Finding dry, crusty scabs on your dog can be alarming to you as a pet owner. Figuring out why they’re happening isn’t the easiest task, either.
The good news is a crusty scab normally isn’t a cause for concern. But, there are a few reasons your dog might be experiencing skin irritation or excessive scabbing, such as atopic dermatitis, food allergies, scratching trauma, or other skin conditions.
To help you learn more about your dog’s crusty scabs, we’ve put together a quick guide on what they are, treatment options, and prevention.
Scabs can come in many shapes and sizes; however, they usually look like bumps, blisters, or scabs with a flaky or dry appearance. If you have a short-haired dog, like a Labrador Retriever, these scabs might appear patchy and obvious. But if you have a long-haired dog, like a Shih Tzu, they may only appear when you push back the hair to reveal the skin. Similar to humans, dogs get dry skin or sores that turn into crusty scabs, becoming itchy, bothersome, or painful.
Crusty scabs can appear in most areas of a dog’s body, but the abdomen, rear legs, and tail are often the most common areas. The creases of your pup’s skin can also become irritated, leading to crusty scabs. The most common areas for this kind of scab are the belly and upper legs.
To scan for scabs, push the hair back and gently rub the skin to feel for and see any marks.
While crusty scabs can appear on any dog, pups with long floppy ears, excess skin, or extra weight may take longer to heal.
Many different types of crusty scabs can affect your pet. Some of the most common include:
The presence of yellow scabs could indicate skin disease, dry skin, or seborrhea (Trusted Source) , a type of scaling caused by an immune response to natural yeast particles found on your dog’s skin.
Redness in your dog’s crusty scabs can indicate bleeding and can happen with direct skin trauma or other forms of injury, like a scrape.
Black scabs are uncommon in canines. If you see black on your dog’s skin, consider taking them to the vet to ensure it’s nothing flea-related (like “flea dirt,” which is flea poop) or a growth.
True black scabs will be flat and scab-like and can happen due to hyperpigmentation (or a hyperpigmented area of injured skin). Hyperpigmentation occurs when there’s an excess of pigment in any given place, which can result in black “lumps” or scab-like areas on your pet.
Itchiness can be universal across scab types, especially in injuries or irritation caused by parasites or allergies. Excessive itching can lead to skin injuries, so consider the use of an Elizabethan or soft-sided cone if the behavior continues.
There are so many reasons that dogs may get scabs. Understanding the different causes can help owners better identify symptoms or warning signs early on and seek proper treatment. Merck Veterinary Manual lays out how vets diagnose skin diseases in animals. (Trusted Source) You may be surprised by how much detail goes into such diagnoses! Let’s explore some of the top reasons dogs get scabs.
You may be surprised to learn that just like humans, dogs can be allergic to almost anything. Allergic dermatitis is often a leading cause of crusty scabs and skin problems in dogs. Some of the top allergies to look out for are:
Parasites are a common cause of scabs on dogs. They can’t always be seen and don’t always cause obvious symptoms. Here are some of the various types of parasites that lead to scabs.
🐛 Please avoid touching ticks with your bare fingers to avoid spreading zoonotic diseases (such as Lyme disease. (Trusted Source) ) We recommend the use of bug-specific tick tools or tweezers.
Skin infections and diseases are also leading causes of crusty scabs. If you think your pet has an infection, schedule an appointment with your vet as soon as possible. Many infections can be treated easily with antibiotics; however, if they persist, they can cause bigger issues for your pet.
The three main kinds of infections to look out for are:
⚠️ Itching, redness, soreness, and sometimes even bleeding can all accompany crusty scabs. If your dog is suffering from an underlying condition (like an infection) that could be causing this, then you will likely notice that this can affect how they behave, their energy levels, and their appetite, too.
It is always important to consult with your veterinarian whenever you notice something unusual. While crusty scabs are usually no cause for concern, they can occasionally signal that something more serious is going on.
👉 If you think your pet may have an immune disorder, the best thing to do is to take them to the vet to be tested.
As you noticed, there are many reasons for scabs, which means treating them isn’t as easy as putting on cream or bathing your dog. To properly treat your dog’s crusty scabs, you have to find and treat their cause.
The best way to do this is with a vet visit and any necessary testing for skin issues or underlying conditions that may be causing skin irritation. Some of the main treatments target conditions like allergies, skin imbalances, and fleas.
Cleaning the scabs is an important process that limits the possibility of infection—but it can still be uncomfortable for your pup. Here are some of our top tips to help reduce the stress around scab cleaning.
Pet-specific shampoos, rinses, and emollients are readily available. Some are actually "leave-on" products for in-between baths. These products work well when used with additional nutritional supplements or medicines, such as antibiotics.
Dr. Bruce Armstrong
To prevent scabs, you need to address the root cause of the irritation, and the best way to do that is to visit your veterinarian. You and your vet may need to use a process of elimination to see what treatments your dog responds to and use that information to decipher what may be causing their skin irritation. The good news is, you can try to prevent crusty scabs with some at-home itch remedies, too.
👉 Explore our favorite doggie supplements and vitamins to enhance your dog’s overall wellness.
Neosporin is formulated for humans, not for dogs. While it may not cause dangerous side effects when administered in small amounts, it’s best to avoid using the product on dogs in general. Some variants of Neosporin contain pain relievers that could be toxic to pets. Instead, use a balm or wax specifically made for dogs. You should also see a vet to treat the underlying cause of your dog’s skin irritation.
Vaseline is safe to put on your dog’s scabs, but it may not help much. It might feel soothing, but Vaseline could actually over-dry your dog’s scab. Instead, use a balm or salve specifically formulated for dogs.
Ticks can nest into dogs’ skin and feed off their blood, leaving their skin irritated and causing scabs. However, you can remove ticks from your dog — just make sure to take the head out to prevent infections.
This depends on the severity of the scab and what’s causing it. In many cases, your dog’s scabs will heal anywhere from a few days to two weeks. However, infected scabs can take longer, and scabs can reoccur. Healing scabs may mean treating the underlying cause, such as allergies, hormonal imbalances, and fleas.
