puppy dermatitis


If your young dog rolled over and you noticed some red spots on their underside, you may find yourself wondering if puppies can get pimples on their belly. But what you’re seeing isn’t puppy acne! Instead, you’re most likely looking at dermatitis. 

Dermatitis describes any type of skin inflammation. In dogs, dermatitis often causes itchiness, red skin, scaly skin, pimple-like spots (folliculitis) and hair loss. Often, pet owners will describe their pet as having a rash. Over time, dermatitis can cause the skin to thicken and become hyperpigmented (darker).

A dog of any age can develop dermatitis. Common reasons a young dog might develop dermatitis include:

  • Food or environmental allergies
  • Fleas or other skin parasites
  • Bacterial or yeast skin infections 

Some young dogs may be predisposed to dermatitis. For example, boxers and pit bulls are known to have a higher incidence of allergic skin disease that results in dermatitis.

What parts of a dog’s body are commonly affected by dermatitis? 

Dermatitis can develop anywhere on your young dog’s body. Common places include the underbelly, above the tail base, the inner thighs, armpits, ears and paws.

How to treat dermatitis in young dogs

To treat dermatitis, your veterinarian will need to determine the underlying cause. They’ll rule out the presence of parasites and a skin infection before treating allergic skin disease.

The following treatments might be used depending on the cause:

  • Antiparasitic medications 
  • Oral or topical antibiotics 
  • Oral or topical antifungals
  • Anti-itch medications 
  • Immunosuppressive medications
  • Oral or topical steroids
  • Allergy diets
  • Antihistamines
  • Shampoos
If no improvement is seen, your veterinarian may recommend additional diagnostics, such as a skin biopsy or allergy testing, to more clearly define what’s causing your young dog’s symptoms. If your puppy’s condition is severe and doesn’t respond well to treatment, you may be referred to a dermatologist.

How to prevent dermatitis in young dogs

While you can’t necessarily prevent every case of dermatitis in dogs, there are a couple steps you can take to help keep your puppy’s skin healthy.
  1. Keep your young dog on year-round parasite prevention.
  2. Avoid any known allergens such as specific ingredients in food.
  3. If you notice your dog scratching, licking or chewing on themselves excessively, get it checked out before they develop a skin infection.
  4. Keep up on your dog’s grooming needs, including regular baths with soothing dog-safe shampoos.
  5. Speak with your veterinarian before trying any skin health supplements, including omega-3 fatty acids.

The constant itching and licking of dermatitis can be irritating at best and dramatically impact your young dog’s quality of life at its worst. If you’re concerned that your puppy or young dog might have dermatitis, speak with your veterinarian about how to treat puppy dermatitis. 

Learn more about acne in dogs.