
Common Rashes on a Dog's Stomach
- Bug Bites. Ticks, fleas, mites and chiggers can all cause stomach rash on a dog. ...
- Contact or Allergic Dermatitis. Just like a human, your dog may be allergic to something the skin of his sensitive stomach comes in contact with.
- Folliculitis and Impetigo. ...
- Serious Illness. ...
What can I do if my dog has a bad rash on her stomach?
If your dog has a rash that is concentrated on the stomach, the scrotum/groin, and the legs, then the most common causes are either contact dermatitis or impetigo . This itch may turn into an all over body rash. Switch out your laundry detergent and check your cleaning supplies.
Why does my dog have a rash on his stomach?
There are several causes of rashes in dogs:
- Skin infections
- Inflammatory conditions
- Allergies (which many times are genetic)
- Parasites
- Genetic
- Hormonal imbalances and endocrine conditions
- Environmental causes (such as poison ivy or other plants)
What do you do if your dog has a rash?
Part 3 Part 3 of 3: Caring For Your Dog’s Sensitive Skin Download Article
- Bathe your dog. A bath may help with several types of rashes, especially if he hasn’t had one in quite awhile.
- Examine his eating habits. Does your dog only eat the food you give him or does he often get scraps from the table?
- Wash your dog’s bedding. ...
- Rub vitamin E on your dogs skin. ...
What is the best home remedy for dog rash?
Try these home remedies to get rid of fleas, and the rashes they cause:
- Grooming your dog's coat daily with a fine-toothed flea comb
- Bathing your dog with flea-repellent herbs (like pennyroyal or eucalyptus oil) added to the water
- Dusting your dog with natural powders, containing herbs such as rosemary, rue, wormwood, pennyroyal, eucalyptus, or citronella and tobacco powder

How do I get rid of a rash on my dog's belly?
Soothing shampoos (aloe or oatmeal based). Wiping off your dog's paws and belly after a walk, to remove pollen and other potential allergens. Hydrocortisone cream is usually okay to apply for a few days directly on the rash. Just be sure your dog doesn't lick and ingest it (an Elizabethan collar can help).
What home remedy can I use for my dogs belly rash?
Rashes, itching, and inflammation can drive a poor dog bonkers.Oatmeal Bath. Oatmeal has long been used as a soothing skin ingredient in soaps and shampoos. ... Herbal Tea Sprays. Some pet owners recommend sprays made with herbal teas. ... Epsom Salt Baths. ... Apple Cider Vinegar Spray. ... Vitamin E and Coconut Oils. ... Regular Bathing.
What does a dog allergy rash look like?
a skin rash that is red or consists of small, red, raised bumps called hives. nasal congestion. a runny nose and sneezing. itchy, red, and watering eyes.
What does a yeast infection look like on a dog's belly?
Yeast infections can occur anywhere on a dog's skin, including the belly. They are often seen in areas that are moist, such as in skin folds, especially in “wrinkly” dog breeds. The affected skin may be red, irritated, itchy, greasy, or flaky, and there may be hair loss.
How can I treat my dogs skin infection at home?
1:455:41How to Treat Dog Pyoderma (Skin Infections) with Natural RemediesYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNumber one shampoo the easiest is go to your veterinarian your pet supply. Store pick yourself upMoreNumber one shampoo the easiest is go to your veterinarian your pet supply. Store pick yourself up some chlorhexidine shampoo it's a great topical way to deal with most of that surface skin infection.
What does a yeast infection look like on a dogs skin?
In the early stages of a yeast infection, the skin begins to turn pink or red. When dealing with chronic yeast infections, the skin may become leathery, thick, and gray or black. Greasy skin. The skin can become greasy or excessively oily.
How do you treat heat rash on a dog's stomach?
Your vet may recommend a few different treatment options for heat rash in dogs, including hydrocortisone cream, aloe vera, and a cold towel. The goal of treatment is to reduce skin irritation and inflammation while helping your dog get relief from the heat.
