Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why is my dog licking a red spot on his paw? What could it be?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | neutered | 1 year and 10 months old | 100 lbs

My dog has a round red spot on top of his paw, was just wondering what it could be. He has been licking at it a lot.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Anna M., DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 3rd, 2017

Hello, and thank you for using PetCoach. I’m seeing a red, round, raised, hairless mass. This appearance would make me primarily suspicious of either a histiocytoma or a mast cell tumor. The only way to tell for sure what this lump is, is via cytology. Your vet will get a small sample of cells with a needle and examine them under a microscope to determine what the mass is. I definitely recommend having this done as soon as possible. A histiocytoma is a benign mass that tends to spontaneously resolve. A mast cell tumor would be a concern, and should be surgically removed as soon as possible. I hope this helps!

107Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM
Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident
Published on April 10th, 2018
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM
Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident
Published on November 7th, 2017
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM
Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident
Published on April 12th, 2018
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. It is not possible to know what type of growth it is without having it tested. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Training & Behavior

Why is my dog licking a red sore on his paw that won't heal?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a growth on his paw. He's licking and limping. What is it?

Hello, thank you for using PetCoach. This looks to be a histiocytoma tumor which is a benign tumor commonly found on the limbs and face of dogs. It is a benign tumor that usually will regress on its own within a few weeks/months with no treatment. Of course, I am just guessing. It is impossible to diagnose these things via the internet with just a photo. Here is an information sheet about histiocytomas in dogs for you to read. ( https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/skin-cutaneous-histiocytoma ) He should not be licking the tumor - if he is, you need to get him a cone collar to wear to stop that behavior. If he is just licking the paw, that is not likely related to the tumor and is a different issue. As always, if you are worried, you should take him to your vet for an exam. Best wishes.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my dog licking a red, tender spot between his paw pads?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! At least in the picture, there is no evidence of a mass or anything like that particularly concerning. This could potentially be allergies causing him to lick at his paws. The main causes of allergies are fleas, ingredients in the food or something in the environment. If he continues to do this, it would be ideal to have him evaluated by your veterinarian to start to work him up for allergies and to potentially start him on medications to decrease the itch and potentially treat a secondary infection if found on exam. Good luck and have a great night!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why does my dog have a red spot on his paw, not a lost nail?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a red lump on his paw between his toes. Should I worry?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. Common tumors in this region include melanomas, squamous cell carcinomas, mast cell tumors and soft tissue sarcomas, among others. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my dog licking a popped red lump on his leg with hair loss?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sadly a lot of skin masses can look the same. It could be a Mast Cell tumor (which is a cancerous growth that should be removed and biopsied), a cyst, a histiocytoma (though he is a bit old for that, they end to occur in younger dogs). Any skin bumps that is new, rapidly grows, changes or is possibly infected should be checked by a Vet. They can decide whether it should be aspirated and sent to the lab or removed surgically to send the entire specimen for biopsy. I hope this helps and I wish Boston the very best!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

What's this sore lump on my dog's paw near her nail? She keeps licking it.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the photos and seeing that Alexis is 1 year old, I suspect this is benign. However, there is no way for me to say that for sure. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine this and perform some additional testing to help rule out what this could be. The veterinarian can insert a small needle into the mass and look at the cells under the microscope to help determine further what this could be. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. Please take the time to mark this question as helpful or not as it helps us to improve on the quality of our answers to other pet owners. Thank you kindly!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share