What Are Dog Warts?
Dog warts — medically called canine viral papillomas — are small, benign growths caused by the canine papillomavirus (CPV). They most commonly appear around the mouth, muzzle, lips, and eyelids. Despite looking alarming, the vast majority are harmless and self-limiting — resolving on their own without treatment. Canine papillomavirus is species-specific and cannot spread to humans or cats.
Types of Dog Warts
Types include: oral papillomas (most common in puppies under 2 years, inside the mouth), cutaneous inverted papillomas (cup-shaped, lower belly and between toes), cutaneous exophytic papillomas (outward-growing, anywhere on skin), pigmented plaques (flat, dark — rare, linked to CPV-5 with occasional malignant potential), and footpad papillomas (uncommon, may cause lameness). Any new or changing growth should be examined by your vet, as other conditions like mast cell tumors can look similar.
Causes and How Dog Warts Spread
CPV spreads through direct contact between dogs or contaminated surfaces, toys, and bedding. The incubation period is 1–2 months. Risk factors include young age (under 2 years), senior dogs, immunosuppressive conditions, and frequent contact with other dogs at parks, daycares, or boarding facilities.
Treatment Options
Most cases require only watchful waiting — in healthy dogs, warts resolve within 1–5 months. Treatment is needed if warts interfere with eating, breathing, or walking; become infected or bleed; or if the dog is immunosuppressed. Medical options include surgical removal, cryotherapy, laser ablation, azithromycin (antiviral properties), and interferon. Never attempt home removal — cutting or pulling warts causes bleeding, infection, and incomplete removal.
When to See a Vet
See your vet if a wart changes color, shape, or size rapidly; bleeds or becomes infected; multiple new warts appear in an adult or senior dog; the dog has difficulty eating or walking due to wart location; or the growth doesn’t look like a typical wart. A biopsy may be needed to rule out malignant conditions.
Can dog warts spread to humans?
No. Canine papillomavirus is species-specific and cannot infect humans or cats.
How long do dog warts last?
In healthy dogs, warts typically resolve within 1 to 5 months as the immune system mounts a response. Immunocompromised dogs may need veterinary treatment for persistent warts.
Should I remove my dog’s wart at home?
No. Home removal causes pain, bleeding, and infection. See your vet for professional removal via surgery, cryotherapy, or laser.
Can a dog get warts more than once?
After recovering from one CPV strain, dogs develop immunity to that strain. However, multiple CPV strains exist, so a dog could develop warts from a different strain later.
Are dog warts contagious to other dogs?
Yes. Keep dogs with active warts away from puppies, senior dogs, and immunocompromised dogs until the warts resolve.