Found something on your dog's skin, like bald patch, a raw red area, or a smell that wasn't there last week?
From an occasional scratch to persistent licking or patches of hair loss, your dog’s skin can reveal a lot about their health. While some issues are minor and easily managed at home, others may signal underlying allergies, infections, or even parasites.
This guide shows what each common skin issue looks like and where on the body it usually sits. This advice is vet-approved, practical, and designed to help you take quick, confident action.
Key takeaways
Skin health reflects internal wellness, and issues can range from minor irritations to chronic conditions that impact quality of life.
- The most common skin conditions in dogs are flea allergy dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergies, contact dermatitis, yeast and bacterial infections, and dry, flaky skin.
- Signs of a skin problem in dogs include constant scratching, licking or chewing (especially the paws and belly), red or inflamed skin, bald patches, dandruff or greasy fur, scabs, a musty smell and ear infections that keep coming back.
- Where a dog itches is a useful clue: itching over the lower back and base of the tail often points to fleas, while itching on the paws, face, ears and belly is more typical of an environmental or food allergy.
- Treating a dog's skin condition usually means calming the itch first, often with medication your vet prescribes, then dealing with the cause through year-round flea prevention, a shampoo suited to the condition, and diet changes or omega-3 fatty acids to help support the skin barrier.
- See a vet if your dog's itching keeps them awake, the skin turns raw, weepy or smelly, a hot spot is spreading, you find a new or changing lump, or you suspect scabies (sarcoptic mange) or ringworm, which can both spread to other pets and people.
Signs Your Dog Has a Skin Problem
Occasional scratching is normal. Itching that keeps returning, or anything you can see or smell, is worth looking into.
- Scratching, licking or chewing that goes on for days rather than moments
- Rubbing along furniture, carpet or the fence
- Redness, bald patches, scabs or lumps
- A coat that has turned flaky, greasy or thin
- A musty or yeasty smell, which often means yeast has taken hold
- Head shaking or digging at the ears
One thing worth knowing before you scroll. Most skin problems look alike once a dog has been scratching at them for a few weeks. Redness, thickened skin and hair loss are the end point of almost everything below. The early appearance and the location are what tell them apart.
What Common Dog Skin Issues Look Like
Where the problem sits on your dog's body narrows it down as much as what it looks like.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)
Flea allergy dermatitis is an allergic reaction to flea saliva that causes intense itching, scabbing and hair loss, most often at the base of the tail and back legs.
Flea allergy dermatitis symptoms include small red bumps, scabs, and flea dirt, which shows up as little brownish-red specks through the coat. The itching and hair loss concentrate in the "flea triangle", the area running from the middle of the back to the base of the tail and down the back legs.
You can ease a mild reaction with a cool bath and a medicated shampoo. Skin that is already broken or scabbed usually means infection has set in, so that needs your vet. Keep every pet in the house on year-round flea prevention, because even a small number of fleas can cause significant irritation in an allergic dog.
Should I see my vet?
Yes, see your vet for flea allergy dermatitis, especially if your dog is scratching constantly or has broken skin. Your vet can confirm flea allergy, prescribe effective flea control, anti-itch medication, and guide you on cleaning your home environment to prevent re-infestation.
Atopic Dermatitis (Canine Eczema)
Atopic dermatitis is an allergic reaction to things in the environment, and it usually shows up as itching on the face, paws and belly. Common triggers include grass and tree pollens, dust mites and mould.
Atopic dermatitis symptoms include face rubbing, paw licking that stains the fur brown, and recurrent ear infections. The distribution is the clue. Atopic dermatitis settles where the coat is thinnest, so the face, ears, armpits and belly take the worst of it. The back is often spared.
There is no cure, so the goal is control rather than clearing it. Regular bathing removes pollens sitting on the coat and helps between flare-ups. Atopic dermatitis is diagnosed by ruling other causes out first, so it needs your vet rather than a product off the shelf.
Our guide to atopic dermatitis in dogs covers triggers and long-term management.
