What Causes Hot Spots on Dogs?
Hot spots on dogs can appear quickly and often seem to come out of nowhere. In this post, we break down some of the most common causes of hot spots — from moisture and licking to allergies, thick fur, and summer heat — plus simple ways to help keep irritated skin calm and dry. One of the biggest things I wish I had learned sooner about hot spots is this:
Moisture makes dog hot spots worse.
When a dog keeps licking, chewing, scratching, swimming, or laying in humid weather, the skin can stay damp for long periods of time. Once moisture gets trapped against the skin — especially under thick fur — irritation can spread quickly.
I saw this happen over and over with my own dogs.
My labs struggled with hot spots almost every summer. The area near the tail and rear would become red, irritated, and itchy. I would try sprays and get temporary relief, but within a day or two the hot spot usually came right back.
thick coats trap moisture.
Then came Everest — my Bernese Mountain Dog with an extremely thick triple coat. What started as a small irritated spot quickly became moist from licking and chewing. Within days, it turned into a large hot spot hidden deep beneath all that fur.
That’s when I really started paying attention to moisture.
Everest HotSpot grew over a few days
What Causes Hotspots on Dogs?
Hot spots on dogs can happen for many different reasons, but most of them start with irritation and moisture trapped against the skin. Thick fur, humid weather, allergies, flea bites, and constant licking or chewing can all create the perfect environment for a hot spot to form. Once the skin becomes red and damp, the cycle can quickly continue getting worse — especially in thick-coated breeds.
This graphic breaks down some of the most common causes of hot spots in dogs, including:
moisture and damp fur
licking and chewing
allergies
thick coats trapping heat
fleas and parasites
heat and humidity
Understanding what causes hot spots is one of the first steps in helping prevent them and keeping your dog’s skin calm, dry, and comfortable.
Why Some Sprays Only Help Temporarily
Many hot spot sprays feel soothing at first, but they can also keep the fur and skin damp. For some dogs, especially thick-coated breeds, that lingering moisture may make it harder for the area to fully dry out.
That’s one reason I became interested in gentle powders for moisture control.
My Goal With HotSpot K9
When I started creating HotSpot K9, I wanted something:
fragrance free
gentle on irritated skin
lick safe
soft and lightweight
inspired by simple skincare ingredients
Testing various powders and how they would work together. Adding water, and testing absorption rates.
Most importantly, I wanted a product that could help absorb moisture while still feeling gentle on irritated skin. I kept testing different powders and ingredient combinations for months. I knew I had finally found the right formula when I introduced potato starch into the blend.
Because Everest has such thick fur, I also realized a pointed tip applicator worked much better than a traditional shaker bottle. It helps get the powder deep down near the skin where hotspots often hide beneath the coat.
I jokingly started calling it “Potato Puffing” — ( potato starch is my favorite ingredient in the powder), gently puffing the powder down into the fur and onto the irritated skin.
Precision Tip Applicator • 8 oz
Designed for targeted moisture control and hotspot relief, this precision tip applicator helps deliver powder deep through the fur — right to the skin where irritation begins.
The ultra-fine, lightweight powder helps absorb moisture, calm irritated skin, and support skin comfort without heavy sprays or messy application.
Especially helpful for:
hotspots
damp fur
irritated skin
licking & chewing
thick-coated dogs
✔ Precision tip for targeted application
✔ Reaches deep through thick fur with ease
✔ Helps absorb moisture at the source
✔ Lick-safe, gentle ingredients
✔ Fragrance free
✔ Clean, controlled, no-mess application
How To Use
Apply directly to irritated or damp areas and gently work the powder into the coat. Use on dry fur for best results.
Blend of Proprietary Ingredients
Gluten-Free Potato Starch
Organic Arrowroot Powder
White Kaolin Clay
Why Dry Works
Moisture can make hotspots worse. Our dry powder helps absorb dampness and calm irritation where it starts — deep in the fur.
🐾 Made for sensitive dogs and thick coats.
Simple Ways to Help Keep Hot Spots Dry
If your dog is dealing with a mild hot spot, these simple things may help:
Gently pat the area dry
Keep fur from staying damp
Limit licking when possible
Avoid heavily fragranced products
Contact your veterinarian if the area worsens
Final Thoughts
Every dog is different, and some hot spots absolutely require veterinary care. But learning how important moisture was completely changed the way I approached irritated skin on my own dogs.
Sometimes keeping the area calm, clean, and dry can make a much bigger difference than people realize.
