Best Dog Food for Hot Spots in 2026

Hot spots (acute moist dermatitis) are painful, inflamed skin lesions that can appear suddenly and spread rapidly. While hot spots require immediate treatment, the right diet can help prevent recurrence by supporting skin health and reducing inflammation.

Understanding Hot Spots in Dogs

Hot spots are localized areas of skin inflammation and bacterial infection. They're intensely itchy and painful, causing dogs to lick, chew, and scratch—which makes them worse.

What Hot Spots Look Like

Red, moist, oozing lesions
Hair loss in affected area
Swollen, inflamed skin
Pus or discharge
Foul odor
Well-defined borders
Can spread rapidly (hours to days)

Common Locations

Under ears
On hips and rump
Along the neck
Near base of tail
On legs

Common Causes

Allergies: Food or environmental
Flea bites: Flea allergy dermatitis
Moisture: Trapped moisture from swimming, rain
Matted fur: Traps moisture and bacteria
Underlying skin conditions: Seborrhea, yeast
Ear infections: Lead to scratching
Boredom/stress: Excessive licking
Poor grooming: Dirty, matted coat

The Diet-Hot Spot Connection

Diet plays a role in hot spot prevention through:

Reducing Inflammation

Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammatory response
Anti-inflammatory diet may reduce flare-ups
Balanced omega-6/omega-3 ratio important

Supporting Skin Barrier

Quality nutrition supports healthy skin
Essential fatty acids maintain skin integrity
Proper nutrients help skin resist infection

Addressing Food Allergies

Food allergies cause itching
Itching leads to scratching
Scratching can trigger hot spots
Eliminating allergens breaks the cycle

What to Look for in Food to Prevent Hot Spots

Must-Have Features

High omega-3 fatty acid content
Quality protein sources
No common allergens (if food allergy suspected)
Limited, identifiable ingredients
No artificial additives

Key Anti-Inflammatory Nutrients

Omega-3s (EPA/DHA): Primary anti-inflammatory
Vitamin E: Antioxidant, skin health
Zinc: Wound healing, skin integrity
Biotin: Skin and coat health

Ideal Food Characteristics

Fish as primary protein (natural omega-3s)
Added fish oil
Limited ingredient list
High-quality, digestible ingredients

Top Recommended Products

For General Hot Spot Prevention

Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach (Salmon)

Rating: 4.71/5
Salmon first ingredient
High omega-3 content
Supports skin barrier
No corn, wheat, or soy

Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin

Omega-6 fatty acids
Vitamin E for skin health
Easy-to-digest ingredients
Made in the USA

For Suspected Food Allergies

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet (Fish)

Limited ingredients reduce triggers
Fish-based for omega-3s
Single protein source
Good for elimination diets

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein

Hydrolyzed protein reduces allergic response
For dogs with multiple allergies
Supports skin health
Veterinary recommended

Omega-Rich Options

Wellness CORE Ocean

Whitefish and herring based
High omega-3 content
Grain-free formula
Quality ingredients

Feeding Strategies for Hot Spot Prevention

Increase Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Choose fish-based foods
Add fish oil supplement
Look for EPA/DHA in guaranteed analysis
Balance with omega-6s

Consider Elimination Diet

If food allergies suspected:

Feed novel protein for 8-12 weeks
No treats or extras
Monitor for improvement
Reintroduce foods one at a time

Maintain Consistent Diet

Sudden changes can trigger issues
Stick with food that works
Transition slowly if changes needed

Beyond Diet: Hot Spot Prevention

Grooming

Regular brushing prevents matting
Keep coat clean and dry
Dry thoroughly after swimming/bathing
Trim long coats in humid weather

Flea Prevention

Year-round flea control essential
Flea allergy is major hot spot cause
Treat all pets in household
Treat environment too

Environmental Management

Identify and reduce allergens
Regular cleaning
Air filtration
Manage humidity

Address Underlying Issues

Treat ear infections promptly
Manage allergies proactively
Address anxiety/boredom
Regular vet check-ups

Treating Existing Hot Spots

Immediate Care

Clip hair around the lesion
Clean gently with antiseptic
Keep area dry
Prevent licking (cone/e-collar)
See vet if severe

Veterinary Treatment May Include

Antibiotics (topical or oral)
Anti-inflammatory medications
Medicated shampoos
Pain relief
Addressing underlying cause

When to See a Vet Immediately

Large or multiple hot spots
Spreading rapidly
Deep or severe lesions
Dog is in significant pain
Signs of systemic illness
Not improving with home care

Frequently Asked Questions

Can diet alone prevent hot spots?

Diet supports skin health and reduces inflammation, which helps prevent hot spots. However, diet alone may not prevent them if the underlying cause is environmental allergies, flea bites, or moisture. A multi-faceted approach is best.

How do omega-3 fatty acids help with hot spots?

Omega-3s (EPA/DHA) have anti-inflammatory properties that support skin health and reduce the inflammatory response that contributes to hot spots. They also strengthen the skin barrier, making it more resistant to infection.

My dog gets hot spots every summer. What should I do?

Summer hot spots often relate to allergies, humidity, or swimming. Strategies: increase omega-3s before summer, keep coat shorter, dry thoroughly after water exposure, maintain flea prevention, and consider allergy testing if severe.

Should I use a grain-free diet for hot spots?

Not necessarily. Grain allergies are rare in dogs. If food allergy is contributing to hot spots, the protein source (chicken, beef) is more likely the issue than grains. Focus on omega-3 content and limited ingredients rather than grain-free specifically.

How long until diet changes help prevent hot spots?

Skin health improvements from diet typically take 4-8 weeks to become apparent. For food allergy elimination diets, 8-12 weeks is needed to fully assess results. Be patient and consistent with dietary changes.