Have you observed your dog displaying symptoms of red, inflamed, or irritated skin? Frequently resembling pimples, these elevated bumps or lesions appear on many dogs at some point, usually indicating a deeper issue.
On most occasions, you’ll spot your dog attempting to scratch or lick them; however, sometimes your dog won’t even notice their presence but either way, you should take immediate action immediately you notice these red rashes on their belly.
So what causes these red spots on a dog’s belly? In this article, we will discuss factors that cause red spots while also shedding light on how to treat your four-legged family member when he’s battling with them.
5 Reasons for Red Spots On Dog’s Belly
1. Skin Allergies
Similar to humans, dogs too have allergic reactions when they consume or come into contact with irritants. An allergy-related rash will be itchy, consequently forcing your pet to lick, bite, and scratch excessively, which can prove harmful in the long run.
Some dog breeds are more susceptible to an allergic reaction compared to others. For instance, terriers, German shepherds, Golden retrievers, Cocker spaniels, Boston terriers, and French pugs are likely to suffer from allergies compared to other breeds.
An allergic reaction will mostly occur when you change your dog’s diet without considering a variety of ingredients. In this case, the symptoms will become more severe if you don’t stop feeding your dog products that make him react, thus causing skin problems.
Allergic reactions usually come with several other symptoms such as sneezing, biting, diarrhea, and vomiting, so be on the look-out for such symptoms.
2. Impetigo
Impetigo is a common skin infection on dogs that mostly impacts puppies; hence its alternative name – juvenile pustular dermatitis. Although it isn’t life-threatening, it can cause increased discomfort to your pup, leading to red spots on a dog’s belly.
Puppies are more susceptible due to their sensitive skin that isn’t fully developed. This increases their chances of catching infections, which tend to appear like pimples. Something to look out for if your adult dog suffers from impetigo, is that chances are he has underlying problems and should be checked by a veterinarian without delay.
This will appear as an itchy red dog rash on your pet’s less-haired surfaces. The belly, groin area, and armpit, due to their limited fur coverage, will have red bumps. You might also notice flaky skin, blisters or crusty, hair loss, and scaly patches on your dog’s belly, especially in its advanced stages.
3. Folliculitis
This is among the most common causes of red rashes on a dog’s belly. It occurs as a result of inflammation in a dog’s hair follicles, a condition caused by bacteria. Besides bacteria, it can also be caused by things like fungal infections, parasitism, systemic disease, endocrine issues, yeast infection, local trauma, and even immune system dysfunction.
Some symptoms include rashes in the groin, abdomen, stomach, and armpit areas, hair loss, pustules, hyperpigmentation, draining tracts, epidermal collarettes, blackheads, itching, dry skin, and swelling around the affected areas. It often occurs as pimples on dogs with skin conditions.
Although all breeds can be affected, Boston terriers, Golden retrievers, Dalmatians, Shih Tzus, and Scottish terriers are examples that are prone to skin disease. Benzoyl peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are medications that can help to overcome ichthyosis and bacterial imbalances that cause skin-related injury.
4. Sarcoptic Mange
Sarcoptic Mange is a zoonotic condition, meaning it can be transferred from dogs to people. [1] It is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, a parasitic mite that burrows beneath your canine companion’s skin.
Commonly known as scabies, the condition will make your pet uncomfortable, forcing him to scratch and chew his itchy skin to soothe the belly rash in hopes of removing the demodex mites.
Although highly contagious due to the mites, you’ll be glad to know that the mite can’t survive in people. This means they attempt to feed on you, causing you to itch severely until they die. To prevent your pet from contracting this, you might want to improve on your pet care, keeping him away from hot spots where foxes or stray dogs frequent.
Sarcoptic mange affects any dog regardless of age. And spotting these parasites with the naked eye is next to impossible, meaning you’ll need to take your pet to the vet if you suspect he might be suffering from scabies.
5. Pyoderma
Pyoderma is a potentially severe skin infection that causes a bright red circle on dog’s belly. The infection usually manifests itself as pustules or papules that form on your dog’s belly as a result of contact dermatitis, anal sac disease, parasites, dermatitis, and any other skin allergy on dogs.
The skin lesions more often than not are itchy red and contain pus which greatly reduces dog coat quality. If untreated it can cause itchy skin and rash on dog’s belly – a sign of further skin problems.
Other signs of pyoderma include flaky and dry patches of skin, belly rashes, circular crusts, itching, hair loss, and red bumps on dogs’ skin. You’ll notice that your dog will become less active and more reserved when battling with this itchy skin infection.
If your pet care is wanting and the pyoderma is left untreated for long, your pet might develop an infection, bumps, swellings on the head and feet, among other serious diseases.