What does ringworm look like on a dogs belly?
Patches of ringworm may look like a grey, scaly patch in some dogs, but more like a red lesion in others. You may see some hair loss or patches of broken hair. But lots of other (more common) skin conditions look very similar. Young, elderly, or long-haired dogs are more commonly affected.
How to treat a dog's rash on the belly?
There is no one fits all prevention for a dog rash on belly. Your vet can outline a plan for your dog’s specific circumstances to prevent recurring issues. Baths help with many skin conditions. Regular baths remove contact allergens from your dog and offer an opportunity to inspect your dog for rashes.
What is allergy testing?
Allergen testing is helpful in identifying particular allergens when you are at a loss. Both blood and skin tests may be used for diagnosis. The resulting treatment may include immunotherapy, preventing exposure to certain things in the environment, and/or a combination of prescriptions for infection and relief.
Why does my dog get a heat rash?
Just like humans, your best friend can get a heat rash. This issue occurs when your dog overheats. If your dog is itching a particular area, check for small bumps. The site may also feel a little moist to the touch. Heat rash is a common in dogs with skin folds and wrinkles, as these areas can chafe and retain moisture.
How to stop heat rash on dog?
If you can, provide your dog someplace cool and dry to relax. Additionally, you can apply a soothing antiseptic ointment ointment or cream to prevent infection and promote healing.
How to treat ringworm in dogs?
Treatment includes the following: Your dog will receive topical therapies, such as medicated shampoo or ointment administered by you over time, and probably an oral anti-fungal.
What is atopic dermatitis in dogs?
Canine contact dermatitis goes by many names, but is commonly referred to as atopic dermatitis. Your dog has a large number of mast cells in his or her skin. These cells release histamines when an allergen is present, even if that substance is normally be harmless. Histamines create inflammation and initiate other immune related responses, in an attempt to rid the body of the allergen.
What is mange in dogs?
Mange is a catch-all term for several different species of mites. These mites burrow into your dog’s skin, causing itchiness, hair loss, and rashes. Mites that cause mange are highly contagious, so you’ll need to take precautions if you suspect or confirm your dog suffers from mange.
Presence of Parasites
Sometimes a rash on a dog's belly is due to parasites. For suspected parasite infections, a skin scrape with the material seen under the microscope may indicate if your pet has mange from Sarcoptic or Demodex mites. The treatment for each is different for cats and dogs.
Does Your Dog Have a Rash on the Belly? Here are Costs
Does your dog have a rash on the belly? Then you may be wondering about associated costs of treating a skin rash on a dog's belly. Costs for treating a rash on a dog's belly may vary tremendously depending of the specific skin condition.
About the author
Dr. Joanne Fernandez-Lopez is an emergency veterinarian on staff in the Emergency and Critical Care Department at Florida veterinary Referral Center (FVRC).
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The essentials
An angry, red rash on your dog’s belly may appear alarming — But rashes are a common skin issue in dogs.
What does a dog belly rash look like?
You may think of a rash as a swath of red, irritated skin, but not all rashes look the same. Some rashes have bumps that pop up, while others cause oozing and seeping. If your pup develops a belly rash, Trusted Source American Kennel Club (AKC) Registry of purebred dog pedigrees. Go to source you may notice the following signs:
Reasons dogs get belly rashes
Dogs get belly rashes for a whole host 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 trigger. When your vet examines your dog, they’ll be searching to see if one of the following causes is the culprit for their belly rash:
Work with your vet for a diagnosis
It can be hard to determine what’s causing your dog’s 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.
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Frequently asked questions
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.
What to do for a dog with a rash on the skin?
Medicated shampoos: There are as well shampoos formulated to relieve itching and rash on dog’s skin due to allergies and other problems. These can also help to treat secondary bacterial and fungal infections.
How to treat a dog's rash?
