Hot Spots on Dogs Explained: Fast Relief and Prevention

Your dog might be rolling around in the grass happily one minute and then start scratching, licking, or eating the same spot as if they can’t stop. First, it looks like nothing is wrong, but then you see it: a red, raw spot on the skin that looks as painful as it must be. Hot spots on dogs really do look like that, and if you’ve ever seen one, you know how quickly they can make your dog unhappy.

I was there with my dog Rumi, and it broke my heart to see her fight. To make things better, you can control or even avoid hot spots if you know what causes them, how to spot the early warning signs, and the best ways to treat them. You will learn everything you need to know in this post to help your dog feel better and keep hot spots from getting worse.

What Are Hot Spots on Dogs?

Hot spots on dogs are sore, inflamed patches of skin that appear fast and get worse even faster. Even though vets call them “hot spots,” most of us just call them that. They are red, they hurt, and they often leak or get wet. The constant itch and burn can be too much for a dog to handle.

Often, a hot spot starts with something small. The fur may have become itchy because it stayed wet too long after swimming or bathing. Since your dog licked or scratched it, the skin broke. Bacteria can spread through that small break. The spot can get bigger and more painful in just a few hours.

I saw a small red mark under Rumis’s collar one night. It was the size of a quarter by the next morning. The whole night she scratched, and I felt bad that I didn’t notice it sooner.

What Do Hot Spots Look Like on Dogs?

Hot spots are usually easy to spot once you know what to look for. They show up as red, irritated patches of skin that look raw and wet. The surface often shines with moisture, and the area can be painful or even warm to the touch.

Hair loss around the sore is often the first clue. Dogs lick and chew the spot nonstop, which only makes it worse. Sometimes the skin oozes or crusts over, turning a small irritation into something that looks alarming.

Where Do Hot Spots Commonly Appear on Dogs?

Hot spots can show up anywhere on a dog’s body, but some places are more common than others. They usually live on the head, legs, hips, belly, neck, or base of the tail. These are easy spots for dogs to bite or scratch, which can make the sore worse and spread it more quickly.

Dogs with thick or double coats, such as Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Newfoundlands, are more likely to get sick. Their dense fur traps heat and moisture, which is ideal for bacterial growth.

In floppy-eared breeds, I most often see hot spots near the ears. In dogs that roll in the grass, I see them around the hips and belly. It was right under Rumi’s collar when I saw the first one. It took me longer to notice because of where the spot was, and by the time I did, things were worse.

It makes a big difference to check these popular areas often. It’s easier to treat a sore and keep it from spreading if you find it quickly.

What Causes Hot Spots on Dogs?

It’s not like hot spots appear. They often begin with something that makes your dog lick, scratch, or bite their skin. Bacteria can quickly move in and turn a small irritation into a painful sore once it starts.

Allergies

Seasonal pollen, food sensitivities, or even household dust can make a dog’s skin itch. When they scratch or bite to get relief, hot spots can form quickly.

Poor Grooming and Trapped Moisture

Damp fur from swimming, baths, or rain can sit against the skin. If it isn’t dried properly, the moisture weakens the skin and gives bacteria the perfect place to grow.

Parasites

Fleas, ticks, and mites are another major culprit. Even a single flea bite can lead to relentless scratching that quickly becomes a raw sore.

Ear Infections

Dogs with ear infections often scratch around the ears and head. This repeated irritation can break the skin and create a hotspot.

Stress or Boredom

Some dogs lick or chew compulsively when they feel anxious or under-stimulated. Over time, this self-soothing habit can damage the skin and trigger hot spots.

Underlying Skin Conditions

Chronic issues like dermatitis or yeast infections make hot spots more likely and harder to heal.

How Are Hot Spots on Dogs Diagnosed?

Hot spots on dogs are usually easy to spot, but there’s more to figuring out what’s wrong than just seeing a red, wet sore. It’s the vet’s job to make sure it’s a hot spot and figure out what caused it so it doesn’t happen again.

Physical Examination

The vet will examine the sore closely. They check the size, depth, and signs of infection. They also examine the surrounding skin and coat for additional signs of irritation.

Ruling Out Parasites and Allergies

Fleas, ticks, mites, and allergies are common triggers. The vet will check for these to make sure the underlying cause is identified. Removing the cause is key to preventing future hot spots.

When Lab Tests Are Needed

For stubborn or severe cases, the vet might recommend tests such as skin scrapings, fungal tests, or bacterial cultures. These tests help detect hidden infections, yeast, or parasites that could be worsening the hot spot.