4 Home Remedies To Soothe Your Dog’s Skin
As a pet parent, it’s only natural that you want to give your dog skin irritation the best pet care. Seeing your dog bite, lick and scratch his smooth skin is an unpleasant sight that you want to avoid or treat with urgency.
Below is information regarding four home skin care remedies used by most dog owners to treat dog rashes on the belly.
1. Soak Your Dog In Chamomile And Herbal Tea
Did you know that calendula, green tea, and chamomile have properties that help to cool and soothe skin irritation? If your dog’s body has hot, excessively itchy patches of sensitive skin, then you might want to use this technique.
You can fill your sink or tub with warm water and proceed to drop several tea bags. The tea bags should contain components like chamomile and calendula to soothe irritated skin. Allow the tea bags to soak for around two to five minutes before removing them.
But for small patches of irritated skin, many experts advise pouring a bottled mixture of the herbal tea on the affected location, allowing the mixture to drip dry. This is one of the best treatments for red splotches on dogs’ skin caused by road salt, poison ivy, and other allergens.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) And Water Mixture
ACV is a natural relief for dry, patchy skin, making it ideal for pet owners. It’ll almost certainly relieve your dog’s itch, consequently reducing the chances of your pup hurting himself due to over-scratching.
Point to note, though, applying raw vinegar can hurt your pet if he has open cuts. As a result, it is advisable to mix half ACV and half water in a bottle and spray the mixture on the affected area.
This method is ideal for dog rash arising from food allergies and also skin infections. Don’t use this antibiotic solution on your pet’s sores and open skin in the neck, paws, or anywhere with an open wound as it will be painful.
3. Oatmeal Bath
In addition to soothing dry human skin, oatmeal can also help to soothe your dog’s skin. This explains why most hypoallergenic dog shampoos contain oatmeal as a major ingredient. Oatmeal is one of the best treatment options for a pet owner looking to eliminate dog skin rash and itchiness while also maintaining skin color and moisture.
To use this method, grind plain oatmeal until it becomes powder. Sprinkle the powder in your dog’s warm bath and allow the mixture to settle for 10-15 minutes before allowing your canine companion to jump in.
Alternatively, you can grind the oatmeal and mix it with water (not too much) to create a paste. Once you’ve created a paste, proceed to carefully spread it on the affected place. Using organic or oatmeal dog shampoo is a sure way to soothe your pup and relieve him of the pain associated with scratching and biting sensitive skin.
4. Coconut Oil
Using coconut oil as a treatment method to soothe your dog’s skin is ideal due to its anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Coconut oil will work by moisturizing your dog’s skin as it easily penetrates and replenishes it. This remedy is ideal for treating dogs with rashes as it helps to remove walking dandruff, which is a culprit that causes redness and cases of endocrine disorders.
You’ll find this remedy ideal if your pooch is dealing with eczema, itchy skin, and even yeast infections. Coconut oil also comes in handy when looking to soothe stings and insect bites.
When Should You Take Your Dog To The Veterinarian?
The right time to take your dog to the veterinarian for red spots is when the itching, scratching, or biting becomes too much. If your puppy scratches himself excessively, he’ll cause exposed skin, increasing the chances of developing bacterial infections.
Examine the affected area to check the nature of the red spots. If you notice pus, it might be time to visit the veterinarian for a diagnosis and have the skin problem treated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can humans get bacterial infections from dogs?
Yes, humans can get bacterial infections from dogs if the conditions are zoonotic. Zoonotic conditions are those that can be transmitted from pets to humans. For instance, a condition like canine scabies can be passed from the dog to its owner, hence the need for immediate action when you notice a rash, lesion, bump or scabs in your dog’s skin.
Can calamine lotion be used on my dog?
No, using calamine lotion on your dog isn’t advisable as it contains Zinc oxide. Although the product is ideal for soothing irritations in people, using it on your pets can cause further allergies and other reactions depending on the breed.
Can I put hydrocortisone on my dog?
Yes, you can put hydrocortisone on your dog. It will help soothe him and prevent excessive biting and scratching. Hydrocortisone cream mostly comes with a low percentage of hydrocortisone acetate, which is vital in breaking the cycle of irritation.
Conclusion
There are many causes of red spots on dogs belly which often cause persistent scratching, biting, and licking. While you can manage the symptoms at home by changing your environment and using the suggested remedies such as oatmeal, herbal tea, and coconut oil, it’s best to book an appointment with a vet doctor if there are a lot of red spots on your dog’s belly.
Remember to maintain your dog’s hygiene and health. Most importantly, prevent interactions (in hot spots) with other animals that might pass on infections to your canine companion and cause dog skin problems.
