What are some reasons dogs get black spots on their bellies?

If there are black spots on your pooch’s belly that weren’t there before, is something wrong?

It’s not uncommon for pigment clusters to crop up on a canine as he ages. So if there are no other symptoms, the dark spots are unlikely to affect your pet’s health.

But take a closer look at Bowser’s belly. Are the dark spots rough or scaly? Is there an odor or hair loss? Are they growing, or changing color? If you said yes to any of these questions, or if the spots are tender to the touch, your pet may have an allergy, bacterial infection, thyroid deficiency, or other skin disease. A visit to your veterinarian for a more comprehensive examination would be spot-on.

– Dr. Larry McDaniel, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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