What Causes Hot Spots in Cats

Vetericyn Staff

June 18, 2021

Updated October 24, 2025

Is there anything more rewarding than the feeling you get from watching your cat stretch, smile, and purr as you scratch beneath their chin or behind their ears? You may even be lucky enough to sneak in a few belly rubs from time to time.

To scratch an itch is one of life’s simple pleasures for both humans and animals alike. However, if your cat is struggling with skin irritation or pain, they may not know when to stop scratching. Excessive scratching can create an open wound, leading to hot spots that turn a simple pleasure into a painful skin infection.

Keep reading to learn more about what causes hot spots in cats, and how you can detect, treat, and prevent future hot spots for your furry friend.

In this article...

The Root of the Problem How Do You Know If Your Cat is Experiencing a Hot Spot? Treatment Keep Your Feline Friend Happy, Healthy, and Itch-Free With Vetericyn

The Root of the Problem

Hot spots in cats (also known as pyotraumatic dermatitis or acute moist dermatitis) are often caused when a cat exacerbates an itchy or sore area of their body by biting or licking at the area until the skin becomes irritated and infected.¹

The resulting wound is referred to as a hot spot because the cat’s immune response causes the area to become hot to the touch.²

There are a variety of irritants that may cause cats to excessively scratch or bite at themselves, including:³

Environmental allergens – Environmental allergens can include naturally occurring culprits such as pollen, dust mites, and mold, or irritants that make their way into your home through store-bought products, such as air fresheners or laundry detergent. If you’ve recently introduced a new product to your home or cat, stop using the product to see if your cat’s excessive scratching decreases. If your cat’s condition doesn’t improve, contact your veterinarian to discuss options for allergy testing and cat hot spot treatment.
Food allergies – Introducing new food into your cat’s diet could be the source of their skin irritation and sensitivity. To identify a potential food allergy, discuss implementing a limited-ingredient diet or specialized trial diet with your veterinarian.
Improper grooming – If your cat’s fur isn’t regularly brushed, it can become knotted and tangled, creating painful, itchy mats. Not only do these thick mats interfere with the circulation of air to your cat’s skin, but they also create a dark, moist environment where bacteria can thrive, particularly during hot summer months. When a cat scratches excessively at matted fur and creates an open wound, bacteria that have been festering beneath the matted fur can enter the wound, resulting in infection.
To prevent matts and cat hot spots, be sure to brush your cat often and try to fit in regular claw trimmings. Shorter claws will cause less damage if your cat does get the urge to scratch an itch.
- Fleas – When a flea bites your cat, the flea saliva can trigger inflammation and itchiness, similar to the way your skin responds to a mosquito bite. To help keep your feline friend flea-free, ask your veterinarian about monthly flea treatments, and be sure to brush your cat regularly. With daily grooming, you’re more likely to spot fleas or flea dirt, which will appear as dark flecks on your cat’s skin.
- Pain – Older cats may suffer from arthritis or other aches that come with age. Oftentimes, biting or licking a painful spot is the only way cats know how to deal with the pain and discomfort.
- Boredom – If your cat isn’t getting the mental or physical stimulation they need, they may bite or scratch at their skin out of boredom. To prevent your cat from developing this habit, add extra playtime into your daily routine. This can include playing with a feather wand, hiding treats in a toy, or creating a kitty obstacle course out of cardboard boxes.

To prevent matts and cat hot spots, be sure to brush your cat often and try to fit in regular claw trimmings. Shorter claws will cause less damage if your cat does get the urge to scratch an itch.

Fleas – When a flea bites your cat, the flea saliva can trigger inflammation and itchiness, similar to the way your skin responds to a mosquito bite. To help keep your feline friend flea-free, ask your veterinarian about monthly flea treatments, and be sure to brush your cat regularly. With daily grooming, you’re more likely to spot fleas or flea dirt, which will appear as dark flecks on your cat’s skin.
Pain – Older cats may suffer from arthritis or other aches that come with age. Oftentimes, biting or licking a painful spot is the only way cats know how to deal with the pain and discomfort.
Boredom – If your cat isn’t getting the mental or physical stimulation they need, they may bite or scratch at their skin out of boredom. To prevent your cat from developing this habit, add extra playtime into your daily routine. This can include playing with a feather wand, hiding treats in a toy, or creating a kitty obstacle course out of cardboard boxes.

How Do You Know If Your Cat is Experiencing a Hot Spot?

Even if your cat can be expressive through their body language and vocalizations, understanding when they may be in pain can nevertheless be difficult.

Here are some signs your cat may be struggling with a hot spot: ⁴

Biting or licking – Biting or licking alone are not red flags, but if your cat is paying excessive attention to a specific area, it may be a sign of irritation or pain.
Round sores – Excessive licking or scratching can cause lesions that may ooze pus or scab over, making the wound itchier than before. If your cat is unable to stop licking their sore, they may need to suffer the indignity of donning a cone (also known as an Elizabethan collar).
Hair loss – Over time, consistent licking and biting can cause hair loss or discoloration of the fur around the wound.

Treatment

Regardless of the underlying cause of your cat’s hot spots, treating the resulting injury is fairly easy and can be done in the comfort of your home by following a three-step process:

Step 1: Clear the area – Trim the fur around the wound to allow yourself better access to the area. Because trimming can be painful or nerve-racking for your cat, be sure to take your time and work carefully, or ask a professional groomer to trim the area for you.
Step 2: Clean the area – Disinfect the hot spot with either a saline solution or a feline-safe wound cleaner, such as Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Feline Wound Care.
Step 3: Protect the area – Apply a non-toxic product, such as Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Feline Hydrogel, to prevent further infection and accelerate the healing process. This non-irritating hydrogel provides an extra layer of protection, guarding the area while maintaining moisture to promote optimal healing.

Keep Your Feline Friend Happy, Healthy, and Itch-Free With Vetericyn

Dealing with pain is difficult enough without the added disadvantage of not being able to communicate it. Fortunately, by being vigilant about hot spot prevention and taking note of any changes in your cat’s behavior, you can help save your furry friend from the discomfort of itchy, irritated, and infected skin.

Plus, with Vetericyn on your side, you’re prepared in the event hot spots do develop. By using non-toxic Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Feline Hydrogel at the first sign of a hot spot, you can quickly treat the wound, stop the itch, and help your cat get back to enjoying the simple pleasures in life.

For trusted, at-home animal wellness care, choose Vetericyn.

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Causes of Hot Spots: Hot spots in cats, or pyotraumatic dermatitis, stem from excessive scratching or biting due to allergens, food sensitivities, improper grooming, fleas, pain, or boredom.

Symptoms to Watch For: Look for excessive licking/biting, round sores, oozing lesions, scabs, or hair loss around the affected area.

Treatment Steps: Trim fur around the wound, clean with a saline solution or feline-safe cleaner, and apply a non-toxic hydrogel to promote healing.

Prevention Tips: Regular grooming, flea treatments, and increased playtime can help prevent hot spots by addressing underlying causes like matting or boredom.

The Vetericyn Team

Vetericyn is dedicated to developing the safest, most effective, and innovative animal wellness products available worldwide. We strive to earn the respect and trust of our customers and challenge ourselves to find new ways to give back to the animal community.

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