The essentials
- An angry, red rash on your dog’s belly may be alarming — But, rashes are a common skin issue in dogs, and not all are cause for serious concern.
- Canine belly rashes can be caused by many things — From hormones to environmental infections or allergens, many factors can cause an itchy rash, so it’s crucial to find and treat the cause.
- At-home remedies may provide relief — Oatmeal baths, vitamin E supplements, and other therapies can help soothe your dog’s belly rash and repair their skin.
While they can be very uncomfortable for your furry friend, rashes are a very common skin problem in dogs. Some belly rashes aren’t serious, but they still require veterinary attention. From fleas to genetics, belly rashes have a lot of potential causes. Treatment can vary, so it’s important to find out what might be causing it. Your vet can diagnose and treat your pet, giving you the best possible treatment options for their needs. Read on to learn more about a rash on a dog’s belly, possible causes, and available treatment options to consider.
🚨 Some rashes, like ringworm or poison ivy, can transfer from pets to people. Always use caution when handling your pet or touching their rash.
What causes a belly rash on a dog?
Dogs get belly rashes for a variety of reasons. Without pinpointing the exact cause, treatment can be ineffective and leave your pup still scratching and chewing—so it’s essential to find the underlying cause. When your vet examines your dog, they’ll be searching for signs of certain causes as the culprit for their belly rash.
Skin infections
Skin infections are one of the most common causes of belly rashes in dogs. These infections can be caused by multiple pathogens, like bacteria or yeast. A common type of bacterial skin infection is pyoderma or impetigo. It can cause pimple-like, pus-filled lesions, and crusty, dry, flaky skin.
A pyoderma infection is often caused by the staph species of bacteria, which usually occurs because of bacterial infiltration that stems from the skin’s surface. If the skin has been traumatized, such as through a cut, licking, or chewing, bacteria can multiply.
Fungal skin infections
Fungal infections, like ringworm and yeast infections, are also common. Ringworm is characterized by circular lesions that are usually hairless. These spots can appear red and scabby and generally don’t cause itching, but that isn’t always the case.
⚠️ Keep in mind that ringworm is contagious and can be passed from your pup to you and other pets in your household.
Yeast dermatitis, caused by the fungus Malassezia pachydermatis , can appear as thickened, scaly, or flaky skin. Changes in skin pigmentation, a musty smell, itching, and redness are also common. You’ll probably need antifungal medication from your vet to fully resolve this type of issue
Excessive heat
Like people, dogs can also develop heat rashes. Often caused by the Staphylococcus bacteria, heat rashes can flare up in hot, humid weather. Heat rashes most commonly pop up in areas where the skin rubs, like under the tail, the neck, and the ears. Typically, a heat rash will start as mild skin irritation (or “hot spot”), which leads to excessive scratching. With time, it can progress to pimples or scabs that have a foul odor.
To soothe the heat rash, soak a washcloth in cool or room temperature water and apply it to the affected area as it may provide temporary relief from any inflammation.
👉 Don’t apply ice packs directly to your pet’s skin. Instead, wrap packs in a dry towel or washcloth to create a cold compress.
Allergies
A belly rash is a common sign of allergies in dogs. Pets who are allergic to certain fabrics, shampoos, cleaners, fertilizers, and other chemicals can develop itchy, red skin and pimple-like bumps on their stomach.
Seasonal allergies can also cause belly rashes on your pup.
Parasites
Parasites, like fleas, ticks, and mites, can cause your pup to break out in a belly rash. Bug bites and stings from ants, bees, and wasps can also lead to irritated skin, and mites in particular can lead to painful conditions like sarcoptic mange. In the cases of bites or bug-related irritation, you’ll likely notice hair loss, hot spots, scabs, or a rash on your dog’s lower back, hind legs, and tail base.
👉 Keep in mind that fleas like to hang out on your dog’s hind end, though, so they may not cause an abdominal rash.
Reaction to flea bites on a dog
Environmental causes
Poison ivy or oak, grass, pollen, weeds, and trees are common environmental causes of belly rashes in dogs. While it could be an allergic reaction, many plants can have irritating sap or substances that can cause your pup’s abdomen to break out. To help narrow down the cause, consider your climate and surroundings.
For example, if poison ivy is rare in your area and you don’t walk your dog in the woods, it’s likely a reaction to grass, pollen, or weeds.
Genetics
Some dog breeds are more prone to skin problems and rashes than others. Some of the most common breeds that are prone to irritation include:
🐕 Any dog can develop a belly rash. Even if your pup isn’t on this list, they might still be at risk of developing an itchy stomach.
Hormonal imbalances
Endocrine disorders, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease can also play a role in your dog’s skin health. These diseases cause a hormonal imbalance in your dog’s body and require lifelong treatment.
Skin issues are some of the first obvious symptoms that your dog has an endocrine disorder. You may notice a thin coat, loss of fur, flaky skin, or skin discoloration if your dog has a hormonal imbalance. Dogs with Cushing’s disease may have a pot-bellied appearance as well.
Diagnosing your dog’s belly rash
It can be hard to determine what’s causing a certain dog rash on your own. Your pup’s vet is your best bet for an accurate diagnosis. Then, they can recommend the best treatment to get rid of your dog’s itchy rash safely as soon as possible.
During your dog’s appointment, your vet will ask questions about their history. They’ll want to know if they came in contact with any irritating substances if they have a history of allergies, what food they’re eating, and if they’re on parasite-prevention medications.