Should I see my vet?
Yes, atopic dermatitis needs veterinary management, so see your vet if you suspect your dog has it. Treatment may include allergy testing, prescription medication for skin allergies, and medicated shampoos to reduce inflammation and itch.
For owners whose dog has been prescribed Oclacitinib (Apoquel tablets for dogs), detailed safety and technical information can be found in our Oclacitinib for Dogs Medication Information Guide.
Shop our vet recommended hypoallergenic grooming products
Dermcare Natural Shampoo
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Active ingredients: Coconut oil, glycerine, collagen protein.
Petkin Eye Wipes
Dermoscent Essential Mousse
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The soap-free foam is easy to apply and is ideal for pets living in apartments/flats, after walks, when travelling, for pets that are resistant to being washed with water and for hospitalised pets. Suitable for sensitive skin.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction to something your dog has physically touched, such as a garden chemical, fertiliser or cleaning product, and it appears only where the contact happened.
Contact dermatitis symptoms include a red rash, sometimes with small raised bumps, in one clearly defined area. The sharp edge is the clue. Unlike the allergies above, contact dermatitis does not spread across the body. It turns up where the coat is thinnest or absent: the belly, the chin, and between the paw pads.
Rinse the area with cool water and remove whatever caused it. Think back over anything new, because a freshly treated lawn or a different wash is often the answer. If the rash is weeping, spreading or not settling within a day or two, see your vet.
Our guide to dog skin allergies covers how contact reactions are told apart from the rest.
Should I see my vet?
If symptoms are mild and improve once the irritant is removed, home care may be enough. If the rash lingers or worsens, your vet may prescribe a topical cream or anti-inflammatory treatment.
Yeast Infections
A yeast infection in dogs is an overgrowth of yeast that normally lives on the skin, leaving the area greasy, itchy, darkened and noticeably smelly.
Yeast infection symptoms include thickened skin that has darkened over time, a greasy coat, and a distinctive musty smell. Smell is the giveaway. Yeast favours warm, damp places, so it concentrates in the ears, paws, skin folds and groin.
Yeast is almost always a second problem rather than the first. Something damaged the skin barrier and let it take hold, so treating the yeast without finding that cause means it returns.
Our guide to dog ear yeast infections covers treatment and why they recur.
Should I see my vet?
Yeast infections require antifungal treatment, so please see your vet if you suspect your dog has a yeast infection. Your vet may recommend medicated shampoos or wipes, oral antifungals for severe cases, and diet changes to prevent recurrence.
Hot Spots (Acute Moist Dermatitis)
A hot spot is a patch of inflamed, infected skin that develops rapidly when a dog licks or scratches one area until the surface breaks down.
Hot spot symptoms include a red, wet, painful patch with the surrounding hair matted or missing. Speed is the distinguishing feature rather than location. A hot spot can appear anywhere your dog can reach, and can go from nothing to the size of a coaster within a day. Nothing else on this page moves that fast.
Hot spots are painful and they spread quickly, so this is one to book rather than watch. Treatment usually means clipping the hair, cleaning the area and medication to settle the infection. Because a hot spot starts with licking, your vet will also want to know what set the licking off.
Should I see my vet?
Yes. Hot spots can worsen quickly and often need vet treatment. Your vet may shave the area to expose the skin, clean it thoroughly, and prescribe topical antibiotics or anti-inflammatories. Fast action helps prevent deeper infections and long-term skin damage.
Mange (Demodectic and Sarcoptic)
Mange is a skin disease caused by mites living on or in the skin, producing hair loss, crusting and, in the sarcoptic form, intense itching.
Mange symptoms include hair loss with red, crusted skin, and the two types behave differently. Demodectic mange usually starts on the face, often is not very itchy, and tends to affect young or unwell dogs. Sarcoptic mange is fiercely itchy and typically begins at the ear margins, elbows and hocks.
