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This article was co-authored by Ray Spragley, DVM and by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA. Dr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragley’s specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease(IVDD), and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University.
There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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While a skin tag on your furry friend is more or less harmless, it can be a bit of an eyesore. What’s more, it may get caught on something and cause injury, leading to bleeding or infection. We’ll show you how to remove them at home, but if at all possible, consult a veterinarian beforehand, since most vets don’t recommend removing a dog’s skin tag yourself without proper medical training.
Things You Should Know
- Clip your dog’s fur surrounding the tag. Then, disinfect the patch of skin with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
- Cut the dog's tag with curved mayo scissors while someone else holds the dog to keep them calm and safe.
- Apply a gauze bandage to the area and wait 3-5 days for the wound to heal.
- Always consult a veterinarian before you perform any procedures on your pet.
Steps
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![Step 1 Confirm that the growth is a skin tag.]()
Confirm that the growth is a skin tag. Skin tags in dogs can be easily confused with warts, which are more dangerous because they can grow into malignant tumors. Unlike warts, though, skin tags have a narrow stalk that is attached loosely to the skin. They may be flat or teardrop-shaped, can move or dangle, and they are the same color as the dog’s skin.[1]- Note that skin tags aren’t general harmful to your pup, so it’s best to leave it be if it’s fairly small or otherwise not bothering them.
- Did You Know? Dog skin tags originate from fibroblasts (cells in a dog that are overactive). They aren't specific to any particular dog breed or canine age group.[2] Some believe that friction may contribute to skin tags, too.[3]
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![Step 2 Clip away the fur around the skin tag.]()
Clip away the fur around the skin tag. If there is hair around the skin tag, remove it with an electric clipper. Brush or wipe away any stray hairs that remain after clipping. This will help you ensure that the area is clean.[4]Advertisement -
![Step 3 Disinfect the area with 70% isopropyl alcohol.]()
Disinfect the area with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Soak a cotton ball with at least 5 mL (0.17 fl oz) (a spoonful) of either 70% isopropyl alcohol or 10% povidone-iodine. Then swipe the tag itself and the area around it.[5] -
![Step 4 Have someone else hold and calm the dog.]()
Have someone else hold and calm the dog. You need the dog to be still so that you can cut carefully. Enlist someone that your dog trusts to help you, so that the person can effectively keep the dog calm.[6] -
![Step 5 Sterilize surgical scissors in a pan.]()
Sterilize surgical scissors in a pan. Sterilize a pair of curved mayo scissors if you are going to cut the skin tag. Sterilize a piece of string or floss if you want to tie off the skin tag instead. Use any clean, shallow plastic pan (or even a lunch box) for this purpose. Place 250 mL (8.5 fl oz) of water in the pan, plus 10 mL (0.34 fl oz) of 10% povidone-iodine. Immerse the scissors in the pan for a full minute to sterilize them.[7]- Using curved scissors is important, as they will help ensure that the skin tag’s stalk is cut as close to the skin as possible.
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![Step 1 Tie the skin tag as an alternative to snipping it off.]()
Tie the skin tag as an alternative to snipping it off. Using the clean string, thread, or dental floss, tie around the base of the stalk as tightly as possible and as close to the skin as you can.[8]- Check the area daily. The tag will swell for approximately 3 days, then it will begin to shrivel, turn dark, and fall off within a week.
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![Step 2 Keep an eye on the wound.]()
Keep an eye on the wound. Make sure that no infection sets in. If it does, take your dog to the veterinarian to get the infection treated. Common signs of infection include swelling, redness, or any sort of discharge. -
![Step 3 Use an E-collar to keep your dog from licking the wound.]()
Use an E-collar to keep your dog from licking the wound. You may need to put a cone on your dog if it repeatedly tries to lick the wound. Cone-shaped E-collars keep your dog from biting or licking the tied tag or the wound. -
![Step 4 Cut the stalk of the skin tag to remove it quickly.]()
Cut the stalk of the skin tag to remove it quickly. Using the curved mayo scissors cut the stalk at its base as close to the skin as you can.[9] It will bleed, so be prepared with clean gauze bandages. -
![Step 5 Apply direct pressure to the wound with a gauze bandage.]()
Apply direct pressure to the wound with a gauze bandage. Press the bandage onto the wound for a few minutes, until you are sure that bleeding has stopped.[10] As you do, offer your dog some pets or a treat to keep it calm and reward it for its patience.- A vet may opt to cauterize the wound, which is a more reliable method. Always opt to visit your vet for the best care.
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![Step 6 Cover the area securely.]()
Cover the area securely. Without removing the first gauze bandage, use another piece of gauze or a bandage to cover the area.[11] It will heal in 3 to 5 days, but it’s important to keep the dog from licking or playing with the wound.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan skin tags be a sign of cancer?
Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhDDr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.
VeterinarianOccasionally a lesion that appears to be a skin tag can actually be a cancerous lesion. Consult your vet for advice. -
QuestionIs it safe to remove a skin tag from below a dog's eye at home?Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhDDr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.
VeterinarianNo. The eye is a very delicate area, and trying to remove a skin tag can cause corneal abrasions that can lead to blindness and permanent damage. Take your pet to the vet. -
QuestionCan skin tags be a sign of cancer?
Pippa Elliott, MRCVSDr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
VeterinarianA true skin tag is just that, a small extra piece of skin. They are not usually a sign of cancer; however, anything unusual, swollen, or that is growing quickly must always be checked by a vet.
Video
Tips
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Consult your veterinarian before removing a skin tag from your dog. In addition, remember that if the tags are large, or if they are located on the face or mouth, have a veterinarian remove them instead of attempting to do it yourself.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/benign-skin-masses-of-dogs/
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-skin-lumps-bumps/
- ↑ https://www.animaltrust.org.uk/common-conditions/dog-skin-tags
- ↑ https://www.nyu.edu/research/resources-and-support-offices/getting-started-withyourresearch/research-with-animals/office-of-veterinary-resources/training/animal-preparation.html
- ↑ https://www.research.psu.edu/animalresourceprogram/surgery/animal-preparation
- ↑ https://www.ccspca.com/blog-spca/education/anxious-dog/
- ↑ https://microbiologyjournal.org/sterilization-of-surgical-tools-removing-bacterial-endospores-with-a-combination-of-povidone-iodine-chlorhexidine-gluconate-ethanol-and-methanol/
- ↑ https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2023/05/facts-about-skin-tags
- ↑ https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2023/05/facts-about-skin-tags
About This Article
While it's best to have a vet remove your dog's skin tags since there's a slight risk of complications, you can attempt to do it at home yourself. Start by trimming any hair surrounding it and wiping the area with an isopropyl alcohol-soaked cotton ball to disinfect it. Once you’ve trimmed and cleaned the skin around your dog’s skin tag, cut the stalk of the skin tag as close to the skin as you can with sterilized scissors. Be ready with clean gauze bandages, since it will probably bleed. Alternatively, tie string, thread, or dental floss around the base of the stalk as tightly as you can, which will cut off the blood supply and cause it to fall off within a week. Whichever way you remove the skin tag, cover the area with gauze or a bandage to prevent your dog licking or playing with the wound until it heals. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to identify a skin tag, read on!
Reader Success Stories
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"Followed exact directions of this wiki (used the floss tie-off method), andmy dog's skin tag fell off after 2 weeks. Only thing I would add was that we had to change & tighten the string around the skin tag every other day until it fell off. Great wikiHow!"..." more
