Dog Chewing Skin Raw? It Could Be a Hot Spot

If your dog is obsessively chewing or licking an area of their skin until it becomes raw and inflamed, you're right to be concerned. This behavior is often a sign of a condition called a hot spot, a painful and rapidly worsening skin issue that can significantly affect your dog’s skin health. In this article, we’ll dive deep into how chewing raw skin can signal a hot spot, what hot spots mean for your dog’s overall skin condition, and how to treat and prevent them effectively.

What Are Hot Spots in Dogs?

Hot spots, or acute moist dermatitis, are inflamed, red, and moist patches of skin that often develop when dogs excessively chew, lick, or scratch a particular area. These spots can appear suddenly and worsen rapidly within hours. They are painful, irritating, and can severely compromise the skin’s barrier if left untreated.

Common Hot Spot Locations:

• Neck and chest

• Base of the tail

• Hips and thighs

• Ears and sides of the face

Key Signs of Hot Spots:

• Red, moist, inflamed area

• Hair loss in the affected spot

• Oozing or crusty lesions

• Foul odor from the skin

• Pain or sensitivity when touched

Why Chewing Skin Raw Often Means a Hot Spot

Hot spots are most often a common secondary sign of many underlying skin issues, meaning they typically occur alongside or as a result of another skin condition. Chewing the skin raw is itself a symptom of skin irritation, but it can also lead to the development of hot spots by damaging the skin barrier and creating an ideal environment for infection. Chewing raw skin is a common behavior that leads to the formation of hot spots.



Here's how:

1. Initial Trigger: An underlying issue—such as an insect bite, allergy, or minor irritation—causes your dog to lick or chew.

2. Self-Trauma: Repetitive licking and chewing further irritate the skin.

3. Moist Environment: The dog’s saliva keeps the area damp, weakening the skin’s natural defenses.

4. Bacterial Invasion: Bacteria take advantage of the broken, moist skin, leading to infection and inflammation.

This sequence results in a full-blown hot spot that can worsen quickly without intervention.

When Chewing Skin Raw Indicates a Hot Spot

Your dog chewing or licking an area raw might be due to a hot spot if:

• The behavior started suddenly

• The spot is moist, red, and inflamed

• The area has a foul smell

• Your dog is obsessively licking or chewing the same spot

• The affected area worsens rapidly over a day or two

The Link Between Hot Spots and Skin Health

Hot spots are not just surface-level problems—they reflect deeper issues in your dog's skin health. Persistent hot spots can indicate:

• Poor skin barrier function

• Immune system imbalances

• Underlying allergies or infections

• Stress-induced compulsive behavior

Hot spots compromise your dog’s natural defense against bacteria and parasites. If recurrent, they can lead to chronic skin problems and scarring.

Other Conditions That Can Cause a Dog to Chew Its Skin Raw

While hot spots are a major concern, they aren’t the only reason dogs chew their skin raw. Here are other potential causes:

1. Flea Infestation

Even one flea can trigger intense chewing if your dog is allergic to flea saliva. Look for black specks (flea dirt) or actual fleas.

2. Food Allergies or Sensitivities

Itchy skin can result from reactions to certain proteins, grains, or additives in dog food.

3. Environmental Allergies (Atopic Dermatitis)

Pollen, mold, dust mites, and other airborne allergens can make your dog itchy, leading to excessive licking or biting.

4. Yeast or Bacterial Infections

Infections often result in itching, which may cause your dog to scratch and chew. Signs include greasy, smelly skin and darkened patches.

5. Dry Skin

Dry, flaky skin can lead to itchiness and chewing, especially in colder months or in dogs with underlying nutritional issues.

6. Anxiety or Boredom

Dogs often chew themselves out of stress, anxiety, or boredom. Separation anxiety and lack of mental stimulation can cause this compulsive behavior.

7. Pain or Discomfort

Sometimes a dog will lick or chew at a joint or area that hurts, such as in cases of arthritis, injury, or internal pain.

8. Autoimmune Diseases

Conditions like lupus or pemphigus can cause skin lesions that itch or hurt, leading to licking or chewing.

When Chewing Isn’t a Hot Spot

While raw chewing often points to hot spots, there are cases where the behavior signals other conditions:

• Generalized itching from allergies (widespread chewing rather than one spot)

• Dry skin or dandruff (flaky, not moist)

• Yeast infections (greasy, smelly skin with dark pigmentation)

• Pain from orthopedic issues (chewing joints)

• Anxiety-based behavior (lick granulomas, often on front legs)

If the skin is not moist or inflamed, or if the dog is chewing in multiple locations, other diagnoses should be explored.

