What Causes Hot Spots in Dogs?

Have you ever noticed your dog spending a bit more time scratching than usual? We all suffer from an occasional itch here and there, but if your pup seems to have a nagging skin irritation that appears to be out of the ordinary, it could be an early indicator of a dog hot spot.

But exactly what is a hot spot in dogs? Acute moist dermatitis, commonly known as hot spots, is an inflammation of your dog’s skin that can sometimes lead to more serious bacterial infections, if left untreated. 

Here we will explain the signs of a hot spot, what underlies it, and how to treat it. 

Many irritations befall your pup’s skin, including insect bites, scrapes, and other culprits commonly encountered while your dog plays at a park, a wooded trail, or gallivants in the yard. How can you tell the difference between a hot spot and these other, usually harmless scuffs and scrapes? 

Start by keeping an eye on your dog’s behavior. Is there excessive licking or itching in a particular area? If your dog suddenly starts acting uncharacteristically aggressive, protecting an area of his body, this too could suggest that they’re experiencing discomfort as a result of hot spots.

Next, you’ll want to do a closer examination of the area that seems to be the source of irritation. Here are a few things you’ll want to look for if you’re concerned about hot spots:

• Strong/foul odor

• Pus or discharge

• Blood

• Redness 

• Hair loss or matted fur

• Sores

• Dry, flaky, or scaly skin 

• Pain, itchiness

Note the symptoms and monitor them daily. If they do not improve within a few days or if they suddenly worsen, call your veterinarian for advice. 

Hot spots are generally the result of self-inflicted trauma in response to a painful or itchy trigger. 

Dog Breed 

Certain breeds with longer hair, such as Huskies, Golden Retrievers, Saint Bernards, and Collies, are more likely to develop hot spots than other breeds. Their thick, layered coat promotes the development of hot spots. 

Dampness

Built-up moisture and sweat may increase your pet’s chances of developing painful hot spots. 

Cooling your pup down with a dip in your local swimming hole and giving them regular baths are important, but so is toweling them off afterward to be sure they’re not sitting in a damp coat for the remainder of the day. These breeds’ thick coats tend to trap moisture, promoting local bacterial overgrowth. 

Allergies

Allergic reactions to flea saliva is the most common cause of hot spots in dogs. Be sure to use a veterinarian-recommended flea prevention medication regularly to prevent fleas from biting your pets. 

If your pet does have fleas, your veterinarian can explain how to treat all the stages of the flea life cycle, including those that live on your pet and others that live in the indoor and outdoor environment. All areas in the house and outdoor as well as the other pets in the house will have to be treated for fleas if your pet’s hot spot is due to flea bites. 

Food sensitivities and environmental allergens can also cause skin irritation, leading dogs to lick and scratch, potentially forming hot spots. Other symptoms may accompany these, so talk to your veterinarian for more information about food and environmental allergies. 

Ear Infections 

Dogs with ear infections may incessantly scratch their ears or neck, in a misguided attempt to get relief. One problem can quickly snowball into two if the scratching the surrounding area is enough to cause a hot spot flare-up. 

Your pup’s ear infection will have to be treated along with the hot spot. 

Boredom, Stress, or Poor Grooming

Dogs that are stressed or bored may scratch as a coping mechanism. Too much of this can create a breeding ground for hot spots to emerge and worsen. Dirty, matted, or moist fur, and poor skin conditions resulting from improper or infrequent grooming may also lead to hot spot formation. 

Knowing the reason behind your dog’s bout with acute moist dermatitis is an essential part of prevention. Once you know what’s causing the problem, you can take steps toward improving your dog’s overall health to make sure hot spots are never an issue for you or your furry friend. 

Ensure regular exercise and proper grooming. Provide a well-rounded, veterinarian-approved, healthy diet and recommended supplements.

In addition:

• Perform regular skin checks
• Talk with your vet about finding the appropriate flea treatment for your dog
• Dry dogs completely after swims and baths
• Schedule regular grooming appointments
• Use a medicated shampoo if you know your dog may be more prone to hot spots
• Avoid boredom by taking your dog out for regular walks or increasing their playtime at home
• Monitor your pup for excessive licking or scratching

Hot spots are common and usually easy to treat. If you’re already familiar with how to recognize hot spots and can catch them before they take a turn for the worse, it’s possible to treat them right at home without having to pay a visit to your vet. 

Here’s how you may be able to heal hot spots at home: 

• If you have the proper grooming tools, and you and your pet are both comfortable with it, you may decide to shave around the affected area to keep it clear of any further irritants. Moist, matted hair can cause mildly irritating hot spots to turn into large lesions that can become swollen or bleed. Hot spots are very painful and itchy so, if you’re inexperienced, or you know your dog can sometimes make a fuss, leave this part of the treatment to your vet.
• Clean the area with a gentle antiseptic or use an antimicrobial hot spot spray such as Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Hot Spot Spray to minimize your pet’s discomfort and lower the possibility of infection. 
• Apply cold compresses a few times daily to soothe the affected area and consider having your pet wear an E-collar, or cone, to prevent licking and itching. 
• Consider applying Vetericyn Plus Hot Spot Antimicrobial Hydrogel as a soothing, protective barrier.

Be sure to use veterinary-approved treatments because other products may cause more damage or trigger more licking. 

If the spot worsens or doesn’t improve despite your best care at home, contact your veterinarian and schedule an appointment as soon as possible, as hot spots can rapidly deteriorate. A professional examination will help to identify or rule out any resulting bacterial infections. After shaving the hot spot area, the vet will prescribe additional treatments specific for your dog’s particular case. 

By sticking to a cleaning schedule and keeping your dog from irritating or reopening a wound, most hot spot cases show signs of improvement after just a few days. In other cases, treatment for resulting bacterial infections may take up to six or eight weeks.³

When properly identified and treated, the prognosis for acute moist dermatitis is good. However, hot spots tend to recur, so it’s best to stay on top of your pet’s health and hygiene. 

Vetericyn is proud to offer some of the safest, most effective animal wellness solutions on the market. From antibacterial shampoos to antimicrobial sprays and gels, you’re sure to find a product for your pet that you can feel good about. Shop Vetericyn’s pet skincare line today to put a stop to hot spots. Noticing similar symptoms in your cat? At Vetericyn, we are here to help you understand what causes hot spots in cats and the best care for cats and other species. 

Sources: 

1. Clinician’s Brief. Acute Moist Dermatitis. https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/article/acute-moist-dermatitis
2. WebMD. 6 Most Common Dog Health Problems. https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/6-most-common-dog-health-problems#1
3. PetMD. Sarcoptic Mange in Dogs. https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/c_dg_sarcoptic_mange
   
4. 4. Aufox EE, Frank LA, Grieco LA. Acute moist dermatitis. Clinician’s Brief. September 2019. Accessed October 22, 2025. https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/article/acute-moist-dermatitis
5. 5. Hoffmann H. Hot spots on dogs: causes, treatment, and home remedies. PetMD. Accessed October 22, 2025. https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/hot-spots-dogs