If you find a lump on your dog, don’t panic – many lumps are harmless. However, it’s impossible to tell whether a lump is benign or cancerous simply by looking or feeling it, so it’s important to have any new lump examined by a vet.
Finding a lump on your dog can be worrying, but the good news is that not every lump is serious. Dogs commonly develop skin and subcutaneous lumps as they get older, and many turn out to be fatty lumps (lipomas), cysts or other benign growths. However, some lumps can be cancerous, so early assessment is always recommended.
What Types of Lumps Can Dogs Get?
Dogs can develop many different types of lumps, including:
- Fatty lumps (lipomas)
- Sebaceous cysts
- Skin tags and warts
- Abscesses
- Histiocytomas
- Mast cell tumours
- Other benign or cancerous skin and subcutaneous tumours
Unfortunately, even experienced vets cannot accurately identify every lump simply by examining it.
When Should I Be Concerned?
Arrange a veterinary appointment if your dog has:
- A new lump anywhere on the body
- A lump that is growing or changing in shape
- A lump that becomes red, ulcerated or starts bleeding
- A lump that is painful or being licked excessively
- Multiple new lumps
- A lump that has not previously been checked
Early assessment gives the best opportunity to decide whether monitoring or further investigation is needed.
How Will My Vet Assess the Lump?
Your vet will examine your dog and discuss:
- When you first noticed the lump
- Whether it has changed in size or appearance
- Its location and texture
- Your dog’s age and overall health
Depending on the findings, your vet may recommend monitoring the lump, performing a fine needle aspiration or biopsy, or using additional assessment tools where appropriate.
Can You Tell if a Lump Is Cancer?
Unfortunately, no.
Although some lumps have features that make them suspicious, it is usually impossible to know whether a lump is cancerous simply by looking at it. Additional tests are often needed to reach a diagnosis and determine the most appropriate treatment.
How We Can Help
At Oathall Vets, every lump is assessed as part of a full veterinary consultation. Depending on your dog’s individual circumstances, we may recommend monitoring the lump, taking samples for laboratory analysis or using Vista iQ, a non-invasive technology that helps assess many skin and subcutaneous lumps and supports clinical decision-making.
Learn more about our Dog Lump & Bump Assessment with Vista iQ.
When Should I Contact My Vet Urgently?
Please contact us promptly if:
- A lump is growing rapidly
- It starts bleeding or ulcerating
- Your dog seems painful or distressed
- The lump interferes with eating, walking or normal movement
- Your dog suddenly develops several new lumps
When in Doubt, Contact Us
If you’ve found a lump on your dog, it’s always worth arranging a veterinary examination. Most lumps are not emergencies but having them assessed early allows us to advise you on whether monitoring, further tests or treatment are the best option.
You may also find our article Can You Tell If a Dog’s Lump Is Cancer? helpful if you’re worried about what a lump could mean.
Reviewed by Matthew Clark BVSc MRCVS, Veterinary Surgeon at Oathall Vets
