Why do dogs get black spots on their belly

12 Causes Of Black Spots on Your Dogs Belly

Black spots on dogs can come in a variety of forms.

Some dogs have black patches that look as if theyre beneath the skins surface, whereas others have noticeable bumps.

While pigmentation changes such as black splotches often occur around the eyes, nose, lip, or paws, its also commonly noticeable on the belly.

Simple pigmentation changes should not trigger panic but its essential to differentiate between harmless skin changes and serious underlying issues.

My Rottweiler just recently had black spots.

Thats when I realized that what some mean by this isnt necessarily what others mean.

For better comparison, Ive just compiled these causes into rough categories.

Well go into more detail (including pictures) below.

Benign causes of black spots:

• Aging
• Breed
• Environment (dirt)

Serious primary conditions where the surrounding area of the black spots is often red, itchy, rough, or crusty:

• Skin conditions (Yeast/Bacteria)
• Demodex Mites
• Allergies
• Autoimmune diseases (Lupus)
• Hormonal imbalance (Cushings)
• Endocrine disorder
• Cancer

Dark spots or bumps on the skins surface:

• Blackheads (usually just a symptom!)

Loose black spots:

Factors that exacerbate the aforementioned conditions:

• Suppressed immune system
• Meds
• Injuries
• Shave

Benign Causes of Black Spots

Some dogs are born with black spots on their underbelly or develop them as they age.

Not all breeds will exhibit darker splotches anywhere on their skin, the following breeds are more prone to this:

• Dalmatian
• Pointer
• Boxer
• Bullterrier
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Staffordshire Bullterrier

The Dalmatian is the obvious choice but their coloration is more obvious to the average person when compared to the very light splotches on other breeds.

Some dogs develop darker spots as they age.

Breed-specific hyperpigmentation may be cosmetic and not a sign of an underlying health issue.

However, its wise to have sudden or extreme changes examined by a vet.

To be clear, harmless pigmentation rooted in your dogs genetics will not be accompanied by any other symptoms.

If the skin is inflamed, you notice a rash, or any changes to the skin (red, swollen, rough, crusty, scaly, or your dog is itching), then an underlying health issue might be the cause.

Last but not least, it could just be dirt from outdoors.

Try to gently wipe the dirt away with a cotton washcloth or wipes designed for dogs.

If all else fails, your vet may prescribe a (medicated) shampoo.

An accumulation of dirt skin cells and oils may lead to clogged pores et voil you have the human blackhead equivalent.

Bacteria may also enter the bloodstream if your dog suffers an injury around a dirty spot which can develop into an infection.

Serious Conditions With Black Spots as a Symptom

Yeast or bacterial infections, mites, or allergies can often cause black spots. Other causes include autoimmune diseases, hormonal imbalances, endocrine disorders, and cancer.

Dont worry, if the black spots are a standalone symptom (i.e. you dont notice any other behavioral or physical changes), theres no reason to panic. Its still smart to have your vet check them out.

Usually, serious cases arent solely expressed through black spots but other symptoms including but not limited to:

• Redness/Inflammation
• Swelling
• Itchiness
• Rough, crusty, or scaly skin
• Offensive smell
• Behavioral changes (excessive drinking, lethargy, etc.)

If you notice any of these signs around the newly formed skin changes, consult your vet.

Diagnostics & treatment are largely dependent on the specific root cause.

Demodex mites (Demodicosis or red mange) can cause color changes and may be confirmed by your vet through a skin scrape.

As the name red mange implies, the skin is usually red and it may be visible in other areas of the body.

You mightve encountered the little beasts on social media as your friendly neighborhood parasites residing on your eyelashes.

Cushings disease, for example, is known to cause blackheads in part due to the hormonal imbalance in some dogs.

Its also notoriously difficult to diagnose. No single test will provide a 100% diagnosis.

Instead, a myriad of tests strengthens the diagnosis such as bloodwork, urinalysis, dexamethasone suppression tests, ultrasound, CT, and MRI.

Consult your vet if you assume any serious underlying health issue is changing your dogs skin (color).

Comedones Caused By Seborrhea

While blackheads may be relatively easy to diagnose in our furry friends, its difficult to determine the cause.

Blackheads can be a symptom of secondary canine Seborrhea (i.e. skin is not producing appropriate amounts of the protein keratin).

Secondary seborrhea, in turn, may be caused by allergies, immune-related diseases, hormonal issues, or skin lymphoma.

Primary seborrhea is rare and only strongly considered after more likely causes are ruled out.

Both primary and secondary seborrhea usually result either in dry or oily/greasy skin.

