dog pimples

Dog Pimples: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment For Dog Acne

By: Spot & Tango

Yes, dogs can get pimples too. Learn what causes dog acne, how to spot the symptoms, and the best ways to treat and prevent breakouts.

  • Can dogs get pimples? Yes. Dogs get spots and pimples much like teenagers do, and most dog pimples are canine acne: small red bumps or whiteheads on the chin of a young, short-haired dog. The catch is that mites and even tumors can look exactly like a pimple, so a new bump anywhere else on the body deserves a closer look.

    Key takeaways

    • Yes, dogs get pimples. Canine acne is inflammation of the hair follicles on the chin and muzzle, most common in young, short-coated breeds like Boxers and English Bulldogs.
    • Mild canine acne often clears on its own. Infected spots need a vet, and bacterial skin infections take 3 to 4 weeks of antibiotics, per the Merck Veterinary Manual.
    • Don't squeeze a dog pimple or cyst. It pushes debris into deeper skin and can cause severe inflammation.
    • Mast cell tumors can pass for an ordinary bump. In a study of 168,636 dogs, 1.95% of Boxers had one, about 7 times the overall rate.
    • A vet can't identify a lump by sight, so get any new lump checked with a quick needle sample.

    What is canine acne?

    Canine acne is inflammation of the hair follicles on a dog's chin, lips and muzzle. The University of Minnesota's veterinary dermatology handbook says it's common in short-coated breeds and starts at a young age, with English Bulldogs, Boxers, Dobermans, Weimaraners, Mastiffs, Rottweilers and Great Danes overrepresented.

    The exact cause is unknown. One theory: the stiff hairs of these breeds grow from follicles that damage easily, so a chin that's rubbed and bumped all day gets inflamed. Bacteria then move in and turn red bumps into pus-filled pimples and yellow crusts. If you share your home with an English Bulldog, Boxer, Doberman or Rottweiler, expect to see it in the first couple of years.

    "Spots" means the same thing here. It's the British word for pimples.

    What else looks like a pimple on a dog?

    A pimple on a young Bulldog's chin is probably acne. A "pimple" on the belly or back of an older dog could be several other things, and the Merck Veterinary Manual is blunt that visual signs alone can't diagnose a skin lump.

    Bump:What it looks like:Who gets it:What to do:
    Canine acneRed bumps, whiteheads, blackheads on chin and lipsYoung, short-coated breedsGentle cleaning; vet if infected
    Bacterial folliculitisPimples, crusts, bald circles with scaly rims on the body or bellyDogs with allergies, fleas or hormone problemsVet exam; treat the cause
    Demodex mitesPatchy hair loss, redness, acne-like lumpsMostly young dogsVet skin scraping
    Hot spotFast-spreading wet, red, oozing patchItchy dogs that lick or scratch one spotVet visit soon
    TickGray or brown "bump" with tiny legs at the skin lineDogs that go outdoorsRemove with fine-tipped tweezers
    Wart (papilloma)Cauliflower-like bump, often on lips or in the mouthYoung dogs; single warts in older dogsUsually fades; vet check
    Keratin cystFirm lump that may leak gray or yellow "cheesy" materialBoxers, Kerry Blue Terriers, RidgebacksDon't squeeze; vet can remove
    Mast cell tumorRaised lump, may be red, swollen or change sizeAny age, most often 8 to 10 yearsNeedle sample by your vet

    Belly pimples are often superficial pyoderma, a shallow bacterial skin infection. Dr. Mitzi Clark of Cornell, writing in the Merck Veterinary Manual's pyoderma chapter, lists the usual triggers as parasites, allergies (including food and flea allergies), hormone disorders and poor grooming. That's why belly pimples so often show up with red belly rashes and constant itching. Our guide to types of dog allergies explains how vets find the trigger.

    Puppies have one more look-alike. Merck's guide to mites says generalized demodicosis can cause "raised lumps that look like acne," and the localized form mostly affects dogs under a year old. If your puppy is itching and scratching or losing hair around the spots, ask about a skin scraping for mange.

    Bumps near the eye are their own category (see eyelid bumps and lumps in dogs). A wet, angry patch that spreads fast is more likely one of the hot spots on dogs than a pimple.

    Should you pop a dog pimple?

    No. Squeezing a dog pimple drives bacteria and debris deeper. The Minnesota handbook explains that ruptured follicles worsen inflammation and can lead to draining tracts (furunculosis). Merck says deep skin infections like this can take 8 to 12 weeks or longer to heal.

    Cysts are worse. Merck warns that squeezing a keratin cyst "can spread the cyst contents into the surrounding tissues," where the body attacks them as foreign material. Ticks too: the CDC's tick removal steps say to grip it close to the skin with fine-tipped tweezers and avoid squeezing the tick's body.

    How to treat dog pimples at home

    Mild chin acne with no pus or swelling can be managed at home for a week or two while you watch it.

