If you’ve ever found a raw, red, moist patch of skin on your dog that seemed to appear overnight, you’ve likely encountered a hot spot. Also known as acute moist dermatitis, hot spots are one of the most common skin conditions veterinarians treat. They can develop incredibly quickly and become painful if not addressed early.

While hot spots can look alarming, most heal well with prompt treatment and by addressing the underlying cause. The key is stopping the cycle of itching, licking, and scratching before the wound becomes larger or infected.

One of the reasons I started this website is because I know what it’s like to leave the veterinary clinic with more questions than answers. Even with animal science degrees and a career in veterinary medicine, I’ve found myself going home after appointments and spending hours reading veterinary journals, talking with specialists, and trying to learn everything I could to help my own pets.

Over the years, I’ve cared for dogs with complex medical conditions, and I understand how overwhelming it can feel when you’re trying to make the best decisions for a pet you love. That’s why I write these guides—to combine my education, experience, and personal research into one place that’s easy for pet owners to understand.

This article isn’t a substitute for your veterinarian’s advice, but my goal is to help you better understand the condition, know what questions to ask, and learn about the treatments, diets, supplements, and products that may help improve your dog’s quality of life.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about hot spots in dogs, including symptoms, causes, treatment options, healing time, home care, supplements that may support skin health, and how to prevent future hot spots.

What Is a Hot Spot?

A hot spot is a localized area of inflamed, infected skin that develops when a dog repeatedly licks, chews, scratches, or rubs one area of the body.

The constant trauma damages the skin, allowing bacteria that normally live on the skin to multiply rapidly. Because dogs continue licking the area, the wound often grows larger within just a few hours.

Hot spots are typically:

• Red
• Moist
• Painful
• Warm to the touch
• Hairless or matted
• Extremely itchy

Without treatment, they can spread surprisingly fast.

Symptoms of Hot Spots in Dogs

Common signs include:

• A red patch of skin
• Moist or oozing skin
• Hair loss over the affected area
• Constant licking or chewing
• Scratching
• Pain when touched
• Swelling
• Crusting as the area begins to heal
• Bad odor if infection develops
• Matted fur surrounding the wound

Many owners first notice their dog obsessively licking one spot before discovering the wound underneath the fur.

Where Do Hot Spots Usually Occur?

Hot spots can develop anywhere but are especially common on:

• Neck
• Face
• Cheeks
• Behind the ears
• Chest
• Back
• Hips
• Base of the tail
• Legs

Thick-coated breeds often develop hot spots beneath dense fur, making them difficult to detect early.

What Causes Hot Spots?

A hot spot isn’t a disease itself—it’s the result of something causing your dog to itch or irritate their skin.

Common underlying causes include:

Allergies

Environmental allergies are one of the leading causes of hot spots.

Dogs allergic to pollen, dust mites, grasses, or mold often scratch repeatedly, damaging the skin.

Food allergies can also contribute.

Fleas

Even one flea bite can trigger intense itching in dogs with flea allergy dermatitis.

This often leads to hot spots near the tail or lower back.

Year-round flea prevention is one of the best ways to reduce this risk.

Ear Infections

Dogs with painful ear infections frequently scratch around the ears and neck.

This repeated scratching can quickly create a hot spot.

Moisture Trapped in the Coat

Dogs that swim frequently or remain damp after baths are more likely to develop hot spots.

Warm, moist skin creates an ideal environment for bacteria.

Matted Fur

Heavy mats trap moisture and reduce airflow, increasing the likelihood of skin irritation and bacterial overgrowth.

Regular grooming helps prevent this problem.

Parasites

Mites and other parasites may cause severe itching that leads to hot spots.

Boredom or Anxiety

Some dogs lick themselves excessively because of stress, boredom, or anxiety.

Repeated licking alone can eventually create a hot spot.

Which Dogs Are Most at Risk?

Hot spots are more common in:

• Golden Retrievers
• Labrador Retrievers
• German Shepherds
• Saint Bernards
• Newfoundlands
• Border Collies
• Dogs with thick coats
• Dogs with allergies
• Dogs that swim frequently

Any dog can develop a hot spot under the right conditions.

How Are Hot Spots Diagnosed?

Veterinarians usually diagnose hot spots during a physical examination.

Additional testing may include:

• Skin cytology
• Flea examination
• Skin scraping
• Allergy evaluation
• Ear examination
• Fungal testing

The goal is not only treating the wound but also identifying what caused it.

Treatment for Hot Spots

Treatment focuses on relieving discomfort, controlling infection, and preventing further self-trauma.

Your veterinarian may recommend:

• Clipping the fur around the wound
• Cleaning the affected area
• Topical medications
• Oral antibiotics if infection is severe
• Anti-itch medication
• Pain medication
• Treating underlying allergies or parasites

Many dogs also need an Elizabethan collar (cone) to prevent continued licking while the skin heals.

Can You Treat a Hot Spot at Home?

Very small hot spots may improve with early intervention, but larger or painful lesions should always be evaluated by a veterinarian.

Until your appointment, you can:

• Prevent licking
• Keep the area clean
• Avoid using human creams unless instructed
• Keep the skin dry
• Monitor for worsening redness or swelling

Never bandage a hot spot unless specifically directed by your veterinarian, as trapped moisture can delay healing.

How Long Does a Hot Spot Take to Heal?

With appropriate treatment, many hot spots begin improving within a few days.

