Genetics also factor in, and breeds such as Cocker Spaniels tend to be prone to tags. It’s just a natural part of aging and is likely to be on the upper body where his collar or harness typically makes contact. Just like with humans, older dogs begin to acquire skin tags on various parts of their bodies due to the day-to-day wear and tear we all experience. Unlike when he goes for a swim or runs under the sprinkler and his fur simply gets wet, the soaps in shampoo remove the natural lubricants that help prevent dryness, chafing, and skin tags. Now, there are times – such as a visit to the groomers, or he’s gotten into something really nasty – that bathing is required, but it really shouldn’t be a regular routine. Each time your little guy gets the old rub-a-dub-dub, you’re stripping his skin of essential oils.

Seriously, there is such a thing as “too clean” when it comes to dogs. And if they’re substantial in size, they may be starting to cause your pooch some discomfort on his outings. If the tag is around his neck, shoulders, and chest, have you started using a new harness? Are his walks longer? Has he put on weight and his equipment is now a little snugger? It’s worth investigating because if it’s causing skin tags, it’s also rubbing them.

For dogs, it can be as simple as a harness or collar that is continuously rubbing in certain spots and irritating the skin. For people, skin tags can be caused by tight clothing that rubs against the skin. Now when it comes to what causes these fleshy, dangly bits of skin on your pooch, it can often be down to the same things that cause skin tags to appear on humans. While they don’t cause him any discomfort and are typically harmless, it doesn’t hurt to take note and then check periodically for any change in size. While they are typically found on the face, chest, armpits, stomach (and with my boyfriend’s black Lab, his eye-lid), they can crop up anywhere on his body.

Because the truth is, skin tags are normal for dogs and they’ll get any number of them throughout the course of their life. Now before you panic and assume it’s the big “C”, take a deep breath and relax. You pull your pooch in for a little cuddle and an ear scratch and whoa, what’s that? It’s a skin tag, that you’ve never noticed before.

Do dogs get skin tags