how do dogs get hot spots

Dogs get hot spots primarily due to self-trauma from scratching, licking, or chewing an itchy area of skin. This self-inflicted trauma causes inflammation and bacterial infection in the skin, which leads to the development of hot spots. Various underlying conditions can trigger the intense itching that leads to hot spots, including flea bites, allergies (both food and environmental), skin infections, ear infections, parasites, poor grooming, moisture trapped in the coat (such as from swimming or bathing), and stress or boredom that causes excessive licking. Dogs with thick, dense coats or breeds like Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Labrador Retrievers are particularly prone to hot spots, especially in warm, humid weather which promotes bacterial growth. Once a hot spot starts, the dog’s continued licking worsens the lesion, making it spread rapidly.