Vet-reviewed

Skin & Coat

The Dermatology section explores conditions that affect your pet’s skin, ears, coat, and nails, offering guidance on how to recognize symptoms and support their long-term health.

89 articles

Featured in Skin & Coat

A fluffy cream Persian cat rests on the back of a sofa beside a person's hand

Skin & Coat

Stud Tail in Cats: Causes, Treatment, and Grooming That Helps

Stud tail is an overactive gland at the base of a cat's tail that leaves greasy, waxy fur and blackheads. Learn which cats get it, when it needs a vet, which treatments work, and the cleaning routine that keeps it away.

Webvet Editorial Team

October 30, 2026

All Skin & Coat articles

A hand strokes the chin of a silver tabby cat resting on a quilted cushion

Skin & Coat

Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex in Cats: Rodent Ulcers, Plaques, and Treatment

Eosinophilic granuloma complex is a group of three allergic lesions in cats: rodent ulcers, eosinophilic plaques, and linear granulomas. Learn where each appears, what triggers them, and how a vet diagnoses and treats them.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 30, 2026

A gray and white tabby cat grooms itself on a folded blanket as a hand strokes its back

Skin & Coat

Miliary Dermatitis in Cats: Causes, Treatment, and Flea Control

Miliary dermatitis is many tiny crusted bumps in a cat's fur, often along the back, neck, and tail base. Learn the usual triggers, starting with fleas, how a vet finds the cause, and what treatment and home care involve.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 30, 2026

A person brushes a beagle puppy sitting on a navy blanket in a living room

Skin & Coat

Cheyletiella in Dogs (Walking Dandruff): Signs, Treatment, and Contagion

Cheyletiella is a contagious surface mite that causes walking dandruff, the moving white flakes along a dog's back. This guide covers the signs, how it spreads, how a vet confirms it, treating every pet in the home, and the risk to people.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 30, 2026

A person crouches on a lawn touching the side of a Boston terrier mix seen from behind

Skin & Coat

Stud Tail in Dogs: Tail Gland Hyperplasia Signs, Causes, and Treatment

Stud tail is an overactive oil gland on the top of a dog's tail that leaves a greasy, thinning patch near the base. This guide covers the signs, which dogs get it, how vets treat it, and when a sore or swollen tail base needs a visit.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 30, 2026

A Great Dane lies on a thick dog bed beside a woman sitting on a wooden floor

Skin & Coat

Hygroma in Dogs: Elbow Swelling Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

A hygroma is a soft, fluid-filled swelling that forms over a bony pressure point, most often the elbow of a large dog. This guide covers why it happens, how a vet confirms it, home padding, and the signs that mean drainage or surgery.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 30, 2026

A Doberman lies on a rug licking its front leg as a person reaches toward it

Skin & Coat

Lick Granuloma in Dogs: Causes, Treatment, and Breaking the Lick Cycle

A lick granuloma is a firm, hairless sore a dog creates by licking one spot on a leg over and over. Learn why it starts, what a vet tests and treats, and how barriers and enrichment help break the lick cycle for good.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 30, 2026

A basset hound lies on a kitchen floor licking its paw while a person sits at the table

Skin & Coat

Yeast Infection in Dogs: How to Get Rid of It and Stop It Coming Back

Skin yeast in dogs is almost always a sign of something underneath, usually allergies. Learn where it shows up, how vets confirm it, what the medicated baths and prescriptions do, and how to keep it from coming back.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 30, 2026

A person bathes a wet golden spaniel standing in a white bathtub

Skin & Coat

Home Remedies for Dog Itchy Skin: What Works, What to Skip, and When to Call the Vet

Some home steps can calm an itchy dog while you sort out the cause, and some popular remedies make skin worse. Here is what is safe to try tonight, what to skip, and the signs that mean the itch needs a vet instead.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 30, 2026

A scruffy terrier scratches on wooden porch steps as an owner in a denim jacket crouches nearby

Skin & Coat

Sarcoptic Mange in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Whether People Can Catch It

