Bumps under your dog’s skin can mean a few different things — and most of the time they’re not an emergency, but it’s always good to keep an eye on them and ask your vet if you’re unsure. Here are some of the most common causes:
🐾 Common Causes of Bumps Under the Skin
- Lipomas (fatty lumps) – Soft, movable, usually harmless; very common in older or overweight dogs.
- Cysts – Fluid-filled sacs that can appear anywhere under the skin.
- Skin infections/abscesses – Swollen bumps that may feel warm, painful, or ooze if infected.
- Allergic reactions – Small raised bumps (like hives) that may appear suddenly and be itchy.
- Warts or skin tags – Benign growths that are more common as dogs age.
- Tumors – Some lumps may be cancerous, especially if they grow quickly, feel hard, or don’t move under the skin.
🐾 When to See a Vet
You should have your vet check the bump if it:
- Grows quickly in size.
- Feels hard, fixed, or irregularly shaped.
- Is painful, red, or leaking pus.
- Causes your dog to scratch, lick, or chew at it.
- There are multiple bumps appearing suddenly.
✅ Bottom line: Not every bump is dangerous — many are just fatty lumps or cysts — but the only way to know for sure is to have your vet examine it. Vets can do a simple test called a fine-needle aspiration to see what the bump is made of.