Summer Skin Care: Preventing Hot Spots & Rashes in Pets

Ah, summer. The season of mangoes, ice cream, beach trips, and… itchy pets.

If your furry friend has been scratching like they’re trying to dig to Australia, you’re not alone. Welcome to the season of hot spots, rashes, and all things red, raw, and ridiculous. And no, your dog didn’t suddenly develop a skincare obsession, they’re just reacting to the heat.

But don’t worry! Today on Wellness Wednesday, we’re diving into the hows, whys, and “paws-off!” of pet skin care in the sizzling season.

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First Off… What Exactly Are Hot Spots & Rashes?

Hot spots, also known as acute moist dermatitis, are skin wounds that happen when your pet keeps licking, scratching, or chewing one area too much. It’s like their skin gets irritated and then things spiral out of control. Hot spots are more common in dogs, but cats can get them too. 

On the other hand, rashes are usually drier, red bumps or patches that appear on your pet’s body, often from heat, allergies, or friction (rubbing against something rough).

So, how do hot spots happen?

Think of it like this:

Moisture + Heat + Constant Licking or Scratching = Hot Spot 

Your pet might develop one if they:

• Get bitten by fleas 🦟
• React to grass, food, or pollen allergies 🌾
• Have dirty or infected ears 🦻
• Stay wet for too long after a bath or swim 🛁
• Are bored or stressed 😿 and start chewing out of habit

Where do they usually show up?

In dogs:

• On the head, cheeks, or behind the ears
• On the thighs and hips (especially if they have thick fur)
• Under the neck or around the belly

In cats:

• Around the stomach area
• The neck
• The base of the tail

Fun (or not-so-fun) fact:

Back in vet school, I met this sweet golden retriever named Benny. His family brought him in thinking he had a burn on his side, it was red, raw, and really sore. But after a quick check, we found out it was actually a hot spot, caused by a reaction to his flea collar. Benny had been secretly chewing at the spot while hiding behind the couch all day. Poor guy!

We cleaned him up, switched his flea meds to a gentler option, and within a week? Benny was back to being his tail-wagging, zoomie-loving self.

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How Does It Happen? 

The sequence goes like this:

1. Something bothers your pet’s skin.

This could be a flea bite, a dirty ear, wet fur that didn’t dry properly after a bath, or even an allergic reaction to something like food, pollen, or shampoo.

2. Your pet can’t ignore it, so they scratch, lick, or chew the area excessively.

Imagine having an itchy mosquito bite and no way to stop scratching, it’s the same for your pet. The more they fuss over the area, the worse it gets.

3. All that licking and scratching breaks the skin (self-trauma).

Once the skin is open or raw, it loses its natural protective barrier.

4. Bacteria move in like uninvited guests.

The broken skin becomes the perfect party spot for bacteria (especially ones like Staphylococcus, which are already living harmlessly on the skin). When they get into the wound, they cause an infection.

5. Boom! The hot spot erupts.

The area becomes red (inflamed), wet, painful, and quickly spreads. It often oozes and smells bad. And if you don’t catch it fast? It can grow up to 10 times bigger in just one day. Yikes.

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Why Do Hot Spots & Rashes Happen More in Summer?

Summer might mean beach trips and sunshine for us but for pets, it’s hot spot season. Here’s why those oozy, itchy skin issues love to show up when the temperature rises:

Heat and humidity create the perfect storm:

• Moisture builds up in warm, hidden places - like: in skin folds, under collars, or in thick fur - especially after a bath, swim or walk in the heat.
• Sweating (yes, dogs sweat through paw pads!) and panting increase moisture levels around their mouth and neck.
• Allergens like pollen, mold, and grass spike in summer and trigger reactions sensitive pets causing skin irritation and itching.
• Parasites like fleas, ticks and mites are more active in warm weather and their bites are itchy triggers for hot spots and rashes..

Case Study: Max's Summer Meltdown

One scorching afternoon, my own dog Tiger came in from a long walk and plopped under the fan. I thought he was just cooling off, but he kept licking his hip...for hours. By the next morning? That tiny lick spot had turned into a sticky, red, inflamed mess - classic hot spot.

Turns out the mix of sweat, heat, and his nonstop licking was all it took. Now I always:

• Dry him off after walks,
• Check his skin folds and under his collar,
• And stop the licking before it gets out of hand.

Lesson learned: Always dry, inspect, and monitor - Summer skin needs extra TLC.

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Why Summer Is Prime Time for Skin Drama

• Humidity keeps the skin damp = perfect bacterial breeding ground.
• Heat increases licking, scratching, and rolling in random grass patches.
• Swimming (especially in dirty water) can leave moisture trapped under fur.
• Allergies spike with pollen, mold, and grasses.

Even indoor pets can suffer especially if you live in a region like Nigeria where the heat can turn your tiled floor into a frying pan.

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Signs Your Pet Might Have a Hot Spot or Rash

Hot spots and rashes can sneak up fast—but your pet will usually drop some hints. Watch for these telltale signs:

• Nonstop licking or chewing at one spot (like they just won’t leave it alone)
• Red, wet, or crusty skin patches that weren’t there yesterday
• Bald spots - if the fur's suddenly gone in a patchy area
• A weird, sour smell - yes, infected skin can stink
• Flinching or pulling away (pain) when you touch the area

Check-In 

• Is your dog scratching a lot lately?
• Any moist or raw areas on the skin?
• Is your cat grooming excessively?

If you ticked any of the above, keep reading!

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What Can Pet Parents Do? (At Home Care)

Caught it early? Great! With some gentle TLC, you can help soothe your pet’s skin and stop that little irritation from becoming a big problem.

