your pooch will develop bump-like welts from constant skin irritation, which you can find near the paws, groin, and armpits.

2. Fleas, Mites, and More

Fleas, mites, and other skin parasites and bugs can give dogs serious skin problems and overall health issues.

Bumps may result from a bite from the critters or an allergic reaction caused by the bites on the dog's skin.

Whether the bumps are caused by the insect bite alone or an allergy from the dog will determine the treatment method.

However, if an allergic reaction causes it, it is usually determined after the critters are treated and removed.

First, the issue should be treated as if the bumps are caused by the bites alone. Some medicines and sprays will allow you to purge your pet, home, and yard of the critters.

After the critters have been removed, you must place the dog on a preventative medication to keep the pests away.

If the reaction is determined to be an allergic reaction, topical medication can be purchased and applied at home. If the reaction does not subside, then approach the vet about treatment options.

3. Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a reaction of the skin due to the dogs interaction with the nearby environment.

These interactions can be with grass, plants, dirt, bugs, water, and other chemicals or products used in the yard or home.

Although it is a reaction to the environment, it is not necessarily an allergic reaction.

Canine dermatitis is usually caused by a change in the environment or an addition to the environment, meaning the reaction is the dog attempting to adjust to the new change.

A common sign is developing small bumps on the skin that become irritated and change into hot spots.

The dog's reaction will typically go away on its own unless it has progressed into hot spots.

A hotspot is a lesion on the exposed skin commonly caused by moisture, which can be rain or the dog continually licking the wound.

If a hot spot is noticed on the dog, a vet should be contacted right away. An excellent way to prevent and treat small hot spots is to use a benzoyl peroxide shampoo.

4. Skin Allergies

The realization that the dog may have a skin allergy happens to many dog owners. Bumps and rashes are visible signs of skin allergies on a dog.

Dogs that are poorly bred are more likely to develop skin allergies versus dogs that are properly bred and cared for.

Skin allergies can be hard to deal with, as the symptoms appear out of nowhere and without an apparent cause.

With intense observation and using the research of common causes, it may be possible to discover the cause and remove it from the environment.

A vet can also be contacted and diagnose the issue to prevent it in the future. You may treat minor skin itches with hydrocortisone products.

5. Food Allergies

Food allergies may seem just as challenging to identify as skin allergies.

The appearance of bumps suggests that the problem lies on the outside of the skin when there seem to be no obvious internal causes.

Food allergies show the same symptoms as other allergy types, causing slight confusion when determining their origin.

The usual cause of food allergies is consuming food that contains a specific ingredient that the dog is allergic to.

The key to combating the allergy is identifying the ingredients included in the dog's current diet and shopping for new food that does not include one of the ingredients.

If the dog continues to show signs of allergies, you need to try another brand of food that includes different ingredients.

Repeat the process until a brand is found that does not cause an allergic reaction in the dog.

Some dogs will randomly develop bumps on their skin due to a random occurrence. You can usually treat these bumps at home with a quick shampoo and anti-itch medication.

The best way to determine the cause of the bumps is to attempt the treatment at home before moving on to find other causes.

Most times, the bumps will disappear and no longer be a problem for you or the dog.

Other Types of Bumps Under Your Dog's Fur and Lumps Pet Owners Should Be Aware Of

As mentioned, the above types of lumps and bumps on your dog's body do not include tumors and are the most common explanations. Your dog may also have lumps and bumps due to the following reasons, which are less common and do include tumors.

You can also think of the following terms as ways to describe the lumps and bumps already mentioned.

Abscess

An abscess is a pocket with pus. If it occurs under your dog's fur, then pet parents may notice a painful swelling. When you touch that swollen area, it may feel squishy or firm.

Importantly, it would help if you took your dog to the vet to treat an abscess. Expect the vet to evaluate the abscess on your pet's skin.

Then, he will drain it and use a sterile solution to flush the area. The vet will also typically prescribe antibiotics.

Histiocytomas

These are button-like lumps that are red. They are most common in young dogs under six years old and found on the legs.

