Warts on Dogs: Pictures & Pointers on Pesky Papillomas

Remember, this is an educational resource, not a guide for diagnosis.

We always recommend consulting with your veterinarian.

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Photo Examples of Warts on Dogs

Below are various examples of papillomas on dogs. Keep in mind that warts can resemble other growths, such as sebaceous adenomas and other tumors (discussed further down).

  • A close-up of a brown and white spotted dachshund wearing a gray harness and standing on a paved surface. The dog is looking upwards with a large pinkish wart on its muzzle.

    Large wart on a displeased dachshund's muzzle

  • A close-up of a pink, cauliflower-like wart on the side of a black and white dog's face

    Pink wart on the side of a dog's face near the edge of the mouth

  • A close-up of a small pink wart on a white and grey dog's ear.

    Small pink papilloma on dog noggin

  • Close-up of a dark gray French bulldog lying on a textured gray carpet, showing multiple pink warts on its muzzle and nose area.

    Papillomas on French bulldog's nose and muzzle

  • A close-up of a dog's mouth with its teeth and gums visible, held open by a human hand. A pink, sea-anemone-like wart is seen on the lower lip.

    Sea-anemone-like wart on a dog's lower lip

  • A close-up of the underside of a dog's chin with a large, yellow, sea-anemone-like wart and a pink pustule above it.

    Large, yellow, anemone-like wart on the bottom of a dog's chin

  • A close-up of a dog's paw being held by a person's hand, showing the underside of the paw with a cluster of warts growing between the pads.

    Cluster of papillomas between a dog's paw pads

  • Large, sea anemone-like papilloma growth between toes of dog

    Large anemone-like wart between a dog's toes

  • A close-up of a dog's ear, showing a raised, dark, and textured wart near the outer edge of the inner ear.

    Dark-colored wart on a dog's pinna (ear flap)

  • Warts on inside of black dog ear

    Warts near a dog's ear

  • Close-up of a dog's mouth with a hand pulling the upper lip open to show an outbreak of papillomas on the side of the lips

    Cluster of papillomas growing on a dog's inner lips

  • A close-up of a dog's mouth with a hand pulling the cheek open to show severe overgrowth of cauliflower-like warts on the inner lips and gums.

    Rare, severe case of papilloma overgrowth within a dog's mouth
Wart-like growths on chin of black Cocker Spaniel

What Are Warts and What Causes Them in Dogs?

Warts, or papillomas, are benign skin tumors caused by the papilloma virus. The papilloma virus comes in many forms and occurs in all animal species, including humans (HPV) and canines (CPV). The virus even has various forms within each species of animal.

Once papilloma viruses invade the skin cells, they upset the normal cell division process and cause them to divide at a faster, abnormal rate. They do this by triggering the DNA's growth-promoting genes, deactivating the genes that limit cell multiplication, and altering the genes that manage the typical programmed cell death process.

Any dog can get warts, but they appear more frequently in puppies, seniors, dogs with suppressed immune systems, or, simply, those that are often around other dogs. Once a dog has been infected with a papilloma virus, they develop immunity to that type - but not other types of CPV.

Photo: Warts on a cocker spaniel's chin; via customer

Clusters of pink warts (papillomas) on inside of dog's mouth

What Do Warts Look Like on Dogs?

Papillomas in dogs can take on many forms and occur nearly anywhere, including in and around the mouth, on the genitals, eyelids, ears, and on the feet between toes. They typically appear with a classical "cauliflower" or feathery "sea anemone" appearance -- sometimes with scaly plaques. There are also rare forms that grow inward and form a hard mass.

Warts may appear individually, or in clusters. Young dogs tend to get oral papillomas on the muzzle and mouth, including on the gums and inner side of the "lips."

It's important to note that when warts appear on the skin as solitary papillomas, they can be easily confused with other  tumors and growths, like mast cell tumors, follicular cysts, carcinomas, melanomas, and especially sebaceous adenomas. It's always best to let your vet take a look to be sure.

Photo: Clusters of papillomas on dog's gums, via Animal Medical Hospital of West Vancouver

Large, sea anemone-like papilloma growth between toes of dog

How Do Dogs Get Warts?

