Why Is My Pug’s Tummy Turning Black?

A mild darkening of the skin is common as dogs age. If the change is more dramatic or you also notice that the skin has thickened, it may be black skin disease. 

Also, much like people, dogs skin can darken with sun exposure. If your pug has been spending time on its back while laying outside or near a window, that can cause a darkening of their belly skin.

What Is Black Skin Disease?

Black skin disease is actually not a disease, it’s a set of symptoms. It’s when a dog has a darkening and thickening of their skin in response to certain conditions such as weight gain, hormone imbalance, allergies or skin infection.

Often the areas impacted by ‘black skin disease’ will become hairless, making them velvety feeling. The skin will also be thicker and darker than it naturally is.

The most common location for black skin disease to begin is the back legs and groin area, but it can occur in other areas, and it often spreads.

If you suspect that your pug may have black skin disease, their age of symptom onset can assist with diagnosis. There is primary and secondary black skin disease. When primary, it will be evident by 1 year of age and it’s an inherited skin condition. This is quite rare.

Secondary black skin disease is more common and can occur at any age. It is often seen in dogs that are prone to obesity, hormone imbalances, allergies, contact dermatitis and skin infection. Pugs are prone to obesity, and allergies and skin infections are fairly common in pugs as well. For some, these can contribute to them developing black skin disease.

Secondary black skin disease is caused by inflammation or friction that is caused by some other source, such as an allergy response or infection. The edges of the affected areas are often red which is a sign of infection whether bacterial or yeast.

It can spread rather widely, sometimes covering neck, groin, abs, hocks, ears, eyes and more. In some dogs it causes them to itch and scratch, in others it doesn’t.

Seems how secondary black skin disease is brought on by some other cause, it’s important to see your vet if you suspect black skin disease.

They may need skin tests, blood tests or other diagnostic tests done to determine what has brought on he symptoms of black skin disease. Black skin disease itself isn’t treated. Instead, the secondary cause is treated (the allergy, infection, etc), and then the symptoms of black skin disease go away on their own. In some cases topical treatments like medicated shampoos may be needed as well.

How To Reduce The Odds Of Your Dog Getting Black Skin Disease

Black skin disease is usually brought on as a response to an allergy, infection or some other irritation or inflammation. Therefore, prevention of black skin disease would involve avoiding irritants.

Ensuring that your pug is on a high quality diet is a great start to keeping their fur and skin healthy.

Keep their skin folds clean and dry to avoid skin infections. Dry their ears after a bath.

Keep their food and water dish clean and don’t use plastic bowls. Plastic food and water dishes can harbor bacteria which can lead to pug acne or skin infections.

If your dog presents with allergy symptoms, seek testing to determine the cause of their allergies so that you can adapt to help them avoid their allergens.

Other Causes Of Dark Skin:

Sometimes as dogs age their skin darkens a little just due to age.

Like us, dogs’ skin can darken from sun exposure.

Dogs can be born with different skin tones. Especially dogs with darker fur can have darker skin.