Dog skin problems are one of the number one reasons pet parents visit the veterinarian. Caring for a Cocker Spaniel’s skin has unique challenges–the breed is prone to several skin conditions that impact their health, comfort, and well-being. Fortunately, I have over 30 years of experience dealing with Cocker Spaniel skin.
The skin is the largest organ of a dog’s body. As such, the skin deserves as much attention as all the other organs. From allergic reactions to hot spots and dry and flaky skin to hair loss, the skin uses many resources from the body to function.
Your dog’s skin is responsible for 18 vital functions, from nutrient storage to temperature regulation. Since a dog’s skin is thinner than a human’s, dogs rely heavily on their fur and coat to protect them from toxins, parasites, the sun, and parasites.
Maintaining skin health is especially important for Cocker Spaniels, as they are prone to certain dermatological conditions. This article addresses what I’ve learned to care for a dog’s skin in the last three decades. And spoiler alert: You can NEVER know what a lump or bump is on your dog’s skin withoutan aspiration or biopsy from your veterinarian.
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Dog Skin Problems: Why Skin Health Matters
The skin comprises about 10 to 15 percent of a dog’s body weight. The skin and its related structures, like hair, nails, and sweat glands, make up a dog’s integumentary system. Because the skin is the main barrier protecting the body from the outside world, damage to that barrier has long-term implications and dangers.
A Cocker Spaniel’s skin is a complex organ that serves as the first line of defense against environmental threats and plays a crucial role in overall health. Understanding these three layers of the skin and their function is helpful:
Epidermis
The skin’s outermost layer comprises keratinocytes that produce keratin—a key protein responsible for strength and waterproofing. This layer acts as a protective barrier against environmental threats and helps retain moisture.
Dermis
Situated beneath the epidermis, the dermis is a vital layer containing blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, sebaceous (oil) glands, and sweat glands. It provides essential support, elasticity, and nourishment to maintain skin health and function.
Hypodermis (Subcutis)
This deepest layer of the skin is primarily composed of fat tissue. The hypodermis is an energy reserve that provides insulation to regulate body temperature and cushions the body against external impacts.
Other Skin Parts of Dogs
Like all dogs, a Cocker Spaniel has hair follicles that secrete sebum, which is an oily substance that lubricates the skin and hair.
There are two types of glands in a dog’s skin–sebaceous glands that contain sebum and sweat glands (eccrine on the paw pads and nose) and apocrine glands (in hair follicles for scent communication).
Nerve endings in a dog’s skin enable sensations like touch, pain, pressure, heat, and cold. The skin also has some remarkable specialized cells, including Langerhans cells, detect and combat pathogens, contributing to the immune defense system.
If the skin is damaged or compromised, caring for the problem is crucial to prevent further complications, disease, or fatality.
Common Skin Problems in Cocker Spaniels
American and English Cocker Spaniels have certain qualities to the skin that distinguish them from other breeds. Some common skin problems in this dog breed affect all dogs and breeds, such as:
Seborrhea
Cocker Spaniels are prone to oily skin because they produce more oil (sebum) than other dog breeds. This additional oiliness makes Cockers more susceptible to skin infections and other dermatologic issues like seborrhea, a genetic disorder. Affected dogs have flaky or greasy skin and are more prone to atopic dermatitis, which causes itchy skin, inflammation, and secondary infections.
Allergies and Itchy Skin
Cocker Spaniels are overrepresented with allergies from environmental and food ingredients and flea allergy dermatitis, which is highly sensitive to fleas. Allergies are often misdiagnosed as well. Common allergy symptoms include excessive scratching, itchy or biting the skin, redness and irritation, digestive disturbances like diarrhea or vomiting, and frequent ear infections.
Malassezia Dermatitis
Many of my Cocker Spaniels have dealt with Malassezia Dermatitis, which is also called a yeast organism. When it overgrows, it can be harmful and cause inflammation while irritating existing skin issues. My Cockers have dealt with Malassezia Dermatitis on the skin, ears, armpits, and groin area. Where there’s skin, yeast can grow and overgrow.
Ear Infections
Dogs with floppy ears, like Cockers, are more prone to ear infections. Cockers have narrow ear canals that attract dirt, wax, and debris, fueling bacteria and yeast. This and poor air circulation create a moist, dark environment that bacteria and yeast love.
