You brush your dog in the morning and everything looks normal. By evening there is a wet, red, angry patch on their neck, the fur around it is matted, and your dog will not leave it alone. That is the classic story of a hot spot.
Hot spots are one of the most common skin problems vets see in dogs. The good news is that most of them clear up well once they are treated and the reason behind them is found. The less good news is that they can get bigger and more painful very quickly, so it pays to understand what is going on.
What is a hot spot?
A hot spot is a patch of inflamed, infected skin on the surface of the body. Vets call it pyotraumatic dermatitis or acute moist dermatitis. “Pyo” refers to pus and “traumatic” refers to the damage your dog does to their own skin by licking, chewing or scratching.
The International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID) groups hot spots with the surface pyodermas, meaning the bacterial problem sits on the very top layer of the skin rather than deep in the hair follicles. ISCAID’s 2025 guidelines describe a typical hot spot as a localized area of redness, oozing, swelling and matted hair that can quickly progress to raw, eroded or ulcerated skin. [1]
The same guidelines note that a hot spot usually comes on fast, often within a matter of hours, and that the sore tends to be itchy or painful. [1]
What a hot spot usually looks like
- A clearly outlined patch that is red, wet and shiny
- Hair loss over the area, or fur matted down with discharge
- A sore that may be warm and painful to the touch
- A dog that keeps licking, chewing, rubbing or scratching the same spot
- Fast change: a small spot can become a large one within hours [1]
Where they tend to appear
In a prospective study of 44 dogs with hot spots, lesions were most often found on the cheek, neck and side of the thigh. [2] ISCAID lists the cheek, neck, lateral thigh and rump as typical sites. [1] Matted fur can hide how big a sore really is, which is why vets often trim the hair around it before judging it. [1]
Why do dogs get hot spots?
A hot spot is almost always a sign of something else. Something makes the skin itchy or sore, the dog licks, chews or scratches, the damaged skin becomes inflamed and colonized by bacteria, and the new irritation makes the dog scratch even more. This is often called the itch and scratch cycle.
ISCAID states that surface pyodermas are secondary to an underlying inflammatory condition. [1] The potential triggers it lists for hot spots include: [1]
- Atopic dermatitis and other allergies (environmental or food related)
- External parasites such as fleas
- Ear disease
- Anal sac problems
- Arthritis and other sources of pain
- Reactions at injection sites or to a product applied to the skin
Which dogs are more likely to get them?
In the 44 dog study, hot spots were more common in males and in dogs aged 4 years or younger. The most frequent breeds in that group were the Rottweiler, German Shepherd and Golden Retriever. [2] That study was small and done in an area without endemic fleas, so any dog can get a hot spot.
In 25 of the 27 cases that were cultured, the bacterium found was a Staphylococcus species that normally lives on dog skin (then named S. intermedius, now called S. pseudintermedius). [2] In other words, the bacteria are usually the dog’s own, taking advantage of damaged skin.
Is it really a hot spot? Why a vet check matters
Several skin problems can look like a hot spot. ISCAID points out that a surface hot spot can closely resemble a deeper infection of the hair follicles (pyotraumatic folliculitis and furunculosis), which needs a different treatment plan. [1] One clue vets look for is “satellite” lesions: bumps, pimples, bloody crusts or swelling around the edge of the main sore. These suggest the infection has gone deeper. [1]
This is one reason why guessing at home can go wrong. The same red patch might need a few days of topical care, or it might need a longer course of treatment chosen with lab tests.
What your vet will usually do
Every dog is different and your vet will tailor the plan, but treatment generally follows the same logic:
- Look closely. The hair around the area may be trimmed so the whole lesion and its edges can be seen. [1]
- Confirm what is on the skin. ISCAID recommends skin cytology (a simple sample looked at under the microscope) in every suspected case of pyoderma before antimicrobials are used. [1]
- Clean the area. Debris and the sticky film on the sore are cleaned away, and an antiseptic is usually applied to the skin. [1]
- Treat the surface. For surface and superficial pyoderma, ISCAID’s guidelines say topical antimicrobial therapy alone is the treatment of choice, and they note that topical therapy alone performed as well as systemic therapy in dogs with hot spots. [1] Oral antibiotics are kept for deeper infections or cases where topical treatment is not working. [1]
- Calm the inflammation and itch. Your vet may add a medicine to ease the swelling, soreness and itch, either on the skin or by mouth. [1] Pain relief may also be offered, because a hot spot can hurt. [1]
- Stop the licking. The skin cannot heal while the dog keeps damaging it, so a cone (Elizabethan collar) is commonly used. In the 44 dog study, every dog wore one during treatment. [1]
- Find the reason. Fleas, allergies, ear problems, anal glands and pain are checked so the hot spot does not come back. [1]
With treatment, most dogs improve quickly. In a clinical trial summarized in the ISCAID guidelines, most dogs with hot spots had a good or complete response within the trial period, and treatment on the skin worked about as well as treatment by mouth. [1]
What you can safely do at home before the vet visit
Hot spots can be painful, and a sore dog may snap when the area is touched, even if they are normally gentle. Go slowly. [1]
- Call your vet. Describe the size, location and how fast it appeared. Many clinics can see a hot spot the same or next day.
