If you’ve ever come home to find your dog obsessively licking or chewing one spot until the skin looks raw and angry, you’ve likely dealt with a hot spot. As a veterinarian, I see them constantly — in fact, I treated two just today. Here’s what they are and exactly what to do if you spot one on your own dog.
What Is a Hot Spot?
A hot spot (also called moist dermatitis) is a patch of irritated, inflamed skin that’s usually self-inflicted. Dogs will lick or chew at an area — often triggered by an allergy, irritation, or even boredom — until they create an open wound. Once that cycle starts, it can spiral quickly, and hot spots have a well-earned reputation for being frustrating to manage. (We’ll cover the underlying causes in a separate post — this one is about first response.)
Step 1: Clip the Hair Around It
The first thing to do is get air to the wound. Using clippers, trim the hair directly over the hot spot and about half an inch beyond its edges. This helps the area dry out and stops matted, moist fur from making things worse.
Step 2: Clean the Area
Once it’s clipped, clean the spot with one of the following:
- Unscented Dawn dish soap — make sure it’s fragrance-free
- Diluted betadine scrub
- Diluted chlorhexidine scrub
Gently blot the cleanser onto the area and let it sit for about 1–2 minutes — no longer, or you risk irritating the skin further. Then rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
Step 3: Dry It Gently — and Thoroughly
Pat the area dry with a very light touch. Don’t rub. Be sure to dry the surrounding hair as well, since leftover moisture is one of the biggest culprits in making a hot spot worse.
Step 4: Apply a Topical Treatment
Once fully dry, you can apply a topical spray. Stick to water-based products rather than oil-based ointments or creams. Oily textures tend to make dogs lick even more, while water-based sprays are generally less appealing to them — meaning they’re more likely to stay put and actually work.
Step 5: Put on an E-Collar
Yes, the cone of shame. It’s not fun for your dog, but it’s one of the most effective tools you have. An e-collar prevents further licking and chewing, which stops the hot spot from getting worse and gives topical treatments the chance to actually work.
Final Thoughts
Hot spots may become infected and worsen quickly! It’s always a great idea to check in with your veterinarian if you have any questions or if you’re unsure about whether or not you are dealing with hot spots!