Once your vet has a rough idea of what might have caused your dog’s belly rash, they may recommend diagnostic tests. Potential tests include:
- Allergy testing — In some cases, allergy testing may be warranted. Allergy testing may include blood testing or intradermal skin testing. Or, a dietary elimination trial may be necessary if your vet suspects a food allergy.
- Blood tests — Your vet may want to check your dog for hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease, which is determined through blood tests.
- Parasite checks — Checking your dog for fleas or ticks is simple and can be an easy-to-treat cause of itchy skin.
- Ringworm testing — Using PCR technology, testing your dog’s hair for ringworm can take a couple of days to get results. According to Dr. Bruce Armstrong, DVM, if your veterinarian uses a laboratory for traditional cultures, they’ll have results in 2–3 weeks. While you’re waiting on results, your vet may start treatment if they suspect ringworm.
- Skin scraping — A skin scraping will help detect mange mites from your dog’s skin. Your vet will look at the sample under a microscope and see if these tiny mites are the cause of your dog’s rash.
- Skin cytology — Bacteria, yeast, inflammatory cells, and other organisms can be picked up by pressing a slide to your pet’s skin, or by using a very slim needle to gather fluids and substances from the irritated area for further analysis. Your vet will examine this slide under a microscope to see what might be the cause of your dog’s rash to help inform treatment options.
Once your veterinarian has diagnosed the cause of your dog’s belly rash, they can provide the best treatment and ensure your dog gets relief.
Treatments for belly rashes
Treatment for your dog’s belly rash is tailored to the cause, so a correct diagnosis is important. Options for soothing your pup’s abdomen include:
Antibiotics. A course of antibiotics will tackle bacterial skin infections such as pyoderma and impetigo.
Antifungal medications and shampoos. Yeast and fungal skin infections respond well to antifungal medications, shampoos, sprays, and other oral or topical therapies.
Ongoing vet treatment. Some conditions, like Cushing’s disease and hypothyroidism, will need more testing and ongoing monitoring. Your dog’s vet will help treat the condition causing your dog’s belly rash.
Elizabethan collar. Some dogs need the infamous “cone of shame” to put a stop to their licking and chewing, allowing the rash time to heal. You can now find inflatable versions for added comfort for your pup.
Parasite prevention. Parasite prevention is a must for keeping your pup bug- and itch-free. Flea and tick prevention can also protect your dog from biting insects and mange mites
Soothing skin balm. A soothing skin balm can calm irritated skin and is perfect for dogs with allergies. Our favorite skin balm is Natural Dog Company’s Skin Soother.
At-home remedies for soothing your dog’s belly rash
While you’re waiting for your veterinarian’s treatment to take effect, you can help soothe your dog’s belly rash with at-home remedies. Here are some options to try:
- Cool bath — An itchy, irritating rash can benefit from a cool bath with oatmeal or medicated shampoo. Even simply bathing or soaking in cold water can ease your pet’s itch without wicking moisture away from the skin.
- Epsom salt bath — Epsom salt has soothing and healing properties, making it ideal for bringing down inflammation, minimizing infection risk and relieving irritated skin. Most frequently, Epsom salt baths are used as foot soaks for managing pododermatitis.
- Vitamin E — Vitamin E supplements, whether given as capsules or applied topically, promote overall skin health. However, it can take weeks of supplementation before you see results.
👉 Before beginning at-home remedies for your dog’s belly rash, consult with your vet to find out if any therapies are contraindicated with your dog’s history and current treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I treat a rash on my dog’s belly?
First, learn the cause of your dog’s belly rash. Your vet can then prescribe the appropriate treatment. Your pup may need antibiotics or antifungal medication, or they may need medication to manage an endocrine disorder or allergies. Flea and tick prevention, a medicated shampoo, or an Elizabethan collar may also be necessary for clearing up your dog’s belly rash.
Can I treat my dog’s rash at home?
Yes, you can treat your dog’s belly rash at home—but be sure to check your remedies with a vet. They can ensure that the treatment options are appropriate and safe for your furry friend. We suggest starting with a soothing skin balm, like Natural Dog Company’s Skin Soother.
Why does my dog have a rash on their belly?
Your dog may have a rash because of an infection, allergies, parasites, hormonal imbalances, heat and humidity, or other environmental causes. Your pup may also be more prone to developing skin issues because of their breed and genetics.
What are the five types of rashes?
The five most common types of rashes include allergy-related rashes, parasitic rashes, rashes related to trauma or contact dermatitis, drug reaction-related rashes and rashes associated with cancers. No matter what your furry friend is experiencing, however, a vet’s diagnosis and treatment plan is needed to safely and completely resolve the rash.
What causes a rash on my dog’s belly?
There are many reasons a dog may develop a rash on their belly. The most common types of rashes that may appear on your pup’s belly can be due to a range of reasons—such as allergic reactions, fungal or bacterial infections, environmental causes, genetic conditions, or hormonal imbalances.
What does a dog allergy rash look like?
If a dog develops a rash due to an allergic reaction, it may appear as red, inflamed skin with pimple-like bumps.
What does a dog allergy rash look like?
Dog allergy rashes can look different on a case-by-case basis. Often, your pup will present with raised, reddened bumps, general skin irritation, hot skin, and itchiness.
