Can Dogs Get Skin Cancer? Signs, Prevention, and Treatment

Understanding skin cancer in dogs (in plain language)

Skin cancer isn’t one disease. It’s a group of tumors that start in different skin cells—mast cells, pigment-producing cells (melanocytes), squamous cells, connective tissues, and more. That’s why some bumps stay tiny for years, while others grow quickly or ulcerate.

Two key points to remember:

• Appearance can mislead. A harmless-looking bump can be serious, while an angry red lump might be benign.

• Only testing can tell. A small needle sample or biopsy gives your vet the information needed for an accurate diagnosis and a smart treatment plan.
  
  

Signs of skin cancer to look for

You know your dog better than anyone. Trust your “something’s off” radar, especially if you see:

• New lumps or bumps anywhere on your dog’s skin, lips, eyelids, or nail bed

• A mass that grows, changes color, or becomes an open sore

• Ulcerated lumps that bleed or scab and won’t heal

• A growth that feels fixed to deeper tissue (doesn’t slide under your fingers)

• Repeated itching, redness, or swelling over the same spot

• A lump plus “whole-dog” changes—reduced energy, appetite loss, vomiting, or weight loss
  
  

If a lump looks different today than it did last month, that’s your cue to schedule a visit.

Common types of skin cancer in dogs

Mast cell tumors (MCT)

Mast cells are immune cells involved in allergic reactions. Mast cell tumors are sometimes called the “great imitator” because they can look like almost anything—smooth, bumpy, pink, inflamed, or seemingly harmless. When disturbed, mast cells release histamine, which can make the lump swell suddenly or cause hives and stomach upset. Boxers, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, and Golden Retrievers are among breeds with a higher incidence, but many dogs can develop them.

Malignant melanoma

Melanocytes make pigment. While some skin melanomas are benign tumors, malignant melanomas—especially those in the mouth or nail bed—tend to behave aggressively. Look for dark, raised masses or a painful toe with a swollen nail bed.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

Squamous cell carcinoma often shows up on sun-exposed, non-pigmented or pink skin—the nose, lower abdomen, lower legs, or any white fur area with less hair. It may look like a crusty, wart-like lesion or a sore that won’t heal. Sun exposure is a known contributor.

Basal cell and other tumors

Basal cell carcinoma can be benign or malignant; many basal cell tumors are removed and cured with surgery. Soft tissue sarcomas (from connective tissues) can appear as firm, slow-growing lumps that need wide margins during removal. Your vet’s job is to sort these out with sampling and send tissue to a veterinary pathologist when needed.

Who’s at higher risk?

Skin tumors can happen to any dog, but risk nudges upward with:

• Age: most are found in middle-aged and older dogs

• Sun exposure: especially in light-colored, thin-coated, or white dogs

• Breed tendencies: Boxers, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pugs, Labrador Retrievers, and Golden Retrievers see more mast cell disease; sun-sensitive breeds and pink-skinned areas are more prone to SCC
  
  

Risk isn’t destiny—early detection is your best friend.

When a lump needs a vet visit (hint: sooner is better)

If you’re debating whether to watch it or check it—check it. Book an appointment sooner if the lump is:

• New and growing from days to weeks

• Bleeding, ulcerated, or painful

• On the face, mouth, or nail bed

• Paired with “whole-body” signs like vomiting or lethargy

Catching problems early often means simpler surgery and better outcomes.

How veterinarians diagnose skin cancer

1) Mapping and measuring

Your vet will examine your dog’s skin from nose to tail, note dog’s lumps on a body map, and measure sizes so changes are clear.

2) Fine-needle aspiration (FNA)

An FNA uses a tiny needle to collect cells—a small sample that can often identify mast cell, melanocytic, or inflammatory lesions right away. It’s quick and usually doesn’t require sedation.