- Prevent more licking and scratching. If you have a cone at home, use it. Keeping the area from being licked is one of the most useful things you can do.
- Keep it clean and dry. Gently remove obvious dirt and avoid letting it stay wet. Do not put on anything your vet has not approved.
- Avoid human medicines. Do not give pain relievers from your own medicine cabinet. The FDA explains that this group of medicines can cause ulcers in the gut and harm the kidneys and liver in dogs, and it asks owners to stop and call their vet before giving any medication. [3] Do not put human creams or sprays on the sore unless your vet says so, since your dog will likely lick it off.
- Do not shave a large area yourself if your dog is in pain. Clipping a sore spot can hurt and can cut the skin. Your vet team can do it safely, sometimes with sedation.
- Take a photo. A picture each day helps you and your vet see whether it is getting better or worse.
See a vet promptly if
- The spot is growing quickly or there are several spots
- You see bumps, pimples, bloody crusts or swelling around the edges
- Your dog is very painful, lethargic, off their food or has a fever
- The area smells bad or has thick yellow or green discharge
- It is near the eye, ear or genitals
- Your dog has had hot spots before (the underlying cause may not be controlled)
How to help prevent hot spots
You cannot prevent every hot spot, but you can lower the odds:
- Keep up with flea prevention all year if your vet recommends it. Fleas are a common source of itch. [1]
- Treat itchiness early. If your dog has allergies, work with your vet on a long-term plan. Breaking the itch early stops the cycle before it starts.
- Groom regularly. Brushing removes mats and dead undercoat that trap moisture, and it lets you spot a sore early.
- Dry your dog well after swimming or baths, especially thick-coated breeds.
- Watch the ears and anal glands. Head shaking, scooting or licking the rear end are signs worth a vet visit.
- Exercise and enrichment. Bored or anxious dogs may lick and chew more. Daily walks, play and puzzle toys help.
- Follow up. Keep working with your vet on the underlying cause. Checking flea control, the ears and the anal sacs, and looking for allergies, is how repeat hot spots are avoided. [1]
Frequently asked questions
Are hot spots contagious to other pets or people?
Hot spots themselves are not considered contagious. They develop because of the individual dog’s own itch and skin damage, and the bacteria involved are usually ones that normally live on dog skin. [2] Good hygiene (washing your hands after touching the area) is still sensible, and if your dog has fleas, every pet in the home will need treatment.
How fast do hot spots develop?
Very fast. ISCAID describes hot spots as able to progress rapidly to eroded or ulcerated skin [1], and owners commonly notice them within a few hours of the first sign.
How long does a hot spot take to heal?
Most start to look better within a week or two once treatment starts and the dog stops licking. In a clinical trial summarized in the ISCAID guidelines, most dogs responded well during the trial. [1] Hair can take longer to grow back.
Will a hot spot go away on its own?
Sometimes a very small one settles, but many get worse because the dog keeps licking and scratching. Since a hot spot is usually a sign of something else (fleas, allergies, ear disease, pain), it is worth having your vet look at it.
Do hot spots always need antibiotics?
No. Current ISCAID guidelines say topical antimicrobial treatment alone is the treatment of choice for surface pyodermas such as hot spots, and oral antibiotics are reserved for deeper infections or cases that do not respond. [1] Your vet will decide based on what they see and, ideally, a skin sample.
Why does my dog keep getting hot spots?
Repeated hot spots usually mean the underlying trigger has not been found or controlled. Allergies, flea exposure, ear disease, anal gland problems and arthritis are common culprits. [1] Ask your vet about a full workup.
Can cats get hot spots?
Hot spots are mainly described in dogs. Cats can get itchy, scabbed or raw skin for many reasons, and these need a vet to sort out. If your cat is overgrooming or has sores, book a vet visit.
The bottom line
A hot spot is a red, moist, painful sore caused by your dog’s own licking and scratching, usually set off by something like fleas, allergies, ear trouble or pain. It can grow fast, but with proper veterinary care most start to improve within one to two weeks. The real key to stopping them coming back is finding and managing the reason your dog was itchy or sore in the first place.
See your vet if you think your dog has a hot spot, and especially if it is spreading, very painful, near the eyes or ears, or keeps coming back.