Video: Dog Rash Treatment 1 Cool the dog: Heat is one of the major triggers for heat rash, along with humidity. Your first step should be to cool down your pooch. Place a cool towel on his back. 2 Apply calamine lotion: With a long time use as an-itch cream, calamine lotion is one of the best home remedies for heat rash in dogs. It relieves the itching and thus reduce the appearance of the red rash. 3 Apply 1% hydrocortisone: Hydrocortisone cream helps to reduce itching and inflammation caused by heat rash while reducing the associated redness. Do not use the cream for longer than 3 days. 4 Aloe vera: Aloe vera also ranks high among the natural home remedies for heat rash on dogs’ skin. You can use a freshly squeezed gel from an aloe vera plant.
Why does my dog have a red rash on his stomach?
Bites from fleas, mites, ticks, chiggers, and other bugs may also be the reason why your puppy or dog keeps getting a red rash on the stomach or any other part of the skin. The saliva of fleas in particular tends to cause allergic reactions in dogs leading to the formation of areas of red, raw skin called “hotspots.
Why does my dog have a rash on his belly?
Allergic or Contact Dermatitis. Dog rash on belly is often an indication of allergic response to something your dog has eaten or inhaled e.g. mold, pollen. It can also be a manifestation of an irritation of the skin causes by an irritant such as poison ivy, certain detergents, a carpet, road salt, hay, etc.
What to do if your dog has a flea bite?
Your veterinarian may also prescribe some medications e.g. hydrocortisone cream to alleviate the symptoms associated with the allergic reaction to flea bites. Please keep in mind: Flea control should be an all-year round endeavor. 3. Heat rash. A red rash on dog’s belly may also be a symptom of dog heat rash.
What is the best treatment for rash from allergic reaction?
Lastly, your veterinarian may prescribe the use of an immune suppressing corticosteroids (prednisone, dexamethasone, and others), cyclosporine etc. to control the rash and other symptoms of allergic reaction. This treatment option is generally used when other treatment approaches fail to yield results.
How to treat flea allergy dermatitis?
Preventing flea bites by controlling flea infestations is the key to successful treatment of flea allergy dermatitis. This encompasses using flea shampoos and topical sprays. All other pets in the house should also be treated.
Causes of Belly Rashes on a Dog
Dogs can suffer from skin rashes on their belly for many reasons, typically originating from either some kind of fungal infection or bacterial infection, or sometimes due to an infestation of parasites like fleas, mites, or ticks.
Symptoms of a Belly Rash on a Dog
Symptoms of a belly rash can run the gamut, depending on what’s causing the rash in the first place and whether or not there is some kind of underlying health issue related to the rash. Some of those symptoms may include:
Other Remedies for a Rash on Dogs Belly
While you will definitely have to use medications for certain kinds of rashes, it doesn’t mean you can’t also try other remedies to try to bring your dog some relief. Rashes, itching, and inflammation can drive a poor dog bonkers.
Why do dogs have scabs?
Scabs on dogs can be caused by: Puppy impetigo. Ectoparasites (mites and fleas) Pyoderma (skin infection; wrinkly dog breeds can have skin fold pyoderma)
Why do dogs end up at the vet?
Skin problems are among the most common reasons dogs end up at the veterinarian’s office. A dog’s skin condition can have a wide range of causes, from external parasites like fleas and mites, to allergies and serious endocrine disorders. While some dogs’ skin conditions can be treated at home, any worsening skin issue or one ...
What does it mean when a dog's skin is red?
Redness/Irritated Skin. Along with itching, redness and irritation are often the most common signs of allergies in dogs. Finding the cause of the allergic reaction, whether it’s to a food, fleas, or something in their environment, is the most effective way to treat the irritated skin. While the root cause is being discovered, ...
Why do dogs have red spots on their belly?
Red Spots. Red spots on a dog’s belly during the late spring and early summer can be caused by black fly bites. These flat, red spots typically do not bother dogs and can be left untreated. Black fly bites can be confused with ringworm spots, which do require treatment in the form of topical or oral antifungals.
What is the treatment for a swollen ear?
