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Hyperkeratosis refers to the overproduction of keratin, the protein that makes up a dog’s hair, skin, and nails. Depending on the cause, hyperkeratosis may manifest as ashy skin around the hinge joints, rough, hardened paw pads, or a dry nose. While hyperkeratosis commonly presents in older, more sedentary dogs, it may also result from an underlying health condition.
Key Points
“From a clinical standpoint, the question is rarely just ‘Is this hyperkeratosis?’ The real question is, ‘Is this normal for this dog, or is it a sign of something else?’ That is where veterinary evaluation becomes important,” says Dr. Jo Myers, DVM at Vetster in Salida, Colorado.
Understanding how to identify hyperkeratosis and when to consult a veterinarian can help you prioritize your dog’s health, safety, and comfort.
What Is Canine Hyperkeratosis?
Dr. Myers clears up a common misunderstanding about hyperkeratosis. She shares that hyperkeratosis isn’t a diagnosis itself, but a clue about a dog’s health profile. Essentially, hyperkeratosis tells the veterinarian what the skin looks like – not why.
“If you break the word apart, ‘hyper’ means excessive, ‘kerato’ refers to keratin, the structural protein that makes up skin, hair, and nails, and ‘osis’ indicates a condition. So, hyperkeratosis literally means excessive keratin production in the outer layer of the skin,” says Dr. Myers. “In dogs, we most often notice it on the paw pads or the nose. It can look like thickened, rough, crusty, scaly, or even ‘hairy’ projections of hardened skin.”
Often, hyperkeratosis is skin-deep and not a veterinary emergency. Monitoring the affected area can help you stay on top of any changes to your dog’s health and act if a problem arises.
“In many dogs, especially seniors, mild thickening is more of a cosmetic issue than a medical emergency. The goal is not to make the skin perfectly smooth. The goal is to keep it comfortable, intact, and free of infection,” says Dr. Myers.
Potential Causes of Canine Hyperkeratosis
Hyperkeratosis can result from a host of different factors, some of which include:
- Aging: A senior dog who spends most of the day sleeping on a hardwood floor may develop calluses on areas with thin skin, such as the elbows.
- Vitamin deficiencies: Certain deficiencies or imbalances may lead to the overproduction of keratin. Breeds such as Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes are predisposed to zinc deficiencies that may result in hyperkeratosis as a “feature.”
- Disease: Various autoimmune diseases may cause the overproduction of keratin.
“Most of the time when I see hyperkeratosis in everyday practice, it’s either mild age-related thickening, a breed- or lifestyle-related normal variation, or secondary to some other chronic skin disease,” says Dr. Myers.
Treatments for Hyperkeratosis
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all remedy for hyperkeratosis because many scenarios and conditions can cause it.
“Treatment depends entirely on what is causing the hyperkeratosis. Because hyperkeratosis is a physical finding, not a diagnosis, the first step is determining which category it falls into,” says Dr. Myers. “If hyperkeratosis is secondary to an underlying disease, treatment focuses on that primary condition … If hyperkeratosis is mild and age-related, or related to chronic pressure, management may be very simple and conservative.”
Treating diseases that cause hyperkeratosis may involve antibiotics, intravenous fluids, or various lifestyle changes. Managing hyperkeratosis in an older dog may call for applying veterinary paw balms, monitoring the affected areas, and observing for other signs of illness. A veterinarian may also recommend periodic trimming if the keratin overgrowths are severe.
“It is important not to aggressively peel or cut thickened tissue at home. Over-trimming can cause pain, bleeding, and infection,” advises Dr. Myers.
What Dogs Are Most Likely to Experience Hyperkeratosis?
This can be a tricky question because hyperkeratosis isn’t a medical condition itself but an indicator of something else. To put matters in context, Dr. Myers compares the question of, “Are certain breeds predisposed to hyperkeratosis?” to “Are certain breeds predisposed to coughing?”
But whether because of their anatomy or predisposition to illnesses that cause hyperkeratosis, some breeds that are susceptible to the condition include:
- Labrador Retrievers
- Golden Retrievers
- Dogues de Bordeaux
- Cocker Spaniels
- Irish Terriers
- French Bulldogs
- Boxers
“From a pet owner’s perspective, the more helpful question is usually not, ‘Is my dog’s breed predisposed to hyperkeratosis?’ It is, ‘Is what I’m seeing normal for my dog?'” says Dr. Myers. “Owning a northern breed does not mean you should be on high alert for hyperkeratosis. Most Huskies, Malamutes, and other breeds with thicker pads or drier noses are completely healthy. What matters more than breed is change and comfort.”
Can Hyperkeratosis Cause Joint Pain?
You may see a senior dog with hyperkeratosis, note their stiff walking pattern, and attribute the skin condition to their joints. After all, hyperkeratosis is more likely to form on thin parts of the body, such as along the hinge joints, as a dog ages. However, the two are unrelated.
“There is no direct causal link between hyperkeratosis and joint pain. Hyperkeratosis does not cause joint pain, and joint pain does not cause hyperkeratosis,” says Dr. Myers. “However, indirect relationships can exist.”
Another note is that callus formation on the paw pads is different than “true” hyperkeratosis. For example, a dog may develop cracked, hardened paw pads from walking on pavement or hot surfaces, rather than because of an over-production of keratin.
“Chronic pressure and friction can stimulate thickening of the outer skin layer. This is similar to how humans develop calluses. In that sense, yes, repeated mechanical stress can contribute to localized thickening. But true hyperkeratosis associated with systemic disease is different from simple callus formation,” says Dr. Myers.
Consult Your Pet’s Veterinarian for More Information
If your dog has rough, hardened paw pads, a flaky nose, or horn-like growths on thin skin, they could have hyperkeratosis. Considering whether this is normal given your dog’s age, breed, and overall health could go a long way in informing your next steps, including whether to loop in a veterinarian.
“The goal is not to panic when you see rough skin. It is to notice patterns, watch for change, and seek professional input when you are unsure. That approach, rather than trying to self-diagnose from a single symptom, leads to better outcomes for both dogs and their owners,” says Dr. Myers.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.