Both forms need prescription treatment, so mange cannot be managed at home. Sarcoptic mange is contagious to other dogs and can cause a temporary itchy rash in people, so tell your vet if anyone in the house has started itching too.
Should I see my vet?
Yes. Mange needs a confirmed diagnosis through skin scrapings or biopsies. Your vet will prescribe specific anti-parasitic treatments, often along with medicated shampoos and antibiotics if the skin is infected. In the case of sarcoptic mange, treating all animals in contact is essential to stop the spread.
Food Allergies
A food allergy in dogs is an immune reaction to a protein in the diet, and it usually shows up as year-round itching rather than a digestive upset. The most common triggers are chicken, beef and dairy.
A food intolerance is different: it doesn't involve the immune system, and it usually causes digestive upset such as vomiting or diarrhoea rather than itchy skin.
Food allergy symptoms include itchy ears, paws and face, and repeated ear infections that keep coming back after treatment. Timing is what separates a food allergy from an environmental one. A food allergy tends to itch all year round, while atopic dermatitis tends to flare with the seasons. Some dogs also show digestive signs alongside the itch.
Confirming a food allergy takes a strict elimination diet run with your vet, usually over 8 to 12 weeks. No blood, saliva or hair test can diagnose one reliably.
Our guide to food allergies in dogs explains how to run the trial properly, along with a handy downloadable tracker so you can stay on top of progress.
Should I see my vet?
Yes, a suspected food allergy in dogs should be checked by your vet before you change foods. Fleas, environmental allergies and skin infections cause the same itch, so those need ruling out first. Swapping foods on your own rarely gives a clear answer, and each new food can use up a protein your vet might later want for the trial.
Your vet will choose a diet for the trial based on what your dog has eaten before. This is usually a hydrolysed diet, where the protein is broken down too small for the immune system to react to, or a novel protein your dog has never eaten.
Ringworm (Dermatophytosis)
Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection of the skin, hair and claws, and despite the name no worm is involved.
Ringworm symptoms include circular patches of hair loss with scaly or crusted edges, most often on the head, ears, paws and front legs. That circular shape with a defined edge is what separates ringworm from the other causes of patchy hair loss, although it does not always look like a neat ring.
Ringworm spreads to other pets and to people, so it needs confirming rather than watching. Your vet can test for it, and treatment usually combines a topical product with an oral medication. Keep children away from the patches and wash bedding during treatment.
Should I see my vet?
Ringworm is highly contagious and should be confirmed with a fungal culture or UV lamp test, so a vet trip is worth it. Treatment may include topical antifungals, oral medications, and environmental decontamination. Your vet can advise on cleaning protocols to prevent reinfection.
Dandruff and Seborrhoea
Seborrhoea is a disorder of the skin's oil production that leaves the coat either dry and flaky or greasy. Dandruff is the flaking most pet parents notice first.
Dandruff symptoms include white flakes through the coat, skin that feels rough or unusually greasy, and sometimes a faint smell. It usually shows along the back and around the base of the tail. Flaking on its own is often just dry weather or over-bathing. The question is whether anything else is happening alongside it.
Bathing less often and using a gentle shampoo helps mild, occasional flaking. Persistent dandruff with itching or hair loss is a different matter, because seborrhoea is frequently secondary to allergies, parasites or a thyroid problem.
Should I see my vet?
If flakes are mild and seasonal, you can often manage it at home with omega-3 supplements or moisturising shampoos. If symptoms persist, worsen, or are paired with hair loss or skin infections, a vet check is recommended to rule out endocrine issues or allergies.
Hair Loss
Hair loss in dogs means the coat is thinning or falling out faster than it regrows. It is a sign of an underlying problem rather than a condition in itself.
With hair loss, the pattern matters more than the appearance. Symmetrical loss on both flanks, with skin that is not red or itchy, may point towards a hormonal cause such as a thyroid problem. Patchy or circular loss points towards parasites or fungus instead. A single area licked bare usually means something hurts there.
Tell your vet whether your dog is scratching, because hair loss without itching sends the investigation somewhere quite different.
