Hot spots on dogs are sometimes referred to as acute moist dermatitis. They typically appear on a dog's head, chest or back end. There are a number of reasons why these lesions form. No matter the reason, the best hot spot dog home remedy can be helpful in treating this uncomfortable condition.
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Treating Hot Spots in Dogs
Anything that irritates your dog's skin will cause him to scratch and chew to relieve the itching. While scratching can create lesions on the skin, chewing can be even worse. The moisture left behind stays in the fur and irritates the skin underneath.
When your dog chews insistently at the same spot, that moisture can cause a hot spot. The affected area will be itchy, resulting in more chewing. Thus, the issue will quickly spread.
Proper grooming can help to prevent hot spots on dogs. Dogs with matted hair and dirty coats are more susceptible to skin irritation. Because hot spots are caused by moisture, dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors in wet weather or enjoy swimming often are also more prone to developing hot spots.
Treating this skin condition can usually be done at home without a trip to the vet, but if your dog suffers from severe or chronic hot spots regularly, a chat with your veterinarian is a good idea. If your dog isn't a chronic sufferer, the best hot spot dog home remedy treatments will save you time and money.
3 Best Hot Spot Dog Home Remedy Treatments
1. Essential Oils Remedy
One of the best hot spot dog home remedy treatments can be made with essential oils. Many essential oils are used to treat health conditions in dogs. However, some of these oils can be toxic to dogs, so be sure that you do your research before using a home remedy that includes essential oils.
This particular hot spot remedy is created by mixing:
- 1/4 tsp. table salt
- 1 cup water
- 30 drops of calendula oil (like Aromatika)
Use a cotton ball to apply this solution to the affected area 2-4 times per day.
It usually takes longer to notice the effects of a home remedy for hot spots than it does to notice an over-the-counter or prescription treatment working. You'll need to apply this essential oil remedy daily until the wound is completely healed.
2. Coconut Oil Remedy
You can also use coconut oil as a treatment for hot spots in dogs. It has proven natural antibacterial, anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties, effective for skin and coat health. It can help with skin dog conditions like eczema, contact dermatitis, itchy skin and generally improve skin health. It can even reduce allergic reactions, especially flea allergies.
Coconut oil can be given to dogs orally or applied topically. Including coconut oil in your dog’s diet can improve their health in general but for the best results for skin and coat health, coconut oil should be used topically.
Using coconut oil topically is extremely simple:
- Use a small amount (because your dog’s fur can get greasy if you apply too much).
- Rub a bit of the coconut oil on the hot spot affected area and leave it there.
- Keep applying coconut oil twice daily until the hot spots are completely gone.
Your dog may lick some of the coconut oil, but that’s not a problem, because coconut oil is edible and healthy. However, it is best to let the oil get absorbed for at least 30-60 minutes. You may need to use an e-collar to prevent the dog from licking.
Some of the best coconut oil for dogs with hot spots brands are these:
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Coconut Oil for Dogs - Certified Organic & Virgin... | 2,351 Reviews | Check Price |
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Island Fresh Organic Coconut Oil (54 oz) - Organic... | 7,519 Reviews | Check Price |
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Nutiva Organic Steam Refined Oil, Coconut, 128 Fl... | 8,722 Reviews | Check Price |
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Virgin Coconut Oil, 16 fl oz - Non-GMO,... | 101,191 Reviews | Check Price |
3. Black Tea Remedy
Finally, black tea is another great hot spot dog home remedy treatment and it's also the cheapest and simplest of the three.
Simply steep a black tea bag in about 8 ounces of water. Then, you can apply this wet bag directly to the affected area, or use a cotton ball to apply the black tea to the hot spot on your dog.
Apply the black tea bag 3-4 times per day until the affected area has healed completely.
READ NEXT: 9 Ways To Improve Your Dog's Skin and Coat Health
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