{"id":30989,"date":"2023-03-06T06:00:43","date_gmt":"2023-03-06T11:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/?p=30989"},"modified":"2024-02-22T16:41:33","modified_gmt":"2024-02-22T21:41:33","slug":"how-to-treat-hot-spots-on-a-dog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/how-to-treat-hot-spots-on-a-dog\/","title":{"rendered":"Hot Spots on Dogs: Cause, Symptoms, and How To Treat It"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"OQwnx7ZsNnQ\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hot Spots on Dogs: Fast and Easy Treatment Method\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OQwnx7ZsNnQ?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><strong><span class=\"dropcap dropcap2\">H<\/span>ot spots on dogs<\/strong> are also referred to as\u00a0<em>acute moist dermatitis<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>They most often appear on a dog's head, chest or hind end.<\/p>\n<p>There are many reasons why these lesions form, and they can be very painful for your pup.<\/p>\n<p>In this article, we will talk about dog hot spots and what the underlying cause is.<\/p>\n<p>We will also go over how to treat hot spots on dogs.<\/p>\n<p>And lastly, we will go over how to prevent future hot spots from recurring.<\/p>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86380\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/hot-spots-on-dogs.jpg\" alt=\"hot spots on dogs\" width=\"500\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/hot-spots-on-dogs.jpg 500w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/hot-spots-on-dogs-300x217.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><strong>Hot Spots on Dogs: How Do They Develop?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Anything that irritates a dog's skin will cause him to scratch and chew to relieve the discomfort. While scratching can create lesions on a dog's skin, chewing can be even worse.<\/p>\n<p>The moisture from a dog's saliva that's left behind festers on the skin, and in the dog's fur, and subsequently, that <a href=\"https:\/\/rochesterhillsvet.com\/articles\/acute_moist_dermatitis_in_dogs.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">moisture can cause<\/a>\u00a0a hot spot on the dog.<\/p>\n<p>The hot spot will become itchy, resulting in even more chewing, and the issue will quickly spread.<\/p>\n<p>It's a vicious cycle.<\/p>\n<p>Proper dog grooming can help to prevent dog hot spots.<\/p>\n<p>Dogs with matted hair and dirty coats are\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/riverroadveterinary.com\/hot-spots-acute-moist-dermatitis-in-dogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">more susceptible<\/a>\u00a0to such skin irritations.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86381\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/how-to-treat-hot-spots-on-dogs.jpg\" alt=\"how to treat hot spots on dogs\" width=\"500\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/how-to-treat-hot-spots-on-dogs.jpg 500w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/how-to-treat-hot-spots-on-dogs-300x217.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Because hot spots in dogs are caused by moisture, dogs that spend more time outdoors in wet weather or enjoy swimming are more prone to developing hot spots.<\/p>\n<p>So, how do you treat hot spots on dogs?<\/p>\n<p>Pet owners can usually solve this problem at home with both natural and store-bought remedies and without a trip to the vet.<\/p>\n<p>However, if your dog suffers from severe or chronic hot spots on a regular basis, a chat with a veterinarian is recommended.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><u>How to Treat Hot Spots on a Dog<\/u><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Trim-the-hair-around-hot-spots.jpg\" data-lasso-id=\"86454\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"td-modal-image aligncenter wp-image-66338\" title=\"How to Treat Hot Spots on a Dog\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Trim-the-hair-around-hot-spots.jpg\" alt=\"Trim the hair around hot spots\" width=\"500\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Trim-the-hair-around-hot-spots.jpg 600w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Trim-the-hair-around-hot-spots-300x165.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Trim-the-hair-around-hot-spots-160x88.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><strong>1. Trim the Hair Around the Hot Spot<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The first thing you'll need to do is\u00a0<strong>trim the fur<\/strong> around your dog's hot spot using pet hair clippers. I highly recommend using\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/best-dog-grooming-clippers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">dog clippers<\/a>\u00a0instead of scissors or other grooming tools because they'll get closer to the skin without the danger of cutting your dog.<\/p>\n<p>You'll notice that the fur inside the hot spot has fallen out, so you will only need to trim a bit of that hair around the edges.<\/p>\n<p>The goal is to\u00a0<strong>remove all hair<\/strong>\u00a0that is touching the hot spot. This helps to relieve irritation and will also aid in allowing the skin to dry out faster.