Complete healing often occurs within:

• 7–14 days for mild cases
• Several weeks for larger or infected lesions

Healing time depends on:

• Size of the lesion
• Presence of infection
• Whether the dog continues licking
• The underlying cause

Hair regrowth may take several weeks or months.

The Best Diet for Dogs Prone to Hot Spots

Nutrition supports healthy skin and may reduce flare-ups in dogs with allergies.

Your veterinarian may recommend:

• Limited ingredient diets
• Hydrolyzed protein diets
• High-quality balanced nutrition
• Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids

If food allergies are suspected, an elimination diet may be necessary.

Great Diet Options: Limited ingredient dog foods, Hydrolyzed Protein Diets

Supplements That May Support Skin Health

Supplements won’t cure hot spots, but they may help support healthier skin and reduce inflammation when used alongside veterinary treatment.

Omega-3 Fish Oil

Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the most commonly recommended supplements for dogs with chronic skin problems.

Potential benefits include:

• Supporting a healthy inflammatory response
• Improving skin barrier function
• Reducing dry skin
• Promoting a healthier coat
• Supporting heart, brain, and joint health

Consistent supplementation may improve overall skin health over time.

Top Pick: High-quality canine fish oil supplements.

Probiotics

A healthy digestive system plays an important role in overall immune function.

Probiotics may help:

• Support beneficial gut bacteria
• Promote healthy digestion
• Support immune health
• Complement treatment in dogs with food sensitivities

Although probiotics don’t directly heal hot spots, they may benefit dogs with allergy-related skin disease.

Great Options: Veterinary-formulated probiotic powders or chews.

Skin and Coat Supplements

Supplements containing omega fatty acids, vitamin E, biotin, or other skin-supportive nutrients may help maintain healthier skin and improve coat quality.

These products work best as part of a comprehensive treatment plan rather than as a replacement for medication.

Essential Products: Skin and coat chews or powders.

Preventing Future Hot Spots

The best prevention strategy is identifying and controlling the underlying cause.

Helpful tips include:

• Keep your dog on year-round flea prevention.
• Dry your dog thoroughly after swimming or bathing.
• Brush regularly to prevent mats.
• Treat allergies promptly.
• Clean ears routinely if recommended.
• Keep nails trimmed.
• Address boredom with exercise and enrichment.

Preventing excessive licking is the most effective way to stop hot spots from developing.

Products That Can Help Prevent Hot Spots

Many owners find these products helpful:

• Fish oil supplements
• Skin and coat supplements
• Veterinary probiotics
• Flea prevention products
• Medicated shampoos
• Inflatable recovery collars

When Should You Contact Your Veterinarian?

Schedule a veterinary visit if your dog:

• Develops a red, moist skin lesion
• Won’t stop licking or scratching
• Has a foul-smelling wound
• Appears painful
• Has recurring hot spots
• Develops swelling or pus
• Has a fever
• Becomes lethargic

Early treatment usually results in faster healing and helps prevent the lesion from spreading.

Final Thoughts

Hot spots are one of the fastest-developing skin conditions in dogs, but they’re also one of the most treatable when caught early. Because they often develop as a result of allergies, fleas, ear infections, moisture, or excessive licking, treating the underlying cause is just as important as treating the wound itself.

If you notice your dog suddenly licking one area obsessively or discover a raw, moist patch of skin, don’t wait to see if it improves on its own. Prompt veterinary care can relieve your dog’s discomfort, prevent infection, and help the skin heal much more quickly.

With proper treatment, good grooming habits, effective flea control, and management of allergies or other underlying conditions, many dogs never experience another hot spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes hot spots on dogs?

Hot spots are usually caused by excessive licking, scratching, or chewing triggered by allergies, fleas, ear infections, parasites, moisture trapped in the coat, matted fur, or anxiety.

Will a hot spot heal on its own?

Small hot spots may improve if the dog stops licking the area, but many worsen rapidly without treatment. Veterinary care is recommended, especially if the lesion is large, painful, or infected.

How long do hot spots take to heal?

Most hot spots begin improving within a few days of treatment and heal within one to two weeks, although severe cases may take longer.

Can I put Neosporin on my dog’s hot spot?

It’s best not to apply human medications unless your veterinarian recommends them. Many dogs will lick topical products off before they can work, and some ingredients may not be appropriate.

Should I cover my dog’s hot spot?

Generally, no. Hot spots heal better when they are kept clean, dry, and exposed to air. Bandaging can trap moisture and delay healing unless specifically directed by your veterinarian.

Are hot spots contagious?

No. Hot spots themselves are not contagious to other pets or people. However, the underlying cause—such as fleas or certain parasites—may affect other animals.

Can allergies cause recurring hot spots?

Yes. Environmental and food allergies are among the most common reasons dogs develop repeated hot spots. Managing the allergies is often the key to preventing future outbreaks.

Is fish oil good for dogs with hot spots?

Omega-3 fatty acids may support skin barrier health and a healthy inflammatory response, making fish oil a commonly recommended supplement for dogs with chronic skin conditions.

Do probiotics help dogs with skin allergies?

Probiotics may support immune and digestive health, and some dogs with allergy-related skin conditions may benefit as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

When should I take my dog to the veterinarian?

See your veterinarian if the hot spot is large, painful, oozing, foul-smelling, continues to spread, keeps coming back, or if your dog seems uncomfortable or develops additional symptoms such as lethargy or fever.

Snout and About Team

The Snout and About team includes pet owners and animal health professionals with backgrounds in animal science and veterinary medicine and firsthand experience managing serious pet health conditions. Our goal is to make veterinary information accessible and actionable for everyday pet owners.