Hot spots, also known as acute moist dermatitis or pyotraumatic dermatitis, are common skin lesions in cats that can cause significant discomfort. These painful, itchy areas are essentially superficial skin infections triggered by a cat’s excessive licking, scratching, chewing, or biting at their skin. While cats naturally have bacteria, yeast, and fungi on their skin, irritation or disruption can lead to an overgrowth of bacteria, resulting in a pyoderma, or skin infection.
Cats with long hair or thick coats are often more prone to developing hot spots. This is because their dense fur can trap moisture and irritants against the skin, creating an environment ripe for bacterial overgrowth. Although hot spots are frequently observed during the warm, humid summer months, they can occur at any time of year, depending on the underlying cause. Common locations for hot spots on cats include the face, chin, belly, and base of the tail, but they can appear anywhere on the body. It’s crucial to seek veterinary attention promptly if you suspect your cat has a hot spot, as these lesions are often painful and require treatment.
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Recognizing the Symptoms of Hot Spots in Cats
Initially, a hot spot manifests as a moist, intensely itchy, and inflamed area of skin. You might notice redness, swelling, and potentially hair loss in the affected region. As the infection progresses, pus begins to form, making the area even wetter. This moisture becomes trapped within the remaining fur, leading to the development of mats directly over the wound.
As the pus dries, it hardens and adheres to the damaged skin, forming a crusty, moist, and infected scab that is undoubtedly very uncomfortable for your cat. The matted fur often obscures the true extent of the underlying skin damage. The self-trauma from scratching, biting, and chewing exacerbates the hot spot, making early veterinary intervention essential. The sooner your cat receives a veterinary examination, the better the outcome and the faster their relief.
Image of a cat with a hot spot lesion.
Alt: Close-up of a cat hot spot lesion showing redness, inflammation, and hair loss.
Pinpointing the Causes of Feline Hot Spots
While hot spots are more prevalent in humid climates and during spring and summer, they can emerge at any season. Year-round culprits like bugs and allergies can trigger persistent itching, leading to hot spots. Cats with dense coats are particularly susceptible, as saliva trapped beneath their fur can irritate and infect the skin, initiating the itch-scratch cycle. Staphylococcus bacteria species, commonly found on a cat’s skin, are frequently implicated in bacterial skin infections associated with hot spots. Notably, staph infections in cats are generally not contagious to other animals or humans. A range of underlying factors can contribute to hot spots in cats, including:
Parasites and Insects
Fleas stand out as the most frequent instigators of hot spots in cats. However, other parasites such as mites (including mange and ear mites), mosquitoes, and ants can also provoke scratching and biting, resulting in hot spot development. These parasites cause irritation and itching, prompting the cat to groom excessively and damage their skin.
Allergies
Allergies are another significant contributor to hot spots in felines. Flea allergy dermatitis is particularly common; even a single flea bite or microscopic flea egg can trigger intense itching across a cat’s body, leading to self-inflicted hot spots. Outdoor cats, exposed to more pollen and environmental allergens, may face an elevated risk of developing these skin lesions. Food allergies can also manifest as skin issues and contribute to hot spots.
Stress, Anxiety, and Behavioral Issues
Cats are meticulous groomers, and changes in their routine or environment can induce stress. Overgrooming is a common stress response in cats. This excessive grooming can result in hair loss and skin irritation, eventually progressing to skin infections and hot spots. Boredom and anxiety can also lead to compulsive grooming behaviors that damage the skin.
Pain from Trauma, Injury, or Underlying Disease
Hot spots appearing in specific body areas, such as the hips or hindquarters, can sometimes indicate underlying pain or discomfort. Hip arthritis, common in older cats, can cause pain in the hip joints, prompting cats to chew or bite at the area, resulting in a hot spot. Anal gland issues can also cause a cat to focus grooming efforts on their hind end, potentially leading to skin trauma and hot spots.
Generally, any wound or injury, regardless of location, has the potential to develop into a hot spot. It only takes a short period of chewing, biting, or scratching for normal skin bacteria to multiply and initiate a skin infection.
Veterinary Diagnosis of Cat Hot Spots
Veterinarians can often diagnose hot spots in cats through a thorough physical examination. While the lesion itself is usually visually identifiable, diagnostic tests may be necessary to determine the underlying cause and prevent recurrence.