While some bumps in the form of blackheads are harmless, others can signal an underlying health issue.

If your vet confirms the greasy skin issue, they may prescribe a medicated shampoo.

In case any underlying issues are detected, they need to be treated.

All these conditions can be worsened by factors such as a lowered immune system so lets dive a bit deeper in a moment.

Loose Black Crumbs Usually Means Parasites

If the black spots dont seem to be embedded and you can comb your dogs coat just to find loose particles that can mean its flea dirt.

Combing your dog is a good start if you suspect thats what it is but dont stop there.

Flea dirt or other parasites can make it homey on your dogs belly but other favorite areas include behind the ears or around the neck.

If its indeed a parasite situation, youd need to treat the underlying cause and schedule a vet visit.

Contributors To Canine Skin Changes

Various primary factors such as a suppressed immune system, medication, injuries, or shave burns can lead to a secondary infection.

For example, if your dog suffers an injury outdoors (even a relatively small cut may suffice), this can open the pathway for bacteria or other microorganisms and lead to an infection.

Cases can get pretty complex.

Example 2: Theoretically, your dog could suffer from an allergy, which in turn affects the immune system, and may entice him to bite the itching spot.

Now the underlying allergy causes the dog to inflict a wound which opens the gate to bacteria.

To a layman, the cause may not be clear if the signs of allergy have not been caught and it looks just as it does in the first example.

Thats why its crucial to have your vet run a couple of tests and explain the situation if you suspect a correlation.

Conclusion

If all that stuff went over your head, no worries, Ill try to keep it as simple as possible.

Some breeds will experience harmless hyperpigmentation.

Other harmless causes can be ruled out with a bath or simply a gentle scrub with a cotton washcloth.

You need to be able to tell when its time to get a professional opinion though.

When to call your vet?

If you notice any behavioral or skin changes (including signs of inflammation and changes in color, texture, or smell) consult your vet.

What could be the cause?

Serious issues include yeast or bacterial infections, mites, allergies, autoimmune diseases, hormonal issues, thyroid issues, or cancer.

What your vet might do?

Diagnostics depend on the exact symptoms. Issues such as Cushings Syndrome are a bit more difficult to pin down. Bloodwork or skin scrapes are common steps.

Could it be a simple blackhead?

Basically, it might be an imbalance of oil production (i.e. seborrhea) of varying severity depending on the underlying issue. In dogdom, skin changes usually point toward an underlying health issue.

Disclaimer: This blog post does not substitute veterinary attention and does not intend to do so. I am not a veterinarian or pet nutritionist. If your dog shows any sign of illness, call your vet.

Black Spots on Dog: Top Causes [Pictures + Vet Advice]

This article was updated on December 15th, 2023

One condition we commonly see in our veterinary practice is discolored, dark or black spots on the skin. The good news is that these black spots are usually benign. In some cases, however, they can be a sign that your dog has an underlying health problem such as a skin infection or an allergy.

7 things you should know about black spots on your dogs skin:

In this article, our dermatologist Dr. Ian Spiegel & veterinarian director Dr. Jamie Whittenburg share 7 tips for dealing with black spots:

1. Black spots may just be age spots or macules, which are not a concern if the skin otherwise looks normal

Below is a picture of normal black skin on the belly of a 5-year-old dog. These age spots are usually nothing to worry about:

If the darkened areas are 1) flat, 2) mild and 3) slowly darkening to black, with no change to the texture of the skin, it is likely that the dog has benign age spots. This can be a normal part of the aging process.

Below is another picture showing normal age spots:

Dogs may also have natural black spots or patches on their skin. These spots are called macules or patches. The 2 pictures below show black spots as a normal part of the dogs skin coloration:

If the spots are black and loose on your dogs hair and skin, it could also be fleas or flea excrement, as shown below. Your number one clue that your dog has fleas is that they will likely chew, lick or scratch themselves more than usual.

2. Black spots need veterinary treatment if they are itchy or accompanied by other signs such as hair loss or red skin

Dark spots are a reason for concern when the affected skin also changes texture or becomes itchy. When the skin becomes black, as well as itchy, red, rough or scaly, your dog likely needs veterinary treatment.

