Hot Spots on Dogs: Causes, Treatment, and Home Remedies

Sep 28, 2025

A hot spot is a red, moist, itchy skin lesion that develops quickly when a dog licks, chews, or scratches a spot excessively. These patches are painful and alarming but usually treatable with a mix of home care and veterinary treatment. You can trim the fur, rinse the wound with saline or diluted betadine, and use a cone to stop licking. Still, see a vet if the hot spot spreads rapidly, smells bad, oozes pus, or your dog seems lethargic or feverish.

What Hot Spots Are? (And Why They Spread Fast)

Hot spots, or acute moist dermatitis, are localized patches of inflamed, infected skin. They often look red, raw, hairless, and sometimes oozing. Dogs typically cause them by licking or scratching a minor itch until the skin breaks, creating the perfect warm, moist environment for bacteria to thrive.

Hot spots can enlarge within hours, which is why owners often panic when they see them.

Is It Really a Hot Spot? Quick ID Guide

Not all red patches are hot spots. Here’s how to tell:

Hot Spot: Red, moist, raw-looking patch, often painful and itchy.
Ringworm: Dry, circular, flaky hair loss with raised edges.
Mange: Generalized hair loss and crusting, often with severe itch.
Deep Wound or Abscess: Puncture or swelling with discharge under the skin.

If you’re unsure, start with gentle cleaning and call your vet.

Why Hot Spots Happen: Common Triggers？

Allergies

Pollen, mold, dust mites, or food sensitivities can trigger itch, leading to scratching and licking.

Parasites

Fleas, ticks, and mites are common culprits. A single flea bite can trigger a hot spot, especially in flea-allergic dogs.

Damp Skin and Poor Airflow

Moisture from swimming, bathing, or humidity can stay trapped under thick coats, mats, or collars.

Infections and Pain

Ear infections may cause licking and scratching around the head and neck.
Arthritis or joint pain may cause dogs to lick sore joints excessively.

Stress and Boredom

Some dogs lick or chew their skin as a stress response, leading to hot spots.

Symptoms to Watch For

Red, raw, or oozing patch of skin.
Constant licking, chewing, or scratching.
Hair loss around the lesion.
Pain when touched.
Foul odor or pus discharge.
Restlessness or irritability from discomfort.

Immediate Home Care: Step-by-Step (Safe, Vet-Approved)

These steps work for small, early hot spots on otherwise healthy dogs.

Step 1: Create Access and Airflow

Trim or clip the fur around the hot spot to expose the skin and reduce trapped moisture. Leave a 1–2 inch margin.

Using dog clippers is usually safer and easier than scissors, especially for wiggly dogs, since they let you remove fur gently without risking cuts to sensitive skin. If you don’t have clippers, ask your vet for the safest alternative.

Step 2: Rinse Gently

Use sterile saline or diluted betadine (light tea color).
Flush the area; do not scrub.
Pat dry with clean gauze.

Step 3: Soothe the Skin

Apply a cool compress for 5–10 minutes, 2–3 times daily.
Optionally, use a thin layer of dog-safe aloe vera gel or an oatmeal rinse (avoid open, weeping wounds).

Step 4: Stop the Lick–Scratch Cycle

Fit an Elizabethan collar (cone) or soft e-collar immediately.
Provide toys or treats to distract from licking.

Step 5: Keep It Dry and Clean

Replace bedding daily.
Keep collars or harnesses dry.

Step 6: Monitor and Log

Track the size, odor, and discharge.
Take photos morning and evening to share with your vet if needed.

Recommended Reading: If you’re also interested in safe, at-home comfort care while waiting for a vet, check out our guide on 8 Vet-Approved Home Remedies for Your Dog: What to Know While You Wait for the Vet.

What Not to Do?

Avoid these common mistakes:

Don’t use hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or vinegar — they burn the skin.
Don’t apply essential oils or human creams.
Don’t bandage tightly — this traps moisture.
Don’t give human painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen (toxic to dogs).