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. Clean the Area<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The next step is to clean the area with <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/best-antiseptic-wipes-for-dogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">antiseptic wipes<\/a>\u00a0or an antiseptic spray.<\/p>\n<p>This spray will help to kill any germs and prevent further infection on the dog's skin.<\/p>\n<p>Try to find a product that won't sting your pup's skin because this could cause even more irritation and tempt the dog to continue chewing and scratching the area.<\/p>\n<p>Let it dry out, and keep your dog away from licking the area in the meantime.<\/p>\n<p><em><u>Note<\/u>: Before using any antiseptic sprays or creams mentioned below, make sure to consult with a veterinarian and get their approval. In some cases, especially with chronic hot spots, you need to be particularly careful which treatments you're using.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Hot-Spot-Treatment-for-Dogs.jpg\" alt=\"Hot Spot Treatment for Dogs\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>3. Apply a Hot Spot Treatment<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Now, you'll need to use a hot spot treatment.<\/p>\n<p>These are usually sold as \u201chot spot creams\u201d or \u201canti-itch sprays\/creams.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There are two types: light and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/best-itch-relief-for-dogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">natural ones<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/best-dog-skin-infection-treatment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">stronger remedies<\/a>\u00a0used for these and other skin infections in dogs.<\/p>\n<p>Talk to your vet before picking the exact product to see which one is appropriate for your pet's case.<\/p>\n<p>After your vet has approved it, apply the anti-itch spray or cream to the hot spot.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/hydrocortisone-cream-for-dogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hydrocortisone-<\/a>based creams and sprays are the most popular treatment for hot spots in dogs because hydrocortisone was <a href=\"https:\/\/ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/22705741\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">shown in studies<\/a>\u00a0to be most effective for this.<\/p>\n<p>My favorite over-the-counter dog hot spot treatments are these three below:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<div class=\"aawp\">\n\n    <table class=\"aawp-table\">\n        <thead>\n            <tr>\n                                <th class=\"aawp-table__th-thumb\">Preview<\/th>\n                <th class=\"aawp-table__th-title\">Product<\/th>\n                                    <th class=\"aawp-table__th-rating\">Rating<\/th>\n                                                <th class=\"aawp-table__th-links\"><\/th>\n            <\/tr>\n        <\/thead>\n        <tbody>\n                    \n            <tr class=\"aawp-product aawp-product--style-light aawp-product--css-adjust-image-large\"  data-aawp-product-asin=\"B0025YKUIQ\" data-aawp-product-id=\"68524\" data-aawp-tracking-id=\"tdt01-20\" data-aawp-product-title=\"Zymox Topical Hot Spot Spray for Dogs and Cats with .5% Hydrocortisone 2oz\" data-aawp-geotargeting=\"true\">\n                                <td class=\"aawp-table__td-thumb\" data-label=\"Preview\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0025YKUIQ?tag=tdt01-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1\" title=\"Zymox Topical Hot Spot Spray for Dogs and Cats...\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aawp-product__img\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/31O6h4XScEL.jpg\" alt=\"Zymox Topical Hot Spot Spray for Dogs and Cats...\"  \/>\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/td>\n                <td class=\"aawp-table__td-title\" data-label=\"Product\">\n                    <a class=\"aawp-product__title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0025YKUIQ?tag=tdt01-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1\" title=\"Zymox Topical Hot Spot Spray for Dogs and Cats...\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">Zymox Topical Hot Spot Spray for Dogs and Cats...                    <\/a>\n                <\/td>\n                                    <td class=\"aawp-table__td-rating\" data-label=\"Rating\">\n                                                    <span class=\"aawp-product__rating\"><a class=\"aawp-star-rating aawp-star-rating--small aawp-star-rating--v1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/product-reviews\/B0025YKUIQ?tag=tdt01-20\" title=\"Reviews on Amazon\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"width: 90%;\"><\/span><\/a><\/span>\n                                                                            <span class=\"aawp-product__reviews\">3,139 Reviews<\/span>\n                                            <\/td>\n                                                <td class=\"aawp-table__td-links\" data-label=\"Link\">\n                    <a class=\"aawp-button aawp-button--buy aawp-button aawp-button--amazon aawp-button--icon