Thus, you should call your vet if your dogs skin is:

• Itchy: A dog will show they are itchy by scratching, licking or chewing at their skin.Read more about Itchy Black Spots.
• Red around the area: In the picture below, dark spots on this Shih Tzu can be seen with a red rash:

• Rough, scaly, or crusty
• Thickened (lichenification): This occurs when dogs have an overgrowth of yeast on their skin and the result can be what many owners refer to as elephant skin, as shown on the picture below:

Photo example of black spots requiring veterinary treatment

The picture below shows a dog with dark black patches, as well as other signs of disease including redness, hair loss, and a rough skin appearance. All these signs combined definitely indicate that this dog needs veterinary treatment:

3. Allergies, parasites and skin infections are common causes of black spots on a dogs skin

Dark spots, along with the other signs of redness, scaling, crusting, and itchiness, are most commonly a result of the following medical conditions:

1. Allergies

Up to 20% of dogs develop allergies in their lifetime. Allergies resulting in black spots will typically be accompanied by:

• Itching
• Red skin
• Excessive licking/grooming

The black spots will be flat and not raised off the skins surface, as shown in the picture below. Learn more about Skin Issues Due to Allergies.

2. Parasites (fleas and ticks)

Parasites, such as fleas and ticks, will typically cause itching as well as biting of the skin. The parasites themselves are often visible on the pet. These dark spots, like allergy spots, will be flat on the skin. Learn more about Skin Flea Allergies and Mites.

3. Injuries/trauma

Any irritation or injury (e.g., self-induced from scratching, post-vaccine/needle, burns, etc.) to either the skin, or even the underlying bones, joints, and muscles, can result in hyperpigmentation & dark spots. Typically, these black spots will also be flat on the skins surface and will be over or near the injury.

Upon closer inspection, it is common for these spots to be scabs or darker spots that are a result of the skins healing. Because they are due to a break in the skins barrier, these dark spots will shrink and then usually disappear with time. Click here to see dark spots on skin as a result of a burn (warning: graphic image).

4. Bacterial skin infections

Skin infections are very common in dogs: according to Banfield Pet Hospitals, skin infections are one of the top 5 reasons for veterinarian visits. Skin infections can lead to skin irritation and black spots. These spots will lie flat as part of the skin and will not have a mass-like appearance.

Bacterial skin infections (usually Staphylococcus sp.) cause black spots on the skin in the same manner as injuries: the infection ends up damaging the skins barrier, as shown on the picture below. Learn more about Bacterial Skin Infections.

5. Yeast skin infections

Yeast infections (Malassezia sp.) are the most common type of fungal infection in dogs. They typically present as:

The dogs immune system response to the yeast overgrowth can lead to increased production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. This protective response can lead to darkening on the skin. Learn more about Black Spots from Yeast Infections.

6. Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune disorders occur when the bodys defense mechanisms overreact and attack part of the body thinking it is a foreign invader. If the condition involves the skin, the result can be hair loss, lack of pigmentation, or hyperpigmentation as the body attacks cells in the skin. With proper treatment, these spots should be resolved.

The symptoms of autoimmune diseases in dogs vary widely depending on the type of disorder, but often include lethargy, weakness and loss of appetite.Learn more about Autoimmune diseases.

7. Comedones (blackheads)

Comedones are what we often refer to as blackheads. These occur when the hair follicle becomes blocked with bacteria, dead skin cells, dirt, and oils. Blackheads can be secondary to other skin conditions or a stand-alone issue. See this picture of comedones on Animal Allergy Colorado or the picture below:

Comedones are pores or hair follicles that have gotten blocked with bacteria, oil (sebum), and dead skin cells (keratin) to form bumps on the skin. They are not inflamed or painful.

9. Hormone changes

Rarely, a hormone change due to aging or sterilization surgery (spay or neuter), can cause areas of the skin to become darker. This may also occur with some endocrine diseases such as hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism, and diabetes. With hyperadrenocorticism, calcium can build-up under the skin (calcinosis cutis). This can also happen from corticosteroids administered at high doses.

These changes are benign and will not be raised, scaly, or itchy. The most common place to see this is trunk of the dog.

If you suspect (or know) that your dog is dealing with hormone changes, there are two conditions worth noting: cyclical flank alopecia and alopecia X. You can read about these conditions and see more pictures in this article: Cyclical Flank Alopecia and Alopecia X.

10. Other conditions leading to skin irritation and itching

Food allergies, mange, and other disorders can all lead to skin irritation that may result in hyperpigmentation and black spots or black patches on a dogs skin. As hyperpigmentation results from chronic irritation, these spots will lie flat as part of the skin and will not have a mass-like appearance.

4. Spots on the belly are usually normal but could be a sign of an underlying condition

Black spots on a dogs belly can be perfectly normal. Some dogs are born with dark spots on the skin as a normal part of their skin coloring. Others tend to develop dark spots on their bellies as they age.

