What are Hot Spots on Dogs?
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In my career as a Veterinary Nurse I have seen many Hotspots and supported owners with their treatment protocol, clipping and cleaning the area to get the treatment plan started.
They can be smelly especially if they are infected and most of all I remember just how sore they look.
Hot spots are Painful, Red, moist patches of skin. They are also referred to as acute moist dermatitis.
Table of contents
What do hot spots look like on dogs?
Hot spots typically look like well-defined circular patches of skin. These patches are red, raw and often weeping. Normally under thick areas of fur or fur that’s matted but can be anywhere.
What causes hot spots on dogs?
There are many reasons skin gets itchy and then leads dogs to make them sore.They are caused by dogs licking, scratching and/or chewing at the skin until the skin breaks.
Common causes to start dogs licking, chewing or scratching include:
- Allergies to include food, environmental and flea allergic dermatitis.
- Fleas in general
- Moisture trapped after bathing and swimming
- Injuries to skin, Bone, joint or soft tissue
- Arthritis (because the joint pain can cause licking to try to sooth)
- Stress, Anxiety, fear as well as OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)
- Dermatitis (skin inflammation)
- Immune-mediated skin disease.
What breeds are prone to hot spots?
While any breed can develop hot spots especially if they have a think or matted coat. There are some breeds more prone.
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Golden Retrievers - Where the breed I sore the most in practice -They have a thick coat and are prone to allergies.
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St Bernard – dense fur makes it difficult to dry out once it has become wet and drooling increases wet patches.
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English Bulldog – skin fold in the face and tail create perfect spots for hot spots to occur.
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Newfoundland – oily double coat can be prone to matting if grooming is not kept up and this increases risk of hot spots.
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Labrador Retriever – often water lovers and their oily coat will be prone to trap moisture.German Shepherd – double coated and prone to atopic dermatitis making seasonal summer sore more likely.
- Rottweiler – can be sufferers of flea and environmental allergies making them itchy.
Hot spot treatment for dogs
Normally a trip to the vets is needed especially if you want swift resolution for your dog.
- Vets will clip the area so air can get to it.
- They will clean the area with a pet safe mild skin disinfectant.
- As they are painful, they may prescribe pain relief.
- Also, steroids and/or antihistamines to stop the itch scratch cycle.
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Antibiotics may be prescribed if a secondary bacterial infection is present.
- They will give you a program of care to do at home.
- The cause of the problem will be investigated especially in the case of reoccurring hot spot problems. This will mean a preventative program can be put in place and pre-emptive preventative treatment if needed.
Can you treat hot spots on dogs at home?
There are things you can do at home that will help either while you are waiting to see the vet or in between check-ups.
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Prevention of further trauma is vital using either a cone or a soft cone can work better for those that won’t tolerate a hard cone.
- You can gently clean the area with cooled down boiled water by dabbing and then gently drying by pressing a piece of kitchen towel.
- A mild saline solution can help but check with the vet first. I normally recommend a teaspoon of sea salt in a pint of water.
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Keep it dry making sure the area is well ventilated and checking twice daily for signs of infection-like pus and making sure the problem area is not spreading.
- You must not scrub or wipe at the area.
Helping your dog’s hot spot to heal
Make sure you follow the vet’s guidance and treatment plan. The main key is keeping the skin open to the air and preventing the dog causing further trauma or infection.
How to prevent hot spots on dogs
To prevent hot spots general advice would be to focus on keeping the skin dry, their coat clean and groomed as well as preventing common or causes of itchiness especially those known to affect your dog.
Beating the Itch – Keep parasite control up to date, wipe paws after walks to remove environmental allergens and pollen as well as managing seasonal allergies.
Dry coats – make sure after rain, swimming or bathing you dry your dog properly and consider using a hair dryer on cool. Ask a qualified dog trainer to help you teach your dog to learn how to be relaxed about that process.
If you have a dog that needs professional grooming are kept up to date with their appointments.
When to seek professional help
Treatment should be acquired promptly to prevent deep bacterial infections.
Hotspot is very painful and the area affected grows bigger sometimes rapidly.
A visit to the vets will be best for the dog.
What causes hot spots on dogs?
Hot spots are caused when a dog repeatedly licks, scratches, or chews at an area of skin until it breaks. Common underlying triggers include allergies such as food, environmental, or flea-related reactions, flea infestations, moisture trapped in the coat after bathing or swimming, skin injuries, arthritis, anxiety or stress, and immune-mediated skin conditions.
Which dog breeds are most prone to hot spots?
Any breed can develop hot spots, but those with thick, dense, or double coats are most at risk. Particularly prone breeds include Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, St Bernards, Newfoundlands, English Bulldogs, and Rottweilers. Their coats are more likely to trap moisture or mat, creating ideal conditions for hot spots to form.
Can you treat dog hot spots at home?
Some home care can help, particularly while waiting for a vet appointment. You can gently dab the area with cooled boiled water and pat it dry. A mild saline solution of one teaspoon of sea salt in a pint of water may help, though check with your vet first. Crucially, prevent your dog from further irritating the area using a cone or soft cone, and check twice daily for signs of spreading or infection. Do not scrub the area. A vet visit is still strongly recommended for swift recovery.
How do vets treat hot spots on dogs?
A vet will typically clip the fur around the hot spot to allow air to reach the skin, then clean the area with a pet safe disinfectant. Treatment may include pain relief, steroids or antihistamines to break the itch scratch cycle, and antibiotics if a secondary bacterial infection is present. For recurring hot spots, the vet will investigate the root cause and put a preventative plan in place.
How long does it take for a dog hot spot to heal?
Healing time depends on how quickly treatment begins and how well the dog is prevented from further irritating the area. With prompt veterinary care and consistent home management, keeping the skin dry, airy, and protected, many hot spots begin to improve within a few days. More severe or infected cases may take longer. Following the full treatment plan from your vet is essential for complete recovery.
How can you prevent hot spots on dogs?
Prevention focuses on keeping your dog's coat clean, well groomed, and dry. Key steps include keeping parasite control up to date, thoroughly drying your dog after rain, swimming, or bathing (a cool hair dryer can help), wiping paws after walks to remove allergens and pollen, managing known seasonal allergies, and keeping grooming appointments regular for breeds with longer coats.
When should you see a vet for a dog hot spot?
You should seek veterinary advice promptly if you notice a hot spot on your dog, as they are painful and can grow rapidly. Immediate attention is especially important if the area is spreading quickly, if there are signs of deep infection such as pus, or if your dog is in significant distress. Early treatment prevents the infection from deepening and makes recovery faster.
Are hot spots on dogs contagious to other pets or humans?
Hot spots themselves are not contagious to other pets or humans. They are caused by a dog's own self-trauma to the skin rather than an infectious pathogen. However, if the underlying cause is fleas, those can spread to other animals in the household, so keeping parasite control up to date for all pets is important.
About the author
Nurse Joanna
Joanna Sutherland – VN, Cert AAB
Joanna is a qualified Veterinary Nurse and Behaviorist with over 15 years of experience in first opinion and referral practice. You can often find her sharing her experience in our Very Important Dog Facebook group.