Why Self-Diagnosis Can Be Risky

It’s easy to think that every sore spot is a hot spot, but ringworm, mange, and tumors can look a lot like hot spots. If you treat the wrong problem at home, it could delay getting your dog the right care and make him or her feel bad.

I’ve seen owners bring in what they thought was a simple bug bite, only for the vet to find a hot spot complicated by a yeast infection. With Rumi, her first hot spot looked minor, but my vet friend discovered an allergy trigger. Getting a professional diagnosis made all the difference in her recovery.

Hot Spot Treatment for Dogs (Vet Approach)

Treating hot spots in dogs starts with two main goals. The sore needs to heal, and the cycle of scratching and licking must stop. When treatment begins early, recovery is usually smooth.

Professional Cleaning and Shaving

The vet will first trim the fur around the hot spot. This exposes the full area so it can dry and heal. After that, the wound is gently cleaned with an antiseptic solution to remove pus, crusts, and bacteria.

Medications

Most hot spots need medicine to relieve symptoms and fight infections. Veterinarians often give oral medicines or medicated sprays to their patients. When things are really bad, drugs taken by mouth may be given. Medical professionals sometimes use anti-inflammatory meds or corticosteroids to help with pain and itching.

Elizabethan Collar

Because dogs can’t resist licking or chewing, many vets recommend an Elizabethan collar. It may not be your dog’s favourite accessory, but it stops them from undoing the healing process.

Follow-Up Care

Follow-up visits help the vet check that the hot spot is shrinking and the infection is gone. Owners also get prevention advice, such as managing allergies or keeping the coat well-groomed.

Hot Spot Healing Stages (Recovery Timeline)

Hot spots may look scary at first, but the good news is they heal quickly with the right care. Knowing what the healing stages look like helps you track progress and catch any setbacks early.

Stage 1: Red, Moist, and Painful

In the beginning, the sore looks raw, wet, and angry. This is when your dog feels the most discomfort and will try to lick or scratch nonstop. Cleaning and medication are most important during this stage to stop the spot from spreading.

Stage 2: Drying and Scab Formation

After a few days of treatment, the hot spot starts to dry out. A scab forms, the redness fades, and your dog usually feels less itchy and restless. This stage is a sign that the healing process is working.

Stage 3: New Skin and Hair Growth

By the second week, the scab falls away. Fresh skin appears, and hair slowly grows back. At first, the spot may look lighter or patchy, but over time, the coat blends in again.

Average Healing Time

Most hot spots heal in 7 to 14 days with proper veterinary care. Bigger or more severe sores may take longer, especially if the dog keeps licking at the wound.

I’ve seen some dogs bounce back in less than a week when owners stick to treatment plans. With Rumi, her collar hot spot took about 10 days to heal. She wasn’t thrilled about wearing the cone, but keeping it on made all the difference. Without it, she would have set herself back and prolonged the recovery.

How To Prevent Hot Spots on Dogs (Proactive Care)

It’s easier to avoid hot spots than to treat them, and a few simple habits can make a big difference. Grooming your dog regularly keeps its hair clean, removes tangles, and prevents dirt or moisture from building up, which can be irritating. I learned this the hard way when I forgot to brush Rumi’s fur once a week after a dirty walk, and that small mistake caused a hot spot to form near her shoulder.

Keeping parasites away, drying completely after swimming or bathing, and eating a healthy diet are also relevant. Fleas, ticks, and even wet fur can cause problems very quickly. Good nutrition, on the other hand, strengthens the skin and hair. Play, exercise, and mental activity can help dogs feel less stressed, since they often lick or chew at their skin when they are upset.

If you do these little things every day, they will help keep your dog’s skin healthy. Now, after Rumi’s summer baths, I always dry her off with a towel for a long time and then play with her. The routine makes her happy, and her face stays much better.

When To See a Vet (Red Flag Signs)

Sometimes a hot spot can be managed at home, but there are moments when professional care is the safest choice. If your dog keeps scratching, licking, or chewing the sore even after you’ve cleaned it and tried safe remedies, it often means the irritation is more serious than it looks.

Keep an eye out for signs that the infection is getting worse. Alarm bells should go off if you smell something bad, have a thick discharge, or have a sore that gets bigger in hours. Because of these changes, bacteria are spreading quickly, and the animal needs to be treated by a doctor to prevent the damage from worsening.

It’s just as important how your dog acts in general. If they get a fever, seem very tired, or lose interest in food, the infection may be affecting more than just their skin. That’s when getting quick veterinary care is very important.

FAQs About Hot Spots on Dogs