aawp-button--icon-black\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0025YKUIQ?tag=tdt01-20&#038;linkCode=ogi&#038;th=1&#038;psc=1\" title=\"Check Price\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\">Check Price<\/a>                <\/td>\n            <\/tr>\n\n                    \n            <tr class=\"aawp-product aawp-product--style-light aawp-product--css-adjust-image-large\"  data-aawp-product-asin=\"B0180A1J38\" data-aawp-product-id=\"69226\" data-aawp-tracking-id=\"tdt01-20\" data-aawp-product-title=\"Pet MD Topical Wipes for Cleansing - with Aloe for Cats and Dogs - 50 Count\" data-aawp-geotargeting=\"true\">\n                                <td class=\"aawp-table__td-thumb\" data-label=\"Preview\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0180A1J38?tag=tdt01-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1\" title=\"Pet MD Topical Wipes for Cleansing - with Aloe for...\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aawp-product__img\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41utLCNMTXL.jpg\" alt=\"Pet MD Topical Wipes for Cleansing - with Aloe for...\"  \/>\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/td>\n                <td class=\"aawp-table__td-title\" data-label=\"Product\">\n                    <a class=\"aawp-product__title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0180A1J38?tag=tdt01-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1\" title=\"Pet MD Topical Wipes for Cleansing - with Aloe for...\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">Pet MD Topical Wipes for Cleansing - 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Relieve Skin Issues Hot Spots & Acne - 50 Wipes\" data-aawp-geotargeting=\"true\">\n                                <td class=\"aawp-table__td-thumb\" data-label=\"Preview\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B01J972CWI?tag=tdt01-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1\" title=\"BEXLEY LABS Curaseb Medicated Topical Wipes for...\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aawp-product__img\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41cb2sBS+2L.jpg\" alt=\"BEXLEY LABS Curaseb Medicated Topical Wipes for...\"  \/>\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/td>\n                <td class=\"aawp-table__td-title\" data-label=\"Product\">\n                    <a class=\"aawp-product__title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B01J972CWI?tag=tdt01-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1\" title=\"BEXLEY LABS Curaseb Medicated Topical Wipes for...\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">BEXLEY LABS Curaseb Medicated Topical Wipes for...                    <\/a>\n                <\/td>\n                                    <td class=\"aawp-table__td-rating\" data-label=\"Rating\">\n                                                    <span class=\"aawp-product__rating\"><a class=\"aawp-star-rating aawp-star-rating--small aawp-star-rating--v1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/product-reviews\/B01J972CWI?tag=tdt01-20\" title=\"Reviews on Amazon\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"width: 90%;\"><\/span><\/a><\/span>\n                                                                            <span class=\"aawp-product__reviews\">6,910 Reviews<\/span>\n                                            <\/td>\n                                                <td class=\"aawp-table__td-links\" data-label=\"Link\">\n                    <a class=\"aawp-button aawp-button--buy aawp-button aawp-button--amazon aawp-button--icon aawp-button--icon-black\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B01J972CWI?tag=tdt01-20&#038;linkCode=ogi&#038;th=1&#038;psc=1\" title=\"Check Price\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\">Check Price<\/a>                <\/td>\n            <\/tr>\n\n                <\/tbody>\n    <\/table>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<p><em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Note<\/span>: Make sure that your dog does not ingest any of it. After the cream application, I <\/em><em>recommend you use an <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/best-dog-recovery-cones-e-collars\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"86462\">Elizabethan collar<\/a> or an <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/best-inflatable-dog-collars\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"86463\">inflatable collar<\/a> for a few days. Personally, I recommend a soft\/inflatable collar over Elizabethan collars since dogs like those better.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Use-a-dog-Elizabethan-collar.jpg\" data-lasso-id=\"86464\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"td-modal-image aligncenter wp-image-66339\" title=\"Use a dog Elizabethan collar\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Use-a-dog-Elizabethan-collar.jpg\" alt=\"Use a dog Elizabethan collar\" width=\"500\" height=\"285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Use-a-dog-Elizabethan-collar.jpg 600w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Use-a-dog-Elizabethan-collar-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Use-a-dog-Elizabethan-collar-160x91.