Diagnosing a Hot Spot

A veterinary examination is the most accurate way to confirm a hot spot and its cause. Diagnosis may include:

• Physical inspection of the lesion

• Skin scraping or cytology

• Flea combing

• Culture for bacteria or yeast

Treat Dog Raw Skin and Hot Spots

When your dog chews its skin raw, and a hot spot forms, prompt treatment is key to preventing pain, infection, and prolonged discomfort. Hot spots are most often a common secondary sign of many underlying skin issues. Chewing the skin raw is itself a symptom of skin irritation, but it can also lead to the development of hot spots by damaging the skin barrier and creating an ideal environment for infection.

Here’s a logical, step-by-step approach to treating both the raw skin and the underlying hot spot:

1. Trim the Fur Around the Affected Area

Carefully clip the fur around the hot spot to expose the skin. This helps the area stay dry and allows for effective cleaning and medication application. Use pet-safe clippers or let your vet handle this if the area is sensitive.

2. Gently Clean the Hot Spot

Use a mild antiseptic solution—such as chlorhexidine or a vet-approved wound cleanser—to gently disinfect the area. Avoid alcohol or hydrogen peroxide as they can irritate the raw skin further.

3. Apply Vet-Recommended Topical Medications

These may include:

• Antibiotic creams or sprays

• Corticosteroid ointments to reduce inflammation and itching

• Medicated drying solutions. Always follow your vet’s dosage and application instructions.
  
  Puainta® Quantum Silver Anti-itch Skin Spray helps soothe, dry out, and heal damp “Hot Spots”. It deodorizes and helps relieve fungal and bacterial skin infections, relieves itchy skin in cats and dogs, and helps control the spread of lesions. 
  
  

4. Stop Further Chewing and Licking

Use an Elizabethan collar (E-collar), inflatable donut collar, or soft recovery cone to keep your dog from further traumatizing the area. This is critical for healing.

5. Address the Root Cause

Successful treatment of hot spots includes identifying and managing the underlying issue:

• Allergies (food or environmental)

• Flea infestations

• Ear or anal gland infections

• Anxiety or boredom-related behaviors. Your vet may recommend allergy testing, dietary changes, parasite prevention, or behavior modification techniques.

6. Track Healing and Recovery

Most hot spots improve within 3–10 days if treated early and correctly. Monitor for:

• Reduction in redness and moisture

• Decreased itching or chewing

• No spreading or new lesions If there's no improvement or it worsens, return to your veterinarian.

Treating raw skin and hot spots early not only helps your dog feel better faster but also prevents more severe skin conditions. Combined with good preventive care, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of hot spot recurrence.

Preventing Hot Spots

• Groom regularly to prevent mats and trapped moisture.

• Keep your dog dry after swimming or baths.

• Control fleas and ticks with regular preventatives.
  
  Puainta® Pest Control Collar for Dogs/Cats effectively repels ticks and fleas with a pet-safe formula that reduces anxiety, promotes emotional balance, and alleviates stress-related behaviors.
  
  

• Manage allergies with vet-guided plans.

• Provide mental stimulation to reduce stress behaviors.

• Feed a balanced diet rich in omega-3s to support skin health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do I know my dog’s raw skin is a hot spot?

A: Hot spots are red, moist, and usually appear suddenly. If the area smells bad, oozes, and your dog won’t stop licking it, it’s likely a hot spot.

Q: Can hot spots go away without treatment?

A: Rarely. Most hot spots worsen without medical care and can become severely infected.

Q: Are hot spots dangerous to my dog’s health?

A: If untreated, yes. They can lead to deeper infections and long-term skin issues.

Q: Should I let my dog lick the hot spot?

A: No. Licking worsens the wound and spreads bacteria. Use a cone to prevent access.

Q: What’s the best way to prevent hot spots?

A: Keep your dog clean and dry, address underlying skin issues, and avoid triggers like fleas or allergens.

Final Thoughts

When your dog is chewing its skin raw, a hot spot is often the underlying problem, especially if the area is red, moist, and painful. Recognizing the signs early and acting quickly can prevent serious skin damage. Because hot spots reflect broader skin health issues, prevention and long-term care are essential.

Always consult your veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Your quick action can spare your dog unnecessary pain and help maintain a healthy, comfortable life.