Why do dogs get skin tags?

Noticing a little soft lump on your dog can trigger a battery of questions: Is it dangerous? Will it bother them? Should it come off? For dog lovers the answers matter both emotionally and practically. A small skin tag often poses no immediate threat, but knowing what it is, how to watch it, and when to seek care helps you protect your pet’s comfort and avoid unnecessary worry or risky home treatments.

Why skin tags deserve attention from every dog owner

Seeing any new bump on a dog can be unsettling. Owners often describe a tug on the heart when they feel something unusual, and that reaction is useful—early attention can catch problems sooner. Beyond emotion, skin tags may rub, snag, or become secondarily infected, especially in areas of constant friction. Left unchecked a benign tag can turn into a sore spot that interferes with grooming or starts to smell, which affects your dog’s comfort and your ability to bond during petting or brushing. Finally, tracking changes in size, number, or appearance helps you and your veterinarian decide whether simple monitoring is enough or if a diagnostic step is warranted.

What a skin tag actually is — quick, clear facts

Most “skin tags” in dogs are small, benign skin growths called acrochordons. They commonly look like soft, pendulous nodules with a narrow stalk or broader base, often flesh-toned to slightly pigmented, and may be hairless or have sparse hair. Typical spots include the neck, under the armpits, groin, and any natural skin folds. They are different from viral warts, which are more cauliflower-like and caused by papillomavirus, and from malignant tumors, which tend to be firmer, ulcerated, or rapidly changing. In most cases a skin tag is harmless and may simply be watched unless it becomes irritated or changes.

The biology behind skin tags: how and why they form

At a tissue level a skin tag is likely the result of extra epidermal growth riding atop a core of connective tissue and small blood vessels—what pathologists describe as epidermal hyperplasia over a fibrovascular core. This description explains why many are soft and compressible. Local friction and repeated rubbing appear to be consistent contributors: when skin is repeatedly stressed, the surface cells may thicken and a small stalk can develop. As dogs age, skin elasticity and repair processes shift, so older pets often develop these lesions more commonly. Hormonal shifts or chronic low-grade inflammation may play a role too, which is why skin tags should be distinguished from true neoplastic (tumor) lesions using diagnostic tools if their behavior is unusual.

Typical locations and ages: when and where tags appear on dogs

Skin tags most often appear where skin moves against skin or against gear: the inner thighs, axillae (armpits), neck folds, under the collar area, and the groin. Overweight dogs with deep folds present more contact surfaces, so obesity is a common contributor. Some breeds with heavy skin folds—think bulldogs or shar‑peis—may be more prone to fold-related growths, while athletic or working dogs that wear tight equipment can get irritation-driven tags at contact points. Tags also sometimes show up where there is ongoing itch, dermatitis, or parasite activity; chronic inflammation may be a permissive environment for small growths to appear.

Warning signs to watch for: when a tag could be more serious

While most skin tags are stable and harmless, certain features should prompt a veterinary visit. Rapid enlargement over days to weeks, ulceration, bleeding, or persistent scab formation may suggest something more than a simple tag. If a dog shows pain when the area is touched, or if you see frequent licking, hiding, or a change in temperament, that signals the lesion is affecting quality of life and merits assessment. Unusual locations—on the eyelids, inside the mouth, or on the genitals—or a sudden eruption of multiple lesions should also raise concern. A veterinarian will often start with a physical exam and may recommend fine-needle aspiration or an excisional biopsy to rule out infection or cancer, especially when the lesion’s behavior is atypical.

Owner action checklist: immediate steps and when to call the vet

1. Document: Photograph the lesion from several angles, place a small ruler or coin in the photo for scale, and note the date. Regular photos make growth trends clearer than memory alone.
2. Protect and observe: Keep the area clean and try to prevent rubbing. Short-term measures like replacing a rough collar with a padded one may help while you monitor.
3. Avoid DIY removal: Do not attempt to cut, tie off, or burn the lesion at home. Such actions risk bleeding, infection, and pain.
4. Schedule a vet check: Bring your photos and any relevant history—when you first noticed it, changes you’ve seen, and whether the dog is licking or showing discomfort.
5. Ask focused questions: Is this likely benign? Would you recommend cytology or biopsy? What removal options are appropriate given my dog’s age and health? What will aftercare look like?

Reducing triggers: practical environmental and lifestyle changes

Lowering the chance that tags form or become irritated often means reducing friction, inflammation, and chronic skin disease. A sensible weight-management plan tailored to your dog’s breed and lifestyle reduces skin folds and rubbing; even modest weight loss can help. Regular grooming that clears hair and debris from folds, and gentle cleansing of crease areas, reduces trapped moisture and inflammation. Review collars and harness fit—move away from narrow, abrasive straps to softer, wider models that distribute pressure. Finally, keep parasites under control and work with your veterinarian to manage allergies, since ongoing itching and secondary infections increase the risk of skin changes.

Helpful products and tools for managing skin tags at home

• Padded collars and low-friction harnesses: These reduce pressure points at the neck and chest and can prevent repeated trauma to a tag.
• Protective garments: Lightweight, breathable belly bands or custom clothing can shield chronic rubbing areas while allowing airflow.
• Gentle grooming tools and cleaning supplies: Soft rubber brushes, lint-free wipes, and a vet-recommended antiseptic wipe (for example dilute chlorhexidine as advised) help keep fold areas clean without stripping skin oils.
• Veterinary wound-care materials: If a tag does get irritated, your vet may suggest saline rinses, non-stick dressings, or a prescribed topical to control secondary infection. Use only products your vet recommends for dogs.

What to expect at the vet: diagnosis, treatment options and removal procedures

When removal is chosen, the method depends on size, location, and your dog’s overall health. Small tags are often removed with a local anesthetic and simple excision or by cautery, while larger or suspicious lesions may be excised and submitted for histopathology to confirm the diagnosis. Cryosurgery is an option in selected cases, though it may not be ideal in areas close to sensitive structures. Sedation and general anesthesia are sometimes needed for anxious or uncooperative dogs. Post-procedure care focuses on preventing infection and limiting activity until the site heals; exactly how that looks varies by site and technique, so follow your vet’s instructions closely.

Monitoring timeline: how often to check and what to record

After the initial assessment, a reasonable monitoring plan often involves repeat photos and/or measurements every two to four weeks for a few months unless the vet advises sooner intervention. If a lesion remains unchanged, painless, and uninflamed over several months, many vets opt for conservative management. If you notice more than a 20–30% increase in size, any new ulceration, or behavioral signs of pain at any point, return promptly.

Key takeaways for keeping your dog’s skin healthy

Skin tags in dogs are usually a common, low-risk finding, but they are still worth attention because they can affect comfort and occasionally mimic more serious disease. Practical habits—careful observation, preventing friction, maintaining healthy weight, and avoiding home removal attempts—go a long way toward keeping your dog comfortable. When in doubt, a veterinary exam is the most direct way to translate concern into a safe plan that fits your dog’s age, temperament, and overall health.

Sources and further reading

• American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD) Client Information Sheets: Skin Masses and Skin Tumors in Dogs
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): Skin Conditions and Masses in Dogs — client resources and guidance
• Muller and Kirk’s Small Animal Dermatology, 8th Edition — authoritative textbook overview of cutaneous growths
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Skin Tumors in Dogs and Cats — clinical signs and diagnostic approach
• Veterinary Dermatology journal — selected peer-reviewed articles on benign cutaneous lesions and skin-fold disease