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><strong>4. Know When to Talk to a Vet<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If your dog has chronic hot spots or they\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vet.upenn.edu\/about\/news-room\/news-stories\/animal-care-welfare\/animal-care-welfare-detail\/10-important-tips-from-penn-vet-to-keep-pets-healthy-this-summer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">turn severe quickly<\/a>, you should not treat them at home.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to go over a long-term treatment plan.<\/p>\n<p>Also, if the dog's hot spots have any type of discharge or have a bright red color, they\u00a0<strong>may be infected<\/strong>, in which case you should\u00a0<strong>absolutely avoid<\/strong> treating the area by yourself at home and need to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<p>Far more serious skin complications are possible here.<\/p>\n<p>Your vet will likely clean the spots in the clinic and send you home with a\u00a0<strong>prescription skin cream<\/strong>\u00a0that will clear them up quickly.<\/p>\n<p>These creams are often antibiotic-based and are not available to purchase over-the-counter.<\/p>\n<p>If your dog has chronic hot spots, you may also be prescribed a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/best-medicated-dog-shampoo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">medicated shampoo<\/a>\u00a0that should help with the condition.<\/p>\n<h3><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Best-Hot-Spot-Dog-Home-Remedy.jpg\" alt=\"Natural Hot Spot Remedies for Mild Cases\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>5. Natural Hot Spot Remedies for Mild Cases<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>While you can find over-the-counter dog hot spot sprays and creams to buy online, for very mild cases, you can use natural, chemical-free hot spot remedies <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/best-hot-spot-dog-home-remedy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">like these<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This is what I've successfully used with my dogs in the past for their mild cases.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Calendula\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Calendula<\/a>\u00a0oil is the best natural hot spot remedy among the three mentioned that I have found to work on dogs. You can buy this as an oil (<a href=\"https:\/\/amazon.com\/Calendula-Oil-100ml-Officinalis-Aromatika\/dp\/B074J7TPCM\/ref=as_li_ss_tl?tag=tdt01-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">like this<\/a>), lotion, or salve (<a href=\"https:\/\/amazon.com\/MJs-Herbals-Calendula-Salve-Concentrate\/dp\/B0033MG6UK\/ref=as_li_ss_tl?tag=tdt01-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">like this<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>It works well to clear up hot spots on dogs quickly without any harmful chemicals or harsh ingredients that might irritate your dog's skin even more.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>How to prevent recurring hot spots on dogs<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Dogs can develop hot spots for a number of reasons:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Itching and scratching flea bites<\/li>\n<li>Dogs with thicker coats or long hair not getting enough baths<\/li>\n<li>Ear infections that don't get addressed<\/li>\n<li>Dogs that have anxiety excessively licking themselves<\/li>\n<li>Food allergies that create skin irritation<\/li>\n<li>Ultimately caused by the itch-scratch cycle where there is skin inflammation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As you can see, there are many different ways for hot spots to develop.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Preventing hot spots from fleas:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Make sure your dog is up to date on their flea prevention medication<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Other insect bites:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Keep them from going into thick forests because they are more at risk for tick bites and other insects<\/li>\n<li>If they won't leave the bite alone and they've created an open wound, treat the area with topical or oral antibiotics with an Elizabethan collar<\/li>\n<li>This is usually prescribed by a veterinarian<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Dogs that aren't bathed or groomed enough:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Make sure you're giving them a bath at least once a month using a mild soap<\/li>\n<li>This especially applies to dogs with thick coats because they can develop matted fur<\/li>\n<li>Matted fur needs to be groomed routinely<\/li>\n<li>For shorter dog's, you can apply a thin layer of coconut oil\n<ul>\n<li>coconut oil is antibacterial and can help create a healthy skin barrier to skin infections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Ear infections:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Clean your dog's ears if they've jumped in a pool or ocean that day\n<ul>\n<li>the pool is a breeding ground due to excess moisture<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Common Questions on Hot Spots on Dogs<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>What is the best thing to put on a dog's hot spot?