Hot Spots, Dry Skin, & Itchiness? The Real Reason Might Surprise You

Does it seem like your dog can’t get its mind off of itching and scratching?  Late summer is the peak time for allergy flare-ups, with pollen from weeds and grasses swirling everywhere. Many dog owners face these same challenges, so no, you’re not overthinking it. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the potential causes of hot spots and dry, itchy skin. And whether it’s allergies, bathing, or something more, you’ll finish reading this guide equipped with easy, tangible solutions to keep your pup’s summer carefree instead of miserable. 

Common Skin Issues in Dogs During Late Summer

So, just how common are skin issues in dogs? According to studies, 25% of vet visits are due to skin-related reasons, with August being the frontrunner for a significant uptick in seasonal incidents.[1] This is because the warmer weather and humidity are the perfect conditions for the growth of bacteria, fungi, yeast, and parasites. If your dog already has damaged or sensitive skin, they’re an even bigger target, so constant outside playtime, mixed with pollen, can worsen their symptoms.  

In most dogs, there are a few of the most common issues to look out for:

• Hot spots (moist dermatitis): caused by constant scratching, biting, and licking from fleas, ticks, or mites

• Itchiness: from allergens, grass, or bites

• Dry/flaky skin: from overbathing or heat

The Root Cause: Allergens, Imbalances, & Inflammation

If you and your pup want to take advantage of each warm, sunny day, without worrying about the consequences later on, it’s important to understand the root causes of how their symptoms are being triggered. 

Overactive Immune System

Late summer allergens like grass, dust mites, and mold spores can cause immune system flare-ups. This is because your dog sees these environmental disruptions as dangerous invaders and overreacts, causing their immune system to break into an allergic reaction.[2] That’s where all the itching, redness, watery eyes, and swelling come into play. 

Out of Whack Gut

Dogs with a weak gut or immune system are even more susceptible to allergies, which can result in more severe symptoms. The gut-skin axis is the focal point here. The communication between the gut and skin is ongoing, and an inflamed gut can present externally on the skin—think itchiness, redness, or hot spots that can lead to hair loss.[3]

Poor Grooming Practices

Overbathing your dog, using harsh shampoos, and forgetting to brush them regularly can strip their skin of natural defenses, which weakens the skin barrier and allows allergens and microbes to penetrate more easily.[4] This leads to increased itching, hot spots, and secondary infections, especially if your dog has sensitive skin or an overworked immune system.

4. Natural, Effective Ways to Help Seasonal Symptoms

The bad news? It’s not possible to cure seasonal allergens. The good news? With the right support, you can help comfortably manage your dog’s seasonal symptoms for more outdoor adventures with fewer interruptions to bite and scratch. 

How PupGrade Chews Can Help

Even if your pup is only showing minimal signs of allergies, it’s smart to be proactive and support your dog’s health before seasonal challenges arise. Building a strong internal defense is a great place to start. With PupGrade products, you can rest assured that they are made with mindful ingredients and rooted in science. 

Here are some of our best sellers for seasonal shifts: 

Skin & Coat Soft Chews

• Packed with omega-3s like salmon oil to nourish skin and reduce shedding.[5] 

• Supports moisture barrier to combat dryness.[5]

Itch & Allergy Soft Chews

• Help support a normal histamine response to common allergens.[6]

• Includes natural compounds like turmeric, quercetin to support overall skin comfort.[7]

With consistent use, these supplements can build up their nutrient levels and contribute to positive changes in their health—goodbye end-of-summer disruptions!

Bathing & Grooming Habits for Healthy Summer Skin 

As allergy season continues, you might be tempted to increase the frequency of baths you give your dog. But did you know that overbathing can do more harm than good?

Washing away the buildup of pollen and grass from your dog's coat sounds good in theory, but too many baths can mess up their pH and strip their skin of natural oils that keep it balanced and moisturized.[8] 

One study supports the idea of spacing out baths by at least 72 hours to maintain skin health.[9] If your dog's allergic reaction symptoms aren’t very severe, baths every 1-2 weeks can be just as effective (unless advised by your vet otherwise).

Gentle wipes can be an effective alternative between baths to remove an overabundance of allergens from the coat and paws, without drying out their skin. 

Brushing regularly is also key to removing dander, loose fur, and hidden allergens.