Warts are caused by the canine papilloma virus (CPV). CPV is highly contagious to other dogs and can be transmitted via direct contact with an infected dog or items in the environment that the infected dog has touched, such as bedding, toys, food bowls, etc.

From there, CPV gains access to the body through damaged skin, cuts, scrapes, insect bites (mosquitos, fleas, etc.), or naturally moist areas of skin, such as the mouth. If the virus isn't countered by the immune system, warts develop 4 to 6 weeks after infection. In healthy dogs, the papillomas tend to be localized and do not spread to other parts of the body.

Photo: Large anemone-like papilloma between dog's toes; photo by Kelsey O'Brien (@knockout0603), on X

A close-up of a large pinkish-red cyst on a brown dog's elbow. The elbow is being held up by a human hand.

Warts vs Cysts

Papillomas (warts) are growths caused specifically by the canine papilloma virus (CPV), which affects the cell division of skin cells and causes them to multiply excessively.

Cysts are benign pockets of fluid or semi-fluid matter lined with epithelial cells that can appear as a result of a blocked hair follicle or sebaceous gland (part of the hair follicle). The blockage causes the area to fill with sebum and/or other matter. Cysts can also arise on their own, and some breeds are more prone to grow them than others. 

Warts tend to go away on their own once the dog's immune system can overcome CPV, and the warts will recede, flake, and/or fall off. Cysts don't generally go away on their own. They must be drained and the epithelial lining (sac) must be removed to prevent the cyst from refilling and coming back. This should be done by a veterinarian as ruptured cysts are prone to infection.

Photo: Large reddish-pink cyst on a dog's elbow, via u/DameLibrio on Reddit

MORE ON CYSTS
A close-up of a pink, fleshy, and textured sebaceous adenoma on the white fur of an animal, with a human finger holding the fur open.

Warts vs Sebaceous Adenomas

Sebaceous adenomas are benign tumors of the sebaceous glands. Sometimes referred to as "old dog warts," they tend to appear in dogs in their senior years. However, they are not true warts since they are not caused by the canine papilloma virus.

Similar in appearance to warts, sebaceous adenomas can resemble pink, red, or pale "brainlike" growths and grow between 1/4" (0.064 cm) - 1" (2.54 cm) in diameter. They are common in poodles, cocker spaniels, terriers, schnauzers, and Labrador Retrievers. They can occasionally ooze sebum (oil produced in the sebaceous gland of the hair follicle). 

Generally speaking, sebaceous adenomas are a natural part of the life of a senior dog and do not need to be removed unless they are in a high-impact area, affect proper grooming, bleed or rupture regularly, or actively agitate your dog.

Photo: Sebaceous adenoma on a Husky-chihuahua mix, via u/dreidrool on Reddit

Dog Breeds Prone to Papillomas

Though any breed of dog can have warts, there are a few that seem to be at an increased risk.

  • Flat art illustration of a pug wearing a robe and a party hat

    Pugs

  • Flat art illustration of a happy Chinese Shar Pei wearing blue glasses and a stuffed teddy bear at its feet

    Shar Peis

  • Flat art illustration of a Cocker Spaniel wearing a raincoat

    Cocker Spaniels

Papillomas (warts) on inner mouth and gums of pug

How Are Warts Diagnosed in Dogs?

Most of the time, a veterinarian can diagnose a wart with a simple physical examination, especially if the lesion exhibits the classical cauliflower shape and form.

To be more definitive, vets can perform a fine needle aspiration (FNA), which uses a small needle and syringe to draw a sample of cells from the tumor for analysis. Even more accurate than an FNA is a biopsy of the tumor, in which part, or sometimes all, of the tumor is removed and examined under a microscope (also called histopathology).

Photo: Papillomas on inner lips of pug, via Today's Veterinary Nurse

A close-up of a dog's mouth with a hand pulling the cheek open to show severe overgrowth of cauliflower-like warts on the inner lips and gums.

Treatment for Dog Warts

In healthy dogs, warts don't always need to be removed. They generally disappear on their own over a period of one to two months as the dog forms an immunity to the virus.

