Skin problems are unfortunately widespread among our four-legged friends. But can dogs get pimples too? Many owners think “no” and when changes occur on the skin, they often suspect serious illnesses.
But that's not entirely true. Because dogs can very well get some kind of pimples. However, this has little to do with what we humans understand as acne.
You can find out more in the following article.
Dogs also have skin
We all know and love dogs as our furry friends. What we sometimes forget: Under the thick tufts – some breeds have up to 9000 hairs per square centimeter and therefore more than 25 times as thick fur as an average human – there is a lot of skin.
Greatest & most sensitive organ of four-legged friends
As with us humans, the Skin is the largest organ in dogs Roughly speaking, it consists of three layers, namely:
- The epidermis (Upper skin, especially from keratinocytes, which produce calluses)
- The dermis (dermis made of connective tissue) and
- The Subcutis (subcutaneous).
The skin is not only the largest organ, but probably also the most sensitive: it is exposed to a wide variety of environmental influences every day and can therefore take a lot of toll.
For example, it is not uncommon for dogs to… Allergies Only skin problems appear as a symptom. Hair loss or parasites or skin fungus often have a negative impact on the organ.
Lots of sebaceous glands
Another similarity between humans and dogs: both mammals offer sebaceous glands the hair protection. Each hair follicle has its own gland – so some four-legged friends have millions of them.
The sebaceous gland or Glandula sebacea sits in the upper area of the dermis and produces a greasy secretion that is released into the epidermis. The tallow is the dog's protective layer in generalits main task is to protect skin and hair from invaders such as bacteria, fungi or ectoparasites such as worms, fleas and lice.
Sebaceous gland blockage
As with us humans, the glands can also clog. Given the sheer number of dog hairs, you might imagine that this happens every now and then.
At first there are only small black dots that are painless and only noticeable upon very close inspection – they are also seen in dogs Blackheads designated. If the constipation gets out of hand, this can also happen pimple-like structures become.
Blackhead or parasite?
If you examine your four-legged friend's skin and fur with a lamp and magnifying glass, it is quite possible that you will find black dots every now and then. But these don't necessarily have to be blackheads, even many of them Parasite eggs are similar in size and color.
A flea comb often solves the problem: If you can easily remove the spots, they are probably uninvited guests. If they stay in place, they are probably clogged sebaceous glands.
Pimples in dogs: This Atheroma
Dogs can also get pimples. This is sometimes referred to as “dog acne” by animal lovers.
But these terms are a little misleading: a “dog pimple” has little in common with its human counterpart. Instead, experts also speak of one “Atheroma”, colloquially also as Groats bag known.
Bigger & often more painful than human pimples
The difference lies mainly in the size: A groats bag is significantly larger and sturdier than a human pimple. It is usually classified as relative small, nodular and benign cyst. Usually it's not noticeable at first unless you specifically look for it.
But things look different when that happens Atheroma inflamed. This occurs, for example, when germs – usually bacteria – penetrate the cyst. The bag then fills with pus and swells significantly – this can be a very painful experience for the dog.
Not acne, just individual spots
Typical of atheromas in dogs is that they only occur sporadically. Comprehensive acne, such as that seen in young people, is rather rare.
However, it can happen that a dog has to struggle with a lot of blocked sebaceous glands and therefore also has a lot of sacs. However, these are usually distributed more widely across the body.
Areas of the dog prone to atheroma
Basically, a dog can get pimples anywhere it has hair. It is therefore actually likely that the atheromas appear particularly where the four-legged friend has a particularly dense fur, for example on the back and in the rib area.
In reality, however, things look a little different: the pimples are particularly noticeable in areas that actually have little hair.
There are many dog owners who are concerned about atheromas
- On the snout
- On the stomach
- On the head
- In the genital area and also
- At the anus
discover. Sometimes they even fear that their four-legged friend has become infected with a sexually transmitted disease somewhere.
But the truth looks a little different. Pimples are recognized in these places mainly for the following reasons:
- On the one hand, the skin changes are simply more visible when there is less hair – in contrast to atheromas, for example on the back, they are recognized more quickly.
- On the other hand, these areas are often more stressed, for example because the dog smells things or eats them or lies down.