Sarcoptic mange is a burrowing mite infestation that makes dogs frantically itchy and spreads easily to other dogs. Learn the early signs, how vets confirm and treat it, how to clean the house, and what it means for people.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 30, 2026

A hand rests on the paw of a tan pit bull puppy sitting on a knitted blanket

Skin & Coat

Demodectic Mange in Dogs: Signs, Treatment, and Recovery Time

Demodectic mange happens when the Demodex mites that live in every dog's hair follicles overgrow, most often in puppies. This guide explains the localized and generalized forms, how vets confirm and treat it, and how long recovery takes.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 30, 2026

A worried woman on a sofa watches a yellow Labrador licking its paw on a wooden floor

Skin & Coat

Excessive Licking in Dogs: Why It Starts and How to Stop It

Excessive licking in dogs usually points to itchy skin, pain, nausea, or stress rather than a bad habit. This guide helps you read where and when your dog licks, spot the signs that need a vet, and break the cycle safely at home.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 30, 2026

A woman in gloves feels along the back of a brindle boxer sitting on a living room rug

Skin & Coat

Bumps on Dog Skin: What Small Lumps, Cysts, and Rashes Mean

Most small bumps on a dog's skin come from flea bites, allergies, or infected hair follicles, while firm bumps under the fur are often cysts or warts. This guide sorts bumps by their signs and flags the ones that need a vet today.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 30, 2026

A veterinarian holding a small syringe beside a goldendoodle sitting on an exam table while the owner strokes its head

Skin & Coat

Apoquel vs Cytopoint: How a Vet Chooses Between Them for an Itchy Dog

A veterinarian compares Apoquel and Cytopoint head to head: how each one switches off allergic itch, how fast they work and how long they last, the side effects and safety limits, what a month of each costs, and when a dog gets both.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Oct 22, 2026

A woman in a pharmacy aisle reading a small box while a Jack Russell terrier sits in the seat of her shopping cart

Skin & Coat

Over the Counter Allergy Medicine for Dogs: What Is Safe, What Helps, and What to Skip

A veterinarian sorts over the counter allergy options for dogs into safe to try, ask your vet first, and never: antihistamines, omega-3 and quercetin supplements, medicated shampoos, sprays, and the signs that a prescription is needed.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Oct 22, 2026

A yellow Labrador lying on a wooden floor chewing at its front paw while an owner's hand rests on its back

Skin & Coat

Antihistamines for Dogs: Which Ones Vets Use, Typical Doses, and When They Are Not Enough

A veterinarian compares the antihistamines used in dogs, explains the dose ranges vets actually prescribe, which human products are dangerous, why antihistamines only help some allergic dogs, and what to ask for when they stop working.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Oct 22, 2026

A golden retriever sitting on a woven rug scratching its neck with a hind paw while its owner kneels beside it

Skin & Coat

Dog Allergy Medicine: A Vet's Guide to Over-the-Counter and Prescription Options for Itchy Dogs

A veterinarian walks through every class of dog allergy medicine, from over-the-counter antihistamines and supplements to Apoquel, Cytopoint, Atopica, and steroids, with safety limits, costs, and a guide to matching the drug to the dog.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Oct 22, 2026

A longhaired gray cat rests on a green sofa in a bright living room.

Skin & Coat

Hypoallergenic Cats: Breed Claims, Allergens, and Choices

No cat breed guarantees freedom from allergy symptoms. Compare common hypoallergenic claims, distinguish shedding from allergens, and plan a responsible adoption decision with an allergist.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Oct 19, 2026

A shorthaired tortoiseshell cat with mottled orange and black fur rests on a cushion.

Skin & Coat

Tortoiseshell Cat: Coat Patterns, Genetics, and Personality

Tortoiseshell is a coat pattern, not a breed. Identify dilute and long-haired torties, understand their sex-linked coloring, and assess personality through the individual cat rather than a stereotype.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 19, 2026

A calico cat with black, orange, and white fur sits on a teal chair.

