How to Treat Your Dog’s Hot Spots

Use clippers to carefully trim the hair at the edges of the hot spot. Important note: Do not clip the hot spot itself, as this will be painful for your dog. Instead, clip the hair around the spot, which will prevent matted fur and excessive moisture from building up and causing further problems.

Bear in mind that a hot spot is painful and itchy, and your dog may not like what you are doing. Talk gently to your dog, and use precaution to avoid getting bitten. If necessary, ask for help from your veterinarian.

Gently apply antiseptic to the hot spot. Some antiseptics, like Pet MD Chlorhexidine Antiseptic Wipes, come in wipe form; others come in a bottle of liquid that you’ll first apply to a gauze square and then apply to the hot spot. Dab, don’t wipe, and remember to be gentle as this may also be painful for your dog. Avoid products that contain alcohol because that will sting, and once again, bear in mind that your dog may bite.

The good news is that you’ll only need to do this once. Antiseptics can inhibit and kill bacterial skin infections, but they also interfere with skin healing, so this is a one-time job.

A number of creams, ointments and lotions are available to treat hot spots. The most effective treatments are:

• Antibacterial
• Anti-inflammatory
• Contain a steroid
• Contain antibiotics

Your vet will be able to prescribe the best treatment for your pet. Over-the-counter products and home remedies typically are not strong enough to provide much relief, and they will not address or prevent bacterial infections in the skin, which commonly accompany hot spots.

It’s also not a good idea to give your dog antihistamines for their hot spot. Though most hot spots are caused by allergies, the reaction is so severe that allergy medications typically do not help reduce their itching.

An Elizabethan collar, aka an e-collar or cone collar, can prevent your dog from licking the hot spot—and just as importantly, licking the medication off the hot spot. This is an important part of treatment, because the hot spot will take longer to heal or may get worse if the dog is allowed to lick it.

Keep the e-collar on your dog whenever you’re not able to closely supervise them. You can take it off when you are cuddling together, for instance, or taking a leashed walk. However, you must watch your dog closely and prevent them from licking or chewing at the hot spot at all times when the collar is off.

Check your dog’s hot spot daily to make sure it’s getting better. Signs of healing include:

• Decreased redness and oozing; the skin “dries up”
• Hot spot develops crusting or a scab
• Dog seems comfortable and isn’t trying to bite the hot spot; less itchiness
• Hair begins to regrow

Sometimes it can be hard to tell if a hot spot is improving. One way to keep track is to take a picture of the hot spot once a day for comparison.

When to Call Your Vet

• If your dog doesn’t seem any better and is still itchy after two days of hot spot treatment
•  If the hot spot improves and then it gets worse

Hotspots can mimic other skin conditions like mites, so your vet should take another look to determine what’s going on. They may prescribe oral steroids or other anti-itching medication and oral antibiotics.

Remember: Treating the hot spot alone isn’t enough. Talk to your vet to determine what caused the hot spot and what steps to take to address the issue.

While hot spots are a pain (literally), there are measures you can take to reduce the likelihood that your dog will suffer from them.

• Use an effective flea treatment on all pets in the household. Most dog hot spots are caused by a flea allergy—even one flea bite in an allergic dog can cause significant itching and a rash of hot spots to appear. If you have a heavy flea infestation in your house or yard, then you will need to treat the environment for fleas as well.
• To prevent ear infections, apply ear drops that dry and acidify your dog’s ears after swimming or baths, and/or put cotton balls in your dog’s ears during baths or swimming (don’t forget to remove them!). Find out more about cleaning your dog’s ears.
• If your dog is licking or chewing excessively because they are bored or have behavioral issues, decrease boredom with interactive toys or food puzzles and increasing training and exercise, and visit a veterinary behaviorist for more severe compulsive disorders.
• Clean skin folds on the face or around the tail regularly with an antiseptic wipe.
• If your dog has a history of problems with their anal glands, have them expressed every 6-8 weeks.