Look & Texture of a dog groats bag
A dog pimple is usually one plump, elastic, white-reddish swelling. If it is inflamed, it fills with pus, so when touched, the dog may react by twitching, yelping, screaming or even snapping.
If the groats bag is not yet inflamed, it will feel more like a Knubble and is even mobile under the skin. Then it usually doesn't bother the four-legged friend, and itching is also unknown.
Attention, risk of confusion!
Attention: Untrained eyes can quickly confuse a pimple or pimple with other symptoms, such as:
- Nipples (male dogs also have them, even if they are rudimentary)
- rash
- Eczema (dry skin)
- Pyoderma, a bacterial skin infection
- Ulcers, e.g. skin cancer
- Parasites, especially ticks.
Top 5 causes for pimples in dogs
But what exactly is it, that dogs get pimples? In fact, some four-legged friends are more susceptible to small cysts than others. This is mainly due to the following 5 factors.
1. Disturbances of the hormonal balance
Dogs are particularly susceptible to pimple-like formations if they Hormonal balance is out of balance is. As with humans, young animals in particular suffer puberty under this form of “acne”.
Depending on the breed and disposition of your four-legged friend, you can expect this to happen between the ages of 6 and 12 months, and in some cases even until the age of 2.
Adult neutered dogs – male and female – are also more likely to be affected by groats. This is because these four-legged friends lack important sex hormones, which puts the household somewhat out of balance.
2. Contamination of the skin pores
Also often involved in pimples Dirt and grime: Dogs love to sniff unfamiliar things, digging and rolling are also part of their instinctive behavior.
This is not without risks: On the one hand, this makes it easier for parasites to find their way into the dog's body, which is why most experts recommend regularly deworming four-legged friends who are active outside. On the other hand, the dirt can also clog the skin pores and thus the sebaceous glands.
That's why these groats bags often appear in areas that are heavily used by four-legged friends outdoors. Small foreign bodies such as splinters can increase the potential for inflammation.
3. Seborrhea
At the Seborrhea it is a skin disease that occurs in dogs and people. In the case of our four-legged friends it is particularly genetic “Primary Idiopathic Seborrhea”, that bothers them.
Breeds often suffering from seborrhea
- cocker spaniel
- English Springer Spaniel
- Basset Hounds
- English setters
- West Highland White Terrier.
Source: Veterinarian Dr. Christine Löwenstein, Speyer
Affected dogs form new skin cells far too quickly, and the animals then tend to develop dandruff and clogged pores. At the same time, sebum production is very high, the skin becomes too oily and the glands close.
As a result, more blackheads appear all over the body, which occasionally turn into “pimples” or atheromas.
4. Nutritional deficiencies
Also one one-sided or incorrect diet contributes to pimple formation in dogs. Such acne can often be observed systematically in four-legged friends inferior food get served. These then have a very high carbohydrate content (especially grains) and often even contain sugar.
These varieties are often quite cheap, but not ideal for your four-legged friend. Too many such ingredients and other fillers often result in problems such as digestive disorders, intolerances and even skin problems such as atheromas.
5. Wrinkled skin
Also Dogs with wrinkled skin are disproportionately affected by acne. There are many breeds that were specifically bred for this trait – the best known are probably der Shar Pei, the pug and the Basset Hound.
Dirt and dirt find it much easier to settle within the skin folds and often stick to the dog. Cleaning these areas is also difficult. This is why problems like “dog pimples” occur more frequently.
Pimples on the dog: what to do? 5 solutions
The small cysts in four-legged friends can only be compared to human acne to a limited extent, but it can still be said that dogs can definitely get pimples. Any animal can be affected, with pollution, genetic predispositions, nutritional deficiencies and an imbalance in hormones being the most common causes.
The pimples cannot always be avoided. However, there are a few things you can do to ensure that atheromas develop less frequently, even in “risk groups”. The following are particularly suitable for this 5 solutions proven.
Do not squeeze pimples
You should also never squeeze “dog pimples”!
- On the one hand, an atheroma is significantly larger and more stable than a human pimple, so improper, forcible removal can be very painful for the four-legged friend.
- On the other hand, there is also the risk of germs such as bacteria penetrating.
- If expressed incorrectly, it is also possible that a recurrence will form and a new pimple will then grow.
1. Skin care tailored to your four-legged friend
For prevention it is…