When bath time comes, using a gentle and soothing soap like this Complete Care Shampoo & Conditioner is important. It’s hypoallergenic and without harsh fragrances or sulfates. Let the simple ingredients like organic aloe vera extracts, whole grain oats, calendula, and coconut oil get to work! 

PupGrade Pro Tip: Add a post-bath moisturizing spray or leave-in conditioner for an extra boost of hydration.

Real Pup Parents Share Their Stories

Billie S. on Itch & Allergy: 

“My dogs were itching and licking themselves. The staff pit bull mix had red skin. After just a few days her skin is not red and the scratching and licking has stopped. I am very pleased with the product and will purchase again when I run out. I definitely recommend.”

Sharon T. shares her results with Skin & Coat: 

“worked good on my dog's neck and chest where the hair was so thin you could see her skin. took a couple of weeks to start seeing improvement. Also , both my dogs seem to tolerate it well, no stomach issues.”

FAQs About Seasonal Skin Issues & Supplements

Q: Can food allergies cause these symptoms, too?
A: Yes, but they’re often year-round vs seasonal.[10]

Q: How long before I see results with chews?
A: Usually within 4–6 weeks.

Q: Can I give both chews together?
A: *While some pet parents choose to use multiple supplements, every dog is different. Always consult your veterinarian before introducing more than one supplement to your dog’s routine.

Help Your Pup Stay Comfy

Summer is full of tail wags and sunny adventures, but seasonal triggers can sometimes leave your pup feeling a little ruff. When environmental factors ramp up, your dog’s immune system may start working overtime, leading to occasional discomfort and skin-related issues!

Support your dog’s warm-weather routine with holistic habits like gentle baths, regular brushing, and a daily PupGrade supplement formulated to help maintain normal immune function and skin health.*

There’s no time like the present to improve your dog’s health—shop PupGrade’s products today!

We've gone ahead and enclosed a 10% OFF Coupon below for you to use in the store - remember, your puppy DESERVES to have the healthiest life! Click here to start shopping!

*This information is intended for general purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet or health routine, especially if you notice persistent or concerning changes in your dog's movement or behavior.

**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.

Resources:

1. Kumar, P., & Shekhar, S. (2020). Occurrence of dermatological disorders and haemato-biochemical alteration, treatment of demodicosis in dogs. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 8(2S), 126–132. https://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/2020/vol8issue2S/PartD/S-8-2-33-765.pdf

2. Mueller, R. S., Janda, J., Jensen-Jarolim, E., Rhyner, C., & Marti, E. (2016). Allergens in veterinary medicine. Allergy, 71(1), 27–35. https://doi.org/10.1111/all.12726

3. Rostaher, A., Morsy, Y., Favrot, C., Unterer, S., Schnyder, M., Scharl, M., & Fischer, N. M. (2022). Comparison of the Gut Microbiome between Atopic and Healthy Dogs-Preliminary Data. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 12(18), 2377. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12182377 

4. Marsella R. (2024). Investigation into the Effects of Allergen Exposure and Topical Vinegar and Water Spray on Skin Barrier Parameters in Atopic Dogs. Veterinary sciences, 11(10), 459. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11100459 

5. Calder P. C. (2017). Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: from molecules to man. Biochemical Society transactions, 45(5), 1105–1115. https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20160474

6. Boldogh, I., Aguilera-Aguirre, L., et al. (2008). Colostrinin decreases hypersensitivity and allergic responses to common allergens. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 146(4): p. 298-306. DOI: 10.1159/000121464. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18367843/ 

7. SC;, Aggarwal BB;Yuan W;Li S;Gupta. “Curcumin-Free Turmeric Exhibits Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Activities: Identification of Novel Components of Turmeric.” Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 12 July 2013, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23847105/. 

8. Discepolo, D., Kelley, R., Watson, A., & Perry, E. (2023). Impacts to canine dermal microbiota associated with repeated bathing. Frontiers in veterinary science, 10, 1204159. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1204159 

9. Kawasaki, Y., & Nakayama, K. (2004). Effects of bathing on the lipid content of the coat and the animal odor in dogs. Journal of the Japan Veterinary Medical Association, 57(1), 54–58. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jvma1951/57/1/57_1_54/_article 

10. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Volume 261 issue S1 (2023). AVMA. (n.d.). https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/261/S1/javma.261.issue-S1.xml