Quick answer: A hot spot is a red, moist, painful patch of skin that a dog creates by licking, chewing, or scratching one area. Bacteria then infect the damaged skin, and the patch can spread fast. Hot spots almost always start with an itch, usually from fleas, allergies, or a damp coat. Warm, humid weather makes them more common. See your vet early, then find and fix the itch behind it.
Hot spots can appear overnight. In the morning there's a small damp patch. By evening it's the size of a coin, oozing, and your dog won't stop going at it. Vets call it pyotraumatic dermatitis: skin damage from self-trauma, followed by infection.
What does a hot spot look like?
- A round, red, raw patch
- Wet or oozing skin, sometimes with a crust
- Matted or missing fur around the area
- Pain: your dog may flinch or growl when you touch it
- Fast spread, often within hours
- Common spots: the cheeks, neck, hips, base of the tail, and thighs
What causes hot spots?
A hot spot is the end of a chain: itch → scratch or lick → broken skin → infection → more itch. To stop hot spots, you have to find what started the itch.
| Trigger | Why it leads to hot spots |
|---|---|
| Flea allergy | One of the most common causes. Hot spots are typical in dogs with long-running flea allergy. |
| Food allergy | Constant itching gives the skin no break |
| Environmental allergy | Dust mites and molds keep the skin inflamed |
| A damp coat | Wet fur against the skin, especially thick double coats, traps heat and moisture |
| Matted or dense coat | Holds moisture and dirt against the skin |
| Ear infections | Scratching an itchy ear can cause hot spots on the cheek and neck |
| Pain or boredom | Licking a sore hip or a bored habit can break the skin |
Why hot spots flare in humid weather
The Philippines' heat and humidity make hot spots more common, especially during the rainy season:
- Coats stay damp longer. After rain, a bath, or a swim, thick coats can stay wet near the skin for hours.
- Bacteria and yeast grow faster in warm, moist skin.
- Fleas thrive in warm weather.
- Dust mites and molds build up in humid homes.
Double-coated and thick-coated breeds, like golden retrievers, Labradors, German Shepherds, Huskies, and Chow Chows, are often hit hardest.
What to do the day you find a hot spot
- Call your vet. Hot spots are painful and spread fast. Many need clipping, cleaning, and medicine to heal properly.
- Stop the licking. A cone or soft collar keeps your dog from making it worse.
- Keep it clean and dry. Don't cover it with tight bandages, which trap moisture.
- Don't use human creams or home remedies unless your vet says so. Some are toxic if licked, and greasy products can trap bacteria.
- Check the rest of the body. Where there's one hot spot, there may be others starting, plus fleas or an ear infection.
How to prevent hot spots
- Dry your dog fully after baths, rain, and swims. Use a towel, then a cool blower for thick coats.
- Brush often. Removing loose undercoat helps air reach the skin.
- Use year-round flea control.
- Treat ear infections quickly.
- Find the underlying allergy. If your dog gets hot spots again and again, test for food allergy with an elimination diet and ask your vet about environmental allergies.
- Support the skin from the inside. Omega-3 fats help calm inflammation and support the skin barrier.
Feeding for healthier skin
Diet won't heal a hot spot that's already open. That's your vet's job. But it can help stop the next one, by removing food triggers and supporting the skin.
Support the skin barrier: Wild-Caught Sardines & Mackerel. Whole Pacific sardines and mackerel, frozen fresh, for natural omega-3s (EPA and DHA). Research suggests up to half of dogs with allergic itching improve with more omega-3 intake, once skin infections are controlled. Give it at least 6 weeks. Keep the fish frozen and feed it fresh.
Rule out food: Gently Cooked Single Proteins. If hot spots keep coming back, feed one human-grade novel protein, alone, for 6 to 12 weeks. Hold the fish during the trial, since it's an extra protein.
Not sure where to start? Gently Cooked Meatballs for Dogs. Single Protein Trial Packs help you find your dog's YES protein first.
Our Wholesome Healing System™ lays out the full path. Same-day delivery across Metro Manila and Greater Manila for orders before 3 PM, Monday to Saturday.
Frequently asked questions
What causes hot spots on dogs?
An itch that leads to licking or scratching, which breaks the skin and lets bacteria in. Common starting points are fleas, allergies, a damp coat, and ear infections.
Can food allergies cause hot spots?
Yes. Food allergies cause constant itching, and constant itching can lead to hot spots. Dogs that get them again and again should be checked for food allergy.
How fast do hot spots spread?
Often within hours. That's why it's best to call your vet the same day.
Can I treat a hot spot at home?
Keep it clean and dry and stop the licking, but see your vet. Many hot spots need clipping, cleaning, and medicine. Don't use human creams unless your vet approves.
Are some dogs more prone to hot spots?
Yes. Thick-coated and double-coated dogs, dogs with flea or food allergies, and dogs that swim or get wet often are more likely to get them.
How do I stop hot spots coming back?
Keep the coat dry and brushed, use year-round flea control, and find the allergy behind the itch. Omega-3s can support the skin long-term.
This article is for general education and isn't a substitute for veterinary advice. Hot spots are painful, so please see your vet.
Sources
- Roudebush P, Schoenherr WD. "Skin and Hair Disorders." In: Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th ed., Chapter 32. Mark Morris Institute.
- Wild-Caught Sardines & Mackerel, Wholesome Rabbit