Skin & Coat

Calico Cat: Colors, Genetics, and How to Identify One

Calico describes a cat’s coat, not its breed. Learn how to identify classic, dilute, and tabby calicos, understand why most are female, and choose a cat without relying on personality stereotypes.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 19, 2026

Skin & Coat

Dog Licking Paws? Here’s What It Could Mean

Why is your dog licking paws non-stop? A vet explains the 6 most common causes, from allergies and yeast infections to anxiety, plus a safe paw-cleaning routine and the signs that mean it is time to see your vet.

Dr. Joanna Woodnutt

Jan 13, 2026

Gauze, scissors and a clean cloth on a blue towel beside a resting beagle

Skin & Coat

Dog Wound Care: Cleaning, First Aid, and When to See a Vet

Learn what to do for a minor dog wound, how to rinse it safely, and when bites, punctures, bleeding, or worsening symptoms need a veterinarian. Includes product and bandaging precautions.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Sep 30, 2026

Dachshund lying on its side on a wool blanket with a dark patch of skin visible on its lower belly

Skin & Coat

Hyperpigmentation in Dogs: Causes of Dark Skin and Treatment

Hyperpigmentation in dogs is skin that darkens to brown or black, most often as a response to long-term irritation from allergies, yeast infection, friction, or hormonal disease. Here are the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and whether it fades.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 17, 2026

Brindle bulldog sitting on a wooden kitchen floor licking one front paw

Skin & Coat

Pododermatitis in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Pododermatitis in dogs is inflammation of the skin of the paws, and it shows up as red, swollen, itchy feet the dog licks constantly. Here are the causes from allergies to infection, how vets find the cause, treatment, and how long healing takes.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 17, 2026

Cocker spaniel with a dull coat sitting on a veterinary exam table in front of shelves

Skin & Coat

Seborrhea in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Seborrhea in dogs is a keratinization disorder that makes the skin flaky, greasy, and often smelly. Here are the signs of dry and oily seborrhea, the primary and secondary causes, how vets diagnose it, and how medicated shampoos and treatment work.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 17, 2026

Black Labrador lying on a wooden floor by a window with white flakes visible on its back

Skin & Coat

Dry Skin on Dogs: Causes, Flaky Skin Fixes, and When to See a Vet

Dry skin on dogs shows up as flakes, dandruff, a dull coat, and itching, and it can come from dry air, over-bathing, diet, parasites, or a medical condition. Here are the causes, what to put on it, which remedies help, and when to see a vet.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 17, 2026

Beagle sitting on a sofa with a thin patch of fur on its flank

Skin & Coat

Hair Loss in Dogs: Causes, Patterns, and Treatment

Hair loss in dogs, called alopecia, can come from parasites, allergies, skin infections, hormonal disease, or genetics, and the pattern tells the vet a lot. Here is what patchy, symmetrical, and itchy hair loss mean and whether hair grows back.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 17, 2026

Short-haired brown dog twisting to chew at the base of its tail on a living room rug

Skin & Coat

Flea Allergy Dermatitis in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Flea allergy dermatitis in dogs is an allergic reaction to flea saliva, and a single bite can set off days of intense itching, with hair loss and scabs over the rump and tail base. Here are the signs, why fleas go unseen, and treatment.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 17, 2026

Golden retriever lying on a patterned rug scratching its neck with a hind leg

Skin & Coat

Dog Skin Allergies: Symptoms, Causes, Testing, and Treatment

Dog skin allergies are an immune overreaction to fleas, food, or environmental allergens that shows up as itching, red skin, ear infections, and hot spots. Here are the symptoms, the three allergy types, how vets test for them, and treatment.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 17, 2026

hair loss in cats as person shows bald spot on feline

Skin & Coat

Hair Loss in Cats: When to Worry and What Could Be Causing It

Hair loss in cats can come from fleas, allergies, ringworm, pain, overgrooming, or illness. Learn which clues matter, what your vet may test, and when a bald patch needs prompt care.