Treatments will differ, but they may include medicated shampoos or ointments, and possibly oral antibiotics or an antiparasitic medication.
What to do if my dog's skin is flaking?
Ensuring that your dog is fed a good-quality food that is high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is a good first step in maintaining their skin health. If the flaking continues, consult your veterinarian.
Why do dogs get hot spots?
Hot spots are caused by excessive licking or chewing of an area. The excessive licking introduces bacteria to traumatized skin, causing the hot spot. Hot spots are more common in hot, humid climates and will sometimes arise after a dog has been exposed to moisture from swimming or muddy/rainy weather.
Contact Dermatitis or Allergies in Dogs
Contact Dermatitis is really just the scientific way of saying that your dog is having an allergic reaction to something that he ate, inhaled, or rubbed against. This could be outdoor allergies such as mold, pollen, insects, or something more dietary such as pet food ingredients.
Bug Bites on Dogs
Bites from fleas, mites, ticks, chiggers, or bugs can trigger similar red rashes on your dog’s stomach or other parts of their skin. However, flea bites are one of the more common bites among dogs and especially young puppies that lead to invasive rashes.
Heat Rash in Dogs
Dogs get heat rash when they become overheated in hot, humid weather conditions. While heat rash does have discomforting side effects for dogs it is one of the easier rashes to get rid of since it is triggered by hot temperatures.
Impetigo in Dogs
Impetigo is one of the most common skin rashes among puppies one year and younger. This rash develops from the same bacteria as heat rash and staphylococcus, but displays itself in different physical forms.
Yeast Infection in Dogs
Yeast infections in dogs are actually fairly common and are caused by overgrowth of the Malassezia species of yeast. This yeast typically inhabits the skin, ears, and mucocutaneous zones, or other body orifices on your dog.
What is Skin Rash?
A skin rash can be painful, itchy and very uncomfortable. Many skin conditions can quickly progress. The most common reason for skin rashes in dogs is allergies. Allergies may be caused by your dog’s diet, by the environment and by parasites. A few flea bites on a dog that is allergic to flea saliva can trigger itching and scratching for weeks. A flea bite allergy is also known as 'flea allergy dermatitis'.
What causes demodectic mange in dogs?
The mite Demodex canis is the cause of demodectic mange; Demodex canis lives on the dog’s hair follicles. Sarcoptic canine mange is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite burrowing into the dog’s skin. Atopic Dermatitis. is common among pedigrees and tends to appear between the ages of one and five.
How to treat dog allergies?
Dogs diagnosed with food allergies may need to have a dietary elimination trial. An elimination diet, under the guidance of your veterinarian , can help determine what foods your dog is allergic to. Once a food sensitivity is identified, the rash caused by the reaction should begin to clear. Ointments to soothe the skin can be prescribed in the meantime.
What is a dog's allergy to fleas?
A flea bite allergy is also known as 'flea allergy dermatitis'. The most common food allergies in dogs are beef, dairy, chicken, corn, wheat, soy and yeast. A dog with a skin rash may also be reacting due to an allergy to the preservatives, dyes and fillers in his diet. Any dog can develop allergies.
Why does my dog have a rash on his face?
Skin conditions are a very common health problem in dogs. A skin rash in dogs can be caused by an underlying condition such as parasites , bacterial infections and allergies.
What is the term for a dog's skin reaction to a shampoo?
They may be primary or secondary to an underlying issue. Contact Dermatitis. is an over-reaction of the immune system and is the inflammation of the skin where it has been in contact with something. For example, a dog may develop a rash after being shampooed with a shampoo they have reacted to.
How to treat a dog with a rash?
If the rash is small, and it is not been there for very long, you can try washing the area gently twice a day with a chlorhexidine solution like hibiclens. That may help wipe off any allergen and let it heal. If it is not improving, or it has been there for quite a while and is not getting better, then it would be best to have your dog seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. They will be able to examine your dog, see what might be going on, and let you know what treatment might be needed. I hope that all goes well.