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>One of the best ways to treat hotspots is to wipe the sore with an antiseptic solution like chlorhexidine.<\/p>\n<p>You can also use a diluted bath with this or just a shampoo and rub the areas that are affected.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help Hot Spots Dogs?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>For itchy, dry skin, hot spots, and infections, apple cider vinegar has been known to help treat the wound. You can do this with a bath that has a 1:3 ratio of ACV to water.<\/p>\n<p>Apple cider vinegar is a great home remedy for any skin issues, including fleas and ticks.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Does Coconut Oil Help With Hotspots on Dogs?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Coconut oil has been shown to help with several skin conditions, especially hot spots. Coconut oil has a soothing effect while being an antibacterial salve that you can apply directly to the affected area.<\/p>\n<p>Make sure to let it soak in for 15 minutes before letting the dog go or letting them lick the coconut oil.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Hot Spots on Dogs: Closing Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Moist dermatitis is something that haunts all dog owners. This is especially true during hot weather; that's why they are called summer sores.<\/p>\n<p>These hot spots, unfortunately, can be very painful.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, with appropriate treatment, your dog can bounce back quickly.<\/p>\n<p>If you catch it quickly enough, you can be well on your way to treating hot spots at home.<\/p>\n<p>If you have experience with any of your own home remedies for how to treat hot spots on a dog, please share them in the comments below.<\/p>\n<p>I'm always looking for more natural treatments, and I'd love to try them with our pets, as I'm sure other readers would, too.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>READ NEXT:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/how-to-use-coconut-oil-for-dog-skin-problems\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><em>How to Use Coconut Oil for Dog Skin Problems (Based on Studies)<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em><strong>Disclosure<\/strong>: We\u00a0may earn affiliate commissions at no cost to you from the links on this page. This did not\u00a0affect our assessment of products.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/how-to-support-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"247\">Read more here<\/a>\u00a0and find\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/disclaimer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"248\">full disclosure here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Want to share this?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Best-Tips-on-How-To-Treat-Hot-Spots-On-A-Dog.jpg\" data-lasso-id=\"86473\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"td-modal-image aligncenter wp-image-66336 size-large\" title=\"Best Tips on How To Treat Hot Spots On A Dog\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Best-Tips-on-How-To-Treat-Hot-Spots-On-A-Dog-696x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Best Tips on How To Treat Hot Spots On A Dog\" width=\"640\" height=\"942\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Best-Tips-on-How-To-Treat-Hot-Spots-On-A-Dog-696x1024.jpg 696w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Best-Tips-on-How-To-Treat-Hot-Spots-On-A-Dog-600x882.jpg 600w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Best-Tips-on-How-To-Treat-Hot-Spots-On-A-Dog-204x300.jpg 204w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Best-Tips-on-How-To-Treat-Hot-Spots-On-A-Dog-768x1130.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Best-Tips-on-How-To-Treat-Hot-Spots-On-A-Dog-109x160.jpg 109w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Best-Tips-on-How-To-Treat-Hot-Spots-On-A-Dog-286x420.jpg 286w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Best-Tips-on-How-To-Treat-Hot-Spots-On-A-Dog-640x941.jpg 640w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Best-Tips-on-How-To-Treat-Hot-Spots-On-A-Dog-681x1002.jpg 681w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Best-Tips-on-How-To-Treat-Hot-Spots-On-A-Dog.jpg 992w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dog skin conditions and hot spots in dogs are common. Here&#8217;s my step-by-step guide on how to treat hot spots on a dog, and best treatments and remedies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":66340,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"video","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[520,4165,125,112],"tags":[407,57,650,430],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30989"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30989"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30989\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":116364,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30989\/revisions\/116364"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/66340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30989"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30989"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}