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

Why is my dog still scratching and biting after flea treatment?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 4 years and 9 months old | 35 lbs

My dog keeps scratching and biting, I have treated her for fleas but continues to scratch n bite. 1st pic is her belly n by her back legs, 2nd pic is her tail, 3rd pic are what both her sides are starting to look like from scraching so hard

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. B. DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)

Veterinarian

Published on September 24th, 2018

Looks like your little lady is giving herself some hot spots there. If there is a hot spot forming under the hair then the best thing to do is to remove the hair and cleanse the area with an antibacterial solution. Some dogs require topical and/or oral antibiotics and other dogs benefit from some steroids to stop the itch. Most hot spots are secondary to underlying allergies (inhaled/environmental, food, or flea). If seasonal environmental is most likely. The best way to help her would be to see your family vet to have the areas addressed topically and so that medications can be prescribed to treat any infection and stop the itch. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Macartney, BVet Med, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on August 3rd, 2017
I am very sorry to hear that Vicki is having skin issues. From what you are describing it sounds as though she is reacting to the flea bites, this is making her skin itchy. When dogs are itchy they often bite their skin and cause tissue trauma and infection. This can cause moist dermatitis or "hot spots". Hot spots can be very difficult to heal, and take a long time. The keys to a successful healing process are;

Treatment if he underlying cause- the fleas
A clipped area around the sore
Cleaning the sore with a vet prescribed antiseptic
Leaving the sore open to dry out (as the moisture promotes bacterial growth)
Antibacterial/ hydrocortisone spray prescribed from the vet for healing
An e-collar to prevent Vicki from scratching or biting at the hot spot and making it worse
Measure the hot spot with a ruler, and compare in a few days time to make sure that it is reducing in size.

If you feel like Vicki is not healing well, I would suggest a trip to the vet for the above medications. Oral antibiotics and/ or a steroid injection may help to jumpstart the healing process.

I know hot spots can be very frustrating for you as a pet parent and for Vicki. I sincerely hope it starts to heal soon. Warmest regards to you both.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Macartney, BVet Med, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on August 11th, 2017
I am so sorry to hear that Tasha is having trouble with her skin. It is difficult to know ahh the initial lesion was, parasites, fleas or even a skin allergy. However, when a dog has irritated skin they often react by chewing or licking their skin. This causes tissue trauma and can introduce infection. This leads to moist dermatitis or "hot spot". Hot spots can be very difficult to heal, and take a long time.

The keys to a successful healing process are;

Treating the underlying cause -for example fleas
A clipped area around the sore
Cleaning the sore with a vet prescribed antiseptic
Leaving the sore open to dry out (as the moisture promotes bacterial growth)
Antibacterial/ hydrocortisone spray prescribed from the vet for healing
An e-collar to prevent Tasha from scratching or biting at the hot spot and making it worse
Measure the hot spot with a ruler, and compare in a few days time to make sure that it is reducing in size.

If you feel like Tasha is not healing well, I would suggest a trip to the vet for the above mentioned medications, or call and discuss the possibility for a prescription. Oral antibiotics and/ or a steroid injection may help to jumpstart the healing process.

I know hot spots can be very frustrating for you as a pet parent and for Tasha. I sincerely hope it starts to heal soon. Warmest regards to you both.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Dog chewing tail after flea pill. How to treat hot spots?

Hello Susan! Thank you for your question to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Fleas actually live in the environment, not on the dog, so if you don't disinfect the environment, it will be a continuing source of fleas. Wash Bella's bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. Diatomaceous earth does nothing to treat fleas, so don't use it. Now some dogs can have allergies to flea saliva, and that can lead to continued skin issues. This could be causing her to continually chew at that spot. I'd have her seen by a vet for this issue so it can be treated. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

How to tell if my dog's scratching is from fleas or a hot spot?

