Inflammed and itchy nipples are not an uncommon sign for dogs with allergies. You know the tell-tale signs when your dog is uncomfortable; the biting, itching, rubbing and scratching. Like people, dogs can get irritations and inflamed skin anywhere on the body, including the nipples. Both male and female dogs can suffer from enlarged and itchy nipples, which may stem from many ailments.
Both mild irritation and allergies and severe conditions and disease can lead to itchy and irritated nipples. A better understanding of what is causing itchy nipples can help you treat them quickly and effectively.
Why Does My Dog Keep Biting At His Nipples?
Your dog’s nipples can get swollen, inflamed, and irritated, causing them to become itchy and sore. A dog biting at its nipples clearly indicates something is bothering its stomach region. Irritated nipples could come from conditions, infections, or diseases. Understanding the root cause of discomfort can help you make a treatment plan for care. Some of the most common causes of itchy nipples include:
- Fleas – This common pest plagues dogs, and you should always consider fleas a culprit if your dog has itchy nipples. These little insects like to bite areas of the body with little hair, so the nipples are a prime target. Not only is the bite painful for your pet, but the bite can lead to further irritation and scabbing, which makes itching even worse.
- Mange – Smaller than fleas, tiny mites can cause mange. These little insects will bite your dog, leading to hair loss, usually in big patches. Hair loss can develop sores and scabs all over the skin, including the nipples. The open and irritated skin can also make the chance of infection extremely likely.
- Food Allergies – Diagnosing a food allergy in dogs is tricky but possible. Sometimes, a particular food or treat can upset your dog’s immune system, resulting in the outbreak of a rash or skin irritation. Food allergies can cause your dog to bite, rub, or scratch at any irritated area, including the nipples.
- Contact Allergies – Sometimes, a dog can come in contact with something that causes skin irritation. The possible allergens could include laundry detergent, cleaner, chemicals, shampoo, or perfume. Dogs could even be allergic to dust or grass. When the dog comes in contact with the allergen, it will likely develop a rash within 48 hours of contact.
Sometimes, inflamed and itchy nipples can come from a more specific source like disease or infection. Some common conditions that can impact a dog’s nipples specifically include:
- Mastitis – Although much more common in nursing female dogs, males can also have mastitis. Technically, this condition is simply an infection in the mammary glands, which male dogs have too. Swollen, irritated, and itchy nipples are one of the critical symptoms of this disease.
- Fungal Infection – One of the most common fungal infections is a yeast infection. Yeast is naturally occurring on the skin, but yeast growth can become exponential when conditions are right. A yeast infection usually starts as a red, flat rash anywhere on the body, including the nipples.
Dog With Itchy Nipples
A dog with itchy nipples is undoubtedly a cause of concern especially when your dog is stressed, and bothered. Not only can itchy nipples become painful and swollen, but the symptom could be a sign of an underlying, severe disease. Luckily, many reasons for itchy nipples are relatively benign and easy to remedy. In order of severity, here are some likely causes for itchy nipples.
Mild Concern ( ⚠️ )
Sometimes, itchy nipples are simply the result of a contact allergy. If an allergen comes in contact with your dog’s nipples, your dog may react. Common allergies include grass, dust, and certain laundry detergents or cleaners. An itchy nipple could also result from a minor injury like a scrap or cut located near or around the nipple. Be sure to administer wound care, keeping the area clean until it heals.
Moderate Concern ( ⚠️⚠️ )
Itchy nipples can sometimes stem from moderately severe diseases or conditions. Fleas and mange mites can cause itchy nipples, mainly because these tiny pests target body areas with little hair. Some infections, like a mammary gland infection or secondary skin infection, can cause itchy and irritated nipples. Yeast and fungal infections are common causes of itchy nipples, and both usually need prescription medication to beat the infection.
High Concern ( ⚠️⚠️⚠️ )
Unfortunately, sometimes itchy nipples can stem from underlying severe diseases that first rear their ugly heads by irritating a dog’s nipples. Breast cancer can occur in both male and female dogs. This disease usually has swollen, irritated, and itchy nipples as an early symptom.
Testicular tumours in male dogs, even neutered male dogs, can also cause itchy nipples. Further, anaemia and mammary tumours can cause the nipples to become inflamed.
Male Dog With Itchy Nipples
Yes, male dogs have nipples too! And because males have nipples, they are prone to many of the same infections, conditions, and diseases as female dogs. Luckily, many of the conditions that cause irritated and itchy nipples are easy to treat and are not severe. Itchy nipples in male dogs can stem from a food allergy, pest infestation from mange mites or fleas, or a contact allergy from an irritant in the environment.
Itchy nipples in male dogs can also come from different skin infections. While a yeast fungal infection is certainly possible in a male dog, so is mastitis, an infection of the mammary gland (yes, male dogs have mammary glands too). A secondary skin infection is also possible if allergies have caused your pet to rub its skin raw or if there are open patches of skin from advanced mange.
Unfortunately, itchy and irritated nipples could also indicate a severe underlying problem. Itchy nipples may suggest that your male dog has a testicular tumour, anaemia, or cancer. Although male dogs seldom get breast cancer, it is possible, and itchy nipples are one of the first signs the disease is present.
What Does It Mean If a Nipple is Itchy?
Usually, your dog’s cause of an itchy nipple is relatively mild and benign. A contact allergy, skin infection, or pest infestation from mange mites or fleas could easily cause itchy nipples. These conditions are easy to treat, as long as you catch the condition early.
Sometimes though, an itchy nipple is the start of a more serious condition. If your dog does not exhibit symptoms of an infection, infestation, or allergies, it may be time to dig deeper and do a comprehensive exam with a veterinarian. Some severe diseases and conditions that can cause itchy and irritated nipples in both male and female dogs include:
- Injury – Like any other part of the body, a dog’s nipples can get seriously injured. When the nipples are damaged, they can become swollen, red, and itchy. Carefully inspect your dog’s stomach and nipples for signs of a cut, scrape, or puncture wound.
- Anaemia – Similar to people, dogs can get anaemia when their body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells to maintain healthy organs. Symptoms of anaemia, along with swollen and itchy nipples, can include pale eyes and gums, weight loss, and an irregular heartbeat. Anaemia usually stems from a deeply rooted underlying disease like kidney disease, cancer, or stomach ulcers.
- Mammary Tumor – While your dog may suffer from mastitis, a more serious underlying condition may be causing your dog to have itchy nipples. Mammary tumours are possible in male and female dogs, though far more likely in females. Usually, symptoms include a swollen nipple area that can be painful for dogs.
- Testicular Tumor – Male dogs can develop testicular tumours that cause caus an itchy dog nipple. Tumours can be on just one side or both sides of the body. Although testicular tumours are far less common in neutered male dogs, they are still possible. You may notice your dog has swollen nipples, loss of appetite, and may even have blood in its urine.