    Keep the chin clean and dry. Wipe it with a soft, damp cloth after meals and pat dry.

    Cut the friction. Discourage chin-rubbing on carpet, and wash food and water bowls daily.

    Skip human acne products. Vets do use benzoyl peroxide gels for canine acne, but the Minnesota handbook notes they can irritate skin, and dogs lick creams off. Check our take on Aquaphor for dogs before reaching for ointments too.

    Finish the full course. If your vet prescribes antibiotics, Merck's pet-owner guide to pyoderma says treatment should run at least 3 weeks, preferably 4. Stopping early is a common reason infections come back.

    For the dry, itchy skin that often comes along, see our home remedies for dog itchy skin and our guide to dry, flaky dog skin.

    When should you take your dog to the vet for a pimple?

    See your vet for any new lump that isn't classic chin acne, and for acne that's infected or not improving.

    You see:What to do:
    A few small red bumps on a young dog's chin, no pus or painClean gently, watch 1 to 2 weeks
    Pimples with pus, crusts, swelling or bleedingVet visit this week
    Bumps with hair loss, itching or scaly circles on the bellyVet visit this week
    Any new lump on an adult or senior dogVet visit for a needle sample
    A lump that grows, shrinks and swells againVet visit soon
    Spreading spots plus fever, lethargy or appetite lossCall your vet today

    The lump that changes size is the one to take seriously. Penn Vet's cancer service says mast cell tumors vary widely in appearance, can be red or swollen, and often show "a waxing and waning size." Small tumors are the easiest to treat. Our overview of cancer in dogs covers other warning signs, and lumps, bumps and cysts on dogs walks through the harmless ones.

    What most dog pimple guides don't tell you

    The acne breeds are also tumor breeds. Most pages call Boxers acne-prone and stop there. Merck also lists Boxers first for keratin cysts, and in a VetCompass study of 168,636 dogs, Shoop and colleagues found Boxers had the highest mast cell tumor prevalence of any breed type. A "pimple" on an older Boxer is the last bump to guess about.

    1.95% of Boxers had a mast cell tumor diagnosis, about 7 times the 0.27% rate across all dogs, in a VetCompass study of 168,636 dogs under primary vet care in England (2015). Canine Genetics and Epidemiology

    The plastic-bowl theory is unproven. Ditching plastic bowls is the most repeated tip online, but we couldn't find a canine study that tested it. "We don't know what causes acne in pets," Dr. Jason Pieper told the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, which mentions a chin bumping a bowl as one theory. Our take: steel or ceramic is cheap and easy to clean, so switch if you like, but daily washing matters more than the material.

    Recurring belly pimples are a symptom. Merck names failure to treat the underlying cause as a top reason pyoderma keeps returning. When allergies are behind it, the fix is finding the trigger, sometimes through a vet-guided elimination diet. A chicken allergy is one common culprit, and pit bull skin allergies follow the same pattern. Fish-based fatty acids (see omega-3 dog food) support normal skin, though food won't cure an infection.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can puppies get pimples?

    Yes. Canine acne usually starts in young dogs, and short-coated puppies like Boxers and Bulldogs are the most likely to get chin pimples. Puppies can also get acne-like bumps from demodex mites or a shallow belly infection. If the spots spread or come with hair loss, ask your vet about a skin scraping.

    Why does my dog have pimples on his belly?

    Pimples on a dog's belly are most often superficial pyoderma, a shallow bacterial infection of the hair follicles. Something else usually sets it off, such as fleas, environmental allergies, food sensitivities or a hormone problem. Your vet can clear the infection, but finding the trigger is what stops the spots from coming back.

    Can dogs get blackheads and whiteheads?

    Yes. Canine acne can show up as blackheads and whiteheads, mostly on the chin and lips. Don't squeeze them, because ruptured follicles can turn into a deeper infection. Mention them at your next vet visit, or book sooner if they turn red and swollen.

    Can I use human acne cream on my dog?

    Not without asking your vet. Some vet acne gels contain benzoyl peroxide, but human products vary in strength, can irritate a dog's skin, and dogs tend to lick them off. Gentle cleaning with a damp cloth is safe for mild chin acne. For anything infected, your vet will match treatment to the cause.

    The bottom line: Dogs can get pimples and spots, and most chin acne in young, short-coated dogs is mild. Any lump that isn't classic chin acne, or that grows or changes, needs a vet's needle rather than your fingers. If skin flare-ups keep returning and your vet suspects food, a consistent diet is the place to start: take the recipe quiz, or browse UnKibble, including the chicken-free Cod + Salmon recipe.

    Questions about your dog's skin and diet? Our customer care team is happy to help.

    About this article

    Written by the Spot & Tango editorial team, which covers canine nutrition and health for dog owners. Reviewed by a licensed veterinarian; facts and figures checked October 14, 2026.

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