Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My dog's nose skin is red and itchy. Is this a normal color change?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Carolina Dog | Male | 1 year and 7 months old | 25 lbs

My dog's skin below his nose have turned to red colour from black. He also have itching there. BTW he is a Carolina dog

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By C. Rathjens, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 2nd, 2018

What I'm seeing in the pictures looks normal, so I would recommend just keeping an eye on it for now. Color changes can happen as dogs reach maturity. However if the itching gets worse, I would recommend taking him to his vet for evaluation.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on February 11th, 2018

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is likely a normal change in pigmentation which does not warrant further treatment at all. It could also be a healing superficial laceration. If not associated with itchiness or discomfort, this is unlikely to require any therapy at all. If you notice any discharge, itchiness or discomfort, have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck!

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on July 9th, 2019

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If this is not associated with an itch or discharge or pain, then it is likely just a change in pigmentation which can happen throughout an animal’s life. Have a great day!

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi Noticed the maltachion we have(neutered about 8m ago, now 3 yo) pigmentation on nose, dorsal and ventral parts of torso have been changing slightly from a pink (not nose)) to a black colour, nose from black to a more brown/hint of pink colour, sho
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! If this is not associated with an itch or discharge or pain, then it is likely just a change in pigmentation which can happen throughout an animal’s life. Have a great day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
He is 9mons old, and his nose starting change like those pictures. His health and his nose is always wet. I want to know why. Please give me some advice thank you.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is likely a normal change in pigmentation which does not warrant further treatment at all. It could also be a healing superficial laceration. If not associated with itchiness or discomfort, this is unlikely to require any therapy at all. If you notice any discharge, itchiness or discomfort, have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, my dog has some redness on the skin at the corner of his eye above his nose, should I be concerned ?
It may be some local irritation and may fade on its own. If the eye seems weepy, swollen or changing color, or if he wants to rub it, I recommend getting him seen by your vet as soon as you can to get it treated before he does damage to the eye. Even if he's not scratching but the skin still looks red by tomorrow, get it seen to be safe.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Why is boo's nose color changing? He's 1 yr and a few months. Isn't he too young for that?
It would depend on what color the nose is changing to and from and over what period of time this is a current. Some color changes can be normal While others can be indications of certain disease processes. Some of these disease processes are not anything to worry about at all While others can be serious things such as melanoma and Lymphoma. I would repost with some pictures on here and then also consider having a physical veterinarian examine the nose as well as the rest of the Body for any dermatologique changes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My Great Dane dog is black and right below his nose the black skin looks like it’s been scraped off and it’s showing red skin, not bleeding but looks Irritated. Did he scrape it or could it be something else?
He may have scraped it, but the skin doesn't look damaged right now, so it may be in the process of healing. It's also possible that it's simply losing the black pigment, which can happen normally. It doesn't appear irritated to me, but I would want to evaluate it in-person to be sure. I think it's fine to just monitor this area for now. I do not see any need for treatment, but you may consider taking him to the vet for an exam if the area appears more read, or develops any further changes that are concerning. I hope that helps and all is well with Winston.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My puppy's nose was.black and now it looks like it's peeling into pink. Is this normal?
Hello, Lioh's may be undergoing de-pigmentation changes in his nose either due to sun allergy if he is outdoors a lot or a form of vitiligo. If sun allergy, this can be very itchy and may spread to other parts of the body. Vitiligo is mainly a cosmetic change that doesn't require medical management. You may monitor for sneezing, bleeding, or rubbing at his nose and consider taking him to your veterinarian if he is showing any of these. Otherwise, he looks like a very cute guy. Hope this helps
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I was trimming the hair around her eyes to clean her face & give her allergy medicine & I noticed this dark pigmentation. It’s not raised, it’s just dark. Is this normal? From the looks of previous pictures it seems like it hasn’t always been like th
We can occasionally see pigmentary changes so if the area is not raised and not irritated I would just continue to monitor. You can try some snout soother https://naturaldogcompany.com/product-category/products/snout-soother/ on her nose. If it persists an exam at the vet is recommended. We can sometimes see a dry nose if a dog's tear production is decreased as the tears normally flow from the nasolacrimal duct which carries them from the corner of the eyelid out to the nostril.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My puppy's coat around his nose has turned pink. Why is this? Thank you
That could be completely normal and it is part of a normal development of the pigmentation when dog are growing. Most of the times is harmless and does not need any medical attention. If you notice any wound, or if he is scratching to licking excessively that area then I would suggest to take him to your veterinarian for a check up
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Dog recently developed a red patch on his snout. He's had a pink patch there all his life. Should I worry
A red patch on the snout could be due to several things. If your dog is prone to digging with his snout, especially if he has spent time in a crate recently, he may have rubbed a raw spot on his nose. Other possible causes of a red patch of skin in this area would be allergies, bacterial or fungal infections, skin mites (especially Demodex mites, or demodectic mange) or even some auto-immune skin diseases. If the spot does not resolve within a few days or if it seems to be spreading, I would recommend taking him to a vet for an exam - he/she can do some simple tests, such as a skin scrape, to determine the problem.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dogs nose seems to be itching him alot lately and just a few days ago there is now a red blister like thing on top of his nose.. It doesnt seem to be bothering him
Any lesion/mass or blister on the nose that does not go away on its own within 1-2 weeks time should be looked at by your vet and samples taken of it to aid in identification of the mass. In general masses on the nose can either be an inflammatory reaction (granuloma), benign or malignant tumors. Lets hope that Kane's mass isn't something to be worried about.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored