Dogs can grow skin tags on various parts of the body, just like humans. Skin tags are fibrous skin growths that tend to affect older dogs, but puppies can also get them. The good news is that most skin tags are nothing to worry about. However, some can grow large and become irritated or infected, thereby becoming a nuisance, especially for your dog. It's important to understand what a skin tag is and how to tell the difference between skin tags and other types of growths. Here's what to do if your dog has a skin tag.

What Is a Skin Tag?

A dog skin tag is a fleshy skin growth that can develop anywhere on a dog's body. It's typically the same color as your dog's skin but may have a slightly different texture. Most skin tags are composed of collagen and blood vessels covered with skin. Some skin tags start small and grow larger over time while others remain unchanged. They are usually non-painful and benign (non-cancerous). A benign skin tag on a dog is usually only something to worry about if it's in a location that bothers the dog.

If you find a growth on your dog that looks like a skin tag, monitor it closely. Make a note of its size, shape, and color. Check the area frequently for changes. If the skin tag does not change and your dog is not exhibiting signs of illness, your veterinarian can check it at the next annual or biannual routine wellness exam (don't forget to bring it up with your veterinarian at this visit). If you notice any changes to the skin tag or the area becomes irritated, contact your veterinarian for advice and to schedule an examination.

Symptoms of Skin Tags on Dogs

Skin tags can develop on any part of a dog's skin and may vary in shape and size. In general, skin tags look like flat nodules that are raised or dangling from the skin. They may have a wrinkled or smooth texture and are typically skin-colored. Your dog may scratch, lick, or chew the area if a skin tag is bothering them.

Flattened Growth/Nodule on Skin

Skin tags often appear as soft, slightly raised, skin-colored bumps, flaps, or wart-like (but skin tags are not completely round or dark in color like some warts). Some may contain hair follicles with thick hair. There may also be multiple growths in the same spot. A hairless lump is referred to as a hexal hamartoma while a hairy lump is called a follicular hamartoma.

Stalk-Like Growth on Skin

Some skin tags are pedunculated, meaning they dangle from a stalk. A dangling growth is most likely a skin tag versus a flatter growth that can resemble other issues.

Excessive Licking and Chewing

Skin tags can easily become irritated or bleed if they rub against a collar, harness, or another part of the body. Some dogs will lick or chew the area where a skin tag is present, leading to irritation.

Causes of Skin Tags

The actual cause of skin tags in dogs is not known or fully understood, but some theories may explain the formation of skin tags:

• Friction, chronic irritation, or trauma may play a role in the development of skin tags, so you may find them in the skin folds and creases of the body or pressure points, such as your dog's elbows. However, these growths can be found anywhere on the skin.
• Skin tags may also be caused by overactive cells, called fibroblasts, that produce fibers and collagen.
• Skin tags may develop due to excess bathing, which can dry out the skin cause a skin tag to form.

Diagnosing Skin Tags on Dogs

If you think you have found a skin tag on your dog, you should first take a closer look. Many other skin problems, or things such as ticks, nipples, warts, and tumors can look a lot like skin tags at first. If you're unsure, contact your veterinarian. Small, non-irritated skin tags might be fine to wait until your dog's next routine vet visit, but your dog should see the veterinarian sooner if the skin tag is red, bleeding, growing, changing shape, or bothering the dog.

The vet will review your dog's history, perform a physical examination, and closely inspect the growth to determine the next step. Remember, the "skin tag" might actually be something else.

Ticks

You may think you have found a tick on your dog and attempt to pull it out, only to find an unhappy reaction from your dog. Take a closer look before you attempt to remove what looks like a tick. Tugging on a skin tag will be painful to your dog and can cause bleeding, as well as irritate the skin tag and the area around it.

Nipples

Remember that all mammals have nipples and dogs are no exception. Even male dogs have small nipples on their abdomens that look quite a bit like skin tags. If you find a bump on your dog's belly or chest, look on the other side for a matching one. Dogs usually have eight to 10 nipples that run along the abdomen on each side. This should not concern you as long as the area looks like the other nipples and none appear irritated.

Warts

Some dogs get benign viral warts called papillomas. These are caused by a generally harmless yet contagious virus. Papillomas may spread from dog to dog but cannot spread to humans or other animals. Most will fade over time but can return periodically in different areas. In dogs, papillomas often occur around the mouth but can be found in other areas.

Skin Tumors

Malignant (cancerous) skin growths can appear in many different forms, some of which can look like skin tags. Never assume that a skin growth is simply a benign skin tag. Monitor the area for changes in shape, size, and color. Any new growth on your dog should be examined by a veterinarian, especially if it begins to bother your dog or is changing in any way.

Treatment for Skin Tags in Dogs

Skin tags are often harmless and do not usually require medical treatment. Your veterinarian may recommend removing skin tags if they are causing problems or have a likelihood of becoming problematic. If treatment is necessary, the method is usually decided by the growth's size.

Small Skin Tags

Small, non-painful growths can sometimes be removed with local anesthetic (numbing the area and removing the growth while the dog is awake). Your vet can simply remove the growth by snipping or freezing it off. A laser or electrocautery may be used for this process.

Large Skin Tags

Larger growths or growths in sensitive areas will require sedation or general anesthesia for removal. If your dog is having another procedure that requires sedation or anesthesia, your vet may want to take off the skin tags while your dog is under just to get rid of them before they have a chance to grow and cause issues. After surgery, the area may have stitches that need to be removed. Be sure to keep the site clean and dry while it heals. Contact your vet if it looks irritated or is oozing.

Prognosis for Dogs With Skin Tags

Most skin tags are benign and a small percentage of them may even shrink over time if they haven't been removed. If a growth is removed, most dogs heal quickly if you take good care of the surgery site. The growth may be sent to a veterinary pathologist to analyze the cells it contains. Histopathology can determine if the growth is benign or malignant as well as if it's viral or bacterial.

Although the prognosis for a dog with skin tags is excellent, always monitor your dog's skin for changes. It also helps to know that if your dog has one skin tag, they're prone to developing more.

How to Prevent Skin Tags

Though it's tough to prevent skin tags, you can take some action to keep the skin healthy to reduce the risks of any growths:

• Use sunblock on your dog if it has a short, smooth coat.
• Brush frequently to promote natural oil secretions and to eliminate dirt, loose fur, and any matting that can irritate the skin.
• Feed your dog skin-healthy food to reduce dryness and flakiness.
• Bathe your dog less frequently and use moisturizing products; too much bathing can dry out the skin.