Hotspots in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Are you a dog parent to a German Shepherd, English Bulldog, Rottweiler, Golden Retriever, or Newfoundlands? These breeds are at a higher risk of developing hot spots.

Why is this so?

Your pup's thick fur will hide small irritations, wounds, or insect bites. As we have seen, a slight irritation can lead to a full-blown hot spot. Also, long fur tends to tangle and when it pulls on the skin, it causes irritation and inflammation.

If your fur baby has drop ears, it will be more prone to hotspots because the ear flaps can trap moisture and create a warm, humid environment that incubates bacterial infections.

A humid environment causes hot spots in dogs, and it's worse if your dog has long or thick fur whose dense undercoat traps both heat and moisture.

If your canine friend is frequently exposed to allergens from food or environmental factors like pollen or dust mites from external parasites such as fleas, they will be more likely to develop hotspots.

If you don't groom your long-haired canine friend, its fur will tangle and pull on the skin causing irritation. As a responsible dog parent, ensure you groom regularly to prevent hotspots for dogs.

As you take your long-haired pups for a swim or a bath, remember that they are at a higher risk of developing hot spots because their dense coats hold moisture close to the skin for extended periods. Make sure to dry them thoroughly afterward.

Recognizing hotspot signs early and seeking veterinary care can help dog parents manage and treat hotspots effectively. This will prevent further complications and discomfort for the dog. Here are the signs you should look out for to prevent hotspots on dogs:

• Red, inflamed skin

• Hair loss

• Oozing sores

• Constant licking, chewing, or scratching

• Crusty or scabbed skin

• Restlessness

• Swelling

Since hot spots on dogs won't heal on their own, booking a vet appointment is crucial as soon as you notice any signs of hotspots on your canine friend. If you ignore this early warning, the infection will go deeper into the skin layers, and can become much harder to treat and heal.

Preventing hotspots in dogs involves several proactive measures to maintain skin health and minimize potential irritants.

Proper groomingRegular grooming and prompt attention to skin irritations can help prevent hotspots for dogs.  Proper grooming to prevent dog hotspots involves regularly brushing their fur to keep it free of mats, dirt, debris, and loose hair. All these trap moisture and cause skin irritation.

While you're grooming the dog, check for signs of skin irritation.

Use preventive treatments to protect your dog from fleas, ticks, and other parasites that can cause itching and allergic reactions leading to hotspots.

Ensure you dry your pup thoroughly after swimming, bathing, or whenever it has been outdoors in the rain. Pay special attention to areas with dense fur and skin folds as these trap moisture that causes inflammation.

As a pet owner, observation is key, especially when you want to prevent dog hotspots. So, if you observe excessive licking, chewing, or scratching behavior, find out the underlying issue and address it. Such behaviors may be caused by boredom or stress.

To prevent anxiety and boredom, be sure to provide sufficient physical and mental stimulation. Behavior modification or the use of vet-prescribed medications such as antidepressants may help.

If allergens are the culprit, then avoiding exposure to environmental allergens by keeping your fur baby's living area clean and limiting outdoor time during high pollen seasons will help.

Schedule regular veterinary checkups to identify and manage any underlying health issues that could contribute to hot spots on your dog's body. A vet will be able to identify triggers like skin problems, allergies ( Williams, K., Llera, R., & Ernest W., 2024 ), hormonal imbalances, or immune disorders.

Early intervention can alleviate itching and prevent excessive scratching or licking. In case of a minor skin irritation like an abrasion or cut, promptly clean the area to prevent it from developing into hotspots.

If you have seen a picture of dog hot spots that have spread to cover a large part of the dog's body, you may be worried that your fur baby will suffer the same fate. Fortunately, there are protective gadgets designed to help prevent hotspots in dogs. If your fur baby is prone to hotspots, using an Elizabethan collar (E-collar), donut collar, or similar protective gear can prevent excessive licking and chewing at the affected areas.

One effective way hot spots are treated is by preventing deep skin infections. To treat dog hot spots, take your fur baby to a veterinarian for a proper screening to find the underlying condition that's causing those hot spots.

Your vet will then recommend taking necessary actions to treat dog hotspots. They may recommend the following:

• Gently clean the hotspot with a mild antiseptic solution to remove debris and bacteria. Remember, using harsh soaps will further irritate the skin.

• Once the area is clean, carefully trim the fur around the hotspot to improve air circulation and keep the area dry. This also makes it easier to apply topical treatments.

• For a dog with hotspots, it is essential to use an Elizabethan collar to prevent further irritation from licking, scratching, or biting.

• Use vet-prescribed hotspot medication for dogs.

• Regularly check the hotspot to monitor healing and follow up with your veterinarian if there are signs of worsening or if the hotspot does not improve within a few days. For ear infections, your veterinarian will treat yeast or bacteria infections.

• Adjust your pup's diet if the cause is food allergies.

• Try using  home remedies such as aloe vera gel,  apple cider vinegar (ACV) spray, and oatmeal baths.

Is there a holistic hot spot medicine for dogs? Fortunately, yes!

CBD oil like Happy-Furever™ is a trusted hotspot medicine for dogs because it has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe and reduce skin inflammation. This provides relief from hotspots, allergies, and other skin conditions. The cannabinoids in CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system in dogs, which plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses and inflammations, thereby reducing swelling, redness, and discomfort associated with skin irritations.

One of the benefits of CBD oil is its soothing effect which ensures your pup's skin isn't irritated, making it easier for your dog to avoid excessive scratching or licking, which can worsen the problem.

Are you looking for a holistic, effective dog hot spot treatment? Try Happy-Furever™ today! 

Caring for a dog's hot spot may seem like a daunting task, but with the right care, your pup's skin will soon be restored. However, it is crucial to schedule a vet visit so that you get to know the reason why.

So, if you want your canine friend to be happy, preventing hot spots is key as they are painful and can become infected, causing much anguish to your fur baby. You can successfully prevent this by ensuring proper grooming and ensuring your dog is COMPLETELY dry after they swim, bathe, or play in the rain. This is because a hot spot on a dog can develop quickly due to factors like allergies, moisture, or poor grooming.

In cases of small cuts and bruises, treat them promptly and use a barrier to prevent your fur baby from scratching, biting, or licking the spot thus preventing your dog from developing hot spots.