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Skin Tags on Dogs: What They Are and When to See the Vet

Skin tags on dogs are small, soft growths of skin that hang from a thin stalk, and they are usually benign. They are common in older dogs and often appear where skin rubs, such as the chest, legs and neck. A skin tag is not an emergency, but benign and cancerous lumps can look alike, so every new lump should be examined by your vet.

By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20265 min read3 sources

What skin tags usually are

A true skin tag is a fibrous growth, a few millimeters wide, that is attached by a narrow stalk, can be moved a little between your fingers and does not usually bother the dog. PetMD describes them as pink or darker and says they can appear singly or in groups, most often on the chest, legs and neck. The AKC notes some even grow hair.

The Merck Veterinary Manual says skin tags are benign and common in older dogs, can be single or multiple, and that larger breeds may be more prone. Dogs that develop one often develop more. Repeated friction or pressure is a common trigger, which is why tags turn up at pressure points such as elbows, knees and under a collar or harness.

Lumps that look like skin tags

Plenty of other things can pass for a skin tag, and you cannot reliably tell them apart by sight. Warts, caused by a papillomavirus, are slightly raised, fully attached and often cauliflower-like, and they mostly appear in young dogs. Cysts are usually larger, more firmly attached and tend to grow. A tick can resemble a tag, so never pull one off yourself if you are unsure.

More serious growths can also look innocent. The AKC lists mast cell tumors as the most common malignant skin tumor in dogs, and PetMD warns that a melanoma can look like a dark skin tag. That is why your vet may collect cells with a fine needle aspirate or take a biopsy, because looking at a lump is not enough to say what it is.

When to call your vet

Book a visit for any new lump, even if you suspect a skin tag. PetMD says a tag can wait for the next annual checkup if it is not changing, but you should go sooner if it grows, changes shape or color, or if many appear. Other warning signs from the AKC include fast growth, ulceration, pain, and general signs such as weight loss or lethargy.

It helps to keep a simple record: a photo next to a coin or ruler, the date, and the location. A lump that keeps growing, that has lasted a month or more, or that is bleeding, oozing or smelly deserves an appointment this week rather than at the next routine visit.

When it is more urgent

Skin tags rarely cause an emergency, but call your vet or an emergency clinic promptly if a lump is bleeding heavily, looks infected, or your dog has swelling that is spreading quickly. Merck notes that growths which are ulcerated, infected or interfering with normal activity are the ones most likely to need treatment.

Urgent care is also appropriate if a lump appears alongside serious signs such as collapse, labored breathing, repeated vomiting or sudden weakness. Those signs are not caused by a skin tag, but they mean something else needs attention now.

What you can safely do at home

Run your hands over your dog once a week, including the armpits, belly, behind the ears and between the toes, and note anything new. This is easy to do during a brushing session, and a set of dog grooming kits makes a routine easier to stick to. Keep your dog at a healthy weight, since extra weight adds skin folds and friction.

Do not cut, tie off or burn a skin tag at home, and do not put creams or acids on it. A growth that is cut open can bleed, become infected, or turn out to be something other than a tag. If the lump is being licked or chewed, tell your vet, because a recovery cone may be needed while it is checked.

What the vet will check and how tags are treated

Your vet will ask how long the lump has been there and whether it has changed, then feel its texture, mobility and attachment to the tissue underneath. A fine needle aspirate looks at cells under a microscope, and a biopsy removes a small sample if that is not conclusive. According to Merck, removal is optional for a benign tumor that is not ulcerated and does not interfere with daily life, and in older dogs leaving it alone may be the wisest choice.

Treatment is usually considered when a growth is suspected to be malignant, is ulcerated or infected, gets in the way of walking or eating, or is repeatedly rubbed raw. Surgery is the usual option, and PetMD notes it is often combined with another procedure that already needs anesthesia, such as a dental cleaning.

Reducing friction around the skin

Because rubbing is a common trigger, check that a collar sits flat, is not tight, and does not twist or chafe. Harnesses should not dig in behind the front legs. If you are replacing one, you can browse dog collars, though fit matters more than the design. Itchy skin from fleas or allergies also leads to scratching and irritation, so ask your vet about it.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.

Common questions

Are skin tags on dogs dangerous?

True skin tags are benign and usually harmless, but you cannot be sure a lump is a tag by looking at it. Have your vet examine any new lump so a growth that needs treatment is not missed.

What causes skin tags on dogs?

Repeated rubbing or pressure, such as from a collar or at the elbows, is a common cause. Itchy skin and, occasionally, a papillomavirus are also linked, and some breeds seem to develop them more often than others.

Can I remove a dog skin tag at home?

No. Cutting or tying off a growth can cause bleeding and infection, and it may not be a skin tag at all. Your vet can remove it with surgery or cautery if it needs to come off.

Do skin tags on dogs go away on their own?

Skin tags generally do not disappear, and dogs that get one often get more. Warts caused by a virus may shrink by themselves, which is another reason a vet should identify what the growth is.

Should I worry if my dog's skin tag changes color or grows?

Yes, book a vet visit soon. A change in size, shape or color, bleeding, or a tag that becomes sore are the signs vets watch for, because some cancers can resemble a harmless tag.

Sources we checked

This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.

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