They also typically go away by themselves. Histiocytomas are not dangerous, but they do look similar to potentially cancerous skin tumors. As such, you should always have a vet check them.

Hives

Just like their pet parents, dogs can get hives as well. They may include itchy raised bumps that are oval-shaped. Or they may be red and round, creating a rash.

Hives come from allergic reactions. The allergen in question can be anything. It may be food allergies, as mentioned above.

Or it may be an allergy to a bee sting or something else.

Mild hives are not usually life-threatening. However, your vet may still suggest a steroid or antihistamine to relieve the itching.

Lipomas

These are fat-filled tumors. They don't cause concern as they naturally occur with aging.

Your dog does not find them painful; they grow slowly, and they are unlikely to spread.

Mast Cell Tumors

Mast cell tumors (MCTs) are not just a type of skin cancer. They are the most common skin cancer that affects dogs.

The most commonly affected are Boston terriers, Labrador retrievers, schnauzers, beagles, and boxers. They are also more common in older dogs who are at least eight years old.

A mast cell tumor can vary greatly in appearance, so have your vet check any skin lumps in your older dog. Be extra careful if your canine is one of the breeds with a higher risk.

Melanomas

Melanomas occur in dogs when melanocytes, the cells that carry pigment, grow too much.

These may be benign or malignant, so that they may be noncancerous. Your vet will perform diagnostic tests to determine treatment.

It is more common for skin melanomas to be benign tumors. Your vet can typically use surgical removal to heal your dog.

However, melanomas by the legs and mouth tend to be more aggressive. These can be cancerous tumors that require more extensive treatment.

Perianal Adenomas

These tumors occur in the anus and affect the sebaceous (or oil) glands. They are most common in unneutered male dogs.

This is another typically benign growth. It is not usually painful and typically grows slowly. However, they can develop infections or ulcerate, so keep an eye on them.

Sebaceous Cyst

A sebaceous cyst forms when an oil gland on your dog's skin gets plugged. Think of them as harmless large pimples.

They typically go away on their own but can eventually return. These cysts are red and may cause soreness, but they are not harmful. They may burst, in which a white material will come out.

Skin Tags

A skin tag is common on older dogs, just like they are on older humans. They are just fibrous growths and are not harmful.

Large dog breeds may be more likely to develop skin tags, but any dog can.

Warts

Another type of lump or bump that dogs develop just like humans is a wart. These are called papillomas. Many pet owners notice these suddenly appear on dogs.

They are usually benign. Expect them to look similar to cauliflower in appearance and be either in clusters or alone.

Warts are most common on your dog's lower legs, feet, footpads, between the toes, eyelids, mouth, genital area, or face.

Common Questions about a Lump or Bumps Under Your Dog's Fur

The following information should answer any lingering questions you have about lumps and bumps on your dog.

What Is the Small Bump Under My Dog's Skin?

Most of the time, when you find a small lump or bump, it will be a fatty tumor. These are commonly found and tend to be benign.

It should give you peace of mind that less than half of the lumps on a dog are dangerous cancers or even malignant.

Are Cancer Lumps on Dogs Hard or Soft?

Cancer lumps tend to be hard and immovable. This contrasts with the softness and feel of fat you will notice when dogs develop lipomas.

What to Do When You Find a Lump on Your Dog?

Any time you notice a lump or large pimple on your dog, you should contact your vet. They will help you evaluate if the lumps are a serious concern or something minor.

Your vet will also ask you to observe the lump before your appointment. This helps them tell if it is slow-growing or fast-growing.

Expect the vet to ask about other symptoms, whether they suspect they are dealing with benign masses or malignant tumors. They may ask about your dog's mobility, for example.

Your vet will evaluate the bump as well as other tissues by it. They may even check if the lump affected other organs.

Then, they will suggest the ideal treatment for your pet. Many common lumps will disappear on their own. Some may need to be surgically removed.

Cancerous lumps may require radiation therapy.

Do Cancerous Lumps Hurt Dogs?

Some cancerous lumps may hurt dogs. Others may not bother them at all. Yet others may itch.