The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Sallie (Brisbane, Qld Aust) on 10/21/2012
★★★★★
My poodle is constantly getting hot spots from my other dog licking and giving him love bites!
I wash the hot spot with salt water, dry it with paper towel, clip all the hair around it and then use aloe leaf (I slice both sides off the leaf, just leaving a Little bit of aloe jelly on the leaf and rub that on him) he finds it very soothing.
The hot spots clear up around 3-5 days
But after reading the posts on Apple Cider Vinegar I'm going to try that also, he has a new one now.
Gold Bond Powder
Posted by Sue (Maili, Hawaii) on 10/19/2012
★★★★★
I had my dog groomed and two days later she was loaded with hot spots. She had a hot spot a long time ago and I brought her to the vet $125 later she was healed. This time she had them literally from head to toe and was miserable. I rescearched this web site and learned I could use ACV which I am a fan of or Golds Bond powder. I choose the powder (orange bottle) and I am sold. Twice a day I put the powder right on the spot and I didn't even shave around the sores. I could see it in her eyes that there was instant relief. I saw immediate results. So now I share this with everyone. Sue
Gold Bond Powder
Posted by Jill (Brinnon, Wa) on 08/21/2012
★★★★★
My 6 year old Aussie/heeler had started scratching one evening and by the next morning had raw underarm pits. Little red patches were springing up. Maybe 4 of them. I put 1%hydrocortisone cream on her underarms then a sprinkling of the Green label gold bond powder. I then put one of my tshirts on her and took it up at the waist( held it in place with some duct tape) so she couldn't get her foot up under it. Make sure the tshirt isn't rubbing under the arms. This kept her from licking or scratching the armpits. After 2 days of applying this 3 times a day her armpits look normal. She has added Omega oil caps to diet.
ACV and Omega 3
Posted by Keleeemo (Dover, Nh, Usa) on 08/20/2012
I find hot spots on my Boston Terrier when she eats something she is allergic to like wheat or change something in her diet. I learned one thing and that is do not feed dogs with allergies grocery store dog foods or cheap treats. They contain wheat and fillers that make her allergic and then the hot spots appear. She does well on wheat free kibble. You can find better dog foods at Petco or pet stores. I have to be careful with treats too because many of them are made of fillers. When she gets a hot spot I bathe her with oatmeal dog shampoo every couple of days and keep the hot spot clean by washing it daily with betadine solution and then applying cortisone cream 1 or 2 percent. That and cutting back her diet to just her wheat free dog food will usually will take care of the hot spot. I bought some hot spot spray at Petco for hot spots that had tea tree oil in it and that helped but not as well as hydrocortisone cream. For the itching I use some anti itch lotion that has pramoxine and zinc acetate along with oil of rosemary and oil of lavender. It smells a lot like calamine, poison ivy cream and does take away the itching and scratching. If the area has an odor then it is infected and I would cleanse the area with antibacterial soap followed an oatmeal shampoo. Then dry area and put on an antibiotic cream and some Gold Bond foot powder in case it is yeast. It will clear up and you don't need a vet because they will just treat it with an antibiotics and over charge you. Try and find a good dog food at dogfoodadvisor.com. They have some good articles about what goes into grocery store pet foods which shocked me to learn. They rate them by 1-5 stars according to their ingredients. It is well worth the money buying Organic dog food if it keeps us out of the vets office!
ACV and Omega 3
Posted by Mssnk9368 (Janesville, Wisconsin) on 06/26/2012
★★★★★
I found this site totally by accident, but what a happy find.
I was helping a friend find and inexpensive way to treat hot spots on her dog. We tried the 50/50 mix of ACV what a difference (the topical application). The first 24 hrs we saw and improvement and it is continually getting better. We are now on the third day it is almost gone.
Since the ACV is working so well I started reading more posts on the site about its usage for other remedies. Last year my 2 dogs suffered so much from fleas, I was at my wits end trying to help them. This year I'm going to try the ACV I've read so many good things about it on this site.
Thanks to everyone for their posts I learned alot about ACV.