When to See a Vet?

Call your vet if:

The hot spot spreads rapidly or becomes very large.
There is thick pus, foul odor, or swelling.
Your dog seems lethargic, feverish, or in significant pain.
The hot spot is near the eye or genitals.
There is no improvement after 24–48 hours of home care.
Hot spots keep coming back.

What Your Vet May Do?

Clip and clean the area thoroughly.
Prescribe antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory sprays/creams.
Prescribe oral antibiotics or steroids for moderate to severe cases.
Recommend medicated shampoos.
Investigate underlying causes such as allergies, parasites, or infections.

Healing Timeline: What to Expect

Mild cases (early, small hot spot): improvement in 2–3 days with home care and cone use.
Moderate cases: usually need vet-prescribed topicals and may take 7–10 days.
Severe or recurrent cases: may require antibiotics, steroids, and 2+ weeks of treatment.

Tip: Improvement means less redness, less moisture, and reduced licking. Worsening means spreading, oozing, and odor.

Cost Expectations: Typical Veterinary Treatment

Basic exam + topical medication: $50–$150.
Exam + oral antibiotics/steroids: $150–$300.
Advanced cases with tests or allergy work-up: $300–$600+.

Note: Costs vary by location and clinic. Many owners save money long-term by investing in flea prevention and regular grooming to avoid recurrence.

Prevention: Reducing the Chances of Future Hot Spots

Parasite Control

Use year-round flea and tick prevention. Treat all pets in the household if needed.

Grooming Habits

Dry thoroughly after swimming or bathing.
Brush regularly to reduce mats and improve airflow.
Wash collars and harnesses regularly.
Trim excess fur with dog clippers if your dog has a thick coat, especially in warm or humid weather. Keeping fur shorter around common hot spot areas helps improve airflow and reduces the chance of moisture getting trapped.

Allergy Management

Food trials under vet guidance.
Allergy medications or immunotherapy for seasonal triggers.

Stress and Pain Management

Address boredom with walks, play, and puzzle feeders.
Manage joint pain or arthritis to reduce self-licking.

Quick Reference Table

Situation / Symptom	Do This First	Keep Doing	Call Vet If…
Small, new moist patch	Trim fur, rinse with saline, use cone	Cool compress, clean bedding	Rapid spread, pus, odor, severe pain
After swimming	Dry thoroughly, brush coat	Check common sites daily	Recurrent damp lesions
Persistent licking at one area	Cone, rinse, distract with toy	Parasite prevention, grooming	Bleeding or spreading lesion
Lesion near ear/cheek	Cone, gentle surface clean	Book vet for ear exam	Eye involvement or swelling

FAQs

Q: Can hot spots heal on their own?

A: Not usually. Without treatment, they often worsen quickly.

Q: Are hot spots contagious?

A: No, but fleas or mites that trigger them can spread.

Q: How long does it take for a hot spot to heal?

A: Mild cases: 2–3 days improvement; moderate to severe: 1–2 weeks with vet treatment.

Q: Can I put Neosporin on my dog’s hot spot?

A: Only with vet approval, and only if your dog cannot lick it.

Q: Should I bathe my dog during a hot spot flare?

A: Avoid full baths unless directed by your vet. Focus on keeping the lesion dry.

Action Plan: What to Do Today

Put on a cone immediately.
Trim fur and rinse with saline or diluted betadine.
Apply a cool compress.
Replace bedding with fresh, dry blankets.
Start a photo log to track progress.
Give flea prevention if due.
Call your vet if the spot worsens or your dog seems unwell.

Final Thoughts

Hot spots look dramatic but are manageable with quick action and safe care. By trimming fur, cleaning gently, stopping licking, and keeping skin dry, you can relieve your dog’s discomfort. If the hot spot spreads, smells, or worsens, your vet will provide antibiotics or anti-inflammatories to clear the infection. The key to long-term success is prevention — through flea control, grooming, and allergy management — so your dog stays comfortable and hot-spot free.