My dog has small black dots and flakes on skin, but no itching. Why?

It sounds like your dog has a skin infection. Usually infections are characterized by small red pustules full of pus. But sometimes they can look like whiteheads or blackheads, also known as comedones. Your dog will likely need a medicated shampoo to help flush out his hair follicles that have become clogged and often times need antibiotics to help the infection cleared up. There is a chance as well that this may not be an infection but maybe small cysts that are present. If this is the case usually no treatment is needed. A picture for reference would help us determine if an infection is present or if it is just a cyst. I hope this helps. Thanks For using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to say what this may be- the picture is a little hard to make out. A few possibilities may be just skin pigmentation variation, comedones (black heads), or perhaps evidence of a fungal infection or bacterial infection. I would recommend Sophie see her veterinarian for an exam so Sophie's skin can get a closer inspection. I hope this helps and thanks again for posting!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Judging from the pictures and your description, I would suspect that this could be due to a superficial bacterial skin infection. I would recommend using a shampoo such as Duoxo PS + chlorhexidine combination shampoo, fish oil such as Welactin and essential 6 spot on by Dermoscent. If there is no improvement with the skin / hair coat worsens, I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at Ruby so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hi and thanks for posting! Thank you for sending along a picture as well. From your picture, it looks to me like comedones or otherwise known as blackheads which occur when the hair follicle becomes clogged. Usually these can be treated with certain medicated shampoos that contain benzoyl peroxide in them to help flush out the follicle. Be sure to purchase these shampoos from your veterinarian as dogs can be especially sensitive to human shampoos and other human hygiene products. I hope this helps!

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! From the picture, these black dots on Pokey's abdomen appear to me like comedones or better known as 'black heads'. You can try using a dog friendly shampoo than is Benzoyl peroxide based such as Vetoquinol Benzoyl-Plus Shampoo for Dogs and Cats. You can get this online or through your veterinarian. If the black dots persist, I would see your veterinarian. I hope this helps and thanks again for posting!

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. From the pictures, these appear to be comedones, or clogged pores. As long as Sasha is not bothered by them, there is no need to do anything about them. I hope this is helpful!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on your description, it sounds as though Cherry Pie may have a skin infection. This infection may be from bacteria, fungus or both. I would recommend having her examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. If you are unable to get her to the vet I would recommend using the below recommended products which can be found online quite easily. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. 1. Douxo PS Chlorhexidine combination shampoo and bathe twice weekly until resolved 2. Malacetic conditioning spray and apply to the affected areas twice daily until resolved 3. Essential 6 spot on by Dermoscent 4. Welactin omega 3 fish oil capsules for dogs.