ACV and Omega 3
Posted by Unknowen (Portland, Oregon) on 06/22/2012
Ok all of this stuff helps but has anyone got the hot spots cleared up and then in about two or three days they return again... What do you think might cause that??? I never see my dog licking or scratching.... He is a very heavy haired dog because he is a Chesse.... And he is a very nervous dog... He is hydosefelis.. That is not right spelling but anyway he was born with water on the brain so he sees everything different in this world... Your thoughts on this would help... Thank You
Vegetable Oil
Posted by Betterways (Houston, Texas) on 05/28/2012
People and animals prone to skin problems have a deficiency of linoleic acid, an essential Omega 6 EFA, in their sebum. Which may or may not be due to a dietary or systemic deficiency. Usually not as most people get too much of the omega 6s and as do most animals fed grain-based commercial food.
This can be improved by applying it topically. In fact there is a spot on treatment called something like Allerderm that is a combo of essential fatty acids.
Grape Seed and Safflower are both over 70% linoleic acid. But note, these oils are not stable and should come from a good source, come in a dark bottle and be stored in the fridge with only a small amount left out at a time. The average supermarket is not a good source, btw. of much of any oil. Of much of anything for that matter.
Hemp seed oil would be a good source of a combo of EFAs good for skin.
Witch Hazel and Gold Bond Powder
Posted by Elizabeth (Hartford, Ct) on 05/07/2012
i want to know how to treat severe hot spots in a cat my 5 yr old cat has eplipsy and on meds about 3 yrs ago she started with this allergy have taken her to vet 3 times. she has no fleas or mites. i have her on 1/2 a allergy pill every 12 hrs but she still has bitten her legs naked and spots all over body. i have her littermates. they are all fine. i tried different canned foods, different litters, nothing is helping. please help me she is tiny. only 4 pounds and 5 yrs old. i can't afford any more vet bills. i am a cancer survivor and a widow on limited income. thank you in advance and god bless. please help tiny.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Elizabeth (Tulsa, Ok) on 04/30/2012
My Bulldog Bella has what I thought was mites. I treated her with peroxide and borax and it has not helpes now she scratches until bleeding all over. I looked up images of hot spots & that is precisely what it looks like! I have sprayed her with Apple Cider Vinegar and peroxide mixed in a spray bottle I felt so horriable that she was on fire! I have not done it again but I am wondering if it is okay to do when she is covered with open sores that bleed and puss. I am at my wits end. I have baught so many creams and powders and even tried head & shoulders (reccommended from vet tec that responded to a post I have on craigslist) I have used gold bond, triple antibotic ointment, anti- itch creams, conditioning dog shampoos, and johnsons 24 hour moisture baby wash. Please tell me what to do From step 1 to the end, I can not afford a vet my husband almost died on 1/31/12 haveing his colon partly removed he now has 2 colostomy's and has to have another surgery in a few weeks. We have 6 kids and a grandbaby being born today at 2:45 pm. So please any advice would be so helpful and appreciated.
Colloidal Silver
Posted by Jean (Williamsville, Ny, Usa) on 04/19/2012
★★★★★
My yorkie developed a 1/2" hot spot on top of his head. I used rubbing alcohol with aloe vera. As it was slowly healing, other spots were bubbling and opening. Out of nowhere a 2" sore opened on his jowel and he intensely itched it with his nails. I clipped the hair around it for easier healing. For 3 days I treated it and it was looking worse each day. I had previously ordered colloidal silver through the Jim Bakker Show on TV. The main company carries it, too, through the internet only. It arrived. I used the rubbing alcohol to cleanse and Silver Sol gel on top. There was NO SCRATCHING, at all, ever. It took the inflamation and the itch away as it killed the germs and promoted healing. It was healed completely in 4 days. The other smaller areas healed quickly, also. No more hot spots broke out. Hot Spots can have an underlaying staph infection that travels around under the skin. (I believe I read that apple cider vinegar kills staph germs, also). Colloidal silver kills staph germs, viral, and fungal... It says it is FDA approved and can be used for pink eye infections and other stuff. It works well with vet's antibiotics. I'm not selling it, but I am sold on it.
Benadryl
Posted by Mikie (San Jose, Ca/usa) on 03/20/2012
My beagle is allergic to grass [yep] so his feet and ears are always inflamed. My vet told me to give benadryl, 25mg, once a day. My dog is 35lb. What is the weight of your dog? he has really dry skin and four hot spots. His coat is shiny. I use vinegar/water on his feet... he hates it.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Jacky (St. George's, Grenada) on 02/20/2012
★★★★★
I do the same for my German Shepherd's hot spots, Wonderful plant.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Tea Tree Oil Based Shampoo
Posted by Michele (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) on 02/04/2012
★★★★★
My 3 year old Shitzu Maltese Mix just started getting really bad with hotspots and I have been using ACV diluted 50/50 with water and a tea tree based shampoo, (it's actually called HOT SPOT SHAMPOO) available at Pet Value in Canada and have already noticed a big difference in her scratching. That's the key to stop the scratching, thanks to all who contribute to this website, pills from the vet don't address the the problem on a long term basis plus giving my dog pills is like pulling teeth.
