Why does my dog keep getting hot spots after swimming?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your dog keeps getting hot spots after swimming, the most common reason is that the skin stays damp for too long, especially in thick coats, skin folds or hidden areas like under the ears and armpits. Swimming can also bring on irritation from salt, chlorine, muddy water, pollen or existing skin sensitivity. There may be several causes, so it’s worth checking the pattern carefully rather than assuming the water itself is the only problem.

Things To Check

1. Notice whether the sore patches appear after every swim or only after certain places, such as lakes, the sea, pools or muddy water.

2. Check if your dog’s coat is drying fully, especially around the neck, chest, groin, armpits, ears and between the toes.

3. Look for early signs of irritation such as redness, damp-looking fur, scratching, licking, nibbling or repeated rubbing.

4. Consider whether your dog has a thick coat, skin folds or a habit of shaking off water but staying damp underneath the topcoat.

5. See if the issue is worse after warm weather, exercise, swimming in dirty water or wearing a harness while still wet.

6. Check whether any shampoo, rinse or grooming routine used after swimming could be leaving residue on the skin.

7. Make a note of how quickly the area becomes sore, weepy or smelly, as that can help you judge how urgent it is to get advice.

Common Causes

Most often, hot spots after swimming are linked to moisture trapped in the coat, which can irritate the skin and create the right conditions for a sore patch to develop. This is especially common in dense or long coats.

Irritation from salt, chlorine, algae, mud or pollen can also play a part, particularly if your dog already has sensitive skin. Some dogs react more strongly if they swim often or spend time damp for long periods.

Less commonly, repeated hot spots after swimming may be connected to an underlying skin issue such as allergies, ear trouble, parasites or a coat that is not drying properly because of grooming or matting.

What To Do

After swimming, dry your dog thoroughly with a clean towel, paying attention to hidden areas where water collects. If your dog has a thick coat, gentle brushing after towel drying may help air reach the skin more easily.

Try to limit your dog staying wet for long periods, and avoid putting a harness or coat back on until the skin is dry. If the swimming water is muddy, salty or chlorinated, rinsing with clean water afterwards can help reduce residue on the coat.

Keep a simple note of when the hot spots happen, how quickly they appear and which type of water your dog has been in. That pattern can be very useful if you need to speak to a vet later.

If the same areas keep flaring up, it may help to review your grooming routine, coat length and drying method, as small changes can make a difference to how comfortable your dog stays.

Products That May Help

If swimming is part of your dog’s routine, a good grooming and washing setup can help you manage damp coats and skin care more easily at home.

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