Hot Spots After Wet Weather: Grooming Signs to Act On

Recognise a rapidly changing sore patch, stop the grooming task and gather the information your vet needs.

3 min read Updated 10 September 2026

The practical answer

A red, wet, painful patch or persistent licking needs prompt veterinary advice. Do not keep brushing, clip over it at home or hide it with a cosmetic product.

What might you notice?

Hot spots are inflamed skin lesions that can develop quickly and may ooze. VCA describes a cycle of itching and self-trauma, with several possible underlying triggers. Damp or matted coats can be part of the problem, but water alone does not explain every lesion. VCA Animal Hospitals: hot spots in dogs.

Change the plan when the skin is sore

Stop the current grooming task on the affected area.
Keep the dog from further irritating it as safely as possible while you contact the vet.
Describe where the patch is, when you first noticed it and whether it is spreading.
Follow the vet’s advice on examination, protection and treatment.
Keep the original grooming appointment on hold if the area cannot be handled comfortably.

Do not use scissors to clear hair from a sore patch. Skin can be difficult to distinguish beneath wet or matted hair, and painful dogs may move unexpectedly. VCA specifically warns against scissors for this task. VCA Animal Hospitals: hot spots in dogs.

Collect observations without repeatedly touching it

Observation	Useful detail
Timing	When the dog was last comfortable and when licking started.
Location	The exact body area and whether there is more than one patch.
Recent events	Bath, swim, rain, grooming or product change.
Behaviour	Scratching, licking, guarding or difficulty settling.
History	Previous similar episodes and any ongoing treatment.

Avoid home-treatment guesswork

Do not apply human creams, essential oils, leftover medication or a tight home bandage. Avoid repeated washing or scrubbing while waiting for advice. A vet needs to determine what is happening and whether there is an underlying cause that also requires attention.

Reduce repeat problems after treatment

Once the vet has set the care plan, discuss how grooming should fit around it. Review any areas that stay damp, mat repeatedly or are difficult to inspect. Keep a specific drying and coat-check routine after wet outings rather than relying on a vague instruction to groom more often.

For a salon, record the finding and the work stopped, then explain the referral clearly. For an owner, arrange prompt veterinary advice if the patch is painful, spreading or accompanied by the dog seeming unwell. A tidy coat can wait while sore skin is assessed.

Sources and further reading

Guidance checked September 2026. The practical checklists and examples are VUNRO editorial guidance; the sources below support the underlying care or equipment principles.

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