5 Tips for Getting Rid of Hot Spots on Dogs

Hot spots on dogs cause your dog to lick and itch an area often and to the point of rawness in order to ease their suffering but hot spots on dogs can be easily cured. Hot spots on dogs can be caused by fleas, ticks, bug bites, dust mites, dry skin and allergies. The following article will share with you a number of ways to remedy hot spots on dogs.

1. Access to Air

When there are hot spots on dogs they can be made worse because the skin is not allowed to breathe due to long hair. The moist, red area needs to dry out in order for it to properly heal. Look for the hot spots on your dog and determine its size. Use a pair of scissors to trim the hair over and around the hot spot. Using clippers could further irritate the hot spots. Create a diameter of space around the hot spot that is at least an inch. This will prevent the hair growing in too fast giving the hot spot enough contact with air so it can dry out and heal.

2. Baby Shampoo

Dog's skin is sensitive to certain chemicals and fibers. Baby shampoo is specially formulated to protect the skin. This means that the shampoo is incredibly mild. Hot spots on dogs can be soothed by applying baby shampoo to the area. Use a cotton ball and apply some of the shampoo to it and then dab the affected area. Massage the hot spot carefully with the baby shampoo. Do not rinse it off as it needs to be absorbed by the skin in order to facilitate healing and cool the effected area.

3. Cortisone Spray

Hot spots on dogs are warm to the touch and tender but a dog’s skin is sensitive to many lotions and creams. Cortisone spray can soothe the hot spot by cooling it off as well as medicating it. A cortisone spray cools as it applies a medication which prevents the dog from wanting to scratch the area.

4. Funnel Collar

The natural instinct of your dog is to scratch or lick the damaged skin. Allowing the dog to do this will cause the hot spot to become increasingly worse. Your dog doesn’t know better but a funnel collar will prevent them from further injuring themselves. A funnel collar can be bought from your vet or from most pet stores. It goes around the neck and extends past the head of the dog.

5. Tea Bag Cure

Tea contains a chemical called tannic acid which has the ability to draw out infections. The highest quantity of tannic acid is found in black and green tea. Hot spots on dogs can be eased and cured by using a tea bag. Steep one tea bag in a cup of water and then remove it. Allow the tea bag to cool down then place it directly on the hot spot. Let it sit there for a few minutes and repeat a few times during the day for about a week.