Michele
Hamilton ON Canada
Lavender Oil
Posted by Pat (Hadley, Massachusetts,usa) on 12/03/2011
★★★★★
On hot spots, burns, etc. I have mixed a couple of drops of lavender essential oil w/ a cup of water, sprayed it on, and in a few days it heals...
Colloidal Oatmeal
Posted by Beefree (Mendocino, Ca, Usa) on 10/15/2011 1 posts
★★★★★
Hi... I would like to vote for Colloidal Oatmeal Treatment to be added as a category in the Hot Spots for Pets. My Lhasa Opsa had really bad hot spots from the shelter, from where he came. He was itching non stop. I tried Dr. Meds, benedryl, black tea, Apple Cider Vinegar... the only thing that worked was giving this puppy a Colloidal Oatmeal bath.
I found a plastic bin and put it on my deck... I filled it with warm water... Added a packet of Colloidal Oatmeal... Stirred it around and then carefully placed my puppy in this treatment. I used a sponge to wash him down with it... And a cup to pour it over him.... I let him stay in solution for about 10 minutes... then we go for a 1 hour walk so he can dry off.
The trick is to have all my walking gear ready... So when he is done I can just put his leash on... And go for a walk so he doesn't have to just sit there and be all wet and miserable.
ACV and Omega 3
Posted by Dryogabear (Northport, Ny Usa) on 10/14/2011
Cancelled vet appointment, brewed black tea, using aloe vera juice, and already he seems to have stopped chewing his butt off. Thank you for all your tips and advice.
ACV and Omega 3
Posted by Diamond (Salisbury, Usa) on 10/02/2011
I wouldn't take my pet to another vet especially as minor as suspected hot spots(?)And Yes hot spots do smell. I have yet to see, know or hear of any pet coming out with less than what they went in for. I use a safe remedy for hot spots. Disolve 2 adult asperins in 2-4 tbls. rubbing alcohol-soak any type tea bag- mix all ingredients together, apply to the spot(s) as often as you can.
It takes time but better then a million dollar issue vets. may have created for you & the pet.
Try her on a rich but fat free diet.
http://www.rawlearning.com/worming.html
here is some great info. good luck & god bless.
ACV and Omega 3
Posted by Sierrahennessy (Fairfax, Va) on 10/01/2011
Hot spots with stink sounds like you may have yeast. A vet can confirm with a simple skin scraping. If yes, you've got a long road ahead of you. If no, look for allergies, or times of year the problem worsens or improves.
ACV and Omega 3
Posted by Karen (Deltona, Fl) on 09/19/2011
Hi,
I too have a German Shepard that gets hotspots and itchy skin. I would love to know more about the ACV and omega-3 treatment. Do we apply it externally or should my dog ingest it? Thank you all for contributing your info. I am going to put what we have done incase it helps someone else
I purchased Neem "protect" spray and the shampoo made by Ark Naturals ( got this at my local health food and medicine store "Debbies") Anyway the spray is AMAZING, the shampoo is good because it is gental and recommeded to use every so often because it works to cleanse the dogs hair and skin of anything that could cause skin issues. I have used the spray and not washed with the shampoo, using reg dog gentle shampoo and the results are still good. Except not this last time, she ended up getting hotspots and now she has a major one that just today has gotten as big as a tennis ball. Which brought me to this site.
I didn't know what to do when I came home and saw that where ever Sahara was laying she left a tiny bit of blood from right where the hotspot would have hit the floor. So I felt I had to act quick, I first rinsed the sore area with water using a water sports bottle, then I took some perioxide and lightly squirted it on the area while comforting Sahara and not letting her lick it, patted with paper towel and repeated process 2 more times. Then I cut her hair on and around the area back and applied 100% aloe vera from the bottle. After about 20 minutes I then applied a bandaid (one we would use on our knee) And this all seems to have really relieved her and now she can't keep biting at the spot because the bandaid stops her. When I remove the banaid I plan to do so buy cutting it out of her hair, I wouldn't want to pull her hair out and and hurt her.
