🔥 Vet Guide 2025: Hot Spots in Dogs and Cats – Causes, Home Care & Veterinary Treatment 🐶🐱

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Hot spots—also called pyotraumatic dermatitis—are painful, weepy skin sores that develop when pets lick, chew, or scratch one area excessively. These lesions often appear suddenly and can expand rapidly, especially in dogs with thick undercoats. In this 2025 guide, I’ll help you recognize the signs, understand the causes, and decide when to treat at home and when to see your veterinarian. 🐾

🔍 What Is a Hot Spot?

A hot spot is a superficial skin infection that develops when normal bacteria on your pet’s skin multiply in an area where the skin surface has been damaged. This damage is typically caused by excessive licking, scratching, or chewing. 🧠

Hot spots:

• 🔥 Are red, moist, and inflamed at first
• 🧼 May ooze pus or become crusty as they dry
• 👃 Often smell bad and are painful to the touch
• 📏 Can grow rapidly if not treated quickly

📋 Common Causes of Hot Spots

Anything that causes itching or discomfort can lead to a hot spot. Common triggers include: 🐶🐱

• 🦟 Flea bites or insect stings
• 🌾 Environmental or food allergies
• 💧 Moisture trapped under dense or matted hair
• 🐩 Grooming-related irritation (clipper burns, nicks)
• 🦴 Underlying joint pain or ear infections

Dogs with dense undercoats (like Golden Retrievers) are more prone, but any breed—and cats too—can develop hot spots. 🌡️

📍 Hot Spot Locations & What They Mean

The location of a hot spot can offer clues about its cause:

• 🍑 Over the hips – Fleas, hip arthritis, anal gland problems
• 👂 On the cheek – Ear infections, allergies, or dental pain

🩺 Veterinary Treatment for Hot Spots

🧼 Step 1: Clip and Clean

Your vet will shave the fur around the hot spot and clean it thoroughly. Sedation may be required for painful or anxious pets. ✂️

🔬 Step 2: Diagnostics

In chronic or severe cases, cytology or a culture may be needed to choose the most effective antibiotic. 🧪

💊 Step 3: Medication

Depending on severity, treatment may include:

• 💉 Injectable or oral antibiotics
• 🌿 Topical antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory sprays
• 💊 Anti-itch meds: NSAIDs or steroids (for severe inflammation)
• 🦺 E-collars to prevent licking during healing

🏠 Home Treatment: When It's Safe

If the hot spot is small, new, and non-painful, you may be able to treat it at home under your vet’s guidance:

✅ Steps for At-Home Care:

• ✂️ Clip surrounding hair carefully
• 🧽 Clean the area with warm water and a pet-safe antiseptic
• 💨 Dry thoroughly—hot spots thrive in moist environments
• 🧴 Apply a topical product made for pets
• 🛡️ Prevent licking with a cone or recovery sleeve

⚠️ Avoid using human creams or sprays—ingredients like zinc oxide are toxic if licked. ❌

📆 When to See a Vet Immediately

• 📈 The hot spot is growing or multiple lesions appear
• 🩸 The spot is painful, bleeding, or has a foul odor
• 🌡️ Your pet has a fever, lethargy, or decreased appetite
• 🔁 Your pet gets hot spots regularly—further testing is needed

🛡️ Preventing Hot Spots

🐜 1. Year-Round Flea Control

• 🦟 Fleas are the #1 trigger for many hot spots
• 💊 Use monthly flea preventives—especially during warm months

🛁 2. Regular Grooming

• 🧽 Keep coats clean and dry
• ✂️ Clip mats and avoid overly tight collars or harnesses

🌿 3. Address Allergies

• 🍽️ Consider allergy testing or hypoallergenic diets
• 🌸 Work with your vet on seasonal allergy control

🧠 4. Mental Enrichment

• 🐾 Boredom or anxiety may contribute to excessive licking
• 🎾 Increase play, exercise, and social interaction

📲 Use Ask A Vet for Fast Help

Not sure if your pet’s sore is a hot spot or something more serious? Need help choosing safe topicals? AskAVet.com is here 24/7. 🩺

With the Ask A Vet App, you can:

• 📸 Upload photos of your pet’s skin
• 💬 Get real-time advice on home vs. vet treatment
• 📅 Learn how to prevent future outbreaks

Support is just a tap away. 🐾📱

📝 Final Thoughts

Hot spots are painful but manageable with early attention. The key is stopping the itch cycle and addressing the underlying cause—whether it’s fleas, allergies, or skin irritation. If in doubt, see your vet or connect via AskAVet.com for fast, expert help. 🐶🔥🐱