Dog Hot Spots: The Complete Groomer’s Guide to Causes, Treatment, and Prevention
Hot spots are one of the most common — and most frustrating — skin issues pet owners and groomers deal with. A small irritated patch can turn into a raw, painful sore in a matter of hours, and if the underlying cause isn’t addressed, it keeps coming back.
In this guide, we’ll cover what actually causes hot spots, how to spot one early, what to do about it, and how the right grooming routine and products can prevent them from happening in the first place.
What Is a Hot Spot?
A hot spot (also called acute moist dermatitis) is a localized area of irritated, infected skin that develops quickly, often within a matter of hours. It usually starts with your dog licking, scratching, or chewing at one spot until the skin breaks down, creating a warm, moist environment where bacteria thrive.
Once that cycle starts, it feeds itself — the irritation causes more licking, the licking causes more irritation, and the spot can grow rapidly if it isn’t addressed.
What Causes Hot Spots
Hot spots are almost always a symptom of something else going on, not a random occurrence. Common triggers include:
Allergies — seasonal, food, or environmental allergies are one of the leading causes of the itch-scratch cycle that leads to hot spots.
Fleas and parasites — flea bites are a frequent trigger, especially in warmer months.
Matted or poorly maintained fur — matting traps moisture and bacteria against the skin, creating the exact environment hot spots need to form.
Ear infections — dogs with ear infections often scratch nearby areas raw.
Moisture — dogs that swim often or aren’t dried thoroughly after a bath are more prone to hot spots, since damp fur against the skin is a breeding ground for bacteria.
Boredom or stress — some dogs lick or chew at themselves as a coping behavior, which can start a hot spot even without an underlying skin issue.
Why Groomers Are Often the First to Notice
Pet owners see their dog every day, which can make it easy to miss a hot spot developing under matted fur. Groomers, on the other hand, are often the first to catch it — during a bath, a brush-out, or a routine trim.
This is part of why we built the Pet Skin Academy: groomers see pets more often than veterinarians do, which puts them in a unique position to catch skin issues early and guide pet owners toward the right care before a small problem becomes a bigger one.
Treating a Hot Spot
If you or a client discovers a hot spot, here’s the general approach:
Clip the hair around the area so the spot can dry out and air can reach the skin. Matted, damp fur sitting on top of a hot spot only makes it worse.
Clean the area gently with a pH-balanced, non-irritating solution — this is where using the right product matters. Harsh or drying products can irritate already-compromised skin further.
Keep it dry. Moisture is the enemy of a healing hot spot.
Monitor for spreading, odor, or worsening irritation, and recommend a veterinary visit if the spot doesn’t start improving or if it’s severe.
Our Hot Spots and Oozing/Wet Sores skin therapy lines were developed specifically for this kind of compromised, irritated skin — gentle enough not to aggravate the area further, while still addressing the bacteria and moisture that keep hot spots going.
Preventing Hot Spots Through Grooming
Most hot spots are preventable with a consistent grooming routine:
Regular brushing prevents matting, which removes one of the biggest hot spot triggers.
Thorough drying after every bath — a dog’s coat, especially double coats, needs to be completely dry, not just damp-to-the-touch.
Routine bathing with the right products keeps skin healthy and balanced, rather than stripped or irritated.
Flea and parasite prevention removes one of the most common triggers before it starts.
Early detection during regular grooming appointments catches issues before they escalate.
Why Product Choice Matters
Not all shampoos and skin solutions are created equal, especially for a dog already prone to skin irritation. Harsh, high-pH products can strip the skin’s natural barrier and make hot spots more likely, not less. This is exactly why Iv San Bernard formulates pH-balanced, dermatologist-informed solutions — because healthy skin starts with what you’re putting on it.
Learn More Through Pet Skin Academy
Want to go deeper on the science behind skin and coat health? Pet Skin Academy, led by Dr. Cliff Faver, DVM, was built to give groomers, veterinary staff, and pet aestheticians the in-depth knowledge to recognize and address issues like hot spots before they become serious. Explore the program to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if it’s a hot spot or something else?
Hot spots typically appear suddenly — often within hours — as a red, moist, irritated patch, sometimes with hair loss or an unpleasant odor. If you’re seeing gradual, dry, flaky skin instead, that’s more likely a different issue like dry skin or allergies rather than a true hot spot.
Can I treat a hot spot at home, or does it need a vet?
Mild hot spots can often be managed at home by clipping the area, keeping it clean and dry, and using a gentle, pH-balanced solution. If the spot is large, spreading, or not improving within a couple of days, it’s time to see a veterinarian — there may be an underlying cause that needs to be addressed directly.
Are certain breeds more prone to hot spots?
Yes. Breeds with dense double coats — like Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Saint Bernards — tend to be more prone to hot spots, since their coats trap moisture against the skin more easily. Regular grooming is especially important for these breeds.
Why do hot spots seem to get worse so fast?
Hot spots feed themselves through what’s sometimes called the “itch-scratch cycle.” Irritation leads to licking or scratching, which damages the skin further, which causes more itching — and the cycle escalates quickly, sometimes doubling in size within a day.
Will shaving the hot spot area hurt my dog?
Clipping (not shaving too close) the hair around a hot spot is actually an important part of treatment — it lets air reach the area so it can dry out and heal. It’s normal for the area to look worse once the hair is clipped away, since you’re now seeing the full extent of the irritation, not because the clipping caused harm.
How often should I groom my dog to help prevent hot spots?
For most dogs, especially double-coated breeds, regular brushing at home combined with professional grooming every 4–6 weeks helps prevent the matting and trapped moisture that commonly lead to hot spots. Dogs that swim frequently or have known allergies may benefit from more frequent grooming.