Thanks again:)
ACV and Omega 3
Posted by Leslie (Ny) on 09/06/2011
I have a burmese mtn dog and she has hot spots but they smell real bad. I don't see anyone else mentioning that. Do your animals spots give off a bad odor also?
ACV and Omega 3
Posted by Shelby (Upland, Ca) on 08/18/2011
I love the products from Vitality science dot com and have seen an improvement. They too suggests tea bags for immediate treatment and they have a noni lotion that can go on the site after the tea bags. Its ok for the dog to ingest it as well. I have worked super hard at keeping two of my dogs skin problems at bay. I use Serra pro (enzyme) to decrease inflammation as well as flax oil and or krill oil from Vitality Science. I put it in the dogs food. I have tried shark liver oil on spots that break out with great success. I dont clip the dogs hair at all. I just apply the oil. A guy from a natural dog food company told me about that one. It works well for one of my dogs. I do home cooking, probiotics and I really think it is partly hereditary. The one JRT that is not related has no problems and neither do his relatives. :) My girls are bad breeding. They are fixed. :) whewwww
ACV and Omega 3
Posted by Y (Cincinnati, Oh) on 07/11/2011
what is Apple Cider Vinegar and omega 3 treatment for my dog hot spot, where do I get it?
Apple Cider Vinegar, Coconut Oil
Posted by Fan (Pasadena, Ca) on 07/09/2011
★★★★★
As soon as the weather warmed up, my dog developed a large red spot on his back around his tail area. It was very painful. I cut the hair away, washed the area with half water half Apple Cider Vinegar and oil of lavender. It DID NOT burn or sting him, in fact I could tell it felt good. In one day all redness was gone and two days later it was scabbed over and not bothering him at all. I put this on him 2x per day and it resolved the problem. I also started giving him a spoon of coconut oil everyday with his food. It helps keep his skin and hair moist. Whenever I forget to give him the coconut oil, his skin gets very dry and he starts itching like crazy. It really helps to prevent skin issues when given regularly. It should be cold pressed coconut oil.
Black Tea
Posted by Donnad (Carver, Massachusetts, Usa) on 06/14/2011
I too am mystified by the hot spots my maltese occassionally has and currently am trying the warm black tea bag... So far he is not scratching... I know he has allergies but cannot always afford the visit and the medication --of course vets won't just give it to you... $$$$ but if this doesn't work I will go for a ACV good home remedy for just about everything... Stay tuned... :)
Black Tea
Posted by Margaret (Knoxvillt, Tn) on 06/14/2011
★★★★★
This is an amazing treatment for hot spots. I have an 11 year old beagle who is just recovering from major hip surgery. It's been sweltering in Tennessee and she has developed some hot spots near her tail and the skin on her belly became quite inflamed as well. I read the black tea post and tried it. I steeped two black tea bags in hot water and let it cool to just over room temperature with the bags still in. I used the bags as applicators and really drenched the affected areas with the warm tea. She calmed immediately - this is the first treatment I've used that did not burn. I had tried ACV in the past and while it worked beautifully, it burned. I noticed drying after the first application. I've done this twice a day for four days and she is almost healed. I've also given her one lower body bath in warm water and raw oats. I put a handful of the oats in the toe of a sock and held it under the faucet as I filled the bath, squeezing as it filled. The oat bath just put it over the top - the real healer is the black tea. Thank you so much for this post.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Epsom Salt
Posted by Colleen (Durban, South Africa) on 05/22/2011
I have a staffie who suffers badly from hot spots. We have done the vet route countless times and spent huge amounts of money on him, only to have the hot spots return.
I was given a home remedy that definitely stops the itching and helps soothe him down almost immediately. I only need to apply it for a couple of days and the inflammation and oozing stops.
A tub of aqueous cream, a tube of Mycota foot cream, and a box of powdered flowers of sulphur. I mix half of each of the ingredients as I was not given the ratio for the mix. Tee cream is very cheap, and lasts for ages. Now when he sees us with the tub he comes and sits in front of us with his back turned so that we can put on his magic medicine :-)
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Angela (Birmingham, Al) on 04/12/2011
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
My 5 year old Shitzhu recently began itching and biting at her fur to the point some of it was coming out. After researching some possible remedies, I treated her hot spots and irritation with Tea Tree Oil. Luckily, my dog is also like my shadow and she always has my attention. Within 6 hours of treating her with Tea Tree Oil (applied with a Cotton ball) I noticed she was not herself, she was not as energetic, did not want to use her back legs, did not use the bathroom, etc.
