What causes hot spots?
Hot spots start when something irritates the skin — an insect bite, an allergy, moisture trapped in the coat, or a small graze. The dog licks and scratches the area, which inflames it further, creating the perfect conditions for the patch to spread and sometimes become infected.
How to recognise a hot spot
They tend to appear suddenly and are easy to spot once you know what you’re looking for.
- A red, moist, angry-looking patch of skin
- Hair loss over and around the area
- Constant licking, chewing or scratching of one spot
- Sometimes an unpleasant smell or discharge
Soothing and preventing hot spots
The priorities are to calm the skin and stop your dog making it worse. Catching them early makes a big difference.
- Gently clip and clean the area so it can breathe and dry out
- Apply a soothing balm to calm the skin
- Stop the licking — a recovery suit is a comfier alternative to a cone
- Address the underlying trigger, often allergies or fleas
- Keep the coat clean and fully dry, especially after swimming or baths
Signs to look for
Raw patchLicking one spotHair lossOdour
When to see your vet. See your vet if the hot spot is large, deep, very painful, smelly, or not improving within a day or two — these often need antibiotics or anti-inflammatories alongside good home care.
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