Author: Nancy Cope

Home Remedies for Dog Hotspots

Perhaps you are an old pro at handling dog hotspots, and don’t want to have to visit the vet every time your pup develops one. Or perhaps you simply want to try some natural and holistic remedies to cure your dog’s itchy skin. Whatever the case, there are many options for someone who wants to try treating a dog hotspot at home.

Antibiotic and Anti-itch Creams

Antibiotic creams like Neosporin work as well on dogs as they do on humans. The antibiotics are important because the real danger with dog hotspots is not the wound itself but the infection caused by malignant bacteria. Once the bacteria gets a foot hold the sore can increase in size at a rapid rate. Anti-itch creams (hydrocortisone) are also helpful because they relieve the painful itching sensation at the hotspot, causing your dog to worry at the area less. Be careful with these creams though, they aren’t meant to be ingested and your dog may try to lick them off. Also be conservative in the amount you apply, too much cream and the wound won’t dry out as it needs to in order to heal.

Vitamin E

Another option is to use vitamin E, both externally and internally. Vitamin E is a very useful supplement for dogs, and is far safer for your dog to ingest than antibiotic creams. Simply purchase capsules at the store and then puncture them to let the fluid out onto the wound. Consider implementing vitamin E as a regular supplement for your dog as well.

Black Tea

For a very natural approach use black tea compresses to help dry the wound and relieve itching. You want to use black tea because it contains the tannic acids which will help combat the infection and itchiness and to help dry out the wound. Simply steep a tea bag in hot water for a minute and remove the bag to let it cool. When it has cooled a bit apply it to the dog hotspot and leave it for about five minutes. Repeat this procedure several times a day for maximum efficiency.

Dog hotspots can be very serious, and it is important to go to your vet if you think the hotspot is getting out of hand. Dog hotspots don’t have to be the end of the world, they’re just a small, and rather itchy, bump in the road.