Related guides: why is my dog so itchy, seasonal allergies in dogs, dog dandruff and dry, flaky skin, hair loss in dogs, dog eye discharge and red eyes, cat ear problems, dog scooting and anal gland problems, lick granuloma in dogs, cat chin acne, eosinophilic granuloma complex in cats, ticks on dogs and cats, hives and facial swelling in dogs, dry, crusty nose in dogs, elbow hygroma in dogs, dark skin patches on dogs, lice on dogs and cats, maggots and warbles in dogs and cats, sarcoptic mange (scabies) in dogs, pemphigus foliaceus in dogs and cats, porcupine quills in dogs, mange in cats, lumps and bumps on cats, pyoderma in cats, warts on dogs and cats, skin worms in dogs and cats, cowpox in cats, fly and mosquito bites, hair loss in cats, nail and nail-bed problems, footpad problems in cats, dermatomyositis in Collies and Shelties, sebaceous adenitis in dogs, skin lymphoma in dogs and cats, photosensitization in dogs and cats, skin melanoma in dogs and cats, soft tissue sarcoma in dogs, fragile, stretchy skin (cutaneous asthenia), skin hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma, eosinophilic skin lesions in dogs, superficial necrolytic dermatitis in dogs, yeast infection on dog skin, nodular dermatofibrosis in German Shepherds, color dilution alopecia in dogs, alopecia X in dogs, ichthyosis in dogs, dermoid sinus in dogs, skin cysts in dogs, footpad hyperkeratosis in dogs, puppy strangles, sporotrichosis in cats, lethal acrodermatitis in Bull Terriers, frostbite in dogs and cats, skin signs of internal cancer in cats, ear-tip sores in dogs, aural hematoma in dogs and cats, solar dermatitis in cats, auricular chondritis in dogs and cats, contact dermatitis in dogs and cats, proliferative and necrotizing otitis externa in cats, ear flap hair loss in dogs, vitiligo in dogs and cats, feline atopic skin syndrome, hair follicle and basal cell tumors, flea allergy dermatitis, histiocytoma in dogs, dermatophilosis, sebaceous gland tumors, mast cell tumors, hereditary hair loss, lipomas in dogs, interdigital furunculosis in dogs, ceruminous gland tumors, demodectic mange in dogs, perianal gland tumors in dogs, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, cutaneous plasmacytoma in dogs, sweat gland tumors in dogs and cats, chiggers in dogs and cats, injection-site sarcoma in cats, food allergy skin signs in dogs and cats, pressure sores in dogs and cats, degloving injuries in dogs and cats, slow-healing wounds in dogs and cats, lentigo in orange cats, epidermolysis bullosa in dogs and cats, electrical cord burns in dogs and cats, cutaneous histiocytosis in dogs, cutaneous mucinosis in Shar-Pei dogs, nerve sheath tumors of the skin, how vets diagnose skin problems, skin tags and fibromas, how dog and cat skin works, malignant fibrous histiocytoma in cats, wart-like skin growths in dogs, hives in cats, epitheliogenesis imperfecta, sex hormone skin problems in dogs, familial vasculopathy in puppies, skin signs of nerve disorders in dogs, albinism and white coats, ear margin seborrhea in dogs, how vets use shampoos and topical care, how wounds heal in dogs and cats, stitched or left open wounds, bandages on dogs and cats, gunshot injuries in dogs and cats, psoriasiform-lichenoid dermatosis in Springer Spaniels, bite wounds in dogs and cats, nasal hyperkeratosis in dogs, arteritis of the nasal philtrum, mucocutaneous pyoderma in dogs, fungal nose infections in dogs, calcinosis cutis in dogs, cancer that spreads to the skin, acquired aurotrichia, exfoliative cutaneous lupus, impetigo in dogs, urticaria pigmentosa in cats, post-grooming furunculosis in dogs, skin signs of hypothyroidism in dogs, skin signs of Cushing’s disease in dogs, skin signs of leishmaniosis in dogs, nocardiosis in cats, actinomycosis in dogs, cryptococcosis in cats, valley fever in cats, protothecosis in cats, nocardiosis in dogs, leishmaniosis in cats, pythiosis in dogs, brown recluse spider bites, blastomycosis in dogs, wound drains in dogs and cats, skin flaps and grafts, snakebites on dogs and cats, systemic histiocytosis, perianal fistula in dogs, tetanus in dogs and cats, lipomas in cats, skin cysts in cats, phaeohyphomycosis, fungal mycetomas, lagenidiosis in dogs, flea and tick product reactions, prescription skin creams for people, hormone gels and hair loss in pets, ear infections in dogs, dog paw problems, lumps and bumps on dogs, ringworm in dogs and cats and minor wound care for dogs and cats.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet’s health. If you think your pet has a medical emergency, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away.
Sources
- Loeffler A, Cain CL, Ferrer L, et al. Antimicrobial use guidelines for canine pyoderma by the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID). Veterinary Dermatology. 2025. doi:10.1111/vde.13342. Open access, CC BY 4.0. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12058580/
- Holm BR, Rest JR, Seewald W. A prospective study of the clinical findings, treatment and histopathology of 44 cases of pyotraumatic dermatitis. Veterinary Dermatology. 2004;15(6):369-376. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3164.2004.00421.x. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15585012/
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Veterinary Medicine. Get the Facts about Pain Relievers for Pets. Content current as of September 29, 2022. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/get-facts-about-pain-relievers-pets