There are, however, cases when warts should be treated or removed:

  • When the warts are so large, numerous, or ill-located that they cause eye irritation or hamper walking or the ability to eat and drink.
  • The dog repetitively scratches or licks at the wart, causing it to bleed and create a risk of bacterial infection.
  • Dogs with compromised immune systems or health complications that call for immunosuppressant drugs that render them unable to be rid of warts on their own.
  • The wart has not resolved on its own after 3 to 5 months; there is a slight risk of becoming a cancerous tumor.

For a single or small number of warts, surgical removal is most common, either with a scalpel, laser, or cryosurgery (freezing). For cases involving a large number of warts, dogs have been historically treated with oral or injected medications that stimulate the immune system, topical antivirals, or oral medications cimetidine and azithromycin.

Photo: Severe overgrowth of papillomas on inside of dog's mouth; via u/Early_Cartoonist_332 on Reddit

Warts on inside of black dog ear

Caring for Canine Warts at Home

It's important to keep your dog from aggravating the warts, as they could potentially rupture, bleed, and become inflamed and infected. Due to the ease of CPV spread, you'll also want to keep them away from other dogs until the warts disappear.

If your dog has any warts surgically removed, it's vital to keep the site clean and likewise protected from irritation. This is where RadiQuell™ Canine and a bandage would be of service. Our products would provide irritation relief and help heal the skin and protect the site from bacteria.

There are some at-home wart removal products available on Amazon and other retailers. However, we must insist that it is best to consult with your vet before trying one of these methods. It may be that the wart will resolve itself, or that the thing you seek to remove is not a wart at all and may be something more serious.

Photo: Warts on dog's ear; via Walkerville Vet

  • Before and after photos of pink warts on a dog's chin; after treatment with RadiQuell Canine, the warts in the after photo appear smaller and less pink

Does RadiQuell™ Canine Help With Dog Warts?

RadiQuell™ Canine seems to have an effect on the wart tissue, and may help with reducing wart size, but we are not currently sure if it has an effect on the canine papilloma virus (CPV). Here is one customer testimonial that we do have, with corresponding before and after photos above:

"I have been applying Lavengel  [now RadiQuell™ Canine] regularly to the warts on my dog's chin. Compared to the initial outbreak where they were red and quite swollen, the redness is gone, and they appear somewhat smaller. Occasionally, a new one begins, so I cover it with Lavengel, and after a few days, it seems to recede. 

Although it's important to point out they don't entirely disappear, they definitely seem to be less angry looking. As for the warts on his bottom, those are deep and hard under the skin, so it will take a while for those to clear. But when they do, as a couple have, they break apart and fall off. With daily continued application, I hope to see that eventually that will clear up."

Wart icon

Dog Wart + Papilloma FAQs

What are canine warts and what causes them?

Warts, or papillomas, are skin tumors caused by the papilloma virus; in dogs, this is the canine papilloma virus (CPV).

CPV invades skin cells and disrupts their routine cell division process, causing them to divide at a higher rate. Over time, this forms growths with a rough, cauliflower-like appearance. 

What's the difference between warts and cysts on dogs?

Dog warts (papillomas) are skin tumors caused by the canine papilloma virus (CPV), which causes skin cells to over-multiply and form growths.

Warts can go away on their own as a dog's immune system overcomes CPV, or they can be surgically removed.

Cysts are pockets of fluid or semi-solid matter under the skin that are encased in a sac with an epithelial lining. Cysts can be caused by trauma, blocked pores / follicles, or atypical breakdown of bodily fluids.

Cysts do not tend to go away on their own and should be removed surgically, ensuring the epithelial-lined sac is removed to prevent reoccurrence.

Are dog warts contagious?

The virus that causes warts in dogs, canine papilloma virus (CPV) is very contagious, but only to other dogs.

It is acquired by direct contact with an infected dog, or with something the infected dog has touched, such as bedding, clothing, food bowls, or toys.

Areas like dog parks, kennels, and shelters are places where the virus and other skin diseases like ringworm are often spread. It's best to avoid these places if your dog has an open wound, rash, or if their immune system isn't functioning properly.

Are dog warts considered cancerous?

In general, no. It's extremely rare that canine warts turn out to be cancerous. 

True papillomas (warts) are caused by a virus that was obtained from another dog, not cancer cells.

How can I tell if this strange bump(s) on my dog is cancer?