I immediately took her to the vet where I was informed that Tea Tree Oil is poisonous to dogs. Depending on the size/weight it can also be fatal. Thankfully, she is ok, but she received a round of fluids and charcoal pills to absorb the poison along with 6 baths to get the remaining oil off of her skin. Please see this as a warning. I would not want this to happen to anyone else and I am happy that she just received a small dose. TEA TREE OIL IS POISONOUS TO DOGS!!! Good luck and God Bless. Angela from Alabama
Black Tea
Posted by Jlbg (St Louis, Mo) on 04/09/2011
★★★★★
Black tea works on canker sores for dogs and people. All I do is wet a teabag with warm water and place the bag like a compress over the dog's mouth sore for a few minutes. Seems to help with healing and pain. Of course, make sure your dog does NOT eat the teabag.
Conifer Green Needle Complex
Posted by Kerryann (Bogangar, Nsw) on 11/11/2010
My Lhasa Apso recently had a hot spot above her tail. I tried the Apple Cider Vinegar diluted, but it burned and made her sore. I started treating it with Conifer Green Needle Complex. One capsule squeezed into a bowl and mixed with about a desert spoon of mixed omega oils (Udo's). It is almost healed in two days of twice daily applications, after thoroughly cleansing the area with warm water and hibiclens. It was very badly infected and I know that the Conifer Complex kills all sorts of bacteria, including Staph strains. I knew it was right for her because she loves to lick it off my fingers, which is good because I needed her to take some of it internally as well.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Lzyshampoo (Waterloo, On) on 10/18/2010
I used hydrogen peroxide, you can buy this at the local pharmacy 3% hydrogen peroxide. Put in a spray bottle and spray the spots. After a week or 2 they're all gone. I also feed her yoghurt mixed in with ACV (with mothers and organic). I used Nizoral shampoo as well. It has been 1 week and she's doing great smells a little still but hopefully it'll all be gone soon. Way better then the VET... I hate them. All they know how to do is rip people off.
ACV and Omega 3
Posted by Jayne (Mugla, Turkey) on 07/10/2010
What a good website very informative. I was very weary about treating hot spots. I live in Turkey and I have 3 street dogs but only 1 as this condition. I thought it might be stress due to him being bullied by 1 of my older dogs. What do you think? I will try the acv treatment, hope it works.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Big Tuna (Park Ridge, Llinois, Usa) on 06/29/2010
★★★★★
My dog would get a hot spot(licking & biting on a spot) on her paws every summer. The Vet thought it was an allergy & gave us some ointment to apply. We also gave her Benadryl. Well after half a tube of ointment was applied over the course of a week we saw no results. She still had no fur & the skin was red & raw looking. We had been using Tea Tree Oil on ourselves for various cuts, scrapes & insect bites & I thought that it might help my dog. We could see that she was miserable & constantly at her paw. I applied 1 drop to her affected area & rubbed it in gently. At first she wanted to lick her paw, but I stopped her. It is not safe for humans to ingest the oil & I won't give my dog anything I can't eat myself. Well, in just a few minutes my dog fell asleep! Remarkable. When she woke up, she didn't even look at her paw. In a weeks time the skin was healed & I could see her fur starting to poke up through the skin. We continued to apply the oil once a day until the fur was again covering her paw.
From then on when we would see her at her paw or some other spot we applied the oil & told the Vet to stuff the $35.00 tube of ointment.
Big Tuna
Aloe Vera
Posted by Gina (Houston, Texas) on 05/29/2010
★★★★★
Hello. I have a akita-chow mix.She had horrible hot spots from fleas. We got fleas in control. Since I am a plant lover, I have lots of aloe vera, and I thought since that stuff is great for human skin,why not animals .So I tore off a leaf, cut it open with a knife, and rubbed the gel from the aloe on her hot spots. I did this every day. By the third day, I noticed she wasnt licking them any more and there was peach fuzz growing in where there wasnt any fur! I only needed to do it for a week. All gone!
Benadryl
Posted by Denise (Savannah, Ga) on 05/10/2010
★★★★★
MY VET HAS SUGGESTED ALLERGY PILLS 3 TIMES A DAY FOR MY PUG. HE HAD HOT SPOTS ALL OVER HIS BODY LAST YEAR DUE TO ALLERGIES. THE PILLS WORK GREAT. WE USE BENADRYL WRAPPED IN A SMALL PIECE OF CHEESE 3 TIMES A DAY.
