Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

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

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male | unneutered | 2 years and 9 months old | 53 lbs

How can you treat hotspot at home? What can I use to clean them? And hydrogen peroxide be applied?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 28th, 2019

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.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 16th, 2018
I am sorry to hear about Hunter. This does look like it could be a hot spot. Sometimes topical treatment alone is enough, but sometimes we may need a short course of antibiotics and steroids to clean it up. They can also be painful so I am not sure how much Hunter will allow you to do at home. In the clinic we would normally shave the area with clippers to remove the soiled hair and debris. We would then clean the area with a chlorhexidine scrub. You can find a scrub like this at your drug store under the brand name Hibiclens. For topical treatment we would usually use a Gentocin spray, such as Gentaspray. This product is usually prescription only though. You could try an over the counter hotspot spray from the pet store or the product Zymox Topical Spray which can be purchased online, but these products may not be effective depending on response you may need to make an appointment to see the vet. Best of luck to you and Hunter!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My dog has a hotspot. How do I treat it and is it contagious to me?

Treatment for hotspot is typically antibiotic therapy and anti-itch medication. I would recommend a topical approach and shave hair from the area. You can use Malacetic conditioning spray, a hydrocortisone spray and apply these twice daily. Hotspots do not spread to humans so do not worry about that as a concern.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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

What's safe to clean a dog's bleeding hot spot before the vet?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Goodness poor Ryder! That looks to be a very large hot spot. It would be best to have him seen today. If you can’t the entire area needs to be shaved down. Some dogs need to be sedated because it’s so painful. Once the hair is removed cleaning is easier and the area dries out. I prescribe oral antibiotics, steroids or apoquel, and a topical spray. The hot spot tends to heal with in 5 days. So if you can shave it great then clean it with a mild soap and water. Dry well. Trying to clean it with the fur still there will just trap moisture. Good luck!

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

Health & Wellness

My dog has a hotspot. What can I try at home for the irritation?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. From the picture you provided it does look as though there is quite a bit of redness / irritation. I would recommend using Sentry wound ointment, which you can find at PetCo or online. You can apply this twice daily to the area. If there is no improvement after 48-72 hours, I would recommend having this examined by your veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why isn't my dog's red, oozy neck sore healing with home care?

Unfortunately hydrogen peroxide doesn't help pets with any type of skin condition. In fact we don't use it for any wounds because it can potentially cause cell necrosis (dying off of normal tissue). This appears to be a deep infection, which is likely why it hasn't healed well for you. You can try cleaning it with Betadine diluted 50:50 with warm water and the hair needs to be shaved around this to allow the skin to breathe and heal well. I would not place Neosporin on a wound like this, because it likely won't help. You may be able to find a hot spot spray at your local pet store that can be used. However, there is a good chance this won't heal without the help of your vet, who has stronger oral antibiotics and topical medical sprays to take care of this properly. I would schedule an appt if the Betadine and clip are not able to improve this area well within the next few days. Best wishes getting Murphy's skin to heal. Take care.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a hot spot. Is peroxide safe? What causes these spots?

Hi, thanks for using Petcpach! Poor Kane! From the picture and the description is sounds like a hot spot (superficial pyoderma). I recommend shaving the fur off, which allows the air to reach it and help to dry the area out. You can clean it twice daily with a gentle soap and water and apply a triple antibiotic cream. Kane needs to not scratch the area, so use an Elizabethan collar (cone) or donut if he is scratching. If the area worsens or is not significantly improved in 2-3 days he needs to see a Vet for antibiotics and steroids. The cause isn't contagious, I think it is just bad luck that both of your dogs have had hot spots recently. They can be from allergies or increased moisture after swimming or after a bath and they didn't completely dry off well. I hope this helps and I wish Kane a speedy recovery!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share