The only real way to know if a skin growth on your dog is cancerous is to have a biopsy of the mass performed and assessed by a veterinary laboratory.

Can I get warts from my dog?

No, the canine papilloma virus (CPV) that causes warts in dogs cannot be transmitted to humans or other animals.

We humans have our own version: human papilloma virus, or HPV. HPV, likewise, cannot be transmitted to dogs or other animals.

Will my dog's warts go away on their own?

Generally, yes, canine warts will go away on their own in 1 to 2 months. 

Dogs with healthy immune systems will eventually develop an immunity to the papilloma virus, and the warts will disappear.

Should I get my dog's warts removed?

You should consider having your dog's warts removed if: 

  • They are large or very numerous.
  • They are located in a sensitive place or receive constant contact/pressure.
  • Your dog won't leave the wart(s) alone.
  • The wart is bleeding or become infected.
  • The wart does not go away on its own within 3 to 5 months.

How long will my dog be contagious with warts?

Generally speaking, the canine papilloma virus (CPV) that causes warts is contagious as long as the warts are present, as the virus is spread via contact with them.

Most healthy dogs can develop an immunity to the virus within one to two months. It's best to keep them away from other dogs until the papillomas (warts) are gone.

Can I remove my dog's warts by myself at home?

There are some products that advertise canine wart removal. However, it is important to consult with your vet before attempting to use such a product.

Here are 3 reasons why:

  1. Dog warts tend to go away on their own within 2 months.
  2. You may hurt your dog.
  3. Your vet will be able to verify that the tumor is indeed a wart and not something more serious. 

More Canine Skin Conditions with Photo Examples

  • Human fingers hold skin around sebaceous cyst on dog

    Cysts

    Like warts, these pesky pockets of semi-fluid matter aren't itchy, but they can be problematic depending on their location.

    Cease and de-cyst 
  • Patch of crusty seborrhea sicca on leg of English Cream Retriever dog

    Seborrhea

    Seborrhea appears as excessive dandruff and thick, yellowish crusts that buildup on the skin due to an overproduction of keratin.

    Distrust this crust 
  • Close-up of a black and white dog's face with missing fur and pink skin on face and feet due to skin allergies

    Rashes + Dermatitis

    Dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin, comes in many shapes, flavors, and locations. We discuss 12 common types with photo examples.

    Let's be rash-ional 
BACK TO SKIN ISSUES HUB
Flat art illustration of a West Highland Terrier with round glasses sitting and reading an open book

Resources on canine warts and CPV

Photo credits

It takes considerable time and effort to compile diverse images of canine skin issues in order to make a helpful resource for pet parents.

There's no possible way to take all these ourselves, so we try to give photo credit whenever we can.

Top banner image, from left to right:

  1. u/MimCastro (Reddit)
  2. u/Early_Cartoonist_332 (Reddit)
  3. u/Limp_Strain8103 (Reddit)
  4. u/knowledge_is_pow3r (Reddit)
  5. u/Zealousideal_Cell277 (Reddit)
  6. u/pozhlost (Reddit)
  7. via Walkerville Vet
  8. u/LuckyandLokisMama (Reddit)
  9. via Today's Veterinary Nurse
  10. u/RaiseYourDoggers (Reddit)
  11. u/resolvestudio (Reddit)
  12. u/TerribleBar4698 (Reddit)

"Photo Examples of Warts on Dogs" section, in order of appearance:

  1. u/MimCastro (Reddit)
  2. u/knowledge_is_pow3r (Reddit)
  3. u/RaiseYourDoggers (Reddit)
  4. u/Zealousideal_Cell277 (Reddit)
  5. u/Land_As_Exile (Reddit)
  6. u/pozhlost (Reddit)
  7. u/Limp_Strain8103 (Reddit)
  8. by Kelsey O'Brien (@knockout0603) on X
  9. u/Brovcmon (Reddit)
  10. via Walkerville Vet
  11. u/LuckyandLokisMama (Reddit)
  12. u/Early_Cartoonist_332 (Reddit)

"More Canine Skin Conditions with Photo Examples" section:

  • Cysts: via Walkerville Vet of Queensland
  • Seborrhea: u/luna8tuna (Reddit)
  • Rashes & Dermatitis: via Family Pet Clinic of Menomonee Falls