Dr. Caitlin Merrill

Jan 13, 2026

A fawn pit bull mix lying on its back on a rug with small red bumps on the pale skin of its lower belly

Skin & Coat

Dog Rash on Belly: Pictures, Causes, and Treatment by Type

Red bumps, pimples, or blotchy patches on a dog's belly usually point to one of five causes. Use the pictures and side-by-side table to narrow it down, then see which types you can soothe at home and which need a vet.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Oct 13, 2026

Owner discovering a lump on their dog's skin while petting the dog at home; the dog is a wire-haired border terrier mix

Skin & Coat

Lump on Dog: A Vet's Guide to When to Worry

Most lumps on dogs are benign, but only testing can confirm it. Run your dog's lump through our 60-second triage table, match it against photos of the 8 common types, and learn exactly which warning signs mean a same-day vet visit.

Webvet Editorial Team

Aug 23, 2026

Mixed-breed dog sitting beside a water bowl with a closed pill organizer on a nearby table

Skin & Coat

Prednisone for Dogs: Side Effects, Dosage, and Tapering

Prednisone treats inflammation, allergies, and immune disease in dogs. Learn which side effects are expected, the dosage tiers, and why tapering is never optional.

Webvet Editorial Team

Nov 27, 2025

A gloved hand rubs balm into the paw pads of a relaxed German shepherd lying on a woven rug, an open tin beside it.

Skin & Coat

Best Dog Paw Balm for Winter: Picks for Salt, Ice, and Cracked Pads

Road salt, ice, and dry indoor air crack paw pads every winter. A good paw balm softens and protects them, but the right choice depends on whether you need a barrier before a walk or repair after one. Here are our picks and how to use them.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 10, 2026

White dog holding one front paw off the ground

Skin & Coat

Swollen Dog Paw: Causes, First Steps and Vet Care

A swollen dog paw can involve a toe, nail or pad. Learn the clues to record, safe first steps, urgent signs and what a veterinarian may investigate.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Oct 7, 2026

Red raised nodule near the toe webbing of a brindle dog paw

Skin & Coat

Interdigital Cysts in Dogs: Causes, Treatment and Care

Interdigital cysts in dogs cause sore bumps between toes. Learn about common triggers, veterinary tests, treatment, safe paw care and recurrence.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Oct 7, 2026

Dry thickened keratin along the edges of a dog paw pad

Skin & Coat

Dog Paw Hyperkeratosis: Thickened Pads and Practical Care

Dog paw hyperkeratosis causes thickened, sometimes hairy-looking pads. Learn what the changes mean, when cracks need care and how to protect comfort.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Oct 7, 2026

Small lifted flap on the central pad of a gray dog paw

Skin & Coat

Dog Paw Pad Peeling: Causes, Care and Healing

Dog paw pad peeling can follow friction, burns or skin disease. Learn what to do with a loose flap, when to see a vet and how to protect healing pads.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Oct 7, 2026

Redness and swelling at the base of a dog claw

Skin & Coat

Dog Nail Infection: Signs, Causes and Treatment

A dog nail infection can cause redness, swelling and licking. Learn how vets distinguish injury and nail disease, select treatment and monitor healing.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Oct 7, 2026

Tuxedo cat sitting on a veterinary examination table

Skin & Coat

Rodent Ulcers in Cats: Causes, Treatment, and Recurrence

Learn what an indolent upper-lip ulcer can look like, why other mouth sores need a different diagnosis, and how treatment, feeding support, and follow-up fit together.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Oct 5, 2026

Veterinarian examining a golden retriever’s ear with its owner nearby

Skin & Coat

Dog Allergy Testing: Types, Costs, and What Results Can Tell You

Allergy tests answer different questions. Learn when environmental skin or blood testing helps, why food trials matter, and how to prepare for a useful veterinary results discussion.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Oct 4, 2026

Dark specks in the white chin fur of a resting cat

Skin & Coat

Cat Acne: Blackheads, Chin Bumps, Treatment and Prevention

Cat acne can look like black specks, chin bumps or inflamed skin. Learn how to distinguish mild plugs from painful problems, clean gently, choose useful care supplies and know when to call your veterinarian.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Oct 2, 2026

