Have you seen red circles on your dog's belly?
These red circles look terrible, but they're actually nothing to worry about. It's easy to confuse these little red spots with much more serious skin conditions like ringworm, so the panic most dog owners feel when they see these spots on their dog is understandable. That being said, even though this shouldn't be a major concern for dog owners, you should always check with your vet when you see a rash like this or anything that flares up quickly. Allergies are nothing to mess around with, and if you diagnose something incorrectly, you and your pup can pay the price with itchiness and misery.
So, if these red circles are nothing to worry about, what are they? Are they hot spots? Allergies? A rash?
Where Causes Red Circles on a Dog's Belly?
If your dog lies on the ground in the grass a lot during the day, you've probably got your answer. If Fido's favorite spot to chill at the dog park is in the grass, your culprit is likely there.
The Morinville Veterinary Clinic in Alberta, Canada, recently shared a message about a common affliction on its Facebook page to reassure pet parents that are seeing large red circles on their dog's belly as they were getting a lot of calls.
"We are getting more and more phone calls about red bites on your dog's stomach," the post reads. "These are a type of fly bite, and dogs generally get them from laying in the grass. They look terrible, but usually, do not bother the dogs. They heal quickly on their own and do not require any treatment. These flies are usually around for a few weeks every spring and then go away. We hope this eases any worry that you may have had about your own dog!"
Fortunately, these biting flies are nothing for pet owners to worry about. They're widespread across North America, and usually harmless. Still, many other dog allergies and medical conditions can present in a similar fashion, so it's always prudent to check with your vet if you're unsure about a bite. Some vets might even let you snap a picture of your pooch before trekking into the office.
Always have a rash checked out by your vet and always go with your intuition when it comes to your dogs. With the similarity these spots have to ringworm, you'll certainly gain a lot of peace of mind knowing that these spots won't make your entire family itchy and miserable!
Allergic reactions, mange, fungal infections, bug bites, yeast infections, and scabs can all look like these red spots so be careful!
READ MORE: What Are Chiggers & How To Soothe Your Dog's Skin After a Bite
