Elbow calluses: why they develop and what to do about them

Thickened, hairless skin on the outside of the elbow is common in large breeds. It develops through repeated pressure from lying on hard surfaces.

Why they develop When a dog lies down, the elbow bears a large proportion of their weight and has almost no natural cushioning beneath the skin. On tiles, laminate flooring or a concrete terrace, the skin responds by thickening.

When they are harmless — and when they are not A dry, smooth callus without redness is usually only cosmetic. However, if it cracks, weeps, smells unpleasant or becomes swollen, this may indicate inflammation or an infected bursa and requires veterinary attention.

What to do Provide a soft sleeping surface in every place where your dog regularly lies down — not only in their main bed. Foam distributes pressure far more effectively than a thin blanket laid over tiles.

Caring for the skin Moisturising products formulated for dogs help keep the skin supple. Do not use human creams containing alcohol.

Prevention in puppies For large breeds, it is worth providing soft surfaces from the very beginning. Elbow calluses are far easier to prevent than to treat.