3) Biopsy and histopathology

If FNA can’t give a clear answer, your vet may remove a piece of the mass (incisional biopsy) or the entire lump (excisional biopsy). A veterinary pathologist confirms tumor type, grade, and whether the surrounding tissue (surgical margins) is clean. That report guides any further treatment.

4) Staging (when needed)

If a tumor type tends to spread, your vet may check lymph nodes, take chest X-rays, or perform an ultrasound to look for spread to other organs. Staging helps tailor the treatment options.

Treatment options for canine skin cancer

Surgical removal

For many tumors, surgical removal with complete excision is curative, especially when the lump is caught early. Some tumors (like soft tissue sarcomas or higher-grade MCT) need wider margins to reduce the chance of regrowth.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy can target microscopic cells left behind after surgery or treat tumors that can’t be fully removed due to their location.

Medical therapies

Depending on the diagnosis, your vet or veterinary oncologists may recommend:

• Targeted drugs or oral chemotherapy for some mast cell or sarcoma cases

• Immunotherapy options for select melanomas

• Antihistamines and GI protectants for mast cell tumors (because histamine release can trigger allergic reactions or stomach upset)

Palliative care

When cure isn’t possible, palliative treatments focus on comfort: pain control, managing ulcerated surfaces, and protecting quality of life.

Prognosis and long-term outlook

Outcomes vary by tumor type, location, and whether surgery achieved clean margins. Many dogs live long, happy lives after a single, well-planned procedure. Others do best with a combination of surgery and follow-up therapy. Your vet will review the pathology report with you in plain English so you can decide next steps together.

A reassuring truth: good outcomes are common when we act early.

Home checks: a simple monthly routine

Set a reminder once a month to do a calm, five-minute nose-to-tail check.

1. Run your hands along your dog’s body, including behind the ears, under the jaw, chest, armpits, belly, groin, and tail base.

2. Look between the toes and at each nail bed.

3. Note new lumps or changes in size, color, or texture.

4. Take a quick photo with a coin for scale.

Bring your map and photos to your next visit. This small habit turns you into your dog’s best early-warning system.

Preventing skin cancer in dogs (as much as we can)

You can’t prevent every tumor, but you can reduce skin damage from the sun and spot problems sooner.

• Shade and timing: avoid direct sunlight during peak hours.

• Clothing and sunscreen: use vet-approved dog sunscreen on pink areas (nose bridge, ear tips, lower abdomen) and consider sun-protective shirts for beach days.

• Grooming for visibility: regular brushing makes it easy to see the skin.

• Healthy weight & routine care: overall pet owners habits—diet, exercise, parasite prevention—support the immune system and dog’s health.
  
  

Where Oncotect fits in a proactive plan

Skin tumors are diagnosed by sampling the dog’s skin —nothing replaces that. But many cancers don’t announce themselves loudly at first. That’s where a proactive mindset helps.

The Oncotect Cancer Screening Test Kit is a non-invasive urine screen designed to support early detection conversations with your vet. It does not diagnose or stage skin tumors, but it can help you stay alert to cancer-associated changes and decide whether to investigate sooner—especially in older dogs or breeds with a higher risk of certain cancers.

Explore the kit here: Oncotect At-Home Wellness Screen for Cancer

Key takeaways

• New or changing lumps should be checked—don’t wait.

• Skin cancer in dogs ranges from benign to aggressive; appearance alone isn’t reliable.

• Fine-needle aspiration and biopsy give the answers that guide care.

• Early, complete removal often means simpler treatment and better odds.

• Protect pink, sparsely haired areas from direct sunlight and do monthly home checks.

• Add proactive tools—like Oncotect’s at-home screening—to your routine so you can act early when something feels off.
  
  

Final word

You don’t need to memorize every tumor name. You just need a routine: look, note, and ask early. With quick checks at home, a fast sample when something new appears, and a trustworthy plan from your vet, most skin issues are manageable—and many are curable. If you’re still wondering, “Can dogs get skin cancer?” now you know they can, and that simple steps today can make a lifetime of difference.