How to Prevent Hot Spots

With summer heat, humidity and swim sessions combining into the perfect storm for skin problems, hot spots become a real issue for many Australian dogs. Here's what causes them, which dogs are most at risk and how to stop them before they start.

Top Tips

• Hot spots are painful, inflamed skin infections caused by your dog's own scratching, licking and chewing
• Any breed can be affected
• Double-coated breeds, like Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds can be at increased risk if the coat isn’t properly dried The biggest prevention strategies are daily brushing, thorough drying after swims, and year-round flea control
• Dogs prone to allergies benefit from an omega-3 supplement to reduce the underlying itch response
• Catch it early. A hot spot can go from a pinpoint of redness to a large open lesion within hours

What are Hot Spots?

Hot spots (clinically known as pyotraumatic dermatitis or acute moist dermatitis) are localised areas of inflamed, infected skin that develop when a dog repeatedly scratches, licks, or chews an itchy spot. 

When a dog licks a sore spot, it irritates superficial nerve endings in the skin, which stimulates more itching, which leads to more licking, biting and scratching. That itch–lick–chew cycle is what turns a minor irritation into a proper problem.

They typically start as a red, moist, hairless patch. As a secondary bacterial infection sets in, it can ooze, crust, and spread quickly. You might go to work after noticing a pinpoint area of redness and come home to find a raw, pancake-sized lesion. 

Which Dogs Are Most at Risk?

Any dog with underlying skin allergies, as well as breeds such as Golden Retrievers, St. Bernards, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers and Rottweilers are predisposed due to their thicker coats. Hot spots are also more likely during warm weather and periods of high humidity. That said, any dog can develop them. 

Research published in Veterinary Dermatology found that hot spots were significantly more common in dogs aged four years or under, and that males were more often affected than females.

Common Causes

Hot spots don't happen in isolation; there's always an underlying trigger. The most common ones include:

• Flea allergy dermatitis. Flea saliva is one of the most common itch triggers
• Atopic dermatitis, environmental allergies (grasses, pollens, dust mites), contact allergens (plants, chemicals)
• Food allergies or sensitivities
• Moisture trapped in the coat (particularly after swimming, bathing or wet weather) 
• Dirty or matted fur that traps moisture, debris and bacteria against the skin
• Ear infections
• Boredom or anxiety that can lead to behavioural causes, including repetitive licking

How to Prevent Hot Spots

Keep coats clean and well-groomed

Daily brushing with a slicker brush and rake is your single most effective prevention strategy. It removes knots and debris before they trap moisture, and it gives you the chance to spot early signs of skin irritation. Pay particular attention to dense areas around the neck, hips, base of the tail and under the legs. If your dog’s skin appears dry or irritated, applying a gentle dog sensitive skin cream may also help soothe and support the affected area.

Using a gentle, pH-balanced dog wash for sensitive skin as part of your regular grooming routine matters too. Harsh or irritating formulas can strip the skin barrier, leaving it more vulnerable. Fragrance free moisturising formulations can be helpful for dogs with underlying skin disease or sensitivities. 

Dry your dog thoroughly

If your dog swims often, rinse them off with clean water after and dry them thoroughly. A towel may be enough for a short-coated dog, but a dog with a long or double coat may need brushing and a blow dryer. Moisture sitting against the skin under a thick coat is one of the most common hot spot triggers we see in Australian summers.

Stay on top of flea prevention

Keeping fleas and ticks under control is your most important preventative step. Year-round flea prevention is particularly important in warmer Australian climates, where flea populations don't die off over winter the way they do in cooler regions.

Support skin health from the inside

If your dog has allergic skin disease, dog supplements, specifically the omega-3 drops, can make a meaningful difference. Omega-3s help reduce systemic inflammation and can ease the itch response that kicks off the whole itch–lick–scratch cycle in the first place. 

Check in regularly

Check your dog's ears daily for redness, moist areas or discharge. Lift their tail weekly and look for any inflammation or signs of licking, such as discoloured hair or bare patches. Check any areas you notice your dog rubbing or chewing.

Stop them from itching or chewing

If your dog is repeatedly licking or scratching an area, try using an Elizabethan collar or even placing socks on them to try to break the cycle. This shouldn’t replace a visit to the vet, but preventing further-self trauma in the meantime can help reduce the severity of the skin lesion. 

When To See The Vet

If you notice your dog chewing or licking a localised area, inspect their coat closely and book a vet visit sooner rather than later. Hot spots spread fast, and early treatment prevents a small problem from becoming a much bigger (and more painful) one. 

Because many skin conditions share symptoms with hot spots, a vet exam is important to confirm the diagnosis and identify the underlying cause, which is key to preventing them from recurring.

Keeping your dog's skin healthy starts with the right routine. Browse our full range of dog wash for sensitive skin formulated by clinical veterinarian Dr Lisa Chimes to support skin and coat health.