Should I see my vet?
Yes, a dog with hair loss should see a vet, because hair loss is a sign of another problem such as a hormone imbalance, parasites, ringworm or an allergy, and the cause decides the treatment. Go sooner if the patches are spreading, the skin is red, broken or smelly, or your dog is also gaining weight, lacking energy or drinking more than usual.
Lumps, Bumps and Skin Growths
A skin lump in dogs is any new growth in or under the skin. They range from harmless fatty lumps and warts through to tumours that need removing.
Lumps have no distinguishing pattern, and this is the one entry on the page where looking will not help you. No photograph can tell you what a lump is, including the one above. Firm or soft, fast or slow, painful or painless: none of it reliably separates the harmless from the serious.
Any new lump, or an existing one that changes size, shape or colour, should be checked. Your vet can usually take a small sample during the appointment and have an answer quickly. Note when you first felt it and roughly how big it was, because change over time is what matters most.
Should I see my vet?
Any new, changing, or concerning lump should be checked by a vet. They may take a sample using a fine needle or recommend removal for biopsy. Not all growths are cancerous, but early intervention improves outcomes.
When to See a Vet
Most skin problems are not urgent, but they rarely resolve on their own, and a few are contagious to people.
Book an appointment if you see:
- Skin that is broken, bleeding or weeping
- A patch that is spreading, or new patches appearing
- Itching bad enough to disturb your dog's sleep, or yours
- A problem that cleared up with treatment and has come back
- Any new lump, or an existing one that has changed
- A rash on anyone in the house, which can point to ringworm or sarcoptic mange
Same-day attention is worth it for rapidly spreading sores, facial swelling, or a dog who seems unwell in themselves rather than just itchy.
A few minutes of preparation makes the appointment considerably more useful.
- When it started, and whether it has ever fully cleared
- Whether it comes and goes with the seasons
- Any recent change of food, treats, bedding or grooming products
- What flea prevention you use, the actual product name, and when it was last given
- Previous episodes and what was prescribed
If your vet prescribes something, our guide to ordering prescription skin medication covers how to fill the script without a second trip.
The Role of Diet in Skin Health
Nutrition plays a key role in maintaining your dog’s skin barrier and reducing inflammation. A poor-quality diet can lead to dry, flaky skin, excessive shedding, or even trigger allergic reactions. For dogs with ongoing skin issues, switching to a specialised diet may bring significant improvements.
Look for foods that are:
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA and EPA) from fish oil to reduce inflammation
- Formulated with high-quality protein to support skin repair
- Fortified with skin-supportive nutrients like zinc, vitamin E, and biotin
Dogs with confirmed food allergies may benefit from hypoallergenic or hydrolysed diets, which eliminate common triggers like beef, chicken, dairy, or wheat. Always consult your vet before changing your dog’s food to address skin concerns.
Related reading: Best Dog Food for Skin Allergies in Australia (2025 Vet Guide)
Breed-Specific Skin Issues
Dog breeds prone to skin problems
Some dog breeds are more likely to develop skin problems because of the way their skin and coat are built. Knowing your dog's breed risks helps you take simple preventive steps and notice a problem early.
Skin fold infections in wrinkly breeds
Deep skin folds trap moisture, grease and debris. That makes wrinkly breeds prone to skin fold dermatitis, a red, smelly infection in the crease, and to yeast infections. Cleaning and gently drying the folds a few times a week helps keep them healthy.
Wrinkly breeds prone to skin fold infections include:
- Bulldogs
- Pugs
- French Bulldogs
- Cocker Spaniels, around the lip folds
Hot spots in thick-coated breeds
Dogs with dense or double coats are more likely to get hot spots, which are painful patches of red, weepy skin that can spread within hours. The risk is highest in humid weather or after swimming, when moisture is trapped against the skin. Drying the coat right down to the skin and brushing regularly helps air move through it.
