My dog's neck and chest skin turned black. Should I be worried?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to know for sure based on these pictures though this is likely a normal pigmentation change. If it is not associated with itchiness or discomfort, there is no need to be concerned about this. If you ever notice any discomfort or itchiness, have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a great day!

I am sorry to hear about your concern for Snoop Dogg! We can sometimes see a darkening in the skin pigment with Cushing's disease but we can also see it with skin infection or other causes of inflammation. For this reason I would let your vet know about the change so they can determine if it warrants an examination for Snoop Dogg.

As long as the skin underneath the black spot appears normal and is not itchy I wouldn't be too concerned. The color of the fur can change as a result of itching and skin inflammation so if the skin is abnormal I would take Chuy to see a veterinarian.

This may be a normal aging change for her. As puppies lose their puppy coats the adult fur can change color and the skin pigment can darken also. If the skin looks normal with no sores I wouldn't worry about it. If she is itchy that may cause changes in the skin color. A veterinary visit is indicated if you are seeing abnormal areas on the skin.

Thank you for your post! Is there an odor to the skin? When skin changes color like this, it can be due to a skin infection or allergies. Some breeds have darker skin and this can develop later in life. If you are concerned about this I would schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to ensure there is no infection present that needs to be treated. Please feel free to contact me with further questions / concerns.

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Pigmentary changes to the hair/coat are not that unusual, especially if there are no underlying lesions. If your pet ever sustained an injury to that area in the past, even a mild infection or burn, the hair follicles can be affected & color can change months to even years later. So, if she is not bothered by the area, you feel no lumps, bumps, roughness, see no redness or dermatitis, then this may just be a normal change in an unusual area. Just mention it to your vet at your next visit. Take care.

Skin darkening can occur due to natural aging, low level irritation from infection or allergies, a healed wound or changes in hormone levels from hypothyroidism. Your veterinarian may be able to determine the exact cause after a thorough physical exam. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.