For primary skin issues, skin scrapings, skin cytology (microscopic examination of skin cells), or skin cultures might be performed to identify bacteria, mites, or fungi. If underlying pain is suspected, particularly with hot spots over the hips, X-rays could be recommended to assess for conditions like arthritis. Identifying both the hot spot and its root cause is crucial for effective treatment and preventing future occurrences.
Comprehensive Treatment Strategies for Cat Hot Spots
Treatment plans for feline hot spots are varied, but the initial step typically involves removing hair from and around the lesion. Veterinarians use clippers or specialized razors to expose the infected skin. This hair removal allows for drainage of trapped moisture and pus, enabling thorough cleaning of the affected area.
Clipping the hair also helps the veterinarian assess the full extent of the hot spot, which may have been hidden by matted fur and crusting. As hot spots can be painful, sedation and pain relief medication may be administered during the cleaning process to ensure the cat’s comfort. After clipping and cleaning, the vet can collect skin samples for cytology, culture, or scraping to aid in diagnosing the underlying cause.
The skin infection component of a hot spot is often addressed with a combination of topical and systemic (oral or injectable) antibiotics. Topical treatments, such as wipes, cleansers, mousses, and shampoos, containing chlorhexidine as the active antibacterial ingredient are frequently recommended.
Image of topical Cat Hot Spot treatment products.
Alt: Douxo S3 Care Mousse, a topical product for treating cat hot spots, shown in product packaging.
Recommended Products for Cat Hot Spot Treatment
Douxo® S3 offers a popular over-the-counter topical product line effective for managing skin infections and treating hot spots. For mite infestations, lime sulfur dips or medicated baths may be necessary. For more severe infections, a veterinarian may prescribe oral or injectable medications, including:
- Convenia® (injectable antibiotic)
- Cephalexin (oral antibiotic)
- Clindamycin (oral antibiotic)
- Clavamox® (oral antibiotic)
- Onsior™ (oral NSAID for pain relief)
- Meloxicam (oral NSAID for pain relief)
- Buprenorphine (oral pain reliever)
- Tramadol (oral pain reliever)
- Prednisolone (oral steroid to reduce inflammation and itching)
- Chlorpheniramine (oral antihistamine to reduce itching)
If fleas are identified as the underlying cause, comprehensive flea treatment is essential. This includes flea preventatives such as Revolution® Plus and Bravecto® topical solutions, or oral medications like Capstar®. Environmental flea control in the home is also crucial. Your veterinarian will formulate a tailored treatment plan based on your cat’s specific condition and the underlying cause of the hot spot.
Recovery and Long-Term Management of Feline Hot Spots
Preventing self-trauma is paramount for successful healing of hot spots. It’s vital to ensure your cat cannot reach the affected area to lick, scratch, chew, or bite. Self-inflicted damage is a major impediment to hot spot healing.
An Elizabethan collar (cone of shame), an inflatable collar, or a protective shirt can effectively prevent your cat from further damaging the skin. These devices should remain in place until all medications are completed and the hot spot is fully healed. Bandaging hot spots is generally discouraged, as it can trap moisture and hinder healing.
Your veterinarian will provide a treatment timeline based on your cat’s diagnosis. Hot spots can require weeks to months to heal, depending on the underlying cause and severity. Completing all prescribed medications and attending all follow-up veterinary appointments are essential to ensure proper healing. Only pet-safe products should be used on a cat’s skin, as human products can be toxic. Always consult with your veterinarian before using any topical products at home for your cat’s hot spot.
Image of a cat wearing an Elizabethan collar.
Alt: A cat wearing a clear plastic Elizabethan collar, commonly used to prevent cats from licking wounds.
Prevention Strategies for Cat Hot Spots
Proactive healthcare is key to preventing hot spots. Regular veterinary checkups, at least annually, are crucial. During these appointments, your veterinarian can identify and manage underlying conditions such as allergies, pain, or stress that may predispose your cat to hot spots.
Year-round flea and tick prevention is recommended for all cats, even indoor-only cats. This protects against parasites that can cause itching and transmit diseases. Your veterinarian can recommend the most appropriate flea and tick preventative based on your cat’s lifestyle, health status, and geographic location. Remember that hot spots can rapidly escalate, so prompt veterinary examination is crucial, regardless of size.
WRITTEN BY:
Barri J. Morrison, DVM
Veterinarian
