Hot Spots on Dogs: Causes, Treatment & Prevention

By Dr Ashlinn O'Keeffe, BVSc V9349

A hot spot, also known as acute moist dermatitis, is an itchy, inflamed area of skin that can appear quite quickly. It may look red, moist, weepy, or have a layer of dry discharge or pus, and your dog may lick, chew, or scratch at it because it feels uncomfortable. Hot spots can often be treated successfully at home, especially when they are picked up early. However, some require medications to manage them, and some can become painful, infected, or spread quickly, and require more urgent veterinary care. It is important to know when home care is enough and when your dog needs to see a vet.

What Are Hot Spots on Dogs and What Causes Them?

Hot spots are areas where the skin has become very inflamed and often, infected. They start when something makes your dog itchy or uncomfortable, such as an insect bite, allergy, a collar that has rubbed, or small skin injury. When a dog scratches, licks, or chews the area, the skin barrier becomes damaged. This makes the area even more irritated and can allow infection to develop.

They can become bigger quickly because hot spots thrive in warm, moist areas. Thick fur, matting, poor airflow, rubbing from a collar or harness and ongoing licking, which contributes moisture and additional skin damage, can all make the skin worse in a short time. This is why a small patch can sometimes look much bigger or more irritated within hours.

What Do Hot Spots Look Like?

An early hot spot may appear as a small pink or red area of irritated and inflamed skin. The area may look damp, shiny or slightly swollen and your dog may repeatedly lick, chew or scratch at it.

As a hot spot develops, the skin can become increasingly red, moist, and sore. You may notice a clear or slightly yellow-tinged discharge on the surface. In dogs with thick or long coats, hot spots can be difficult to see initially because the surrounding fur may hide the affected skin.

If the hot spot becomes more severe or develops an infection, you may notice thicker yellow or green discharge, scabbing, broken or ulcerated skin, swelling or thickening of the skin, and an unpleasant odour. The surrounding fur may also become wet, sticky, or matted. Your dog may be sensitive when the area is touched or may seem uncomfortable or reluctant to have the area handled.

Hot spots can develop anywhere on the body but they are more common in areas where heat, moisture and friction can build up. This includes around the neck or collar area, under the front legs (armpits) and around the groin.

How to Treat Hot Spots on Dogs at Home

If you notice a possible hot spot, the most important first step is to stop your dog from making it worse.

Try to prevent licking, chewing, or scratching as this can quickly damage the skin. Placing an Elizabethan collar (E-collar or head cone) may help with this. If the hot spot is on the neck or body, to prevent scratching and licking, a potential alternative is a loose fitting bandana or shirt, as long as it is light weight and loose to allow airflow, not trap heat or moisture and does not rub. Keep the area as clean and dry as possible. Avoid covering it with a tight bandage, thick cover or leaving wet, matted fur sitting against the skin.

If your dog is comfortable with it, you can gently clip the fur around the affected area approximately 1-2 cm beyond the lesion to help keep the area dry. Use clippers only- do not use scissors as the skin can be easily cut by accident.

You should gently clean the affected area with dilute chlorhexidine or betadine (povidine-iodine) solution, saline solution or a medicated shampoo such as Dermcare’s Pyohex (following dilution and application instructions). This will help remove debris and reduce bacteria. After cleansing, gently pat the area dry.

Do not use human creams, disinfectants, essential oils or home remedies unless your vet has advised. Many human products are unsuitable for dogs’ skin and can sting, irritate the skin or delay healing, with some even being toxic. Mild, very early hot spots may settle with prompt care and veterinary guidance, but they should be watched closely.

Do not persist with any treatment if the area appears sensitive or painful, or if your dog does not allow you to proceed safely. If you have any concerns, please contact your nearest Animal Referral & Emergency Network or Greencross Vet for advice.

When You Need to See a Vet

Please contact your nearest Greencross Vet for an appointment if the hot spot has any of the following changes:

getting bigger/ the affected area is spreading,
appears painful,
is bleeding,
ulcerated,
swollen,
producing yellow or green discharge,
not improving within 24–48 hours, or
if your dog seems unwell (less energy, not as playful or not acting themselves)

How Vets Treat Hot Spots

Your vet will usually diagnose a hot spot by examining your dog’s skin. They may also take a small sample from the area to check whether bacteria or yeast are present, which helps them choose the most appropriate treatment.

In many cases, treatment involves clipping the fur around the hot spot so the skin can breathe, gently cleaning the area with an antiseptic solution and providing treatment aimed at reducing itchiness, pain and inflammation. In some cases, sedation may be required to treat these, as these can be sore and painful.

Your vet may recommend medicated shampoos, creams or lotions, while some dogs need oral anti-inflammatory medication, antibiotics or antifungal treatment.

They will also help look for the reason the hot spot started such as allergies, parasites, rubbing or a coat issue, so you can reduce the chance of it coming back.

Preventing Hot Spots on Dogs

The best way to prevent hot spots is to reduce the things that make your dog itchy or uncomfortable. Keep long or thick coats well groomed and free from matting, rinse and dry your dog thoroughly after swimming or bathing and check areas where collars, harnesses or skin folds may rub. Use regular flea and tick prevention as recommended by your vet and seek advice if your dog has ongoing itchiness, allergies or repeated skin problems. Regular bathing, grooming, and skin support may also help some dogs when used as part of a vet-guided plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are hot spots on dogs contagious?

Hot spots themselves are not usually contagious. They are normally caused by irritation, licking, chewing, and inflammation in that individual dog. However, some triggers, such as fleas or certain skin infections, can affect more than one pet, so speak with your vet if other pets in the home are itchy too.

How long do hot spots take to heal?

Healing time depends on how severe the hot spot is and whether infection is present. Small, early hot spots may improve once licking and scratching stop and be fully resolved within a week, while larger or infected hot spots often need veterinary treatment and may take longer to settle, potentially several weeks. If the area is not clearly improving within 24–48 hours, have your dog checked by a vet.

Are home remedies safe for hot spots?

Not all home remedies are safe for dogs. Some can sting, irritate the skin, or make the problem worse. It is best to avoid human creams, essential oils, disinfectants, or medicated products unless your vet has specifically recommended them.

Safe home care should focus on stopping licking, cleaning using a gentle antisceptic, keeping the area dry, and getting veterinary advice if the hot spot worsens.

Do hot spots on dog's bleed or scab?

They can. Hot spots may bleed lightly, scab over or become ulcerated, especially if your dog has been scratching or chewing at the skin. If you notice yellow or green discharge, swelling, increasing pain, or rapid spreading, the area may be infected and should be checked by a vet.

Conclusion

Hot spots can look alarming because they often appear suddenly and may spread quickly. Early intervention, with appropriate care can help stop your dog making the area worse, but itchy, irritating, painful, infected, enlarging or non-healing hot spots need veterinary attention.

If you are concerned about your dog’s skin, or the hot spot is severe or not improving, contact your Greencross vet or Animal Referral & Emergency Network (AREN).