Lumps and Bumps
Anytime a lump or bump appears on your dog, Dr. Sue Hettinger, aka Cancer Veterinarian, recommends getting it assessed with aspiration and/or a biopsy if it is 1 cm or bigger or if it has been there for one month or more. Do not wait; aspirate is her mantra. No one can tell you what a lump or a bump is, even a veterinarian, without scientific proof by studying the cells under a microscope.
Hypothyroidism
Cocker Spaniels are overrepresented with cases of hypothyroidism, a condition that causes hair loss, inflamed skin, and ear infections. Without treatment (most often a daily pill), your dog can have thickening and darkening of the skin, increased dandruff, weight gain, itchiness, and fatigue.
Autoimmune Skin Disease
When a dog’s immune system mistakenly attacks their skin cells, dermatological problems can happen. These include pemphigus foliaceous, which look like blisters that become crusty on the face, ears, and throughout the body.
Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) presents as pigmentation loss or sores on the nose, which can spread to the lips, eyes, ears, and private parts. Sun exposure makes it worse, and it is commonly called “Collie nose.”
Systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a more severe form that affects organs. Symptoms include ulcers, lesions, and other more widespread problems. Watch for itching, loss of skin pigmentation, ulcerations, or skin scaling.
Sebaceous Adenomas
Because Cockers have more oil in their skin, they are more prone to sebaceous adenomas, sometimes called fatty tumors. My dogs have experienced lipomas and benign fatty tumors a lot over these past 30+ years. However, I always had them checked and aspirated. Though sebaceous adenomas don’t cause problems often, they can grow large, get infected, or be located where they rub against collars, grooming tools, etc.
Vitamin A Responsive Dermatitis
Vitamin-A Responsive Dermatitis is a rare skin condition, but I’ve seen it talked about occasionally in my active Facebook Group, Club Cocker: Wigglebutts Worldwide. It usually affects dogs and is rare, but it is thought to be genetic. Affected dogs have a dull or dry coat, scaly or crusty skin, and may have secondary infections and clumps of skin encircling the hair shafts.
Preventing and Treating Skin Problems in Cocker Spaniels
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If I could return to the day we welcomed our first Cocker Spaniel, I’d do the following, which I recommend to anyone reading this.
ZYMOX is one of my favorite dog skin and ear care brands. ZYMOX products don’t use harsh antibiotics or any chemicals. Instead, they use their patented LP3 enzyme system to combat harmful microorganisms while being gentle to a dog’s skin and ears.
Fun fact: Staff discovered an ear infection when my second Cocker Spaniel was admitted to the hospital for an immune system disorder called Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia (IMT). They treated him with ZYMOX products both in-house and on discharge.
These are my favorite ZYMOX products for preventing and treating common skin problems in Cocker Spaniels (and dogs in general):
Ear Care Products for Dogs
Ear cleaners for droopy Cocker ears should keep debris, bacteria, or yeast from forming, but over-cleaning can also lead to ear infections. Using the wrong type of ear cleaner can cause a Cocker’s inner ear skin to become soft and weak, which you never want to happen. Here are my favorite cleaning and ear infection products from ZYMOX that we use regularly:
Ear Cleanser for Dogs
ZYMOX Ear Cleanser for Dogs
Gentle, nontoxic, irritation-free formula
Look in my dog supplies closet; you’ll always find this ear cleanser from ZYMOX. I use it weekly, and it works like a charm. Ideal for dogs who swim or get their ears wet, this no-sting, unscented formula is veterinarian-recommended.
Ear Solution with Hydrocortisone for Dogs
ZYMOX Ear Solution for Dogs
With 0.5% hydrocortisone
This ZYMOX solution is what our veterinarian sent us home with when my dog was hospitalized. It provides a safe, natural alternative to harsh medication with 0.5% Hydrocortisone for itch relief. There is also a non-hydrocortisone formula available.
Our Personal Favorite ZYMOX Ear Product for Dogs
ZYMOX PLUS Advanced Formula
With 1.0% hydrocortisone
At the first sign of ear infection in my dog, I use ZYMOX PLUS Advanced Formula. Designed for both acute and chronic otitis externa, aka an inner ear infection. No pre-cleaning is needed. Always check with your veterinarian first, and never try to self-diagnose.
