Hot Spot on Your Dog? Do This First

Hot spots in dogs, also called acute moist dermatitis, can appear fast and become red, wet, painful, and infected. In this video, Dr. Andrew Jones shows how to recognize a dog hot spot, how to clean it properly, and several topical remedies you can consider at home.

He starts with the basics: trim the hair around the lesion, clean away debris, and use an antiseptic such as chlorhexidine or a homemade black tea and Castile soap scrub. Dr. Jones then covers several topical options, including black tea with aspirin, hypochlorous acid spray, non-alcohol propolis spray, witch hazel with aloe, and green tea with apple cider vinegar.

He also explains when a hot spot may be more serious, including deeper bacterial infections, fungal involvement, or cases that do not improve with topical care. Those dogs may need veterinary treatment.

For dogs with recurring hot spots, Dr. Jones discusses prevention, including regular grooming, drying dogs well after swimming, checking for fleas and ticks, looking at food or environmental allergies, and supporting skin health with omega-3 fatty acids and quercetin.

If your dog’s hot spot is spreading, very painful, or not improving, see your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment for prompt care.