Health & vet care
Dog Hot Spots: What They Are, Causes and What Helps
A hot spot is a red, wet, painful patch of inflamed skin that a dog creates by licking, chewing, or scratching an itchy spot. Vets call it acute moist dermatitis or pyotraumatic dermatitis. Hot spots can double in size within hours, so it is worth seeing your vet promptly, both to treat the sore and to find the itch that started it.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 9, 20264 min read2 sources
What it usually means
A hot spot is not a cause in itself, it is the result of a dog damaging their own skin. Something makes a patch itchy or sore, the dog licks or scratches it, the skin breaks and starts to weep, and the warm, wet surface becomes infected with bacteria. That hurts and itches more, so the dog keeps at it, and the patch spreads.
The most common triggers are flea bites and flea allergy, environmental or food allergies, ear infections, anal gland problems, insect bites, and a matted or damp coat that holds moisture against the skin. Pain, such as arthritis near a hip, and boredom can also lead to the constant licking that starts one. Thick-coated breeds such as Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Labradors, and Saint Bernards get them often, especially in warm, humid weather.
What a hot spot looks like
Most hot spots appear as a round or irregular patch of red, moist, shiny skin, often with matted fur over it and a clear or yellowish ooze. The hair around the edges may be lost or stuck down with discharge, and there may be a crust. They often appear on the head, the side of the neck, the hips, or the base of the tail.
Hot spots are usually very sore, so many dogs flinch, growl, or pull away when you go near the area, even dogs who are normally gentle. A patch that was the size of a coin in the morning can be the size of your palm by the evening, which is why waiting a few days is rarely a good idea.
When to call your vet today
Call your vet the same day if you find a hot spot that is spreading, oozing, smells bad, or is too painful for your dog to let you touch. Most need clipping, cleaning, and prescription treatment to settle, and some need sedation so the area can be cleaned without hurting your dog.
Book a visit, too, if your dog keeps getting hot spots in the same place, or gets them every summer. Repeat hot spots almost always have an underlying cause, such as allergies, fleas, or an ear problem, and they will keep coming back until that is treated.
When it's an emergency
Most hot spots are urgent but not an emergency. Seek care straight away if the sore is very large, deep, or bleeding, if your dog has a fever, seems lethargic, or stops eating, or if there are many patches appearing at once. These can be signs of a deeper skin infection rather than a simple hot spot.
Also go promptly if the area is near the eye or if your dog has chewed a wound open. A dog who will not stop self-harming despite your efforts needs help the same day, because the damage can become severe very quickly.
What you can safely do at home
The single most useful thing you can do is stop the licking and scratching. An Elizabethan collar, often called a cone, or a soft recovery collar keeps the mouth away from the skin while you arrange a vet visit. Keep the area as clean and dry as you can, and do not let your dog swim.
Do not cut the matted hair with scissors, because it is very easy to cut the skin underneath; your vet will clip it safely. Avoid human creams, essential oils, hydrogen peroxide, and home remedies, which can sting, slow healing, or be harmful when licked. Do not give any human medicines for itching or pain.
What the vet will likely check
Your vet will clip the hair from around the hot spot to let air reach the skin and to show its true size, then clean it with an antiseptic wash. They may look at a sample under a microscope to check for bacteria. Depending on how severe it is, they may prescribe a medicated spray or cream, medicine to calm the itch and inflammation, and sometimes antibiotics.
Most dogs improve within about three to seven days of treatment. Your vet will also look for the trigger: they may check for fleas, look in the ears, check the anal glands, and talk to you about allergies if hot spots keep returning.
Preventing hot spots
Keep your dog on year-round flea prevention, and brush regularly to stop mats forming, especially in thick or double coats. After baths and swimming, dry your dog thoroughly right down to the skin. In hot, humid weather, a trim from a groomer can help some heavy-coated dogs.
If your dog has allergies or ear infections, follow your vet's plan to keep them under control. Plenty of exercise and things to chew and solve, such as puzzle toys, can reduce boredom licking. Check your dog's coat weekly and deal with any itchy patch before it becomes a hot spot.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Will a hot spot on a dog heal on its own?
Rarely, because the dog usually keeps licking it and it becomes infected. A very small, dry spot may settle if licking stops, but most need clipping, cleaning, and treatment from a vet.
How fast do hot spots spread on dogs?
Hot spots can grow surprisingly fast, sometimes doubling in size over a few hours. That speed is why vets suggest getting one seen the same day rather than waiting to see if it improves.
Are hot spots contagious to other dogs or people?
Hot spots themselves are not contagious. They are a reaction to the dog's own licking and scratching. If an underlying cause such as fleas is involved, other pets in the home may need treatment too.
Why does my dog keep getting hot spots?
Repeated hot spots usually have an underlying trigger, most often fleas, allergies, ear infections, or a coat that stays damp. Work with your vet to find and treat the cause so they stop coming back.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