Hot spots are superficial bacterial infections of the skin that often happen secondary to trauma such as a dog scratching itself - so it is possible that a flea infestation could *lead* to hot spots. With flea infestations, dogs often focus their scratching/chewing at the base of the tail, but tend to scratch everywhere. Fleas themselves may be found if you look closely, particularly on the belly and thighs where the hair is thinner and they may be easier to see. An experienced observer looks for evidence of "flea dirt", which is the digested blood fleas pass in their feces. It looks like tiny black dots (almost like black dandruff) but if you smear it on a damp paper towel it becomes rusty red. Hot spots, again, may occur secondary to the scratching with fleas, but also very commonly happen secondary to allergies. If the problem is a hot spot alone, the dog will focus their scratching/chewing at the hot spot. Hot spots tend to cause focal areas of hair loss and the skin will be moist, a bit stinky, and very irritated/tender. When in doubt, it is *always* a good idea to make sure your dog has a high quality flea/tick preventative (Nexgard, Bravecto, Advantix, Revolution are my personal top choices). Hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog is biting hair off her back legs and butt. Why is she itchy?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Typically dogs scratch those areas when they have fleas. Even if you aren't seeing fleas it doesn't mean they aren't there. I recommend getting all pets in the home on monthly prevention every 30 days for at least 3 months. I would call your vet for a dose of Benadryl too. If the Benadryl doesn't help, she may need something stronger to relieve the itch. Good luck and kisses to Meka!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my dog scratching, biting, and has bumps after flea treatment?

Allergies, either to something in the environment or less often to food, would be the most common cause of itching if Charlie is on a prescription flea preventative. He may have a secondary skin infection as well since you are feeling bumps. Mange can cause hair loss but usually isn’t significantly itchy.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog is still itching after flea treatment. How to soothe her?

Poor Pepsi. Flea bites can be miserable and even once you get rid of the fleas, the body is still having an allergic reaction to the bites. You may need to use oral medication to decrease the itching. I would discuss this with your veterinarian. You may be able to use something over the counter like Benadryl (https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/benadryl/) or you may need a presciption medication to get rid of the itching. Another thing to consider is that some dogs will develop a skin infection and will need antbiotics after having fleas, so be sure to have your veterinarian examine Pepsi if the red spots on her skin are not improving. Hopefully, you have gotten rid of the fleas, but I have attached addtional flea control information below in case it is needed. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1575 Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my dog itching with black dots and fleas on her belly?

Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent further chewing. Have her physically examined by your veterinarian to diagnose the underlying cause. If she has a skin infection systemic and/or topical antibiotics may be necessary. Continue to treat for fleas with a monthly oral or topical preventative. Do this for at least 3 consecutive months, preferably year round. If you have multiple pets, ALL the pets should be treated. You will need to treat the environment as well. This includes vacuuming everywhere then disposing of the bag or emptying the canister outdoors immediately afterwards. Wash all bedding in the hottest water allowable by fabric then dry in a dryer. Use an area treatment, such as Indorex or Knockout ES, to prevent re-infestation.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a hot spot after flea treatment, what should I do?

Thank you for sending the additional information to our customer service email address! Yes, I agree with your suspicion that Kona likely has a hot spot. You can try to manage this area by first clipping the fur from the the affected area, as air flow to the area is important. Antiseptic sprays, like Vetericyn (https://vetericyn.com/product/vetericyn-plus-all-animal-wound-and-skin-care/?attribute_size=3oz), can work wonders when used a few times per day. One of the most important aspects of hot spot treatment is to prevent Kona from licking at this area. It may involve some tough love, but keep an e-collar (cone) on her until this area has fully resolved. Most hot spots show pretty significant improvement within a week or so. However, if it isn't improving in a week or gets worse at any point, Kona will need to visit her vet. While most hot spots can be treated with topical treatments, like the Vetericyn spray, some require courses of antibiotics and steroids. I hope this helps and that she's on the mend soon!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

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

Share