Hot spots on dogs: what they look like and how to treat them

A hot spot is a patch of red, wet, inflamed skin that appears suddenly, often within hours, usually because your dog has been licking, chewing or scratching one area. It looks raw and shiny, may ooze, and is often covered by matted, damp fur. Treatment means stopping the licking, keeping the area clean and dry, and seeing a vet, who can treat the skin and the itch that started it.

Hot spots are common and usually respond well to treatment, but they are painful and can spread fast. Here is how to recognise one and what to do.

What a hot spot looks like

The medical name is acute moist dermatitis, also called pyotraumatic dermatitis, which simply means inflamed skin caused by self-trauma and surface infection. A typical hot spot has these features.

• A clearly defined patch of red, raw skin, often round or oval.
• A moist, shiny or weeping surface, sometimes with yellow crust.
• Matted or missing fur over the area, which can hide how big it really is.
• Heat and tenderness; your dog may flinch, growl or pull away when touched.
• A sour or unpleasant smell in some cases.

They often appear on the head and cheeks, neck, hips, flanks and near the base of the tail. Dogs with thick, dense undercoats, such as retrievers, German Shepherds and Newfoundlands, seem particularly prone, especially in warm, humid weather.

Why hot spots happen

A hot spot almost always starts with something that makes your dog itch or feel sore. Licking damages the skin, moisture and bacteria build up, and the patch itches more. That cycle can turn a small irritation into a large sore in an afternoon.

Common triggers

• Fleas, especially in dogs with flea allergy, where even a few bites cause intense itching.
• Environmental or food allergies, which make the skin itchy and inflamed.
• Ear infections, which often lead to hot spots on the cheek or neck below the ear.
• Anal gland discomfort, which can cause licking near the tail.
• A wet coat that is not dried properly after swimming or bathing.
• Matted fur that traps moisture and debris against the skin.
• Small wounds, insect bites, or irritation from clipping and grooming.
• Pain in a joint, or boredom and stress leading to repeated licking.

Finding the trigger matters as much as treating the sore itself. A dog with an untreated ear infection or flea problem is likely to develop another hot spot.

Hot spot or something else

Several skin problems can look like a hot spot at first glance. A deeper skin infection may show small raised bumps or pimples around the edge of the red patch and usually needs different treatment. Ringworm, bite wounds, abscesses, burns and some skin growths can also look similar.

If the sore looks unusual, keeps returning in the same place, or you are unsure, a vet examination is the safest way to know.

What you can do in the first 24 hours

These steps are first aid only. They help keep the area from getting worse while you arrange a vet visit, and they are suitable when your dog is calm enough to let you handle them.

• Stop the licking and scratching. A cone or soft recovery collar works well, and a clean, close-fitting T-shirt can protect hot spots on the body.
• Gently clean the area with saline or cooled boiled water on a clean cloth, then pat dry with a fresh towel.
• Keep the skin dry and open to the air where you can. Do not cover it with a tight bandage.
• Check for fleas and make sure your dog's flea treatment is up to date.
• Do not try to clip the fur yourself if the area is painful. Clippers can cut inflamed skin, and a sore dog may bite.

Just as important is what not to put on the skin. Avoid human creams and ointments, antiseptics meant for people, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil and other essential oils, many of which are toxic to dogs and cats or damage healing skin. Zinc-based creams are harmful if licked. Do not give any human medicines for pain or itch. Your vet will advise what is safe for your dog.

When to see a vet

Most hot spots need a vet visit because they are painful and usually need prescription treatment for the itch and infection. Contact your vet promptly, and urgently for the items in bold.

• The patch is spreading quickly over a few hours.
• Your dog is in a lot of pain, will not let you near the area, or seems quiet, off food or unwell.
• The hot spot is near the eye or there are several patches at once.
• Pus, a bad smell or raised bumps around the edge.
• No improvement within 24 to 48 hours of first aid.
• Hot spots that keep returning.
• Signs of an underlying problem such as head shaking, scratching at the ears or scooting.

If you are unsure how urgent it is, the AI vet and symptom checker can help you decide on next steps, but it does not replace an examination.

What the vet may do

Your vet will usually clip the fur around the hot spot to reveal its full size and let air reach the skin, then clean it thoroughly. Because hot spots are sore, some dogs need sedation for this.

Treatment often includes a medicated wash or topical product, medication to control itch and inflammation, and sometimes antibiotics if the infection is deeper. Your dog will usually go home with a cone. Your vet will also look for the underlying cause, which may mean checking the ears, treating fleas or discussing allergies. Once treated, most hot spots start to look better within a few days, though follow the recheck advice you are given.

Preventing hot spots

• Keep up with year-round flea and parasite prevention. Our flea, tick and heartworm guide explains the options.
• Brush thick-coated dogs regularly to remove loose undercoat and stop mats forming, especially during moulting.
• Dry your dog thoroughly after swimming, bathing or walks in the rain, right down to the skin.
• Manage allergies and ear problems with your vet rather than waiting for flare-ups.
• Watch for persistent licking anywhere on the body. Paws are a common starting point, as explained in our guide to why dogs lick their paws.
• Provide enough exercise and enrichment so that boredom licking does not take hold.

How Petify helps

In Petify you can photograph the area with the skin and eye check to see whether it is healing, and keep notes and vet treatments in your pet's health records so you can show your vet when and where flare-ups happen.

Missed flea treatments are a common trigger, so setting flea and tick reminders is one of the simplest ways to lower the risk.

Frequently asked questions

What does a hot spot look like on a dog?

A hot spot is a red, raw, moist patch of skin with clear edges, often with matted or missing fur over it. It may ooze, crust or smell, and it is usually painful to touch. It tends to appear suddenly and can grow quickly.

How do I treat a hot spot on my dog at home?

You can stop the licking with a cone or T-shirt, gently clean the area with saline or cooled boiled water, and keep it dry. Avoid human creams, essential oils and other home remedies. Most hot spots still need a vet, who can prescribe treatment that is safe for your dog.

Can a hot spot on a dog heal on its own?

Very small, mild patches sometimes settle if the licking stops, but many get worse because the itch keeps the cycle going. As they can spread within hours and are painful, it is best to have your vet look at them early.

Are hot spots on dogs contagious?

Hot spots themselves are not contagious, as they are caused by your dog's own licking and scratching. However, some underlying causes, such as fleas, can affect other pets, and conditions like ringworm can look similar and are contagious. Your vet can tell them apart.

Why does my dog keep getting hot spots?

Repeated hot spots usually mean an underlying trigger has not been resolved, often allergies, fleas, ear infections or a coat that stays damp. Working with your vet to find and manage that cause is the best way to break the pattern.

Do cats get hot spots?

Classic hot spots are much less common in cats. Cats can develop sores from over-grooming or allergies that look similar, and these should always be checked by a vet, as several feline skin conditions need specific treatment.