Cream-and-orange cat in a clear recovery collar with a clipped shoulder patch

Skin & Coat

Cat Abscess Healing Stages: Drainage, Care, and Rechecks

Understand recovery after a cat abscess is treated, from drainage and shrinking swelling to skin closure. Use a daily aftercare checklist, protect an open wound or drain, and recognize when a recheck is needed.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Sep 30, 2026

Localized neck swelling beneath parted fur on an orange-and-white cat

Skin & Coat

Cat Abscess: Signs, Treatment, Costs, and Burst Wounds

A cat abscess may hide beneath the fur or leave a draining hole after a bite. Find out how to arrange safe care, what treatment involves, how to compare costs, and when recovery needs another check.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Sep 30, 2026

Localized rounded skin swelling beneath parted fur on a black-and-tan dog

Skin & Coat

Dog Abscess: Signs, Treatment, and What to Do if It Bursts

A painful lump or draining hole may be a dog abscess. Learn what the vet checks, why rupture does not prove recovery, how treatment costs are built, and what to track during aftercare.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Sep 30, 2026

Small pink skin abrasion on the shoulder of a fawn dog

Skin & Coat

Dog Wound Healing Stages: Normal Changes vs. Infection

Learn how an assessed dog wound repairs, how to compare swelling, drainage, and comfort, and when a change needs veterinary attention. Includes a practical recovery log and open-versus-sutured guidance.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Sep 30, 2026

White-and-fawn Whippet lying on its back on a grey sofa, an owner's hand resting on its pink belly, which is scattered with flat black freckles of different sizes.

Skin & Coat

Pictures of Black Spots on Dog Skin and What Each One Means

Labeled pictures of black spots on dog skin: normal freckles, flea dirt, belly darkening from itch, yeast, blackheads, hormone-related black skin, and the raised or growing dark spots that need a vet check.

Webvet Editorial Team

Sep 27, 2026

Gray Weimaraner standing on a gravel garden path beside flowering shrubs, with many raised, irregular welts of lifted hair across the shoulder, ribs and flank, consistent with hives.

Skin & Coat

Pictures of Hives on Dogs: Welts, Bug Bites and When It's an Emergency

Vet-reviewed pictures of hives on dogs: raised welts on the side and belly, facial swelling, bee stings and bug bites, look-alikes such as folliculitis, the usual triggers, and the emergency signs of anaphylaxis.

Webvet Editorial Team

Sep 27, 2026

White Bull Terrier lying on its side on a steel exam table as a gloved hand lifts a hind leg, showing red bumps, white-tipped pimples and a crusty ring on the belly and inner thigh.

Skin & Coat

Pictures of Staph Infection in Dogs: Pyoderma From Early Bumps to Deep Infection

Vet-reviewed pictures of staph infection in dogs: early red bumps and pustules, crusty rings, moth-eaten patches, deep pyoderma, puppy impetigo, chin, nose and lip fold infections, look-alikes, and when to see a vet.

Webvet Editorial Team

Sep 27, 2026

Cream Labradoodle sitting on a sunny wooden porch, scratching behind one ear with a hind foot, with pink, thinly haired skin around the eyes and muzzle and rust-brown stained front paws.

Skin & Coat

Skin Rash Dog Food Allergy Pictures: What Allergic Skin Looks Like

Labeled pictures of food allergy rashes on dog ears, paws, belly and groin, early to chronic, how food, environmental, flea and contact allergies differ, how an elimination diet confirms it and when to see a vet.

Webvet Editorial Team

Sep 27, 2026

Most popular in Skin & Coat

Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex in Cats: Rodent Ulcers, Plaques, and Treatment

October 30, 2026

Miliary Dermatitis in Cats: Causes, Treatment, and Flea Control

October 30, 2026

Cheyletiella in Dogs (Walking Dandruff): Signs, Treatment, and Contagion

October 30, 2026

Stud Tail in Dogs: Tail Gland Hyperplasia Signs, Causes, and Treatment

October 30, 2026