Thick-coated breeds prone to hot spots include:
Sunburn and dry skin in hairless and fine-coated breeds
Dogs with little or no fur have less protection from the sun and the environment. They are more prone to sunburn, dry or flaky skin, and irritation. In Australia, keeping them out of the midday sun and using a pet-safe sunscreen on exposed skin both help.
Fine-coated and hairless breeds prone to sunburn and dry skin include:
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Petkin Doggy Sunmist SP15 Sunscreen
Just like people, dogs need protection from the sun. Doggy Sunmist provides the fastest, most convenient way to protect your dog from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays whenever they're outdoors. The gentle, non-greasy formula was developed especially for dogs and compares to SPF 15 sunscreens for people.
- Spray the sunmist on your dog, focusing on ears, nose, muzzle, pink skin areas
- Cover the entire coat of light colored or short haired dog
- Massage to skin as needed
PAW Gentle Ear Cleaner
PAW Gentle Ear Cleaner is a natural, gentle ear cleaner that effectively cleans your pet's ears without irritation.
Its effective formulation means you only need to use it once a week, making it more comfortable for your pet and easier for you. It contains:
- Purified hydrolysed oats for a mild, effective product for cleaning your cat or dog’s ears.
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Dermoscent Bio Balm
Dermoscent BIO BALM is a hydrating, cooling and protecting ointment for dogs with dry, thickened or cracked skin or minor abrasions. It is ideal for dogs showing signs of:
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- Dry and cracked pads and interdigital areas
- Superficial abrasions of the skin
BIOBALM is formulated with 100% natural ingredients, including soybean oil and cajputi essential oil, and does not contain mineral oil or petroleum-based ingredients. It is rapidly absorbed and waterproof.
Dog Skin Issues FAQs
What is the most common skin problem in dogs?
Flea allergy dermatitis is the most common skin problem in dogs in Australia. It is an allergic reaction to flea saliva rather than to the fleas themselves, so a single bite can trigger weeks of itching. Because of that, vets usually rule fleas out first even when a pet parent is certain there are none.
Why does my dog have skin issues on their back?
Skin problems along the back and around the base of the tail most often point to fleas, because that is where fleas concentrate. Dandruff and greasy skin also tend to show up along the spine. If the area is red and scabbed rather than just flaky, flea allergy is the likeliest explanation.
How do I tell mange from a flea allergy?
Flea allergy usually concentrates at the tail base and back legs, while sarcoptic mange tends to start at the ear margins, elbows and hocks and is often more intensely itchy. The two can look similar once a dog has been scratching, which is why a vet takes a skin scrape to tell them apart. Mange needs prescription treatment, so it is worth confirming rather than guessing.
Can I treat my dog's skin issue at home?
Keeping up flea prevention and bathing with a shampoo your vet has suggested are both reasonable at home. The risk is in guessing, because several of these conditions look alike and a few need prescription treatment to clear. Avoid human creams and antihistamines unless your vet has advised them, since they can mask the signs your vet needs to see.
Do older dogs get more skin problems?
Older dogs do get more skin problems, though often different ones. Lumps and growths become more common with age, and hormonal conditions such as hypothyroidism can cause coat thinning in middle-aged and older dogs. A new skin problem in a dog over seven is worth investigating rather than watching.
Finding the Right Next Step
If something above matched what you are looking at, follow the further reading link on that entry. It will take you to the detail on causes, treatment and what to expect.
If nothing quite matched, that is common and it is not a failure. Take a photograph now while it is at its worst, and book a check.
This article was written by Dr. Jack Ayerbe
Sources
Each condition on this page links to a clinical reference for that specific condition. Those references are:
- The MSD Veterinary Manual, the global clinical reference used by veterinarians, for allergies, hair loss, mange, ringworm, seborrhoea and skin tumours
- The University of Sydney Veterinary Hospital on fleas and flea control in Australian dogs
- VCA Animal Hospitals on yeast dermatitis and hot spots
- Adverse Food Reactions in Dogs and Cats, a 2026 review in Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, on diagnosing food allergy
