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My dog has a hot spot on its front paw. What's the best way to treat it?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 9 months old

How to treat a hot spot on front paw?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Lauren Kennedy, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 4th, 2017

If the hot spot is small you can try putting some triple antibiotic ointment on it. You will want to try and prevent your dog from licking the area as much as possible, like with an E-collar, to allow it to heal.

If the area is very large and inflamed your dog may benefit from oral antibiotics to help it heal more quickly. If treatment at home doesn’t work then you will probably need to have her examined by a vet.

I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Lauren Jones VMD
Veterinarian
Published on March 24th, 2017
As you mention, a hot spot certainly is a possibility for the type of lesion you're describing on Maggie's paw. Other possible causes are thermal or chemical burns, infection (bacterial or fungal) or ulcerative masses. Maggie should see her vet so that the lesion can be evaluated and treated appropriately. Unfortunately, there are no over the counter remedies that are likely to be effective.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Macartney, BVet Med, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on September 29th, 2017
I am so sorry to hear that Maggie is having these problems with her paw. It looks very sore, and I am sure it is upsetting for you both.

Unfortunately even with your excellent pictures it is difficult to know what caused the initial lesion. Trauma, a forgein body such as a grass seed under the skin, infection, skin parasites, allergic skin diseases, autoimmune diseases, and even some types of skin cancer can cause painful lesions that dogs chew at.

The chewing itself has aggravated the lesion and potentially infected the area. Signs of infection include;
Heat
Swelling
Limping
Discharge

Because Maggie has had the lesion for 3 weeks, I would advise taking her in to see her vet. The vet will be able to diagnose the cause, and treat it accordingly, as well as provide pain relief, ant inflammatory medications and possible antibiotics.

In the meantime, keep Maggie as calm and quiet as possible. Placing a cone on Maggie will prevent her from chewing at her paw and further damaging the area. I would not advise the use of any over the counter medications or ointments as they can be painful when applied or in some cases delay healing.

I hope this was helpful and that Maggie's paw feels better soon!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

What should I do if my dog has a hot spot? How can I treat it at home?

I like to trim the hair around the hot spot to open up the skin to the air. Then wash it with antibacterial soap to remove the discharge. After drying it then apply thin film of antibacterial ointment on it. You can also apply some cortisone cream on it to reduce the itch. It's best to use a restraint collar to prevent licking and scratching so it will heal. Make sure there are no fleas or ear infection as these can cause itching resulting in hot spots. If they are severe and you are unable to get them to heal then I would bring Princess to your veterinarian for treatment. They may give an injection to prevent scratching and an oral antibiotic to heal the skin infection. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Princess.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a hot spot. What are safe pet store treatment options?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Based on the picture, it does appear that this could be a hot spot. I typically recommend using products that soothe and treat infection. What I would recommend would be Well & Good Hydrocortisone spray (at Petco) and Miconahex + Triz spray and apply both of these twice daily until resolved. If there is no improvement within 7 days, I would recommend taking your dog in to be seen by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

My dog's paw hot spot is swollen. Is this normal? What should I do?

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I do not recommend wrapping the paw itself, as this can cause more damage to the skin, swelling, and trap moisture and bacteria. Meeka needs to wear an Elizabethan (cone) collar AT ALL TIMES until this spot has resolved. Any time she licks this spot she introduces more bacteria from her mouth and delays healing. I would not put anything topical on the hot spot. This should heal on its own as long as Meeka is not able to continue to traumatize it. I hope this is helpful!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a hotspot. How can I treat and clean it safely at home?

A definite NO on the hydrogen peroxide! 1. It is best to shave the hair around the affected area if at all possible. If you don't have clippers you can use scissors to shorten the hair - just be careful you don't cut him. If you can't shave or trim the hair don't stress too much about it. 2. You can clean and treat all in one step with these medicated pads. Twice a day. ( https://www.chewy.com/pet-md-chlorhexidine-antiseptic-dog/dp/146635 ) 3. If he is really itching you can also apply this topical hydrocortisone spray after the wound is dry from the using the pads. Once a day should be enough. ( https://www.chewy.com/zymox-enzymatic-topical-spray/dp/125742 ) If no improvement after about 5-7 days then you should have your vet check him out. Sometimes oral antibiotics are needed to clear these up if they are bad enough. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a hot spot on her back near her tail. How to treat?

This looks like an area of moist dermatitis or a hot spot. She probably had an insect bite or a small injury and has licked the area and made it more inflammed and larger. You need to use a cone or a shirt to stop her from getting to the area so it can heal. I would wash this with antibacterial soap and after rinsing apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on it. You can also put some cortisone cream on it to reduce the itching and inflammation. Usually these heal quickly if you can prevent her from irritating the area. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Pearl.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a spreading skin infection from a collar. How to treat?

That looks like a pretty nasty hot spot. Hot spots are caused by chronic moisture against the skin (which is common with a collar or something else wrapped around the neck). The best way to treat a hot spot is to clip the hair from the area so that it can fully dry out. You will need to use buzzing clipper, not a razor or scissors. You can try an OTC pet antimicrobial spray, but often prescription sprays or ointments work a little better since they contain a steroid and real antibiotics. You may also have to get creative in finding ways to prevent Peyton from scratching this area, as that will delay healing and can damage the skin. You can try socks, dog booties, or bandaging the feet to cover the nails. Unfortunately, due to the location, he won't be able to use an e-collar. If the hotspot isn't looking better in 48 hours, I would recommend that you have Peyton checked out by a vet.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

My dog bites a growing skin spot. Is it an infection or hot spot?

It looks like the skin in this area has become infected. It could have started as a simple wound, like you said, and then progressively became infected. To help the area heal, keep the wound clean and dry. Wash it 2x a day with a gentle antibacterial soap. You can apply some triple antibiotic ointment to it as well. You will need to keep Boomer from licking the area as best as you can. The best way to do this is by placing an E-collar on him. If this does not help the area heal in 3-5 days or if the area around the wound is swollen at all, I would recommend taking Boomer to the vet to have it evaluated. He may need oral antibiotics to get it cleared up. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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