How to Tell the Difference Between Ticks and Skin Tags on Dogs

We've all been there — is that a tick, or something else? If you come across an unusual lump or bump during grooming or while checking for pests, it's important to identify and know the difference between a tick or skin tag on dog. Although in many cases a tick, a mole, or a skin tag is obvious, small ticks and dark-colored skin spots may require the use of a magnifying glass, good lighting, and close observation to determine the difference.

Tick or mole on dog

The first thing to do is determine if you are looking at a tick or mole on your dog. A tick is a pest that is part of the arachnid family. It has eight legs and a hard shell, and is usually brown or gray. Depending on the type, a tick may be as small as the head of a pin or as large as half an inch long. A tick's body shape changes from flat before feeding to round and engorged when it is filled with blood.

To look at a suspected tick more closely, part the dog's hair at the site of the suspected tick and look for legs along the side of the body, near the attachment point. Use a flashlight or bring your pet into a well-lit area, and ask a helper to hold the pet or the light for you.

After you've determined that you definitely have a tick on your dog, you may wish to remove the tick yourself. This is usually an easy process to do at home, but you may need a helper to either hold the dog, or a light — or to remove the tick while you hold the dog.

Moles are black or brown bumps that are generally small and benign. They are dark in color because of melanin, a pigment that we are all familiar with in human or canine skin that usually darkens with sun exposure. Moles should always be checked out by a vet if they appear to be growing or have a concerning appearance.

What is a skin tag?

Ticks carry diseases such as Lyme disease — a bacterial infection transmitted by the black-legged tick — or anaplasmosis which is another tick-borne disease caused by a bacteria called anaplasma phagocytophilum. Anaplasmosis comes from the bite of a deer tick. Your veterinarian will be able to help treat these diseases with antibiotics. There are also preventative vaccines against Lyme disease.