Dr. Jamie Whittenburg

The pictures below show two examples of normal black spots or normal dark areas on a dogs belly:

However, there is a possibility that black spots on a dogs belly are a sign of an underlying condition such as skin infection, allergies, endocrine disease, or even cancer, so newly noticed spots should always be brought to the attention of the dogs veterinarian.

5. Black spots near the mouth can be a sign of malignant melanoma (cancer of the melanocytes in the skin)

Dark or black spots on a dogs skin can be an indication of a cancer termed melanoma. These skin masses may be malignant (cancerous and apt to spread) or benign. These are cancers of the melanocytes in the skin that produce melanin. Though not the case 100% of the time, malignant melanomas most commonly occur in the mouth, around the lips, or on the gums.Learn more about Melanomas or Black Lumps on Dogs.

Any changes in your dogs skin should be brought to the attention of your dogs veterinarian immediately. In many cases, prompt treatment of the underlying cause will cure both the cause and resolve the hyperpigmentation.

6. To treat black spots on your dog, a veterinarian must first diagnose and address the underlying cause

The first step in treatment is diagnosing the underlying cause. This process can be aided by examining the dogs skin as well as obtaining a thorough medical history. Any itching, licking, parasites, or injuries should be noted.

• Skin infections, whether bacterial or fungal, must be identified and treated.
• Many dogs with these skin ailments also have underlying skin allergies, either to something in the environment or food allergies, and these must be controlled. Allergies in dogs are just like allergies in peoplethey cannot be cured. However, they can be managed.
• Endocrine disorders, such as hyperadrenocorticism (Cushings Disease) and hypothyroidism, are also lifelong health issues that need to be treated and controlled. These illnesses, if left untreated, will have significant adverse effects on the dogs health and will drastically shorten their life span.
• Malignant melanomas are aggressive tumors and need to be removed surgically. Many cases will require post-surgical cancer care, including chemotherapy, immunomodulation, or radiation.

7. Preventing black spots is difficult, but treating allergies or infections and limiting sun exposure can help

Due to the many varying causes of hyperpigmentation in dogs, prevention is difficult. Owners should always treat any allergies, infection, or injuries to the skin promptly and continue treatments as necessary.

UV damage may also play a role in hyperpigmentation, so it is prudent to keep dogs out of the sun as much as possible and when not, to utilize dog-safe sunscreen such as zinc oxide on non-haired areas of skin.

Dr. Jamie Whittenburg

Frequently asked questions

Why does a dogs skin turn black?

The most common causes include allergies, parasites, and inflammation (e.g., trauma/injury, bacterial or fungal infections). There are other causes, including:

• Aging
• Specific breed characteristics (e.g., Black Labradors, Scottish Terriers, etc.)
• Endocrine disorders:
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Cushings disease (hyperadrenocorticism)
  • Diabetes
  • Estrogen-producing tumors (Sertoli cell testicular)
• Medications (e.g., corticosteroids oral or topical)
• External environment changes (UV light exposure)
• Cancer

What is hyperpigmentation?

Most instances of dark or black colored spots on the skin of dogs are hyperpigmentation. As previously mentioned, hyperpigmentation is the medical term used to describe an increase of the pigmentation on a dogs skin when the amount of color is more than what is normal for that dog. Hyperpigmentation in dogs is usually more of a symptom than a disease in and of itself.

What does it mean if my dog has black spots that are itchy?

Black spots, or areas of hyperpigmentation, will not cause your dog to itch. It is more likely that your dog has another condition, such as a food or environmental allergy, or parasites, that is causing them to be itchy. The spots could also be the result of the same condition. Read our article about itchy black spots in dogs.

What does it mean if my dog has black spots near her privates?

Black spots near a dogs genitals have the same causes as black spots in other areas. If the skins appearance is changing suddenly and if the dog is licking that area, it is essential to determine the underlying cause. It could have something to do with their urinary or reproductive tracts. The genitals often have skin folds and are also frequently moist, and are ideal places for a skin infection to arise.

Can a dog yeast infection cause black or dark spots?

Yes, yeast infections of the skin can result in black spots. This is due to the chronic irritation of the skin from itching, licking, and the organism living on the skin. Most dogs with yeast skin infections happen as a result of allergies. It is imperative to not only treat the skin infection but also to address and control the allergies to prevent a recurrence.

Related Posts

• Dr. Jamie Whittenburg is a Veterinarian Director at 'Senior Tail Waggers' and Director and Owner of Kingsgate Animal Hospital, a full-service animal hospital in Lubbock, TX. She graduated from Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and has over 17 years of experience working as a veterinarian & hospital director.

  View all posts

Disclaimer: This website's content is not a substitute for veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian for healthcare decisions. Read More.