Grooming Products for Dogs
I am a fan of frothing my dog for bathtime. Frothing gets the skin super clean, which is particularly important for Cocker Spaniels. Fortunately, ZYMOX shampoo works beautifully in the frothing process or on its own.
Gentle Shampoo for Dogs
ZYMOX Shampoo for Dogs
Soothes, cleans, and supports skin
I’ve been using this shampoo for over a dozen years. It curbs itching, reduces allergy and dandruff issues, and is ideal for dogs with hot spots, mange, and more. It is no-sting, tear-free, and made in the USA.
Gentle Conditioner for Dogs
ZYMOX Leave-In Conditioner for Dogs
Soothes, cleans, and supports skin
Fantastic and effective are understatements for this conditioner, our favorite, from ZYMOX. It is best if used after shampooing and in between baths, as you can leave it on or rinse it if preferred. Like the shampoo, this conditioner is also veterinarian-developed and non-greasy.
Skin Care Products for Dogs
For itching, hot spots, wounds, or irritation on the skin, I use ZYMOX topical cream and spray and keep one of each in my dog’s first aid kit, too.
Our Favorite Topical Cream for Dogs
ZYMOX Topical Cream with 0.5% Hydrocortisone
Powerful and gentle formula that works
The ZYMOX LP3 Topical Cream is a soothing remedy ideal for pet skin irritating the face, paws & body folds. We use it for skin irritations like itchy skin, hot spots, dermatitis & more.
Our Favorite Topical Spray for Dogs
ZYMOX Topical Spray with 0.5% Hydrocortisone
Say goodbye to hot spots and more on dogs
The ZYMOX LP3 Topical Cream is a soothing remedy ideal for pet skin irritating the face, paws & body folds. We use it for skin irritations like itchy skin, hot spots, dermatitis & more.
Pro Tips for Healthy Skin on Dogs
As a Cocker Spaniel and pet product expert, here are my top 10 pro tips to keep your dog’s skin healthy no matter their age: (
- Regular Grooming and Bathing: Consistent brushing with the right tools stimulates the skin, distributes natural oils, and removes debris, promoting a healthy coat. Bonus: Learn to groom your Cocker Spaniel at home.
- Proper Bathing Practices: Avoid over-bathing to prevent dryness and irritation. Use proven dog shampoos without harmful ingredients, such as ZYMOX Shampoo and ZYMOX Leave-In Conditioner.
- Routine Skin Examinations: At least once or twice a week, perform 10 touches that may save your dog’s life.
- Paw Care: Keep nails trimmed (learn to clip dog nails at home), examine paw pads, and keep pads trimmed to prevent debris from accumulating or other skin issues.
- Addressing Allergies Promptly and Properly: Don’t second guess what may cause your dog’s itching or allergies. There are many ways to determine the cause of your dog’s itching, including the information in our article: Cocker Spaniel Allergy Guide
- Monitor and Address Lumps and Bumps: Regularly examine your dog’s skin for any new lumps or bumps. Early detection and veterinary consultation are crucial for addressing potential issues.
- Care for the Mouth and Lips: Keep your dog’s lip folds clean and dry to prevent infections. Regularly wiping the lip folds and maintaining oral hygiene are essential preventive measures. ZYMXO also makes dental products for dogs. Learn more about ZYMOX dental care.Bonus: Learn about lip fold dermatitis in dogs.
- Proper Food and Hydration: Provide a well-balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins A and E, zinc, and biotin, to support skin health. These are my favorite dog food for Cocker Spaniel selections. Ensure your dog has access to fresh water to keep their skin hydrated and supple.
- Use Supplements: Incorporate omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, to reduce inflammation and support skin health.
Dog skin faces many challenges, from dryness to managing fleas and ticks, bacteria threats, and allergic dermatitis. Never use human skincare products on your dog; protect them from harsh weather with coats or proper coat coverage.
Cocker Spaniel coat care is tedious but necessary, and the more you can prevent skin from developing problems, the healthier and more comfortable your dog will be.
