What are the black specks on my dog's belly and how to treat them?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | 4 years and 1 month old | 18 lbs
Hellonl. My dog has these little black specks on his belly by his genitals. Almost looks like dirth within the skin. Its been there for a while now. I have attached pictures, the area is read because I had just tried cleaning it with hydrogen peroxide. He sometimes licks the area but nothing crazy. He does have dandruff. I rescued him at age 1 (hes now 4), he had heartworm but I got everything done for him and treated it.
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on October 30th, 2019
Hello. These are comedones, essentially black heads, & they are commonly associated with dogs that have allergies. You can try bathing CJ in a benzoyl peroxide product ( shampoo or gel ) for its follicle flushing properties. Bathe weekly & make sure you leave the shampoo on for at least 10 minutes before rinsing. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on January 14th, 2018
Hello, those look like comedones (black heads) and the circle may actually be his belly button, therefore it is clear of black heads. You may obtain a follicular flusher with benzoyl peroxide to clear his black heads. Hope this helps and best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on December 3rd, 2017
This is usually due to the skin being dirty and having a mild bacterial infection. These black dots can take a while to remove, but it is possible with regular cleaning. I recommend getting a medicated shampoo from the pet store and cleaning his belly once a day until they are gone. When cleaning, you can gently scrub the skin with a cloth, but do not scrub hard, or this can make the issue worse. I recommend gently scrubbing the area for 10 minutes each day. With daily cleanings, this should clear-up within two weeks. I hope that helps and all is well with the dog.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on November 9th, 2019
It's possible it's dirt or debris that Duna laid in, flea feces or blackheads. Collect a few of those dark colored flakes (if you can) on a clean white paper towel and apply a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Then gently rub it around. If the towel turns reddish or rusty colored, it's flea feces. You can try to wash them off to rule out debris/dirt. Otherwise, have Duna checked by the veterinarian. Some dogs do get blackheads but conditions like hypothyroidism can make them suddenly appear. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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