Can CBD treat my dog’s hot spots?

Your dog is a curious adventurer who comes into contact with many new sights and smells every day. Unfortunately, they also come into contact with many kinds of bacteria – and when their skin is open, it can cause an infection. This can cause your dog to get hot spots, also known as acute moist dermatitis. But what are hot spots, and how can you treat your dog’s hot spots with CBD?

Here’s what you need to know.

What are hot spots?

Hot spots are inflamed, raw, painful areas on your dog’s skin that stay permanently moist. They’re particularly common in summer.

What causes hot spots? In summary, bacteria. We know bacteria thrive in warm, wet places. A small scratch on your dog’s skin – caused by playing, scratching, or biting – can become wet when your dog baths, swims, or licks their skin. The open wound then becomes the ideal place for bacteria to grow.

The infected area then becomes inflamed, irritated, and sensitive. It might look or feel raw and painful.

How do I treat hot spots on my dog?

It’s best to take your dog to a vet when it comes to hot spots, as you often need prescription medication to treat it. Your vet will probably advise you to do the following:

• Cut or clip the hair around the hot spot/s so that it can dry out.
• Clean the area with a specialized shampoo or cleanser, and pat it dry.
• Apply prescription cream to soothe the hot spots. This will often be a hydrocortisone cream to stop the itching.
• Place an Elizabethan collar (the plastic ‘cone’) around your dog’s neck to stop them from biting or licking the wounds. Touching the hot spots can make it worse.
• Give your dog oral antibiotics if your vet says you must.

Your vet’s instructions will depend on your dog’s specific needs, so follow their advice and call your vet if you have any concerns. If the sores start to look worse, contact them immediately.

Can CBD treat hot spots on dogs?

There are a number of health benefits of CBD for dogs. Many people use CBD to treat their dogs’ skin conditions, and some believe CBD can treat hot spots on dogs.

This is because CBD has anti-inflammatory properties. A 2018 study suggested that CBD can treat atopic dermatitis (i.e. allergic rashes) on dogs. Another 2018 study showed that CBD is a relatively safe, well-tolerated treatment in dogs that has anti-inflammatory properties. Many dog owners use CBD to keep their pet’s fur and coat healthy.

At the moment, there are no studies exploring whether CBD can treat hot spots. However, since it’s a relatively safe treatment that has multiple health-supporting benefits, many people use it anyway.

It’s best to use CBD to prevent issues like hot spots instead of curing them. By preventing itchy, dry skin, your dog is less likely to scratch excessively and cause hot spots.

If you decide to use CBD to treat hot spots on your dog, speak to your vet first, and give them the correct dosage based on our CBD dosage chart. Be sure to buy top-quality CBD from a reputable brand – your furry friend deserves the very best.