Immediate Steps:

• Trim the fur around the area to allow air circulation - Use scissors (carefully!) or pet clippers to remove fur around the spot. This lets the skin breathe and helps you see what you’re working with.
• Gently clean with diluted chlorhexidine or pet-safe antiseptic. Avoid alcohol or hydrogen peroxide - they sting and slow healing.
• Apply a cold compress to reduce inflammation. e.g like a damp cloth from the fridge - to help calm swelling and itchiness. Hold it to the spot for a few minutes.
• Prevent licking - Licking spreads the infection and delays healing use an e-collar or soft recovery cone to block access.

Be Careful with Home Remedies

You may have seen tips online but not all home fixes are safe!

• Apple cider vinegar might be good for some skin issues, but never use it on broken or raw skin, it burns like crazy.
• Coconut oil can soothe mild dry rashes but should never be used on wet, oozing, or infected spots, it traps moisture and bacteria.

When in doubt, stick to gentle cleaning and keeping your pet from messing with the area. Or better yet… Call your vet if the area is large, worsening, or smells funky.

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What Can the Vet (aka me!) Do? - Medical Management.

A vet will:

1. Shave and clean the area with antiseptic solutions

2. Prescribe medications:

• Topical antibiotics or sprays
• Systemic antibiotics (if infected)
• Steroids to stop itching and inflammation
• Antihistamines if allergies are involved

3. Rule out underlying causes like fleas, food allergies, or anxiety

In chronic or severe cases, they might recommend:

• Medicated shampoos for regular skin care
• Elizabethan collars (E-collars) to stop self-trauma
• Blood work or skin scrapings or allergy testing to get to the bottom of repeat flare-ups

Treatment Summary: What’s What

Treatment	What It’s For	How It’s Given
Topical antiseptics	Clean and dry the affected area	Sprays, wipes, or creams
Corticosteroids	Reduce redness, swelling, and itching	Pills or injections
Antibiotics	Fight bacterial (secondary) infection	Oral or topical
Elizabethan collar	Prevent licking and scratching (self-trauma)	Physical barrier (cone)
Medicated shampoos	Ongoing skin support and flare-up prevention	Weekly or as directed

What This Means for Your Pet:

• The meds fight off infection and calm the irritated skin
• The cone stops the damage so healing can begin
• The shampoos help long-term, especially for allergy-prone pets

Most pets feel better within a few days, but full healing depends on staying consistent with treatment. Don’t be tempted to stop early just because it looks better!

Pro Tip: Always finish the full course of meds - cutting corners can lead to relapses or resistant infections.

True story: My neighbor’s dog, Chika, developed a nasty rash after rolling in a pile of garden clippings. A week of OTC creams made it worse. I took one look, prescribed a medicated shampoo, and within 5 days? Chika was back to rolling in safer places - like clean towels.

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Prognosis: Will My Pet Be OK?

Yes, IF treated early.

Most hot spots and rashes resolve within 7-10 days with proper care.

If left untreated, it can lead to:

• Larger lesions
• Deep infections
• Scarring
• Repeat episodes

The key? Address root causes - like allergies or parasites. If not, the cycle will repeat. Chronic hot spots could signal deeper issues like anxiety or endocrine disorders.

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Prevention Tips That Actually Work

Here's your Summer Skin Survival Guide, Vet Vortex style:

1. Keep Pet Dry & Cool

After baths or swims, towel dry thoroughly. Pay attention to armpits, groin, under ears and those sneaky damp spots.

2. Brush Daily (or at least regularly)

Not just for beauty! Brushing removes dirt, allergens, and fur mats that trap moisture.

3. Use a Flea Preventative

Flea bites are a MAJOR trigger for scratching and hot spots. Don’t wait until your dog is tap dancing at midnight.

4. Choose Breathable Bedding

Swap out heavy blankets for light, washable mats. Bonus points if they're hypoallergenic.

5. Clip Long Fur

Especially for breeds like Huskies, Retrievers, or Shih Tzus. But NEVER shave down to the skin, it can mess with temperature regulation.

6. Check Ears, Paws, and Groin Daily

These are "hot zones" for rashes. Use a pet-safe wipe if needed.

7. Add omega-3 supplements to strengthen the skin barrier - It helps reduce inflammation and keeps the skin supple even when the heat is savage.

Pro tip: I give my pup sardines in water once a week. He thinks it’s a treat. I think it’s skincare. Win-win!

Use this quick skin check checklist:

• Any excessive licking or scratching?
• Fur mats or tangles in hidden areas?
• Raw patches or scabs?
• Does your dog shake their head a lot (ear issue)?

If you ticked “yes” to 2 or more, time for a closer look!

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Zoonotic Risk: Can I Get It Too?

Usually, no. Hot spots themselves are not contagious to humans.

But here’s the nuance:

• Some underlying causes can be zoonotic (like ringworm or certain mites).
• If your pet has a skin lesion and you develop a rash or itchy area, see your doctor.
• Always wash hands after treating wounds and avoid letting your pet sleep in your bed during flare-ups.

Rule of Paw: If it’s wet, red, or weird, use gloves or a barrier when handling it.

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Summer Skin Care in a Nutshell:

• Keep pets cool and dry
• Brush regularly
• Stop the itch early
• See your vet if unsure
• Prevention is way easier than treatment!

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Wrap-Up: Hot Weather Doesn’t Have to Mean Hot Spots

With a little daily care and some watchful eyes, you can make this summer skin-friendly for your pets.

Let’s keep the heat outside - not on your pet’s skin.

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Talk to Me!

Has your pet ever had a hot spot or a summer skin scare?

Drop your stories or questions in the comments below or DM me on Instagram [@thevetvortex].

Until next Wellness Wednesday

Keep calm, stay vortexy, stay cool, and cuddle wisely! 

Check out previous post - Using Open Source Tools to Monitor Home Aquarium Water Quality